​A friend of mine was studying for her final exams. As was her habit, she prayed before studying and began saying: "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts..." 

Realizing she was saying Grace Before Meals, she stopped midway and laughed at herself quipping how silly she was. I retorted: "Well, passing an exam is still a gift!"

Submitted by Br. Robert Anthony Villamore

"When I was in my early days of becoming a Franciscan, my Superior, Brother Nicholas and I were in downtown Seattle. We were at the feast of St. Clare, following evening prayer at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and we were both wearing our habits.

Envision this: We were walking down the street. I was talking with my mother who had purchased for me a cellular phone so that we could be in contact (she lived in Salt Lake City at the time) and Brother Nicholas was smoking a cigarette. 

Out of nowhere, a woman approached us and indignantly said "Smoking cigarettes and talking on cellphones?!? I thought monks were supposed to be closer to God!"

Brother Nicholas, as serious as a heart attack replied, "Yes, we potty too."

Following that, the woman stormed off. It was all I could do to contain my hysterical laughter until she was out of earshot."

Br. Bjorn Drakken-Schultz, OES, OFH