by Theresa CavicchioOn August 11, 1253 A.D., Clare of Assisi, abbess of the Community of Poor Ladies of San Damiano, breathed her last on earth. Born to the noble Offreduccio family (1193/4 A.D.), she was moved by the persuasive preaching of Francis of Assisi, renouncing her birthright and worldly riches to follow him in poverty and adherence to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus began the Second Order of Franciscans, this one for women, later known as the Poor Clares.
August 11
Feast of St. Clare (1193 – 1253)
“(Jesus Christ) is the splendor of eternal glory, the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror without cloud. Queen and bride of Jesus Christ, look into that mirror daily and study well your reflection, that you may adorn yourself, mind and body, with an enveloping garment of every virtue, and thus find yourself attired in flowers and gowns befitting the daughter and most chaste bride of the king on high.”
-St. Clare of Assisi
MR asks: "I'm wondering about Pilate. Is this exercise okay for Christians?"
August 10
Feast of St. Lawrence, Martyr (D. 258)
When slow consuming had seared
The flesh of Lawrence for a space,
He calmly from his gridiron made
This terse proposal to the judge:
“Pray turn my body, on one side
Already broiled sufficiently,
And see how well your Vulcan’s fire
Has wrought its cruel punishment.”
-From a poem by "Prudentius" on the martyrdom of St. Lawrence
August 9
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Edith Stein (1891 – 1942)
“…when night comes, and retrospect shows that everything was patchwork and much that one had planned left undone, when so many things rouse shame and regret, then take all as is, lay it in God’s hands, and offer it up to Him. In this way we will be able to rest in Him, actually to rest and to begin the new day like a new life.”
-St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
In spite of the declining number of couples who are choosing marriage these days, new research has found that the happiest people continue to be those who chose to marry.
TS asks: "I am a volunteer in our Parish Library and am causing trouble by respectfully and carefully questioning why we allow certain authors in our 'Catholic' library. The librarian is a very recent convert and has said that if the Vatican has not excommunicated the authors, then their books must be OK. And the pastor is very liberal and was a good friend of the 'centering prayer' priest, Fr. Menninger. I've researched to try to find something that lists specific books because the librarian will only believe that. She says which of the books and I say all, but she won't go for that. I am concerned about Matthew Fox, Anthony DeMello, etc., but especially the new age believers like Joyce Rupp, Joan C.... and those. What should I do?"
August 8
Feast of St. Dominic (1170 – 1221)
“This preacher of the new salvation leaped up like a flame. His words burned like a torch. True teaching was in his mouth. No evil was ever found in his life."
-Responsory from the Liturgy of the Hours
August 7
Feast of St. Cajetan (1480 – 1547)
“My daughter, I want what is good for myself; I beg the same for you. Now there is no other way to bring this about than to ask the Virgin Mary constantly to come to you with her glorious Son. Be bold! Ask her to give you her Son, who in the blessed sacrament of the altar is truly the food of your soul. Readily will she give him to you, still more readily will he come to you, giving you strength to make your way fearlessly through this dark wood. In it large numbers of our enemies lie in wait, but they cannot reach us if they see us relying on such powerful help.”
-St. Cajetan
