Volume VII/Issue 11/February 2023

This and That

 Plowing Straight

The Funny Pharmacy

The Pope Speaks: Pope St. Gregory the Great

The Fruits of Repentance

John recommends that we do great things: "Therefore make worthy fruits of penance." And again, "Let him who has two tunics give one to him who has none, and he who has what to eat does the same. "Is not this to give a clear understanding of what the Truth affirms:" From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and it is the violent ones who delight "(Mt 11:12). These words which come to us from above, we must meditate with great attention. We must look for how the Kingdom of Heaven can suffer violence. Who could do violence in Heaven? And if the Kingdom of Heaven can suffer violence, it remains to ask why it is since the days of John the Baptist that he supports this violence, and why it was not so before. When the Law says, "If anyone does this or that, he will die of death," all those who read it clearly understand that it has struck sinners hard, without bringing them back to life. by penance. But when John the Baptist, announcing the grace of the Redeemer, preaches penance for the sinner, who died by his fault, to live by the effect of his conversion, it is true that since the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of heavens suffers violence.

What is this kingdom of heaven but the dwelling of the righteous? For it is to the just ones that the rewards of the heavenly homeland are due, so that the humble, the chaste, the meek, the merciful attain the joys from above. But when sinners who were swollen with pride, sullied by the sins of the flesh, burned by anger or filled with cruelty, return to penance after committing these faults and obtain eternal life, they enter somehow into a foreign country. Thus, since the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and it is the violent ones that delight him, since by enjoining penitence to sinners, John has taught them to do violence in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Let us, dear brothers, rethink the evil that we have done, and consume ourselves [repentance] by weeping incessantly. This inheritance of the righteous whom we have not been able to obtain by our life, let us be overcome by penitence. The almighty God wants to suffer from us such violence, because the Kingdom of Heaven is not due to us by virtue of our merits, he wants us to ravage him with our tears. May our bad deeds, however serious and numerous, in no way affect the certainty of our hope. It is a great confidence to be forgiven that gives us the good thief, worthy of veneration (cf Lk 23, 39-43). Not that being a thief has made him so; but by cruelty, he became by his confession worthy of veneration. Think, then, consider how incomprehensible are the entrails of mercy of Almighty God. This thief, who had blood on his hands, was removed from his cup-throat and hanged on the gallows of the cross. There he confessed, there he was healed, there he deserved to hear: "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Lk 23:43). Who can say or measure such great goodness of God? From the very punishment of crime, the thief came to the rewards of virtue. If the almighty God allowed his chosen ones to fall into certain faults, it is to give the hope of forgiveness to others who lie in sin, provided that they return to him with all their heart, and to open to them the way of love through the tears of penance.

Let us then apply ourselves to tears, erase by tears and worthy fruits of penance the faults we have committed.

St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life

Preparation.

1. Place yourself in the Presence of God.
2. Ask Him to inspire your heart.

Considerations.

1. Consider how long it is since you first began to commit sin, and how since that first beginning sin has multiplied in your heart; how every day has added to the number of your sins against God, against yourself and against your neighbour, by deed, word, thought and desire.

2. Consider your evil tendencies, and how far you have followed them. These two points will show you that your sins are more in number than the hairs of your head, or the sand on the seashore.

3. Apart from sin, consider your ingratitude towards God, which is in itself a sin enfolding all the others, and adding to their enormity: consider the gifts which God has given you, and which you have turned against the Giver; especially the inspirations you have neglected, and the promptings to good which you have frustrated. Review the many Sacraments you have received, and see where are their fruits. Where are the precious jewels wherewith your Heavenly Bridegroom decked you? with what preparation have you received them? Reflect upon the ingratitude with which, while God sought to save you, you have fled from Him and rushed upon destruction.

Affections and Resolutions.

1. Humble yourself in your wretchedness. O my God, how dare I come before Thine Eyes? I am but a corrupt being, a very sink of ingratitude and wickedness. Can it be that I have been so disloyal, that not one sense, not one faculty but has been sullied and stained;--not one day has passed but I have sinned before Thee? Was this a fitting return for all my Creator's gifts, for my Redeemer's Blood?

2. Ask pardon;--throw yourself at the Lord's Feet as the prodigal son, as the Magdalene, as the woman convicted of adultery. Have mercy, Lord, on me a sinner! O Living Fountain of Mercy, have pity on me, unworthy as I am.

3. Resolve to do better. Lord, with the help of Thy Grace I will never again give myself up to sin. I have loved it too well;--henceforth I would abhor it and cleave to Thee. Father of Mercy, I would live and die to Thee.

4. In order to put away past sin, accuse yourself bravely of it, let there not be one sinful act which you do not bring to light.

5. Resolve to make every effort to tear up the roots of sin from your heart, especially this and that individual sin which troubles you most.

6. In order to do this, resolve steadfastly to follow the advice given you, and never think that you have done enough to atone for your past sin.

Conclusion.

1. Thank God for having waited till now for you, and for rousing these good intentions in your heart.
2. Offer Him all your heart to carry them to good effect.
3. Pray that He would strengthen you.

Saints from East and West

February 12 - The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

It was between the years 1225 and 1227 that seven young Florentines joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin-popularly known as the "Laudesi" or "Praisers." It was at a period when the prosperous city of Florence was being rent by political factions and distracted by the heresy of the Cathari: it was also a time of general relaxation of morals even where devotional practices were retained. These young men, members of the most prominent families of the city, had from their childhood been occupied more with spiritual than with temporal affairs and had taken no part in local feuds. Whether they were all friends before they joined the Laudesi is not clear, but in that confraternity they became closely allied, and all seven grew daily more detached from the world and more devoted to the service of the Blessed Virgin. The eldest of them was Buonfiglio Monaldo, who became their leader, and the others were Alexis Falconieri, Benedict dell'Antella, Bartholomew Amidei, Ricovero Uguccione, Gerardino Sostegni, and John Buonagiunta. They had as their spiritual director James of Poggibonsi, who was chaplain of the Laudesi, a man of great holiness and spiritual insight. All of them came to realize the call to a life of renunciation, and they determined to have recourse to our Lady in their perplexity.

On the feast of the Assumption, as they were absorbed in prayer, they saw her in a vision, and were inspired by her to withdraw from the world into a solitary place and to live for God alone. There were difficulties, because, though three of them were celibates, four had been married and had ties, although two had become widowers. It was necessary to make suitable provision for their dependents; but that was arranged, and with the approval of the bishop they withdrew from the world and betook themselves to a house called La Carmarzia, outside the gates of Florence, twenty-three days after they had received their call. Their aim was to lead a life of penance and prayer, but before long they found themselves so much disturbed by constant visitors from Florence that they decided to withdraw to the wild and deserted slopes of Monte Senario, where they built a simple church and hermitage and lived a life of almost incredible austerity.

In spite of difficulties, visitors sometimes found their way to the hermits and many wished to join them, but they refused to accept recruits. So they continued to live for several years, until they were visited by their bishop, Ardingo, and Cardinal Castiglione, who had heard much about their sanctity. He was greatly edified, but he made one adverse criticism. "Your mode of life," he said, "is too much like that of the wild creatures of the woods, so far as the care of the body is concerned. You treat yourselves in a manner bordering on barbarity: and you seem more desirous of dying to time than of living for eternity. Take heed: the enemy of souls often hides himself under the appearance of an angel of light... Hearken to the counsels of your superiors." The seven were deeply impressed by these words and hastened to ask their bishop for a rule of life. He replied that the matter was one that called for prayer, and he entreated them not to continue to refuse admittance to those who sought to join them. Again the solitaries gave themselves up to prayer for light, and again they had a vision of our Lady, who bore in her hand a black habit while an angel held a scroll inscribed with the title of Servants of Mary. She addressed them and said she had chosen them to be her servants, that she wished them to wear the black habit, and to follow the Rule of St Augustine. From that date, April 13, 1240, they were known as the Servants of Mary, or Servites. In accepting this rule, the Seven Founders found themselves called upon to adopt a different kind of life - much to the satisfaction of their old friend the Bishop of Florence. James of Poggibonsi, who had followed them, resolved to join them, and they were clothed by the bishop himself, Buonfiglio being elected their superior. According to custom they selected names by which they should thenceforth be known, and became Brothers Bonfilius, Alexis, Amadeus, Hugh, Sostenes, Manettus and Buonagiunta. By the wish of the bishop, all except St Alexis, who in his humility begged to be excused, prepared to receive holy orders, and in due time they were fully professed and ordained priests. The new order, which took a form more like that of the mendicant friars than that of the monastic orders, increased amazingly, and it soon became necessary to form fresh houses.

Siena, Pistoia, and Arezzo were the first places chosen, and afterwards the houses at Carfaggio, the convent and church of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence, and the convent at Lucca were established. Meanwhile, although the Servites had the approval of their immediate superiors, they had not been recognized by the Holy See. Again and again efforts were made to obtain recognition for them, but difficulties were raised by those who desired to see the new order abolished or absorbed in another. The Council of the Lateran had declared that no new orders should be founded, and later on the Council of Lyons had added further limitations, and therefore each time the petition of the Servites came before the pope it was set aside or ignored. It was only in 1259 that the order was practically recognized by Alexander IV, and not till 1304 - over sixty years after its foundation - that it received the explicit and formal approbation of Bd Benedict XI. St Bonfilius had remained as prior general until 1256, when he begged to be relieved owing to old age. He died a beautiful death in the midst of a conference of his brethren on new year's night, 1261. St Buonagiunta, the youngest of the seven, was the second prior general, but not long after his election he breathed his last in chapel while the gospel of the Passion was being read. St Amadeus ruled over the important convent of Carfaggio, but returned to Monte Senario to end his days. St Manettus became fourth prior general and sent missionaries to Asia, but he retired to make way for St Philip Benizi, upon whose breast he died. St Hugh and St Sostenes went abroad - Sostenes to Paris and Hugh to found convents in Gernlany. They were recalled in 1276, and, being attacked by illness, they passed away side by side the same night. St Alexis, the humble lay-brother, outlived them all, and he was the only one who survived to see the order fully and finally recognized. He is reported to have died at the age of one hundred and ten.

Advice You Can Bank On

A Catholic Perspective On Finances 

February 2023 – Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent

On February 2^nd we were granted another six weeks of winter, at least according to my children, and Punxsutawney Phil. I don’t know if I ever fully believed in the groundhogs’ prognostications, although I have always loved the tradition and the movie. It seems more appropriate than ever, with six more weeks of winter, to prepare ourselves for Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. For me, it gives greater meaning to the sacrifices undergone of our Lord and His resurrection.

We learned last year from Pope Michael that we are to fast all weekdays of Lent, where most (adults aged 21-59) are allowed only one full meal per day. During a fast, two other meatless meals may be taken but together should not equal another full meal. Additionally, fasting and abstinence occur on Friday’s during Lent, where no meat and one full meal is allowed. For a full view of fast and abstinence laws click here.

And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee. (Matthew 6:16-18)

Prior to and including last year, our family would each select something of our own choosing to give up during Lent. This could include sugar, or sugary things, video games, dining out, or any other ‘vice’ we cared to abstain from. This is how most take on sacrifices during Lent, however, the fasting and abstinence are challenging on their own and are required, in religious solemnity, of Catholics during Lent.

Joel 2:12-13 says, Now therefore saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.

Lent can also be a time for financial reflection and making changes in our spending habits. Here are a few ways to use Lent as an opportunity to spend less money, most of which we’ve covered in previous articles:

1. Simplify your life: Use Lent as an opportunity to declutter and simplify your life. Sell unused items or donate them to those in need. This not only helps you save money, but also frees you from the burden of clutter and excess.

Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him. (Matthew 6:1-8)

2. Plan and stick to a budget: Plan a budget and stick to it throughout Lent. This can help you better manage your finances and ensure that you are spending your money in a responsible and meaningful way.

3. Be mindful of your spending: Make an effort to be mindful of your spending habits and be intentional about each purchase you make. Ask yourself if each purchase aligns with your values and financial goals.

Lent can be a time of spiritual growth and reflection, but it can also be a time to make positive changes in our financial habits. By using Lent as an opportunity to spend less money, we can not only save money, but also grow in our faith and better align our spending with our values and beliefs.