“The courage of one’s convictions” means to have bravery and confidence; to act on your deeply held beliefs, even in difficulty, or when it is unpopular and brings opposition.
Core Aspects
Belief in self, action despite opposition, steadfastness, and building of character.
Examples of Action
- When leaders stay the course in a necessary but unpopular policy.
- An individual speaking out against injustice despite potential backlash.
- Refusing to compromise core values, even under pressure.
It is the inner strength, in essence, to be true to yourself and your moral compass, making it a vital quality for leadership and personal integrity.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi (c. 1181-1226) was an Italian mystic, friar, and poet, famous for founding the Franciscan Order (Order of Friars Minor) and embracing a life of radical poverty, humility, and love for God’s creation, becoming the patron saint of animals and ecology. Born to a wealthy merchant, his life transformed after hearing God’s call to “rebuild my church,” leading him to renounce his wealth and live as a beggar, inspiring followers and establishing the Franciscans and the Poor Clares (with Clare of Assisi), and creating the first living Nativity scene. He is also known for receiving the stigmata (Christ’s wounds) and writing the Canticle of Brother Sun.
Key Aspects of His Life & Legacy:
- Early Life & Conversion: Born Giovanni di Bernardone, he lived a carefree, luxurious youth before a war and illness led to a profound spiritual conversion, prompting him to give up his possessions.
- Founding Orders: He established the Franciscans, dedicated to poverty, and inspired the Poor Clares (for women) and the Secular Franciscan Order (for laypeople).
- Love for Creation: He saw all creatures as brothers and sisters, a deep respect that led to his patronage of animals and ecology.
- Spiritual Experiences: Received the stigmata in 1224 and composed the Canticle of Brother Sun, a beautiful hymn to creation, marking him as a literary figure.
- Patronage: Patron saint of Italy, animals, ecology, merchants, and peace, among others.
- Feast Day: Celebrated annually on October 4th.
Famous For:
- Poverty & Humility: Living the Gospel literally, without limit.
- First Nativity Scene: Created the first live Nativity in Greccio, Italy.
- Connection to Animals: Miracles and stories, like taming a wolf, highlight his bond with nature.
+7St. Francis of Assisi – My Catholic Life!Saint Francis of Assisi (c. 1181-1226) was an Italian mystic, friar, and poet, famous for founding the Franciscan Order (Order of Friars Minor) and embracing a life of radical poverty, humility, and love for God’s creation, becoming the patron saint of animals and ecology. Born to a wealthy merchant, his life transformed after hearing God’s call to “rebuild my church,” leading him to renounce his wealth and live as a beggar, inspiring followers and establishing the Franciscans and the Poor Clares (with Clare of Assisi), and creating the first living Nativity scene. He is also known for receiving the stigmata (Christ’s wounds) and writing the Canticle of Brother Sun. Key Aspects of His Life & Legacy:Early Life & Conversion: Born Giovanni di Bernardone, he lived a carefree, luxurious youth before a war and illness led to a profound spiritual conversion, prompting him to give up his possessions.Founding Orders: He established the Franciscans, dedicated to poverty, and inspired the Poor Clares (for women) and the Secular Franciscan Order (for laypeople).Love for Creation: He saw all creatures as brothers and sisters, a deep respect that led to his patronage of animals and ecology.Spiritual Experiences: Received the stigmata in 1224 and composed the Canticle of Brother Sun, a beautiful hymn to creation, marking him as a literary figure.Patronage: Patron saint of Italy, animals, ecology, merchants, and peace, among others.Feast Day: Celebrated annually on October 4th. Famous For:Poverty & Humility: Living the Gospel literally, without limit.First Nativity Scene: Created the first live Nativity in Greccio, Italy.Connection to Animals: Miracles and stories, like taming a wolf, highlight his bond with nature.
A “prophecy” sometimes attributed to Saint Francis speaks of a future tribulation, stating that during this time, “a man, not canonically elected, will be raised to the Pontificate, who, by his cunning, will endeavor to draw many into error and death!” In scripture we are warned of a great Apostasy that will come upon us in the Last Days. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 LSB – “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary of God, exhibiting himself as being God.”(LSB)
The message of Our Lady of La Salette, delivered on September 19, 1846, to two shepherd children—Mélanie Calvat (14) and Maximin Giraud (11)—in the French Alps, is primarily
a call to reconciliation and conversion.
Core Themes of the Public Message
The apparition is known for its “weeping Lady” who lamented the lack of religious devotion. Her primary grievances included:
- Desecration of Sundays: She expressed deep sorrow that few people attended Mass, and many continued to work on the “Lord’s Day”.
- Blasphemy: She warned against the frequent use of her Son’s name as a curse word or in vain.
- Neglect of Prayer: She urged the children to pray at least an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary” morning and evening when they could do no more.
- Warnings of Famine: She foretold a great famine, specifically mentioning that the potato harvest would continue to rot as a consequence of these sins. This was later linked to the Great Famine in Europe.
The “Secret” Messages
Beyond the public message, Our Lady entrusted each child with a private secret. These were controversial and were published in full later (notably in 1879). Key elements include:
- Apostasy and Clergy: Warnings of a decline in faith among the clergy and religious orders.
- Apocalyptic Prophecies: Predictions of social upheaval, wars, and natural disasters.
- “Rome will lose the faith”: A widely cited line claiming that Rome would become the seat of the Antichrist and the Church would be “in eclipse”.
Even the Catechism of the Catholic Church has stated: “675 Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.574 The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth575 will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh.576 (769) 676 The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatalogical judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism,577 especially the “intrinsically perverse” political form of a secular messianism.578 (2425) 677 The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection.579 The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause his Bride to come down from heaven.580 God’s triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the Last Judgment after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world.581 (1340, 2853) II. To Judge the Living and the Dead 1038-1041 678 Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgment of the Last Day in his preaching.582 Then will the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts be brought to light.583 Then will the culpable unbelief that counted the offer of God’s grace as nothing be condemned.584 Our attitude about our neighbor will disclose acceptance or refusal of grace and divine love.585 On the last day Jesus will say: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”586 (1470) 679 Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive judgment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world. He “acquired” this right by his cross. The Father has given “all judgment to the Son.”587 Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in himself.588 By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one’s works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love.589 (1021)”
In conclusion, “680 Christ the Lord already reigns through the Church, but all the things of this world are not yet subjected to him. The triumph of Christ’s kingdom will not come about without one last assault by the powers of evil. 681 On Judgment Day at the end of the world, Christ will come in glory to achieve the definitive triumph of good over evil which, like the wheat and the tares, have grown up together in the course of history. 682 When he comes at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, the glorious Christ will reveal the secret disposition of hearts and will render to each man according to his works and according to his acceptance or refusal of grace.”(C.C.C. 675-682)
Christian Universal Truth 