Saturday, July 23, 2022
ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN
They were seeking to arrest him, but they FEARED the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So, they left him and went away.
It is natural to fear something you cannot control. Christ could not be controlled by the men in charge of the Temple system; so, they feared Him and they feared the crowd that followed Him. Christ’s message was good news to the crowd who were but pawns in the Jewish Temple system of wealth and power. We in times of trouble should be like Tobit and seek to walk all the days of our lives in paths of truth and righteousness. It was Tobit who defied those in power to do an act of mercy by burying the dead. While his neighbors mocked him and saying to one another: “He is still not afraid! Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing; yet now that he has scarcely escaped, here he is again burying the dead!” (Tobit 2:8) Love makes sacrifices. He (Christ) laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our live for our brothers. (1 John 3:16) Most of us by the grace of God are never confronted with such terrors of evil. Yet, we too in our quiet lives can lay down ourselves in service to our brothers.
Having
and retaining a grateful heart is the key to making right judgments and being a
person of character. John McCain highlights in his book, “Character is Destiny”
the life of the Native American war Chief Tecumseh as an example of a man that
never lost his gratitude in life. Tecumseh was a great Indian leader who lost a
war but taught even his enemies how to live. Everyone knew that the great
Tecumseh, fearless warrior and visionary, steadfast leader, did not tolerate
torture or murder, or suffer intentional harm to be done to innocents. He was a
man of honor. Even his enemies knew that, especially the man who had fought him
the longest, William Henry Harrison. However, as a youth Tecumseh was unnerved
in his first encounter with organized bloodletting and fled the battle. It was
the only time in his life his courage failed him. In a later raid near the end
of the war, the Shawnees attacked the crew of a flatboat on the Ohio River. All
but one of the crew was killed in the encounter. The lone survivor was dragged
ashore and burned at the stake. The atrocity left a deep mark on Tecumseh, who,
though he was too young to intervene in the victim’s behalf, denounced the
murder after it occurred, and swore he would never again remain silent in the
face of such an injustice. He would live and die determined to defend Indian
land from the insatiable appetites of American settlers. In the course of his
crusade, he became the greatest Indian leader of his time. Many would argue,
including Americans who fought him, that he was the greatest war chief of all
time. Raised by his older brother Chiksika, he took special care of his younger
brother Tecumseh. He taught him to hunt and fish, and to learn the fighting
skills of a Shawnee brave. He raised him to revere the memory of their
courageous father, and the virtues he had exemplified as a warrior who
preferred death to dishonor.
There was something in his character that repelled despair, finding in life,
with all its many tragedies, a reason to be thankful for the very fact that he
could remain true to himself. He was the kind of person for whom life was a
gift that could not be diminished by suffering, and it gave him a unique
strength, a confidence that was superior to most people. Tall and sinewy, with
an erect bearing, a superior skill at arms, exuding a sense of command,
and possessing a gift for oratory that earned him admirers even among his
enemies, he was renowned as a capable provider and protector of his clan, whose
leadership had an ever-broadening appeal to neighboring tribes. Tecumseh
delivered an address to his people as he prepared them for the coming struggle
that has become famous not only as a measure of his own character, but as a
code of honor that merits respect and emulation.
So
live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no
one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they
respect yours.
Love
your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make
your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Always
give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a
stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to
none.
When
you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and the joy of living. If you
see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse
no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit
of vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are
filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray
for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing
your death song and die like a hero going home.
On
the day of his final battle never having despaired over the vicissitudes of
life, he would not do so now. He arose in the morning and gave thanks for the
joy of living. At the Battle of the Thames in Ontario on October 5, 1813,
British General Procter and his soldiers fled the field after the first volley
was fired. Tecumseh dispensed with his sword and British officer’s jacket, and
charged, as always, into the thick of the battle. When a musket ball shattered
his right leg, he told his braves to leave him. He kept fighting until a crowd
of American soldiers surrounded him. He sang his death song and died like a
hero going home.
St. Bridget of Sweden[2]
Bridget was born in Sweden of noble and pious parents and led a most holy life. While she was yet unborn, her mother was saved from shipwreck for her sake. At ten years of age, Bridget heard a sermon on the Passion of our Lord; and the next night she saw Jesus on the cross, covered with fresh blood, and speaking to her about his Passion. Thenceforward meditation on that subject affected her to such a degree, that she could never think of our Lord's sufferings without tears. She was given in marriage to Ulfo prince of Nericia; and won him, by example and persuasion, to a life of piety. She devoted herself with maternal love to the education of her children. She was most zealous in serving the poor, especially the sick; and set apart a house for their reception, where she would often wash and kiss their feet. Together with her husband, she went on pilgrimage to Compostela, to visit the tomb of the apostle St. James. On their return journey, Ulfo fell dangerously ill at Arras; but St. Dionysius, appearing to Bridget at night, foretold the restoration of her husband's health, and other future events. Ulfo became a Cistercian monk but died soon afterwards. Whereupon Bridget, having heard the voice of Christ calling her in a dream, embraced a more austere manner of life. Many secrets were then revealed to her by God. She founded the monastery of Vadstena under the rule of our Savior, which was given her by our Lord himself. At his command, she went to Rome, where she kindled the love of God in very many hearts. She made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but on her return to Rome she was attacked by fever and suffered severely from sickness during a whole year. On the day she had foretold, she passed to heaven, laden with merits. Her body was translated to her monastery of Vadstena; and becoming illustrious for miracles, she was enrolled among the saints by Boniface IX. Excerpted from the Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B
Things to
do
·
From
the Catholic Culture Library, two articles by Pope John Paul II — St. Bridget: A Unique Model of
Feminine Holiness,
Three Co-Patronesses of Europe and Saint Birgitta.
·
St.
Bridget was a member of the Franciscan Third Order. If you have never
considered joining one of the Church's order's for lay people today might be a
good time to think about it. Learn more about becoming a secular
Franciscan.
·
You
may want to purchase a copy of which contains excerpts from her revelations.
·
You
might like to read about St. Birgitta
of Sweden's Influence in Finland.
·
The
Birgittine Order now has thirteen monasteries of contemplative nuns and a
congregation of contemplative-apostolic sisters whose motherhouse is in Rome,
in the actual former dwelling of St. Birgitta. For information about the
sisters here are some websites: About the Birgittine Nuns in
Vadstena, Birgittine Sisters and About the Brigittine sisters
·
The
Brigittine Monks existed from the 14th to the middle of the 19th century, when
they were dispersed, largely due to European wars. (In 1970, a Brigittine Monk,
Richard Reynolds, martyr, was declared a saint.) This monastery, the 1st in
over 100 years, was founded in 1976 and has the Canonical status of a Priory
“Sui Juris.” If you want to know about the monks visit Brigittine Monks of the Order of the Most Holy Savior.
·
Read
about the saints of the
Brigittine order
and more about Bl. Elizabeth Hesselblad who refounded the order.
·
The
Catholic Encyclopedia has this to say about the Brigittines.
·
You
may want to buy some delicious
fudge made by the
monks or purchase a Brigittine
Rosary.
Novena
of St. Ann[3]
Daily Prayer to Saint Ann
O
glorious St. Ann, you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you and
with love for those who suffer! Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles,
I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present intention
which I recommend to you in your special care.
Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it
before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Continue
to intercede for me until my request is granted. But, above all, obtain for me
the grace one day to see my God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the
saints to praise and bless Him for all eternity. Amen.
Our Father, . . . Hail Mary . . .
O Jesus, Holy Mary, St. Ann, help me now and at
the hour of my death. Good St. Ann, intercede for me.
SEVENTH DAY
Once again, Good St. Ann, I choose you for my
advocate before the throne of God. By the power and grace that God has placed
in you, extend to me your helping hand. Renew my mind and my heart.
Dear St. Ann, I have unbounded confidence in
your prayers. To your blessed hands I entrust my soul, my body and all my hopes
for this world and the next. Direct my actions according to your goodness and
wisdom. I place myself under your motherly care. Receive me, good mother. Cover
me with the mantle of your love. Look kindly on me. By your powerful
intercession, may I obtain from God grace and mercy. Obtain for me remission
for sin and release from the punishment my offenses have deserved. Pray that I
may receive grace to lead a devout life on earth and that I may obtain the
everlasting reward of heaven.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY
SECTION TWO-THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
CHAPTER
ONE-THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
Article 1 THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
V. Who
can Baptize?
1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and
priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon. In case of necessity,
any person, even someone not baptized, can baptize, if he has the required
intention. the intention required is to will to do what the Church does when
she baptizes, and to apply the Trinitarian baptismal formula. the Church finds
the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the
necessity of Baptism for salvation.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: An end
to the use of contraceptives.
· Saturday Litany of the Hours
Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Let
Freedom Ring Day 17
·
Rosary
[1] Character is Destiny, John McCain.
[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-07-23
Comments
Post a Comment