St. Stanislas, Bishop and Martyr, A.D. 1079.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday May 07, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
Martyr Polish Bishop of Cracow of the XI century. Image of the Anjou legendarium of the Kings of Hungary (XIV century)
"He was bishop of Cracovia in Poland, watchful in all his pastoral duties, and particularly remarkable for his extraordinary charity to the poor. He zealously reproved the vicious life of his king, who not bearing this effect of his charity, first endeavoured to ruin his reputation, by accusing him of injustice in a general assembly of the nation; and afterwards upon being disappointed in this, murdered him with his own hand at the altar, where the holy prelate fell a sacrifice to charity and truth.
Pray for all bishops in Christ's Church; that like this prelate, they may faithfully discharge all pastoral duties; that with christian zeal they may labour to suppress all scandals, and not be awed by any authority into a connivance at vice.
The wickedness of great ones carries with it the strongest
infection; and though there be danger in standing against it, yet it is
a danger which is most honourable. Having justice and duty on its side, it cannot be declined by pastors, but by their being false to their charge, and forfeiting the trust
which they have undertaken. See how far this falls within your
province. To condemn vice is not an usurpation in any Christian. With
regard to inferiors or equals, you have generally courage enough to assert your own right: shew as much in the cause of Christ
and His Gospel. If you are called bold and presumptuous, there is no
blemish in such censures: it is better to be thus reputed by men, than
to venture being condemned by Almighty God for cowardice and
uncharitable silence. Pray for patience in all reproaches and false
accusations. You may not meet with such as endanger your life; but you
cannot escape those, which though in a lower degree, yet lessen that
reputation, which you would willingly have with men. Learn rather to
slight, than be disturbed at these. Be not solicitous to make
unnecessary vindications; but with content offer so much of yourself a sacrifice to God. You have but a poor stock of humility and patience, if you cannot bear these trials without throwing all into disorder." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint John of Berverley, Archbishop of York, Confessor 721
by VP
Posted on Tuesday May 07, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"He was a disciple of St. Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, and of the holy abbot Adrian; under whom he made great progress in learning and sanctity. Afterwards, in the famous abbey of St. Hilda at Whitby, he exercised himself in reading the divine Scriptures, and in other works of religion and piety. Thus he was fitted for the ecclesiastical state, and was promoted to the bishopric of Hexham. This see he resigned to St. Wilfrid, but was some time after appointed archbishop of York. His life was in all things most worthy of a bishop; and how great his merit was in the sight of God, who searches the heart, might easily be gathered from the many miracles he wrought. Having, by his great age become unable to govern his bishopric, he ordained St. Wilfrid the younger, bishop, and retired to the monastery of Beverley, which he had founded. He had been bishop thirty-three years, when he departed to our Lord, on the 7th of May, 721.
Pray for your country, that God would please to stretch forth his hand of mercy over it, enlighten it with His Holy Spirit, and replenish it with heavenly blessings; that forsaking the ways of iniquity, it may be zealous for all justice and truth.
On the day of this prelate, you must adore the judgments of God, which have fallen so heavily on your country, in punishment of its abuse of the blessing of true faith; and not only adore, but fear them. For since you see those, who were once in the communion of God's Holy Church, now become miserable, because they hardened their hearts in the abuse of the divine mercies, have you not reason to tremble under the apprehension of the like guilt? It is the misfortune of the greater part of those, who receive the greatest blessings, to offend God more than others, in the abuse of whatever they have received. If this be your case, you are indeed unhappy, and will for ever be so, if you do not reform." Source: The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John Gother
