Thought for the Day – 19 June – The Memorial of St Romuald (c 951-1027)
Saint Romuald’s body was buried at the monastery in Paranzo. Three decades later, his incorrupt body was transferred to Fabriano in 1481. Many miracles have been reported at his tombside in the great Cathedral of Fabriano. The Order he founded continues to operate today, with five distinct congregations. The most austere of those, the hermits, continue to live in a manner much like that of Saint Romuald—strict adherence to silence and prayer for the reparation of the sins of mankind.
The quiet and contemplative life of Saint Romuald reminds us, that humility, meekness and a deep desire for the Lord are the hallmarks of our faith. These simple tenets, lived as model for others, are a powerful witness to the depth of our hope and confidence in the Lord, a reminder of our obedience to Him and a powerful call to prayer. When we pray, as Saint Romuald said, our bodies, hearts, souls and minds should be focused solely on God: “Better to pray one psalm with devotion and compunction than a hundred with distraction.”
Prayer is the gauge of our love for God. If we pray, we love Him but if we don’t pray, we do not love Him. It is as simple as that, for surely we want always to speak to the one we love? Let us ask Saint Romuald to obtain for us the grace of prayer and perseverance in prayer, particularly when we find the going hard.
AnaStpaul 