Francis by Patrick J. Marrin for January 25, 2024

Point well taken.

Gotta dress for success

Maybe he just likes it. There was an I Love Lucy episode about Lucy wanting to throw out Ricky’s old shirt.

The old habit is a well-loved old habit.

In Chicago, there was a Bishop who resided at one of the more well-funded parishes. One Sunday morning after Mass, he was standing on the steps of the church, resplendent in his red-trimmed & red-sashed cassock, greeting his flock.

He felt a tug on his sash, and looked down to see a little boy. The child looked up at him and asked, “Are you Bozo?”

True story.

Even ragged clothes can become an encumbrance.

Father Casey Cole, OFM, talks about his habit and the Franciscan who previously wore it: https://www.youtube.Com/watch?v=_uYKaJqLHFs

So, Leo, just sew some patches on the new one. He’ll love it.

There’s a story about a church’s new pastor who scouted it out in ratty clothes before his installation. His first official sermon had something to say about how he was treated.

Yeah, I always thought those Halloween costumes were over the top.

In Waterford City, Ireland, there is a historical museum that displays the robe used by the bishop. It is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars today. It was constantly being seized by the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church as the country went back and forth in its strifes.

One of my favorite experiences in Assissi was seeing the habit St Francis wore (so they say — and they should know.) It was not frayed, but faded and full of patches. Well loved.