April 15th - Saint Paternus, Bishop of Avranches
(ca. 482-565)
Saint Paternus was born at Poitiers, of illustrious Christian parents,
about
the year 482. His father, Patranus, with the consent of his wife went to
Ireland to end his days as a hermit in holy solitude. Paternus, fired by
his
father's example, embraced monastic life in the Abbey of Marnes, France.
After some time, desiring to attain the perfection of Christian virtue by
a
life of penance in solitude, he retired with a companion monk of the
Abbey,
Saint Scubilion, and in the forests of the diocese of Coutances near the
sea, embraced an austere anchorite's life resembling that of Angels more
than of men. An abbot of that region who knew of him recommended Paternus
to
the bishop of Coutances, who ordained him a deacon and then a priest in
512.
He and Saint Scubilion then evangelized the western coasts and established
several monasteries, of which he was the abbot general. Many miracles
honored his apostolate among the pagan populations.
In his old age he was consecrated bishop of Avranches while his former
companion, Saint Scubilion, had become abbot of a monastery founded by the
two missionaries. When Saint Paternus fell ill he felt his end was near,
and
he sent to his dear friend to come and assist him in his last illness. But
the same fate had befallen Scubilion, who for his part had sent a
messenger
to Paternus. The two hermit-missionaries, each of whom had become the
spiritual father of many, departed this life on the same day, April 16,
565,
the thirteenth year of the pontificate of Saint Paternus. They were
afterwards buried on the same day in the church of the monastery of Scicy,
a
region they had evangelized together.
Reflection. God richly blesses the friend****ps of those who love and fear
Him, for He Himself is its source and the bond which unites.
Source: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin
(Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 4.
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Whoever taketh not up his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of
Me. -Matt. 10:38
"If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs
for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint. And if you
wish
to become a great saint, entreat Him yourself to give you much op****tunity
for suffering; for there is no wood better to kindle the fire of holy love
than the wood of the cross, which Christ used for His own great sacrifice
of
boundless charity"
-St. Ignatius Loyola
Joseph suffered great afflictions and trials from his brethren, and these
formed precisely the way by which the Lord led him to his great
exaltation.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)
Bible Quote
14 If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also
ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that
as I have done to you, so you do also. (John 13:14)
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Hymn to Saint Rita of Cascia
I.
Come, virgins chaste; pure brides, draw near: Let Earth exult and Heaven
hear The Hymn that grateful accents raise, Our song of joy in Rita's
praise.
II.
By fast her sinless frame is weak; Her livid flesh the scourges streak. In
pity for her Savior's woes, Her days and even nights are closed.
III.
The thorn-wound on her brow is shown, The crimson rose in winter blown,
And
full-ripe figs on frozen tree At Rita's wish the wonders see.
IV.
The widowed spouse and wedded wife The way to heaven see in her life; The
way secure our Rita trod, In life's dim day, through paint o God.
V.
Praise to the Father and the Son, Praise to the Spirit, Three in One; O
grant us grace in heaven to reign Through Rita's prayer and life-long
pain.
V. Thou hast signed thy servant Rita
A. With the sign of thy Love and Passion.
Let us Pray.
O God! who didst deign to confer on St. Rita for imitating Thee in love of
her enemies, the favor of bearing her heart and brow the marks of Thy Love
and Passion, grant we beseech Thee, that through her intercession and
merit,
we may, pierced by the thorns of compunction, ever contemplate the
sufferings of Thy Passion, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
This hymn is the translation of the hymn of Lauds, office of St. Rita,
approved by Decree of S.C.R. Nov. 24, 1900.
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