April 21st - Blessed Bartholomew of Cervere, OP M (AC)
Born at Savigliano, Italy, in 1420; died at Cervere, Piedmont, 1466;
beatified
by Pope Pius IX in 1853. In the venerable tradition of death in the cause
of
truth, Blessed Bartholomew of Cerverio was the fourth Dominican inquisitor
to
win his crown in the Piedmont-the stronghold of the Catharists, who had
taken
the lives of Saint Peter of Verona, Blessed Peter de'Ruffi, and Blessed
Anthony
of Pavonio.
Even in his early years Bartholomew displayed a precocious solemnity and
piety.
He entered the Order of Preachers in Savigliano and progressed rapidly in
his
studies. On May 8, 1452, Bartholomew received his licentiate, doctorate,
and
master's degree from the University of Turin; the only time in the history
of
the university that anyone had acquired three degrees in one day.
Bartholomew taught for a year at the university, then was made prior of
his
monastery. In his short apostolate of 12 years, he converted many heretics
and
worked steadfastly to eradicate heresy. He was appointed inquisitor in
Piedmont,
which made it clear to him that a martyr's death was marked out for him.
Being a
Dominican in Lombardy was a dangerous business, at best; to be appointed
inquisitor meant that the heretics were given a target for their hatred.
In many ways the murder of Bartholomew and his companions repeats the
martyrdom
of Peter of Verona. Bartholomew knew beforehand that he was to die, and he
made
a general confession before starting out on his last trip. He remarked to
his
confessor, "They will call me Bartholomew of Cerverio, though I have never
set
foot there. Today I go there as inquisitor, and there I must die." On the
road
to Cerverio in the diocese of Fossano, he and his party were attacked by
five
heretics. His companions were wounded, but escaped. Bartholomew died,
riddled
with dagger wounds, before they could get help.
Some people of Savigliano saw a bright light in the sky over Cerverio and
surmised what had happened. They went out and brought home the relics,
marveling
that, despite all the wounds, the martyr had not bled. Laying him down in
the
church of the Dominicans, they saw his wounds bleed, and they hastily
rescued
the blood for relics. He was buried in the Dominican church of Savigliano,
and,
later, when the church was ruined by revolution, the relics were moved to
the
parish church.
A chapel was built at the site of the martyrdom and richly decorated with
narrative frescoes. Processions were made there several times a year by
the
people of Savigliano and Cerverio, invoking Bartholomew against thunder
and hail
especially. At the same place, a fig tree was honored for many years for
its
connection with Blessed Bartholomew; it was supposed to have sprung up at
the
time of the martyrdom, at the very place the martyr fell (Benedictines,
Dorcy).
This Version taken from:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0421.shtml
Saint Quote:
"There are some sick persons who grieve and lament not so much for their
own
troubles, as for what they cause to those around them, and because they
cannot
occupy themselves in good works, and especially in prayer, as they did
when they
were well. In this they deceive themselves greatly, for as to the trouble
given
to others, whoever is truly patient wishes for all that God wishes, and in
the
manner and with the inconveniences that He wishes; as to works, one day of
suffering borne with resignation is worth more than a month of great
labors; and
as to prayer, which is better: to remain upon the Cross with Christ, or to
stay
at the foot of it and contemplate His sufferings? Besides, to offer to the
Lord
His own weakness, to remember for whom it was suffered, and to conform
ourselves
to His holy will, is certainly a very excellent prayer"
-St. Francis de Sales
This Saint bore well not only the afflictions and trials which came to
him, but
also their consequences, such as the inconvenience which his illnesses
caused
those who waited on him or lived with him. And in all other things it was
the
same.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)
Bible Quote:
21 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath
sent me,
I also send you. 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he
said to
them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are
forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. (John
20:21-23)
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Prayer for Pardon and Grace
O Divine Redeemer!
humbly prostrate at the foot of Thy Cross,
I call upon Thee to incline Thy Sacred Heart to pardon me.
Jesus, misjudged and despised-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, calumniated and persecuted-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, abandoned by men and tempted in the desert-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, betrayed and sold-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, insulted, accused, and unjustly condemned-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, clothed in a robe of ignominy and contempt-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, mocked and scoffed at-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, bound with cords and led through the streets-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, treated as a fool and classed with malefactors-----have mercy on
me!
Jesus, cruelly scourged-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, held inferior to Barabbas-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, despoiled of Thy garments-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, crowned with thorns and reviled-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, bearing the Cross amid the maledictions of the people-----have
mercy on
me!
Jesus, bowed down by ignominies, pain, and humiliations-----have mercy on
me!
Jesus, crucified between thieves-----have mercy on me!
Jesus, dying for my sins amid all kinds of suffering-----have mercy on me!
LET US PRAY:
SACRED HEART of Jesus, my Redeemer! Exercise, I beseech Thee, Thy office
of
mediator with me, and permit not that Thy sufferings and cruel death be in
vain
for my salvation, but let them bring forth, for Thy glory, fruits of
salvation
in me, that my heart may love, praise, and glorify Thee for ever and ever.
Amen.
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