Saint Gregory the Great

For a man of immense intelligence and who was born into a noble and holy family, Gregory did all he could to avoid both the power and the glory which the Church would afford him.

At the heart of Gregory was a simple but complex man. A man of simple tastes who longed to live a contemplative life of prayer as a Monk, yet glory shadowed his steps. It is a well known truth that the most capable men are those who do all they can to avoid power and ostentation.

Gregory not only tried to avoid it he virtually ran away from it. Still like a whisper on the breeze it caught up with him, this man of simple tastes.

Gregory was born around the year 540 while the Church was still in its birth pangs and heresies still lured the unaware. Whenever the Catholic Church has been threatened God produces Great Sons of the Church not to save it but to enrich and make known what is already there. So it is that Gregory stepped into a time of history that was not only tumultuous, but lusty in both ideas and manners.

As the Roman Empire fell and the robust and brutal barbarians brought in their own beliefs which was not based on Christian Doctrine but on the heresy of Arianism. Into this arena came Gregory a man both gentle and inflexible in matters of Divine Truth. A man who would persuade the masses to follow him and the Teachings of the One True Church, yet he insisted on forcible conversions to the Catholic Church. Gregory was a diplomat who respected the Jewish Traditions and yet was intransigent with those who held pagan beliefs. Perhaps Gregory had seen the bitters tears shed by those who suffered under the governing of the Lombards.

In order to combat these heresies Gregory wanted much to evangelize what was then known as the Angles(English). With the Pope's permission Gregory set sail to do just that, unfortunately there were others who strongly objected to losing this great man of fire from the Church and so Gregory was recalled back to Rome.

These were difficult and fraught years for Gregory, he had clashed with the Byzantines, and his mission to Constantinople was not seen as an enormous success. Now he could not follow his heart and evangelize the faith to the Angles, but as always Gregory was an obedient son of the Church and so with filial love he returned to Rome.

The great city though would endure its own agony as floods ravaged many areas bringing forth disease and pestilence. Rome had come to resemble a land of corpses rather than the land of the living. During this terrible upheaval and tragic episode in Roman history the Pope also succumbed and died from the aftermath of the great floods and the plague which was running rampant throughout Rome and other area's. This left the land without a shepherd but not for long.

Upon hearing the rumor that he would become the next Pope, Gregory with great trepidation tried to flee such a heavy task. This was not done in a spirit of craven fear but of a longing to remain as he was a simple man who's life revolved around prayer and mortifications. A man who's own soul was pure and self controlled who did not seek after vain glories or have need of politics. Gregory was to learn though what he longed for and what God ordained to be were two different things. God won!

Gregory was Consecrated as Pope in 590. The gentle breeze that had touched Gregory with greatness had become a hurricane and so the people turned to Pope Gregory to lead them through this momentous time in history.

Pope Gregory would do just this with such aplomb that greatness would attach itself to this simple man of faith and his awesome intellect. To read more about Pope Gregory's reign as Pope click here.

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Blessed's Edward Bamber & Thomas Whitaker

King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church thereby proclaiming himself 'Supreme Head of the Church of England' in 1534. This would bring untold misery to those who still professed the Catholic Faith. His reign of tyranny against Catholics would be continued under the reign of his daughter Elizabeth I.

Once King Henry broke with Rome this laid the ground work for all those who followed him including the short time span in history where England was without a Monarch. Though there was no Monarch, Catholics were still not safe from the English Parliament as different factions fought for supremacy among them was one Oliver Cromwell. It seems that Charles I did not seem to have the ruthless hold that both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I enjoyed in their blood thirsty reigns.

It wasn't long before the country erupted into warring factions some who supported the claim of Charles I while the parliamentarians supported Cromwell. During this tremendous upheaval Charles I surrendered to the Scots and in 1648 Cromwell is victorious in defeating the Scottish incursion of England. Charles I was eventually beheaded, as England embraced republicanism.

One would have hoped that upon ridding the nation of tyrants England when then enjoy a time of peace and open mindedness towards those of other faiths, this was not to be.

Because of the persecutions faced by Catholic families in England many families sent their sons to be educated and Ordained Priests while they were abroad. Upon their return many chose to head towards Lancashire which had become known as sympathetic to the Catholic Faith. This was not to last.

Both Thomas Whitaker and Edward Bamber received their education in England and were then sent abroad to study for the Priesthood at Valladolid.

Upon returning to the shores of England Edward was seen to kneel and praise God for bringing him back to his native shore, a devout Priest. Unfortunately his prayer was noted by the Governor of the Castle and he was then reported to the authorities whereupon Edward found himself under arrest! He found himself banished but Edward was not here to obey the orders of man but instead to give witness and preach the Catholic Faith. Edward continued to Minister to the people despite the perilous position of Catholic Priests within the region. Like many Priests during these times of tyranny many families including those of noble birth hid Priests within their homes and castles so as to receive the Sacraments.

It surely is a testament to the strong and courageous Catholic families of England that they disregarded an unholy law and at risk of their lives they remained true to their faith. This was not a time for cold or cowardly hearts, it was also not a time for lukewarmness as English Catholics held their faith dear to them and were willing to die for their beliefs. A lesson which is much needed in these days of liberal progressives.

Edward did not have a lucky time of it and once again he found himself re-arrested not once, not twice but three times. This also shows an undue amount of courage on the part of this Priest, that he would choose to stay rather than flee and thereby save his life. Edward knew to save his life at the expense of his faith would be to enjoy no life at all. Edward refused to flee, and though he was helped and hidden by different people Edwards luck would soon run out.

Thomas Whitaker was also sent abroad upon completing his education to Valladolid where upon completing his studies he was Ordained into the Priesthood. In 1638 Thomas decided to return to England in order to give his beleaguered people recourse to the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. He pastored in the region of Lancaster where he was hidden by many of the nobility so as to conduct Mass.

The courage of these two Priests and many more like them can not be understated as they withstood the terrors that capture would bring. The English were not known for their compassion to the Catholics and many still felt threatened by anyone who would preach the One True Faith, Catholicism.

Thomas Whitaker also found himself arrested he was able to escape once and was then re-arrested. He then spent three years of imprisonment, these were severe years for a man known for his gentleness and compassion. Though he was placed under undue pressure to convert to Anglicanism Thomas refused. He continued to refuse to the end saying quietly and gently to his captors, "Use your pleasure with me, a reprieve or even a pardon upon your conditions I utterly refuse". This refusal would lead to his martyrdom.

Both Edward Bamber and Thomas Whitaker were to choose martyrdom rather than betray their Faith. This was no easy decision. Execution in those days were a terrible sight to see, many Priests would be dragged through the streets sometimes upside down hitting obstacles along the way. Once arriving at their place of execution they were then hung drawn and quartered a most despicable form of torture. Even after their death the bodies of these heroic Priests would be left on display as a warning to all other Catholics the danger of practicing their Faith.

As we in this modern era come under increasing threat by the secular world let us remember the courage of these Saints and Martyrs and hopefully follow their example. Lest they died in vain.

Edward Bamber died in 1646.

Blessed Edward Bamber was beatified in 1987 by Pope John Paul II.

Thomas Whitaker died in 1646.

Blessed Thomas Whitaker was beatified in 1987 by Pope John Paul II.

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Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, and probably a close friend of the Apostle Saint Philip. He was brought to Jesus by Philip, and Bartholomew’s name is usually mentioned in the Gospels in association with Philip.

He is called Bartholomew in the Gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Most scholars believe that Bartholomew is called Nathaniel in the Gospel of John, and that Bartholomew was actually his last name. The name Bartholomaios means “son of Talmai” (Tolomai or Tholmai), an ancient Hebrew name. (The King of Gessur, whose daughter was a wife of David, bore the name; see 2 Samuel 3:3.) So, in this article, I will refer to him as Saint Nathaniel bar Tolomai (this would amount to him being known as Nathaniel son of Tolomai, just as Peter was called Simon bar Jonah, which would mean Simon son of Jonah.)

We see Saint Nathaniel bar Tolomai mentioned sixth in order as follows in the synoptic (this refers to the first 3 Gospels being similar in content, order, and statement) Gospels:

Matthew 10:3. James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus

Mark 3:18. And Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew and Matthew, and Thomas and James of Alpheus, and Thaddeus and Simon the Cananean:

Luke 6:14. Simon, whom he surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

And then again in the Gospel of Saint John:

John 1:45. Philip findeth Nathanael and saith to him: We have found him of whom Moses, in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus the son of Joseph of Nazareth.
1:46. And Nathanael said to him: Can any thing of good come from Nazareth? Philip saith to him: Come and see.
1:47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.
1:48. Nathanael saith to him: Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
1:49. Nathanael answered him and said: Rabbi: Thou art the Son of God. Thou art the King of Israel.
1:50. Jesus answered and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see.
1:51. And he saith to him: Amen, amen, I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Once more in John:
John 21:2. There were together: Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples.

The last time that Saint Nathaniel bar Tolomai is mentioned in the New Testament is in The Acts of the Apostles:

Acts 1:13. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Jude the brother of James.

Outside the references mentioned, there are no other instances of the name of Saint Nathaniel bar Tolomai being mentioned in the New Testament. What we know of him after the New Testament is not certain. There is no mention of him in ecclesiastical literature before Eusebius, who mentions that Pantaenus who was the master of Origen, was evangelizing in India, and was told that Saint Nathaniel bar Tolomai had preached there before him, and had given them a copy of the Gospel of Saint Matthew written in Hebrew. This was treasured by the Church there. India, was the name given to a vast area, and was not limited to the geographical area we know as India today. Other traditions indicate that Saint Nathaniel bar Tolomai also preached and evangelized in Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, Armenia, Lycaonia, Phrygia, and on the shores of the Black Sea.

There are conflicting traditions regarding his death. According to one, he was beheaded at Albanopolis in Armenia. According to another he was flayed (skinned alive) alive and crucified head down by order of Astyages, for having converted his brother, Polymius, King of Armenia. Because of the latter legend, he is often represented as a man holding his skin. His relics are at Saint Bartholomew-on-the-Tiber Church, in Rome, and in the cathedral in Canterbury, England.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard of Clarivaux was born into the nobility of Burgundy, his father being, Tescelin, Lord of Fontaines and his mother Aleth of Montbard in the year 1090.

From his earliest years, Bernard showed an aptitude for learning he was also deeply devout with a zealousness not usually found in one so young. This young man even from his earliest years showed himself to be a very forceful and charismatic figure who had the ability to draw people to himself and to illuminate the love he held for his Faith to those who would listen to him.

So it was no surprise despite his delicate health that at only 22 years of age he decided to join a Monastery and live the rest of his days as a monk. Due to his charismatic personality 35 other members of his family joined him in his pursuit of the monastic way of life. Quite an achievement for one so young.

One can see even from an early age Bernard was of a determined disposition and did not suffer fools gladly. His rule was so severe that it not only caused him health problems but also his fellow brothers within the Monastery compound. Upon becoming ill, Bernard was able to rest and re-think his strict regime as many of his fellow brothers were flagging under such extreme asceticism and mortifications. When he recovered Bernard relaxed some of the stricter penances for his fellow brothers but he remained very severe with himself.

Bernard was an astute character with a keen intelligence, but this did not mean he was open to any novelty of the moment and remained true to the Teachings of the Catholic Church. He was also very forthright and was not put off by anyone's position in life, not even if that man were the Pope himself! Bernard would speak the truth and accept the consequences for his outspokenness.

This great man of the Church was also not without fault one of them being that Bernard had a great impatience for those who did not grasp facts as quickly and as easily as himself. He also had no patience for those who were indecisive and would often use his quick wit to good effect when dealing with those who were driven by their own ego's rather than a love of God. Bernard also possessed a love for conveying to all his deep passion for God and the Church and would answer all letters written, from the Pope himself to the most humble peasant. In Bernard's mind, all men should be given equal respect be they pauper or prince.

At times the slow moving of the many ecclesial bodies within the Church would set off Bernard's famous impatience, and he would send them his thoughts on various matters. His replies from Rome were equally confronting he was told in no uncertain terms to mind his own business, and keep his thoughts within his own community. It was a robust relationship between those in authority and this most clever and perceptive of men which was the essence of the character of Bernard of Clairvaux.

The very character of Bernard though would be needed by the Catholic Church when an anti-pope Anacletus II tried to overtake the reigning Pope, Innocent II. It was to Bernard that the Church turned to help sort out the mess of the two popes, and who was the legitimate Pontiff. Bernard rallied to Pope Innocent II and helped dispel the cult of Anacletus II by preaching in many different countries as he gained support for the rightful Pope, Innocent II. This would also take a toll on the health of this well spoken and intellectual son of the Church.

During all this work Bernard was also a prodigious writer and his works are still read to this very day. Bernard wrote some of the most mystical writings within the Catholic Church, which gained the respect of all those who read them, his eloquence when writing about different aspects of the Catholic Church would one day make him a Doctor of the Church and deservedly so.

Bernard was also an unwilling accomplice in the Crusades when Rome once again called upon this eloquent monk to preach to the man in the streets in order to set off for the Holy land and the sights sacred to Christianity. Even though many joined the Crusades after listening to Bernard the Crusades were not a success and many lost their lives in the ensuing battles with the Moors, this grieved Bernard deeply. It was at this time that a man tried to bring dissent within the gentile and Jewish communities as he espoused hatred of the Jews. This incensed Bernard, who then immediately rebutted what this despicable man, Raoul and his hateful rantings which incited violence against the Jewish population. Bernard with his usual forthrightness called Raoul exactly what he was a hate filled and heretical speaker who promoted murder at the cost of the innocent. Bernard's condemnation of Raoul was so strong that it gained the respect and admiration of the Jews who lived within the European provinces. So much so that many named their sons after Bernard with the Jewish dialect of Baruch.

All of this traveling and preaching eventually took its toll on the health of Bernard. A man of fierce intellect and a zealous passion for the Church, his entire life was spent in serving the Church which he so loved.

Bernard of Clairvaux died in 1153.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was canonized in the year 1170 by Pope Alexander III.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was named a Doctor of the Church in 1830 by Pope Pius VIII.

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Christian Heroes-Corrie Ten Boom

The Ten Boom family of Holland are world famous for their heroic courage in confronting the Nazi menace which was inflicted upon their country when Germany invaded that peace loving country of The Netherlands.

As the Dutch Queen, Wilhelmina was spirited away to the safety of England as the Nazi's goose stepped in the streets of Holland, the populace was left to face the evil that is National Socialism. From England Queen Wilhelmina encouraged the Dutch resistance to rise up and fight for their freedom and to confront the evil in their time, fascism.

From the beginning of Cornelia Ten Boom's life when she was born in the year 1892 into a very Christian based home in Amsterdam, her entire life was consumed by love of family and love of God. Her father, Casper Ten Boom was a very devout and God fearing man who raised his children in an environment of love and also of Christian discipline. Corrie along with her siblings learnt very early to help those who were less fortunate than themselves. This would pave the way to her family's involvement in helping the persecuted Jews.

The Ten Boom family were very involved in their Church activities and both Betsie and Corrie would spend many afternoons helping and educating those who had mental and physical disabilities. Casper Ten Boom instilled in all his children that in order to love God this must be shown and shared with all peoples but most especially those who had been marginalized in society.

So from the very beginning Corrie was given the example of not only believing in her faith but of living it daily. By helping the disabled Corrie learnt patience and tenacity, even though she struggled with her lack of patience within her interior Corrie never let this aspect show when teaching those who were disabled.

The Ten Boom family were well known in their area of Haarlem and greatly respected in their dealings with others. Casper Ten Boom was a talented clock maker and repairer a talent that he passed on to his daughter, Corrie who became a licensed clock maker. This meant a great deal to Corrie as she also wanted to contribute to her families finances and to become a respected business woman in the mold of her beloved father.

Casper Ten Boom listened to the happenings across the border in the land of Nazi Germany with great misgivings and also with concern as this great man understood that the Jewish people were the apple of God's eye. He understood that to persecute an entire people for simply being themselves would be loathsome in God's Sight and that the German people were igniting the wrath of God's Divine Justice.

This comfortable lifestyle would be interrupted forever with the invasion of the Nazi's into peace loving Holland. As always The Ten Boom family under the guiding hand of their father, Casper kept an open house for all those who were in need, whatever their religion.

Many people in Holland found different ways to confront the Nazi menace as the resistance grew. Some of the Dutch joined different espionage networks where trains and other facilities needed by the Germans were blown up. Many faced the difficult decision of how to overcome the Nazi's and force them to leave their country. The Ten Boom family chose non-violence as the only Christian response they could give when trying to confront and overcome this tyranny of evil. These were difficult times for all of the Dutch populace as their lives came under increasing threat from the Nazi menace.

The people of Holland during this maelstrom of evil showed the true character of what it means to be Dutch. By maintaining their stoical and determined ability to withstand this evil which had been thrust upon them in the only way they knew how, total conviction and total courage in the face of a force greater than themselves. These were a people not easily threatened or overcome by threats and torture, they showed a fierce courage when facing one of the greatest evils of this century, fascism.

Corrie Ten Boom due to her physical health became one of the leaders of the resistance movement known as the 'bege group' which helped both resistance fighters and those who needed to hide from the Nazi's. The Ten Boom family sheltered these refugee's in their own home in a spirit of hospitality and treated those who were in fear of their lives as if they were honoured guests, they showed what it means to be Christian.

Like all people Corrie struggled against the injustices she saw perpetrated by the Nazi's against the Jewish people and her own peoples. It was difficult for Corrie not to hate the Germans for what they were doing to those who were helpless and vulnerable. Corrie had a keen sense of justice and to witness the terrible atrocities taking place was difficult for this noble and Christian woman to accept meekly.

As the Ten Boom family continued to help those who were most in need the persecuted Jews it was not long before a person would betray them, this happened in 1944. Corrie who was ill in bed suddenly heard a car pull up outside their clock maker shop and as she struggled out of bed, the Jews who were hiding quickly made their way to the hiding place which was in Corrie's bedroom. As the Germans entered the house screaming their venom, and slapping the faces of both gentle Betsie and the sick Corrie as Casper their father remained strong and steady in the face of such hatred, they were arrested and sent to prison. Later when an officer reminded Casper Ten Boom of the penalty for hiding Jews Casper's response was simple and eloquent, "It would be an honor to give my life for God's ancient people." This great and noble man died within days of his imprisonment.

Corrie and Betsie were eventually sent to the concentration camp of Ravensbruck a place of such evil that it's name lives in infamy! The women guards were just as brutal as the men if not more so, it was a cruel place where inhumanity seemed to reign supreme. The main object of the Nazi's were to set prisoners against each other, Betsie noted this and so began to pray fiercely that the imprisoned would rise above the evil of their surroundings and be given the strength to overcome evil with good.

Betsie Ten Boom the gentle flower of Ravensbruck taught the imprisoned women that though they may be treated like animals they did not have to behave like one. This is a lesson that the more volatile Corrie also learnt, who's sense of injustice would rise against the terrible deeds that were being perpetrated upon innocent victims within the camp. Corrie hated to see the barbaric cruelties which were meted out to the most sick and vulnerable within the concentration camp. Her feelings of indignation and outrage rose at such gross injustices, this is easily understandable for a woman of Corrie's integrity.

Corrie in this most diabolical of places looked to her sister, Betsie for inspiration and with Betsie's encouragement both women began to witness to their fellow inmates of the saving Grace of God's love. Though Corrie witnessed to the love of God it was hard to be able to maintain this Christian message especially when the guards would brutally beat up Betsie, Corrie would seethe to see these attacks on her beloved and gentle sister, Betsie.

Even though Corrie struggled, she never forfeited her faith and remained true to her beliefs as she tried to live a Christian life in a living hell. The heroic courage shown by the two Ten Boom sisters did help others to embrace the Christian faith as both sisters helped and assisted their fellow inmates even to sharing their meager rations.

As Betsie's health weakened her evident holiness became apparent to all as this gentle flower prayed not only for her fellow prisoners but also for the guards who beat her. The love of God shone in the emaciated features of this most beautiful child of God lending her a luminous quality which touched the hearts of all, including some of the guards. Betsie died in the hell hole known as Ravensbruck, her face in repose was that of an angel her pain was now over.

Corrie was inconsolable though she knew her sister to be in Heaven, still now Corrie found herself alone in a camp of such brutality that it broke even the most stoical of hearts. Corrie though was made of stern stuff and she continued to witness to her faith even though she also struggled not to hate those who were brutal in their treatment of other prisoners.

Not long after the death of her beloved Betsie, Corrie heard her name called out by one of the guards her heart filled with trepidation as she stepped forward, was she about to be executed? No! Corrie was to be released from the living hell known as Ravensbruck. Was this Divine intervention? For a week later all the women of Corrie's age were executed by the Nazi prison guards.

After the war Corrie remembered one of Betsie's visions to have a house of healing for those recovering from the brutal treatment of the Nazi's. This house of hope and love was not only to recover physically but also spiritually. It worked as Corrie's loving care became more well known she became a speaker for human rights and always to witness to the loving kindness of God even in the terror of the Nazi holocaust.

Corrie Ten Boom truly lived out this Scripture, "Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good."(Romans 12:21).

Corrie Ten Boom died in 1983, where she has received her Heavenly Reward as a servant of God.

Peace of Christ to ALL

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