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.
Listening to and praying with the cries of the children at the border
Like everyone else who understands that the Bible is a book that calls us to love without limit, I am heartbroken by the splitting of…
What we have learned 10 years after Postville, the largest immigration raid in U.S. history
Children in traditional Hasidic Jewish attire run joyfully on the playground. Some of their playmates speak Spanish, others are Anglos with bobbing blond hair. Multiple…
Praying with the power of paradox
I am on the shore of the Mississippi River. I can’t see into the water in this light. I can’t see the bottom of the…
Kneading Dough
The smell of bread baking wafts, stills her light as she enters bouncing, screen door clanging. Show me,…
Namesake
“Lord, have mercy/ On my descendants/ For they know not/ What they do/ For they know not Who you are.” ~ “Pillar of Truth” by…
Walking into priesthood
The words came in prayer. And they shocked me. This is part of your priesthood. My priesthood? What priesthood do I have? It doesn’t make…
Easter haikus
the ice drifted out fish, otter, loons released lake ripples broadly green gradually overcomes brown…
It’s not our job to change people
Years ago, when I was learning how to be a teacher, some of my motivations were quite idealistic: I want to change the hearts and…