Neither are the souls of the pious dead separated from the Church which even now is the kingdom of Christ. Otherwise there would be no remembrance of them at the altar of God in the communication of the Body of Christ. -- Saint Augustine of Hippo from “The City of God

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Monday, July 10, 2006

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.


Tuesday, July 04, 2006

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.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

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.