Saint Francis of Assisi & Word Made Flesh

Saint Francis Feast Day is October 4. Our Word Made Flesh community has been influenced and inspired by the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Here is an article written by Chris Heuertz, Co-International Director of WMF, that gives a helpful history of the life of Saint Francis. Click here...

Simple Spirituality. The Spirit of Francis: A Prophetic Sign of Hope in a Slum Community
By Chris Heuertz

Preparing for Saint Francis Feast Day ~ October 4

If you have followed my blog at all these past five years you know that Ignatian and Benedictine spiritualities have recently played a significant role in my formation. Ignatian spirituality has formed and shaped my understanding of discernment and vocation. It has taught me to be attentive. Benedictine spirituality has encouraged me to deepen stability and call to place, as well as cultivate a rhythm of life.

The month I plan to revisit Franciscan spirituality. Our global Word Made Flesh community has been influenced and shaped by the life and spirituality of Saint Francis. When staff are commissioned to begin our service with WMF, we receive a San Damiano cross necklace as a symbol of our commitment. This year our WMF Argentina has decided to observe the Feast Day of Saint Francis on October 4. In preparation for this day, I am looking for recommendations on books, articles and resources on St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality.

Can you help me out? Please post any recommendations in comments or send me an email! 

Stay tuned for more reflections on Saint Francis these weeks ahead.

WMF Argentina ~ El Verbo Entre Nosotros

Last year our Word Made Flesh Argentina community revised our Mission Statement. I share them below in both English and Spanish. We are still moving forward in registering our organization in Argentina, called El Verbo Entre Nosotros. We pray this process will be completed in the months ahead.

You can read more about WMF Argentina and El Verbo Entre Nosotros on the WMF website, as well as on our brand spanking new Spanish website (Thanks Jason!). See links below.

Word Made Flesh Argentina ~ Mission Statement

WMF Argentina, in collaboration with Argentine partners, is called to serve and discover Jesus among vulnerable children and young adults living in poverty. Through mutual friendships based on love and trust, we accompany our excluded friends in experiencing and knowing Jesus and a fuller life in God. Intentional hospitality is essential to our ministry creating a space for intimacy with God and neighbor.

WMF Argentina (http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/argentina/about/)

El Verbo Entre Nosotros ~ Propósito del Ministerio

El Verbo Entre Nosotros, en colaboración con sus amigos y amigas de Argentina, está llamado a servir y descubrir a Jesús en medio de los niños, niñas y jóvenes adultos en situación de pobreza. A través de una amistad recíproca basada en el amor y la confianza, acompañamos a nuestros amigos y amigas excluidos, en su experiencia y conocimiento de Jesús y de una vida plena en Dios. Para nuestro ministerio, la hospitalidad intencional es esencial para crear un espacio de intimidad con Dios y el prójimo.

El Verbo Entre Nosotros (http://www.elverboentrenosotros.org/)

Headed to Bolivia!

This Thursday, January 13 I will leave Buenos Aires to visit our WMF community in Bolivia for a week. Our community serves in El Alto among those who prostitute. Ministry includes offering hospitality and support in the red light district through The House of Hope. Ministry in Bolivia also includes Suti Sana, providing opportunity for holistic transformation for women working in prostitution. Suti Sana is an economic and therapeutic option for these women which seeks their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual restoration. I look forward to visiting the Bolivia community and seeing this amazing ministry firsthand. You can also pray for my healthy adjustment to the high altitude of 13,615 feet in El Alto. I look forward to sharing more soon!

You can learn more about WMF Bolivia here:

http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/bolivia/about/

You can read more about Suti Sana here:

http://www.sutisana.com/

Or purchase the beautiful Suti Sana bags for sale here:

Suti Sana Bags for Sale

Sari Bari & Suti Sana for Christmas

Christmas shopping this weekend? Anyone out there in need of Christmas gift ideas for the women in your life? I have a couple suggestions from Word Made Flesh India and Bolivia, who offer freedom to women working and trapped in the sex trade by providing employment alternatives. The shiny new website links below give more information. There you can check out the beautiful purses, bags and products for sale! Support freedom for these women through your Christmas shopping this year.

Sari Bari (India)

http://www.saribari.com/

Suti Sani (Bolivia)

http://sutisana.com/

For instructions on purchasing bags...click here.

prayer room @ wmf staff gathering

Our WMF Staff Gathering takes place every three years. For the past two Gatherings I have put together a prayer room for the community. This year's prayer room included five different prayer stations. We also had various prayer exercises and practices available. But, more than anything, I hoped to create a space for people to just sit and be still. Below is a slideshow of the prayer room space. You can click on the slideshow to see the larger pictures.

new book, coming soon...."living mission"

I'm looking forward to a new book coming out in October.

Check it out and click here....

Living Mission: The Vision and Voices of New Friars