Our Saints….

He was a simple man, a bit of wispy white hair still left on his balding head.

It was that black French beret that spoke amazingly well of his artist`s soul, worn along with the garb of his Friar`s robe. He smoked, before his heart got so bad. He never lost his love smelling tobacco.

He had another look, his everyday clothes…once someone asked I remove him from our parish hall. They mistook him for someone living on the streets. Personally, I liked to think he choose clothing from the same store as the Maytag Man on the television or was it from a ragbag. Yes, he wore the black French beret with this too. Kept his head warm, he told me.

I had never really known a Friar close up, really known one well. A bit like my Father, that I lost much too young. I really loved him deeply [Fr. Emmeran]. The sunflowers he loved were blooming when I heard the news. It was in June.

A saint had gone home to God.

I put sunflowers everywhere in my house that day. Bob kept picking them, because I kept crying. He has never become comfortable with my tears. I put a big bunch by the fireplace, as the memories flooded past me [especially the memory of one of his visits]. It was very cold, and a big fire was in that fireplace. My first grandson had been recently born, and he was in my care. He was so very small and crying so hard. Nothing I did satisfied him…

We didn’t really expect Emmeran that evening, but suddenly he was there.

My supper was in disarray, as this beloved baby cried incessantly. He [Emmeran] gave me that grin, as he came in the door. He didn’t say a lot, he never did. The grin came again, this time with arms outstretched, and followed by the simple words, of a simple man. “Give me that baby!”

Source:  Patty Palmer, OFS

Fr. Emmeran Frank, OFM, and Patty Palmer, OFS

In Memory of Fr. Emmeran Frank, OFM,
November 29, 1921 – June 21, 1997

Teach me O my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of my life – in disappointments and in the thoughtlessness of others – in the insincerity of those I trusted and the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Let me put myself aside; think of the happiness of others; hide my little pains and heartaches so that I may be the only one to suffer by the crosses that come across my path. That they may mellow me, not harden or embitter me. As I go my rounds from one distraction to another let me whisper from time to time a word of love to Thee. May my life be lived full of power for good and strong in its purpose of sanctity. Amen.

Source:  Fr. Emmeran Frank, OFM

Fr. Emmeran loved sun flowers.

(We are especially grateful for the assistance of Sr. Fidelis Hart, OSC, Fr. Emmeran Frank, OFM, and Fr. John Noone who were so kind and supportive of us during our early years.)