Thursday, May 23, 2013 St. Felix of Cantalice (1515-1587)

Thursday, May 23, 2013
St. Felix of Cantalice. (1515-1587)

Felix was the first Capuchin Franciscan ever canonized. In fact, when he was born, the Capuchins did not yet exist as a distinct group within the Franciscans.

Born of humble, God-fearing parents in the Rieti Valley, Felix worked as a farmhand and a shepherd until he was 28. He developed the habit of praying while he worked.

In 1543 he joined the Capuchins. When the guardian explained the hardships of that way of life, Felix answered: "Father, the austerity of your Order does not frighten me. I hope, with God’s help, to overcome all the difficulties which will arise from my own weakness."

Three years later Felix was assigned to the friary in Rome as its official beggar. Because he was a model of simplicity and charity, he edified many people during the 42 years he performed that service for his confreres.

As he made his rounds, he worked to convert hardened sinners and to feed the poor–as did his good friend, St. Philip Neri, who founded the Oratory, a community of priests serving the poor of Rome. When Felix wasn’t talking on his rounds, he was praying the rosary. The people named him "Brother Deo Gratias" (thanks be to God) because he was always using that blessing.

When Felix was an old man, his superior had to order him to wear sandals to protect his health. Around the same time a certain cardinal offered to suggest to Felix’s superiors that he be freed of begging so that he could devote more time to prayer. Felix talked the cardinal out of that idea. Felix was canonized in 1712. 

Comment:

Grateful people make good beggars. St. Francis told his friars that if they gave the world good example, the world would support them. Felix’s life proves the truth of that advice. In referring all blessings back to their source (God), Felix encouraged people to works of charity for the friars and for others.

Quote:

"And let us refer all good to the most high and supreme lord God, and acknowledge that every good is His, and thank Him for everything, [He] from Whom all good things come. And may He, the Highest and Supreme, Who alone is true God, have and be given and receive every honor and reverence, every praise and blessing, every thanks and glory, for every good is His, He Who alone is good. And when we see or hear an evil [person] speak or act or blaspheme God, let us speak well and act well and praise God (cf. Rm 12:21), Who is blessed forever (Romans 1:25)" (St. Francis, Rule of 1221, Ch. 17).

A Gifted Blind Prodigy Gives Glory to God in Spite of His Shortcoming

How was your day today? Feel sick? Feel kind of fat? 

"This blind musician from Northern Virginia performs in concert halls throughout the world, but says his Catholic faith helps him deliver his music. Read about him here: http://ow.ly/kSM2d "

Often I have lots of excuses not to have a good day.  In the attached film we see a young man who goes beyond his infirmities.

http://youtu.be/ozdRzyFeJ4s

In many ways, I guess we're called to be like the young man.  He could've spent his life saying I can't because I'm blind; I won't because I'm blind.  Instead, he sees the beauty of God through his shortcoming and turns them into ways to praise God.

With my physical challenges I sometimes I find myself saying I can't andI won't, more than I saying thank you to God for the life that I have.

Tomorrow let's all thank God for all the gifts that we have, including the ones that may not look like guess at first blush.

May God bless you and your family. 

May God's loving arms around the families of the victims of the Oklahoma City tornado. 

And may you know no God more tomorrow than you do today.

Love in Christ, 

Deacon Tom

May 20th. St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

 

St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

Feast Day: May 20
Patron of advertising, gambling addicts, public relations

Bernardine was one of the most gifted preachers who ever lived. After his ordination he spent 12 years in prayer and contemplation before beginning an explosive ministry in his mid-30s.

Bernardine was often referred to as the “Apostle of Italy,” and Pope Pius II compared him to St. Paul after hearing him preach. Bernardine attracted crowds of up to 30,000 people and had cities competing for a stop on his tour. People were drawn by his spellbinding preaching, but he always directed their gaze toward God. In the words of a contemporary, after Bernardine’s preaching, people would scamper to confession “like ants.”

A front-runner in “branding,” he had a theme that ran like a golden thread through his every message — and an image to go along with it. He preached about the Holy Name of Jesus and popularized the symbol of Jesus’ name: IHS surrounded by rays of light. This image can be seen in churches and on tabernacles to this day. It was displayed whenever Bernardine preached and was set out for veneration afterwards. The image became so popular that Bernardine helped a former gambler make a living by selling copies of it. Demand was so high for this simple piece of sacred art that the man made a small fortune!

The image was also used to strengthen Bernardine’s efforts to bring reconciliation to the many warring factions dividing Italy in the 1400s. He successfully convinced parishes to take down their region’s coat of arms and replace it with the IHS insignia — a sign of Christian unity. Bernardine was effective because he embodied what he preached, had a clear message and had a simple image to help people remember it, rightly earning him a place among the saints.