CAPG's Blog 

Saint Odo of Cluny, abbot

by VP


Posted on Friday November 17, 2023 at 11:00PM in Saints



St. Odo of Cluny

"The Mass" says St. Odo, Abbot of Cluny, "is the act on which is based the salvation of the World."

The Holy Mass: The Sacrifice for the Living and the Dead, by Rev. Fr Michael Müller 1875 p 288.


When and how was this yearly commemoration of the departed introduced?

The time of the introduction of this commemoration cannot be determined; for as easily as the time of Tertullian he mentions that the Christians of his day held a yearly commemoration of the dead. Towards the end of the tenth century St. Odo, abbot of the Benedictines, at Cluny, directed this feast to be celebrated yearly, on the 2nd of November in all the convents of his Order, which usage was afterwards enjoined upon the whole Christian world by Pope John XVI. The feast of this day was probably established in order that, after having on day before rejoiced over the glory of the saints in heaven, we should this day remember in love those who are sighing in purgatory for deliverance.

Prayer:
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that, by our pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desires. Who livest and reignest,etc.


All Souls' Day. p456  Devout Instructions on the Epistles and Gospels for the Sundays and Holydays Front Cover Leonhard Goffiné Benziger, 1896


Saint Laurence O'Toole, Archbishop of Dublin

by VP


Posted on Monday November 13, 2023 at 11:00PM in Saints



"The Lost Sheep: The Good shepherd seeks the lost sheep, and, having found it, brings it home rejoicing to the fold. Such was the main business of St. lawrence, archbishop of Dublin, his whole life long. Although wealthy by his own income and the revenues of his diocese, he reduced himself to a state of indigence for the advantage of the poor, so as to touch their hearts by dint of benefactions. Seeing his diocese a prey to disorderly living and immorality, he withdrew occasionally into solitude, to attemper his zeal anew and come forth animated with ardor for the salvation of his people, like another Moses. He assumed himself and induced his canons to adopt the habit and rule of St. Augustine, in order to begin through the reform of the
clergy. He pursued by land and sea King Henry II, who had vowed vengeance against one of the kings of Ireland, and did not desist from his purpose until he had achieved a victory, that is, had brought about the reconciliation of the two monarchs. He died at Eu, France  in 1081, whole returning home after having accomplished his charitable mission.'

Moral reflection: "As the tree is known by its fruit", even so are Catholic pastors distinguished from those who are non-Catholic (Matt vii. 16)
Pictorial half hours with the saints. Abbe Auguste Francois Lecanu