September 3rd - Blessed Guala of Brescia, OP B (AC)
(also known as Walter or William of Bergamo)
Born in Bergamo, Italy; died in San Sepolcro d'Astino, Italy, in 1244;
cultus approved in 1868 by Pope Pius IX. Guala was one of the first
disciples of Saint Dominic, attracted by the Dominican ideal in 1219, when
he heard the founder preach. He received the habit from Dominic at the
time
the friary opened in Bergamo. After a short novitiate, he was appointed
prior there. Guala proved to be an able superior and a practical
administrator and builder. He was on the committee that planed the convent
of Saint Agnes in Bologna. During a delay in the construction of the
convent
because of the opposition of the family of Blessed Diana d'Andaḷ, who was
financing the project, Guala was sent to Brescia to assume the position of
its first prior.
During this period Guala had the revelation of Saint Dominic's greatness
that became the subject of many early legends. Although they were good
friends, Guala did not know that Dominic was dying on their return from a
chapter. Guala had fallen asleep with his head leaning against the
belltower
of the conventual church at Brescia when he had a vision of two ladders
coming down from heaven. Our Lord was visible at the top of one ladder,
and
Our Lady at the top of the other. Angels were ascending and descending on
them. As Guala watched, a friar, who sat at the foot of one ladder with
his
face covered was drawn up to heaven and great glory surrounded him. Guala
awoke, deeply affected by the vision, and went immediately to Bologna,
where
he found that Saint Dominic had died at the time of his vision.
In 1226, Guala was named the prior of Bologna's Saint Nicholas abbey,
famous
for its regularity and fervor. While there, Pope Honorius III appointed
him
arbiter between Bologna and Modena. Guala worked hard to forge a treaty
that
lasted 10 years. The following year Pope Gregory IX asked him to negotiate
between Emperor Frederick II and the Lombard confederacy-an even more
daunting diplomatic task. Guala was also commissioned to convince
Frederick
to keep his vow to lead a crusade. He was unable to resolve matters
between
the parties, but at least they maintained the status quo of an uneasy
peace.
In 1228, Guala was consecrated bishop of Brescia. As such, he negotiated a
number of treaties between warring cities. Frederick broke all the
promises
he had made and attacked the cities that had remained loyal to the pope.
In
1238, Frederick's army besieged Brescia, but the attackers had to withdraw
within three months, which is credited to Guala.
Guala's contemporaries described him as "a man of great prudence, well
acquainted with the world, and of accomplished manners," and said that "he
governed the diocese entrusted to his care with such holiness that, both
during his life and after his death, he wrought many wonders through God."
The years of labor and civil strife wore him down. He resigned his see in
1242 in order to enter complete seclusion and pray without interruption in
preparation for death. Therefore, he retired to the Vallumbrosan monastery
of San Sepolcro d'Astino, where he lived as a hermit until his death. He
was
buried in the Benedictine church, and after many miracles at his tomb, his
cause was promoted (Benedictines, Dorcy, Encyclopedia).
This Version taken from:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/ss-index.htm
Saint Quote:
We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that
God
does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing
for
self.
--Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
Bible Quote:
"If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it
away.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two
hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes
you
to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into
life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna"
(Matthew 18:8-9).
<><><><>
O MOTHER OF MERCY
O MOTHER of mercy, help of Christians, most faithful
minister of Divine Providence, treasurer of all graces,
remember that never in the world has it been heard that thou
hast left him without comfort who has come to thee with true
devotion. Wherefore I, trusting in thy tender pity and in thy
most generous providence, bend low before thee, praying
that thou wouldst hear my prayer. Obtain for me a holy
provision for the future, namely graces for all my spiritual and
temporal needs. I fervently recommend to thy loving motherly
Heart our Holy Church, the Sovereign Pontiff, the conversion
of sinners, the spread of the Catholic Faith, and those Souls
chosen by our Lord, who are suffering the tormenting flames
of Purgatory, that they may soon be comforted with eternal
refreshment. Amen.
|
