July 2021
Dear Companion of St. Anthony,
Peace and all good. The month of July begins with a very good commemoration of St. Junipero Serra. This great missionary founded most of the California Missions. I had the opportunity of visiting Carmel, CA where he is buried. Of course, while there I needed to visit the gift shop. While there I purchased some post cards and other small items. One medal that I purchased has an inscription that has struck me profoundly: “Always go forward, never go back.” This phrase really epitomizes the missionary work of St. Junipero and other great Franciscan missionaries. It should also be a moto for our own lives.
We do try to follow many ideals to keep us motivated. Throughout the thirteen weeks of our St. Anthony Novena, we enumerate many good qualities of devotion and intercession to St. Anthony. Even in our gift shop we have a simple sign that reminds us: “Tony, Tony turn around, something is lost and must be found.” I would hope that we come to this great saint with more than the need to find our keys, wallet, or watch! Recently I saw in a catalog a T-shirt with a silhouette of St. Anthony that stated simply: “Don’t be a loser.” This shirt made me think – without faith in God, we are losing out on so much.
May the prayers of St. Anthony keep us focused on the goal of pursuing the Kingdom of God though all our days. Many thanks for your tuning into our live streaming Mass from the Shrine of St. Anthony. Now that we have entered the summer months we live-steam our Mass daily at twelve noon My continued thanks for your prayerful and financial support of the Companions Ministry and our Shrine of St. Anthony.
In Christ and St. Anthony,
Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv.
Spiritual Guardian
Director and Rector of the Shrine of St. Anthony
