Our Walk Together

Every small step counts towards positivity. Franciscan principles guide us in violent times. Humility allows for steadier courage. Nonviolence starts with our speech. Daily practices help maintain peace. Boundaries protect life and invite accountability. Forgiveness should lead to change. Peace is a communal effort, not just personal. Love can refuse harm while still being compassionate. Concrete...

. Understanding failure through the lens of Franciscan wisdom. How humility and poverty lead to spiritual liberation. The transformative power of embracing vulnerability and community. Hashtags: #FranciscanWisdom #EmbraceFailure #SpiritualJourney Produced, Edited and mixed by Paul R. Long, OFS For further Information visit our Website   OurWalkTogether.com or contact:  PaulLongOFS@gmail....

Catholics must speak out on moral issues. Silence can be mistaken for consent. Christian nationalism distorts Catholic teachings. Catholic social teaching emphasizes human dignity. Political engagement is a moral duty for Catholics. Matthew 25 calls for action towards the marginalized. Economies should serve people, not the other way around. Faith without action is incomplete. Future generations w...

Easter matters beyond the Sunday celebration. Franciscan spirituality invites us to breathe hope into ordinary moments. Living as Easter people means seeing the world differently. Francis's journey teaches us about gradual transformation. Our spiritual walks often involve slow movements toward love. The heart of Franciscan living is found in community and family. Anxiety can disrupt our peace and...

Our walk together begins now as we walk our way through Lent. Francis showed us something different, meeting God in quiet moments. What if Lent became less about giving up and more about opening up? Your kitchen might become holy ground through these simple choices. Can we learn from his quiet heart? Even five minutes of holy quiet bears fruit. Our homes sing with Franciscan music when we listen c...

The Franciscan way invites us to return to what matters most. Living simply allows us to hold things lightly and focus on what truly matters. Sharing our lives creates islands of hope in our communities. Franciscan poverty is about freedom from excess, not having nothing. Listening is key to healing divisions and fostering understanding. Small steps can lead to significant changes in our lives. Co...

The Beatitudes outline a way of life focused on humility and compassion. They provide a refreshing perspective on finding hope and joy. The teachings challenge traditional ideals of power and success. Each Beatitude follows a pattern of condition and promise. Mourning connects us to others and opens the door to healing. Meekness is a strength rooted in restraint and kindness. Hunger for righteousn...

Brother Francisco OSB is a solemnly professed monk at St. Vincent Arch Abbey. Benedictines follow the Rule of St. Benedict, emphasizing community and prayer. The vows of obedience, stability, and conversion of life are central to Benedictine life. St. Vincent Arch Abbey is known for its active ministry and community involvement. Brother Francisco's journey to monastic life began with a strong sens...

New Year is a time for reflection and intention setting. Resolutions should reflect deeper purposes beyond mere aspirations. Service to others is a core value of Secular Franciscans. Prayer and reflection help maintain a commitment to resolutions. Humility and simplicity guide the resolution process. SMART goals provide a framework for actionable resolutions. Reflection on past experiences informs...

I appreciate you listening to this Podcast, however I would suggest that you also view the Video version. Available On the Our Walk Together Channel on YouTube The first nativity scene was created by St. Francis in 1223. St. Francis's vision transformed how Christians celebrate Christmas. The nativity scene embodies a profound understanding of love. St. Francis connected poverty and humility as in...

The Franciscan tradition offers a unique perspective on Advent preparation. Simplicity and joy are central to the Franciscan approach. Nature can be a profound source of spiritual experience during Advent. Community service is essential in recognizing Christ in others. Joy is rooted in our relationship with God, not external circumstances. The Advent wreath prayers provide a structured spiritual f...

Embracing gratitude transforms our perspective on life. Franciscan spirituality emphasizes simplicity and community. Living simply allows us to appreciate the small joys. Gratitude multiplies when shared with others. Nature serves as a reminder of life's beauty and wonder. Prayer nurtures a grateful heart and fosters reflection. Acts of service express gratitude and strengthen community bonds. Gra...

The Rosary is a journey, offering peace and introspection. It serves as a tapestry of faith woven through centuries. St. Dominic played a pivotal role in shaping the Rosary's place in Christian life. The Franciscan crown rosary emphasizes the joys of Mary. Praying the Rosary integrates into daily life for Franciscans. The Rosary acts as a spiritual compass for Franciscans. Meditating on the myster...

Remember when you first stepped into a grand cathedral, and your gaze was pulled upward by the towering arches and intricate stained glass? That feeling of awe, once a cornerstone of Catholic worship, seems to be fading. In a time when ancient rituals meet modern interpretations, many wonder if we've lost touch with the sacred wonder that once drew people in. As we explore this shift, we'll shed l...

This episode is dedicated to the St Patrick Fraternity in Buffalo, NY Fraternity is the bedrock of the secular Franciscan order, emphasizing community, love, and unity. Fraternity is lived out through simplicity, humility, and service to others. Technology can be used to enhance fraternity by connecting members and providing support. Embracing fraternity enriches individual experiences and contrib...

The Franciscan vocation is rooted in the teachings of St. Francis and focuses on living a life of simplicity, humility, and service. There are different types of Franciscan vocations, including the friars, the Poor Clares, and the secular Franciscans, each offering unique ways of living out Franciscan principles. The discernment process and formation stages are crucial for those considering a Fran...

This episode provides an introduction to the Secular Franciscan Order, emphasizing that its members are everyday people inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. Unlike monks or nuns, Secular Franciscans blend spiritual commitments with their busy lives, focusing on values like simplicity, peace, and compassion. The script discusses daily practices such as prayer, meditation, and scripture reading, as we...

In this episode, I talk about Franciscan prayer. What it's all about, how it happens. What? What do we talk about when we talk about Franciscan prayer? Sometimes people think this is just for those of us who are Franciscans, but it's not really. It's for everybody. And maybe by listening today or watching today. You'll get a. Better understanding of what Franciscan prayer is. This is also meant to...

Profession as a secular Franciscan involves a conscious choice to shape one's life around the core ideals of poverty, humility, and simplicity. The profession signifies a commitment to living in harmony with all of creation and making a positive impact on the world. The process of formation and discernment prepares individuals for their profession and deepens their understanding of the Franciscan...

This Is the Audio of the Rite of Profession at St Patrick Fraternity on 2/18/24. Produced, Edited and mixed by Paul R. Long, OFS For further Information visit our Website   OurWalkTogether.com or contact:  PaulLongOFS@gmail.com  

Summary In this conversation, Paul emphasizes the importance of educating ourselves before engaging in conversations. He highlights the dangers of speaking without knowledge and the need to seek reliable sources of information. Paul also discusses the benefits of being well-informed, such as increased credibility and a broader perspective. He explores the Franciscan tradition on education and the...

Embracing change and seeking out newness in life can lead to personal growth, fulfillment, and transformation. By stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the unknown, we open ourselves up to new experiences, perspectives, and opportunities. Embracing newness requires a mindset shift, letting go of fear and resistance to change, and viewing it as an opportunity for growth. Surrounding ourse...

Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a time to reflect on the love and hope he brought into the world. The Franciscan Order has a rich tradition of embracing the simplicity and joy of Christmas, particularly through the portrayal of the Nativity scene. Christmas traditions vary around the world, but they all highlight the common themes of love, joy, and giving. The Christmas...

The season of Advent is a time  of real significant time in the church. This time marks the beginning of a new liturgical year.  It's a time of preparation. It's a time of anticipation as we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The word advent comes from the Latin word "adventus", which means coming or arrival. During this sacred time, we reflect on the coming of Christ, his presence in ou...

In this episode we talk a little bit about being grateful and being thankful and what are their significance and how to add thankfulness to our every single day. Expressing gratitude is one way to bond with a higher power also. It's an acknowledgement that the blessings received, the blessings that we receive, are from a divine source and not something that we deserve. When we're thankful, we reco...