Pastor's Reflection - March 29, 2026

Prayers for Peace & The San Damiano Crucifix

Pope Leo XIV has reminded us that we need to be praying for peace, and in his letter to the Franciscan Family in preparation for the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis later this year he made a special reference to the beloved Crucifix of San Damiano.

Below is the closing excerpt from the letter:

Dear brothers and sisters, may the example and spiritual legacy of this saint, strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and ardent in active charity towards his neighbor, inspire in everyone the importance of trusting in the Lord, of living a life faithful to the Gospel, and of accepting and illuminating every circumstance and action of life with faith and prayer.

In this Year of Grace, I wish to offer you a prayer that Saint Francis of Assisi may continue to instill in all of us perfect joy and harmony:

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano; teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen.

Beginning Easter Sunday, we will display the San Damiano Crucifix in the church at St. Barbara which was made by one of our parish family members. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to follow the beautiful example of St. Francis in bringing the peace of Christ into our broken world.

Have a most blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter!

In Christ,

Fr. James Northrop, Pastor