Franciscan Life
Franciscan life is a love story — with God, with the poor, with the earth, with the stranger. Rooted in the spirit of Francis and Clare of Assisi, these posts explore what it means to embrace simplicity, kinship, and courageous countercultural choices in a world that constantly pushes the other direction. From returning land to Indigenous communities to the spirituality of dumpster diving to what the feast of St. Francis has to teach us today, this is a space for anyone drawn to the Franciscan way — whether you’ve taken vows or are just beginning to feel its pull.
Hoverboards, driving lessons, friendships and the common good
The sun was setting as we wrapped up a delicious meal at a local park with some new family friends. A couple of the youngest…
Surrender to the sacred
There was a time when the questions caused me a lot of agony, when the diversity of spiritualities and religions worldwide caused confusion and doubt…
Prayer is listening to my heart’s longing
“Well, what do you want? What do you desire?” At the start of my final year as a student at a Jesuit University, I felt…
A Personality Mosaic: How Enneagram Connects the Pieces
I live in a neighborhood filled with vibrant, Mexican art and murals. Some of my favorites are mosaics. I love admiring a cohesive image from…
Sister Julia is now a contributor to Living City magazine
Sister Julia Walsh, Messy Jesus Business founder and podcast host, is now a contributor to Living City magazine published by Focolare Media. The July/Aug. 2023…
Neither created nor destroyed
Last month, as Chicago and other Midwest cities made headlines for smoky skies, I donned my mask and headed outside. A certain sadness, much like…
Women Eating Alone
For decades, there was a stigma around women eating out alone. In 1964 the New York Times published a piece about how single women were…
The Messiness of Franciscan Sisterhood
A Special Episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Stitcher | Email | RSS | More IN THIS EPISODE We’re in between seasons on…