Today is the combined feast of Saints Cletus (died c. 91) and Marcellinus (died 304). Not much is known about these two popes, except they are both martyrs, Cletus during the reign of Domitian and Marcellinus during the reign of Diocletian.
Cletus is sometimes called Anacletus, leading to some confusion as to whether there were one or two men, but it is now generally known that they are one and the same.
Marcellinus lived in very turbulent times and possibly lapsed a little in the face of persecution, even to the point of turning over some sacred books and/or burning incense to the gods. However that may be, he certainly died as a martyr for his faith, and if he did temporarily lapse, he embraced his faith anew, even at the supreme cost. He is buried in the cemetery of St. Priscilla. Saints Cletus and Marcellinus, pray for us.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Today April 24
Today is the feast of St. Fidelis of Sigmarengen, (1577 - 1622); his birthname was Mark Rey. He was a philosophy major and eventually got his doctorate and taught philosophy at the University of Freiburg in Switzerland. He took a 6-year sabbatical and did the "Grand Tour" with six young men he took under his wing. He maintained sobriety, frequent Communion (a rarity in those days) and extravagant charity. You've heard the expression, "He'll give you the clothes off his back"? Well, Fidelis actually DID that a time or two.
After this time, he decided to practice law, which he did with a remarkable amount of integrity, avoiding personal attacks and invective, and often defending the poor and oppressed for free, so much so that he was nicknamed "The Poor Man's Lawyer." But the shadiness and cynicism if not downright corruption in the trade made him quit in disgust. He entered the Capuchins and served as a terrific parish priest, devoting himself to the twin missions of preaching and hearing confession, which he did in a succession of German-speaking parishes. In all this he did not neglect the sick, many of whom he cured and still more he visited. Nor did he neglect the Protestants, many of whom he converted (or re-verted) to Catholicism, despite great personal risk.
And it was at great personal risk he preached at Grusch in the heart of Protestant territory. He gave an unusually fiery -- and effective -- sermon, and then left, first with the help of the Austrian army and then with that of some Protestants. But the overwhelming numbers of the angry mob proved too much both for the troops AND the sympathetic Protestants and Fidelis was set upon. He was cruelly killed (beaten with swords before being repeatedly stabbed), but prayed that God would forgive them, in true St. Stephen style. A Zwinglian minister who was present later converted, the first in a long series of conversions due to our saint. St. Fidelis, pray for us.
After this time, he decided to practice law, which he did with a remarkable amount of integrity, avoiding personal attacks and invective, and often defending the poor and oppressed for free, so much so that he was nicknamed "The Poor Man's Lawyer." But the shadiness and cynicism if not downright corruption in the trade made him quit in disgust. He entered the Capuchins and served as a terrific parish priest, devoting himself to the twin missions of preaching and hearing confession, which he did in a succession of German-speaking parishes. In all this he did not neglect the sick, many of whom he cured and still more he visited. Nor did he neglect the Protestants, many of whom he converted (or re-verted) to Catholicism, despite great personal risk.
And it was at great personal risk he preached at Grusch in the heart of Protestant territory. He gave an unusually fiery -- and effective -- sermon, and then left, first with the help of the Austrian army and then with that of some Protestants. But the overwhelming numbers of the angry mob proved too much both for the troops AND the sympathetic Protestants and Fidelis was set upon. He was cruelly killed (beaten with swords before being repeatedly stabbed), but prayed that God would forgive them, in true St. Stephen style. A Zwinglian minister who was present later converted, the first in a long series of conversions due to our saint. St. Fidelis, pray for us.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Today April 22
Today is the feast of Saints Epipodius and Alexander, (died 177), martyrs of Lyons in France. They were great friends, having studied and become Christians together. Christianity having been outlawed, they did the reasonable thing and took off, trying to hide themselves. An old lady, a platonic female friend, hid them in her little hovel but by and by the two gentlemen were found out.
Now, the Romans, by law, were not supposed to incarcerate people without a trial, but the feeling was running so high against them (and the other remaining Christians), that they were summarily separated, jailed, tortured and finally executed (Epipodius by beheading, Alexander by crucifixion -- still a method of execution in those days). It perplexed the governor that "What purpose have all the preceding tortures and executions served, if there still remain any who dare profess the name of Christian?" Indeed, the more they tried to stamp it out, the more it grew, it seemed. They didn't yet realize that this movement was something supernatural, indeed, something "of God."
The faithful collected the bodies of these men (plus a shoe that had fallen off one of them when they ran away from the arresting officers) and buried them on a hill outside the city (and kept the shoe). Well, the city grew and soon it was inside the city and a church built there: first it was called the church of St. John and then the church of St. Irenaeus. Dust from the double tomb was used to cure illness, ditto drinks poured into the shoe (and then given to patients). Good Saints Epipodius and Alexander, pray for us.
Now, the Romans, by law, were not supposed to incarcerate people without a trial, but the feeling was running so high against them (and the other remaining Christians), that they were summarily separated, jailed, tortured and finally executed (Epipodius by beheading, Alexander by crucifixion -- still a method of execution in those days). It perplexed the governor that "What purpose have all the preceding tortures and executions served, if there still remain any who dare profess the name of Christian?" Indeed, the more they tried to stamp it out, the more it grew, it seemed. They didn't yet realize that this movement was something supernatural, indeed, something "of God."
The faithful collected the bodies of these men (plus a shoe that had fallen off one of them when they ran away from the arresting officers) and buried them on a hill outside the city (and kept the shoe). Well, the city grew and soon it was inside the city and a church built there: first it was called the church of St. John and then the church of St. Irenaeus. Dust from the double tomb was used to cure illness, ditto drinks poured into the shoe (and then given to patients). Good Saints Epipodius and Alexander, pray for us.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Today April 21
Today is the feast of St. Anselm (1033 - 1109). A Frenchman, he is now best known for his service as bishop and doctor of the Church in England. He began in France, getting his spiritual education throughout that venerable country, and eventually made it to the wonderful monastery of Bec in Normandy, where he settled, wrote his illustrious Monologium (on the proof of the existence of God), his Proslogium (his meditations on the attributes of God), and his Apology (sort of a spiritual autobiography), and from which, as its (eventual) Abbot, he toured parts of England, at that time part of Normandy. In England he attracted the attention of both William the Conqueror (who amended his life somewhat, due entirely to Anselm's influence) and Lanfranc, archbishop of Canterbury, who chose him as successor. He was quite modern, even progressive, in his views on education, on slavery and on cruelty to animals, among other things. He governed wisely and well, despite opposition from the mercenary King William Rufus who tried (unsuccessfully) to depose him. He fought with Rufus' successor, Henry I, who wanted the right to appoint his own bishops. Anselm won in the end, but it was a long, hard fight and at the end, Anselm was an old man. He died peacefully in Canterbury on this date in 1108. St. Anselm, pray for us.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Today April 18
Today is the feast of Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, (died 1618), born Barbara Acarie, known as "la belle Acarie", laywoman -- at least for awhile. She wanted to be a Franciscan -- or at least a sister at Hotel-Dieu in Paris -- but her parents insisted she marry, as she was their only surviving child. Her husband, Peter, was a minor official in the government, a good man but not exactly thrifty, so she did occasionally suffer a good bit. But she took him in hand, raised their six children, gave to charity, maintained the household, and, miracle of miracles, was even a hero to her maid! (The woman, Andree Levoix, testified to as much, years later.) She took to the courts to defend her husband against charges of conspiracy for heavily endowing the Catholic League, when that organization fell out of favor upon the accession of Henry IV to the throne. She restored his good name (though not his fortune), allowed him to return to the Paris from which he'd been banished, and even found favor with the king and queen themselves. So trusted was she, she was given more than one fortune to distribute as alms, which she did, quietly and efficiently, without keeping a penny to herself. Her little family did her proud, and she lived a deeply satisfying and prayer-filled lay life until the death of her husband in 1613, at which point she joined the Discalced Carmelites, an order she was instrumental in introducing into France. But little Mary of the Incarnation, as she was called, only served four years in the habit; her main road to sanctity had all been as a laywoman. She died of a stroke after suffering a long time due to very lame feet and legs. Her last words were: "If it should please Almighty God to admit me to eternal bliss I will ask that the will of His divine Son should be accomplished in each of you." Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, pray for us.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Today April 15
Today, the ides of April, infamous Tax Day for Americans, is the feast of St. Peter Gonzales, confessor, (1190 - 1246). This man is better known as St. Elmo, and I don't know about you, but that always makes me think of St. Elmo's fire, a mediocre 80's movie and even more importantly a real phenomenon seen at sea when weird electrical discharges are seen as different-colored lights just off the prow or the mast of a ship and typically taken as a good omen by sailors. Sailors indeed love St. Elmo and take him as their patron. An unlikely one, considering his start: as a noble and arrogant young man who became a worldly and arrogant priest. But one day a horse threw him and the fall shook him up so much he regretted his former life and became a humble Dominican. A series of old friends and relatives went to him in the friary and tried to get him to return to his former dignity but he would have none of it.
He was ordered by his superiors to preach, and preach he did, all over the kingdoms of Leon and Castile, in humble abodes, on ships (the rough crews were his special concern, in court and castles, on battlefields and camps (he was even present at the bloody -- and successful -- battle of Cordova), even in the brothels. But never was any scandal attached to him (though he had his detractors), so much was his conduct above reproach. Indeed, he converted a prostitute who had tried to seduce him. He took the improbable -- and probably miraculous -- course of crawling into a burning fireplace and asking her to join him if she was so determined to sin! He emerged unhurt and she repented and reformed her life.
He died on the road to Compostela, chief of the shrines in Spain. Turning back to Tuy, he died in the arms of his friend the bishop there and in the company of several of his sailor friends. Good St. Elmo, pray for us.
He was ordered by his superiors to preach, and preach he did, all over the kingdoms of Leon and Castile, in humble abodes, on ships (the rough crews were his special concern, in court and castles, on battlefields and camps (he was even present at the bloody -- and successful -- battle of Cordova), even in the brothels. But never was any scandal attached to him (though he had his detractors), so much was his conduct above reproach. Indeed, he converted a prostitute who had tried to seduce him. He took the improbable -- and probably miraculous -- course of crawling into a burning fireplace and asking her to join him if she was so determined to sin! He emerged unhurt and she repented and reformed her life.
He died on the road to Compostela, chief of the shrines in Spain. Turning back to Tuy, he died in the arms of his friend the bishop there and in the company of several of his sailor friends. Good St. Elmo, pray for us.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Today April 9
Today is the feast of Blessed Thomas of Tolentino (died 1321). Poor Thomas was sort of like Columbus: he knew where he WANTED to go, but he never quite got there! Thomas, a Franciscan, wanted desperately to go to China -- China, that's all he wanted. Obediently, he went to Armenia when he was sent there by his superiors. He met with great success evangelizing (and re-evangelizing) the people, and, realizing the political peril of the populace, even advocating for defenses to be sent them against imminent attacks by radical Muslims. He was then sent to Iran, where he also worked in the missions. He finally, finally! got the chance to go to China -- with a whole clerical entourage -- and ended up being blown off course to India, where Muslims there arrested, scourged, exposed and finally beheaded him. But the Indians, ironically, are the only ones who now truly revere him and celebrate his feast with due devotion. St. Thomas, pray for us.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Today April 4
Although today is also the feast of St. Isidore of Seville, (the doctor of the Church, not the farmer) we are going to go with St. Benedict the Black (died 1589). This interesting man was the freeborn son of African slaves living in Italy. They took the name of their owner as a surname, a practice even followed in this country. Anyway, why couldn't Mr. Manasseri have set the parents free as well, eh?
Well, though Benedict was freeborn, he was still discriminated against for his race. One day some bigoted neighbors were mocking and insulting him while a Franciscan hermit by the name of Lanzi was walking by. He heard Benedict's gentle replies and, after the neighbors were gone, complimented him on his character and invited him to join them (the Franciscans). Benedict went home, sold his few possessions, and joined the group of hermits, loosely based on the rule of St. Francis. At Lanzi's death, Benedict became prior, much against his will. When Pope Pius IV put an end to wandering (or otherwise unorganized) hermits, Benedict chose to join the Franciscans for real.
As a humble lay-brother, he accepted a position as cook, but even there, he could not long remain in obscurity. Even in the kitchen, he had many opportunities to practice little acts of kindness; it was appropriate that he could multiply foods. More than that, his face literally shone when he was in adoration in church, and he more than once healed folks and could read souls. He later became spiritual director of a group of nuns and was a wise and discerning superior. He declined to have people kiss his ring, and often hid his identity by wearing his hood and traveling by night. He was an ascetic, but he said the best mortification when it came to food was not to decline it altogether but to eat what was set before you, as a token of gratitude and to give pleasure to the donors. Wise St. Benedict the Black, pray for us.
Well, though Benedict was freeborn, he was still discriminated against for his race. One day some bigoted neighbors were mocking and insulting him while a Franciscan hermit by the name of Lanzi was walking by. He heard Benedict's gentle replies and, after the neighbors were gone, complimented him on his character and invited him to join them (the Franciscans). Benedict went home, sold his few possessions, and joined the group of hermits, loosely based on the rule of St. Francis. At Lanzi's death, Benedict became prior, much against his will. When Pope Pius IV put an end to wandering (or otherwise unorganized) hermits, Benedict chose to join the Franciscans for real.
As a humble lay-brother, he accepted a position as cook, but even there, he could not long remain in obscurity. Even in the kitchen, he had many opportunities to practice little acts of kindness; it was appropriate that he could multiply foods. More than that, his face literally shone when he was in adoration in church, and he more than once healed folks and could read souls. He later became spiritual director of a group of nuns and was a wise and discerning superior. He declined to have people kiss his ring, and often hid his identity by wearing his hood and traveling by night. He was an ascetic, but he said the best mortification when it came to food was not to decline it altogether but to eat what was set before you, as a token of gratitude and to give pleasure to the donors. Wise St. Benedict the Black, pray for us.
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