August 25, 2025

Feast Of St. Louis IX, Patron Of The Secular Franciscan Order

God Our Father, you taught St. Louis to prefer the kingdom of heaven to a kingdom on earth and wondrously adorned him with the gift of unsullied purity and extraordinary love for the poor. Granted that by imitating his virtues on earth we may be crowned with him in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Thought from the Saints

"O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. And enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there thy cheerful beings.”

— St. Augustine

Daily Scripture Verse

"And now, children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be put to shame by Him at His coming.”

1 John 2:28

Daily Meditation

"The strength of the soul consists in its faculties, passions, and desires, all of which are governed by thy will. Now when these faculties, passions, and desires are directed by the will of God, and turned away from all that is not good, then the strength of the soul is kept for God, and thus the soul is able to love God with all its strength.”

— St. John Of The Cross

A Prayer from Notre Dame University

Rev. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C.

Lord, although you call on our leaders, like you call on all of us, to practice what we preach and believe, never let us use the failings and transgressions of our leaders as an excuse to slack in our own following of your Son, so that in remaining faithful to his teachings, we may follow him home to heaven. Amen.