- 2 Corinthians 7:10 -
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no
regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
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"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation" refers to the
sorrow for our sins that results in changed behavior. Many people are
sorry
only for the effects of their sins or for being caught ("worldly sorrow").
Compare Peter's remorse and repentance with Judas' bitterness and act of
suicide. Both disowned Christ. One repented and was restored to faith and
service; the other took his own life.
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March 28th - St. John Capistran, Confessor
(1385-1456)
Saint John was born at Capistrano, near Naples in Italy, in 1385. Having
studied both secular and canon law, he became so skilled in it that his
reputation spread over all of Italy. He was imprisoned during a war and
abandoned by his protector for some time, during which his young wife
died.
He resolved while still in prison to serve in the future no other
interests
but those of God. His property was sold at his command, his ransom paid,
and
from his prison he entered a monastery near Peruse where the Rule of Saint
Francis was observed in its purity.
The superiors, fearing this vocation to be a passing fancy, tested him
severely, even sending him away twice; but he remained day and night at
the
door, suffering joyfully all trials. His heroic perseverance disarmed
their
fears and severity, and he was admitted to religious profession.
For seven years he practiced great austerities, cared for the sick in the
hospitals, and preached on all sides the word of God. In this, say his
biographers, he succeeded so admirably that few preachers in the course of
all the centuries can be compared with him. He became a disciple of Saint
Bernardine of Siena, assisting him in public conferences and discussions.
Like many great servants of God he was calumniated, as though he had
taught
errors; he went to Rome to justify his teachings in the presence of the
Pope
and a group of cardinals, which he did admirably well, and they recognized
the obvious innocence of the accused Saint.
Afterwards he preached all over Italy, and everywhere brought about the
reform of lives. Five Popes in succession gave commissions to this
remarkable Franciscan to represent them in im****tant affairs, and he
traveled to France, Austria, Poland and Germany. Everywhere his
negotiations
were crowned with success. But none of the Popes succeeded in raising him
to
the episcopal dignity; their efforts met an absolute resistance in his
humility.
His extraordinary qualities proved to be of great assistance to the Holy
See
in another cir***stance. When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome,
Saint John Capistran, at the bidding of Pope Callixtus III, enrolled for a
crusade 70,000 Christians. In a vision he was assured of victory in the
Name
of Jesus and by the Cross he bore. Marching at the head of the crusaders,
he
entered Belgrade at the head of the army. This General of the Friars Minor
won a remarkable victory in that year of 1455, when 40,000 of the enemies
of
the Christians perished, but virtually none among the latter. He himself
died the following year at the age of 71. He is regarded as a martyr, for
enemies of the faith twice succeeded in giving him poison, which was
ineffectual; he died only from the immense fatigue he had suffered in the
defense of the city of Belgrade. "An infinity of miracles" followed his
death. He was canonized in 1690.
Source: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin
(Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 11.
Saint Quote:
When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer
to
think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of
angels
and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the
sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in church,
be
there in silence, fear, and veneration.
-Saint John Chrysostom
Bible Quote:
And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying: Abba, Father.
Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also
through God. (Galatians 4:6-7)
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Prayer.
We entreat you, O most holy martyrs, who cheerfully suffered
most cruel torments for God our Saviour and His love, on
which account you are now most intimately and familiarly
united to Him, that you pray to the Lord for us, poor sinners.
May He infuse into us the grace of God, to enlighten our
souls to love Christ as you loved Him!
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The fifth glorious mystery prayer of the Eucharistic Rosary,
to be offered before the Blessed Sacrament:
The Crowning of Mary in Heaven, offered for perseverance
unto a happy death will merit a crown of eternal glory.
Divine Son of Mary, to make Thy holy Mother partaker of
Thy own glory, Thou hast crowned her queen of heaven and
earth and appointed her our advocate and the living channel
of Thy graces. From the Eucharist not less than from heaven,
Thou willest that every grace shall reach us through her
maternal hands.
O Jesus, we adore Thee in Thy unspeakable glory, of which
Thou hast made Thy Mother partake with Thee, and we beg
Thee, through the intercession, a great confidence in her
powerful protection and great earnestness in imitating her
virtues; in particular her purity, humility, and fidelity to grace.
Imprimatur: + John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York,
Sept 19, 1908.
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