What was the genesis of my blog’s title? To answer the question, I need to write a little about where I was coming from, when I finally decided to begin blogging. Most of my adult life, from my college years, to the 1980’s, I have been in some type of religious, spiritual formation; feeling called to life as a Catholic priest, and later, to be a Franciscan friar. I would finally discern that God wanted me to follow a different path; which lead me into the business world, and to my wonderful wife, Peg. One thing that did not change for me, though, was the Franciscan spirit I inherited from the friars. I found myself joining the Franciscan lay movement, known as the Secular Franciscan Order.
Fast forward a few years, to around 2008; where I was becoming more acquainted with the concept of Web blogging. I inherited my interest in personal computing from my Dad, and I was finding this blogs, with these interesting articles. I was wondering if there was anything I could contribute to mass of online information. One day, I browsing through Border’s bookstore, (it was still in existence then!) when I came across a book, “The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging!” I purchased it, and devoured it in a few days. I decided to give it a try, and in 2009, I opened my first blog on “Blogger.” But what was I going to call this new blog? It was suggested that any title I picked had to be unique, to separate it from the other blogs. My hope was to share my observations of what was happening in my country, the world, and in my Church. I would draw on whatever insights came to me from my Catholic, Franciscan spiritual life. Now, for Franciscans, out of all the saints in the movement, the key ones are Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare of Assisi, and Saint Anthony of Padua.
Saint Anthony of Padua has been popular with Roman Catholics, because of his reputation as a miracle worker; “Miracles waited on your every word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety.” This is part of a prayer, addressed to St. Anthony; asking for his intercession. However, St. Anthony was also famous as a preacher. A trained theologian when he joined the Franciscan Order, he was sent on preaching tours throughout northern Italy, and southern France. He was successful not only because of the quality of his sermons, but also the example of his life. After many years of bringing the Gospel of Christ to all who would listen, he sensed his life was drawing to an end. He went to a friary, located in a small village near the Italian city of Padua. There, he asked his fellow friars to build him a tree house, in a walnut tree. There, he intended to spend his last days in deep prayer and contemplation. However, people still sought him out; seeking spiritual guidance, or a word on the Love of God. St. Anthony died on June 13, 1231.
So I decided to name my blog; “From Saint Anthony’s Walnut Tree.” Later, I would reestablish the blog on WordPress; and one of the Blogging 101 assignments was to tweak our titles. It suddenly came to me tweak the title to: “Musings from Saint Anthony’s Walnut Tree.” I think it more accurately indicates what I hope to accomplish with this
blog.
Musings From St. Anthony's Walnut Tree 