USED - The Journey from the head to the Heart and Beyond by Fr. Stephen Valenta, OFM

Father Stephen Valenta, a Conventual Franciscan for over fifty years has for many years been in touch with every level of life within the framework of a varied number of ministries. After ordination, he was stationed in a mid city parish working especially with the young children in their spiritual formation. He entered into evangelization by setting up a storefront public relations Center for the Church. To reach out to the multitudes he entered into the media apostolate presenting weekly radio and television programs such as Catechism of the Air, Into Focus, and Catholic Bible Course. After some years of teaching the basics of the Faith, he became the chaplain at a State University working with the young adults in the difficult sixties. He was given a year's sabbatical which he spent in Assisi, Italy, studying the prayer life of St. Francis. On his return to the States he established Mount St. Francis Hermitage in Maine New York wherein he lived a life of greater solitude putting into practice what he had learned. Father Stephen is now engaged in a preaching ministry which takes him from sea to shining sea and beyond. His major endeavor is conducting workshops on how to pray with the heart, a mission he believes has been given to him by Mother Mary.