Today was the feast of some obscure St. Roger, but I wasn't able to find anything anywhere on him, even on the Internet. There are about 4 St. Rogers, none of whom are celebrated on March 5th. But it is the wonderful story of St. John Joseph of the Cross today.
He, like St. Peter Damian, decided to take the plunge right when 2 Franciscans came to his door as they were begging. They liked him so much, they entered him as a friar right at the age of 16! They made him novice master at 21 and ordained him at 23! He was one of whom a person may say ""He has done all things well." Oh, yeah, he was a great preacher, a psychically-gifted and insightful confessor, a gentle novice master, a master diplomat and a great healer. Can we get him at our parish? :) The diplomatic situation with which he had to deal was that the head of the (Alcantarine) Franciscans was required to (always) be a Spaniard and boy, were the Italians mad. But John Joseph stepped up to the plate and prevented a schism, which he avoided with wisdom and compromise. The Spanish Alcantarines became a separate province, of which they, naturally, could have their Spanish head.
He mystically knew his death date, even though he appeared to be in perfect health (he was in his 80's). He had, as any of us can, an apoplectic seizure and died. He was buried at Santa Lucia del Monte and his tomb became a place of pilgrimage and miracles. Wise from youth, he proved himself a good and faithful servant.
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