GIFTS That Differ Saintsfor THE 2019 LENTEN SEASON
INTRODUCTION St. Paul reminded the Roman community that Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them (Rom 12:6). Lent is a time when we look more deeply into ourselves to discover the graces and gifts that God has given us and the ways that we can use them to serve others and our Christian community. During Lent we also celebrate the memorials of several saints who illustrate in their lives how they received different types of gifts and used them to witness (even to their death as martyrs), to teach and write, to advocate for justice, to heal the sick, to help those who were poor and in need, and to dedicate themselves to prayer and community life as priests and religious men and women. Encouraged by their example, let us discover like they did how we are being called to serve Christ and his Church today with our God-given gifts. Steve Mueller 2
March 7 STS. PERPETUA & FELICITY MARTYRS (D. 203) During a persecution in North Africa, several catechumens were arrested. Among them were Perpetua, a young noblewoman, her husband, infant son and pregnant slave Felicity. Perpetua s diary and accounts by eye-witnesses provide a vivid picture of their experiences. They were baptized while under arrest and, despite Perpetua s father s pleading, they refused to renounce the faith and were condemned. Felicity was to be excused because it was illegal to execute a pregnant woman. But three days before the execution, Felicity gave birth prematurely. After being flogged, the Christians were exposed to wild beasts, and then beheaded. The two women were widely honored and their names appear in the list of martyrs in the First Eucharistic Prayer. How might I imitate their courage and dedication to God even when I am afraid? 3
March 8 ST. JOHN OF GOD RELIGIOUS (1495 1550) Born in Portugal but taken to Spain as a child, John was a soldier of fortune, an overseer of slaves, a shepherd, a crusader, a bodyguard, and a peddler. About age forty, wracked by guilt over his wasted life, he sought the counsel of John of Avila, a preacher and missionary, who helped him find a new purpose in life. As John of God he dedicated himself to the care of the sick and the poor. Soon others joined him and they formed the Order of Brothers Hospitallers or Brothers of St. John of God. Canonized in 1690, he is a patron of hospitals and the sick. Like John, how might I be willing at any age to change my life and dedicate my energies to help those who are most in need? 4
March 9 ST. FRANCES OF ROME RELIGIOUS (1384 1440) From a wealthy Roman family, at 13 Frances was married and had six children. The death in infancy of two of her children taught her compassion for others who were grieving and less fortunate. She took food to the poor, visited the sick and cared for the needy in their homes. Other women, mainly widows and young women, soon joined her in a life of prayer and caring for others as Benedictine oblates but without vows. When her husband died (1436), Frances joined their community as its superior until her death. Canonized in 1608, she is a patroness of widows. How might I imitate her generous spirit and ability to attract others to help those in need, especially grieving mothers? 5
March 17 ST. PATRICK BISHOP (C. 389 461) Although legends abound about the life and work of Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, he tells his own story in his Confession, written near the end of his life. Kidnapped at 16 by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave, he worked as a shepherd in the mountains. After 6 years, Patrick escaped and, after many adventures, returned to Britain and eventually became a priest. When a missionary was needed, Pope Celestine sent Patrick to evangelize the Irish. Although he was constantly at risk from hostile pagans, by the time of his death, a native clergy was in place and Christianity had reached nearly all of Ireland. St. Patrick is not celebrated this year because March 17th falls on a Sunday. Like him, how might I dedicate myself to God s service and see in my adversity an opportunity for witnessing to Christ? 6
March 18 ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (315 387) Nothing is known about his early life in Jerusalem beyond the fact that he was well educated and that his family probably had connections to Caesar. Cyril became a biblical scholar and a cleric in the church of Jerusalem. After ordination (345), he became Bishop of Jerusalem (350). He was embroiled in the political and doctrinal controversies following the Nicene Council (325) and defending the Nicene Creed against the Arians. He is most well-known for his twentythree Lenten homilies of instruction for those to be baptized. These summarize the beliefs and the theological traditions of the Jerusalem community. How might I use my talents to help others understand more about God and Jesus? 7
March 19 ST. JOSEPH SPOUSE OF MARY According to the Gospels, Joseph was a skilled craftsman (a carpenter) and a descendant of king David. Matthew s infancy narrative focuses on Joseph s dilemma. Embarrassed by Mary s pregnancy with a child he knows is not his, Joseph, a righteous or just man who follows the prescriptions of the Mosaic law, decides to send her back to her family, which is the proper social and legal thing to do. But he is told in a dream to take Mary as his wife and thus make her child his own, which he does. His feast has been observed on this day since the 10th century. He was declared patron of the universal Church (1870), and is principal patron of Canada. How might I take more responsibility to care for the weak and vulnerable today? 8
March 23 ST. TURIBIUS OF MOGROVEJO BISHOP (1538 1606) Born in Spain, he was a professor of law in Salamanca and chief judge in the Inquisition of Granada. Appointed as a layman to be Archbishop of Lima, Peru (1580), he protested the irregularity of such a choice, but Pope Pius V dispensed him from the usual process and he was ordained and consecrated bishop. Once in Lima (1581), he was appalled by the European conquerors who exploited the country and oppressed the native peoples. He condemned abuses and founded numerous schools (including the first seminary in Latin America), hospitals and churches. He learned the native languages and was a much-loved teacher and preacher. Canonized in 1726, he is the patron saint of Peru and of the Latin American bishops. How might I imitate his zeal for justice for the oppressed and his love and service for the poor in whom he recognized Christ? 9
April 2 ST. FRANCIS OF PAOLA HERMIT (1416 1507) Born in Italy, he spent his 13th year in a Franciscan friary. But he left to become a hermit. After 17 years, his disciples were so numerous and loved that the townspeople built a church and a small monastery for them. Despite their austere rule, the group increased in popularity and became known as the Minim Friars, from the Latin minimi, meaning the least in God s household. Francis was renowned as a saint, prophet, miracle worker and peacemaker. Summoned to France to heal King Louis XI (1483), instead Francis prepared him for death and remained there until his own death at age 91. How might I follow his example to dedicate more time and effort to my prayerful communication with God? 10
April 4 ST. ISIDORE BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (C. 560 636) Isidore was born of a noble family and was the brother of three saints, one of whom he succeeded as Archbishop of Seville. His brother Leander educated Isidore, who became one of the most learned men of his time. He served as Archbishop of Seville for nearly 40 years and was recognized as the greatest teacher in Spain. He presided over councils, was a progressive educator and a prolific writer. He compiled theological treatises on various subjects, an encyclopedia attempting to include all that was known at the time, a dictionary, and a history of the Goths that remains our only sourcebook for much of Visigothic history. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1722. How might I share my knowledge and enthusiasm for Jesus and his ways with others today? 11
April 5 ST. VINCENT FERRER PRIEST (1350 1419) Born in Spain, Vincent joined the Dominicans (1367). They sent him to study and teach philosophy throughout Europe. Despite his stern interpretation of the Christian message, Vincent became an amazingly successful preacher, converting thousands. He was also a key figure in ending the Western Schism between 1378 to 1417 when three different men claimed to be the legitimate pope. He was canonized in 1455. How might I imitate his desire to share the gospel message with others and find reconciliation among competing claims? 12
April 7 ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE PRIEST (1651 1719) The eldest son of a noble French family, John inherited his family s riches. Deciding on a career in the Church, he was ordained (1678) and shortly after was asked to help establish some charity schools. He soon realized that the teachers had to be trained and he provided housing for them. His desire to share his teachers experience led him to resign his canonry and give up his personal fortune. The group became a religious community (1684) called the Brothers of the Christian Schools or the Christian Brothers. This teaching order eventually spread throughout the world. John established the first teacher training college, founded schools for both the poor and the privileged and wrote education manuals. St. John Baptist de la Salle is not celebrated this year because April 7th falls on a Sunday. How might I encourage and support Christian education in my parish, diocese and town? 13
April 11 ST. STANISLAUS BISHOP & MARTYR (C. 1030 1079) Born in Szczepanów, Poland, Stanislaus became a priest and a canon of the Cathedral in Kraków. He was an eloquent preacher, a generous benefactor of the poor and an advocate for clerical reform. Appointed Bishop of Kraków (1072), he soon was embroiled in conflict with King Boleslav II, who eventually killed Stanislaus during the celebration of Mass. The king fled Hungary, where he lived as a penitent in a Benedictine abbey. Stanislaus was canonized (1253) and is one of the patrons of Poland. Like him, how might I be willing to speak the truth to those in power even if I might suffer for it. 14
April 13 ST. MARTIN I POPE & MARTYR (D. 655) Born in Todi, Italy, Martin became a deacon in Rome and was appointed as the papal legate to Constantinople. He succeeded Theodore I as pope (649). He opposed the monothelite heresy (which held that Christ had only one will, the divine will, and not a human will as well). Since the emperor Constans II favored the heresy, Martin was arrested on various charges and exiled to Constantinople where he was stripped of his honors and condemned to death. He later died in misery and hunger in the Crimea, the last pope to be martyred. How might I strive to be recognized as a defender of our Christian faith today? 15
April 21 ST. ANSELM BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (1033 1109) As a monk in the monastery of Bec in Normandy (1060), his teacher was the renowned Lanfranc, whom he succeeded as abbot (1078). When the English hierarchy was replaced with Normans after the Norman Conquest (1066), first Lanfranc, then Anslem became Archbishop of Canterbury (1093). Anselm s fame lies in his role as theologian and philosopher, especially for his logical argument about the existence of God (as an idea greater than that which no other idea can be thought) and his theology of the Incarnation (Why God Became Human?). Never formally canonized, he was made a doctor of the Church (1720). St. Anselm is not celebrated this year because April 21st falls on Easter Sunday. How might I use my mind and heart to follow Anselm s example of faith seeking understanding? Gifts that Differ: Saints of the 2019 Lenten Season was written by Steve Mueller for All Saints Press, PO Box 190825, St. Louis MO 63119. Copyright 2019 AllSaintsPress.com. 17-356