MSI Press Blog

When the pandemic hit, many communities struggled with shortages, confusion, and fear. But in San Juan Bautista, something different happened. Farmers dropped off boxes of produce at the schoolyard. Volunteers — just a couple of people, no formal organization, except through coordination with the City Council — helped stack boxes, load boxes, and answer questions. Homemade masks appeared inside the produce boxes, sewn by hands no one ever identified. Colorful, different, fun. People drove up, collected what they needed, and went home. I did not need a box, but my neighbor did. I picked one up for her each week; no questions asked. No lines. No paperwork. No stigma. No panic. The local store never ran out of toilet paper. Or paper products of any kind. People bought what they needed at the moment. They left the rest for those who might need it. The city code enforcer (closest thing to law enforcement in town) passed out big cards to every family. Put a yellow card in the window if...

  October 4th marks the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi , a day of celebration, reflection, and deep gratitude for the life of the saint who saw all creation as kin. Known for his radical simplicity, love of nature, and unwavering compassion, St. Francis continues to inspire hearts across generations and traditions. Here in San Juan Bautista , the Franciscan legacy is alive and well. With an active Mission church and the nearby St. Francis Retreat Center , the town pulses with the rhythms of Franciscan spirituality—hospitality, humility, and reverence for the ordinary. At MSI Press , this feast day holds special meaning. Our editor is a Third Order Franciscan , and her work reflects the Franciscan call to uplift voices of healing, wisdom, and transformation. Today, we honor that mission with joy. And of course— don’t forget the animals! Across the world, churches and communities hold the beloved Blessing of the Animals , a tradition that celebrates the sacred bond between huma...

  Tonight, as the sun sets on October 3rd, Franciscans around the world gather in quiet reverence to mark the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi—the moment of his passing into eternal life in 1226. It is not a time of mourning, but of deep remembrance and recommitment to the values he embodied: humility, peace, kinship with creation, and radical love. For MSI Press, this threshold holds particular significance. Located in the historic town of San Juan Bautista , MSI Press is nestled within a landscape shaped by Franciscan legacy. The town itself was founded by Franciscan missionaries, and to this day, it remains home to an active Franciscan Mission and the beloved St. Francis Retreat Center , where seekers of all backgrounds come to rest, reflect, and renew. The rhythms of Franciscan spirituality—simplicity, hospitality, and contemplative presence—are woven into the very soil of this place. This evening is also deeply personal for MSI Press. Our editor is a Third Order Franci...