St. Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople, Confessor, a.d. 806.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 24, 2026 at 11:00PM in Saints
"He was brought up by his pious mother in the practice of the most eminent virtues. Above all things, she recommended him to keep no company but that of the most virtuous. The young man, by his talents and virtue, gained the esteem of all, and was raised to the greatest honours of the empire, being made consul, and afterwards secretary of state to the Emperor Constantine, and the Empress Irene, his mother. In the midst of the court, and of its highest honours, surrounded by all that could flatter pride, or gratify sensuality, he led a life like that of a religious man. Paul, patriarch of Constantinople, touched with the sense of his own weakness, in having conformed in some respects to the errors of the Iconoclasts, who opposed the pious veneration of holy images, quitted the patriarchal see, and determined to end his days in a monastery, that he might there do penance for his rashness. Being asked whom he thought equal to the charge of succeeding him in the see of Constantinople, he immediately named Tarasius, who was accordingly chosen patriarch, by the unanimous consent of the court, clergy, and people. Being consecrated bishop, his humility was remarkable, in his renouncing all manner of state and superfluity, both as to table and retinue, having that always in his mouth and practice, that he came not to be served, but to serve. His charity was great to the poor: his zeal for discipline and reforming abuses, both in clergy and people, wonderful; and his courage apostolic in opposing the errors of his time. He stood up against the iniquity of his prince, who cast off his empress for pretended crimes: for which he suffered confinement for some years; and by his patience in it prepared his soul for the liberty of heaven, to which he was called in the beginning of the ninth century.
Pray for all prelates and pastors; and beseech God that they may be imitators of this glorious saint." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Blessed Domenico Lentini, The Angel of the Altar. (1770-1828)
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 24, 2026 at 11:00PM in Saints
"In the south Italian province of Basilicata lies the little town of Lauria in the diocese of Policastro. Here was born on November 20, 1770, the Blessed Dominic Lentini. On account of the extreme poverty of his parents the boy met with great difficulties in completing his studies. After his ordination Lentini became a professor in the Lyceum of his native town. He strove particularly to enlighten the young as to the false principles of the philosophy of the day by means of many discourses of a philosophy-apologetic kind.
In 1779 a liberty tree had been erected in Lauria. When the revolution reached its climax, the cooler hears desired to pull it down, but a crowd of furious revolutionists ranged themselves before it, ready to strike down any one who should dare to touch it. A great uproar ensued. Then the young priest Lentini stepped out before the crowd and resolutely ordered them to pull down the tree and bring it to the nearest hill. They involuntary obeyed him. Then he mad them fashion the wood into a cross and raise it aloft. Beneath it he addressed them with burning eloquence, telling them: "This is the tree of freedom and of salvation. We shall honor no other." Contrite and with hearts redeemed to the ancient Faith, the crowd dispersed. Lentini died on February 16, 1828. His grave continually attracts many pilgrims because of the extraordinary things which take place there."
Source: The Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century: Saintly Men and Women of our own times ... By Rev. Fr. Konstantin Kempf, S.J.
"Priest of the Diocese of Tursi-Lagonegro (formerly Policastro); b. Nov. 20, 1770, at Lauria, Potenza, Italy;d. there Feb. 25, 1828. The youngest of the five children of Macario Lentini and Rosalia Vitarella, Domenico (Dominic) Lentini studied in the seminary at Salerno and was ordained in 1794. In addition to his ministry in Lauria, he taught literature, philosophy, and theology to young people in his home without monetary compensation. He preached and catechized throughout the diocese and spread the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. He is called the "precursor to the Curé d'Ars" (St. John vianney) because of his willingness to make himself available to hear confessions and his gift of reading hearts. He practiced personal austerity in order to provide charity to the poor, and frequent penances in the spirit of reparation. Lentini was beatified on Oct. 12, 1997 by Pope John Paul II."
Source: Encyclopedia.com
Biography: Blessed Dominic Lentini
Prayer:
O blessed Domenico Lentini listen to the prayers of supplication that we bring you, trusting in your intercession. Help us turn our life towards the Lord, to seek in everything, His taste, His will and His glory. You were in love with the Crucifix, teach us the way of brotherly love. Watch over our families, that they may be a place of prayer, peace and life. Arouse in the hearts of young people the desire to follow Christ and to serve Him in His Church. Be a refuge, comfort and hope for those experiencing suffering in body and spirit. Give us, following your example, the ability to abandon ourselves in the hands and heart of the Sorrowful Virgin, to proceed safely towards eternal life, the final destination of our pilgrimage, where you await us. Obtain for us the grace that we need the most. AmenTranslated from the Italian with the help of DC
Day 7. Lent with the Cure d'Ars: On Temptations
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 24, 2026 at 03:01AM in Lenten Sermons
"We are all inclined to sin, my children; we are idle, greedy, sensual, given to the pleasures of the flesh. We want to know everything, to learn everything, to see everything; we must watch over our mind, over our heart, and over our senses, for these are the gates by which the devil penetrates. See, he prowls round us incessantly; his only occupation in this world is to seek companions for himself. All our life he will lay snares for us, he will try to make us yield to temptations; we must, on our side, do all we can to defeat and resist him.
We can do nothing by ourselves, my children; but we can do everything with the help of the good God; let us pray Him to deliver us from this enemy of our salvation, or to give us strength to fight against him. With the Name of Jesus we shall overthrow the demons; we shall put them to flight. With this Name, if they sometimes dare to attack us, our battles will be victories, and our victories will be crowns for heaven, all brilliant with precious stones.
See, my children, the good God refuses nothing to those who pray to Him from the bottom of their heart. St. Teresa, being one day in prayer, and desiring to see the good God, Jesus Christ showed to the eyes of her soul His divine Hands; then, another day, when she was again in prayer, He showed her His Face. Lastly, some days after, He showed her the whole of His Sacred Humanity. The good God who granted the desire of St. Teresa will also grant our prayers. If we ask of Him the grace to resist temptations, He will grant it to us; for He wishes to save us all, He shed His Blood for us all, He died for us all, He is waiting for us all in heaven; we are two or three hundred here: shall we all be saved, shall we all go to heaven? Alas! my children, we know nothing about it; but I tremble when I see so many souls lost in these days. See, they fall into hell as the leaves fall from the trees at the approach of winter.
We shall fall like the rest, my children, if we do not avoid temptations; if, when we cannot avoid them, we do not fight generously, with the help of the good God, if we do not invoke His Name during the strife, like St. Anthony in the desert. This saint having retired into an old sepulcher, the devil came to attack him; he tried at first to terrify him with a horrible noise; he even beat him so cruelly, that he left him half dead and covered with wounds. "Well," said St. Anthony, "here I am, ready to fight again; no, thou shalt not be able to separate me from Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God." The spirits of darkness redoubled their efforts, and uttered frightful cries. St. Anthony remained unmoved, because he put all his confidence in God.
After the example of this saint, my children, let us be always ready for the combat; let us put our confidence in God; let us fast and pray; and the devil will not be able to separate us from Jesus Christ, either in this world or the next."
Source: The Spirit of the Cure d'Ars, by l'Abbe Monnin p.130, 1865.
Prayer for Lent: O Lord who, for our sake, didst fast forty days and forty nights; give us grace to use such abstinence that, our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may worthily lament and acknowledge our wretchedness, and may obtain perfect remission and forgiveness of Thee, the God of all mercy, who livest and reignest with the Father and Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen
Source: Lent with the Cure d'Ars Compiled by the CAPG