Brother James Nathaniel SSFMay 15, 20214 minQuo Vadis?According to tradition, Saint Peter the Apostle lived in Rome at the time of the Christian persecution by Emperor Nero in the 1st...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFDec 30, 20208 minReflection on "Divided We Stand: A History of the Continuing Anglican Movement" by Douglas Bess. One afternoon as I was helping clear out the friary’s basement, I happened upon a copy of Douglas Bess’ book, Divided We Stand: A History...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFDec 21, 20202 minNew Outdoor Features at San Damiano FriaryWhile we are unable to physically interact with people during the COVID pandemic, we have added a few new features to our friary in San...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFDec 21, 20203 minLife at San Damiano during COVIDHere at San Damiano Friary, the brothers continue to ride out the COVID storm as best as we are able. We have to pay particularly close...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFDec 14, 20203 minIt’s Nothing PersonalI’ve been called a child molester three times since I’ve been a brother here in San Francisco. On all occasions, I have been walking...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFDec 9, 20202 minCelebrating Mary's Conception at Sundry Times and in Divers MannersOn December 8, our brothers and sisters in the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and some parishes in the Episcopal Church...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFNov 27, 20202 minReflection on The Anglican Spirit by Michael RamseyMichael Ramsey is one of those individuals who I wish I could have met while he was alive. I first learned about him from our English...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFNov 23, 20206 minReflection on Gerhard Lohfink's Prayer Takes Us HomeIn my own life experience, as in the life of many Christians, prayer is almost as natural as breathing. As a young student in Catholic...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFNov 16, 20204 minReflection on Fratelli TuttiWhen I first arrived in San Francisco, one of our brothers told me a joke about Pope Francis. “He has a heart of a Franciscan and a mind...
ssf.br.thomasNov 6, 20204 minThe Silent ChapelI found myself the other day asking if there was a word that held the feeling of whatever is beyond overwhelmed. These past several...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFNov 6, 20203 minBook Review: Community, Eucharist, and Spirituality by Kenan B. Osborne, OFM“When the people are gathered…” Open a new Roman Missal (the service book of the Roman Catholic Church) and this is the first rubric one...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFOct 31, 20204 minBook Review: Clare of Assisi: Gentle Warrior by Wendy Murray“Why care about Clare?” This is the initial question Wendy Murray poses in her 2020 book Clare of Assisi: Gentle Warrior (Paraclete...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFOct 26, 20203 minBook Review: Franciscan Footprints by Sr. Helen Julian, CSFAs the oldest child in a Congolese family of 20 brothers and sisters, Muambule Tchipanga was the apple of her father’s eye. Unlike the...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFOct 19, 20204 minIn Search of the Authentic Francis+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Every time I read the Primitive Rule of 1209 from our brown...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFOct 5, 202012 minSaint Francis' Day Sermon and Animal Blessing (with audio)On Sunday, October 4, 2020, Brothers Jude and James Nathaniel were invited by Mother Stacey to preach and bless animals at St. Francis...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFSep 11, 20205 minAll the Leaves are Brown and the Sky is GreyThis past month in San Francisco has been one of the most unforgettable in the nearly four years I have lived in this city. One of the...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFSep 10, 20205 minThe Importance of being BrotherAt the founding of the United States, many issues presented themselves of national import. A reading of George Washington’s first State...
ssf.br.thomasAug 26, 20205 minFiguring It OutHomily on the Feast of Saint Louis IX of France by Br. Thomas at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, NYC, August 25, 2020 Phyllis McGinley...
Brother James Nathaniel SSFAug 23, 20206 minA Guide to Voter GuidesThis November, many Americans will fulfill one of their most important civic responsibilities by heading out to vote. Notwithstanding...
desmondalbanssfAug 3, 20204 minWealth at Home in Poverty: Reflections from Ancient Christian WisdomRecently, I began to explore the so-called Gospel of Thomas, known to exist but lost until its rediscovery with other ancient texts, at...