Evening settles along San Antonio’s River Walk
where the river has carried centuries~
Payaya canoes gliding through reeds,
Franciscan friars mapping water to mission,
stone masons shaping banks
that would one day cradle a city.
The water moves with its old patience,
green and unhurried,
bearing the memory of every hand
that once depended on its flow.
Cypress roots clutch the earth
the way they did long before
the first chapel bells rang.
Bridges replace where footpaths once wound.
Boats slip past,
their lights shimmering like stories
recalling river foraging,
and irrigation lifelines
I feel how the river gathers every era~
Indigenous footsteps,
mission bells, and
modern dusk~
The place seems almost sacred,
not through grandeur,
but through the
quiet and faithful way
it keeps passing moments
in the curve of its water.
You founded the Franciscan Order.
I was with you.
You gave up wealth.
You stood naked before the world.
You called God your Father.
You could have been rich.
Instead, you chose poverty.
You begged for food.
You rebuilt broken churches.
You followed the voice of Heaven.
O Pope Leo XIV,
what have you learned from him?
He was once a soldier.
He fell ill.
He changed forever.
He sold all he had.
He walked with the poor.
He taught us that wisdom
is born in poverty.
We still hear your voice, Francis:
"Make me an instrument of your peace..."
Your prayer travels across the world.
It reaches Gaza.
It cries in Ukraine.
It whispers in Congo, Libya, and Sudan.
You asked for love where there is hate.
For hope where there is despair.
For light where there is darkness.
For joy where there is sorrow.
You lived humility.
You loved creation.
You forgave your enemies.
You carried peace like a cross.
Even now,
your spirit moves through time.
It sits upon our hearts.
It shows us the way.
Teach us again, O Saint,
how to be human.
fabulous fabricated forlorn frenzied Franciscan fable
garnered garrulous geese gathered at Gloria’s gable
harboring a hangout for a hunter with Achille’s heel
identifying idiosyncrasies that are less than ideal
juggling jam-packed jokesters without a good joke
Keeping an eye out for kibitzers and kindly kinfolk
like-minded Lilliputian with a lullaby I like
manifesting mystical magic, then throwing down the mike
O Blessed Virgin Mary, our Lord's servant-- so humble
Hearing your Seven Sorrows makes my heart almost crumble
I wish to imitate your loving prayers (and not mumble)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Virgin Mary, humble servant of the Lord, was
open to His every word and call. She was embraced by
Francis with indescribable love and declared the
protectress and advocate of his family. The Secular
Franciscans should express their ardent love for her by
imitating her complete self-giving and by praying
earnestly and confidently. "
(THE RULE OF THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER, #9)
Winters and winters ago
Away at Franciscan Univ.
My first Christmas snow!
"Engraved on his tomb in Latin:
Scotland brought me forth.
England sustained me.
France taught me.
Cologne holds me."
Blessed John Duns Scotus
1265 - 1308
_______________
Blessed
theologian, philosopher, logician, realist, professor
entered the Franciscan order at 12 years old
became a catholic priest and Franciscan friar
received a good education at Oxford
known for his metaphysical arguments on God
and his univocity of being and so much more
John, died unexpectedly young at 43 years old
beautified by Pope John Paul II in 1993 to Sainthood
he has left many books and papers still debated today
John Duns Scotus
________________________
March 26, 2022
Poetry/Bio/Blessed John Duns Scotus
Copyright Protected, ID 03-1443-449-26
All Right Reserved, 2022, Constance La France
Written for the Standard contest, John Duns Scotus
sponsor, Joe Maverick, Judged 03/28/2022
Fourth Place
Thinker, scholar, sophist; Duns was, yet, a humanist,
His thoughts actions exhibited him as true philanthropist…!
Constructing a metaphysical argument, he said,
Of the existence of God, that like rivers moves ahead…!
Aristotle or Aquinas need not be great masters,
When divine decree, like creation, does all things alters...!
A Franciscan priest and theologian, he explained,
The Immaculate Conception, with due coherence gained...!
Theology should be a sensible science of God,
Human beings should find love of Trinity never flawed...!
He differentiated faith of heart from thought of head,
Added tinges of humanity, and true love did spread...!
By John Paul II was John Scotus Duns canonized,
For metaphysics with Christian faith, he is eulogized...!
18 March 2022
John Duns Scotus Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Joe Maverick
Duns Scotus was an enormously important theologian
He significantly influenced Catholic theology, early on,
A brilliant man of considerable influence in Scotland
Doctrines we take for granted were from him drawn.
A thirteenth century Franciscan, he was very erudite
Strange the idea of the dunce cap comes from his name
Though never pictured wearing a pointy-head funnel
His scholarship and philosophy contribute to his fame
Theories he believed came down through the tunnel
He opposed ideas of the Renaissance and Reformation
He would not give up his orthodoxy without a fight,
As far as we know, he was conservative in formation.
Because so little is known of him, much apprehension
He died young, perhaps without a full-rounded life
And since it was true then as in the modern priesthood
We know he never knew the joys of a faithful wife.
THIRD PLACE WINNER
Written March 3, 2022
For the “John Duns Scotus” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Joe Maverick
Jesus Christ is the Catholic’s High Priest
Jesus Christ is the Catholic’s 1st Priest
Jesus Christ is a Priest according to the order of Melchizedeck
Jesus Christ is Father Christ
Father is used for the Franciscan Friar’s or Catholic Priest
Father Christ wants me to propagate “Father Christ”
“I want all people to call me Father Christ, not just you”
It is in the Bible
The Letters to the Hebrews
Please read it, there is an important lesson there
You can try reading other man made religion’s bible
They’re interpreted differently
Universal Church is there from the 2nd century
Universal Church which is now called Catholic or Roman Catholic Church
On 2nd century was when Father Christ established the Universal Church
That is now called Catholic or Roman Catholic Church
Written: 10092021
Time: 4pm
There is a hazelnut-flavored liquor named "Frangelico"
It's named after a hermit monk who lived long ago.
This twenty percent alcohol spirit comes from Italy.
All over the world, it has gained popularity.
The liquor's brown bottle resembles a Franciscan friar.
Sip it straight up, or in any mixed drink you desire.
After you buy it for the first time in any liquor store,
chances are, when it's gone, you will buy some more.
she's more
angora since
she sheared off
her locks but since
i've lost the key and so
certain doors must remain
closed as if off season for reasons
that only monthly disagree so i seem
to see but by the blood of christ i drink
and of the host
the body I barely
eat enough of a piece
of wafer to taste the holy
ghost let alone feel him moving
me to do anything filled with apathy
of the meaningless meant for minions
forgiving their forgiveness to be blessed
may i suggest since thinking one day to be a
Franciscan monk
that one must speak
the unspeakable mind
and then maybe then you
may find the talkative and so
provocative words whispered in
your ear's mind that seem to be unkind
but everytime you pass a blooming rose take
the time and do not pass without smelling the Goddess
my pick up lines were:
"if it weren't for you
i'd be a Franciscan monk"
"i'd spoil you like a bunch
of rotten grapes"
"i picked these
nettles just for you"
"how can i
treat you like
a Queen when
you're a princess
to me"
"my dear would
you like
to see my
lint ball
collection"
and so
many many
more until
i met her
and she
laughed
and
laughed
and
laughed
happily
ever
after
who wouldn't
want to be
Dr. Doolittle
doing nothing
or very little
become
a Franciscan monk
wave to a ganso
as she with every
wing beat says
goodbye
She lived the kind of life she always wanted to
like a lion out of cage fierce and always good
full of laughter, she was an arrow built straight
and like the ocean she poured out salty water
but, made you fast belong
She was never afraid to love you with both arms
detesting lies and cheaters, she said it like it was
her Faith was bigger then a mustard seed and God?
always first on her list it was written in her bible creed
yes , she was fair and strong
She was born on Christmas Eve beneath Franciscan sky
lived to be a ripe old age until he claimed her as his own
This Christmas the church bells won't be ringing loud,
she's nestled in His stable wrapped safely in His shroud
RIP mom, you are my song.
Dedicated to my mom who past away in August of this year.
December 14, 2018
Sponsor: John Lawless
Contest : Let'er RIP
Raymund Kolbe 1894-1941
Joined the Franciscan
Helped Nazi including Jews
Sent to Auschwitz was executed
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Written: 8142018
Poetry Form: Cinquain
Copyright © Jacqueline R. Mendoza
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