St. Francis of Assisi

When St. Francis Meets Flight Delays: The Holy Land Awaits!

A pilgrimage with an exciting twist—war delays flights while a church fiesta sizzles in El Paso!

St. Francis of Assisi, revered as one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved saints, has recently found his name in the headlines due to an unexpected pilgrimage delay. As tensions rise in the Holy Land, a historic journey to bring the relic of St. Francis' blood has been postponed owing to canceled flights. Pilgrims eager to pay tribute are left holding their boarding passes as conflict escalates, proving that even divine plans sometimes meet earthly disruptions.

Meanwhile, across the ocean in West El Paso, a local church prepares to celebrate the spirit of St. Francis in a much more jubilant way. This weekend, the congregation will host a festival bursting with live music and mouthwatering food. Expect to see classic treats such as gorditas, aguas frescas, enchiladas, flautas, and elotes galore! The church’s lively gathering is a testament to St. Francis’ legacy of joy and community, reminding everyone that while plans may change, celebrations continue.

In the midst of these events, people are also reflecting on a popular saying misattributed to St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times; use words if necessary.” While many memes feature this quote, the reality is that there’s no definitive evidence he actually said it! Perhaps it was the late-night pondering of a pizza delivery guy or someone trying to get deep in a Catholic schools class—who knows! Regardless, the message highlighting compassion and actions over words is certainly in line with St. Francis’ teachings.

As we await news from the devout pilgrims yearning to reach the Holy Land, let's keep spirits high with delicious food and musical vibes in El Paso. After all, St. Francis is not just a saint of peace but also of celebration! Fun fact: Did you know that St. Francis is also the patron saint of animals and ecology? Every October, people all over the world hold blessing ceremonies for pets to honor him! Plus, St. Francis’ famous Canticle of the Sun is considered one of the first literary works conveying an appreciation for nature. Talk about green thumb, or should I say green heart?