We recently received an interesting package from the Franciscans in the Holy Land.. It contained sacred oil and some printed material. What was very interesting to us was the pamphlet, "A Brief History, Franciscans of the Holy Land." The History starts in 1209 with St. Francis of Assisi starting the Order of Friars Minor and from there the history continues with Friars going to the Holy Land. One historical year highlighted was 1342 when Pope Clement VI, through his papal bulls Gratius Agimus and Nuper Carissimo, declares the Franciscans work to be the care of Sacred Places in the name of the Christian world.
This is the reason why the Franciscans are given charge over the holy sites and to this day they care for Mary's House. However, now we know it is due to the Papal ancestor of Sr. Marie.
God has His plans to keep sacred places safe for all time. This piece of the story of the papacy of Pope Clement VI seems to foreshadow the role of Sr. Marie as caretaker for Mary's House. One can see the Divine hand of God in preparing her mission generations before her.
You can get your own copy of this pamphlet by contacting the Franciscans:
www.myfranciscan.com
202-526-6800
1400 Quincy St., NE
Washington, DC, 20017
Of course, Sr. Marie’s other ancestor, Pope Gregory XI, was the Pope to begin the return of the Papacy to Rome from Avignon in 1376 – on September 13, Sr. Marie's birthday.
“The grace of our Lord be with us forever.” ~ Sr. Marie
