Thought for the Day – 13 December – The Memorial of Blessed Antonio Grassi Cong. Orat. (1592 – 1671)
“For thirty seven of those years he was, without precedent, Provost of his Congregation. Like a lamp burning on a lampstand he shed the unfailing rays of his virtues on all sides, and “made himself all things to all men, so as to win them all for Christ”...Alfonso Cardinal Capecelatro, Cong.Orat., Rome 24 May 1900.
From the writings of Blessed John Henry Newman, Cong. Orat.,
on the Oratorian Vocation
Newman the Oratorian
Quoting Marciano’s “apposite description of Father Grassi of Fermo”:
“In respect of obedience, though, from being so long time a Superior, he appeared to have no opportunity for its exercise, yet he knew how to follow in its track. First, he placed his private will in the hand of his Confessor, as if he were a child. Next, though Superior, he used to render a most exact obedience to the officials of the Congregation. Called by the Porter or Sacristan, he never was heard to say, ‘I cannot’. And whereas in the last years of his life a Brother was assigned him for his attendance, he called him his guardian-angel and recognised him as his Superior and obeyed him, in such sort, as not even to change his place without his leave. In his journeys, he so depended upon his companion, to whom he then gave the name of governor, that his intimations were for him inviolable precepts.”
Total humility! Our lesson, our goal.
Based on this report, here is someone who truly had the license to speak about and exhort to humility. Another light brought out from under the bushel basket.
Thanks very much for posting.
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Dearest Stacy – I knew YOU would appreciate this little-known Saint. God bless that searching mind and heart of yours. ❤️
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