I have recently learned of a Franciscan movement that existed for a short time after the death of St Francis, called the ‘Fraticelli’. The Fraticelli (Italian for “Little Brethren”) or ‘Spiritual Franciscans’ who desired to live more closely to the original ideal of poverty, as lived by St Francis (and dare I say St Clare…
The Cathars of Languedoc have been very near to my mind and heart since I first heard about them in 2011, and then started learning more about them in recent years. My sense of closeness to this medieval group has grown considerably in the past few months. This is not because of their creed or…
I am reading a book called Setting God Free by Fr Sean O’Laoire, an Irish Catholic priest who is spiritual director to a community of lay people in California called Companions on the Journey. He is a beautiful soul; a radical, imaginative, intelligent and compassionate man who is deeply respected by many people across many…