Heritage Week at JCA begins on Monday, September 30th with the feast of St. Jerome. Today we will celebrate the charisms of prayer and adoration, and freshmen will attend a presentation on Carmelite and Franciscan spirituality.

St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, found himself more and more caught up in prayer. He would spend hours in adoration and contemplation before the image of the crucified Christ. This personal, intimate communication with God became a passion in Francis’s life.

St. Therese, whose feast we celebrate tomorrow, had been treated as a spoiled princess by her father as a child, but discovered as a young Carmelite nun, not only that she loved the King, Jesus, but that the King loved her as well. She wrote one of her most famous prayers, “On the Immensity of God’s Love”, after hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Today we pray in the spirit of Therese and Francis by reading a Letter to the Colossians: “Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and whatever you say or do, let it be in the name of Jesus, in thanksgiving to God.”

Jesus, our hearts overflow with joy when we join our voices with the voices of others to give praise and thanks to you. Call us to prayer that we may become closer to you. Amen.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!