August 2022
Fun Facts about Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
- Pope Leo was the first Pope to appear in newsreel, actually any film - Jan 4, 1896. He agreed to filming in the Vatican Garden to show that he was still healthy and capable after rumors of poor health and such. He was 85. You may find the short video in this link.
- Pope Leo was also the first Pope to be voice recorded - 20 Feb 1903, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his election to the pontificate. He was almost 93. He would die in July of that year. To hear his voice click here.
- Given this, Pope Leo is also the earliest born person (1810) ever caught on film.
At times members of our community of Tertiaries are given an opportunity to share their journey and love of Christ through multimedia.
- Fr. Daniel Dozier, TOF, our first Isolated Tertiary, from Olympia, WA, was interviewed by Fr. Mitch Pacwa from EWTN. In this interview, aired on 12/2020, Fr. Daniel discusses the history and traditions of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Fr. Daniel serves as a priest at St. George Byzantine Catholic Church in Olympia and is an Associated Professor of Sacred Scripture at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary. To view his interview click this link.
- Ericka Whitover, TOF, had an article published in the July edition of "The Spirit of Medjugorje" newsletter. Ericka was established as an Isolated Tertiary by Fr. Vit Fiala, OFM, in February 2021. She is the Formation Director for the Isolated Tertiaries and lives in Ravenna, TX. Read about Ericka's faith journey and her witness to the graces received during her visit to Medjugorje here (on page 6).
August 2: Feast Day Santa Maria degli Angeli (the Portiuncula) and the Portiuncula Indulgence (Plenary indulgence) click here. Portiuncula (The Little Portion or small piece) is the name of the property given to St Francis by the Benedictines; Santa Maria degli Angeli is the name of the humble chapel there which is the center of the Franciscan movement. Indeed, this was the condition placed upon Francis by the local Abbot - that this place would be the heart of all that St Francis had initiated.
St. Clare's Feast day: August 11th. Cofoundress of the Order of Poor Clares. Many people wonder why is St. Clare frequently pictured holding a ciborium with the Blessed Sacrament. Click this link to read or listen to a short audio from Catholic Answers to learn more about St. Clare and find the answer to this question. Note, it was at the Portiuncula that St Claire entered the Franciscan life.
There are many other Franciscan Feast Days this month. Some of these are:
- Aug 4: St. John Vianney, member of the Third Order of St. Francis Secular. Click here to learn more about St. John Vianney's life.
- Aug 14: St. Maximilian Kolbe, Conventual and martyr. Short biography available here.
- Aug 25: St. Louis IX, King of France, Patron Saint of the Third Order of St. Francis Secular. Click here to learn about St. Louis.
 Are you ready for our Annual Franciscan Hike? This fun event of hiking, fellowship, prayer and even Ongoing Formation is entering its 5th year and, as usual, will take place on Labor Day (September the 5th this year). The hike is fairly easy, so no hiking expertise is necessary. Professed Tertiaries, those in Initial Formation, family and friends are invited. RSVP is needed. For more information please go to this link. To RSVP send us an email to TOF@thirdorderfranciscans.com. Hope you can join us!
Our community will be joining the Confraternity of Penitents and other Franciscan Tertiaries for the Annual Franciscan Tertiaries Retreat on October 26-30, 2022 at St. Felix Catholic Center in Huntington, IN. Some of the talks will be given by members of our community, including Fr. Vit Fiala, OFM, Fr. Daniel Dozier, TOF and others. All professed Tertiaries and those in Initial Formation are encouraged to attend. For more information and for online reservation click this link.
As members of a religious order, we Franciscan Tertiaries are provided a set of specific prayers or “offices“. These set of prayers are found in The Rule of Pope Leo XIII (Ch II Art 6) and in our Constitutions (Art 59). To review our Office please click here. Our Ritual book emphasizes that our Office should have the priority over any private devotion.
The TOF Ritual Book advises us to be watchful "not to fall into a monotony and routine when reciting the Offices." As an aid to praying the office with fervor and devotion, it provides us with a prayer to recite prior to praying the Office. You can find the prayer from the Ritual book here.
As we develop a life of prayer, may we suggest reciting this short and beautiful prayer prior to the praying of the Office during the month of August?
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