Quote of the Day – 10 February – St Scholastica (c482-543) Twin sister of St Benedict (c482-547)
“When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly he began to complain: “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” “Well,” she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen, so I asked my God and He did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your Monastery.” …
(St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) on St Scholastica)
“I asked you and you would not listen, so I asked my God and He did listen.”
One Minute Reflection – 10 February – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matt 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… Behold the Bridegroom comes.” – Matthew 25:6
REFLECTION – “Behold the time is now here for us, dearest brethren, when we are to “sing of kindness and judgement to the Lord” (Ps 100:1). This is the Lord’s Coming, the arrival of the Lord of all, Who comes and is to come (Apoc 1:8). But how and where is He to come? How and when is He coming? Has He not said: “I fill the Heaven and the earth?” (Jer 23:24). How, then is He, Who fills Heaven and earth, coming to Heaven and earth? Listen to the Gospel: “He was in the world and world was made by Him and the world did not know Him“ (Jn 1:0). Therefore, He was both present and absent ,at the same time – present in that He was in the world; absent because the world did not know Him… How could He, Who was not recognised, not be far away, He, in Whom people did not believe, Who was not feared, Who was not loved?…
He comes, then, so that He, Who was not known might be recognised; He in Whom no-one believed might be believed; He, Who was not loved might be loved. He, Who was present according to His nature, is coming in His mercy… Think on God a little and see what it means that He should transfer so great a might; how He humbles so great a power, weakens so great a strength, makes feeble so great a wisdom! Was this a requirement of justice towards us? Most certainly not!…
In truth, my Lord, not my righteousness but Thy mercy guided Thee; not Thy necessity but my need. As Thou hast said: “My mercy is established in the heavens” (Ps 89[88],3). Rightly so, for our neediness abounds on earth. That is why “I shall sing forever of Thy love, O Lord,” which Thou manifested at Thy coming. When He showed Himself humble in His humanity, powerful in His miracles, strong against the tyranny of the demons, gentle in His welcome of sinners: all these things came from His mercy, all came from His inmost goodness. That is why “I shall sing Thy love, O Lord“ made known at Thy First Coming. And rightly so, for “the earth is filled with the mercy of the Lord” (Ps 118:64).” – St Aelred of Rielvaux (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk [Sermon for Advent (Durham collection)].
PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. Through tesus 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 – 10 February – Friday of Septuagesima Week
May We Confess Your Name to the End By St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258) Bishop and Martyr Apostolic Father of the Church
Good God, may we confess Your Name to the end. May we emerge unmarked and glorious from the traps and darkness of this world. As You have bound us together, by charity and peace and as together, we have persevered under persecution, so may we also rejoice together in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen
Saint of the Day – 10 February – Blessed Hugh of Fosse OPraem (c1093-1164) Priest of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines and the White Canons. Hugh was one of St Norbert’s first disciples and later became the first Abbot of Prémontré, Born at Fosse, Belgium and died in 1164 of natural causes. Also known as – Hugues. Beatified on 13 July 1927 by Pope Pius XI.
He was born at Fosses-la-Ville in what is now Belgium around the year 1093. He seems to have been orphaned early in life and was educated at the collegiate Church of St Feuillien at Fosses. Upon Ordination, he was made Secretary to Burchard, the Bishop of Cambrai. Whilst accompanying the Bishop through Valenciennes, Hugh and Burchard happened upon St Norbert who was there preaching. St Norbert came to visit the Bishop and was led into the Episcopal presence by a Cleric.
The Bishop, looking at him standing there with bare frozen feet and dressed in rough clothing, absolutely amazed and dumbfounded, fell upon his neck with a gasp and cried out: “Oh Norbert, who would ever have believed or even thought this of you!” The Cleric who had admitted Norbert, wondered about the Bishop’s affection for him and asked the reason. The Bishop answered: “This man whom you see, was brought up with me in the Court of the King, a man noble and abounding in delights, to such a degree that he refused my Bishopric when it was offered to him.” Hearing this, the Cleric’s eyes filled with tears, both because he saw his master weeping but also because, he longed for a similar way of life. Secretly he discovered when and where Norbert would be continuing his journey.
But Norbert was suddenly seized by a serious illness while still in the City. The Bishop kindly tended his illness, daily visiting him, both himself and through the members of his Court. The aforementioned Cleric was among those visitors and when Norbert grew stronger he approached him and promised to accompany him in his profession and journey. Norbert thanked God thinking that the man was going to set out with him right away. But when the Cleric stated that he first wanted to set his affairs in order, Norbert was troubled at his words and said only: “Ah, brother, if this is of God, it will not be undone.” The Cleric left, promising to return and, disposing of his possessions, a little later did return, henceforth to follow the man of God. The name of that cleric was Hugh.
After returning to Norbert’s side, Hugh followed St Norbert on his many journeys over northern Europe and was present at the foundation of Prémontré in 1120. Hugh was made the first Prior of the Abbey and when Norbert took up his appointment of Archbishop of Magdeburg, Hugh became the first Abbot.
As Abbot, Hugh laid the foundations of the legislative and liturgical life of the Order. He organised the system of General Chapters, wrote the first Statutes of the Order and organised the various liturgical offices. He was also devoted to the education and training of his clerics and governed the Order during those early years of rapid expansion.
Known especially for his humility, Hugh never signed his name with ‘Abbot’ but only as ‘Servant of God and Norbert.’ Having laboured so hard for the good of the Order, Hugh died at Prémontré on 10 February 1164. In 1279 his Relics were moved to the High Altar of the Abbey Church of Prémontré and in 1660, given more elaborate furnishings. With the coming of the Revolution Hugh’s Relics were safely hidden in a number of locations until they found a place at the Abbey of Bois-Seigneur-Isaac.
In 2010, his Relics finally found a permanent home in Rome, at the Generalate of the Order. How appropriate that the first Abbot of Prémontré, should now ever be close to his successors.
Prayer: Almighty eternal God, Who always calls new men, so that they might make Thy way known to others, we humbly entreat Thee, through the merits and intercession of Thy Abbot, Blessed Hugh that by praying and working, we may build up Thy people into one. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.
St Desideratus of Clermont St Erluph of Werden Blessed Hugh of Fosse OPraem (c1093-1164) Priest of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines and the White Canons. Bl Paganus Bl Paul of Wallachia Bl Pierre Frémond St Porfirio St Prothadius of Besançon St Salvius of Albelda St Silvanus of Terracina St Soteris the Martyr St Troiano of Saintes St Trumwin of Whitby
Martyred Soldiers in Rome: A group of ten Christian soldiers who were Martyred together for their faith. We know little more about them but four of their names – Amantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus and Zoticus. • 120 at Rome, Italy. They were buried on the Via Lavicana outside RomeAmantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus, Zoticus.
Thought for the Day – 9 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Love of Our Neighbour
“A few hundred yards from the centre of a big City, one often finds groups of hovels in which large numbers of families are living, herded together in poverty. There, in the wintertime, these poor people suffer from the cold and damp and, in hot areas, from the burning heat in summer. Often their hovels are badly roofed and protect from neither the cold nor the heat. They are hungry and have not even a loaf of bread to kill the pangs of their deprived bodies.
Not very far away, there are luxurious mansions and expensive villas and up and down the streets, drift splendidly upholstered cars, carrying men and women for whom the only thing in life that matters, is pleasure and comfort.
“Love your neighbour as yourself” the Gospel says. How far we still are from the realisation of this command! Men would need to go to these poor hovels to do the Spiritual Exercises. They would need to live in these places for at least a month. Many ideas would be changed and many hearts transformed if this were done. The slums, shacks, caves, shipping and even cardboard boxes and other hovels in which men have to live, bear sad testimony to the fact that the Gospel has not yet been understood by many and that Christian charity has still a long way to go.
Consider before God, if you are responsible, even in some small way, for this wretched state of affairs. Form the resolution of contributing, as far as possible, to the relief of so much want and suffering. Now is the time – Lent is nearly here!”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church
“Indeed, the Mystery of Christ runs the risk of being disbelieved, precisely because, it is so incredibly wonderful!”
“He who abides in Me and I in Him, the same bears much fruit”
John 5:5
“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him and cling fast to the holy commandment, which has been handed down to us and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility, that is to say, if we never consent, in any way, to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30), Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom, we believe, God has made His home in us. … For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes, the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots, so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God, implants, in His people, a sort of affinity with His own nature and that of the Father. By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him by every kind of holiness. He nourishes them, so that they become devout and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue and good works.”
“… [The Kingdom of God] … is within you. That is, it depends on your own wills and is in your own power, whether or not you receive it. Everyone, that has attained to justification, by means of faith in Christ and decorated by every virtue, is counted worthy, of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“He says that these temptations must come. Is this then because God, Who governs all, forces people to their commission of sin? Away with the thought! Nothing that is evil comes from Him. He is the fountain of all virtue. Why then must this happen? They clearly happen because of our infirmity, for all of us stumble in many things, as it is written. Nevertheless, He says, that there will be woe to the person who lays the stumbling blocks in the way. He does not leave indifference in these things without rebuke but restrains it by fear of punishment. He still commands us to bear with patience “ those who cause sins to happen.”
“We must note, therefore, that he who does things pleasing to God, serves Christ but he who follows his own wishes, is a follower, rather of himself and not of God!”
One Minute Reflection – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation”& “Seal of all the Fathers” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but upon a candlestick …” – Matthew 5:15
REFLECTION – “Brethren, the Apostles are lamps enabling us to wait for the coming of Christ’s Day. Our Lord tells them: “You are the light of the world.” And since they cannot believe themselves to be a light, like that of which it is said: “He was the true Light Who enlightens everyone” (Jn 1:9), He at once teaches them what that true light is. Having declared to them: “You are the light of the world,” He continues: “No-one lights a lamp to put it under a bushel basket.” I have called you lights, He says but I must clarify – you are only lamps. So do not give in, to the stirrings of pride, if you do not want to see this wick burning out. I am not putting you under the bushel basket but on the lampstand to cast light over everything with your rays.
What sort of candlestick is this that 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…
“So will your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify” Glorify whom? Not yourself, since to seek your own glory is to want to be extinguished! “Glorify your heavenly Father.” Yes, that they may glorify Him, your heavenly Father, when they see your good works… 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 (Sermon 289, 6 PL 38, 1311-1312).
PRAYER – O God, Who made Cyril, Thy Confessor and Bishop, an unconquerable champion of the most Blessed Virgin Mary’s Divine Motherhood, grant that we, who believe that she is truly the Mother of God, may be saved by her motherly protection. 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 – 9 February – Feast of St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation”& “Seal of all the Fathers” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God By St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father & Doctor of the Church
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, Virgin and Mother! Morning Star, perfect vessel. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, Holy Temple in which God Himself was conceived. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, Chaste and pure dove. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, who enclosed the One Who cannot be encompassed in your sacred womb. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, From you flowed the true light, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, Through you the Conqueror and triumphant Vanquisher of hell, came to us. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, Through you, the glory of the Resurrection blossoms. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, You have saved every faithful Christian. Hail, O Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Adapted from a sermon preached by St Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria (444), presiding as representative of the Holy See at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus, in 431. In refuting Nestorianism, he is called “Doctor of the Incarnation.”
Saint of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation” – Bshop, Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church.
St Cyril of Alexandria From the Roman Breviary
The praises of Cyril of Alexandria have been celebrated, not only by one writer or another but have even been registered in the acts of the Ecumenical Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon. He was born of distinguished parents and was the nephew of Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria. While he was still young, he gave clear proof of his excellent understanding. After giving a deep study to letters and science, he betook himself to John, Bishop of Jerusalem, to be perfected in the Christian Faith. After his return to Alexandria, and the death of Theophilus, he was raised to that See. In this Office, he kept ever before his eyes, the type of the Shepherd of souls described by the Apostle and, by ever adhering thereto, deservedly earned the glory of a holy Bishop.
He burned with zeal for the salvation of souls and took all care to keep the flock entrusted to him in purity of faith and lif, and to guard them from the poisonous pastures of heresy and infidelity. Hence, in accordance with law, he caused the followers of Novatus to be expelled from the City and procured the punishment of the Jews, whose rage had led them to plan a massacre of the Christians. Cyril’s singular care for the preservation of the Catholic Faith shone forth, especially in his conflict with Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople, who declared that Jesus Christ had been born of the Virgin Mary as Man only and not as God and, that the Divinity had been bestowed upon Him because of His merits. Cyril in vain attempted to convert Nestorius and then denounced him to Pope St. Celestine.
A delegate of Pope Celestine, Cyril presided at the Council of Ephesus where the Nestorian heresy was absolutely proscribed. Nestorius was condemned and deprived of his See and the Catholic Doctrine, as to the unity of Person in Christ and the Divine Motherhood of the glorious Virgin Mary, was laid down amid the rejoicings of all the people, who escorted the Bishops to their lodgings with a torch-light procession. For this reason Nestorius and his followers, made Cyril the object of slanders, insults and persecutions which he bore with profound patience, for he cared only for the Faith and paid no attention to what the heretics might do or say against himself.
At length he died a holy death, in the year of salvation 444, the thirty-second of his Episcopacy, after having performed great labours for the Church of God and having composed numerous works, both in refutation of paganism and heresy, in exposition of Sacred Scripture and in explanation of Catholic Dogmas.
St Cyril of Alexandria, at St Nicholas’ Church, Prague
St Alexander of Rome St Alexander of Soli St Alto of Altomünster St Ammon of Membressa St Ammonius of Soli St Ansbert of Rouen St Attracta of Killaraght St Brachio of Auvergne St Cuaran the Wise St Didymus of Membressa St Donatus the Deacon St Eingan of Llanengan St Emilian of Membressa Bl Erizzo Bl Francisco Sanchez Marquez Bl Godeschalk of Želiv St Lassa of Membressa Bl Marianus Scotus St Maro St Nebridius of Egara St Nicephorus of Antioch St Poëmus of Membressa St Primus the Deacon
St Raynald of Nocera (c1150-1217) Bishop of Nocera, Umbria, Italy, Hermit, Monk, Abbot. His body is incorrupt. The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Nocera Umbra, St. Rainaldo, Bishop, formerly a Camaldolese Monk of Fonte Avellana, who, while carrying out the Episcopal office, firmly preserved the habits of monastic life.” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-saint-raynald-of-nocera-c-1150-1217/
St Romanus the Wonder Worker St Ronan of Lismore St Sabino of Abellinum
St Sabinus of Canosa (c461–566) Bishop, Confessor, Benedictine Monk, Papal Legate, miracle-worker, graced with the charism of prophecy, Defender of the Faith against heretics, friend of Saint Benedict of Nursia, builder of Churches and Monasteries, following the Benedictine discipline of Ora et labora. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-saint-sabinus-of-canosa-c-461-566-bishop/
St Teilo of Llandaff
Martyrs of Alexandria: An unknown number of Christians who were massacred inthe 4th Century Alexandria, Egypt by Arian heretics for adhering to the true Faith.
Martyrs of Membressa: A group of 44 Christians Martyred together. We know little else about them some names – Ammon, Didymus, Emilian, Lassa, Poemus They were Martyred in Membressa in Africa.
Thought for the Day – 8 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Use of Creatures
“St Ignatius Loyola investigates this subject in his Spiritual Exercises. He writes that we ought to use things, insofar as they bring us nearer to our final end. We ought to avoid things completely, he continues, insofar as they separate or distract us from this end.
The function of creatures in our regard, is to lead us nearer to God, to remind us of God and to make us love God. But if they are a source of scandal to us, we must avoid them. The Gospel is very strict on this matter when it says, “If thy hand or foot is an occasion of sin to thee, cut it off and cast it from thee” (Mt 5:29-30; 18:8).
This means that we must be ready to give up anything or anyone, rather than endanger our souls and risk the loss of Divine grace and eternal life.”
Quote of the Day – 8 February –St John of Matha O.SS.T (1160-1213) Confessor, Priest, Founder of The Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives
Excerpt from The Mantle of St John de Matha A Legend of “The Red, White and Blue” (1154–1864) By John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892).
A STRONG and mighty Angel, Calm, terrible and bright, The Cross in blended red and blue Upon his mantle white!
Two captives by him kneeling, Each on his broken chain, Sang praise to God who raiseth The dead to life again?
Dropping his Cross-wrought mantle, “Wear this” the Angel said; “Take thou, O Freedom’s Priest, its sign,— The white, the blue and red.”
Then rose up John de Matha In the strength the Lord Christ gave, And begged through all the land of France The ransom of the slave.
The gates of tower and castle Before him open flew, The drawbridge at his coming fell, The door-bolt backward drew.
For all men owned his errand And paid his righteous tax; And the hearts of lord and peasant Were in his hands as wax.
At last, outbound from Tunis, His bark her anchor weighed, Freighted with seven-score Christian souls Whose ransom he had paid!
One Minute Reflection – 8 February – St John of Matha (1160-1213) – Confessor, Priest, Founder – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be you then also ready …” – Luke 12:40
REFLECTION – “At an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Jesus says this to them so that the disciples would stay awake and always be ready. If He tells them, He will come when they are not expecting Him, this is because He wants to make them practice virtue zealously, without relaxing. It is as though He were saying to them: “If people knew when they were going to die, they would be completely ready for the day”… But the end of our life is a secret, hidden from us all…
This is why the Lord expects two qualities of His steward – that he should be faithful, lest he attribute to himself anything that belongs to his Master and that he should be wise, so that he might suitably administer everything put in his charge. So we too ought to have these two qualities if we are to be ready at the Master’s coming… Because this is what happens due to our not knowing the day we shall meet Him – we say to ourselves: “My Master is delayed in coming.” The faithful and wise steward has no such thoughts. Wretch! using the excuse that your Master is late, do you imagine He will not come at all? His coming is certain! Then why do you not stay on your guard? No, the Lord is not slow in coming – this lateness is purely in the imagination of the wicked servant!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 77 on St Matthew).
PRAYER – O God, Who graciously and by Divine means founded, through blessed John, the Order of the Most Holy Trinity to ransom captives from the hands of the Saracens, grant, we beseech Thee that through Thy help and the merits of his prayers, we may be freed body and soul from captivity. 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 – 8 February – Septuagesima Week – Help us Lord!
Grant Us This Day, O Lord By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus Doctor Communis
Grant us this day, O Lord a vigilant heart, that no alien thought can lure away from Thee, a pure heart. that no unworthy love can soil, an upright heart, that no crooked intentions can lead astray. And give us Lord, understanding to know Thee, zeal to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee and a hope, that will one day take hold of Thee. Amen
Saint of the Day – 8 February – Saint Cuthman of Steyning (Died 8th Century) Hermit, builder of Churches, Miracle-worker. Born in c681 at Chidham, near Bosham, Sussex (some legends say Devon or Cornwall) in England and diedin the 8th Century at Steyning, Sussex, England. Patronages – against poverty, bachelors, poor people, shepherds, of Steyning, England. Also known as – Cuthmann, Cutmano, Cutmanus.
Modern statue of St Cuthman by Penny Reeve, looking over the road to the Church he founded at Steyning.
The earliest surviving written record of Cuthman’s life is a volume of the Acta Sanctorum, published by the Bollandists at Antwerp in 1658. According to the story, Cuthman was a shepherd who grew up either in the West Country or at Chidham, near Chichester. He was probably born in the late seventh century and may have been Baptised by St Wilfrid himself, the ‘Apostle of Sussex.’
Even as a young boy, Cuthman showed signs of his closeness to God. One day, while tending his sheep, he drew a line around them with his staff so that he could get away to collect food. On his return, he found that the flock had not left the invisible boundary. This miracle may have taken place in a field near Chidham, which, for centuries was known as ‘St Cuthman’s Field’ or ‘St Cuthman’s Dell.’ It was said that a large stone in the field, ‘on which the holy shepherd was in the habit of sitting,’ held miraculous properties.
A turning point in Cuthman’s life was the death of his father, which left both him and his mother destitute. They decided to leave their home and journey eastwards – in the direction of the rising sun. By this time, Cuthman’s mother was an invalid and so he had to push her in a wheeled wooden cart. A rope that stretched from the handles to the Saint’s shoulders helped carry the burden. When the rope snapped, he made a new one out of withies (willow tree branches used for basketry). The local haymakers laughed at Cuthman’s rather pathetic efforts but Providence soon responded to their merriment by sending a sudden rainstorm, destroying their harvest. Later versions of the story say that, from that moment onwards, it always rained in that field during the haymaking season!
Cuthman decided that once this replacement rope made of withies broke, it would be a sign from God to settle at that place and build a Church. This happened at Steyning, which, according to the Acta Sanctorum, was ‘a place lying at the base of a lofty hill, then woody, overgrown with brambles and bushes but now rendered by agriculture fertile and fruitful, enclosed between two streams springing from the hill above. The Bollandist Monks have also provided us with Cuthman’s prayer as he reached this blessed spot:
“Father Almighty, Thou hast brought my wanderings to an end; now enable me to begin this work. For who am I, Lord, that I should build a house to Thy Name? If I rely on myself, it will be of no avail but it is Thou Who will assist me. Thou hast given me the desire to be a builder; make up for my lack of skill and bring the work of building this holy house to its completion.”
And so, this unlikely builder began constructing a worthy Sanctuary in honour of the One who had guided him safely along his journey ad orientem. Many of the local inhabitants helped him in this great task and on one occasion, according to the legend, he even received Divine assistance. The builders were having trouble with a roof-beam, when a stranger appeared and provided them with a solution. When asked his name, the newcomer replied: ‘I am He in Whose name you are building the Church.‘
He built a wooden Chapel in Steyning, probably on the site of the present Church of St Andrew’s. This building was certainly well established by 857, when King Ethelwulf (father of St Alfred the Great) was buried there.
It seems that pilgrims visited the Tomb of St Cuthman and that his intercession led to many miraculous cures. During the reign of St Edward the Confessor, the Church at Steyning was given to the Abbey of the Holy Trinity at Fécamp, Normandy. This Benedictine house, founded in the seventh century, is famous for its ‘Benedictine’ liqueur, which today is commercially produced in the grounds of the old Abbey. It was to this Monastery that the Black Monks took the body of St Cuthman and his Feast (8 February) was celebrated at many of the religious houses of Normandy. Thus, St Cuthman became well known on the continent – as can be seen in a mid fifteenth century German engraving of the saint by Martin Schongauer and in the writings of the seventeenth century Bollandists.
Meanwhile, the Church at Steyning was rebuilt and dedicated to St Andrew. However, St Cuthman was not forgotten in his beloved land. A ‘Guild of St Cuthman’ was in existence at Chidham on the eve of the Reformation and a misericord in Ripon Cathedral depicts him pushing his mother in a three-wheeled barrow. There are quite a few Churches dedicated to St Cuthman in England but in Steyning, he is particularly loved and venerated.
St Andrew’s Church in Steyning
The colourful tale of St Cuthman presents us with a charming example of filial piety, prayer, evangelisation and Church building in Saxon England. In the words of Christopher Fry:
It is there in the story of Cuthman, the working together Of man and God like root and sky; the son Of a Cornish shepherd, Cuthman, the boy with a cart, The boy we saw trudging the sheep-tracks with his mother Mile upon mile over five counties; one Fixed purpose biting his heels and lifting his heart. We saw him; we saw him with a grass in his mouth, chewing And travelling. We saw him building, at last, A Church among whortleberries…
St Cyriacus of Rome St Dionysus of Armenia St Elfleda of Whitby St Emilian of Armenia St Giacuto St Gisela St Honoratus of Milan St Inventius of Pavia Bl Jacoba de Settesoli St Kigwe St Laureatus of Rome St Lucius of Rome St Meingold St Mlada of Prague St Nicetius of Besançon St Oncho of Clonmore St Paul of Rome
St Sebastian of Armenia St Stephen of Muret (c1046-1124) Abbot
Martyrs of Constantinople: Community of 5th Century Monks at the Monastery of Saint Dius at Constantinople. Imprisoned and Martyred for loyalty to the Vatican during the Acacian Schism. 485 in Constantinople.
Martyrs of Persia: An unknown number of Christians murdered in early 6th-century Persia. Legend says that so many miracles occurred through the intercession of these Martyrs that the King decreed an end to the persecution of Christians.
Thought for the Day – 7 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Religion and Action
“If we wish to be true and sincere Christians, it is not enough to believe, nor is it enough to attend the ceremonies of religion, We must act like true Christians. As St Gregory the Great writes, “We shall really be faithful Christians only when we practise, in our actions, what we promise in our words” (Sermon 29). Since Christianity is above everything else, the religion of charity, it is essential that we should be on fire with the love of God and our our neighbour. As St Augustine says, faith without charity is the faith which even the devil possesses (De Caritas 10).”
Quote of the Day – 7 February – St Romuald, Abbot (c951-1027)
“Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God, like a chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings to him.”
One Minute Reflection – 7 February – St Romuald (c951-1027) Abbo – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “No-one should say to himself, even when he regards others who have left a great deal behind: “I want to imitate those who despise this world but I have nothing to leave behind.” You leave a great deal behind, my friends, if you renounce your desires. Our external possessions, no matter how small, are enough for the Lord, He weighs the heart and not the substance and does not measure the amount we sacrifice for Him but the effort with which we bring it…. The Kingdom of God has no assessment value put on it but it is worth everything you have… To Peter and Andrew it was worth the nets and boat they gave up; to the widow it was worth two small coins (Lk 21:2); to another person it was worth a cup of cold water (Mt 10:42). The Kingdom of God, as I said, is worth everything you have. Think about it, my friends, what has less value when you purchase it, what is more precious when you possess it?
But perhaps a cup of cold water offered to someone who needs it, is not enough, even then the Word of God gives us assurance…: “Peace on earth to men of goodwill!” (Lk 2:4). In the sight of God, no hand is ever empty of a gift, if the deep places of the heart are filled with goodwill… Although I have no gifts to offer outwardly, yet I find within myself something to place on the Altar of Thou praise…: Thou art better pleased with an offering of our heart! (cf. Ps 55:13).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospel no 5).
PRAYER – May the intercession of the Blessed Abbot Romuald, commend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that what we do not deserve by any merits of our own, we may obtain by his patronage. 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 February – Tuesday of Septuagesima Week – Preparing to prepare, making a plan of action, seeking the best means for ourselves.
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace. “The Peace Prayer” By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying, that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Saint of the Day – 7 February – Saint Lorenzo Maiorano (Died 545) Bishop of Siponto in Italy, Miracle-worker gifted with Prophecy and visions. Collaborator with St Michael in the Apparition at Gargano, known as “The Defender of the People.” Born in Constantinople in the 5th Century and died on 7 February 545 in Siponto, Italy. Patronages – of the City and Archdiocese of Manfredonia, he is the Co-patron with St Philip Neri and Our Lady of Siponto. St Lorenzo is also called the “Patron Saint of Foreigners” by the citizens of Siponto, having been a foreigner himself. Also known as – “The Defender of the People.” Lawrence Majoranus, Lawrence of Siponto, Lorenzo of Siponto, Laurence, Patron of Foreigners.
it is agreed that Lorenzo Maiorano was originally from the East, more precisely, from Constantinople, the seat of the Byzantine Empire.
The Bishopric of Siponto, now Manfredonia (the name it took in 1256 from King Manfred), after the death of Bishop Felix, which occurred at the time of the Eastern Emperor Zeno (474-491), during the struggles between Odoacer and Theodoric (489-493), remained vacant for a year. When peace returned, the Sipontos sent a delegation to Constantinople to ask for a successor, this must have happened in one of the last years of the 5th century, when Siponto was still under Byzantine rule because it is known that from the same 5th Century to the entire 8th Century, Puglia was under Roman jurisdiction.
The Emperor Zeno, still alive before 491, designated Lorenzo his relative, who accepted and left, bringing with him precious Relics of Sts Stephen and Agatha. It is also believed that Lorenzo brought with him, the Icon of Our Lady of Siponto (Maria Santissima di Siponto). It is said that the Icon was painted by an anonymous painter in Constantinople in the fifth century and was exhibited in one of the most important Churches there.
Our Lady of Siponto
At this point there are variances in the records – in one Vita, it is made to understand that Lorenzo was Consecrated Bishop in Constantinople itself, while in the other version, it is said that he reached Rome to be Consecrated by Pope Gelasius I (492-496).
It is recalled that this was the time when the Emperors only nominated Bishops for their regions, to be Consecrated by the Pope or sometimes only to ask for his approval. This situation would only be resolved much later, with the struggle between the Papacy and the Empire, with the so-called “Investiture controversy.”
Having become Bishop of Siponto, a strategic City due to its position on the sea, Lorenzo beyond the merits of shepherd of souls, linked his name to the extraordinary event of the Apparition of the Archangel Michael on the Gargano.
It was the year 490 and a gentleman named Elvio Emanuele Gargan, had lost the most beautiful bull of his herd. After long searches he found the animal crouched inside an inaccessible cave, since he could not be reached, he decided to kill the bull and fired an arrow from his bow but the arrow inexplicably, instead of hitting the bull, spun around and rebounded, hitting the shooter instead!
St Lorenzo without his festival Vestments
Shocked, he went to the Bishop of Siponto, Lorenzo and told what had happened. Bishop Lorenzo prescribed three days of prayer and fasting. On the third day, the Archangel Michael revealed himself to the Bishop, with the invitation to dedicate that cave to Christian worship. But Lorenzo hesitated and did not execute the will of St Michael because the pagan cult was still very much alive on the mountain where the cave was located.
After two years, in 492, Siponto was besieged by the barbarian King Odoacer, the Christian forces were now their close to collapsing, when our Saint Lorenzo managed to obtain a three-day truce from the King which the Bishop and the faithful employed more in prayer and penance, than in reconstituting their strength for a battle already lost at the start.
At this juncture the Archangel reappeared to the Bishop, to tell him that he would give his help if the Sipontines attacked the enemy. The promise came true and when the besiegers resumed hostilities, a storm of sand and hail suddenly fell on the barbarians, who, frightened, fled.
St Lorenzo under the storm of sand and hail
The City was saved and Bishop Lorenzo, with all the population, went up to Monte dell’Arcangelo in procession to thank him but once again, Lorenzo did not dare to enter the cave. This uncertainty, prompted him the following year, to seek the advice of Pope Gelasius I, who ordered him to occupy that cave and to go there with the Bishops of Puglia to Consecrate it, after a triduum of fasts.
But the Archangel Michael manifested himself for the third time to the undecided Bishop, telling him that it was not necessary to Consecrate the cave because it was already Consecrated by Michael’s presence, so Lorenzo could enter and celebrate Holy Mass.
Legend has it that when Bishop Lorenzo entered the cave, he found an Altar covered in red cloth, with a crystal Cross on it. He then had a Church built at the entrance to the cave, which he dedicated to St Michael on 29 September 493. Fom here began that uninterrupted cult over the centuries, which has seen crowds of pilgrims of all classes, Kings and Queens, future Saints, Popes starting from Gelasius I himself, come to the Sanctuary and the Sacred Grotto, all united by the desire to visit this mystical cave where, according to the words of the Archangel to St Lorenzo, “the sins of men can be forgiven.”
It is also known that by invoking the help of St Michael, Lorenzo managed to repel an incursion of Neapolitans against Siponto.
He had various Churches built, including one in honour of St John the Baptist which he had decorated with paintings, as well as the one on the Gargano. He had the gift of prophecy and predicted the imminent disasters of the Gothic War; he met with Totila, King of the Ostrogoths (d. 552) obtaining that Siponto was spared from destruction.
Lorenzo died in Siponto on 7 February perhaps in 545. His remaining Relics are now in Cattedrale di San Lorenzo Maiorano, where they were translated in 1327 by Bishop Matteo Orsini from Siponto Cathedral, where they lay under the High Altar. During the fire and the destruction of the first Cathedral by the Turks in 1620, the body of Saint Lorenzo was also destroyed, except for the right arm, which remains in the Cathedral today.
St Romuald (c 951-1027) Monk, Abbot, Ascetic, Founder of the Camaldolese Order and a major figure in the Eleventh-Century “Renaissance of eremitical asceticism.” His Feast Day is today and was thus from 1595. It was changed to 19 June in 1969. St Romuald’s body is incorrupt. St Romuald’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/19/saint-of-the-day-19-june-st-romuald-c-951-1027/
St Adaucus of Phrygia St Amulwinus of Lobbes St Anatolius of Cahors Bl Anselmo Polanco Bl Anthony of Stroncone
St Augulus St Chrysolius of Armenia St Fidelis of Merida Bl Jacques Sales St John of Triora St Juliana of Bologna St Lorenzo Maiorano (Died 545) Bishop St Luke the Younger
Blessed Mary of Providence/Eugénie Smet HHS (1825-1871) Nun and Founder of the Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls. Her apostolate has spread throughout the world – now in 24 countries and continues to minister to the Souls in the Body of Christ — both those on earth and those who have departed this world. Beatified in Rome on 26 May 1957 by Pope Pius XII. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/07/saint-of-the-day-7-february-blessed-mary-of-providence-hhs-1825-1871/
St Maximus of Nola St Meldon of Péronne St Moses the Hermit St Parthenius of Lampsacus
Thought for the Day – 6 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Religion and Devotion
“We must not be satisfied simply to carry out the acts of religion, however exactly. We must fulfil them with love. It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and the heart that God wants most of all. The body must also pay its tribute of subjection to its Creator but if the mind and heart are cold and distracted, this tribute is worthless. There is no religion without devotion. “This people honours me with their lips but their heart is far from me” (Mt 15:8; Mk 7:6). Consider this complaint of Our Lord. Let us earnestly examine our conduct. Religion is useless if it is not fed by the active fire of charity. Anyone who is content to go to Mass on Feast Days and stand in the Church silently and indifferently like a candlestick without a candle, is not a true and sincere Catholic. Religion must be deeply felt. It must be penetrated by devotion and charity. Only then will it inspire real Christian activity.”
Quote/s of the Day – 6 February – St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor
“Love one another as I have loved you”
John 15:12
“I have chosen you and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit and your fruit should remain, says the Lord.”
John 15:16
“He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the Great Light, bathed in the glory of Him who is the Light of Heaven.”
St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Father & Doctor of the Church
“My children, eternal life is being offered to us, the Kingdom of Heaven is made ready and Christ’s inheritance awaits us … So let us run from now on with increased energy and above all you, lazy, recalcitrant, dull of heart, friends of murmuring who, unless you improve, are like the cursed fig tree. … Let us seek out the fight, bravely pour with our sweat, adorn ourselves with crowns, gain praises and gather up, like a treasure, “what eye has not seen and ear has not heard and what has not entered the human heart” (1 Cor 2:9).
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33
“Who will be crowned without having fought? Who will go to rest if he is not tired (cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)? Who will gather the fruits of life without having planted virtues in his soul? Cultivate them, prepare the earth with the greatest care, take trouble over it, sweat over it, children, God’s workers, imitators of the Angels, competitors with incorporeal beings, lights for those who are in the world (cf. Phil 2:15)!”
One Minute Reflection – 6 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinitys” – St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“At that time, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them forth two-by-two, before Him into every town and place, where He, Himself, was about to come.” – Luke 10:1
REFLECTION – “Beloved brothers, our Lord and Saviour sometimes gives us instruction by Words and sometimes by Actions. His very Deeds are our commands and whenever He acts silently, He is teaching us what we should do. For example, He sends His disciples out to preach, two-by-two because the precept of charity is twofold—love of God and of one’s neighbour.
The Lord sends His disciples out to preach in twos, in order to teach us, silently, that whoever fails in charity toward his neighbour, should by no means take upon himself the office of preaching.
Rightly is it said, that He sent them ahead of Him into every city and place, where He ,Himself was to go. For the Lord follows after the preachers because preaching goes ahead to prepare the way and then, when the words of exhortation have gone ahead and established Truth in our minds, the Lord comes to live within us. To those who preach ,Isaiah says: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. And the psalmist tells them: Make a way for Him who rises above the sunset. The Lord rises above the sunset because, from that very place where He slept in death, He rose again and manifested a greater glory. He rises above the sunset because, in His Resurrection, He trampled underfoot the death, which He endured. Therefore, we make a way for Him who rises above the sunset ,when we preach His glory to you, so that when He, Himself follows after us, He may illumine you with His Love.
Let us listen now to His words as He sends His preachers forth: The harvest is great but the labourers are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His harvest. That the harvest is good but the labourers are few cannot be said without a heavy heart, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few to preach it. Indeed, see how full the world is of Priests but yet, in God’s harvest, a true labourer is rarely to be found;,although we have accepted the Priestly office, we do not fulfil its demands!
Think over, my beloved brothers, think over His Words: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His harvest. Pray for us, so that we may be able to labour worthily on your behalf, that our tongue may not grow weary of exhortation, that after we have taken up the office of preaching, our silence may not bring us condemnation from the Just Judge! ” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his Homily 17, On the Gospels).
PRAYER – O God, Who adorned blessed Titus, Thy Confessor and Bishop, with the virtues of an apostle, grant, through his merits and intercession that by living justly and piously in this world, we may be found worthy to enter Heaven. 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 – 6 February – St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor
O Fathers of Our Ancient Faith
O Fathers of our ancient faith, With all the heav’n, we sing your fame Whose sound went forth in all the earth To tell of Christ and bless His Name.
You took the Gospel to the poor, The Word of God alight in you, Which in our day is told again, That timeless Word, forever new.
You told of God, Who died for us And out of death triumphant rose, Who gave the Truth which made us free and changeless through the ages goes.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Whose gift is faith that never dies, A light in darkness now, until The Day-Star in our hearts arise.
O Fathers of Our Ancient Faith is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. In the Divine Office it is sung at Morning Prayer in the Common of Apostles. It is set to the anonymous tune associated with the 7th century Latin hymn, Creator Alme Siderum.
Saint of the Day – 6 February – St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor, Disciple of St Paul, Missionary, Peacemaker, Teacher, Administrator, Friend – Patron of Crete.
Saint Titus, Bishop and Confessor From the Liturgical Year, 1904
We are to celebrate today, the Feast of a holy Bishop of the Apostolic Age–a Disciple of the Apostle St Paul. Little is known of his life but, by addressing to him, one of his inspired Epistles, the Apostle of the Gentiles has immortalised his memory. Wheresoever the Faith of Christ has been or shall be preached, Titus’ name has been venerated by the Faithful and, as long as the world lasts, the holy Church will read to her children, this Epistle, which was written, indeed, to a simple Bishop of the Isle of Crete but was dictated by the Holy Ghost and, therefore, destined to be a part of those Sacred Scriptures, which contain the Word of God. The counsels and directions given in this admirable Letter, were the rule of the holy Bishop, for whom St Paul entertained a very strong affection. St Titus had the honour of establishing the Christian Religion in that famous Island, which was one of the strongholds of Paganism. He survived his master, who was put to death by Nero. Like St John, he sweetly slept in Christ at a very advanced age, respected and loved by the Church he had founded. As we have already observed, his life left but few traces behind it; but these few are sufficient, to prove him to have been, one of those wonderful men, whom God chose as the directors of His infant Church.
Titus, Bishop of Crete, was initiated into the Christian faith by Paul the Apostle and being prepared by the Sacraments, he shed so bright a light of sanctity on the infant Church that he merited to be chosen as one of the Disciples of the Doctor of the Gentiles. Being called to bear the burden of preaching the Gospel, so ardent and persevering was he, in the discharge of that duty that he endeared himself to St Pau,l so much, as to make the Apostle say in one of his Epistles that being come to Troas, to preach the Faith in that City, he found no rest for his heart because he found not there his brother Titus. And having, a short time after this, gone to Macedonia, he thus expresses his affection for his disciple in these terms -“ But God who comforteth the humble, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”
Being sent to Corinth by the Apostle, he acquitted himself in this mission (which mainly consisted in collecting the alms, given by the piety of the faithful, towards alleviating the distress of the Hebrew Church) with so much prudence and patience that he not only confirmed the Corinthians in the Faith of Christ but made them so desirous of a visit from Paul, who had been their first teacher in the faith that they shed tears of longing affection.
After having undertaken several journeys both by sea and land, in order to sow the seed of the Divine Word among people of various tongues and Countries and, after having supported, with great firmness of soul, countless anxieties and fatigues, in order to plant the standard of the Cross – he landed at the Island of Crete, in company with his master, St Paul. The Apostle made him Bishop of the Church which he had founded in that Island and it is not to be doubted but that Titus so discharged his duty, as that he became a model to the Faithful, according to the advice given to him by his master, in good works, in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity.
St Titus left with St Paul
Thus did he become a shining light, pouring forth the rays of the Christian Faith on them that were sitting in the darkness of idolatry and lies, as in the shadow of death. Tradition tells us that he passed into Dalmatia, where he laboured with extraordinary zeal to enlist that people under the Banner of the Cross.
At length, full of days and merit, in the ninety-fourth year of his age, he slept in the Lord, the death of the just, on the vigil of the nones of January (4 January) and was buried in the Church in which the Apostle had appointed him Minister of the Word. St John Chrysostom and St Jerome pass great eulogium upon this holy Bishop and his name is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology on the day abovementioned but in establishing his Feast to be celebrated, with an Office and Mass, throughout the Catholic world, by the Clergy secular and regular, the Sovereign Pontiff Pius the Ninth ordered it to be kept on the first vacant day following the anniversary of the Saint’s death, which is today, 6 February.
St Titus (First Century-c96) Bishop, Confessor, Disciple of St Paul, Missionary, Peacemaker, Teacher, Administrator, Friend – Patron of Crete. The New Testament does not record his death.
Saint Pedro Bautista Blásquez y Blásquez OFM (1542-1597) Priest Martyr and the 26 Martyrs of Japan – Died by Crucifixion on 5 February 1597. Canonised on 8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX.
St Amand of Moissac St Amand of Nantes St Andrew of Elnone Bl Angelus of Furci St Antholian of Auvergne St Brinolfo Algotsson Cassius of Auvergne Bl Diego de Azevedo St Ethelburga of Wessex Bl Francesca of Gubbio St Gerald of Ostia St Gonsalo Garcia OFM St Guarinus St Guethenoc St Hildegund St Ina of Wessex St Jacut St Liminius of Auvergne St Maximus of Aurvergne St Mel of Ardagh St Melchu of Armagh St Mun of Lough Ree St Relindis of Eyck St Revocata St Saturninus St Tanco of Werden St Theophilus St Theophilus the Lawyer
St Vaast of Arras (c 453-539 or 540) Bishop – The First Bishop of Arras, France , Hermit, Ascetic, Miracle-worker, Advisor to King Clovis. The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Arras in Belgian Gaul, today in France, Saint Vedastus, Bishop, who, sent by Saint Remigius Bishop of Rheims to the devastated City, catechised King Clovis, re-established the Church and held it for about forty years and brought to an end, the need of work for evangelisation among the previously still pagan peoples of the region.” St Vaast is another Patron of eye diseases, problems and blindness. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/06/saint-of-the-day-6-february-saint-vaast-of-arras-c-453-539-or-540/
St Victorinus of Auvergne
Martyrs of Emesa: St Luke the Deacon St Mucius the Lector
Thought for the Day – 5 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
IDLENESS
“There is another weighty reason which should prevent us from living in idleness. The Holy Spirit warns us that: “Idleness is an apt teacher of mischief” (Ecclus 33:29) and “he who follows idle pursuits, is a fool” (Prov 12:11). In other words, sloth is a great studity and is the father of the vices. If anyone is inactive, he learns nothing. Since our bodily and spiritual faculties were made for action, it necessarily follows that when they are not working for a good or useful purpose, they find an outlet in other directions, which lead to disorder and sin. Without work and prayer, there is only inactivity which leads to sin. It is fatal to remain idle. God warns us that we must render an account of every idle work (Mt 12:36).
St Thomas Aquinas notes that an idle word is usually a venial sin but can also be a mortal sin (Summa Theologiae II-II, q 72, a 5). What should be said then of those who live in idleness, while there is so much work to be done for the glory of God, for our own good and for the good of others? Anyone who loves God is never idle, says St Jerome. The love of God works wonderful things – if it does not, it cannot be called love!”
AnaStpaul 
You must be logged in to post a comment.