Franciscan Spirit

One of the issues that has dominated the headlines in the United States is immigration and this administration’s approach to deportation. How do our Christian and Franciscan values serve as a guiding light in an issue that is complex and nuanced, yet at the same time crystal clear when it comes to human dignity and the importance of serving the margins? This episode's guest, Sister Suzanne Susany, OSF, of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, is an immigration lawyer who lives and works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After a number of twists and turns in her career, Sister Suzanne attained a degree in law from Duquesne University in 2010. Sister Suzanne is on the front lines of immigration and deals first hand with migrants seeking refuge in the United States. In this candid conversation, Sister Suzanne shares her experiences as an immigration lawyer and the challenges she has faced the last two years. She shares how her Franciscan values animate her work and invites listeners to recover the soul of America as we approach its 250th birthday.The show notes are available here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:04:33) Sister Suzanne's Franciscan and Legal Background(00:11:39) Why Become an Immigration Attorney?(00:13:53) If Our Immigration System had a Franciscan Heart(00:19:46) Reflection No. 1: What is the Common Good?(00:22:11) The Danger of Labeling(00:28:13) Stories of Immigrants(00:39:51) Reflection No. 2: Story as Spiritual Encounter(00:43:21) Unprecedented Shifts in Immigration Law(00:53:56) 2025: The Most Trying Year as an Immigration Attorney(00:57:09) Why is this Happening?(00:59:38) Reflection No. 3: America at 250(01:03:16) ICE and Recovering the Soul of America(01:11:09) Responding to Opposing Arguments(01:19:17) What is Wrong with This Picture?(01:23:39) America at 250 and the Brilliance of the Founding Fathers(01:28:59) Looking Forward(01:31:57) Conclusion

Murray Bodo, OFM, is a Franciscan priest and an award-winning author of numerous books, including the bestselling, Francis: The Journey and the Dream. He has had poems, stories and articles published in magazines and literary journals in the United States, England, and Ireland. A founding staff member of Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs, he led yearly pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy for over 40 years before retiring in 2020.Father Murray recently wrote his 12th book of poetry, Brother Wind and Air: A Lifetime in Verse, which is the focus of this episode. This interview was recorded last April when this book was originally released, but when Franciscan Media discontinued its book line, people were no longer able to find the book and order it. That is, until now. The book can now be ordered exclusively through Ascension Press’s website. The themes of wind and air permeate this work, as Father Murray likens them to the divine breath that animates us all. No title could be more fitting, for Father Murray has spent a lifetime turning “momentary stays” into verse, breathing life into all who read.The show notes are available here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:02:46) Why Write this Book?(00:06:34) Poem No. 1: "Fountain Pen"(00:12:52) Poetry as a Journey Into God(00:17:34) Poem No. 2: "Thin Air"(00:25:32) Poem No. 3: "Why I Write"(00:32:43) Poem. No. 4: "Thunder and Rain"(00:42:30) Poem No. 5: "Playing at Solar Eclipse"(00:51:42) Poem No. 6 "An Illuminated Miniature"(00:56:41) Poem No. 7 "Snow, Christmas Morning"(01:08:37) Poem No. 8 "When We Were Meteors"(01:11:11) Conclusion

What does it mean to live a life of true dialogue—not just talking, but deeply listening to the world, to other traditions, and even to unexpected voices like Bad Bunny? In this rich, free-flowing conversation, Father Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam., a Camaldolese Benedictine monk, musician, and current Secretary General of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue in Rome, discusses themes from his new book, Epiphanies of Nature and Grace: Twelve Meditations from a Life in Dialogue. Father Cyprian explores:How a chance encounter with Bede Griffiths decades ago sparked a lifelong journey into universal wisdom and interreligious encounter.Why real dialogue isn't two monologues crossing, but a humble openness to receive truth, beauty, and goodness wherever they appear—from ancient Taoist texts to modern pop spectacles.A theology of the Word (Logos) that bridges Christianity with other traditions, seeing manifestations of the divine in nature, culture, consciousness, and even the evolving spectrum of the human psyche.How grace builds on (but never destroys) nature, challenging rigid monocultures in religion, politics, and identity.The urgent call today: evolving our consciousness through contemplative practice to heal divisions, embrace diversity, and return to the sources so we can move forward together.The show notes are available here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:02:39) Religious Order and Background(00:04:42) What is Dialogue?(00:08:45) Listening and Receptivity(00:15:56) Reflection No. 1: Open to Receive(00:18:22) Encountering Father Bede Griffiths: Universal Wisdom(00:26:19) Father Bede's Lasting Impact: Body, Soul, Spirit(00:33:47) A Theology of the Word(00:41:44) Truth, Beauty, and Goodness: Reverse Evangelization(00:48:42) Reflection No. 2: The Wealth of Nations(00:52:05) Bad Bunny, Inculturation, and Echo Chambers in Politics Today(01:01:44) Reflection No. 3: Bad Bunny and Unitive Consciousness(01:05:24) Call to Action: Evolving our Consciousness, Going Back to the Sources(01:11:02) May We Be Stonecutters(01:12:50) Conclusion

Have you ever looked back on your adolescent and young adult years and wondered how those experiences formed your personality, conscience, ambitions, desires, and even insecurities? What did your ordinary jobs throughout these formative years teach you about yourself, God, and the world you were stepping into? As you stepped into young adulthood, what did you learn about the cruelty and goodness of the world? About being mean or kind? About who you wanted to become?In this episode, Fr. James Martin, SJ — Jesuit priest, New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most relatable voices in contemporary spirituality — sits down for a heartfelt, often hilarious, conversation about his new memoir, Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest. Rev. James Martin is the founder of Outreach, editor at large of America Magazine, and host of The Spiritual Life Podcast. Fr. Jim is also the chaplain of Stephen Colbert's The Colbert Report and is a frequent commentator for major news outlets, including CNN, NPR, and The New York Times.Whether you’re spiritually curious, wrestling with your own calling, longing to understand yourself more deeply, or just craving a reminder that your story matters, this episode is for you. God meets us exactly where we are—flawed, funny, and still very much a work in progress.The show notes are available here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:03:16) Why Write This Book?(00:04:58) Learning from the Past(00:11:38) Reflection No. 1: How Memories Can Become Our Teacher(00:16:17) Developing the Superpower of Not Caring What Others Think(00:20:05) The Spiritual Practice of Memoir(00:22:11) Navigating Guilt and Shame, Embracing Our Humanity(00:26:41) The Connection Between Kindness and Being Comfortable in One's Own Skin(00:29:16) Turning Point: Losing His Best Friend(00:33:35) The Gift of Friendship(00:36:06) Memoir as Spiritual Practice: Cultivating Gratitude(00:38:55) What Does it Mean to Be Yourself?(00:43:55) Reflection No. 2: Mining Desire and Discovering the True Self(00:46:15) Finding One's Vocation(00:53:00) The Book's Impact and Golf Stories(00:57:51) Kindness and Working at the Ice Cream Inn(00:59:58) Reflection No. 3: Kindness is Everything(01:02:10) Kindness and Closing Thoughts(01:05:27) Conclusion

What if the Incarnation wasn’t primarily about fixing our sin but about God’s extravagant desire to become one with all creation? What if beauty isn’t just something we admire—it’s the heartbeat of reality, calling us to slow down, receive gifts, and respond with hope in a fractured world? Franciscan friar and philosopher Blessed John Duns Scotus (1265/66-1308), known as the “Subtle Doctor,” is one of the most underappreciated major theologians throughout Church history. His complexity also makes him one of the most misunderstood. Scholars like Dr. Mary Beth Ingham have helped make his theology accessible to people all around the world. This episode explores four important theological insights from Scotus that can impact our approach to life and faith today:Scotus’s mystical vision of beauty as a transformative encounter with God’s abundant love (and why it’s a lifeline in our attention-overloaded, reactive culture).His profound take on free choice and thoughtful self-restraint—rooted in our innate dignity and perfect for today’s conversations on sustainability, poverty, and genuine freedom.The revolutionary Franciscan view of the Incarnation (the absolute primacy of Christ)—shifting the focus from sin at the center to God’s loving initiative at the heart of everything.The wonder of haecceity (“thisness”)—the unique, unrepeatable gift of every person, rock, leaf, and moment—and how it invites us to celebrate particularity in community.Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ, is Professor Emerita in Loyola Marymount University’s philosophy department and is a former professor of philosophical theology at the Franciscan School of Theology. She holds a doctorate in medieval philosophy from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and has published widely on the thought of Blessed John Duns Scotus. Her recent publications include: Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor (2003), Rejoicing in the Works of the Lord: Beauty in the Franciscan Tradition (2009), and The Harmony of Goodness: Mutuality and Moral Living in John Duns Scotus (2012). In her current research, she argues that the spirituality of beauty is at the heart of the Franciscan intellectual tradition.The show notes are available here.(00:00:01) Introduction (00:05:58) Who was Blessed John Duns Scotus? (00:16:37) First Insight: Mystical Vision of Beauty (00:30:09) First Reflection: Beauty and the Beholder (00:31:55) Second Insight: Free Choice and Thoughtful Self-Restraint (00:47:28) Second Reflection: Covenant as a Pathway to Freedom (00:49:10) Third Insight: A Franciscan Approach to the Incarnation (01:04:59) Third Reflection: Psychological Implications of the Incarnation (01:07:29) Fourth Insight: Haecceity (Thinness) (01:13:04) Fourth Reflection: The Sound of the Genuine (01:15:26) Final Thoughts (01:18:17) Conclusion

The historic 1219 meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil during the Fifth Crusade is a powerful (and often overlooked) example of peacemaking and respectful dialogue between Christians and Muslims. While most people only know Francis’s side of the story, the Sultan’s openness and courage were just as important. Their surprising friendship still offers a hopeful model today for bridging deep divisions, reducing polarization, and having real conversations across religious and cultural lines.Fr. Michael Calabria is a Franciscan friar at the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe and director of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at St. Bonaventure University. With more than 40 years of experience in the Middle East and Islamic world, he first fell in love with the region as an Egyptology student doing archaeological work in Egypt (BA Johns Hopkins, MA Brown). After working as an academic librarian in New York, he joined the Franciscan Order in 1996, later earning divinity degrees and a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter in England. He has lived in Cairo multiple times, ministered in a leprosarium, and taught English at a Coptic Catholic seminary. Since 2003 he has taught Arabic and Islamic Studies at St. Bonaventure University, where he founded the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies. He is the author of the 2022 book The Language of the Taj Mahal, which explores the Qur’anic inscriptions on the monument, and has appeared in documentaries including The Sultan and the Saint (2016) and Islam’s Greatest Stories of Love (2025).The show notes are available here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:03:20) Historical Context(00:09:37) Francis’ Arrival in Egypt and His Mission(00:16:19) The Encounter with Sultan Malik al-Kamil(00:23:20) Francis’ Counter-Cultural Approach(00:27:15) The Sultan’s Impact on Francis(00:31:29) Francis’ Legacy and Missionary Approach(00:36:26) Bridging Faiths(00:42:55) Lessons from History: Interfaith Dialogue and Vatican II(00:45:12) This Story’s Relevance Today(00:48:00) The Nature of Goodness: Understanding Faith Beyond Labels(00:52:02) Religion, Conflict, and the Human Element(00:56:03) The Enrichment of Faith: Learning from Other Traditions(01:02:34) The Call to Open Hearts: Interfaith Dialogue in Action(01:09:20) Conclusion

What does it mean to age with grace, to let go without losing hope, and to face life’s deepest losses with open hands? What does it mean to move toward spiritual maturity as life unfolds, and how can a spirituality of letting go help take us there? In this conversation, Fr. Ronald Rolheiser joins Off the Page to explore themes from his powerful new book, Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years, which was released on October 28, 2025. From the raw beauty of metanoia to the transformative power of passivity, Fr. Ron reveals how suffering, helplessness, and even death can become our greatest gifts—if we dare to live while we’re dying.Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is a theologian, professor, award-winning author, and served as president of the Oblate School of Theology. He is known for his lectures, globally-syndicated column "In Exile," and his bestselling books The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire. The show notes are available here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:01:57) Spirituality of Aging(00:03:46) Wisdom Years(00:05:41) Insane for the Light: Story Behind the Title(00:07:45) Getting Our Lives Together, Giving Our Lives Away(00:12:53) Reflection No. 1: Seven Movements Toward Spiritual Maturity(00:14:32) Giving Your Death Away(00:15:58) Metanoia and Paranoia(00:20:36) Pondering: Carrying and Transforming Tension(00:27:27) How Pain Can Deepen Us(00:34:59) Dark Nights of Faith(00:38:37) “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”(00:42:57) When the Power Point Stops Working(00:43:53) Reflection No. 2: Take On Your Higher Mind(00:46:43) Understanding More By Not Understanding(00:48:06) Activity and Passivity(00:54:10) When You Feel Helpless(00:58:16) Reflection No. 3: Activity and Passivity(00:58:30) The Gift and Challenge of Passivity (Passion)(01:03:50) When You’re Told You Don’t Have Much Time to Live(01:07:07) A Creed for Giving Your Life and Death Away(01:09:15) Conclusion

St. Francis of Assisi famously prayed, “Who are you, my God, and who am I?” Greg Cellini found himself praying a similar prayer after almost three decades of working and climbing within the pharmaceutical industry. That's when everything changed. He began the process of entering religious life.His journey is one that invites each of us to contemplate the source of our dreams and desires and consider who we are at the core of our identity. The timing of this conversation, just after the Feast Day of St. Francis and at the start of Franciscan Month, invites each of us to consider our own callings and dare to pray the prayer St. Francis prayed.Brother Greg Cellini, OSF, is a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn. His primary ministry is at St. Francis College where he has served as an adjunct professor as well as director of the Office of Mission, Ministry, and Interfaith dialogue. He is the host of "Thank God For Monday," a weekly radio talk show about the workplace. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University’s advanced certificate in Franciscan Studies. He also earned degrees at Rutgers Graduate School of Management and Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business. He is the author of Transform Yourself - Transform the World: A Franciscan View of Career.Click here to view the show notes for this episode.(00:00:01) Introduction (00:01:59) Climbing in the Corporate World (00:03:59) Spiritual Background (00:05:43) When God Calls You Elsewhere (00:10:18) Dreams and Desires: What is the Source? (00:13:38) Holy Surrender (00:17:26) Reflection No. 1: Dreams and Desires (00:20:02) A Mysterious Encounter and the Call to Religious Life (00:25:18) Why the Franciscans? (00:27:36) Ordered Love, Dis-ordered Love, and Performance (00:31:49) Reflection No. 2: Remembering Your Identity (00:35:13) Entering Religious Life and Going Inward (00:38:57) The Blessings of Failure and Endings (00:44:13) What is Downward Mobility? (00:48:10) Reflection No. 3: Downward Mobility (00:49:56) Education and the Franciscan Charism (00:55:06) The Challenges Young People Face (01:00:26) What is Franciscan Month? (01:08:20) Closing Reflections and Prayer (01:09:54) Conclusion

Thomas Merton once wrote, “Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us and see the beauty in ordinary things.” The busyness of life—work, family, commitments, and our seeming ever-lengthening to-do lists—can sweep us into a lifestyle of frantic doing and accomplishing that can lead to a lack of presence and awareness to the splendor that is all around us. Wonder and praise can sometimes take a backseat as we become hyper-focused on what needs to be done. Practicing presence is a lifelong journey, but what a wonderful journey it is, as our awareness for divine goodness and beauty and grace deepens and expands within us, and as our desires become channeled in a way that leads us toward joy, peace, and contentment. Mark Longhurst’s book, The Holy Ordinary: A Way to God (October 2024, Monkfish), explores this exact topic and helps readers awaken to the sacred in the ordinary. What does it look like to live contemplatively as life uniquely unfolds for each of us, even in the busyness? Influential author and theologian Brian McClaren says this of Longhurst's book: “For years, I’ve been wishing for a book that could introduce ordinary people to the spiritual life in a healthy, honest, accessible way. Mark Longhurst has written what I’ve been waiting for.”Mark Longhurst is a writer, an “ordinary mystic,” and member of the new monastic “Community of the Incarnation.” He works as the Publications Manager at the Center for Action and Contemplation and is a former pastor who served United Church of Christ churches for 10 years and worked as a faith-based social justice activist in the Boston area for 10 more. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School and a longtime yoga practitioner, Mark lives in western Massachusetts with his family. Click here for the episode page and show notes.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:02:39) Why Write this Book?(00:04:17) Struggling to Notice the Holy Ordinary(00:09:24) What Do We Mean by "Deeper Reality"?(00:11:50) Reflection No. 1: Letting Wonder and Praise Sing through Our Lives(00:14:41) What Does it Look Like to "Receive Grace"?(00:17:23) Emptiness and Letting Go(00:22:33) Contemplation: Not a Flight From the World(00:28:35) What is Holiness?(00:35:34) Reflection No. 2: Thin Places(00:37:34) Mark Longhurst's Spiritual Journey(00:40:50) Contemplative Practice and the Importance of Community(00:44:44) The Holy Ordinary and Lived Experience(00:46:04) Reflection No. 3: Welcoming the Holy Spirit Into Our Inner Margins(00:48:30) Contemplation and Desire(00:56:48) Final Thoughts(00:58:56) Conclusion

In the year 1202, a young Giovanni Bernardone, who we would come to know as St. Francis of Assisi, was captured in a conflict between Assisi and Perugia and held as a prisoner of war for about a year. This horrific experience as a prisoner of war changed Francis, and he likely ventured through life suffering from what we would now call PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). And yet, Francis undoubtedly became a “wounded healer" for others and the world. So, what about us? What brokenness do we carry? What traumas do our bodies hold? How can we move toward wholeness and healing and ultimately use our stories to become wounded healers for others?This episode's guest is Richard B. Patterson, PhD, a clinical psychologist and trauma therapist practicing in El Paso, Texas. Two of the primary groups he has worked with in his career as a therapist are combat veterans and victims of clergy abuse. He is a regular contributor to St. Anthony Messenger who has a new piece in the July/August issue titled, “Turn to the Beatitudes.” Click here to read this episode's show notes: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/off-the-page-by-franciscan-media/. Disclaimer: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including historical and modern experiences of trauma, war, and sexual abuse, which may be triggering. If listening brings up difficult emotions, please reach out to a trusted therapist or contact a support resource like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 1-800-950-6264. We encourage prioritizing your well-being.(00:00:01) Introduction (00:03:42) Becoming a Clinical Psychologist and Trauma Therapist (00:06:38) Working with Victims of Clergy Abuse (00:13:23) Wrestling with Catholicism and the Church(00:18:28) Working with Combat Veterans and Becoming a Wounded Healer (00:24:13) What Listeners Should Know about People Suffering from PTSD (00:27:22) What is Trauma?(00:31:42) Moving Through Trauma(00:35:08) Your Trauma Doesn't Define You (00:38:48) Anger with God and the Complexity of Trauma (00:46:31) Tools in the Christian Tradition for Navigating Grief and Trauma (00:51:12) Self-Rejection: An Enemy of the Spiritual Life (00:54:36) St. Francis of Assisi's PTSD and Spiritual Awakening (01:00:31) Grief: 'Blessed Are Those Who Mourn' (01:06:41) Trauma Resources and Advice for Therapy (01:10:05) The Healing Power of Listening and Presence(01:13:12) Conclusion

The Trinity is a central component of Christian theology, and certainly Franciscanism as well, as seen in the mystical theology of St. Bonaventure and other Franciscan theologians. But there’s a problem: The Trinity often feels un-relatable, esoteric, or just downright goofy and strange. Why does the Trinity matter? Is it mere theological jargon for academics and religious? Does Trinitarian theology actually have a practical impact on our lives and walks of faith?This episode's guest, Wm. Paul Young, is an author who has used story to help make the mystery and beauty of the Trinity accessible to millions around the world. Paul is the author of the novel The Shack, a New York Times bestseller that has sold 25 million copies worldwide and was turned into a movie in 2017 starring Octavia Spencer, Sam Worthington, and Tim McGraw. He is also the author of Eve, Cross Roads, and Lies We Believe About God. He has a wonderful new podcast called “The Paul Young Podcast,” which features short 10-20 minute spiritual reflections 2-3 times a week. In this episode, Paul discusses our participation within the Trinity in our day-to-day lives, our living into our own inherent union with Christ, and how to distance ourselves from the lie that we are separate from God.Consider meditating upon these Scripture passages about union with Christ: John 17, John 14:15-21, John 15:1-17, Galatians 2:20, and Colossians 1:15-20. Click here to read this episode's show notes: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/off-the-page-by-franciscan-media/(00:00:01) Introduction(00:02:14) Small Talk and 'The Paul Young Podcast'(00:05:48) Paul's Journey Into Trinitarian Theology and Writing The Shack(00:12:40) 'If God Has Ever Been Alone, Love is Not a Possibility'(00:15:30) Reflection: Relational Thinking(00:19:23) Invitation to Participate from Union(00:25:12) Presence, the Eternal Now, and the Theology of Union(00:30:07) 'Love Expands Around the Knowing'(00:34:37) The Early Church and the Lie of Separation(00:39:29) Reflection: Healthy Theology Leads to Healthy Anthropology(00:44:32) Worth-ship and Worship Within the Dance(00:50:07) The Cry of Dereliction and the Fall from a Union Perspective(00:54:51) The Spiritual Practice of Denying Separation(01:03:34) Reflection: Awareness of the Divine Dance We're Already In(01:06:13) The Beauty and Relief of Union(01:08:50) Love is the Only Way(01:12:43) The Fire of God's Love(01:14:18) Conclusion

We live in a concerning age. It has become commonplace to caricature, demonize, label, cheapen, and overall completely neglect the God-given humanity of a person one disagrees with. In fact, social media algorithms reward this kind of divisive behavior. TV ratings thrive on conflict and hyperbole. The better the fearmonger, the more successful the politician. Long gone seem the days of decency and civility. Thankfully, there are peacemakers in the world like this episode's guest, Chloé Simone Valdary. Chloé is a writer and entrepreneur whose company, Theory of Enchantment, teaches social and emotional learning, as well as diversity and inclusion in companies and government agencies. She has written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal, and she has appeared on podcasts and talkshows across the political spectrum: from "Real Time with Bill Maher" to "Honestly with Bari Weiss" to "The Jordan Peterson Podcast" to "The Megyn Kelly Show." Her three principles from the Theory of Enchantment and their alignment with Franciscan peacemaking are the focus of this episode.Click here to read this episode's show notes: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/off-the-page-by-franciscan-media/(00:00:01) Introduction(00:04:19) What is Theory of Enchantment?(00:11:44) Chloé's Spiritual Background and Worldview(00:19:47) Enchantment, Sound, and Mysticism(00:28:58) First Principle: Treat Others Like Human Beings, Not Political Abstractions(00:41:11) Grace in Introspection, Journeying Inward(00:47:25) Second Principle: Criticize Only to Uplift and Empower (Dia-Logos)(00:56:33) Third Principle: Root Everything You Do in Love and Compassion(01:04:09) Closing Thoughts(01:05:51) Conclusion

Angela Alaimo O'Donnell, PhD, teaches English, Creative Writing, and courses in American Catholic Studies at Fordham University in New York City. She also serves as Associate Director of Fordham's Curran Center for American Catholic Studies. O'Donnell was awarded the New York Encounter Poetry Prize. She has been nominated for Pushcart and Best of the Web Prizes, and was a finalist for the Paraclete Poetry Prize, the Foley Poetry Prize and the Mulberry Poet's Award. O'Donnell also writes essays on and reviews of contemporary poetry and literature. She recently published her 11th poetry book Dear Dante (Paraclete Press) and writes regularly for America Magazine. Click here to read this episode's show notes.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:02:27) Background(00:04:05) What is the Catholic Imagination?(00:08:33) Bruce Springsteen and the Manifestation of the Catholic Imagination(00:23:32) Catholic Imagination: Darkness, Beauty, and a Sacramental World(00:34:32) Catholicism and Protestantism(00:41:24) Poetry and the Catholic Imagination(00:53:39) Engaging Dante's Legacy(01:03:16) Poem: 'Dante's Smile'(01:08:22) Mortality, Merton, and the Afterlife(01:11:27) Poem: 'The Price of Paradise'(01:13:40) Conclusion

Maureen O'Brien's award-winning short stories and poems have been published widely in magazines and anthologies. She lives in Connecticut, where she taught creative writing to teenagers for 25 years. She holds an MA in creative writing and a BA in philosophy and religion. She is the author of What Was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms and Gather the Fragments: My Year of Finding God’s Love. Read her latest cover story in St. Anthony Messenger here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:03:09) Background, Creativity, and Pilgrimage(00:08:53) Franciscan Spirituality and Creativity(00:11:44) Franciscan Faith in the Messiness of Life(00:20:31) Reflection: Arms Wide Open (by Susan Hines-Brigger)(00:23:07) Listening and Healing(00:41:20) Reflection: Honest Prayer (by Susan Hines-Brigger)(00:44:42) Following and Re-Discovering(01:00:14) Hope Beneath It All(01:06:38) Conclusion

It has been a little over one week since Robert Francis Prevost was elected Bishop of Rome and took the name Pope Leo XIV. In this special episode we have a discussion with Father Jim Sabak, OFM, and Deacon Matthew Halbach about Pope Leo and the significance of this historic moment. The interview took place on Wednesday, May 14, six days after the pope's election was announced. Father Jim Sabak is a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province and currently serves as Director of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, and the Director of Religion at The Franciscan School in Raleigh. Father Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He has taught at Siena College; The Catholic University of America; the Franciscan School of Theology; and Providence College. Father Jim’s podcast “Inbreaking of the Word” is published every Monday morning as he reflects on the readings from Mass on Sunday and helps us to take the Word with us into our weeks. Deacon Matthew Halbach is the President of Franciscan Media. He was ordained in 2018 for the Diocese of Des Moines, IA. He is the Director of Deacon Formation for the diocese and a national author and speaker on the topics of mercy, accompaniment, evangelization, and catechesis. He earned his PhD in Catechetics from The Catholic University of America in 2014 and is a reviewer for The International Journal of Evangelization and Catechesis. Matt is a husband and also a father of six children. Click here to read this episode's show notes: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/off-the-page-by-franciscan-media/ (00:00:01) Introduction (00:02:26) Initial Reactions to Pope Leo XIV (00:09:39) Why the name ‘Leo’? (00:15:42) American Pope or Missionary Pope?(00:22:40) Artificial Intelligence (00:28:34) Whose Pope Is He?(00:38:13) The Role of the Pope(00:45:04) Papal Elections: A Strange Cultural Phenomenon(00:52:56) Can a Pope from America Help Heal Our Wounds?(00:58:03) Predictions and Hopes(01:07:06) Conclusion

On April 21, 2025, Easter Monday, people around the world awoke to the news that Pope Francis had passed away at the age of 88. For listeners of Off the Page, it will be no surprise that a pope who took the name “Francis” would come up often in the Franciscan conversations featured on this podcast. This episode is a compilation of both published and unpublished interviews where guests talk about the life, legacy, and papacy of Pope Francis. Included here is Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, talking about Pope Francis’ heart for the poor; Dr. Daniel P. Horan discussing how God’s love and mercy was a cornerstone to Pope Francis’ pontificate; Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, talking about Pope Francis' unique ability to, like St. Francis of Assisi, speak the language of the people and make the Catholic faith accessible; Br. Keith Warner, OFM, dissecting the Franciscan undertones in Pope Francis' encyclicals; and the poet Dr. Angela Alaimo O’Donnell discussing the pope’s love for art and literature. This episode also begins with a recording from 2021 with Sr. Margaret Carney, where she frames Pope Francis’ papacy as one that is uniquely Franciscan. And this episode concludes with some of Pope Francis’ own words about divine mercy, translated and recorded on audiobook in the Franciscan Media title "Believe in Love."Click here to read this episode's show notes. (00:00:01) Introduction(00:05:01) Franciscan Legacy (Sr. Margaret Carney)(00:07:57) Transition(00:08:16) Heart for the Poor (Fr. Murray Bodo)(00:13:36) Transition(00:14:45) Mission of Mercy (Dr. Dan Horan)(00:19:09) Transition(00:20:01) A Relatable Communicator (Sr. Margaret Carney)(00:21:14) Transition(00:22:04) The Most Franciscan Encyclical Ever (Br. Keith Warner)(00:34:11) Transition(00:35:52) Deep Love for Art and Literature (Dr. Angela Alaimo O'Donnell)(00:46:55) Conclusion(00:47:49) Be An Architect of Mercy (Pope Francis)

Darleen Pryds, PhD, is the academic director of the Master of Theological Studies-Franciscan Theology online degree at the Franciscan School of Theology (FST) in San Diego, California. She has taught at FST since 2001 and has a special interest in lay Franciscan spirituality and leadership. She is a historian, scholar, and author of Women of the Streets, Enduring Presence, and The King Embodies the Word.Please consider donating to help us create more content like this. With an 800-year legacy steeped in the values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, your Franciscan Media community embraces its mission of spreading the message of love, compassion, and understanding through books, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Franciscan Media’s website, online events, videos, and daily emails like Saint of the Day.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:02:43) How the Background of the Canticle Leads to Deeper Appreciation(00:12:30) Collision of Suffering and Beauty(00:19:47) A Spirituality of Letting Go(00:28:03) Learning to Let Go(00:34:13) St. Francis, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Plum Village Buddhism(00:43:35) Interbeing, Relationality, and Integration(00:50:35) Encounter and Spaciousness(00:57:38) Invitation: Live Into the Depth of Your Experience(01:03:24) Honoring Stillness(01:09:25) Benediction(01:11:14) ConclusionShow NotesRead Darleen Pryds' April 2025 cover story in the St. Anthony Messenger titled "Living 'The Canticle of the Creatures'"Enjoy more writings by Darleen PrydsView the photograph discussed in the episode.Subscribe here to the St. Anthony Messenger.

Sister Rosemary Stets, OSF, is a Bernardine Franciscan Sister and author of the book Franciscan Field Guide: People, Places, Practices, and Prayers. She has served on the congregational leadership team since 2011. Previously, Sister Rosemary served as Vice-President for Mission at Alvernia University in Reading, PA, and earlier was a member of the faculty in the Department of English and Communications.Reflections in this episode are provided by Darleen Pryds, PhD, Franciscan Media's acquisitions editor. She is also a professor at the Franciscan School of Theology, a scholar and historian on lay Franciscans, and author of Women of the Streets: Early Franciscan Women and their Mendicant Vocation.Please consider donating to help us create more content like this. With an 800-year legacy steeped in the values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, your Franciscan Media community embraces its mission of spreading the message of love, compassion, and understanding through books, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Franciscan Media’s website, online events, videos, and daily emails like Saint of the Day.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:01:24) Background(00:06:26) Franciscan Field Guide(00:11:17) Rediscovering God with Francis as a Guide(00:16:40) Reflection (by Darleen Pryds): Presence and Curiosity(00:25:18) Gazing on Ordinary Human Life(00:30:10) Rebuilding the Church: Enraptured in Love(00:35:24) Reflection (by Darleen Pryds): Our Ever-Deepening Conversion(00:39:21) Poverty of Being(00:47:29) Scotus and the Incarnation(00:51:04) Reflection (by Darleen Pryds): Contemplating the Incarnation(00:53:32) Relationality in a Love-Saturated Universe(00:58:50) Mission: Learn, Love, and Serve(01:03:13) Podcasting and Media as Mission(01:05:21) Benediction(01:08:01) ConclusionShow notes:Read this blog post from Sr. Rosemary Stets, titled “Francis and Clare: Where the Tradition Begins”Order Sister Rosemary's book in print or e-book:Enjoy more writings by Sister Rosemary

Sister Margaret Carney, OSF, is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. Her education in theology and Franciscan studies took place at Duquesne University, the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University, and she was the first woman to graduate from the Franciscan University of Rome at the doctoral level. She was the president of St. Bonaventure University from 2004-2016. Her biography on Saint Clare of Assisi, Light of Assisi, is available in the Franciscan Media store, Amazon, or wherever books are sold.Please consider donating to help us create more content like this. With an 800-year legacy steeped in the values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, your Franciscan Media community embraces its mission of spreading the message of love, compassion, and understanding through books, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Franciscan Media’s website, online events, videos, and daily emails like Saint of the Day.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:05:06) Genesis of the Episode(00:07:29) Pillars of St. Clare's Life and Historical Context(00:13:19) Downward Mobility(00:15:04) Pause & Pray: Downward Mobility(00:19:49) Teaching Downward Mobility(00:24:11) Good Ambition(00:28:39) Lessons in Leadership from St. Clare(00:45:23) Clarion Leadership: Primacy of Relationship(00:48:46) Pause & Pray: Primacy of Relationship(00:52:33) How to Live Out Clarion Leadership(00:56:09) Culture at San Damiano(00:59:35) Creating the Structure to Hear Others(01:04:31) Christ in the Other(01:09:40) Encounter: Cultivating Listening and Dialogue(01:13:34) St. Clare’s Personal Impact on Sr. Margaret Today(01:16:28) ConclusionShow notes:Read this blog post from Sr. Margaret Carney on St. Clare’s life and legacyOrder Sr. Margaret Carney’s biography on St. Clare, available in print, e-book, or audiobookEnjoy our St. Clare of Assisi playlist on YouTubeExplore our hub of content on St. Clare of Assisi

Dr. Elizabeth Bookser-Barkley, known by her loved ones and students as "Buffy," is an English professor and chair of the Department of Liberal Arts at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has her PhD in English and is also the author of four books and numerous articles for St. Anthony Messenger magazine. Barkley has taught the St. Anthony Messenger's editorial director, Chris Heffron, and its executive editor, Susan Hines-Brigger. Barkley joins Off the Page to discuss her January 2025 cover story, "Dead Man Walking at 30," and March 2025 feature, "The Nuns Are OK." If you are curious what the Catholic Church teaches on capital punishment, see the new revision of 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.Please consider donating to help us create more content like this. With an 800-year legacy steeped in the values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, your Franciscan Media community embraces its mission of spreading the message of love, compassion, and understanding through books, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Franciscan Media’s website, online events, videos, and daily emails like Saint of the Day. Click here to subscribe to the St. Anthony Messenger.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:04:05) Buffy's Background(00:10:11) Buffy's Love for Teaching and Feature Writing(00:15:00) Who is Sr. Helen Prejean?(00:19:08) Dead Man Walking at 30(00:23:48) The Nuances of Capital Punishment(00:38:22) The Nuns are OK(00:44:53) Exploring the Decline of Religious Life(00:47:45) Road to Renewal: Contemplative Dialogue(00:52:47) Interviewing and Covering the Sisters of Charity(00:55:57) Conclusion