Many Holy Hermits, Martyrs
by VP
Posted on Monday February 19, 2024 at 07:27AM in Saints
Balthasar Beschey: A Hermit at Prayer
"In the fifth century many holy hermits who lived in the deserts of Palestine, separated from the world, and from all conversation besides that of God, were murdered by the Saracens, and by their cruelty made so many sacrifices to God. Is it not strange that these, who had renounced all the goods of this life, should not have been more exempt from its evils? But such is the order of Providence, that while the wicked are often punished here for their iniquities, the just too have their scourges, either for the trial of their fidelity, or to render their crown more glorious. If these come to be your portion, be not dejected, nor too positive in concluding them to be the effect of God's anger, since there are scourges of mercy, as well as of justice. Accept them with a peaceable mind, using our best and continued endeavours to moderate all fears and impatience, and suppressing those thoughts which too curiously search into the counsels of God. Leave it to Him to order as He knows best; with an assurance that it is in your power to turn them to your advantage. If you are in sin, let them be a motive to amendment: if you can discover no disorder in your life, look on Christ and His martyrs, and learn from them how you are to suffer.
Bow down before the sovereign Lord of all, in acknowledgment of His mercy to these His servants: who being nothing of themselves but vessels of weakness, were by His grace so raised above nature, as to triumph over all the cruelty that the enraged enemies of their faith could practise against them. Acknowledge this privilege of grace,
which was such a blessing to these holy hermits, to have been his gift.
By Him they were so perfected in faith, as to despise this world with
all that was inviting in it. They rejoiced in torments, and met the terrors of death with comfort. Study their example, and you cannot fail of turning all to your good." The Catholic Year by Rev. John Gother
St. Simeon, Bishop of Jerusalem and Martyr
by VP
Posted on Sunday February 18, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"HE was successor of St. James the Less in the see of Jerusalem, and second bishop of that city, being the son of Cleophas, who was brother of St. Joseph. He was a prelate, eminent in zeal and sanctity; and was therefore seized by the Jews and crucified, at the age of a hundred and twenty years; being one of the last of those who had seen Christ upon earth. Pray for that unhappy city, which having been obstinate against the mercies of Christ, has drawn down lasting miseries on itself. Consider the many blessings which you have received, and the offers of grace which have been made to you: and see that you provoke not the divine justice against you by neglect, contempt, and ingratitude. The abuse of mercies brings a heavy account after it, and often entails misery on generations. Reflect on your temporal and spiritual blessings, and see how far you refer them to the Giver. Pray for the amendment of all past abuses.
Pray for all pastors of Christ's Church, that they may inherit the spirit of this
holy prelate. Pray for him in particular, under whose care you are.
And since there is no living in this world without suffering, remember
to embrace those sufferings with joy, which are the consequence of a faithful discharge of your
duty. Follow innocence and justice: for however they may be
prejudicial to your temporal concerns, yet never think yourself a loser,
as long as there is an everlasting blessing attending them. What if men
judge and speak ill of you? Be contented that God is the witness of your fidelity. It is much better to suffer for justice, than to rejoice in the fruit of iniquity. That is the Gospel rule which you profess; the other is the way of the world,
which you are obliged to renounce. Pray for grace, that you may be
faithful in what you have undertaken. Pray for all Christians, that they
may renounce what is corrupt, and be true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whatever sacrifices it may require of them." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
St. Flavian, Bishop and Martyr and St. Theodulus, Martyr
by VP
Posted on Saturday February 17, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"Flavian was elected Patriarch of Constantinople in 447. His short episcopate of two years was a time of conflict and persecution from the first. Chrysaphius, the emperor's favorite, tried to extort a large sum of money from him on the occasion of his consecration. His fidelity in refusing this simoniacal betrayal of his trust brought on him the enmity of the most powerful man in the empire.
A graver trouble soon arose. In 448 Flavian had to condemn the rising heresy of the monk Eutyches, who obstinately denied that Our Lord was in two perfect natures after His Incarnation. Eutyches drew to his cause all the bad elements which so early gathered about the Byzantine court. His intrigues were long baffled by the vigilance of Flavian; but at last he obtained from the emperor the assembly of a council at Ephesus, in August 449, presided over by his friend Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria. Into this "robber council," as it is called, Eutyches entered, surrounded by soldiers. The Roman legates could not even read the Pope's letters; and at the first sign of resistance to the condemnation of Flavian, fresh troops entered with drawn swords, and, in spite of the protests of the legates, terrified most of the bishops into acquiescence.
The fury of Dioscorus reached its height when Flavian appealed to the Holy See. Then it was that he so forgot his apostolic office as to lay violent hands on his adversary. St. Flavian was set upon by Dioscorus and others, thrown down, beaten, kicked, and finally carried into banishment. Let us contrast their ends. Flavian clung to the teaching of the Roman Pontiff, and sealed his faith with his blood. Diosocorus excommunicated the Vicar of Christ, and died an obstinate and impenitent in the heresy of Eutyches.
Reflection: By his unswerving loyalty to the Vicar of Christ, Flavian held fast to the truth and gained the martyr's crown. Let us learn from him to turn instinctively to that one true guide in all matters concerning our salvation."
Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 1925
Let us pray that our bishops courageously uphold the teachings of the Church:
Prayer for the Bishops
O Jesus, Prince of Pastors, Shepherd and
Bishop of our souls, give our bishops ................ all those
virtues, which they need for their sanctification! May they watch over
themselves and the entire flock, with which the Holy Spirit has
entrusted them! Fill their hearts with Thine own Spirit! Give them
faith, charity, wisdom and strength! Send them faithful co-laborers in
the great work of saving and guiding souls! Make them shepherds after
Thine own heart, living only for their holy office, fearing nobody but
Thee, and hoping for nothing but Thee, in order that when Thou shalt
come, to judge shepherds and flocks, they may obtain the unfading reward
of eternal life! Amen
Imprimatur: Most Rev. Vincent S. Waters, D.D. Raleigh, N.C. March 25, 1956
Source: Cure d'Ars Prayer Group
St. Theodulus,
MARTYR, A.D. 309.
"THEODULUS was an old man of eminent virtue and wisdom, who enjoyed one of the most honourable posts in the household of Firmilian, the governor of Palestine, and had several sons. His personal merit gained him the love of all who knew him; and the governor had a particular esteem for him. This holy man had seen the invincible courage and patience of the martyrs who were put to death by his master's order, and believed in Christ. Going to the prisons, he made use of the example of the martyrs whom he had seen, to encourage the other confessors, and prepare them for the like battles. Firmilian, vexed at this conduct of an old favourite servant, sent for him, reproached him strongly with ingratitude, and without hearing his defence, condemned him to be crucified. Theodulus received the sentence with joy, and went with transports to a death which was speedily to unite him to his Saviour, and in which he was thought worthy to bear a near resemblance to him. He suffered a glorious martyrdom, rejoicing in the honour that was done him, and praising God for those charitable offices, which had brought him to this happy end.
It is often so ordered by Providence, that the best undertakings fall with an unexpected weight on those who engage in them; and that Christians, by doing good to others, draw great inconveniencies upon themselves. The apprehension of such consequences discourages many from executing very pious designs, and their being once disappointed, makes them shrink from the most commendable undertakings. But this is nothing better than impatience and cowardice, disguised under the name of discretion, and therefore not to be consulted. The better rule is to embrace the present occasion offered for doing good; and then to depend so much on the divine conduct, as to leave the consequences to Providence. If all succeed well, bless God for it; and if otherwise, embrace the inconvenience.
If this be done with submission and patience, your disappointment will
be no loss. Thus you may come to be called a fool by the world; but it is a folly more valuable than the wisdom of those who are too cautious in doing good." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Vedast
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 06, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Remigius baptizes Clovis I, by the Master of Saint Gilles, c. 1500
"EVANGELICAL MEEKNESS: St. Vedast had the glory of leading, by means of his devout exhortations, King Clovis to the saving waters of baptism. He accompanied the haughty prince while on his way to Rheims to join St. Remigius. Vedast at that time was practicing the hermetical life in a solitary spot near Toul. Having afterwards been raised to the see of Arras, he converted a multitude of unbelievers, and erected in different parts of his diocese a great number of new churches. His gentleness, affability, and modesty won all hearts. The poor regarded him as their father, and never entreated him in vain ; the rich looked upon him as their friend, as one who held their persons in esteem, and did not condemn the legitimate enjoyment of their worldly possessions; the unbelievers regarded him as a very oracle, and the Christians as a saint. After having exercised for forty years this ministry of charity, conciliation, and apostolic labours, frequently illustrated by miracles, he died on the 6th February, 540.
MORAL REFLECTION.-It is but a little matter to
convince the mind, if the heart be not won over; to demonstrate the
truths of religion does not suffice - it is of more account to cause it to
be loved. Let us adopt, then, as our guiding-line of conduct the
counsel of St. Paul: "To become all things to all men, to gain all to
Christ."-(1 Cor. ix. 22.) Pictorial Half hour with the Saints, by Rev. Fr. Auguste Lecanu
Octave of St. Thomas OF CANTERBURY,
by VP
Posted on Friday January 05, 2024 at 12:15AM in Saints
"PRAY for all pastors in God's Church, that with zeal and diligence they may discharge their duties; and that the salvation of souls and performing the will of God, may urge them to sacrifice themselves wholly to his service, and to the good of their flock.
Pray that they may all instruct their flocks by word and example, and first practise the Gospel which they preach. Pray for all pastors, that they may inherit the true spirit of the apostles: that they may betray no weakness in seeking or loving the things of this world; but that while others pursue what is temporal, they may say with sincerity: "The Lord is our portion"; that they may, with a watchful eye superintend their charge, not permitting those to eat the fruits of vineyard, who refuse to work in it; nor allowing those to wear the shepherd's garb, who are truly wolves, continually devouring the flock by their disorders and scandalous lives. O God! have regard to thy fold, and deliver it from these destroying evils.
It being an exasperated prince, who disturbed the peace of the Church, and was the occasion of the sacrilegious murder of St. Thomas of Canterbury, pray on this day for all Christian kings and princes, that God would be their guide in all things, and make them the protectors of His holy Church.
{St. Thomas having been archbishop of Canterbury, we ought on this festival to offer up our prayers to God in behalf of our country (England), that he would be its protector, and visit it with his heavenly blessings. Beg of him to be no longer angry with this nation, but to remember his ancient mercies; and for the sake of so many of his
holy servants who here have been faithful to him, to show now
compassion to us, and let his former mercies be renewed, and let not his
anger endure for ever. Pray to St. Thomas now glorious in heaven, to
intercede for his unhappy country, and procure its conversion from vice
and error.}" The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Saint Odo of Cluny, abbot
by VP
Posted on Saturday November 18, 2023 at 12:00AM 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 Tuesday November 14, 2023 at 12:00AM in Saints
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.'
Pictorial half hours with the saints. Abbe Auguste Francois Lecanu
Prayer for Parish Priest to St. John Vianney
by VP
Posted on Friday August 04, 2023 at 10:15AM in Saints
Dear Saint John Vianney, your childhood
dream was to be a Priest, to win souls for God. You endured years of
toil and humiliation to attain the Priesthood. You became a Priest
truly after Godʼs own heart, outstanding in humility and poverty;
prayer and mortification. Totally devoted to the service of Godʼs
people.
The Church has exalted you as model and patron saint of
all Parish Priest, trusting that your example and prayers will help them
to live up to the high dignity of their vocation to be faithful
servants of Godʼs people, to be perfect imitators of Christ the Savior
Who came not to be served but to serve, to give His Life in ransom for
many.
Pray that God may give to His Church today many more
Priests after His own Heart. Pray for all the Priests under your
patronage, that they may be worthy representatives of Christ the Good
Shepherd. May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and
penance; be examples of humility and poverty; shining models of
holiness; tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God; zealous
dispensers of Godʼs Grace in the Sacraments.
May their loving
devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and to Mary His Mother be the Twin
Fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry. Amen
Saint Basil the Great
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 14, 2023 at 10:26AM in Saints
Pd
"The good fight of the Lord: St. Basil, bishop of Caesarea, maintained, single-handed, the combat of the faith against the emperor Valens, the ardent partisan of Arianism. Although deserted by a great number of his colleagues, he did not lose heart; and though but freely seconded by those who remained faithful to him, he put himself in the foremost rank, in order to shield them with his protection. Having been first solicited and afterwards threatened by Modestus, the praetorian prefect, "What would you have, and what are your expectations?" he asked, "to lure me by the enticements of riches and dignities? these I despise. To drive me into exile? What matters it? To consign me to death? So much the better; I shall the sooner be with God!" "Never have I been spoken to thus," exclaimed Modestus. "That is because you have never had to deal with a bishop," replied Basil. Modestus went to give in his report to Valens, saying, " We are conquered." The emperor signed the sentence of exile; but his eldest son having been struck with sudden illness, he forthwith sent for Basil, who prayed for the child and cured it. The struggle did not terminate here, for heresy is as tenacious as faith is unbending; there was no further question of exiling him, however, and Basil died in peace in 379.
Moral Reflection: The combat is painful, but it is consolatory to die, saying, with St. Paul, "I have fought the good fight, and now I await the crown. " (2 Tim. 4. 7.)
Pictorial half hours with the saints By Auguste François Lecanu
Saint Bernardine
by VP
Posted on Saturday May 20, 2023 at 01:00AM in Saints
"And I say that the priest doth more grievous wrong by giving bad example merely by scandalizing his neighbor by a wicked life, than if a layman where to go out to rob in the highway.
The reason is this: that he who standeth in the highway doth rob the man who passeth by, and doth take from him his money, his horse, his garments, and all that which he findeth, but the other with his evil example doth make away with both soul and body of the man whom he doth scandalize thereby, and leaveth him to say and to do evil and to commit sin."
Source: Sermons (iv backbiters are treated of with most beautiful examples, page 28) Saint Bernardine of Siena
"Whenever you hear sodomy mentioned, each and every one of you spit on
the ground and clean your mouth out as well. If they don't want to
change their ways by any other means, maybe they will change when
they're made fools of. Spit hard! Maybe the water of your spit will
extinguish their fire." Lenten sermon preached in Santa Croce, 1424
"Apostle of peace! Italy, whose factions were so often quelled by thee, may well number thee among her protectors. Behold her now a prey to the enemies of Jesus, rebellious against the Church of God, and abandoned to her fate. Oh! Forget not, that she is thy native land, that she was obedient to thy preaching, and that thy memory was long most dear to her. Intercede in her favor; deliver her from her oppressors; and show, that when earthly armies fail, the hosts of heaven can always save both cities and countries.
Illustrious son of the great Patriarch of Assisi! The seraphic Order venerates thee as one of its main supports. Thou didst re-animate it to its primitive observance; continue, now from heaven, to protect the work thou commenced here on earth. The Order of St. Francis is one of the grandest consolations of holy Mother Church; make this Order for ever flourish, protect it in its trials, give it increase in proportion to the necessities of the Faithful; for thou art the second Father of this venerable family, and thy prayers are powerful with the Redeemer, whose glorious Name thou confessed upon earth."
Source: Dom Gueranger
