Saint Edmund Arbishop of Canterbury, confessor, A.D. 1242
by VP
Posted on Thursday November 20, 2025 at 01:00AM in Sermons
"ST. EDMUND was born of pious parents at Abingdon in Berkshire. Of his devout mother he learnt from a child, to fast on all Fridays on bread and water. He grew up under her care in all Christian virtues: and was so dutiful to her, as never by word or look to contradicted her inclinations. He performed the first part of his studies at Oxford, in which he gave early indications of great genius. Retirement and prayer were his delight, and he sought no companions, but those of the like inclinations. From Oxford he was sent to study at Paris, whence he was recalled by the sickness of his mother, who gave him her blessing on her deathbed, and recommended to him the care of his brother and two sisters. Edmund neglected nothing that might benefit his own soul: he shunned the vanities of youth, dreaded pleasures, waged a perpetual war with idleness, frequented churches, and wholly addicted himself to prayer, fasting, and study. His chief care was to preserve his purity without spot or stain; which by the counsel of a holy priest he dedicated by vow to God, under the patronage of the most Blessed Virgin Mary. Her intercession, he declared at his death that he had experienced to be so powerful, that he had never called on her without finding assistance in his temptations, comfort in his afflictions, and relief in his necessities.
Returning to Paris he there finished his studies, and was ordained priest. He came back to England, and taught for some years at Oxford. He preached with great zeal and fruit, converted many sinners, and formed many excellent men of prayer. Being chosen to fill the see of Canterbury, he submitted after much resistance, and received the episcopal consecration. This dignity, however, made no alteration in his humble sentiments or behavior. His chief employment was to inquire into and relieve the necessities of his flock, and he soon acquired the reputation of a primitive pastor. His zeal raised him many adversaries, and finding it impossible to remedy great abuses, he retired into France, where he soon after died the death of the just, on the sixteenth of November, 1242.
St. Edmund was a great proficient in divine love, because he learned perfectly to die to himself. Pray for the like spirit of self-denial. Pray for your country: and let the many disorders you observe in it, oblige you to importune heaven for remedy. Can you be silent, when so many souls are carried away by vice and error? This is the punishment of sin. Pray for mercy; and be careful not to add to the scourge by your own disorders and sins."
#17 Acts of Adoration Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for all the offenses committed against Him by mankind [Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament]
by VP
Posted on Thursday November 20, 2025 at 01:00AM in Thursday Reparation
17. We adore Thee, O God of infinite majesty, whom we can never sufficiently adore and reverence! And to make reparation for all the impious oaths pronounced against Thee, we offer up to Thee the pious discourses made in Thy honor by the holy doctors of the Church. Eternal praise and thanksgiving be to the Most Holy and Most Divine Sacrament.
O Queen of heaven and earth, hope of mankind, who adores thy Divine Son incessantly! We entreat thee, that, since we have the honor to be of the number of thy children, thou would interest thyself in our behalf and make satisfaction for us, and in our name, to our Eternal Judge, by rendering to Him the duties which we ourselves are incapable of performing. Amen.
