Quo Vadis?
According to tradition, Saint Peter the Apostle lived in Rome at the time of the Christian persecution by Emperor Nero in the 1st...
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Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Dec 30, 2020
- 8 min
Reflection 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...
346 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Dec 21, 2020
- 2 min
New Outdoor Features at San Damiano Friary
While we are unable to physically interact with people during the COVID pandemic, we have added a few new features to our friary in San...
199 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Dec 21, 2020
- 3 min
Life at San Damiano during COVID
Here 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...
276 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Dec 14, 2020
- 3 min
It’s Nothing Personal
I’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...
96 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Dec 9, 2020
- 2 min
Celebrating Mary's Conception at Sundry Times and in Divers Manners
On December 8, our brothers and sisters in the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and some parishes in the Episcopal Church...
61 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Nov 27, 2020
- 2 min
Reflection on The Anglican Spirit by Michael Ramsey
Michael 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...
59 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Nov 23, 2020
- 6 min
Reflection on Gerhard Lohfink's Prayer Takes Us Home
In my own life experience, as in the life of many Christians, prayer is almost as natural as breathing. As a young student in Catholic...
223 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Nov 16, 2020
- 4 min
Reflection on Fratelli Tutti
When 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...
154 views
ssf.br.thomas
- Nov 6, 2020
- 4 min
The Silent Chapel
I found myself the other day asking if there was a word that held the feeling of whatever is beyond overwhelmed. These past several...
57 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Nov 6, 2020
- 3 min
Book 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...
44 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Oct 31, 2020
- 4 min
Book 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...
46 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Oct 26, 2020
- 3 min
Book Review: Franciscan Footprints by Sr. Helen Julian, CSF
As the oldest child in a Congolese family of 20 brothers and sisters, Muambule Tchipanga was the apple of her father’s eye. Unlike the...
91 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Oct 19, 2020
- 4 min
In 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...
48 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Oct 5, 2020
- 12 min
Saint 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...
159 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Sep 11, 2020
- 5 min
All the Leaves are Brown and the Sky is Grey
This 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...
82 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Sep 10, 2020
- 5 min
The Importance of being Brother
At the founding of the United States, many issues presented themselves of national import. A reading of George Washington’s first State...
90 views
ssf.br.thomas
- Aug 26, 2020
- 5 min
Figuring It Out
Homily 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...
88 views
Brother James Nathaniel SSF
- Aug 23, 2020
- 6 min
A Guide to Voter Guides
This November, many Americans will fulfill one of their most important civic responsibilities by heading out to vote. Notwithstanding...
111 views
desmondalbanssf
- Aug 3, 2020
- 4 min
Wealth at Home in Poverty: Reflections from Ancient Christian Wisdom
Recently, I began to explore the so-called Gospel of Thomas, known to exist but lost until its rediscovery with other ancient texts, at...
134 views