Franciscan Voice

Part 11 - Dante and the Franciscans

For us as Franciscans, we see the recent 700th Anniversary of Dante’s death as a time to rediscover and continue with the responsibility that Providence has entrusted to us. Friar John Heinz talks about the Dante Center of Ravenna in this conclusion of our series on Dante and the Franciscans.

Blessed Solanus Casey - His Story

A Priest, doorkeeper, counselor, whose prayers are credited with miraculous cures - Who is Blessed Solanus Casey?  Friar Solanus Mary tells his story in this episode of Franciscan Voice. (Friar Solanus Mary's recording was produced by Christian Media Trust for South East Radio - both located in Wexford, Ireland)

Part 10: Dante and the Franciscans

From public readings, paintings, commentaries - Franciscans share their connection with Dante. Friar John Heinz continues the story of the ongoing relationship between Dante and the Franciscans. 

Part 9: Dante and the Franciscans

According to tradition, Dante died on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in 1321. Almost immediately, a struggle began between Ravenna and Florence over Dante’s remains. Friar John Heinz talks about this conflict and how Dante's bones were hidden until rediscovered in 1865 as he continues the story of Dante and the Franciscans.

A Road Trip, Soda Cans, and Angels

Driving from New York to Florida, collecting empty cans to raise money for the missions, Brother Vincent Vivian had a flat tire on a deserted back road. Listen to his story of faith, peace, and angels.

Part 8 - Dante, Saint Francis, and the Franciscans

It has been noted that the Franciscan world is intertwined with the Christianity of the Divine Comedy. How did Dante first encounter the Franciscans? Which Canto is dedicated to St. Francis? Friar John Heinz continues the series on Dante and the Franciscans.

Part 7 - Paradiso

Friar John Heinz continues the journey through Dante's Divine Comedy. In part 7, he takes us through Paradiso - the eternal reality of the highest human desire; a reality that makes individual earthly events distant and small.

I Lift Up My Eyes

Friar Tom Smith wrote this song based on a prayer day at Dripping Springs Recreation Area in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It was very hot that day, and Psalm 30 includes the phrase "The Lord is my shade." A cloud passed over the mountain and made the temperature drop and God gave shade for the people in the desert. 

Part 6 - Purgatorio

Part six of Dante and the Franciscans - Thomas Merton used Dante's description of purgatory for the title of his autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. Merton saw the description as an apt metaphor of our striving for holiness here on earth. Friar John Heinz takes us on a journey through Dantes' Purgatorio.

Part 5 - Dante and the Franciscans

Friar John Heinz begins to talk about The Divine Comedy and describes Dante's underworld. Dante created a structure for the afterlife that had not existed before - giving Hell and Purgatory actual geographic locations.