THE ASSISI PROJECT
THE FRANCISCAN VIRTUES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3RD
Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi
Eight Hundred Years – 1226-2026
The coming year marks two important anniversaries in the life of the Catholic Church. It is the 10th Anniversary of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy (2016) and the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus (Death) of Saint Francis of Assisi. As part of its ongoing mission to help us more faithfully live the Gospel of the Poor Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, the Assisi Project is going back to the basics, back to the life and good example of our patron saint and his first followers.
On the First Saturday of every month, the Assisi Project gathers for a two-hour mini-retreat that includes Holy Mass, a reflection by Father Jim or Brother Patrick, and a period of prayer and faith sharing. All are invited to join us on Saturday, January 3rd beginning at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church as we begin our reading and discussion of an amazing book called Franciscan Virtues Through the Year: Fifty-Two Steps to Conversion.
This beautiful but sometimes challenging little book includes fifty-two weekly short reflections on the virtues practiced by Saint Francis of Assisi and the saints and sinners who have tried to follow him during the past eight centuries. In January, for example, we will read and reflect on Attentiveness, Confession, Courage, and Detachment. At our monthly gatherings, we will focus on one of more of these compelling Franciscan virtues.
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers around the world. We are dedicated to helping believers of all ages more faithfully live the Good News in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world.
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes and beyond, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us! May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace at Christmas and always!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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THE ASSISI PROJECT
SAINTS FOR ALL SEASONS 2026
FRIENDS OF FRANCIS – THE PROTOMARTYRS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH
Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi
Eight Hundred Years – 1226-2026
All Christians are called to holiness. All Christians are called to be saints. A saint is a person who has lived a courageous and virtuous life; a life lived for God; a life lived for others; a life worthy to be imitated by others. Pope Leo XIV proclaimed recently: “The lives of the saints teach us that it is possible to live passionately amidst the complexities of the present time without neglecting [Saint Paul’s] mandate to ‘shine like stars in the world (Philippians 2:15).'”
This year, the Catholic Church marks the 800th anniversary of the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226-2026). As part of the Assisi Project’s commemoration of this special year, we look not just to Saint Francis, but to the friends who knew him best; to the holy men and women who sought to follow in his footsteps; to the “shining stars” who sought to live the Gospel of the Poor Christ in thought, word, and deed.
In this spirit, all are invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick for this year’s Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreats which begin with Holy Mass on Wednesday, January 14th at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church (Gloucester, Massachusetts). After Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Brother Patrick will offer a reflection on the Franciscan Protomartyrs, the first followers of Saint Francis to lose their lives simply for living and preaching the Good News.
After our reflection, Father Jim will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (for those who feel called to confession) during a period of silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This special evening of prayer and devotion will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of a relic of Saint Francis of Assisi. Please save the following dates for our upcoming mini-retreats:
Blessed Jacopa of Settisoli
Wednesday, February 4th at 5:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Blessed Bernard of Quintavalle
Wednesday, March 25th at 5:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Blessed Leopold of Monteluco
Wednesday, April 2nd at 5:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Throughout the year, our challenge will be to turn what we learn about the Friends of Francis into living more faithfully as disciples. After all, Saint Francis once said: “What a great shame that while the saints actually followed in the footsteps of the Lord, we, today’s servants of God, expect glory and honor simply because we can recite what they did (Admonition 6).” Mindful of this counsel, we will seek to renew our timeless mission to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church.
For more information about our Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreats, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us! May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!
Listen: Saints for All Seasons Podcasts
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THE ASSISI PROJECT PODCAST
LISTEN NOW FOR FREE!
Founded by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit that is dedicated to helping believers of all ages to more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. In response to the pandemic, Father Jim asked Brother Patrick to look back on more than two decades of ministry as a catechist, spiritual director, and leader of retreats and pilgrimages; and to create a regular series of podcasts (audio recordings) as a way of continuing his adult faith formation ministry. As of this weekend, Brother Patrick (aka Cliff Garvey) has already created more than sixty podcasts and with more on the way! These podcasts are free and always available! Just click on the link below our library!
For more information about the Assisi Project, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Although our podcasts are always free and always available, all are welcome to support our ministries via PayPal or smile.amazon.com; or by sending a donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. Thanks for listening! May the Lord give you peace! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!
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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY
Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with members, friends, and followers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages to more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 15 to 99, pray every day for those who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace, now and always!
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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
PILGRIMAGE & PARISH RETREAT MINISTRY
Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with members, friends, and followers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages to more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Our team of experienced spiritual directors are available for days of prayer and mission-retreats for your parish, fraternity, or organization. Recent offerings include:
- Joy & Power of the Rosary
- Joy & Suffering with Padre Pio
- Joy of the Gospel: The Vocation to Everyday Holiness
- Light & Darkness: Workshop on Spiritual Combat
- Little Flowers of Saint Francis & Pope Francis
- Living Scripture with Francis & Clare
- Mary, Mother of God & Mother of All People
- Prayer & Healing with the Children of Fatima
- Rebuilding the Church with Saint Francis of Assisi
- Sharing the Wisdom of Time with Pope Francis
Since our founding, the Assisi Project has led fourteen pilgrimages (to Assisi, Fatima & Lourdes, and the Holy Land); twelve weekend or week-long parish retreats or missions; and dozens of days of prayer for adult disciples of all ages. For more information about how we can help you and your community deepen its life of prayer and spirituality, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace!
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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION MINISTRY
Thomas Merton once wrote: “Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see and obey the real director, the Holy Spirit, hidden in the depths of our soul.” In this spirit and in an effort to help adult disciples (in the Roman Catholic Church) grow closer to their Risen Lord in a confidential and supportive environment. Brother Patrick Garvey, the Assisi Project’s co-founder and spiritual director, is available for both individual and small-group spiritual direction on a regular or one-time only basis. For more information, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatricky@assisiproject.com. Saint Francis, pray for us! Saint Clare, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace!
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ABOUT US
Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. All are welcome to support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or by mailing a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is Produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!
The Assisi Project 