St. Avitus, Abbot, A.D. about 530.
by VP
Posted on Monday June 17, 2024 at 07:02AM in Saints
"He was a native of Orleans, and retiring into Auvergne, took the monastic habit in the abbey of Menat, which was at that time very small. His obedience was so universal, so without all exception or reserve, that instead of edifying the rest, he was despised by them, and looked upon as a fool. His superior, who best knew his spirit, gave him a charge in the house upon which his companions were so uneasy to him, that he quitted the place in silence, and retired into the forest of Orleans. There he lived in such sanctity, that after some time, the same religious, by their importunity, and the command of the bishop, obliged him to return, and be their abbot. He submitted; and having laboured to bring the spirit of his religious to the truth of what they professed, but with little effect, he judged himself useless, and departed from them. He hid himself in the thickest of the forest, where he enjoyed the comfort of his retirement. He was discovered by miracle, and others joining him, King Clotaire built a church and monastery for him and his companions. St. Avitus was soon after called to the company of the blessed, about the year 530. His body was carried to Orleans, and buried with great pomp in that city; and a church was built over his tomb, which still subsists.
The conduct of this
saint was in obedience to particular directions, which by some may be
seasonably followed; since those labours, which prove fruitless to
others, and are a dissipation to ourselves, may in some circumstances be
changed into a more profitable retirement. The strict tie of many states, however, will not allow of this; but is attended with a necessity of using endeavours perseveringly to the end. And then the Christian's
art must be to make his advance towards heaven in patience, humility,
and perseverance, in such labours as belong to his state; with hopes
that God will have regard to them, and not measure them by the fruit, but by the charity with which they are undertaken, and the fidelity with which they are performed. This may be a hinderance to a more desired recollection; but cannot fail at length of an eternal recompense." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Lutgarde, VIRGIN, A.D. 1246.
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 16, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"In her youth she was of a vain and worldly spirit, and thought of nothing but, as her father had promised, of being honourably married. But he, being disabled by great losses, could not accomplish what he designed; and she being disappointed, by her mother's importunity, entered into a monastery. There, not at all changed, she still found the same inclinations, as formerly to the world. But God at length giving her a true sense of her follies, she changed so truly to the other extreme, that she became an example of all virtue; which being found solid by the proof of twelve years' practice, she was chosen superior. This charge, however, not agreeing with her humble spirit, she removed to another house of the Bernardins. She made it her grand object to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ, and conform herself to it, as much as possible. Wholly occupied on eternity, she gave herself up to mortification, fasting, and the closest retreat. She lived in so perfect disengagement of spirit, that she had no care for her body; so that she was an example of every virtue of a true religious. Pouring forth floods of tears for the conversion of sinners, she lost her sight, and continued blind eleven years. On the day of her death, she opened her eyes to look towards heaven, to which she was then called, in the year 1246.
If that which Lutgarde esteemed her misfortune, was the first
step to her becoming a saint, ought not you to be moderate under all
that which seems your unhappiness; hoping that God has a design of hidden
blessings, and that this is a preparation for them? Adore Providence,
and peaceably submit to all its appointments, without any curiosity to
discover its counsels. Thus will you be prepared for its greatest
favours. Her first step out of the world was very imperfect, and yet how good was the effect!
Be not then too severe in your reflections upon those, whose beginnings
are yet weak. But if it be your case, that you were not sincere in what
you have undertaken, make now amends for all such weaknesses, by a true
conversion of yourself to God." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
SS. Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia, MARTYRS, A.D. 303.
by VP
Posted on Saturday June 15, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"VITUS, a youth of twelve years, being instructed in the Christian faith, was baptised, unknown to his father; who afterwards omitted no means, whether of love or cruelty, to oblige his son to return to the idolatry in which he had been educated. Finding him not to be overcome by stripes and such like chastisements, he delivered him up to Valerian the governor, who in vain tried all his arts to work him into compliance with his father's will, and the orders of the emperor. He escaped out of their hands, and together with Crescentia and Modestus, fled into Italy. After some time, they were all apprehended by order of Dioclesian; and having been put into a cauldron of boiling oil and lead, scourged and exposed to wild beasts, without hurt, finished a glorious martyrdom by the sword in the year 303. The heroic spirit of martyrdom which we admire in St. Vitus, was owing to the early impressions of piety which he received from the lessons and example of his virtuous nurse Crescentia. This shows the great importance of the choice of virtuous preceptors, nurses, and servants about children. Nothing is so easily imbibed as a spirit of vanity, pride, revenge, obstinacy, or sloth; or harder to be ever corrected. What a happiness then for a child to be formed early to virtue; and for the spirit of simplicity, meekness, goodness, and piety, to be moulded in its tender frame.
Pray on this day for all those, who in their tender years, having their parents the enemies of their faith, are exposed to their cruelty, and to the more dangerous temptations of their flattery and love. Happy they who leave father and mother for the sake of truth. And for yourself, let this example teach you, in all troubles, to place your confidence in God. You see the wonderful effects of His grace; and that none are so weak of themselves, but through Him they may overcome the devil and the world. Be not discouraged therefore by the violence of temptations, nor with the prospect of hardships
and difficulties; but hope in God, and remember that though you are
weak, yet his power and strength are superior to all." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Basil the Great, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor, a.d. 379.
by VP
Posted on Friday June 14, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"ST. BASIL was born in Pontus, of holy parents; under whose care he had received such principles of virtue, that being sent to study at Athens, where the youths were very corrupt, he was proof against all their bad example. By seeking the company of such as were good, especially of St. Gregory Nazianzen, he still preserved a holy innocence amidst a general depravity. Being there improved in learning, he retired into a solitude; where having spent some years in the practice of prayer and great austerities, and laid the foundation of a religious Order of Monks, he was called forth to preach the Gospel to the people of Cæsarea in Pontus. There, with great zeal and success, he opposed the errors of Arius; and the bishop dying, he was chosen in his place. Here it was that God tried His servant by a persecution, not only of the Arian Emperor Valens, but of many religious men, and several bishops. But God, by miracle, gave him victory over the emperor; and by his learned apologies, and the assistance of St. Ambrose and St. Gregory, he was vindicated from all aspersions. After a life of almost continual prayer, rigorous fasting and extraordinary mortification, having been always of a very infirm disposition, and now nothing but skin and bones, he died in the year 379.
Pray for all those, who in their younger years are exposed to the danger of evil conversation. There is no security but by St. Basil's method in the choice of company. Pray for all prelates and pastors; that in zeal and holiness they may follow the example of this saint, and not be discouraged by whatever persecution is raised against them. Pray for the penitential spirit of this saint; who notwithstanding the infirmities of a weak body, yet lived in the practice of almost continual labour and mortification. Examine yourself on this point; and see if you are not too favourable in dispensing with whatever mortifies. How bold are you in venturing your health in matters of pleasure and pastime! But if half the danger appears in points of duty, or penance, your health must not be exposed. There is but too much of this partiality in the world." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
- "The doctrines of Godliness are overturned; the rules of the Church are
in confusion; the ambition of the unprincipled seizes upon places of
authority; and the chief seat is now openly proposed as a reward for
impiety; so that he whose blasphemies are the more shocking, is more
eligible for the oversight of the people. Priestly gravity has perished; there are none left to feed the Lordʼs
flock with knowledge; ambitious men are ever spending, in purposes of
self-indulgence and bribery, possessions which they hold in trust for
the poor. The accurate observation of the canons are no more; there is
no restraint upon sin.
Unbelievers laugh at what they see, and the weak are unsettled; faith is doubtful, ignorance is poured over their souls, because the adulterators of the word in wickedness imitate the truth. Religious people keep silence, but every blaspheming tongue is let loose. Sacred things are profaned; those of the laity who are sound in faith avoid the places of worship, as schools of impiety, and raise their hands in solitude with groans and tears to the Lord in heaven." Source: St. Basil the Great, The Church of the Fathers, John Henry Newman 1868
- "The ambition of men, who have no fear of God, rushes into high
posts, and exalted office is now publicly known as the prize of impiety.
The result is, that the worse a man blasphemes, the fitter the people
think him to be a bishop. Clerical dignity is a thing of the past. There
is a complete lack of men shepherding the Lord's flock with knowledge.
Ambitious men are constantly throwing away the provision for the poor on
their own enjoyment and the distribution of gifts. There is no precise
knowledge of canons. There is complete immunity in sinning; for when men
have been placed in office by the favour of men, they are obliged to
return the favour by continually showing indulgence to offenders. Just
judgment is a thing of the past; and everyone walks according to his
heart's desire. Vice knows no bounds; the people know no restraint. Men
in authority are afraid to speak, for those who have reached power by
human interest are the slaves of those to whom they owe their
advancement. And now the very vindication of orthodoxy is looked upon in
some quarters as an opportunity for mutual attack; and men conceal
their private ill-will and pretend that their hostility is all for the
sake of the truth. Others, afraid of being convicted of disgraceful
crimes, madden the people into fratricidal quarrels, that their own
doings may be unnoticed in the general distress. Hence the war admits of
no truce, for the doers of ill deeds are afraid of a peace, as being
likely to lift the veil from their secret infamy. All the while
unbelievers laugh; men of weak faith are shaken; faith is uncertain;
souls are drenched in ignorance, because adulterators of the word
imitate the truth. The mouths of true believers are dumb, while every
blasphemous tongue wags free; holy things are trodden under foot; the
better laity shun the churches as schools of impiety; and lift their
hands in the deserts with sighs and tears to their Lord in heaven. Even
you must have heard what is going on in most of our cities, how our
people with wives and children and even our old men stream out before
the walls, and offer their prayers in the open air, putting up with all
the inconvenience of the weather with great patience, and waiting for
help from the Lord.
3. What lamentation can match these woes? What springs of tears are sufficient for them? While, then, some men do seem to stand, while yet a trace of the old state of things is left, before utter shipwreck comes upon the Churches, hasten to us, hasten to us now, true brothers, we implore you; on our knees we implore you, hold out a helping hand. May your brotherly bowels be moved toward us; may tears of sympathy flow; do not see, unmoved, half the empire swallowed up by error; do not let the light of the faith be put out in the place where it shone first." Source: ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA To the Italians and Gauls. letter 92 St. Peter Damian wrote to Pope Leo IX in 1049 Of Clerics or Monks Who Are Seducers of Men (Letter31) He quotes Basil the Great (329-379):
“Any cleric or monk who seduces young men or boys, or who is apprehended in kissing or in any shameful situation, shall be publically flogged and shall lose his clerical tonsure. Thus shorn, he shall be disgraced by spitting into his face, bound in iron chains, wasted by six months of close confinement, and for three days each week put on barley bread given him toward evening. Following this period, he shall spend a further six months living in a small segregated courtyard in the custody of a spiritual elder, kept busy with manual labor and prayer, subjugated to vigils and prayers, forced to walk at all times in the company of two spiritual brothers, never again allowed to associate with young men for purposes of improper conversation or advice.”
St. Antony of Padua, Confessor and doctor, A.D. 1231.
by VP
Posted on Thursday June 13, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer: Saint Anthony, glory of the Church and hammer of heretics, pray for our Holy Father, our bishops, our priests, our Religious Orders, that, through their pious zeal and apostolic labors, infidels, heretics, and all those outside the true Church of Christ may be converted and, united in faith, give greater glory to God. Amen. Blessed Sacrament Book. Fr. Francis Xavier Lasance
St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests
- Chastity unites (the priest) to Jesus by a certain mysterious tie. "Although all the just are spouses of Christ," says St. Anthony of Padua, "yet virgins are his spouses in a far more special manner; for as husband and wife are one flesh, so are virgins one flesh with Christ, their Spouse." The Catholic Priesthood, by Rev. Fr. Michael Muller 1885
"He was born at Lisbon in Portugal; and having been piously educated, entered into a house of canon regulars. But seeing the bodies of five holy men, of the Order of St.Francis, brought from Morocco, where they had ben martyred for their faith, the desire of giving his life for Christ put him upon soliciting to be admitted into that Order, where being received, after a fitting preparation, he embarked for Morocco. But a violent sickness obliging him to return, he applied himself wholly to instructing the ignorant, reclaiming sinners, and giving light to those, who were engaged in error. Having thus laboured for some years, he retired into a solitude, and having there prepared his soul, by prayer and great mortification, for a better life, he was soon after seized with a violent distemper, of which he died in the year 1231. Almighty God was pleased to testify to the sanctity of this his servant, by many miracles, both in his life, and after his death.
Pray for the spirit of this saint, that it may be plentifully poured forth upon all those, whose function obliges them to seek the salvation of others. Beg it for yourself, that by prayer and good example you may encourage others to the love of virtue and truth. Pray that the example of the martyrs may raise in your soul a holy desire of suffering for Christ. If He calls you not to suffer from the hand of unbelievers, offer yourself to all those troubles which He has ordained for you in your state of life.
Such sufferings may be less glorious, but shall not lose their reward.
Your happiness is to be with God: desire to be with Him, and as you
advance in piety, let this desire increase. Your whole life ought to be a
preparation for death; and since this saint, after a life of so
extraordinary charity, thought fit to retire, so to purify his soul,
and make a more particular preparation for a happy death; consider if
spiritual retreats may not be proper for you; and whether withdrawing from the confusion of business
may not sometimes be seasonable. How many troublesome professions are
there, which almost require this to be done! Do your best to leave this
world, before the world leaves you. Set your house in order, for you shall die." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Bl. Guido of Cortona, Confessor Priest, Franciscan
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 12, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer: O God, who hast given to us blessed Guy, Thy confessor, to be an example of perfection in religious life, and a minister of evangelical preaching; grant, we beseech Thee, that through his intercession we may by good works set a bright example before our neighbours. Manual of the Third order of st. Francis of Assisi, Volume 2
"(Yet) it was chiefly in the country around Lake Thrasymene that Francis had worked that year. He had passed the whole of the great Lent in seclusion upon one of the islands in the lake-the Isola Maggiore; then he went forth to evangelize the neighbourhood.
So he came to Cortona and preached there. Now when the sermon was concluded a youth named Guy approached Francis and offered him a lodging in his house. He was a noble youth and very wealthy, but quite unspoiled by his possessions which he held as a trust for the poor; and always he gave to the poor whatever he did not need for his own frugal maintenance. Francis gladly accepted his proffered hospitality. That evening Guy waited upon Francis and his companion as upon most honoured guests; he washed their feet with reverence and himself served them at supper; and when the meal was over he begged that they would consider his goods as their own and whenever they were in want of habits or anything else allow him to supply their need. Francis was entirely won by the youth's open-handed generosity and his delicate courtesy; and when he and his companion were retiring to rest, he said: "My dear brother, this noble youth, who is so mindful of and grateful to God, and so loving and courteous towards his neighbours and the poor, would do well for our life and company. For know you, dear brother, that courtesy is one of the properties of God, who of His courtesy, gives His sun and rain to the just and the unjust: and courtesy is the sister of charity by which hatred is extinguished and love is cherished. And because I have seen so much divine virtue in this man, therefore gladly would I have him for a companion." And at that Francis began to pray that Guy might become one of the fraternity. Guy meanwhile felt a keen desire not merely to befriend his guests in their needs but to be one with them in their life, and shortly afterwards he came and cast himself on his knees before Francis, asking to be admitted into his company. So he distributed all his goods to the poor, and afterwards in the public church received the habit of Poverty.
Now some little distance from Cortona, at the foot of the high hill on which the city is built, and on the other side from the low ground which stretches out to Lake Thrasymene, there is a gurgling rivulet which comes from the mountains, passing down its rocky course through a deep ravine; and by the side of this rivulet there were then some rock caves.
Hither Francis and Guy now betook themselves, and made a narrow hermitage so near to the rivulet that its waters sprayed the walls of their caves. And there Guy made
his abode until his death many years later. He divided his days between
prayer and manual work, even when after a time he was ordained priest by obedience. Now and then he interrupted his life of contemplation and climbed the long hill and preached to the people of the city: but it was mostly by his life that he preached to them: and the Celle-the caves in which Guy and his companions lived—became a constant admonition to the citizens, of the life which is beyond this earth." Life of St. Francis by Father Cuthbert (O.S.F.C.)
St. John a Facundo, CONFESSOR, A.D. 1479.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 12, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"This saint lived in the strictest evangelical poverty and mortification, retired from the world; and learned by experience that pious reading, meditation, and prayer, afford a purer joy than all worldly pleasures can give. He took the religious habit among the hermits of St. Augustin in Salamanca. He so perfectly attained the spirit of his rule, that no one was more mortified, more obedient, more humble, or more disengaged from creatures than he appeared to be in all his actions. By his pathetic sermons and private exhortations, he introduced an entire reformation of manners throughout the city. By the spirit of meekness with which he was endued, he had a particular talent in reconciling enemies and appeasing dissensions. The high opinion which every one had of his sanctity, contributed to give the greatest weight to his words and example. Without any respect of persons, he reproved vice in the great, with a liberty which often drew upon him severe persecutions. St. John was favoured with a sight of Christ our Lord, when he was saying Mass, and learned heavenly secrets from the very fountain of the Divinity. He often was enabled to penetrate the secret recesses of men's hearts, and to foretel future events. He also raised to life his brother's daughter, who died at the age of seven years. At length, being visited with his last sickness,he foretold the day of his death, and happily slept in the Lord on the 11th of June, 1479.
The example of the saints teaches us that virtue can never thrive in a life of dissipation. Worldly conversation, which turns on vanity and trifling amusements, insensibly turns off the mind from virtue, and the vigour of the soul is thereby impaired, no less than the bodily constitution is by means destructive of its health. Every good Christian ought from time to time to retire from the world to be alone, and to have regular hours for pious reading and consideration. The divine wisdom says: I will lead her into the wilderness: and I will speak to her heart." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Barnabas, APOSTLE.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday June 11, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was a disciple of Christ, and companion of St. Paul in his preaching and suffering. His first labour was in confirming the faithful at Antioch, where they were first called Christians; amongst whom he had great success, because he was esteemed, as the scripture says, a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost. Pray for all those, whose function obliges them to preach the gospel. The success of their labours depends very much on the disposition of the preachers.
When the Gentiles heard the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, they rejoiced, and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. It is a good sign to find satisfaction in hearing and reading what is good. If you experience anything of this, give thanks, and endeavour to improve it, by being as constant in the practice of it, as you can. But if you observe an aversion in yourself, or in those under your care, to hearing or reading what may be helpful to salvation, remember that it is an ill constitution which does not relish wholesome food, and great care must be taken for obtaining a more Christian temper. Such souls are very much indisposed for the eternal enjoyment of God, who take no delight in what belongs to him, or in the way that leads to him. There were Jews at Antioch, who contradicted and opposed the preaching of Barnabas: and he said to them: Seeing you reject the word of God, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life; behold we turn to the Gentiles. Christians must be careful not to make this their case, and not to reject God's word by having a dislike to what is good.
The Jews stirred up devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Devout people may be engaged in great sins by a false zeal. Pray to be secured against this misfortune. Provide against it by suspending your judgment in all matters of contention, and not easily believing any party. Call in God to your assistance, that no heat or passion may carry you against truth and justice" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Margaret, QUEEN OF SCOTLAND, WIDOW, A.D. 1093.
by VP
Posted on Monday June 10, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"She was grand-daughter of Edmund Ironside, and married to Malcolm, king of Scotland. By the most tender complaisance and condescending behaviour, she gained a great influence over her husband; but this she exerted only to make religion and justice reign, and to render her subjects happy. In the midst of the cares of a kingdom, St. Margaret always kept her heart disengaged from the love of the world, and recollected in God. The continual attention of her soul to him in all her actions, assiduous prayer, and the constant practice of self-denial, were the chief means by which she attained to this perfection. Her greatness was not in enjoying, but despising the greatness of this world. She was a Christian wife, in her respect and obedience to her husband; a Christian mother, in the holy education of her children, ever endeavouring by example, advice, and tears, to arm them against the false pleasures of the world, and to quicken in them the love of God. She was a Christian queen, in discouraging all injustice in her subjects, in her zeal for reforming abuses, in her great charity to the poor, and employing persons to seek out such as were in distress. For the government of her own soul, she desired her director at all times, with freedom to put her in mind of whatever he observed amiss either in her words or actions. In this method of sanctity she lived, and in the same she died, in the eleventh century.
Whatever your condition be, you have lessons for improvement in this holy queen. A soul zealous for heaven cannot be barren, but will make all circumstances serviceable to a better life. Do you make this use of your authority, of your riches, of your charge? By fidelity in these, you may advance by large steps towards heaven. The surest means for going right, is to desire some discreet friend to point out all your false steps, and freely put you in mind of all your errors. Such a request will show your sincerity and humility; and there is no danger of failure, where these have the guidance." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
SS. Primus and Felicianus, MARTYRS, A.D. 286.
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 09, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THESE two martyrs were brothers, and lived in Rome many years, mutually encouraging each other in the practice of all good works. They seemed to possess nothing but for the poor, and often spent both nights and days with the confessors in their dungeons, or at the places of their torments and execution. Some they encouraged to perseverance; others who had fallen, they raised again; and they made themselves the servants of all in Christ, that all might attain to salvation through him. Though their zeal was most remarkable, they had escaped the dangers of many bloody persecutions, and were grown old in the heroic exercises of virtue, when it pleased God to crown their labours with a glorious martyrdom. The Pagans raised so great an outcry against them, that they were apprehended, and put in chains. They were inhumanly scourged, and then sent to a town twelve miles from Rome, to be further chastised. They were cruelly tortured, first together, afterwards separately. But the grace of God strengthened them, and they were at length both beheaded in the year 286, on the 9th of June.
Pray for all under persecution for their faith; that by patience and constancy they may give testimony of the truth. Pray for patience for yourself in all troubles. He that has overcome death and hell, could easily deliver us from the evils of this life: but it is more for his glory, and our advantage, to triumph over them by his grace, in suffering them with an humble and patient mind. Troubles and persecution separate the reprobate from Jesus Christ; but they are the means of uniting the elect more closely to him, by adoration, love, and fidelity. Let these be the exercises of your heart under all oppressions. Pray for all your kindred and relations, that they may be all united, as in one blood, so by faith and charity, and in the hopes of meeting in bliss. If any of them go astray, let them have your prayers. Look upon all persons with whom you live as your relations, and keep peace and holy charity with all." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother