Weakness becomes strength
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
Those were strong people who taunted Christ's disciples because their
master
entered the
homes of the sick and ate with them. Why, they asked, does your master eat
with
tax collectors
and sinners? O you strong ones who do not need the doctor! Yours is not
the
strength of health
but of madness! God grant that we may never imitate that kind of strength.
We
should dread
the possibility of anyone wanting to imitate it.
The teacher of humility, who shared our weakness and gave us a share in
his
own
divinity,
came to earth in order to teach us the way, even to be the Way himself. It
was
his humility,
above all else, that he impressed upon us. He willingly submitted to
baptism
at
the hands of
one of his servants, so that we might learn to confess our own sins and to
become weak in
order to be truly strong, repeating with the apostle: When I am weak, then
I
am
strong.
-St. Augustine of Hippo
<<>><<>><<>>
March 16th - St. Heribert of Cologne B (RM)
(Also known as Herbert)
Born in Worms, Germany; died in Cologne on March 16, 1022.
As a boy, Saint Heribert was sent to the monastery at Gorze in Lorraine
for
his
studies. Upon his return to Worms, he was given a canonry and was
ordained.
Like
so many prelates of his time, he was actively engaged in secular as well
as
church affairs and not much is known of his personal life. Heribert
developed
into one of the strongest and most distinguished German statesman of the
age: by
994, he had become chancellor to Emperor Otto III.
Heribert was elected archbishop of Cologne in 998. In the depths of winter
he
took off his shoes and walked into the city where he was consecrated on
Christmas Eve 999, and from that time on he always wore a hair ****rt
underneath
the rich robes of an archbishop.
Even as archbishop his duties as chancellor did not end. As imperial
chancellor,
he traveled to Italy with Otto and after he died brought back the dead
Otto's
body to Aachen for burial.
He incensed the ambitious men who wanted to succeed Otto by refusing to
hand
over the imperial insignia until a new emperor had been properly
appointed.
Heribert was even imprisoned for a time by Duke Henry of Bavaria for his
obstinacy. This man, who became Emperor Saint Henry II, bore a grudge
against
Heribert for many years, but in the end came to acknowledge the saint's
wisdom
and probity to the point that Heribert became Henry's chancellor, too.
At a time when many clerical statesmen forgot or neglected their spiritual
duties under the pressure of serving the state, Heribert was a devoted
chief
pastor of his flock. As archbishop he was a rich man; but his entire
income
was
divided between the church and the poor, save for the little that was
absolutely
necessary for his own needs.
Heribert built the Benedictine monastery at Deutz (outside Cologne) on the
Rhine
(where he was buried on his death in 1021), was an active peacemaker,
maintained
strict clerical discipline, and is reputed to have performed miracles, one
of
which caused a heavy rainfall ending a severe drought and that causes him
to
be
invoked for rain. Already during his lifetime Heribert was looked upon as
a
saint; after his death, his cultus was encouraged by the monks of Deutz.
But
the
bull of formal canonization, attributed to Pope Saint Gregory VII, is now
known
to be a forgery, produced in the 17th century (Attwater, Attwater2,
Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney).
In art, Saint Heribert is an archbishop calling down rain by his prayers.
Sometimes he is shown with Emperor Saint Henry, kneeling before him
(Roeder).
<><><><>
"The more one mortifies his natural inclinations, the more he becomes
capable of
receiving the divine inspirations, and the more he gains in virtue"
-St. Francis de Sales
The celebrated Father Laynez, one of the companions of St. Ignatius, by
means
of this practice arrived at great purity of mind and imperturbable
tranquillity
of soul.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". February - Humility)
Bible Quote:
17. But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided
against
itself, shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house shall fall.
(Luke
11:17)
<><><><>
A POWERFUL NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH
This novena has proven to be highly efficacious. It seems to be pleasing
to
St.
Joseph and helpful to souls. This form of novena was originally devised by
the
celebrated Fr. Louis Lallemant, S.J. (1587-1633). It has proved
particularly
effective in obtaining favors through the intercession of St. Joseph. In
the
Life of this saintly priest and great master of the spiritual life, to
whom
St.
Joseph never refused anything he asked, the story is told that on one
occasion
he urged two young priests to make this novena, promising that they would
obtain
everything they asked through the intercession of St. Joseph if, in turn,
they
would show him special honor and spread devotion to him among others. Both
did
as Fr. Lallemant suggested. One of them asked for grace to speak and write
worthily of Our Lord. But the next day he came to Fr. Lallemant to tell
him
that, upon reflection, he wished to ask for a different grace, which he
considered more conducive to his perfection. Fr. Lallemant replied, "It is
too
late now to ask for another grace. The first one has already been
granted."
This
grace was conspicuously displayed throughout the whole course of the
priest's
life, as he became one of the most noted preachers and writers of his day.
How to Make this Novena
No particular prayers need be said for this novena. Every day for nine
days,
turn to St. Joseph in spirit four times during the day and honor him in
the
following four points. (These "visits" may be made anywhere-at home, at
work, on
the street, in the car or bus-and at any time.)
1. During the first visit, consider St. Joseph's fidelity to grace.
Reflect
upon
the action of the Holy Ghost in his soul. At the conclusion of this brief
meditation, thank God for so honoring St. Joseph, and ask, through his
intercession, for a similar grace.
2. Later in the day, consider St. Joseph's fidelity to the interior life.
Study
his spirit of recollection. Think, thank God, and ask.
3. Later still, consider St. Joseph's love for Our Lady. Think, thank God,
and
ask.
4. Finally, in a fourth visit, reflect upon St. Joseph's love for the
Divine
Child. Think, thank God, and ask.
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