A native of Assisi, Fra Ginepro was one of the first members to be received into the Franciscan Order by Saint Francis himself in 1210. Sent by Saint Francis to establish the Franciscan presence in Gualdo Tadino and Viterbo, Ginepro was known for his generosity and simplicity.
Several stories about Juniper in the "Little Flowers of St. Francis" illustrate his exasperating generosity. Once Juniper was taking care of a sick man who had a craving to eat pig's feet. This helpful Friar went to a nearby field, captured a pig and cut off one foot, and then served this meal to the sick man. The owner of the pig was furious and immediately went to Juniper's superior. Saint Francis reproached Juniper and ordered him to apologize to the pig's owner and make amends. Juniper, not understanding why the owner should be upset at so charitable an action, went to him and cheerfully retold the tale of the pig's foot, as though he had done the man a favor.
When the man reacted with anger, Juniper thought that he had misunderstood him, so he simply repeated the story with great zeal, embraced him, and begged the man to give him the rest of the pig for the sake of charity. At this display the owner's heart was changed, and he gave up the rest of the pig to be slaughtered as Juniper had asked.
Another time Juniper had been commanded to quit giving part of his clothing to the half-naked people he met on the road. Desiring to obey his superior, Juniper once told a man in need that he couldn't give the man his tunic, but he wouldn't prevent the man from taking it either. In time, the Friars learned not to leave anything lying around, for Juniper would probably give it away.
One day, arriving in Rome after a long journey, Juniper encountered people who had heard of his sanctity, and had come to see him. Alarmed at this reception, Juniper escaped to a nearby seesaw where he played with the children till the sightseers left disgusted. He then continued to the Convent.
It is said that Fra Ginepro assisted Saint Claire in her last hours and consoled her on her deathbed. "The renowned jester of the Lord", died in Rome in 1258 and is found buried inside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.
On June 22, 1958, on the occasion of the seventh centenary of his death, his remains were exhumed and re-interred in the same spot in a new box.
Junípero Serra (1713–1784), who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain, present day California, was named after Saint Juniper, as was the popular "Brother Juniper" cartoon strip, created by former Franciscan Friar, Justin McCarthy (1918 - 2009). His feast day is celebrated on January 29.
Several stories about Juniper in the "Little Flowers of St. Francis" illustrate his exasperating generosity. Once Juniper was taking care of a sick man who had a craving to eat pig's feet. This helpful Friar went to a nearby field, captured a pig and cut off one foot, and then served this meal to the sick man. The owner of the pig was furious and immediately went to Juniper's superior. Saint Francis reproached Juniper and ordered him to apologize to the pig's owner and make amends. Juniper, not understanding why the owner should be upset at so charitable an action, went to him and cheerfully retold the tale of the pig's foot, as though he had done the man a favor.
When the man reacted with anger, Juniper thought that he had misunderstood him, so he simply repeated the story with great zeal, embraced him, and begged the man to give him the rest of the pig for the sake of charity. At this display the owner's heart was changed, and he gave up the rest of the pig to be slaughtered as Juniper had asked.
Another time Juniper had been commanded to quit giving part of his clothing to the half-naked people he met on the road. Desiring to obey his superior, Juniper once told a man in need that he couldn't give the man his tunic, but he wouldn't prevent the man from taking it either. In time, the Friars learned not to leave anything lying around, for Juniper would probably give it away.
One day, arriving in Rome after a long journey, Juniper encountered people who had heard of his sanctity, and had come to see him. Alarmed at this reception, Juniper escaped to a nearby seesaw where he played with the children till the sightseers left disgusted. He then continued to the Convent.
It is said that Fra Ginepro assisted Saint Claire in her last hours and consoled her on her deathbed. "The renowned jester of the Lord", died in Rome in 1258 and is found buried inside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.
On June 22, 1958, on the occasion of the seventh centenary of his death, his remains were exhumed and re-interred in the same spot in a new box.
Junípero Serra (1713–1784), who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain, present day California, was named after Saint Juniper, as was the popular "Brother Juniper" cartoon strip, created by former Franciscan Friar, Justin McCarthy (1918 - 2009). His feast day is celebrated on January 29.
A native of Assisi, Fra Ginepro was one of the first members to be received into the Franciscan Order by Saint Francis himself in 1210. Sent by Saint Francis to establish the Franciscan presence in Gualdo Tadino and Viterbo, Ginepro was known for his generosity and simplicity.
Several stories about Juniper in the "Little Flowers of St. Francis" illustrate his exasperating generosity. Once Juniper was taking care of a sick man who had a craving to eat pig's feet. This helpful Friar went to a nearby field, captured a pig and cut off one foot, and then served this meal to the sick man. The owner of the pig was furious and immediately went to Juniper's superior. Saint Francis reproached Juniper and ordered him to apologize to the pig's owner and make amends. Juniper, not understanding why the owner should be upset at so charitable an action, went to him and cheerfully retold the tale of the pig's foot, as though he had done the man a favor.
When the man reacted with anger, Juniper thought that he had misunderstood him, so he simply repeated the story with great zeal, embraced him, and begged the man to give him the rest of the pig for the sake of charity. At this display the owner's heart was changed, and he gave up the rest of the pig to be slaughtered as Juniper had asked.
Another time Juniper had been commanded to quit giving part of his clothing to the half-naked people he met on the road. Desiring to obey his superior, Juniper once told a man in need that he couldn't give the man his tunic, but he wouldn't prevent the man from taking it either. In time, the Friars learned not to leave anything lying around, for Juniper would probably give it away.
One day, arriving in Rome after a long journey, Juniper encountered people who had heard of his sanctity, and had come to see him. Alarmed at this reception, Juniper escaped to a nearby seesaw where he played with the children till the sightseers left disgusted. He then continued to the Convent.
It is said that Fra Ginepro assisted Saint Claire in her last hours and consoled her on her deathbed. "The renowned jester of the Lord", died in Rome in 1258 and is found buried inside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.
On June 22, 1958, on the occasion of the seventh centenary of his death, his remains were exhumed and re-interred in the same spot in a new box.
Junípero Serra (1713–1784), who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain, present day California, was named after Saint Juniper, as was the popular "Brother Juniper" cartoon strip, created by former Franciscan Friar, Justin McCarthy (1918 - 2009). His feast day is celebrated on January 29.
Several stories about Juniper in the "Little Flowers of St. Francis" illustrate his exasperating generosity. Once Juniper was taking care of a sick man who had a craving to eat pig's feet. This helpful Friar went to a nearby field, captured a pig and cut off one foot, and then served this meal to the sick man. The owner of the pig was furious and immediately went to Juniper's superior. Saint Francis reproached Juniper and ordered him to apologize to the pig's owner and make amends. Juniper, not understanding why the owner should be upset at so charitable an action, went to him and cheerfully retold the tale of the pig's foot, as though he had done the man a favor.
When the man reacted with anger, Juniper thought that he had misunderstood him, so he simply repeated the story with great zeal, embraced him, and begged the man to give him the rest of the pig for the sake of charity. At this display the owner's heart was changed, and he gave up the rest of the pig to be slaughtered as Juniper had asked.
Another time Juniper had been commanded to quit giving part of his clothing to the half-naked people he met on the road. Desiring to obey his superior, Juniper once told a man in need that he couldn't give the man his tunic, but he wouldn't prevent the man from taking it either. In time, the Friars learned not to leave anything lying around, for Juniper would probably give it away.
One day, arriving in Rome after a long journey, Juniper encountered people who had heard of his sanctity, and had come to see him. Alarmed at this reception, Juniper escaped to a nearby seesaw where he played with the children till the sightseers left disgusted. He then continued to the Convent.
It is said that Fra Ginepro assisted Saint Claire in her last hours and consoled her on her deathbed. "The renowned jester of the Lord", died in Rome in 1258 and is found buried inside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.
On June 22, 1958, on the occasion of the seventh centenary of his death, his remains were exhumed and re-interred in the same spot in a new box.
Junípero Serra (1713–1784), who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain, present day California, was named after Saint Juniper, as was the popular "Brother Juniper" cartoon strip, created by former Franciscan Friar, Justin McCarthy (1918 - 2009). His feast day is celebrated on January 29.
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«Ossa Fratris Juniperi, Socii Sancti Francesci»
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