“You, who only know the religion in which you have grown up, and that religion is not the true one, open your eyes. Here is your Father!” (Message from God the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio)
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Saint Godfrey of Amiens: Visible fruits as abbot, bitter fruits as bishop
It is a great gift for a bishop of the Holy Church to see the fruits of his labor, praise God for them, and depart for eternity with a heart full of gratitude. However, not everyone receives that joy, and apparent failure can be a profound trial.
Today’s saint, Godfrey, came from a noble family in the Soissons region of France. After becoming a widower, his father chose to spend the rest of his life in a monastery. Godfrey was only five years old when he was entrusted to the care of the Abbot of Mont-Saint-Quentin, who had also baptized him.
From a young age, Godfrey strove to live a virtuous life by following the example of the religious. He prayed fervently, studied diligently, and willingly carried out any task entrusted to him. He also had a generous heart toward the poor, often giving them part of his own ration.
WHY NOT US?
“If they could do it, why not I?” — St. Augustine
I came across this quote a few days ago in an old missal, introducing the Solemnity of All Saints.
Encourage and correct
Rom 15:14-21
‘My brothers, I am quite sure that you, in particular, are full of goodness, fully instructed and capable of correcting each other. But I have special confidence in writing on some points to you, to refresh your memories, because of the grace that was given to me by God. I was given grace to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, dedicated to offer them the gospel of God, so that gentiles might become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. So I can be proud, in Christ Jesus, of what I have done for God. Of course I can dare to speak only of the things which Christ has done through me to win the allegiance of the gentiles, using what I have said and done, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. In this way, from Jerusalem and all round, even as far as Illyricum, I have fully carried out the preaching of the gospel of Christ; and what is more, it has been my rule to preach the gospel only where the name of Christ has not already been heard, for I do not build on another’s foundations; in accordance with scripture: Those who have never been told about him will see him, and those who have never heard about him will understand’ Read More
A SPIRITUAL RHYTHM OF LIFE
“Every day spent in your rhythm of life is extremely valuable” (Inner Word).
Blessed Christina of Stommeln: An ally in the fight against the Devil
Before delving into the life of this blessed woman, we will include an introductory note on the Beguines, the association to which she belonged and which experienced its heyday in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Beguines were pious women, either single or widowed, who lived together and cultivated a spiritual life. Unlike religious orders, the Beguines retained their possessions and made only temporary vows of obedience, renewing them each year. Therefore, these women could return to the world. They elected a “mistress” to run the house for one or two years. Despite the wealth that some of them brought to the community, the Beguines worked with their own hands to earn a living and lived simple, poverty-stricken lives. Beguine houses originated in Flanders (Belgium) and spread throughout Western Europe, although there were also “itinerant Beguines.” Some houses adopted the rule of the Third Order of St. Francis or St. Dominic.
Conflicts with the clergy intensified, as many did not understand the Beguines’ form of life. These tensions reached Rome, where German bishops succeeded in having the Beguines condemned. Subsequently, they were even persecuted and banned. Today, only a few Beguine houses remain in Flanders.
Love and do what you want
Rom 13:8-10
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Read More
THE EXQUISITE FLAVOR
“You know very well that our dear Lord does not focus so much on the greatness of our works, nor even on their difficulty, but rather on the love with which we perform them.” —St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
WAITING ON GOD
“Those who strive to live according to the truth and care little about how others treat or judge them find their serenity in God.” (Blessed Henry Suso)
When speaking of “serenity in God,” Blessed Henry Suso refers to inner peace, harmony with the divine will, and the repose of the soul in the Lord. The focus is on God, and all the powers of the soul are oriented toward the truth. In other words, it is a matter of continually seeking and fulfilling God’s will. This reminds us of Jesus’ exhortation: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Read More
Blessed Henry of Zwiefalten: An unknown saint
Today, November 4, we commemorate St. Charles Borromeo, a great bishop and church reformer. The liturgy rightly praises God for this servant’s witness. However, I think it is important to make known certain saints who have fallen into oblivion, so that we may rejoice in them and give thanks to the Lord for their lives. We can also hope that they rejoice when we remember them.
One of these somewhat forgotten saints is Blessed Henry of Zwiefalten, whose tomb is unknown and in whose honor no altar or chapel has been erected—or if there are any, they are very obscure. Yet he is engraved in God’s memory, and ancient chronicles tell his moving story.