Archive
Apologies
Due to life getting in the way, I missed a few weeks of posting. I am sorry for slacking off. In order to receive your graces, I shall perform one of the self flagellation mentioned in a prior posting. Or maybe just light a candle in thanksgiving for the gift of spending extra time with my children these past few weeks, heathens though they may be.
I am also sorry for my subscribers – you are going to be hit with two weeks worth of Saints. My plan is to get caught up while the kids (and supposedly, I) are watching Dragonheart II. I will try to make them short, but feel free to delete them. My feelings will not be hurt. I promise.
May 11 St. Francis of Girolamo, St. Gengulphus of Burgundy, St. Odilo of Cluny
No grand stories but lots of bits and pieces to spark the imagination –
St. Francis of Girolamo – Successful and effective preacher in Naples in the early 1700s. Ministered in prisons, brothels, and galleys. Converted Moor and Turkish prisoners of war. Rescued children from dangerous and degrading situations. Opened a religious pawn shop. One wonders what was sold in a religious pawn shop in the early 1700s.
St. Gengulphus of Burgundy – Burgundian knight and courtier in the 700s. Married a noble woman who proved frequently unfaithful. Ashamed of her actions, but not wishing her harm, he became a hermit in his castle at Avallon, leaving his staff of servants to care for his wife. Murdered in his bed by his wife’s lover. Especially admired in Holland, Belgium, and the Savoy. One wonders why these countries greatly admired a person who hid and left his problem to the servants.
Saint Odilo of Cluny – Abbot at Cluny in 994 at age 32 until his death. Promoted the Truce of God whereby military hostilities were suspended at certain times for ostensibly religious reasons, but which allowed enough commerce that people could survive, and which guaranteed sanctuary to those who sought refuge in a church. Instituted the feast now know as All Soul’s Day.
Bonus Confirmation names:
Saint Illuminatus – Franciscan monk; disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Saint Mayeul – Archdeacon of Macon, France. When he saw he was to be made bishop, he became a monk at Cluny Abbey. Chosen assistant abbot in 954, and then abbot in 965 much against his will. Mayeul was devoted to learning, and led his brothers by good example
Saint Possessor – Magistrate in Verdun, France. Bishop of Verdun in 470. Led his diocese during a period of constant invasion by and trouble with Franks, Vandals and Goths.
May 10 St. Joseph de Veuster
St. Joseph began his vowed life in the usual way – a calling and on to seminary. Before his ordination, he volunteered for a missionary trip. He was ordained while on the trip and remained to care for those he met during that time. He often worked in isolation with meager funds to care for his small community, building an education system, health care and developing basic services such as fresh water and sewage disposal. His little band grew into a strong faith community revered the world over. Most people today know him as Father Damian and his community the leper colony on Molokai, Hawaii.
April 28 Saint Luchesius
Saint Luchesius was a layman who spent the first part of his life indifferent to religion. He married Blessed Buona dei Segni. Worked as a grocer, money changer, and corn merchant. Spent every waking moment in pursuit of wealth and political influence. In his 30’s, his children all died of natural causes, bringing to stark reality all he had given up, and what little he had to show for it. He converted, and spent the rest of his life ministering to the poor, sick, and imprisoned.
At Poggibonzi, Saint Francis visited Luchesio, with whom he had become acquainted through former business transactions. Francis greatly rejoiced to find this avaricious man so altered, and Luchesio, who had already heard about the blessed activities of Francis, asked for special instructions for himself and his wife, so that they might lead a life in the world that would be pleasing to God. Francis then explained to them his plans for the establishment of an order for lay people; and Luchesio and Buonadonna asked to be received into it at once. This, according to tradition, they became the first members of the Order of Penance, which later came to be called the Third Order, (and then Secular Franciscan Order).
April 14 Saint Bénéze
Patron Saint of Bridge Builders
A shepherd in the fields of France, during an eclipse he received a vision telling him to build a bridge over the Rhone at Avignon; In his vision, he was told angels would watch his flocks while he was gone. He was also commanded to build the bridge at a point where the force of the Rhône was so great that it had discouraged even Roman engineers in antiquity. When the church and civil officials refused to help him, he lifted a huge stone into place, and announced it would be the start of the foundation.
According to the legend, there were shouts of “Miracle! Miracle!” when Bénézet had laid the first stone. Eighteen miracles occurred in total: the blind had their vision restored, the deaf could hear again, cripples could walk; and hunchbacks had their backs straightened.
Bénézet thus won support for his project from wealthy sponsors who formed themselves into a Bridge Brotherhood to fund its construction.
After his death, Bénézet was interred on the bridge itself, in a small chapel standing on one of the bridge’s surviving piers on the Avignon side. His relics were enshrined there until 1669, when a flood washed away part of the bridge. His coffin, recovered, was opened and the body of Bénézet was found to be incorrupt. His relics were eventually placed in the Celestine church of Saint Didier. The remains of the bridge still remain a pilgrimage site.
Time Confusion
Sorry for the out of order posts. I forgot to set the time zone and posted the first three posts in one day (good intentions and all that). I fixed the problem before the last post, but the days are out of sequence. The problem is fixed and I should be straight from now until the end of the year.
dailysaint 