Then a cat greeted us as we got to the entry of the church and even entered briefly - until one of the ladies carried her back out. Today being a huge day of celebration within the Community of the Lamb, as their spiritual director is a Francisan - Fr Jean Claude! Those were his words about their blue simple habits, and when he said them in French, and they were translated for us into English on the night that 5 took the habit and changed their names - we all wept! 
This was the crucifix that greeted us as we entered the Polish Catholic church at the top of the hill that morning... the cat had just been put out, and we entered to share the eternal banquet with our loving and forgiving Lord and Savior! St Francis also had the wounds of Christ on his body - the stigmata!
While in France...the language barrier is not an issue...they always have someone to translate for us into English - now we have Hallel to do it too! Jean Claude has visited the community here in the U.S. in Kansas City, and was hugely impressed by the way that the people in the U.S. express and live their faith! In Europe there is not much devotion, or attendance of church! St Francis, we ask that you minister to your homeland, and bring hearts to know and love and serve you! 
Even as he speaks to us... I would not be surprised if he were fingering his rosary beads, and saying it in his heart! Happy Feast Jean Claude and Community of the Lamb! 
St Dominic on the left and St Francis on the right... the patron saints of the community along with St Theresa of Avila and St Clare... So cool that St Clare is one of their paton saints as Maria was in the Poor Clares for 5 months considering religious life!
"All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing:
Halleluia! Halleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam
And silver moon with softer gleam:
O praise him! O praise him!
Halleluia! Halleluia! Halleluia!"
morning hymn - see http://www.magnificat.com/
An icon I came across of the two saints embracing... St Dominic and St Francis lived at the same time!
The animals that bring peace and comfort to us on this journey of life... the farm dogs that have been a constant parade on the farm... some tied to stop signs and left, some that others could not have due to issues, and some that came all the way from Montana with a daughter... they are God's creatures and look to us for affection and care!
The dogs are always waiting just out the door for pats and licks on faces and popcicles... They are a live and active part of our outside life! They are a dear reminder to us of St Francis and how he saw God in all the earth! From morning prayer is this canticle of Daniel 3: 57-87
"Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord: Bless the Lord.
You heavens: Bless the Lord.
Sun and moon: Bless the Lord.
Stars of Heaven: Bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew: Bless the Lord.
All you winds: Bless the Lord.
Fire and heat: Bless the Lord.
Cold and chill: Bless the Lord.
Nights and days: Bless the Lord.
Lightenings and clouds: Bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills: Bless the Lord.
Everything growing from the earth: Bless the Lord.
Seas and rivers: Bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures: Bless the Lord.
All you birds of the air: Bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame: Bless the Lord.
You sons of men: Bless the Lord.
Holy men of humble heart: Bless the Lord"
Jesus, we love you in all that surrounds us... thank you for St Francis and his sharing your world of beauty with us! May we love you and serve you in and through your amazing universe and most especially within our domestic church - our families! Jesus, we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, BarbCanticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.
Talk about the sun! It was low in the sky, and making all the calves look very fuzzy... when we were out to see them the other night! We were looking for 48A, otherwise known last spring as Oliver Twist. He had been born C-section and in the process had wounds on the front of both legs that we had to clean and bandage each day for a long time... Well, we are standing there looking for him in the 100 plus calves in the bright sun, and suddenly... there he is in the front of them all , looking at us as if he remembers our caring for him day after day! He is right behind Mary in this picture and her arm is covering up his tag, but we looked at his front legs and they look no different from the others! Totally healed and covered with hair - no scars at all! We rejoice that our hard work and care of him -even when he didn't like to be caught each day and put on his side on the ground with big farmer Pat sitting on him to hold him still...it all paid off and he seems to remember us and be thankful! St Francis, we are blessed by our experiences with aminals in our lives and the ways that we are asked to care for them. St Francis, pray for us on this your feast day!
