Bible Verse
- Acts 20:24 -
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the
race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of
testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
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We often feel that life is a failure unless we're getting a lot out of it:
recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul considered life worth nothing
unless he used it for God's work. What he put into life was far more
im****tant than what he got out. Which is more im****tant to you - what you
get out of life, or what you put into it?
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May 5th - Bl. Edmund Ignatius Rice
BL. EDMUND IGNATIUS RICE was born at Westcourt, Ireland, on 1 June 1762,
when Irish Catholics were oppressed by the weight of anti-Catholic
legislation devised by the Protestant English to keep the Catholic
majority
in subjection. The fourth of seven sons, he grew up in a devout farming
family. At the age of 17 he began work at Waterford in his uncle's
commercial enterprise, which he later inherited.
Married at 25, he lost his wife two years later and was left with
responsibility for an infant daughter in delicate health. Sup****ted by his
strong faith, he accepted his cross and grew in close union with God
through
meditation on the Scriptures and frequent attendance at Mass and the
sacraments. He dedicated himself to works of charity, putting his riches
at
the service of the poor. He became a model Christian layman.
Between 1780 and 1841 the population in Ireland doubled, and there were
many
economic and political problems associated with the education of youth and
the care of the aged and infirm. The rebellion of the American colonies in
1776 encouraged Irish Catholics to work for equality with the Protestant
English. The Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 was one of the fruits of
this
struggle. It was in this atmosphere that Edmund Rice lived and worked.
Despite the attraction of the contemplative life, he could not forget the
miserable condition of so many boys in danger of losing their faith. In
1802, encouraged by Pope Pius VI and with the blessing of Bishop Hussey,
Edmund sold his business, arranged for his daughter's care and opened his
first school in an abandoned stable, living on the upper floor.
Soon other teachers, attracted by his example and spirit, joined him and
so
a religious community was founded in Waterford. In 1808, in the chapel of
the Sisters of the Presentation, Edmund and his companions made annual
vows
"according to the rule and Constitution of the Order of the Presentation
approved by the Holy See". Edmund took the name in religion of Ignatius.
In 1820, the Congregation of the Christian Brothers, modeled on the
Brothers
of the Christian Schools of St John Baptist de La Salle, became an
institute
of pontifical right. Some other brothers, wi****ng to remain under their
Bishops, maintained the existence of the earlier institute of the Brothers
of the Presentation.
Edmund's work spread across Ireland, and then to England, Gibraltar and
Australia. He resigned as Superior General in 1838 and died on 29 August
1844.
Saint Quote:
Complain as little as possible of your wrongs, for, as a general rule, you
may be sure that complaining is sin: ... because self-love always
magnifies
our injuries.
-François de Sales
Bible Quote
22 So also you now indeed have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice; and your joy no man shall take from you. (John
16:22)
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HAPPINESS IS JESUS THE LORD
I wake up in the morning to face another day,
A day filled first with gladness,
For I have learned to pray.
I lift my eyes to Heaven, and ask what I can do to
Face another working day
Along the path to You?
Temptations are beside me, for me to cast aside;
For there has been a promise
To be Your loving bride.
I open wide the door, steadfastly on my way,
To give and take the worst and best
With every passing day.
My mission fills my heart,
There is no room for fear,
I'll always tell the story
Of when you came so near.
They'll never quite believe me,
Though what I say is true
That all these visions that I saw,
Were gifts that came from You!
St. Teresa
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The Donkey by G.K. Chesterton
WHEN fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will,
Starve, scourge, deride me I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools, for I also had my hour,
One far fierce hour and sweet,
There was a shout about my ears
And palms before my feet.
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