About Ruth Vogel
Ruth Vogel, SFO January 21, 1910 - May 26, 1998

     Ruth was born in Columbus Ohio, one of four sisters. When she was about 10 years of age she and her family moved to Virginia. As a young woman she worked as a secretary for the Army/Navy Register, but had to retire early on disability because of poor vision.

     She lived with her sister Leona for a time in Arlington Virginia, neither girl was married. She was professed a member of the Secular Franciscan Order on January 8th, 1967 at Sacred Heart Fraternity in Arlington. Some time later she and Leona, “the girls” as the rest of the family called them, packed up their belongings and assorted dogs and cats in their Volkswagen and moved to Florida. 

     Ruth became a member of the “Little Flowers of St. Francis Fraternity,” which was then called “St. Brendan’s Fraternity” at St. Brendan’s Church in Ormond Beach, Florida and was a member there for many years (her trip to Assisi was a most memorable time in her life, as documented in her journal.) Her greatest contribution to her fraternity and the Franciscan Order was her devotion and inspiration as formation director.

     Ruth wrote many articles and poems for her fraternity, the “Franciscan Herald” and other Franciscan publications. Her love for Jesus and her saintly devotion to the Blessed Mother and St. Francis was full of humility and pious fervor. She not only had the gift of perception in the Franciscan way of life, but also the ability to enter into the middle of Francis’ thoughts, whether it was describing the wonders of God’s creation or Franciscan spirituality.

     Her ability to put into words a scene which she would describe, whether it was the life of St. Francis or showing the “Way of St. Francis” to those who were candidates or professed members, was inspiring.

     The reader should not hurry through her words, but meditate and savor the feeling and emotion she had when she described a scene or explained Franciscan spirituality. We are sure you will find her writings an inspiration and a joy to read.

     Ruth put volumes of her thoughts on paper, some typed and some hand written, which I had the privilege to edit and compile in this first book. It is the intention of the “Little Flowers of St. Francis Fraternity” and the “Five Franciscan Martyrs Region” to make her writings available to everyone, whether they are candidates, professed members, or anyone who would like to have a closer relationship with our Lord.

     A few of her words sum up our reason for wanting to bring this book to you:

    “I have always had a great love for God and for the Blessed Virgin, even when I was a little girl. I believed in them without question. But, for so many years, this was a superficial feeling in my life — until I was exposed to the “Franciscan Way.” Then from the very beginning, when I found Francis, it suddenly burgeoned on me — my faith became intense, vibrant and alive. This Jesus was no longer casual; my God was no longer a vague being somewhere out there in the stratosphere. He was around me, in me, alive in my life, living right in my house with me.

    “I could go on and on talking about what this great compassionate friend Francis is to me now. Why would I ever need to turn elsewhere to find my Jesus and my God?  This is the charisma of St. Francis. How can I make other people see it -- Feel it?”  ...“As Secular Franciscans, we are committed to be Christ’s hands, mouth, feet, HIMSELF, in the world. We are to be His heralds and workers, using our talents, opportunities, words, and actions to communicate His message, so that He walks and talks and comes to life through us, for all people.” 

                                                              Dennis R. Mallon, S.F.O., 

                                                              Little Flowers of St. Francis Fraternity