Abs 4 Abstinence, Sit-ups for Purity!

So last month Anton Kallungal posed a challenge on Facebook to some of us to try to offer up 100 push ups every day for the purity of our brothers in Christ.

Since we all could probably use the extra support, we thought we could try to continue something similar into this next month with 100 sit ups a day in July- in honor of His most Precious Blood; and probably keep it going month after month! Plus you probably wouldn't mind getting in better shape for our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, so we should be taking care of it! :)

If you can't do 100 sit ups off the bat, please don't be discouraged. You can even break it up into sets. Regardless off how you do it just keep make sure you keep pushing!

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

Offer your sit ups as a prayer and a sacrifice for an increase in the virtue of Purity! Think of everyone who needs it, think of it for yourself and those that struggle most...

JOIN THE EVENT ON FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE) or just make the personal commitment!

you can also use the following link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184574474932739

We need Courageous Men: THE MOVIE

I saw a screening of this movie in San Antonio and feel that this is a powerful call to men which is much needed in this day and age.  We need to find this courage!  GET OUT AND WATCH THIS MOVIE!


After seeing Courageous, church and business leaders in Georgia talk about the film's impact.

For more information on Courageous visit:
http://www.courageousthemovie.com
http://www.facebook.com/courageousthemovie

We need modern hero's

We need hero's of faith, of virtue, of modesty, of encouragement! Today we celebrate the early (first) Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Be INSPIRED! "Walk in the ways of the Lord in the land of the living!"

Trials, temptations, disappointments

 "Trials, temptations, disappointments – all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fibre of a character, but strengthen it. Every conquered temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before." - James Buckham


Come what may, let us persevere. Cling to God, surround yourself with good counsel and friends who care not only for your material good, but your spiritual good.  Dance, sing and play.  Listen to music and sing in your car with the window down.  Trials, temptations, disappointments will come, don't be surprised, rather be prepared like a warrior for battle.  Be not afraid, you are not alone!  

Sexual Healing

A poem originally wrote for an open mic at Pacific University. The poem highlights our culture's blind obedience to sexual norms, when it only seems to reap destruction. Pleasure is more at our fingertips in America than ever before, and yet depression steadily rises every year. It only shows that sex as recreation, or just for fun, is unable to satisfy us the way we were meant to be satisfied. Sex is good, in it's proper context. This poem mainly focuses though on anyone who has been deeply affected, hurt, and damaged by sexual sin. Forgiveness and mercy are given freely by Jesus. He cleans, restores, and heals us beyond measure and asks nothing in return. He saw all our sin and filth before he went to the cross and it was still his joy to go get us.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."-Matthew 11:28

Video by Matt Robertson: http://www.youtube.com/mrob7

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jefferson.bethke

Word Doc. of Poem: http://www.box.net/shared/h3i8865ipi

A world in denial about pornography

A world in denial about pornography: 7 out of 10 men incl Osama Bin Laden. Why ignore this? http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=17687

As the pornography epidemic has reached greater and greater proportions, news organizations have been writing about it less and less.

Push Ups for Purity - JUNE challenge

So last year Matt Weeder posed a challenge to some of us guys at UMD to try to offer up 100 push ups every day for the purity of our fellow brothers. Since we are going into summer and we all could probably use the extra support, plus probably wouldnt mind getting in better shape for the pool or beach or what ever we could take this up.

If you cant do 100 push ups off the bat, please dont be discouraged. Honestly I know im not going to be able to do that and will probably have to break it up into sets. Regardless off how you do it just keep make sure you keep pushing!
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

Check out the event on FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE) or make a personal commitment.  You can also follow the link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176782675710796

Sept 8th, Birthday of Mary, Mother of God!

     Mary was born to be the mother of the Savior of the world, the spiritual mother of all men, and the holiest of God's creatures. Because of her Son's infinite merits, she was conceived and born immaculate and full of grace. Through her, Queen of heaven and of earth, all grace is given to men. Through her, by the will of the Trinity, the unbelieving receive the gift of faith; the afflicted are tendered the works of mercy; and the members of Christ grow in likeness of their Head. In Mary all human nature is exalted. We rejoice in her birthday, as the Church has done from the earliest times.
       The Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been celebrated in the Church at least since the 8th Century.
        In celebrating the nativity of Mary, Christians anticipate the Incarnation and birth of her Divine Son, and give honor to the mother of Our Lord and Savior.

Lord God,

the day of our salvation dawned

when the Blessed Virgin gave birth to your Son.

As we celebrate her nativity

grant us your grace and your peace.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Things to do today: 

1) Learn some hymns or prayers to Mary. Sing and recite some today!

2) Take flowers to a chapel or statue of Mary

3) Have a birthday party in honor of Mary.  Teach someone else a little about her.

information was taken from CatholicCulture.org as well as Women for Faith and Family

Pointed in the right direction?

"We must try to keep our hearts continually, unshakably serene throughout the vicissitudes of life. Even though everything turns and changes around us, we must ever remain steady-always looking, striving, and aspiring toward God! No matter what..." - Golden Counsels of Saint Francis de Sales

Speaking clip from Boston LIFT

Clip of Mario St. Francis speaking in Boston, at the LIFT event. This months series is entitled BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER with guest speaker Mario St. Francis. Before his conversion, Mario was a top fashion model and actor and was even named one of America's Most Eligible Bachelors by Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1999. All that is behind him now and today, he travels the world as a Catholic evangelist and missionary. We are excited to have him share his story with us! LIFT is an exciting monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration. LIFT is for all ages from young adults to adults to teens to entire families. For more information about LIFT, visit the website at www.LiftedHigher.com and join in worship with hundreds of Catholics from around the Boston area!

Boston youth give feedback after conference

After the event "LIFT" in Boston, some audience members share their reactions of the main speaker, Mario St. Francis. LIFT is an exciting monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration. LIFT is for all ages from young adults to adults to teens to entire families. This months series is entitled BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER with guest speaker Mario St. Francis. Before his conversion, Mario was a top fashion model and actor and was even named one of America's Most Eligible Bachelors by Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1999. All that is behind him now and today, he travels the world as a Catholic evangelist and missionary. We are excited to have him share his story with us! For more information about LIFT, visit the website at www.LiftedHigher.com and join in worship with hundreds of Catholics from around the Boston area!

Watch the video also using this direct web address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjunCIh05o0

New Delhi, India - Magazine interview

Open publication

Delhi, India. While on India for 2 months a magazine featured the following story. This is a brief look into a book, which is in progress, detailing the events that have brought me to where I am and what I am doing.

MODELS – SUPERHEROES – BROKEN BONES and MORE! by Mario St. Francis

“Monkey-see…monkey-do.” Ever hear that saying? It means that we imitate what we see. I think it is true for most people. We imitate, that’s a fact, but WHO? and WHY? THE FASHION MODEL: A life of Magazines and Photo-shoots. After years of photo-shoots, commercials and fashion shows, I re-examined who I was as a model, how I influenced others and who was influencing me. You should too. Don’t wait for a “near death experience” to get your attention. That’s what it took for me!...

Topics highlighted in the article:

- The Fashion Model, a Life of Magazines and photo-shoots.

- My broken hand. Soap-opera cancelled

- Monkey see, Monkey do

- New Life, New Name

- Man on a Mission

- Real Heros

- Know Your Faith

- Use the Media

To read the article click on the image to the Right or visit the following link http://issuu.com/mario_st_francis/docs/malankara_voice

Movie about Pope: Under the Roman Sky

Watch the trailer for the Movie called Under the Roman Sky. A movie about Hitler's treatment of the Jews in Rome and his attempt to kidnap Pope Pius XII. The film, made by the Italian production company Lux Vide, also illustrates the Church's efforts to protect and save Jews during the war, the very subject that raised a considerable amount controversy after Pope Benedict declared Pius XII "Venerable" on Dec. 19, 2009.

Interviewed in Rome

While in Rome Italy in April 2010 as part of preparation for World Youth Day, Rome Reports featured a story about the preparations entitled 'Youth in Europe' expects to attract thousands of American pilgrims to World Youth Day Madrid 2011.

Youth in Europe is a travel agency that specializes in pilgrimages, wants to help guide American youth on this special journey.

Mario St. Francis, co-director of Youth in Europe says, “Our tour guides are young, faithful, living witnesses of the Catholic faith. We call them our pilgrimage guides, more than giving a tour they are there to assist and to reinforce the faith that a diocesan religion director has brought them here for, that their priest or bishop has brought them here for.”

Video can be viewed directly at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o16Idh7JSW8

Ready for WYD Madrid 2011? We are!

Youth in Europe takes some group leaders to Madrid on a FAM trip, all in preparation for Madrid 2011. In this video you can travel along with us and those who were getting familiar with Madrid and the World Youth Day venues.

http://www.gloria.tv/?media=76106

Feast of Divine Mercy, coming soon!

Feast of Divine Mercy will be celebrated this year on April 11, 2011. From the diary of a young Polish nun, a special devotion began spreading throughout the world in the 1930s. The message is nothing new, but is a reminder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition: that God is merciful and forgiving and that we, too, must show mercy and forgiveness. But in the Divine Mercy devotion, the message takes on a powerful new focus calling people to a deeper understanding that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone — especially the greatest sinners. The message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God’s mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread. The message of mercy is that God loves us — all of us — no matter how great our sins. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. It is a message we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC.

A — Ask for His Mercy. B — Be merciful. C — Completely trust in Jesus.

Learn more at http://thedivinemercy.org/mercysunday/dms.php as well as on EWTN website at http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/backgr.htm

I watch this devotional video and say my Divine Mercy Chaplet (prayer). I recommend it.

Easter - Important reality and SONG!

While in Spain last year I was introduced to the great Easter song called the Exsultet. In Spanish it is called "El Pregon Pascual". Feel free to check them out on YouTube or other sites. It is ABSOLUTELY worth reading, hearing, downloading and playing at home. The French version is also a favorite of mine too. The words and reality they express are very moving and we should become more and more familiar with the reality of Easter thru this song.

Feedback from India conferences

Watch a brief glimpse of feedback clips from the speaking tour in India. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVtdTqtlOBw

This video is a compilation of trip in India which spanned over 7 cities from large cities to smaller towns.  The ages ranged from 7 years old to people over 70 years old.

The experience was unique.  The colors where beautiful.  The people where very kind.  The driving and traffic was more unique.  The faith was alive.  The liturgy was beautiful and rich.

For this and may other reasons there is a popular phrase on their advertisements that says "INCREDIBLE INDIA".  How true!

Back from India - the Hope House

India was an unforgettable experience with many speaking events and encounters, new customs and culture, beautiful music, spicy food, and wonderful liturgies. Get a peak at what it looked like, check out the video. Please do not forget to pray for those outside out own homes and country's. As I travel the world I see many needs and conditions which need our prayers. I am seeking financial contributions to help offset some debt from this time in India. It was my opinion and decision to not ask for donations there and seek support from other nations and individuals whose hearts and situations could benefit the work I engaged in while visiting India.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB_2xVfeIvE

Video from travels in Spain

View the video highlighting my travels leaving Spain and heading off to the USA. After traveling in Spain for about 2 months, the time has come to leave and head to North and South America. Watch the Video on YouTube or just click on the image on the RIGHT. For more videos visit the YouTube Channel with all the videos www.YouTube.com/MarioStFrancis