St. John Climacus, Abbot, A.D. 605
by VP
Posted on Saturday March 30, 2024 at 12:00AM in Poetry
"He was born in the beginning of the sixth century; and at the age of sixteen renounced the world, to undertake a monastic life on Mount Sina, under the conduct of a holy hermit. To him he was so entirely subject, that he seemed to have no will of his own, but to be wholly dead to himself. By silence he curbed the insolent itch of talking about every thing; a vice too common, but usually a mark of pride and self-sufficiency. By perfect humility and obedience, he banished the dangerous desire of self-complacency in his actions. He never contradicted, or disputed with any one. Four years he spent in the trial of his own strength, and in learning the obligations of his state, before he made his religious profession, which was in the twenti eth year of his age. From that moment he seemed to be renewed in spirit; and his master admired the strides with which, like a mighty giant, the young disciple advanced daily more and more towards God by self-denial, obedience, humility, and the uninterrupted exercises of divine love and prayer. His desire was to be unknown to men, and therefore he lived forty years in this solitude, fervent in prayer, industrious in working and writing, mortified in his diet, sparing in his sleep. His virtues being at length discovered, he was known to many, amongst whom were some whose envy cast upon him the blemish of idleness and ignorance; but these he overcame by his moderation and patience, and brought them into the number of his admirers and disciples. In his old age he was chosen head of all the holy inhabitants of Mount Sina; and being consummate in virtue, died in this charge, an example to all.
If you cannot leave the world,
you must learn, at least, to leave your own will. All your trouble and
sin must be dated from your wilfulness, obstinacy and positiveness; and
till you have obtained the art of submitting your will to the orders of Providence, and yielding with peace under the pride and violence of men, you must expect no calm that is true and lasting. You must die to your own will, if you desire to live to the will of God. This will preserve your peace, much better than passion or revenge.
But this will never be their method, who love idleness, and indulge
sleep and appetite. Begin here then your reformation, if you desire this
holy spirit." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Saint Longinus
by VP
Posted on Friday March 15, 2024 at 12:00AM in Poetry
Confession of Longinus by Tissot
"LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.- The evangelical precept the most difficult, perhaps, to observe, is that which prescribes to us to do good in return for evil and to love those that hate us. Saviour having given us, however, the example simultaneously with the precept, and vouchsafing to us the grace which renders the precept possible, there remains no excuse for our not accomplishing it. This admirable example did not fail to produce speedy fruits; for one of the Roman soldiers present at the time of His suffering-according to some the very one who cried out while he saw the Saviour expire, "Verily, this was the Son of God," while others believe it was the guard who pierced His side with a lance, and on whom the name of Longinus, probably in mere ignorance of his right name, has been conferred- -was converted, and began to announce the Gospel. On learning this, Pilate caused him to be arrested in Cappadocia. Now Longinus, knowing by revelation what the soldiers who were seeking him intended, received them into his house, acted towards them as one does with friends, and ultimately discovered to them who he was. They decapitated him without further ado.
MORAL REFLECTION. Behold the divine precept, which calls for no commentary, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute and calumniate you."—(Matt. v. 44.)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Fr. Auguste Lecanu
PRAYER TO ST. LONGINUS: O Saint Longinus, you were chosen as the venerable gate keeper and was granted the gift of discernment by the Lord. An eyewitness of God's miracle who glorified the resurrected Christ. To your death, you remained Christ's soldier and for Christ you gave your head. Pray for us, therefore, O St. Longinus so that being inspired by your example and assisted by your prayers, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach eternal life to praise and thank God in heaven with you. I ask you to pray to God this special request if it be His holy will. ( Mention your requests )
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Almighty, Eternal God, You were pleased to make Your Church illustrious through the varied splendor of St. Longinus. As we venerate his memory, may we also follow such shining examples of virtue on earth and thus obtain merited crowns in Heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Longinus Patron Saint of the blind and people with poor eyesight, Pray for us. St. Longinus Patron Saint of Labor and Power, Pray for us. St. Longinus Patron Saint of Good Discernment, Pray for Us. Amen.
