From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   What is the kingdom of God?   
      
   What is the kingdom of God? The word "kingdom" means something more   
   than a territory or an area of land. It literally means "sovereignty"   
   or "reign" and the power to "rule" and exercise authority. The   
   prophets announced that God would establish a kingdom not just for one   
   nation or people but for the whole world. The Scriptures tell us that   
   God's throne is in heaven and his rule is over all (Psalm 103:19). His   
   kingdom is bigger and more powerful than anything we can imagine   
   because it is universal and everlasting (Daniel 4:3). His kingdom is   
   full of glory, power, and splendor (Psalm 145:11-13).   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   April 21st - Blessed Bartholomew of Cervere   
      
   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).   
      
      
   ("A Year with the Saints".  April - Patience)   
   "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.   
      
      
   Bible Quote:   
   But I have cried to God: and the Lord will save me. Evening and   
   morning, and at noon I will speak and declare: and He shall hear my   
   voice: He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to   
   me...   (Psalm liv, 17-19 )   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   (Three Ejaculations to obtain the grace of a Happy Death)   
      
   Jesus, Mary, Joseph,   
   I offer you my heart and my soul.   
      
   Jesus, Mary, Joseph,   
   assist me in my last agony.   
      
   Jesus, Mary, Joseph,   
   may I breathe forth my soul with you in peace.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)