“O my God and Father, grant that I may know You and make You known;
that I love You and bring others to love You;
that I serve You and persuade others to serve You”
(St. Anthony Mary Claret).
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Saint Hilarion of Gaza: A great ascetic with a heart open to those in need
Why would someone become a hermit? Why would he leave everything behind for Christ, giving up the opportunity to live in community with other brothers and sisters, in order to be alone with God?
This choice can only be understood through the eyes of faith. From the world’s perspective—so far removed from God—it might seem selfish. However, throughout the centuries, the Church and the faithful have held the hermit life in high esteem.
Although a hermit may feel a strong longing for solitude and intimacy with God, and although he may want to retreat to the most secluded place possible to find Him, it may happen that the Lord’s plans differ from what he himself desires. God is the master of every vocation, and following His will is more valuable than fulfilling one’s own desires, no matter how pious they may be.
FOCUS ON THE GOOD
“Love the virtues of your sisters and do not think about their faults” (Saint Teresa of Ávila).
“COURAGEOUS SURRENDER”
“Therefore, my God and Redeemer, I accept the chalice from your hand and invoke your name, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” (St. Jean de Brébeuf).
Saint Jean de Brébeuf: the intrepid missionary
According to the new liturgical calendar, 19 October is the feast day of Saint Jean de Brébeuf. As yesterday’s meditation was dedicated to another saint, today I would like to talk about the heroic life of this tireless missionary.
What is the motivation that can lead a man to undergo terrible hardship and suffering for the salvation of souls, so that they may receive the message of Christ? It is that ineffable love which moved God Himself to come into this world and expose Himself to suffering in the person of His Son in order to wrest His prey from the powers of darkness and lead men into His eternal Kingdom.
Saint Peter of Alcantara: A reformer not without difficulty
Pedro Garavito was born in Alcántara, Spain, in 1499 and, at the age of sixteen, entered the Franciscan Order. There he led a life of strict penance, particularly with regard to food and sleep, to a degree that is difficult for us to imagine today. This is why we tend to admire the saints for their asceticism rather than imitate it. While this is understandable, it can also have negative long-term effects. In fact, asceticism has almost completely disappeared from the life of the Church, so that, in general, fasting barely exists anymore. We risk losing the ability to imagine restraining ourselves from bodily comforts for love of the Lord.
“LIKE THE FISH”
“Do as the fish does: when you feel a storm coming, immediately immerse yourself in contemplation and take refuge in the arms of Christ; thus you will be safe from all the temptations of the world and the dark powers” (St. Peter of Alcantara).
Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist: “I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves”
NOTE: As today is the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, we will interrupt our series on the lives of the saints and meditate on the passage foreseen for this occasion, taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke.
Lk 10:1-9
After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.
REMAINING FAITHFUL TO THE TRUTH
“If our religion is truly the truth and the Gospel is truly the Word of God, then we must believe and live according to it, even if we were the only ones” (St. Bonaventure).
WILL I FIND SOMEONE?
“I so ardently thirst to be loved by men in the Most Blessed Sacrament that this thirst devours Me, and I find no one who strives to quench it in order to respond in some way to My love.” (Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque)