From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   The beginning of a new life   
      
   The knowledge that Christ is the passover lamb who was sacrificed for   
   us should make us regard the moment of his immolation as the beginning   
   of our own lives. As far as we are concerned, Christ's immolation on   
   our behalf takes place when we become aware of his grace and   
   understand the life conferred on us by this sacrifice. Having once   
   understood it, we should enter upon this new life with all eagerness   
   and never return to the old one, which is now at an end. As scripture   
   says: We have died to sin—how then can we continue to live in it?   
   —John Chrysostom   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   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. Supported 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, wishing   
   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:   
   Make a little cell in your heart for Jesus of the Agony; take refuge   
   there, when you hear Him outraged by men, try to make reparation; you,   
   at least, love Him and keep your heart quite pure for Him. Oh! If you   
   only knew how the good God loves pure hearts! It is there that He   
   loves to reign.   
   --Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   The just shall stand with great constancy against those that have   
   afflicted them, and taken away their labors. These seeing it, shall be   
   troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of   
   their unexpected salvation, saying within themselves, repenting, and   
   groaning for anguish of spirit. These are they whom we had some time   
   in derision, and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their   
   life madness, and their end without honor. Behold how they are   
   numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints   
    (Wisdom 5:1-5)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   A morning offering:   
      
   O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary   
   (here kiss your woolen Brown Scapular as a sign of your   
   consecration), I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from   
   all the altars throughout the world, joining with It the offering   
   of my every thought, word and action of this day.   
      
   O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit   
   I can, and I offer them, together with myself, to Mary   
   Immaculate--that she may best apply them to the interests of   
   Thy most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us!   
   Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!   
   Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)