Saint Benedict of Nursia

Saint Benedict has become well renowned as the father of the Monastic Rule, even though the spirit of monasticism began in the middle east many years before. Still once the monastic spirit reached Europe most Religious Orders in their infant years began their Charism under the guidance of the Benedictine Rule.

Not much is known about Benedicts early years but many sources site Nursia as the birth place of this great man of the Church. He was born approximately 480 and many believe that his parents may have been financially secure in that Benedict was able to read and would later attend school, which was unusual for the peasantry of that time. Legend also has it that Benedict was the brother to his equally holy twin sister, Scholastica.

When he was sent to Rome for his education the young Benedict was quickly dismayed to see that his fellow men and women were behaving in a promiscuous fashion. Even from a young age Benedict had an ascetic spirit and was loathe to join in on the ribald and sinful lifestyle of his fellow students.

Finally the young Benedict could stand no more of this promiscuous lifestyle and so left for a place of silent repose where he would be able to study with no worldly distractions. Along with an elderly servant Benedict live for a while in the Sabine Mountains, it was here that one of Benedict first miracles was observed when his servant accidentally broke a bowl and Benedict by merely touching it the bowl was restored as if it had not been broken at all. This miracle also brought Benedict much unwanted attention once news of this incident was heard by others.

Benedict once more decided to travel in order to have complete solitude this time unaccompanied by any servants. He traveled to a place called Subiaco it was here that he met up with a monk called Romanus and it was through conversations with this monk that Benedict revealed his dearest wish, to live his entire life as a hermit, dedicating his entire life to the contemplation of God.

Romanus after listening to Benedict decided to help him live his chosen lifestyle and so both men found a remote cave where Benedict would spend the next 3 to 4 years. The only nourishment that Benedict was able to eat was given to him by Romanus who took the left over's from the Monastic community he lived in. These left over's mainly consisted of bread and water, a very severe form of diet.

According to the writings of Pope Gregory a Priest who lived not far from Benedict was preparing himself a celebratory dinner on Easter Sunday when he suddenly heard this voice say to him, "Thou art preparing thyself a savoury dish while my servant Benedict is afflicted with hunger." When the priest heard these words he set out to find Benedict once he had both Benedict and the priest spoke for many hours about God and their faith. The priest was surprised by the wild appearance that Benedict presented as he was clothed in animals skins for warmth. From this priestly contact others came to know about the wild man living in the caves and many visited Benedict for spiritual guidance.

From the writings of Pope Gregory we read how Benedict this holy man of God also had to overcome temptations and the attacks forced upon him by the devil as Gregory described in his works on Benedict, . "On a certain day when he was alone the tempter presented himself. A small dark bird, commonly called a blackbird, began to fly around his face and came so near him that, if he had wished, he could have seized it with his hand. But on his making the sign of the cross, the bird flew away. Then followed a violent temptation of the flesh, such as he had never before experienced. The evil spirit brought before his imagination a woman whom he had formerly seen, and inflamed his heart with such vehement desire at the memory of her that he had very great difficulty in repressing it. He was almost overcome and thought of leaving his solitude. Suddenly, however, with the help of divine grace, he found the strength he needed." After much struggling the devil left Benedict in peace as he could win no battle with this man who was guided by God Himself.

It wasn't long before Benedict was approached by a religious community to become their Superior after the death of their Abbot. Benedict when first approached refused to take this position as he preferred his life of holy solitude, but the small community of monks prevailed and so Benedict tried to lead the monks into following God's Divine Will as he had throughout the years. Unfortunately after a while many of the monks began to rebel at this strictness of Benedicts Rule and some tried to poison Benedict in order to rid themselves of this holy man. This scheme did not work as before drinking the poisoned wine Benedict blessed it and upon making the blessing the poisoned wine glass smashed. Benedict was disappointed and chastised the small group of monks before taking his leave of them, and returning to his hermitage in Subiaco.

Benedict though was not to be alone for long as many more men who also longed for a more solitary way of serving God were drawn to this holy man and longed to copy his lifestyle. Benedict by now had a growing longing to begin a monastic life for those who wished to follow God with all their hearts. Through this came about the monastic life which would be followed by so many early Religious Orders. Benedict began making the Rules for his community of men and in order that those who joined would be faithful to the Charims of the Monastic movement Benedict kept overall charge and control of those who joined him in living the monastic principle.

Through a life balanced by mortifications and intense prayer, men were able to contemplate God from the purity of their hearts. Through this one man's vision of living and starting a monastic life we have the Traditions within the Church based on the thoughts and teachings of this holy man of God, who is Benedict.

Throughout his life, Benedict was also the recipient of many miracles and had the ability to read souls and thereby direct people to let go of the sins which were holding them back from serving God with all their hearts.

Though Benedict lived a life of uncompromising principles and stayed true to his own Rule, he truly brought many closer to God because of the example he gave of his own beatific vision of God.

Through his many mortifications this weakened Benedict's health and he died of fever.

Benedict of Nursia died in the year 547.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Saint Philomena-Early Church Martyr

Not much is known about this young girl who's tomb was found in the catacombs of St. Priscilla in Rome. Unfortunately when her remains were found in 1802 by excavators there was no science which could shed light through DNA research about the approximate Era/year of her death.

What is known is that Philomena's tomb contained the body of a young girl of about 13 years of age alongside her remains was found a vial of dried blood. Written on her tomb were the words Lumena/ Paxte/ Cumfe when some experts translated the ambiguous writing they were able to make out the words Pax tecum Filumena which means 'Peace be with you Philomena'.

There were many years of persecution for the young Christian Church at a time when it was dangerous to be a Christian, yet so many of our early Christian martyrs remained loyal to their Faith unto the shedding of their blood. They did not seek to save their own lives at the cost of their beliefs but instead chose to remain firm in their and with great courage they chose to die for their faith rather than live a life of meaningless faithlessness.

One of these great persecutions was that of Nero who as legend says 'fiddled as Rome burned'. There have been many theories as to the origins of the fire some say that Nero himself instructed that a fire be started for his own sick entertainment while others say that the fire was accidentally started in a shop probably a bake house. Who started it is now for history to decide but the consequences were catastrophic for the small Christian community which were living peacefully in Rome.

After the city had been ravaged by fire the Roman citizens were looking for someone to blame and all eyes turned towards Nero who because of his apathy and indifference towards those who had suffered great loss went into damage control. It was Nero who pointed the finger at the Christian community by suggesting that it was them who began the fire. This enraged the Roman citizens who then began the great persecution of the early Christian community. As was reported in the writings of Tertullian, "Nero was the first to rage with Caesar's sword against this sect, "To suppress the rumor." Another writer, Tacitus who was not Christian wrote this concerning the persecution of the Christians by Nero, "Mockery of every sort accompanied their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.."There arose in the people a sense of pity. For it was felt that they (the Christians) were being sacrificed for one man's brutality rather than to the public interest." Emperor Nero was well known for his depravity towards anyone who displeased him, he would most probably be diagnosed as a psychopath by the physicians of today.

Whether the young Philomena was part of this most terrible persecution by Nero is unknown. What is known is that upon excavating her remains this young girl who had died a martyrs death was placed in the Vatican where she remained for many years.

Then in 1805 a priest who came upon her remains then requested if he could receive the relics of what seemed to be a great Saint of the Church, Don Francesco di Lucia was given this permission. He then enshrined her remains in his village church at Mugnano. It was here that many miracles would soon be attributed to this young martyr of early Rome.

When we examine the courage of the early Christians all must marvel at their great courage and also their tenacity and perseverance in the face of the most terrible tortures. We can only imagine the torture that would have been inflicted on this most holy and pure virgin martyr known as Philomena. In order for her to be remembered on her tomb it is obvious that Philomena came from a more wealthy background and that as she had lived so she died, beloved by those who knew her and had loved her.

Many people began to flock to this shrine of Philomena as many more miracles were attributed to this young saint and martyr, so much so that many were referring to her as 'Philomena, Powerful with God'. So it was that Pope Gregory XVI canonized this most beautiful young girl to Sainthood.

Upon her canonization many priests, nuns and even Popes grew in devotion to her saintly virtues and many more shrines were devoted to this young martyr of the early Church. Some of the better known admirers of Saint Philomena became Saints themselves! Such as St. John Vianney, St. Anthony Mary Claret and St. Madeleine Sophie Barat who I am sure could empathize completely with Philomena's torturous death. There were also many Popes who revered the life of Philomena some of them were Pope Leo XII, Pope Gregory XVI who gave Philomena the title 'Patroness of the Living Rosary, and Pope Pius IX who also proclaimed her as 'Patroness of the Children of Mary' and as the years passed many more Popes proclaimed their devotion to this young girl.

In this day and age of immodesty and narcissism we need to be reminded that such glorious Saints as Philomena once walked this same ground but the difference is they chose the higher path, let us hope to follow their example.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin

Anne Therese Guerin was born in the year 1798 in France. A Nation torn apart by the French Revolution where only a few years before the revolutionaries had be-headed the French King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette.

France during these traumatic years were certainly in need of holy men and women and through the Grace of God, many great Saints were born during this era in time and to a country that needed them, blood drenched France.

Anne Therese was a very practical young girl who had the good luck to be educated by her uncle who was a seminarian. Perhaps it was here that Anne Therese first felt a calling to the Religious life as she learnt from her uncle and observed many Catholics who were suffering for their faith. This also instilled in Anne Therese a hardiness born through adversity as her parents struggled to provide a living for their family.

Unfortunately for the devout Guerin family Anne Therese's father died leaving the family destitute and their mother in despair as she struggled to provide a viable living in such difficult circumstances.

During those times it was not easy being Catholic in war ravaged France let alone to be Catholic and poor in a country that was propagating atheism and where killing catholics were the order of the day. As the enlightenment gained ground more and more people began questioning the Authority of the Catholic Church and many peoples faith began to waver in the face of such an onslaught.

This did not affect Anne Guerin who was solid in her beliefs and strong enough to withstand the insults that were being thrown at her beloved Church. Because of her fathers death Anne Therese postponed her longing to join a Religious community and instead focused on helping her poor mother who was an invalid and her sister to rise above their circumstances and to make a living in order to put food on the table and clothes on their back.

It was not until Anne Therese reached the age of 25 that she was finally able to obey her great longing to enter the Religious life. Where she joined the Sisters of Providence and took her first Vows a year later, she also took the name Sister Theodore. This very practical woman would prove herself to be a very able and gifted Nun when it came to mathematics she truly shone and shared this knowledge with her students. Though Sister Theodore worked hard her health at times would become delicate as she strived to give of her best to her community through teaching and assisting the poor in her area.

A new call would touch the heart of this most holy Sister when the Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana requested the help of the Sisters of Providence with the assistance of Bishop Celestin de la Hailandiere the Sisters took up the challenge and Mother Theodore with her fellow sisters set sail for the new frontier, America they arrived in the year 1840.

Upon arriving in Indiana conditions were harsh which was in stark contrast to the way of French living that this little band of sisters was used too, but nothing would deter Mother Theodore from her mission to reach out to young people and educate them so as to rise and make something of their lives. Within the first year of arrival Mother Theodore had opened a school for girls which would become known as The College of Our Lady of the Woods.

Though her health was fragile and Mother Theodore could only consume food that had been watered down this did not deter her from doing God's Will and serving Him by helping all the girls who came to them for assistance. Mother Theodore was also plagued with doubts about her own worthiness and ability to carry such an onerous duty, but she was able to put her feelings aside and focus on the work at hand. Rather than be overcome by her disabilities she overcame them through sheer hard work and a greatly developed prayer life from which she gained her inner strength.

Both Mother Theodore and her Sisters struggled gallantly and with steadfastness during what would be many American winters as they lived in their wood cabin which had become their home and their community. There would be many days and nights where Mother Theodore and her devoted sisters had little or no food, this did not stop the sisters from carrying forth their duties with love and compassion for all they met.

Through the courage that Mother Theodore always displayed despite her own doubts about her abilities her fellow Sisters would remain steadfast as they looked towards their Mother Superior who guided them with wise words and gentle humor. Though times were hard and misunderstandings occurred Mother Theodore always encouraged prayer most especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament and to simply go forwards without spending too much time on past regrets. Mother Theodore truly embodied the pioneer spirit that was so much needed for that tough land which was Indiana.

During her life Mother Theodore was able to open many more schools, and though she struggled with her health her spirit always remained completely in love with her Divine Spouse.

Mother Theodore Guerin died in the year 1856.

Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin was beatified in the year 1998 by Pope John Paul II.

Her Canonization is now pending in Rome.

Some Quotes

"What strength the soul draws from prayer! In the midst of a storm, how sweet is the calm it finds in the heart of Jesus."

"Put yourself gently into the hands of Providence."

"With Jesus, what shall we have to fear?"

"In all and everywhere may the will of God be done."

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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Saint Josemaria Escriva-Founder of Opus Dei

There has been much controversy of late involving the Order of Opus Dei, much of it malicious and driven by ignorance. Let us examine the life if its founder, Josemaria Escriva.

Josemaria was born in the year 1902 the birth of a new century. He was born in Spain to very devout parents, he also had one brother and four sisters, three of whom would die young. This gave the young Josemaria a feeling of the temporariness of life, and perhaps led to his making the best of what life offered with a spirit of thanksgiving to God.

The family was not wealthy, and due to financial difficulties the Escriva family moved to Logrono in order for his father to find work within the textile industry. The family lived devout lives of worship and prayer but also hard work. In order to feed the family everybody had a job to do which they fulfilled with a spirit of cheerfulness but also hardiness. It was also in Logrono that Josemaria first felt a 'calling' from God, that gentle whisper that moves within the soul. As air brushes upon the face leaving no mark but the knowledge that it was there, so the Holy Spirit works within the soul.

The thought of the Priesthood took up the thoughts of the young Josemaria and he could not forget that gentle whisper which called him to move beyond what he had always known into the unknown of what exactly is God's Will. Josemaria listened and obeyed that small still voice and with the approval of his parents he not only studied for the Priesthood, he also under instruction from his father studied law in order to gain a Doctorate. Sadly for Josemaria, his father died in 1924 a year before he was Ordained into the Priesthood. Though saddened by his fathers death nothing though could quell the joy that Fr. Josemaria felt within his heart at his Ordination.

Josemaria was not a man given to fanciful idea's. Though he felt the call to follow and serve God he was not a man for star gazing but rather a commonsensical individual who, though obstacles were placed in his way, he was able to circumvent them, rather than be overcome by them. From a young age he understood that Saints are not soft hearted, but, they instead were fierce spiritual warriors with an intense love of God which overcame there baser instincts. Always the young Josemaria understood the battle with good and evil. That it was a daily struggle and through Christ it can be won not by man's efforts but through the Victory of Christ won for all on Calvary. Though Josemaria was a man of a practical nature, he was also a mystic of the modern era, who understood that in order to truly love God, then man must choose to do God's Will above their own, and to understand the difference.

It was in 1927 that Fr. Josemaria moved to Madrid to finish his doctorate in law with the permission of his Bishop. While there Fr. Josemaria impressed all who met him with his inherent cheerfulness in the face of adversity and his willingness to listen to others with the greatest respect, a gift greatly needed in these irreverent times. Though known for his piety and greatly respected among his contemporaries, Fr. Josemaria was never self righteous or self satisfied. What burned within the heart of this young Priest was the intense love he felt for Christ and through this intense love he radiated simple holiness to all he met, while keeping his focus always on Christ and never losing sight about what Faith is and what it is not.

Fr. Josemaria would spend many hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament as he sought to fulfill God's Will in his own life. It was while he was on a spiritual retreat that this simple Priest was touched by God in an extraordinarily simple way, Fr. Josemaria was able through the Grace of God to 'see' his true vocation.

In a world that was growing more and more complicated, where peoples morals were becoming more and more loose, and where rumours of war began to fester, the way became clear for Fr. Josemaria Escriva. So it was that in 1928 Fr. Josemaria began to set up his new Order called Opus Dei which incorporates daily activities with a new spirit, that of simplicity, to give to God all of one's activities however great or mundane. In a complicated world, Fr. Josemaria chose an uncomplicated path to the centre of God's Heart and that is to make God the centre of one's entire existance, incorporating every task every thought every deed with God at the centre.

What Fr. Josemaria understood was that without God at the centre of all of our daily activities whether it be washing dishes or working in factories or offices, life was meaningless without God at it's centre for it is God that sanctifies all we do when we offer it to the Triune Spirit with holy simplicity. It is God that dignifies the work produced by both men and women and through their work man's life has gained a richness and depth not felt before as all is offered up to a loving and compassionate God. All work whether it be in the workplace or as a homemaker becomes ennobled through the Grace of God and putting into effect the Gifts that God has given to each of us. This is the Spirit of Opus Dei the 'Way' of holy simplicity.

War though would intrude as Fr. Josemaria like many others watched in anguish as Spain was torn apart within by civil war. Fr. Josemaria eventually escaped into France and returned to Spain when the Spanish civil war had ended. During the war years he gave many retreats to all who longed for a more simple and less complicated world as war torn Europe was encased in darkness and a shadow hung over those whose lives were in danger.

When the war was over in Europe as many countries recovered from the devastation Fr. Josemaria moved to Rome and furthered his studies in theology and to obtain recognition for his new movement. This recognition would come in steps as Pope Pius XII gave a decree of praise to be followed 3 years later by the Church's full approval for the Religious Order Opus Dei.

Throughout his life Fr. Josemaria embraced simple virtues and a simple life, he did not complicate God's Love he simply loved God in everything he did. At the heart though of all of Fr. Josemaria's activities was prayer, for without prayer then one will soon find themselves working for selfish reasons rather than Godly ones. Without prayer the soul will wither and die or become self absorbed to such an extant that any little inconvenience will overcome it, this is why Fr. Josemaria spent much time in prayer and placed it's importance at the top of his list. It is only in prayer that one finds the Way rather than lose the way by filling your day with empty and meaningless activities. Busyness does not signify holiness.

Fr. Josemaria also understood the working man and woman's life whether it be through gainful employment or as a homemaker work had to be done, wages must be brought home and food must be cooked in a clean household. The revolution that Fr. Josemaria would begin was to make this very work a prayer, for he understood that working fathers and mothers did not have hours to spend in quiet and solitary prayer, therefore through the Way both parents could turn their work into a prayer for the love of God. He also taught that prayer through every circumstance was crucial, one cannot praise God for good things one day then curse God the next when adversity strikes, instead one must persevere through adversities while still praising God as mature Catholics.

Because of the simplistic message of Opus Dei this movement soon gained much ground as many enquired to Fr. Josemaria to set up Opus Dei in their own parishes as many overworked and tired people longed to understand how to make their lives more tolerable and even more so, more meaningful. Opus Dei would show them the Way to God's Heart which is the simple path of prayer, penance for one's own sin's and for the reparative sins of others through suffering. To offer up the whole day through every activity to God alone thereby incorporating God so that the Spirit breathes as one through man's surrender of his own willfulness, and instead embracing Godly selflessness.

In a world grown cold Opus Dei breathed new life upon the hearts of the faithful as each of us long to become closer to God but many fail to find the Way thereby becoming discouraged along life's journey. Through this new movement many would find their lives becoming more luminous not through lofty thoughts or activities but through the mundane ordinariness of everyday life. This is the way to God's Heart, not great deeds but through little deeds done with greatness of heart, that is the key to God's Heart. This is what Fr. Josemaria discovered on that grey morning, when he saw the footprints of the Carmelite Priest as a young lad and dreamed of what could be when the soul allows God to consume it of it's emptiness and replace it with the burning fierceness of God's fiery love.

Though controversy would hound all of Fr. Josemaria's steps he did not allow this to interrupt his inherent cheerfulness, for what God Will's man will not destroy.

Fr. Josemaria Escriva died in the year 1975.

Saint Josemaria Escriva was canonized in the year 2002 by Pope John Paul II.

Some Quotes

"Your ordinary contact with God takes place where your fellow men, your yearnings, your work and your affections are. There you have your daily encounter with Christ."

"In order to love and serve God, it is not necessary to do extraordinary things. Christ asks all men without exception to be perfect as His heavenly Father is perfect (cf. Mt 5: 48). For the great majority of men, to be holy consists of sanctifying their work, to sanctify themselves in their work, to sanctify others with work, and also to find God on the road of their life."

"I began to have an inkling of what Love is, to realise that my heart was yearning for something great, for love."

"Place Christ at the heart of all human activities by means of work that is sanctified, and sanctifies both the doer and those for whom it is done."

St Juliana Falconieri

What sets many Saints apart is their love of charity towards all and their at times severe penances towards themselves, such is this case with the young lady, Juliana Falconieri.

Juliana Falconieri was born in the year 1270 in the city of Florence into the Nobility. Juliana would also not be the only Saint to be born into the Falconieri family her uncle also became a Saint his name being Alexis Falconieri, not an unusual occurrence in the days when living the Catholic Faith meant something.

Juliana was lucky in that her parents were deeply devout and instilled into their beloved daughter a love of the Catholic Church and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Her devout parents in a spirit of thanksgiving towards God financed the building of the Church of the Annunciation in Florence in appreciation of how much God had blessed this Holy couple.

Juliana from a very young age showed little joy for trivial pursuits and had absolutely no time for dances and what she considered foolish past-times, her heart was totally dedicated to God and God alone! This did not make her a dour or morbid personality Juliana simply knew what her priorities in life were and lived them with joy and a deep knowledge of what was pleasing to God and it was in pleasing God that she gained her greatest joy and happiness.

Unfortunately Juliana's parents were both elderly when she was born and at a young age Juliana's beloved father died and so Juliana was raised by her mother, Riguardata with the help of her uncle Alexis. From a very young age Juliana's deepest desire was to serve God as a Religious, and though her mother was deeply devout she did not wish to be left alone and so was against her daughter leaving her to join an Order. As Juliana was an obedient child, she did not wish to disobey her beloved mother and so a compromise was reached where Juliana could join a Third Order the Religious Order chosen was the Servites.

After taking instructions from her uncle Juliana was given her Habit to wear as a Third Order Servite and was able to live at home for many years while putting into practice the Charism of the Servite Order. Juliana and her mother were deeply devoted to one another as both loved their faith deeply so it saddened Juliana deeply when her mother died, she had lost not only her mother but also one of her closest friends. The death of her mother allowed Juliana to leave her former home and to live in another house where the memories were not so heartrending.

As she lived the Charism of the Servite Order, Juliana's obvious holiness came to the attention of many who knew of her and had heard about her total devotion to God and the Catholic Church. Soon more women would join her in her new home where Juliana started the Third Order of Servites, she and her lady friends began to wear a Habit that was similar to the male equivalent of the Servite Order.

Juliana and her fellow sisters practiced works of charity within their community and lived a prayerful life within the home as they dedicated their lives to God and lived out the message of the Gospels. Though Juliana had a deep love of the poor and tried her best to alleviate their sufferings, she intensified her own mortifications sometimes at the expense of her own health. Juliana and her fellow Servite sisters became well renowned for their love and service to the poorest of the poor and the love that they took in treating all as if they were royalty, this made Juliana greatly loved and admired for her virtue and charity towards all. It is also one of the reasons why she remained the Director of her Servite Third Order community for nearly 35 years, an astounding feat.

Due to her severe penances Juliana's health became severely impaired and caused her many stomach ailments later in life. This deeply affected her in that due to her inability to retain food she could no longer receive the Eucharist, something that grieved her deeply. A compromise was reached when close to death Juliana requested that the Priest lay the Eucharist on her heart, this he did. The Priest was astonished when the Host disappeared as were the rest of her community.

Upon her death and as she was being prepared for burial there was found to be the image of the Eucharist upon her heart.

Juliana Falconieri died in 1341.

Saint Juliana Falconieri was canonized in the year 1737 by Pope Clement XII.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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