Archive for February, 2024

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of St. Peter Damian, Cardinal-Bishop, Doctor of the Church – Please Pray For Us!

Wednesday, February 21st, 2024

St. Peter Damian

Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Image Courtesy: Faith Warriors

(Franciscan Media) Peter was born into a good family but was orphaned at an early age and went to live with his brother.

According to EWTN his bother treated him more life a slave than one so closely related. Peter escaped poverty and the neglect of his brother, when he was sent away to another brother that was an Archpriest in Italy Raveena, who took pity on him and had the charity to provide him with an education–Peter became a professor

Maybe because he was orphaned, Peter was very good to the poor, it was an ordinary thing for him to have an impoverished person or two dine with him and he enjoyed the opportunity this provided to minister to them.

Already in those days, Peter was very strict with himself, he wore a chalice underneath his clothing, fasted rigorously and spent many hours in prayer–Later he left teaching and gave himself to prayer with the Benedictines of the Reform of Saint Romuald at Fonte Avellnam–they lived two Monks to a hermitage. Peter was so eager to pray, sleeping so little and studying the Bible, that he soon suffered severe insomnia, finding that he had to use some prudence to take better care of himself.

His superiors ordered that Peter make frequent appeals to the religious, as he had acquired a very good character for virtue and learning–later he founded 5 other hermitages (monasteries) encouraging his brother in a life of prayer and solitude, wanting nothing more for himself. The Holy See however periodically called on Peter to be a peacemaker/troubleshooter between two Abbey’s in dispute or between a Cleric and government official in some disagreement with Rome.

Pope Stephen IX in 1057 made Peter the Cardinal-Bishop of of Ostia (Rome) but such was his reluctance, that nothing less than Pope Stephen IX threatening him with excommunication and his commands, induced Peter to acquiesce.

Peter worked hard to to wipe out simony (buying or selling ecclesiastical privileges) and encouraged his priest’s to observe celibacy and even encouraged the diocesan clergy to live together to maintain scheduled prayer and religious observances–wanting to restore the discipline among the religious and priests, warning them against needless travel, violations of poverty and too comfortable of living.

Following Peter’s retirement, he continued to edify the Church by his penance and writing bust was still called to serve as a personal representative to the Pope.

Henry, Archbishop of Ravenna having been excommunicated for grievous moral offenses, Peter was sent by Pope Alexander II to take care of the affairs of the Church. When Peter arrived, he found the Bishop deceased but found his accomplices. Bringing them around to a sense of their guilt, he imposed suitable penances upon them.

This was Peter’s last undertaking for the Church before God, being pleased with his his labors soon after called him home on the 22 February, 1072

Peter was Canonized in 1823 by Pope Leo XII and in 1828 made Doctor of the Church.

Today Christians Celebrate Saint’s Jacinta and Francisco Marto, Visionaries of Portugal Fatima – Please Pray For Us!

Tuesday, February 20th, 2024

Blessed Jacinta Marto and Francisco MartoSt. Jacinta (1910-1920) St. Francisco Marto (1908-1919)
Image Courtesy:
Ensina me a Rezar

(Franciscan Media) Between the 13 May and 13 October, 1917 three little shepherd children from Portugal Fatima, received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria, a city about 110 miles from Lisbon.

At that time, Europe was involved in an extremely bloody war and Portugal was in political turmoil, having overthrown its monarchy in 1910 — the government had disbanded religious organizations soon thereafter.

Fatima ChildrenJacinta Marto, Lucia de Jesus dos Santos & Francisco Marto

The three children (Jacinta, Francisco and their cousin Lucia de Jesus dos Santos) were raised in homes where the catechism  was their daily bread, stories from the Bible their recreation and the word of the village Priest was law.

In the Spring of 1916 while the children were watching over their lambs an Angel appeared to them in an olive grove, asking the children to pray with him.

The Blessed Mother of Jesus appeared again in the mid Summer of that same year at a well in Lucia’s garden, urging them to offer sacrifice to God in reparation for sinners. In a final appearance at the end of the Summer of that same year, the children were given a secret including a vision of hell, which so changed them they became like adults than children.

Jacinta talkative sometimes to a fault became quiet, Lucia had sworn her and her brother to secrecy but Jacinta bubbling over, had let slip all they had seen to her family, who had told the village. While the news was received by skepticism by many, mockery by some and anger by Lucia’s mother, Jacinta was so contrite that she promised never to reveal another secret.

Jacinta reluctance to reveal anything more of their experience was increased by the vision of hell, given the children in the third apparition seemed to have affected her the most. To rescue sinner from hell she was in the forefront of the three in voluntary mortification, whether it was giving up their lunches (sometimes to their lambs) refusing to drink in the heat of the day or wearing a knotted rope around their waists–involuntary penances included for her. Jacinta’s brother and cousin, the constant mockery of unbelievers, badgering by skeptical clergy and  cajoling by believers to reveal the Lady’s secret.

In August 1918 when W.W. I was ending, Francisco and Jacinta both contracted influenza, in April the following year he passed away. When Jacinta became ill, she was taken to a hospital where she stayed for two months before returning home, only subsequently to contract tuberculosis and sent to Lisbon where she later died.

Lucia at the age of 14 was admitted as a border to the school of the ‘Sisters of St. Dorthy in Vilar and in 1925 entered the institute, making her first vows in 1928 and her perpetual vows in 1934 receiving the name, Sister Mary of the Sorrowful Mother.

In 1946 seeking a more contemplative life, Lucia entered the ‘Carmelite Convent of St. Teresa in Coimbra, where she made her profession as a declared Carmelite in 1949 and took the name Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart.

On the 50th anniversary in 1967 of the apparitions she received as a child, Sister Lucia traveled back to Fatima, the event was presided over by Pope Paul VI in 1982 she returned again, when Pope Saint John Paul II came to the shrine to give thanks for the saving of his life during an assassination attempt a year earlier, subsequently she returned twice more in 1991 and on 13 May, 2000 when Pope Saint John Paul II beatified Jacinta and Francisco Shepherd’s of Fatima

Sister Lucia and Saint John Paul IISister Lucia and Pope Saint John Paul II –Courtesy of: Unam Sanctam

Sister Lucia mission in life came to an end in 2005, her funeral Mass was held at the Cathedral of Coimbra and was laid to rest at the convent where she spent many years until a place  for permanent entombment for her body at the Basilica in Fatima, where Francisco and Jacinta were laid to rest.

In 2008 Sister Lucia was Beatified by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI waiving the traditional 5 year waiting period, this rule was also waived for Sister Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope Saint John Paul II

Related: 7 Powerful Messages from Our Lady of Fatima: The Grace of God Will Be Your Comfort

Two Important Things We Learn from the Terrifying Visions of Hell at Fatima -Church POP

On The Eve of the Feast of St. Jacinta & St. Francisco Marto, Pray The Holy Rosary & Fatima Prayers of Reparation

Monday, February 19th, 2024

The Fatima Children, St. Jacinta Marto, Sister Lucia dos Santos
& St. Francisco Marto  -Image Courtesy: Rosary Mum@Twitter

“The Most Holy Virgin (Mary, Mother of Jesus) in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary, to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all, spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world or of the religious communities or even of the life of peoples and nations, that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem I tell you, no mater how difficult it is that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary!

With the Holy Rosary, we will save ourselves, we will sanctify ourselves, we will console Our Lord and obtain the Salvation of many souls.”
-Venerable Sister Lucia dos Santos

The Holy Rosary

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death.” Amen!

Fatima Prayers of Reparation

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in the most need of Thy mercy. Amen!

My God, I believe, I adore, I trust and I love Thee! I beg pardon for all those that do not believe, do not adore, do not trust and do not love Thee. Amen!

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners. Amen!

Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the most Blessed Sacrament. Amen!

O Jesus, it is for the love of Thee, in reparation for the offenses committed against the immaculate heart of Mary and for the conversion of poor sinners. Amen!

Related: The True Story of Fatima

Fatima Children Miracles While They Were Alive -Natl Catholic Register

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Monday, February 19th, 2024

Jesus: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do
for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.”
Matthew 25:45
Images Courtesy of: Thomas R@Twitter
and Deacon Paul O’Connor

Judgment of the Nations

Jesus: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats and He will put the sheep at His right hand and the goats at the left.

Then the King will say to those at His right hand, ‘Come you that are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you gave Me clothing, I was sick and you took care of Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw You hungry and gave You food or thirsty and gave You something to drink? When was it that we saw You a stranger and welcomed You or naked and gave You clothing? When was it that we saw You sick or in prison and visited You?’

The King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of My family, you did it to Me.’

Then He will say to those at His left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from Me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me, naked and you did not give Me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of You?’

Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

These will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.'” –Matthew 25:31-46

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings, Visit: -USCCB

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St. Conrad of Piacenza, Confessor – Please Pray For Us!

Monday, February 19th, 2024

St Conrad

Saint Conrad of Piacenza (1290-1350)
Image: 
Wikipedia

(Franciscan Media) Born into one of the noblest families of Italy Piacenza, Conrad married as a young man and led a virtuous and God fearing life.

One day while hunting Conrad ordered his attendants to fire some brushwood in which game had taken refuge. The prevailing winds caused the flames to spread rapidly and the surrounding fields and forest were soon engulfed –Conrad fled. An innocent beggar, who happened to be found near the place where the fire originated was accused of starting the inferno and was tried, found guilty and condemned to death.

As the poor man was being led away to execution, Conrad stricken with remorse came forward, admitted his responsibility and in order to pay compensation for all of the damages. he was obliged to sell all of his possessions.

Reduced to poverty, Conrad retired to a small lonely dwelling for a hermit some distance away from Piacenza, his wife agreed to a separation and went to a Poor Clare monastery.

Subsequently, Conrad went to Rome, then to Sicily where for 30 years he lived a most austere life–prayers and penance were his answers to the temptations that harassed him.

Conrad passed away from life while kneeling before a Crucifix.

In 1515 Pope Leo X approved the celebration of his Feast by Italy Noto and on this date in 1625 Pope Urban VIII approved the celebration by all Franciscans.

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against Me and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! — For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God.
Turn then and live. –Ezekiel 18:31A-32 (NRSVCE)
Image Courtesy: Blue Army Shrine Our Lady of Fatima

  • All Scripture is inspired by God
    and is useful for teaching, for reproof,
    for correction and for training in righteousness.
    2 Timothy 3:16

A Psalm of Asaph (5th Century BCE)

To those who who go the right way
I will show the salvation of God! (Psalm 50:23B)

The mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth  from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth! Our God comes and does not keep silence, before Him is a devouring fire and a mighty tempest all around Him. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that He may judge His people; “Gather to me My faithful ones, who made a Covenant with Me by sacrifice!” The heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge.

“Hear, O My people and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; Your burnt offerings are continually before Me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every wild animal of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know the birds of the air and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all that is in it is mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High. Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.”

 

To the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite My Statues or take a Covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline and you cast My Words behind you. You make friends with a thief when you see one and you keep company with adulterers. You give your mouth free rein for evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your kin; you slander your own mother’s child. These things you have done and I have been silent; You thought that I was one just like yourself but now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. Mark this then, you who forgot God or I will tear you apart and there will be no one to deliver.”

 

“Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor Me; To those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.” –Psalm 50:1-23

  • You May Know the Joy of Salvation and Eternal Life
    in Heaven Today Through The Good News
    of Christ Jesus!

Related: Why Does God Send People to Hell?  -The Fatima Center

Final Battle Will Be Over Marriage and the Family -ChurchPOP

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of Blessed John of Fiesole, Universal Patron of Artists – Please Pray For Us!

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

Blessed Fra Angelico‘Annunciation and Decent from the Cross’
by Blessed John of Fiesole
Popularly Known as Blessed Fra Angelico

(Franciscan Media) Blessed John of Fiesole born in Vicchio overlooking Italy Florence, he took up painting as a young lad studying under the watchful eye of a local painting master and became known for the beauty of his paintings.

Given the name “Guido” at Baptism, he joined the Dominicans at the age of 20 taking the name ‘Fra Giovanni’ (nicknamed Angelico) by his brothers he eventually became known as ‘Fra Angelico’ as he ministered Jesus Christ by his life, his words and paintings.

Continuing studying painting and perfecting his own techniques which included broad brush strokes, vivid colors and generous life like figures, Michelangelo once said of Fra Angelico:

“One has to believe that this good Monk has visited paradise and been allowed to choose his models there.”

Whatever his subject matter, Fra Angelico sought to generate feelings of religious devotion in response to his paintings. Among his most famous works are the ‘Annunciation and Descent From the Cross’ as well as ‘Frescoes’ in the Monastery of San Marco in Florence.

Between 1425 and 1447 ‘Fra Angelico’ served in leadership positions for the Dominican convents and other ecclesiastical institutes at Fiesole in Florence, Cortona and Orvieto.

The fame of ‘Fra Angelico’ genius, merited him the esteem of  Pope Eugenio IV (1383-1447) and Nicholas V (1397-1455) whom they contracted with for the task of ‘frescoing painting’ several rooms in the Vatican Palace.

Fra AngelicoFra Angelico Frescoes in the ‘Cappella Niccolina
of the Plazzi Pontifica in the Vatican’

Fra Angelico passed away on this date (18 February) 1455 in the ‘Convent of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva’ in Rome and was buried in the adjoining Basilica, where his body was covered by a simple slab on which was carved his portrait, with a personality that was uncomplicated and clear.

“The virtue and and profound religious spirit which characterized the life of this artist and Dominican, is reflected in his (Fra Angelico) spirituality, his purity and the luminosity of his art,” wrote the Dominican Sisters.

Even before his official as ‘Blessed of the Church’ Fra Angelico had been given the faithful title ‘Beato Angelico’ in a moving ceremony on the 18 October,  1984 when Pope Saint John Paul II on his knees in front of ‘Fra Angelico’ tomb, proclaimed him solemnly to be the universal patron of all artists.

“The incarnation was on of Fra Angelico’s favorite themes and he painted over 25 variations of it, his painted meditations, so needed at the time of the early Renaissance are still necessary today. God became man to bring us closer to Himself by way of all things human–He makes all things new by fashioning them into possible vehicles of grace for us, so that by visible realities and concrete concepts, we can arrive at an understanding and a love of higher, invisible realities, all leading to God Himself.”

Related: Fra Angelico Paintings — Convent of San Marco

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” -St. Teresa of Calcutta
Image Courtesy: KTLA

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? –1 John 3:17

Warnings & Encouragements

When a crowd of many thousands had gathered so that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to speak, first to His disciples saying, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight and what you have whispered (gossip) in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

I tell you My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more but I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed has authority to throw you into Hell. Yes I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.

I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God but whoever disowns me before others will also be disowned before the angels of God and everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man (Jesus) will be forgiven but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

When you are brought before Synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance for me.’

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”

Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Jesus then told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones and there I will store my surplus grain and I’ll say to myself, you have plenty of grain laid up for ,many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’

God then said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

Jesus: “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Worry

Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you eat or about your body what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them and how much more valuable are you than birds! Who of you worrying can ad a single hour to your life? Since you can not do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith! For the pagan world runs after all such things and your Father knows that you need them but seek His Kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom! Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in Heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their masters to return from a wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or towards daybreak but understand this: If the owner of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man (Jesus) will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” 

Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everyone?’

Jesus answered, “Who then is the faithful and the wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions but suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ then begins to beat the other servants both men and women and to eat, drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows but the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with a few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Not Peace But Division

Jesus: “I have come to bring fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled but I have a baptism to undergo and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Times

Jesus said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘Its going to rain’ and so it does and when the south wind blows, you say, ‘Its going to be hot’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, how is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way or your adversary may drag you off to the judge and the judge turn you over to the officer and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” –Luke 12:1-59

Related: Sister Lucia dos Santos: Final Battle Between God and Satan, Marriage and the Family

U.S. Homeless Count Reaches Highest Level Ever — California Numbers Staggering

Today Christians Honor the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order – Please Pray For Us!

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

Seven Founders...

Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order
Image: Art Institute of Chicago

(EWTN) Between years 1225 and 1227 seven young Florentines joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin–popularly known as the ‘Laudesi’ at a time when the popular City of Italy Florence, was being ripped by political factions, distracted by the heresy of the Cathari and a relaxation  of morals even where devotional practices were maintained.

These seven young noblemen of Florence drawn together by friendship and devotion to the Blessed Virgin, gave themselves to common works of charity according to the Friar Servants of Mary and led them to leave their homes and their businesses to form a community outside the city walls.

Before long, finding themselves so much disturbed by the constant visitors of Florence, they decided to withdraw to the deserted slopes of Monte Senario, where the constructed a simple Church, where they followed a life of prayerful seclusion.

As others came to join them, they initially refused to accept new recruits until they were visited one day by the Bishop Ardingo and Cardinal Castiglione, who had heard about their sanctity and was greatly edified but made one adverse criticism:

“You treat yourselves in a manner boarding on barbarity and you seem more desirous of dying to time than living for eternity. Take heed, the enemy of souls often hides himself under the appearance of the angel of light…Harken to the counsels of your superiors.”

The Solitaries gave themselves up to the prayer of light and had a vision of Our Lady, who bore in her hand a black habit while an angel held a scroll inscribed with a title: ‘Servants of Mary’ telling them, she had chosen them to be her servants, wishing them to wear the black habit and to follow the Rule of St. Augustine–From that date, the 13 of April, 1240 they were known as the ‘Servants of Mary’ or Servites.

Seven Holy FoundersThe Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order –Image: Da Mihi Animas

Clothed by the Bishop, Buonfigilo being elected their Superior and according to custom, they selected names by which they should forward be known, becoming Brothers Bonfilius, Alexis, Amadeus, Hugh, Sostenes, Manettus and Buonagiunta–By the wish of the Bishop, all except St. Alexis who in his humility begged to be excused, prepared to receive Holy Orders and in due time they were professed and ordained Priests.

The new order which took a form more like that of a Mendicant Friars than that of the monastic orders, increased amazingly and it soon became necessary to construct new houses:

Siena, Pistoia and Arezzo were the first places chosen and subsequently the houses at Carfaggio, the Convent and the Church of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence and the Convent at Lucca were established.

Meanwhile, although the ‘Servants of Mary’ had the approval of their immediate superiors, they had not been recognized by the Holy See, it was only in 1259 that the Order was practically recognized by Alexander IV but not until 1304, that it received the explicit and formal approbation of Pope Benedict XI — Saint Bonfilius had remained as Prior General until 1256 when he asked to be relieved due to his advancing years, he passed away on New Years night 1261

Saint Buonagiunta the youngest of the seven ‘Servants of Mary’ became the second Prior General but not long after his election, he breathed his last in chapel when the ‘Gospel of the Passion’ was being read. Saint Amadeus who had taken charge of the important convent of Carfaggio, returned to Monte Senario to end his days–Saint Manettus, became the fourth Prior General, sending missionaries to Asia, he subsequently retired to make way for Saint Philip Benzi upon whose breast he died.

Saint’s Hugh and Sostenes were abroad–Sostenes in Paris and Hugh had found convents in Germany, they were recalled in 1276 and being attacked by illness, they passed away, side-by-side the same night. Saint Alexis outlived them all and was the only one who survived to see the Order of the ‘Servants of Mary’ fully and finally recognized–he is reported to have passed away at the age of 110.

All seven were Beatified by Pope Clement XI on the 01 December 1717 and Canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XII

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St. Gilbert of Sempringham – Please Pray For Us!

Friday, February 16th, 2024

Saint Gilbert

Saint Gilbert of Sempringham Sculpture
at Essen Belgium –Image: Nobility.org

(Franciscan Media) Gilbert was born in Sempringham, a Hamlet in the South Kesteven District of Lincolnshire England, into a wealthy family but he followed a path quite different than expected of him as the Son of a wealthy Roman Knight.

Gilbert sent to France for higher education decided to pursue seminary studies. When he returned to England not yet ordained a Priest–he inherited several estates from his father Jocelin however, Gilbert decided to avoid the easy life he may have had, instead living a simple life at the Parish, sharing as much as possible with the poor.

Following Gilbert’s ordination into the priesthood, he served as a Parish Priest in Sempringham. Among the congregation were seven young Women who had expressed to him their desire to live a religious life. In response, Fr. Gilbert had a house built for them adjacent to the Church, there they live a austere life but one which attracted even more members–eventually, Lay Sisters & Brothers were added to work the land. A religious order was formed out of their small community known as the Gilbertine Order in 1131 the only religious order founded during the Middle Ages continued to thrive but came to an end when King Henry VIII suppressed all Catholic monasteries.

Gilbertine OrderSite of ‘The Gilbertine Order’
Image Courtesy: 365 Rosaries

According to EWTN Gilbert departed to our Lord on the 03 February, 1190 at 106 yrs of age and he was Canonized by Pope Innocent III in 1202