Love for Sinners
Essentially, the distingui****ng mark of those who strive after Christian
perfection is that they love the sinner and detest only sins.
When they must avenge wrongdoing, they do so, not with the cruelty of
hatred, but with
justice administered with moderation, lest forgiveness without
satisfaction
do more harm
to the sinner than punishment. - Against Adimantus 17
Prayer. Lord, if the persecution of this world rises up against me, let me
fix my hope on
the prayer in my heart.
-Augustine- Commentary on Psalm 16, 3
<<>><<>><<>>
May 1st - St. Brioc, Abbot B (AC)
(Also known as Brieuc, Briocus)
Born in Cardigan****re (Ceredigion), Wales; died in Brittany, c. 510; feast
of his translation is October 18. Brioc was the founder of a monastery
near
Tréguier, Brittany, and another which grew into the town and see called
Saint-Brieuc. According to legend, his father was named Cerpus and his
mother was Eldrude, both of whom he is said to have converted following
his
ordination. Brioc appears to have worked in southwestern Britain before
migrating to Brittany; there is a place called Saint Breock or Breoke in
Cornwall and Saint Briavels in the Forest of Dean is at root the same
name.
Saint Brioc's medieval biography contains a number of particulars and
marvelous tales, but its historicity is slight. It says, for instance,
that
Brioc was trained in Gaul by Saint Germanus of Auxerre, who died in 448,
which makes it highly unlikely.
Brioc is reputed to have built a famous church called Grande-Lann, where
he
gathered a number of disciples. In Tréguier, he converted a wealthy
nobleman
named Conan who provided the funds to build a monastery in northern
Armorica. Then Brioc is said to have returned to Britain and with the help
of his relative, Prince Rigald of Domnonia, built the church of Saint
Stephen there.
Brioc is styled a bishop in an inscription in marble at his shrine built
in
1210, but it is not certain that he was a bishop; more likely he was an
abbot of the Celtic type who kept a bishop in his monastery as one of his
subjects because no legend claims his successor in the see, which dates
only
to 844. Brioc's relics were translated to the abbey of Saint-Sergius in
Angers in the mid-9th century to protect them from Norse invaders. Saint
Henry II was present for their translation in 1166. In 1210, an arm, two
ribs, and some cervical bones were given back to Saint Brieuc's (Attwater,
Attwater2, Benedictines, Farmer, Gill, Husenbeth).
In art, Saint Brioc is a bishop with a fiery pillar above him. He is
venerated in Treguier, Brittany, and Cornwall (Roeder). Because of the
legends regarding his great charity, Brioc is considered the patron of
purse-makers (Farmer).
<><><><>
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. -Matt. 5:4
Saint Quote:
"Meekness and mildness of heart is a virtue rarer than chastity, and yet
it
is more excellent than that and all other virtues, for it is the end of
charity, which, as St. Bernard says, is in its perfection when we are not
only patient, but also kind. It is necessary, however, to have a great
esteem for this virtue, and to use every effort to acquire it"
-St. Francis de Sales
St. Francis de Sales himself had the very highest regard for this
virtue. He spoke of it so frequently and with so much love, as to show
clearly it was his chosen one among all. So, though he excelled in all the
virtues, he was singular and remarkable in this. He always wore a serene
countenance, and there was a special grace upon his lips, so that he
generally appeared to be smiling, and his face breathed a sweetness which
charmed everyone. Though he usually showed great recollection, he
sometimes
thought it desirable to give proof of amiability, and then he consoled all
who met him, and won the love and regard of whoever looked upon him. His
words, gestures and actions were never without great suavity and
gentleness,
so that it seemed that this virtue had taken in him the form of man, and
that he was rather meekness itself than a man endowed with that quality.
He,
too, justly merited the praise bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon Moses,
"that
he was the meekest man of his time upon earth" And so St. Jane Frances de
Chantal was able to say that there was never known a heart so sweet, so
gentle, so kind, so gracious and affable, as his. St. Vincent de Paul
expressed the same sentiment, saying that he was the kindest man he had
ever
known, and the first time he saw him, he noticed in the serenity of his
countenance and in his manner of conversing such a close resemblance to
the
meekness of Christ our Lord as instantly won his heart.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". May - Meekness)
Today's Bible Quote
29 Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and
humble
of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. (Matthew 11:29)
<><><><>
This is the prayer to Saint Joseph, Patron of Workers whose
feast is also celebrated today
O glorious patriarch, Saint Joseph, humble and just craftsman
of Nazareth, you gave to all Christians, but particularly to us,
an example of a perfect life of assiduous work and of
admirable unity with Mary and Jesus. Help us in our daily
work so that we might find in it an effective means of
glorifying our Lord, of sanctifying ourselves and of being
useful to the society in which we live. Obtain for us from our
Lord, O beloved protector, humility and simplicity of heart,
attachment to work, benevolence towards those who work
with us, compliance with the divine will in the difficulties of this
life and joy in bearing them, consciousness of our specific
social mission and the sense of our social responsibility, a
spirit of discipline and prayer, docility and respect for our
superiors, fraternity towards our equals, sup****t in times of
stress, charity and indulgence for our dependents. Help us to
follow your example and to keep our sight fixed on Mary, our
Mother, your gentle wife, who wove silently in a corner of your
humble shop, smiling sweetly. May we never avert our eyes
from Jesus, who worked with you at your carpenter's bench,
so that we may in like manner lead peaceful and holy lives on
earth, the prelude to the eternally happy one which awaits us
in heaven for ever more. Amen.
|
