Quote/s of the Day – 14 November – St Josaphat Kuncewicz OSBM (1584-1623) Confessor, Archbishop, Martyr – Hebrews 5:1-6, John 10:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I am the Good Shepherd, I know My Own and My Own know Me.”
John 10:14
“My sheep hear My Voice; I know them and they follow Me.”
John 10:27
“I am like the sick sheep which strays from the rest of the flock. Unless the Good Shepherd takes me on His shoulders and carries me back to His fold, my steps will falter and, in the very effort of rising, my feet will give way!”
St Jerome (343-420) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Christ said that the shepherd enters through the gate and that He is Himself the Gate, as well as the Shepherd. Then, it is necessary, that He enter through Himself. By so doing, He reveals Himself and through Himself, He knows the Father. But we enter through Him because through Him, we find happiness.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus/ Doctor Communis
“The measure of love, is to love without measure.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 14 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Josaphat Kuncewicz OSBM (1584-1623) Confessor, Archbishop, Martyr – Hebrews 5:1-6, John 10:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“ I lay down My Life for My sheep.” – John 10:15
REFLECTION – “The service of the Good Shepherd is Love. That is why Jesus says He “lays down His Life for His sheep.” For we must know what distinguishes Him – the Good Shepherd watches over the needs of His flock, the bad one seeks his own interest. That is what the Prophet said: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who seek only to feed themselves! Should they not feed their flock?” (Ezek 34:2). Those who only use the flock for their own interest are not good shepherds … A good shepherd, in the natural sense, bears with much for the sake of the flock over which he watches, as Jacob testified: “By day the heat consumed me and the cold by night.” (Gen 31:40)…
But the spiritual flock’s salvation, is more important, than even the life of the shepherd. That is why, when the flock is in danger, its shepherd must accept to lose his physical life for the salvation of the flock. The Lord said: “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” his physical life in the loving exercise of authority … Christ gave us an example: “He laid down His Life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” (1 Jn 3:16).” – St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Dominican Priest and Friar, Theologian, Doctor of the Church (Lectura super Ioannem, X lect 3, 1-20).
PRAYER – Arouse in Thy Church, O Lord, the spirit with which blessed Josaphat, Thy Martyr and Bishop, was filled, when he laid down his life for his flock; so that, by his intercession, we, also moved and strengthened by the same spirit, may not fear to lay down our lives for our brethren. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
All Saints of the Carmelite Order: On this day, the Carmelite Family celebrates the memory of all its holy men and women, those known and those unknown, those living on Earth and those living in Heaven, who reflect the glory of God.
St Joseph Maria Pignatelli SJ (1737 – 1811) Priest of the Society of Jesus known as “The Restorer of the Society of Jesus” and “The Second Founder of the Society of Jesus” following the suppression of the Society of Jesus by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. He was Beatified on 21 May 1933 by Pope Pius XI and was Canonised on 12 June 1954 by Venerable Pope Pius XII. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/14/saint-of-the-day-14-november-saint-joseph-maria-pignatelli-sj-1737-1811/
St Jucundus of Bologna
St Laurence O’Toole/Lorcán Ua Tuathail (c 1128 – 1180) Archbishop of Dublin, Abbot, Reformer, Mediator, Preacher, Apostle of Charity, Papal Legate to Ireland, he established new Churches and Monasteries. Due to the great number of miracles that rapidly occurred either at his tomb or through his intercession, Lorcán was canonised only 45 years after his death in 1225 by Pope Honorius III. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/14/saint-of-the-day-14-november-st-laurence-otoole-c-1128-1180/
St Modanic St Pierre of Narbonne St Ruf of Avignon St Serapion of Alexandria
St Serapion of Algiers OdeM (c 1179–1240) Mercedarian Priest and Martyr, Soldier and Crusader. The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Algiers in Africa, the blessed Serapion, of the Order of Our Blessed Lady of Ransom, for the Redemption of the faithful in captivity and the preaching of the Christian Faith. He was the first of his Order to deserve the Palm of Martyrdom by being crucified and cut to pieces.” On 14 July 1728, a decree was issued confirming his immemorial cult. he was Canonised on 14 April 1728 by Pope Benedict XIII and on 24 August 1743, he was included in the Roman Martyrology. His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/14/saint-of-the-day-14-november-saint-serapion-of-algiers-odem-c-1179-1240-martyr/
St Siard OPraem (Died 1230) Abbot of the Premonstratensian Order or the “Norbertines.”Siard of Friesland in the Netherlands, was a holy Abbot of the Norbertine Abbey in Mariëngaard by Hallum in Friesland. He was a powerful and hardworking Administrator, abiding strictly by the Rule of the Order, Apostle of the poor and needy, a holy Abbot of deep and mystical piety and prayer, on occasion he was seen in ecstasy, Peace-maker. Patronage – against blindness, bodily ailments. His Zealkous and Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/14/saint-of-the-day-14-november-saint-siard-opraem-died-1230/
St Venerando the Centurian St Venerandus of Troyes
Martyrs of Emesa: Group of Christian women tortured and executed for their faith in the persecutions of the Arab chieftain Mady. They died in Emesa (modern Homs, Syria).
Martyrs of Heraclea – (3 Saints): Group of Christians murdered together for their faith. The only details we have are three of their names – Clementinus, Philomenus and Theodotus. They were Martyred in Heraclea, Thrace.
One Minute Reflection – 9 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour – Apocalypse 21:2-5, Luke 19:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“ … He climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see Him …” – Luke 19:2
REFLECTION – “I’m writing with the desire to see you, a bold and good shepherd, pasturing and guiding the sheep entrusted to you with perfect zeal and thus, imitating the sweet Master of Truth, Who gave His life for us who are His sheep, who have strayed away from the path of grace. True…, we cannot do this without God and we cannot possess God while remaining on earth. But here is a sweet remedy – when our hearts are reduced to nothing and feeling small, we must do as Zacchaeus did. He was not tall and he climbed a tree to see God. This zeal of his, allowed him to hear these sweet words: “Zacchaeus, go home, for I must dine with you today.”
We must do this too, when we are feeling low, when our hearts are constricted and lacking in charity. We must climb the tree of the most holy Cross and there, we shall see, we shall touch God. There we shall find the fire of His inexpressible charity, the love that propelled Him, even to the humiliation of the Cross that raised Him up and made Him desire His Father’s honour and our salvation, with the craving of hunger and thirst… If this is what we want, if our carelessness does not get in the way, we can, in mounting the tree of the Cross, fulfill in ourselves, this word issuing from the mouth of Truth: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all things to Myself” (Jn 12,32 Vg). Indeed, when the soul is thus raised up, it sees the blessings of the Father’s goodness and power…, it sees the mercy and lavishness of the Holy Ghost, that is to say, the inexpressible love holding Jesus bound to the wood of the Cross. Nails and bonds cannot hold Him there, only charity… O climb this most holy tree where hang, the ripe fruits of all the virtues which the Body of the Son of God bears, ardently hasten. Dwell within the holy and sweet love of God. O sweet Jesus, Jesus love.” – St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) (Letter 119, to the prior of the Olivetan Monks).
PRAYER – O God, Who for us bring each year the recurrence of the Consecration day of this Thy holy temple and always bring us back safely to the Sacred Rites, hear the prayers of Thy people and grant that, whoever enters this temple to pray for blessings., may rejoice in having obtained whatever he sought. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8
“Remember, that you will derive strength by reflecting, that the Saints yearn for you to join their ranks; desire to see you fight bravely and, that you behave like true knights in your encounters with the same adversities which they had to conquer. That breath-taking joy is theirs and your eternal reward for having endured a few years of temporal pain. Every drop of earthly bitterness will be changed into an ocean of heavenly sweetness!”
Blessed Henry Suso (1295-1366)
“Our greatest fault is, that we wish to serve God in our way, not in His way — according to our will, not according to His will…. To be truly a Saint, it is necessary to be one according to the will of God.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“We should honour God in His Saints and beseech Him to make us partakers of the graces He poured, so abundantly, upon them.”
“Perfection consists in one thing alone, which is doing the will of God. For, according to Our Lord’s words, it suffices for perfection to deny self, to take up the cross and to follow Him. Now who denies himself and takes up his cross and follows Christ better, than he who seeks not to do his own will but always that of God? Behold, now, how little is needed to become as Saint!? Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing, on every occasion, what God wills.”
St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
“Holiness consists in love – not earthly love, of course but supernatural love. It consists in seeking God in all things, in doing His will without reservation, in aiming at His glory alone. All else, is dust and ashes! … Herein lies the explanation of the lives of the Saints, lives of sacrifice dedicated to God and to the salvation of souls. “Everything for the greater glory of God,” was the motto of St Ignatius Loyola. “Everything in the Name of God,” said St Vincent de Paul. “My God is my All” said St Catherine of Genoa. “Love God, serve God, everything is in that!” exclaimed St Clare of Assisi.
How do my thoughts, desires and ambitions compare with these?”
Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preacher
“Speak only with God or about God.”
“None who persevered in devotion to the Holy Rosary, will be condemned.”
St Dominic (1170-1221)
“Your purity of life, your devotion, deserve and call for a reward because you are acceptable and pleasing to God. Your purity of life must be made purer still, by frequent buffetings, until you attain perfect sincerity of heart. If, from time to time, you feel the sword falling upon you with double or treble force, this also should be seen as sheer joy and the mark of love!”
St Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275)
“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today. It is a source of joy and inspiration in our youth; of strength in our manhood, when only His Holy Name and His grace, can enable us to overcome temptation; of hope, consolation and confidence at the hour of our death, when more than ever before, we realise, that the meaning of Jesus is ‘Lord, the Saviour.’ We should bow in reverence to His Name and submission to His Holy Will.”
Bl Henry Suso OP (1290-1365)
“Love takes up, where knowledge leaves off.”
“If then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, for He, Himself, is the Way.”
St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“When troubled by temptations, raise up your heart and soul to God, humbly beseeching Him to turn them to His greater glory and to your salvation, supporting the temptations as long as it shall please Him and imploring Him, to grant you grace, never to offend Him.”
St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)
O Divine Jesus! Lonely in So Many Tabernacles By St Pope Pius X (1835-1914) “Pope of the Blessed Sacrament” (St Pius X was elected to the Chair of St Peter on the Feast of St Dominic and became a ‘Protector’ of the Order).
O Divine Jesus! Lonely today in so many Tabernacles, without visitor or worshipper, I offer Thee my lonely heart. May it’s every beat be a prayer of love to Thee. Thou are ever watching under the Sacramental Veils, in Thou love, Thou never sleeps and Thou are never weary of Thy vigils for sinners. O Loving Jesus! O Lonely Jesus! may my heart be a lamp, the light of which shall burn and beam for Thee alone. Watch, Sacramental Sentinel! Watch for the weary world, for the erring soul and for Thy poor lonely child.
O Jesus, my God, I adore Thee, here present in the Sacrament of Thy love. Amen
Indulgences: 100 days each time before the Tabernacle 300 days each time before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed (St Pope Pius X – 3 July 1908) Prayers to the Sacred Heart 15th Ed 1936
One Minute Reflection – 7 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the All Saints Octave and the Feast of all the Dominican Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12, Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:12
REFLECTION – “Rejoice in the Lord without ceasing (cf Phil 4:4), my dear children. I beg you rejoice, citizens of Heaven but exiles on earth, inhabitants of the Jerusalem on high (cf Gal 4:26) but banished from affairs here below, inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven but disinherited from taking any part at all, in earthly pleasures! Rejoice, ardent travellers, at undergoing exile and maltreatment in a foreign land in the name of the commandment of God! Rejoice, you who are last in this world but lords of blessings which exceed our understanding (cf Phil 4:7).
Rejoice, noble company, brought together by God, assembly united in heart and soul, who give life to filial and fraternal love, a replica on earth of the Host of Angels! … Rejoice, God’s workers, apostolic men. … Rejoice, you who set your joy in each other, each making his own the reputation of his brother, you in whom is found neither jealousy, rivalry nor envy but, in their place, peace and charity and life in common. In truth, I do not say that we are not attacked – indeed, who is crowned if not the one who struggles and fights, who exchanges thrusts and wounds with his assailants? – but, I say, we should not let ourselves be brought down by the machinations of Satan.
Yes, my children, assembly of God, nourish yourselves with the food of the Spirit and drink the water given by the Lord; whoever comes to possess this water will never thirst again but it will become, in Him, a spring of living water welling up to eternal life (cf Jn 4:14). … Yet a little while and we shall have vanquished. And blessed shall we be; blessed also, it shall be said, are the places, family and countries which have borne you (cf Lk 11:27-28).” – St Theodore the Studite (759-826) – (Catechesis 47 – The Great Catecheses)
PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thy mercy for which we yearn. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 7 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – On Thursday we devote our hearts and souls to the most holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is the greatest Gift of God to mankind, as it is nothing less than Jesus Himself. Therefore today too, we pray for our Priests AND as today is the Feast Day of All the Saints of the Order of Preachers or the Dominicans, we pray a prayer by one of their greatest sons.
Lauda Sion Salvatorem Sion, Lift Up thy Voice and Sing (Excerpt) By St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
Sion, lift thy voice and sing, Praise thy Saviour and thy King, Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true, Dare thy most to praise Him well, For He doth all praise excel, None can ever reach His due.
Special theme of praise is Thine, That true living Bread divine, That life-giving flesh adored, Which the brethren twelve received, As most faithfully believed, At the Supper of the Lord.
Let the chant be loud and high, Sweet and tranquil be the joy Felt to-day in every breast; On this festival divine Which recounts the origin Of the glorious Eucharist.
St Thomas Aquinas wrote the Liturgy for Corpus Christi when Pope Urban IV added the Solemnity to the universal Church’s Liturgical calendar in 1264. He provided a great sequence, one of the great poems chanted or recited before the proclamation of the Gospel. Lauda Sion is one of only four medieval sequences which were preserved in the Roman Missal published in 1570 following the Council of Trent (1545–1563)—the others being Victimae Paschali Laudes (Easter), Veni Sancte Spiritus (Pentecost) and Dies irae (requiem masses). (A fifth, Stabat Mater, would later be added in 1727.) Before Trent, many feasts had their own sequences. The existing versions were unified in the Roman Missal promulgated in 1570. The Lauda Sion is still sung today as solemn Eucharistic hymn, though its use is optional in the post-Vatican II Ordinary form. As with St Thomas’s other three Eucharistic Hymns, the last few stanzas of the Lauda Sion are often used alone, in this case, to form the “Ecce Panis Angelorum”.
The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers: “Fountain of all holiness, You stirred up in our holy brothers and sisters an extraordinary love of truth, conformity to Christ Crucified and a thirst for the salvation of souls: may we imitate them in offering You thanksgiving on account of the way of life they gave us.” — From the Intercessions at Lauds for the Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers. HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/07/thought-for-the-day-7-november-feast-of-all-dominican-saints/
St Achillas (Died 313) Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, Confessor, Scholar particularly in Philosophy and Theology. Bishop St Theonas had Ordained him to the Priesthood and appointed Achillas as the Head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria upon the departure of St Pierius, for Rome, who we celebrated on 4 November. Born in Alexandria, Egypt and died there in 313 of natural causes. The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “At Alexandria, blessed Achillas, a Bishop renowned for erudition, faith and purity of life.” His Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-saint-achillas-died-313-bishop-confessor/
St Gebetrude of Remiremont St Herculanus of Perugia St Hesychius of Mytilene St Hieron of Mytilene Bl Hyacinth Castañeda Puchasons St Lazarus the Stylite Blessed Lucia of Settefonti (Died 12th Century) Virgin St Nicander of Mytilene Bl Peter Ou St Prosdocimus of Padua St Prosdocimus of Rieti St Raverranus of Séez St Rufus of Metz St Taurion of Amphipolis St Thessalonica of Amphipolis St Tremorus of Brittany
Our Morning Offering – 5 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”
Grant me, O my God By St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)
Good Jesus, let me be penetrated with love to the very marrow of my bones, with fear and respect toward Thee. Let me burn with zeal for Thy honour, so that I may deeply resent, all the outrages committed against Thee, especially those of which, I myself have been guilty. Grant further, O my God, that I may humbly adore and acknowledge Thee, as my Creator and penetrated with gratitude for all Thy benefits, I may never cease to render Thee thanksgiving. Grant that I may bless Thee in all things, praise and glorify Thee, with a heart full of joy and gladness and obeying Thee with docility in every respect, I may one day, despite my ingratitude and unworthiness, be seated at Thine table together with Thine Holy Angels and Apostles, to enjoy ineffable delights for all eternity! Amen
St Acepsimas St Acheric of Vosges Bl Alphais of Cudot Bl Berardo dei Marsi Bl Berchtold of Engelberg St Caesarius St Cecilio Manrique Arnáiz St Clydog St Cristiolus St Domnus of Vienne St Elerius St Englatius St Florus of Lodeve St Gaudiosus of Tarazona St Germanus St Guenhael St Hermengaudius of Urgell St Hilary of Viterbo
St Sylvia Mother of St Gregory the Great, Pope St Theophilus St Valentine of Viterbo St Valentinian St Vitalis St William of Vosges
St Winifred (Died 7th Century) Virgin Martyr
St Wulganus
Innumerable Martyrs of Saragossa: A large group of Christians martyred in Zaragoza, Spain by Dacian during the persecutions of Diocletian. Dacian ordered all Christians of the city into exile under pain of death; when they were assembled to leave, Dacian ordered imperial soldiers to massacre the lot of them. They were Martyred in 304.
Quote/s of the Day – 21 Octoberber – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”
Remember the Angels especially during October
“It was pride which changed Angels into devils; it is humility which makes men as Angels!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“We should show our affection for the Angels, for one day, they will be our co-heirs, just as here below, they are our Guardians and Trustees appointed and set over us, by the Father.”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Father & Doctor of Light
“I say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” Matthew 18:10
“With these words, Christ is saying to us something like this: “Be vigilant, take care that you do not despise people who are simple, poor or weak. As for Me, I esteem them greatly to the extent that, to protect them from all evil, I have placed My Angels at their service. And what Angels! Do not think they are to be compared to the scullery boys working in My kitchen. No. They are equal to the officers in My own palace, for: ‘they constantly see the Face of My heavenly Father.’”
St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Universal Doctor of the Church
“We are like children, who stand in need of masters, to enlighten us and direct us and God has provided for this, by appointing His Angels, to be our teachers and guides.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“Nor then do thou leave me, Angelical friend! But at the tribunal Of Judgement attend And cease not to plead For my soul, till, forgiven, Thou bear it aloft To the Palace of Heaven!”
From “Sweet Angel of Mercy!” By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)
Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael – Apocalypse 1:1-5, Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“It was pride which changed Angels into devils; it is humility which makes men as Angels!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“You should be aware, the word “Angel” denotes a function, rather than a nature. Those holy Spirits of Heaven have, indeed, always been spirits. They can only be called Angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called Angels and those. who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called Archangels.”
St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church
“We should show our affection for the Angels, for one day, they will be our co-heirs, just as here below, they are our Guardians and Trustees appointed and set over us, by the Father.”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Father & Doctor of Light
“I say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” Matthew 18:10
“With these words, Christ is saying to us something like this: “Be vigilant, take care that you do not despise people who are simple, poor or weak. As for Me, I esteem them greatly to the extent that, to protect them from all evil, I have placed My Angels at their service. And what Angels! Do not think they are to be compared to the scullery boys working in My kitchen. No. They are equal to the officers in My own palace, for: ‘they constantly see the Face of My heavenly Father.’”
St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Universal Doctor of the Church
Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286 ) Martyrs – Wisdom 5:16-20; Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be glad in that day and rejoice, for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,”
Luke 6:23
“The great wealth of Christians is found in the needs of the poor, provided we grasp how to put our possessions to good use. The poor are always before us; if we entrust our wealth to them, we shall not lose it.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“The one who walks in the love of God seeks neither gain nor reward but seeks only, with the will, to lose self and all things, for God and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! ”
“One day, I started thinking about what the last office can be in the world. And, I discovered that the last place, is at the feet of the traitor, Judas. And I wanted to place myself there but I could not because there, I found Jesus Christ kneeling, washing Judas’ feet! Since then, my appreciation for and understanding of humility, has grown.”
St Maura (c827-850) Virgin St Meletius of Cyprus – Bishop and Confessor in Cyprus. Martyr. No further information has survived.
Martyrs of Gaza – 3 Saints: Three brothers, Eusebius, Nestulus and Zeno, who were seized, dragged through the street, beaten and murdered by a pagan mob celebrating the renunciation of Christianity by Julian the Apostate. They were burned to death in 362 on a village garbage heap in Gaza, Palestine.
Quote/s of the Day – 20 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Vigil of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist – Wisdom 5:16-20; Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.”
Luke 6:20
“If thou wouldst see well, pluck out thine eyes and be blind; if thou wouldst hear well, be deaf and if thou wouldst speak well, become dumb; if thou wouldst advance, stand still and advance with thy mind; if thou wouldst work well, cut off thy hands and work with thy heart; if thou wouldst love much, hate thyself; if thou wouldst live well, mortify thyself; if thou wouldst gain much and be rich, first lose all and become poor and if thou wouldst enjoy peace, afflict thyself and be ever in fear and suspect thine own self; if thou wouldst be exalted and have great honour, humble and abase thyself; if thou wouldst be held in great reverence, despise thyself and do reverence to him who reviles thee; if thou wouldst that it should be well with thee, suffer all evil things and if thou wouldst be blessed, desire that all should speak ill of thee and if thou wouldst have true and eternal rest, then toil and suffer and desire to have every temporal affliction. O what great wisdom it is to know how to do and to work out these things.”
Blessed Giles of Assisi (c1190-1262)
“If you seek an example of humility, look upon Him Who is Crucified, although He was God, He chose to be judged by Pontius Pilate and put to death. … If you seek an example of obedience, imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father “even to death” (Phil 2:8). “For just as through the disobedience of one person, Adam, the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of One, the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). . If you seek an example of contempt for earthly things, imitate Him Who is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15), “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). On the Cross He was stripped naked, ridiculed, spat upon, bruised, crowned with thorns, given to drink of vinegar and gall.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Angelic Doctor of the Church
“We must make many acts of humility before we can attain any proficiency in the virtue. Our acts of humility must consist, not merely in protesting to Almighty God that we are vile and worthless ,in His sight and in humbling ourselves before Him by reason of our many sins. Our acts of humility must be practiced towards others by being very gentle towards those who provoke us, by bearing contradictions with patience, by accepting disappointments with patience and rebuffs without complaint. All this is a gradual process and we must not expect proficiency in humility until we have long practiced these means to attain it.”
Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Hebrews 10:32-38; Matthew 24:3-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But he who shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.”
Matthew 24:13
“For patience is necessary for you that, doing the Will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a little and a very little while and He that is to come, will come and will not delay.”
Hebrews 10:36-37
A Brother said to Brother Giles: “ Father, I have seen other men who received from God the grace of devotion and of tears in their prayers and I cannot feel in myself any such grace, when I go to worship God.” To whom Brother Giles answered: “My Brother, I counsel thee to persevere humbly and faithfully in thy prayers; for the fruits of the earth cannot be had without toil and labour applied beforehand and even after we have laboured, the desired fruit does not follow immediately but only in its season, when the fullness of time has come.”
Blessed Giles of Assisi (c1190-1262)
Grant Me, My God By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Angelic Doctor, Common Doctor
Make my heart watchful, O God, so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee. Make it noble, so that it may never be seduced by any base affection. Make it steadfast, so that troubles may not dismay it. Make it free, so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion. Grant me, my God, the intelligence, to understand Thee, the love, to seek Thee, the wisdom, to find Thee, words, to please Thee, the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last. Grant that I, a repentant sinner, may bear Thy chastisements with resignation. Poor pilgrim which I am, may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace and may I one day, be eternally happy with Thee in Heavnely glory! Amen.
“But, it is not all suffering which has this wholesome effect but only suffering borne with patience. If we are impatient, rebellious, unresigned – our suffering maybe an occasion of fresh trouble, rather than of peace. I must accept it from the Hand of God, if it is to bring with it that quiet tranquillity which I have never yet attained as I fight. I must bow my head and place myself in God’s Hands to suffer, as He pleases, whatever He pleases, as long as He pleases. This is the only road to solid peace!”
Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) (The First Fruit of Patience: – Peace)
St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv. (1603-1663) Confessor, Religious Priest of the First Order of St Francis and Friar, Mystic, Miracle-worker. If ever a tiny child began life with nothing in his favour it was Joseph of Cupertino; he had only one hopeful and saving quality—that he knew it. … – Read on and be ashamed, for this is a Saint before the Throne of God! All about the this holy Flying Saint here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/saint-of-the-day-18-september-st-joseph-of-cupertino-o-f-m-conv-1603-1663/
St Ariadne
St Didier of Rennes (7th Century) Bishop St Eumenius Thaumaturgus
St Eustorgius of Milan (Died c349) The Ninth Bishop of Milan, Confessor, Defender of the Faith. Both St Athanasius and St Ambrose remember Eustorgius of Milan as one of the most steadfast and illustrious opponents of the Arian heresy. The Roman Martyrology says of him: “At Milan, St Eustorgius, Bishop of that City, highly recommended by blessed Ambrose.” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/18/saint-of-the-day-18-september-saint-eustorgius-of-milan-died-c-349/
St Ferreolus the Tribune St Ferreolus of Limoges St Hygbald St Irene of Egypt
St Methodius of Olympus (Died c311) Confessor, Bishop, Martyr, Ecclesiastical Scholar and Author, renowned Theologian. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “The same da, [as St Joseph of Cupertino] the birthday of St Methodius, Bishop of Olympus in Lycia and afterwards of Tyre. Most renowned for his eloquence and learning. St Jerome says that he won the Crown of Martyrdom at Chalcis in Greece at the end of the last persecution there.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/18/saint-of-the-day-18-september-saint-methodius-of-olympus-died-c311-bishop-martyr/
Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross
“The Cross gives Light to the whole universe; it casts out darkness and gathers nations together in charity, into One Church, One Faith, One Baptism…”
St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church
“As they were looking on, so we too gaze on His Wounds as He hangs. We see His Blood as He dies. We see the price offered by the Redeemer, touch the scars of His Resurrection.
He bows His Head, as if to kiss you. His Heart is made bare, open, as it were, in love to you. His arms are extended that He may embrace you. His whole body is displayed for your redemption.
Ponder how great these things are. Let all this be rightly weighed in your mind, as He was once fixed to the Cross in every part of His Body for you, so He may now be fixed in every part of your soul!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“The Kingdom of Heaven, says the Gospel, is like a mustard seed … Christ is the Kingdom of Heaven! Sown like a mustard seed in the garden of the Virgin’s womb, He grew up into the Tree of the Cross, whose branches, stretch across the world … Christ is the Kingdom because all the glory of His Kingdom, is within Him. Christ is a Man because all humanity is restored in Him. Christ is a Mustard Seed because the infinitude of Divine greatness, is accommodated to the littleness of flesh and blood!”
St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) “Golden Words” Father & Doctor of the Church
“No-one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the Cross. No-one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.”
St Pope Leo the Great (c400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church
“The Cross is my sure salvation. The Cross it is, I worship evermore. The Cross of our Lord is with me. The Cross is my refuge.” [Indulgence of 300 days]
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“Consider Jesus on the Cross as you would a devout book, worthy of your unceasing study and, by which you may learn the practice of the most heroic virtues. This is the book which may truly be called the “Book of Life” [Apocalypse, III, 5], which, at once enlightens the mind by its doctrines and inflames the will by its examples. The world is full of books but were it possible for man to read them all, he would never be so well instructed, to hate vice and embrace virtue, as by contemplating a Crucified God!”
One Minute Reflection – 9 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Peter Claver SJ (1581-1654) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, Missionary –Wisdom 10:10-14; Matthew 10:34-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“He who findeth his life, shall lose it and he, who shall lose his life for Me, shall find it. ” – Matthew 10:39
REFLECTION – “Let us consider these words of our Lord: that, He wishes “to draw all things to Himself” (Jn 12:32). Someone who wishes to draw all things, first of all, gathers them together and afterward, draws them. This is what our Lord does – first of all, He calls us back from straying and wandering outside, making us collect our senses, faculties, words, deeds and, within, our thoughts, intentions, imagination, desires, inclinations, mind, will and love. Then, when everything is rightfully returned to good order, God draws us to Himself. For we must first of all be separated from every exterior or interior possession, to which we are attached, putting all our satisfaction in them. This kind of detachment is a painful cross and, all the more painful as the attachment becomes firmer and stronger …
Why does God rarely allow one day and night, to resemble the previous day and night? Why is it that what assisted your devotion today, is of no help at all tomorrow? Why do you have a host of images and thoughts which come to nothing? My dear child, accept this cross from God and bear it – it will turn into a truly lovable cross, if you would hand these trials over to God, accept them from Him with true abandonment and thank God for them: “My soul magnifies the Lord” in everything (cf Lk 1:46). Whether God takes or gives, the Son of Man must be raised up on the Cross … Dear child, leave all that behind; rather, give your attention to true abandonment … and think about accepting to bear the cross of temptation, rather than going in search of spiritual sweetness … Our Lord has said: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me” (Lk 9:23).” – Fr JohannesTauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Priest and Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian , leaving us more than 80 sermons.(Sermon 59, 4th for the Exaltation of the Cross).
PRAYER – God of mercy and love, Thou offer all peoples the dignity of sharing in Thy Light and Life. By the example and prayers of St Peter Claver, strengthen us to love each other as brothers. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen
St Amor of Amorbach St Anastasius of Terni St Benedicta of Lorraine St Carloman St Cecilia of Lorraine
St Clare of the Cross of Montefalco (c1269-1308) Augustinian Nun and Abbess, before becoming a nun, St Clare was a member of the Third Order of St Francis (Secular), Mystic, Penitent, Spiritual adviser. Beatified by Pope Clement XII. On 8 December 1881, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Leo XIII Canonised Clare. Her Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-saint-clare-of-the-cross-of-montefalco-c-1269-1308/
St Drithelm St Elias the Younger St Eusebius of Sicily St James the Deacon St Jeroen of Noordwijk (c800-856) Priest Martyr St Juliana of Ptolemais St Mamas St Myron of Cyzicus
St Nicolò Politi (1117-1167) Basilian Monk and Hermit. He was known for his miracles even during his childhood and was Venerated as a saint even before his death. St Nicolò was Canonised on 7SJune 1507, at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, by Pope Julius II. About St Nicolò: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-st-nicolo-politi-1117-1167/
St Alypius of Thagaste (Died 430) Bishop Bishop of the See of Thagaste (in what is now Algeria) in 394, Confessor, Reformer, Defender of the Faith against heresy, Lawyer, teacher, spiritual advisor. He was a lifelong disciple and friend of Saint Augustine of Hippo and joined him in his conversion (in 386; Confessions 8.12.28) and life in Christianity. He is credited with helping establish Augustine’s Monastery in Africa. Most of what is known about him comes from Augustine’s autobiographical Confessions. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/saint-of-the-dy-saint-alypius-of-thagaste-died-430/
Blessed Alfred of Hildesheim OSB (Died 874) Bishop, Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Founder of Essen Abbey, Hildesheim Cathedral, many Convents, Schools and Seminaries, Royal Spiritual Adviser to the East Frankish King Louis the German, Diplomatic Peacemaker, he was know for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His Lifestory: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-alfred-of-hildesheim-osb-died-874-bishop/
Blessed Aimo Taparelli OP (c 1395-1495) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, widower and father, Reformer, spiritual writer. He served as an Inquisitor-General for his Order in the Lombard and Liguria regions of Italy and became a travelling preacher in Northern Italian Cities. His name means “defends the house with the sword.” Aimo was Beatified on 29 May 1856 by Pope Pius IX. Blessed Aimo’s zealous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-aimo-taparelli-op-c-1395-1495/
Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450) Priest and Friaer of the Friars Minor Conventual, known as the “King of Preachers – Rex Praedicatorum” Disciple and companion of St Bernardine of Siena in his Missionary work in Italy., often called upon to assist in peace discussions between warring Cities. Born in 1385 in Sarteano, Tuscany, Italy and died on 15 August 1450 in Milan, Italy of natural causes. Blessed Albert’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/15/saint-of-the-day-14august-blessed-alberto-berdini-ofm-conv-1385-1450/
St Simplician (c320-c401) Archbishop of Milan and Successor of St Ambrose (340-397) Doctor of the Church in the Archdiocese of Milan, Teacher, Catechist, Writer, Mystic. St Ambrose used to call Simplician father, as a sign of spiritual relationship but they were also great friends. Simplician took also an active part in the conversions of both Alypius of Thagaste and Augustine of Hippo. The meeting between Augustine and Simplican occurred in Milan in 386 and it is recorded in Augustine’s Confessions. After his conversion, Augustine also called Simplician father and in 397 he dedicated to Simplician two books on the issue of predestination, known as De Diversis Quaestionibus ad Simplicianum. St Augustine, remembered and referred to him with deep gratitude, calling him the “spiritual father of my soul” and would submit his own writings to him to review and comment. Details of the life of St Simplician here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-st-simplician-of-milan/
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. No details survive but the names – Eutychian, Philip and Straton. They were martyred in Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey).
Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – The Fourteen Holy Helpers – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
“I have lit the light of your torch but it is up to you to see it is kept burning, not just to your personal advantage but also, in the interest of all who will see it and who, through it, will be led to the Truth. The worst wickedness would not put a shadow over your light, if you live with the vigilance of those who are called to bring the whole world to good. So, let your life correspond to the holiness of your mission, so that God’s grace may be proclaimed everywhere.”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“What sort of candlestick is this which bears such a light? I will teach you. Be lamps yourselves and you will have a place on this lampstand. Christ’s Cross is one great lampstand. Whoever wants to shine out should not be ashamed of this wooden candlestick. Listen to me and you will get the point – the candlestick is the Cross of Christ … Listen to the Apostle Paul: “May I never glory except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14).”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
“If you truly wish to help the soul of your neighbour, you should firstly approach God with all your heart. Ask Him simply, to fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues.”
Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – The Transfiguration of the Lord – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“This is My beloved Son; in Whom I Am well pleased, listen to Him.”
Matthew 17:5
“I Am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the Light of Life.”
John 8:12
“Let us listen to the holy Voice of God which summons us from on high, from the holy mountain top. There, we must hasten – I make bold to say – like Jesus, Who is our leader and has gone before us into Heaven. There, with Him, may the eyes of our mind shine with His light and the features of our soul be made new; may we be transfigured with Him and moulded to His image, ever becoming divine, being transformed in an ever greater degree of glory.”
St Anastasius Sinaita (Died 6th Century) Priest and Abbot
“At His Transfiguration Christ showed His disciples, the splendour of His Beauty, to which He will shape and colour, those who are His : ‘He will reform our lowness configured to the Body of His Glory.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor of the Church
“ It is necessary, therefore, to obey the Eternal Father by following Our Lord in order to hear His Word. And behold, how we are taught that all persons, whatever their condition may be, must pray and meditate, for it is there, principally, where this Divine Master speaks to us. … But, it will not do us any good to listen, if we do not DO what He says to us, observing His commandments and His wishes faithfully,”
Our Morning Offering – 29 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”
Grant Me, My God By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Angelic Doctor, Common Doctor
Make my heart watchful, O God, so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee. Make it noble, so that it may never be seduced by any base affection. Make it steadfast, so that troubles may not dismay it. Make it free, so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion. Grant me, my God, the intelligence, to understand Thee, the love, to seek Thee, the wisdom, to find Thee, words, to please Thee, the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last. Grant that I, a repentant sinner, may bear Thy chastisements with resignation. Poor pilgrim which I am, may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace and may I one day, be eternally happy with Thee in Heavenly glory! Amen.
Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – Our Lady Mother of Mercy and Mary’s Saturday
“She is Virgin and Mother, what will she not be hereafter? Holy in body, all beautiful in soul, pure of mind, upright in intelligence, perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful, pure of heart and filled with virtue. … Mary is the new tree of life who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve, gives to mankind that sweet fruit on which the whole world is fed!”
St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church
“I want, very much, to have a little house built here for me, in which I will show Him, I will exalt Him and make Him manifest. I will give Him to the people in all my personal love, in my compassion, in my help, in my protection because, I am truly your merciful Mother, yours and all the people who live united in this land and of all the other people of different ancestries, my lovers, who love me, those who seek me, those who trust in me.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego 1531
Mother of Mercy By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Serpahic Doctor
Virgin full of goodness, Mother of Mercy, I entrust to thee my body and soul, my thoughts, my actions, my life and my death. O my Queen, help me, and deliver me from all the snares of the devil. Obtain for me the grace of loving my Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, with a true and perfect love, and after Him, O Mary, to love thee with all my heart and above all things. Amen
St Baudry of Montfaucon St Claudius Marius Victorinus of Saussaye St Cyril of Antioch (Died c306) Bishop, Martyr St Dabius St John Lloyd
St Joseph of Palestine (Died c 356) Layman, Convert from Judaism, a contemporary of Emperor Constantine, a Rabbinical scholar, member of the Sanhedrin and a disciple of Hillel II. Following his conversion, Emperor Constantine gave him the rank of Count, appointed him as supervisor of the Churches in Palestine and gave him permission to build Churches in the Galilee. Patronages – converts, guardians. A Very Interesting Saint: https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/22/saint-of-the-day-22-july-st-joseph-of-palestine-died-c-356/
St Lewine St Maria Wang Lishi St Meneleus of Ménat St Movean of Inis-Coosery St Pancharius of Besancon Bl Paolo de Lara
Martyrs of Marula/Massylis: – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. We know nothing else about them but the names – Ajabosus, Andrew and Elian. They were martyred in Massylis (Marula), Numidia (in modern Algeria).
Martyrs of Massilitani: A group of Christians Martyred together in northern Africa. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote about them.
Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed is the womb which bore Thee ”
Luke 11:27
“O Mother blest! And chosen Shrine wherein the Architect Divine, Whose Hand contains the earth and sky vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie; Blest in the message Gabriel brought; blest in the work, the Spirit wrought; Most blest, to bring to human birth, the long desired of all the earth!”
St Venantius Fortunatus (c530–c609)
“Taking up the newborn Emmanuel, Mary beheld a Light incomparably fairer than the sun and saw a Fire, which water cannot quench. She received, in the covering of Flesh Whom she had borne, the Light, Who enlightens all things and she was worthy,, to carry in her arms, the Word, Who carries the universe!”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk
“The Blessed Virgin was chosen to be the Mother of God and, therefore, it is not to be doubted, but that God fitted her for it by His graces.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus Christ came into the world and, it is also through her that He will reign in the world.”
Saint of the Day – 15 July – Blessed Ceslas Odrowaz OP (c1180-1242) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, receiving the Habit from St Dominic himself. Ceslas was almost certainly Saint Hyacinth’s (1185-1257) older brother. Doctor of Divinity and Law, Missionary, in time, Ceslas became the Provincial Father of the Order for all of Poland. Born in c1180 at Krakow, Upper Silesia (modern Poland) and died on 15 or 17 July 1242 at Wroclaw, Poland of natural causes. Patronage – of Wroclaw, Poland. Also known as – Ceslas of Cracow, Ceslaus of Krakow, Ceslas of Poland, Ceslas of Wroclaw, Ceslaus…Czeslaw…Ceslao… Additional Memorials – 17 July (Dominicans), 20 July (Wroclaw, Poland), 4 July on some calendars, 16 July on some calendars.
Painting by Tomasz Jan Muszyński (1665)
Ceslas was born in Silesia probably in 1180. He spent his youth in Krakow in a Poland which had recovered from the Mongol invasions, growing again in that Christianity introduced two centuries earlier by King Mieszko I and which would then have had its great flourish under King Casimir the Great.
His studies began in Krakow and continued at the Universities of Paris and Bologna, the major and renowned places of study at that time. Ceslas was Ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Vincent Kadlubek of Krakow, iwhere he had matured in his intellectual and spiritual vocation. Ceslas was then entrusted with the Collegiate Church of Sandomierz.
In 1220, the great opportunity of his life arose. Divine Providence desired that he should accompany, together with St Hyacinth, the Bishop of Krakow, Ivo Odrowaz to Rome. There, he met St Dominicand witnessed the miraculous resurrection of the young Napoleon, nephew of Cardinal Stephen, by the intercession of St Dominic himself.
Both Ceslas and Hyacinth decided to enter St Dominic’s Order of Preachers. , They were sent to Bologna where they remained for a certain time in the Dominican Convent there.
In 1221 his Superiors in Bologna sent Ceslas, together with other Friars, to Poland to erect new foundations. On the return journey, he stopped in Prague where he founded the Dominican House at the Church of St Clement. Returning to Krakow, he worked for many years at the Church of the Holy Trinity, in the Monastery recently founded there.
From there he went to Wroclaw, where he remained for 7 years and thereafter Ceslas was appointed as the Superior. In 1232 he was honoured with the Office of Provincial Father of Poland.
He travelled for another four years throughout Silesia and Poland founding Houses, until in 1236 he resigned, forced by exhaustion, from all his responsibilities. In 1241, upon returned to Wroclaw, Ceslas took part in the liberation of the City from the siege of the Tartars. He died on 15 or 17 July 1242 and was buried in the Church of St Adalbert. Pope Clement XI confirmed the cult on 27 August 1712 and, in 1748, Pope Benedict XIV set the day of his celebration on 20 July. The Dominican Order remembers him on 17 July while the Martyrologium Romanum indicates it on 15 July.
AnaStpaul 
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