From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Renewal in Christ   
      
   "Old age has its many complaints: coughing, shaking, failing eyesight,   
   anxiety, and weariness. The world is old, and it too is full of   
   pressing tribulations.   
      
   Do not refuse to regain your youth in Christ who says: The world is   
   passing away. Do not fear. Your youth shall be renewed."   
   --St. Augustine--Sermon 81, 8   
      
   Prayer: You, O Lord, who always are, both before we were and before   
   the world was, have become a refuge for us, within which we turn to   
   you.   
   --St. Augustine--Commentary on Psalm 89, 3   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   June 4th - St. Vincentia Gerosa, Virgin   
   Co-Foundress of The Sisters of Charity of Lovere   
      
   UNDER July 26 herein will be found an account of St. Bartholomea   
   Capitanio, foundress of the “Suore della Carità” of Lovere--an   
   institute closely resembling both in its spirit and its activities the   
   world-famous Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. In the work of   
   giving life to this project Bartholomea was assisted from the first by   
   a companion much older than herself, who was also a native of Lovere.   
   Catherine Gerosa—the name Vincentia only came to her when she assumed   
   the habit of a nun--had been born in 1784 and for forty years had led   
   a most holy life, devoted almost entirely to works of charity and the   
   domestic duties which had devolved upon her after the early death of   
   her parents. It seems to have been in 1823 or 1824 that she was   
   brought into intimate contact with Bartholomea Capitanio, both of them   
   having been deeply moved by an appeal of Mgr Nava, bishop of Brescia,   
   who called for volunteers to help in rescue work, especially through   
   the education of the young. This was at the time sadly neglected in   
   that part of Italy under Austrian rule. Though Catherine Gerosa’s   
   attraction was rather in the direction of the service of the sick and   
   poor, she was persuaded to join forces with her younger friend who   
   felt specially called to the work of instructing children.   
      
   In the end both aims were combined in the institute which they planned   
   in close dependence upon the rule of the Sisters of Charity of St.   
   Vincent de Paul. They would gladly have affiliated themselves to the   
   great French order, but the political theories of the then government   
   refused recognition of any organization which depended upon foreign   
   control. The work prospered astonishingly, despite the lack of all   
   resources and despite the death in 1833 of the more active of its   
   foundresses at the early age of twenty-six. But Vincentia, though she   
   had to carry on alone, was truly possessed by the spirit of God. She   
   seems also to have been an admirable organizer and under her rule   
   recruits and new foundations continued to multiply. She herself was   
   the humblest of creatures and found the marks of respect paid to her a   
   great trial. She turned continually to the remembrance of our Lord’s   
   sufferings on the cross for strength and guidance. Hence she used to   
   say, “He who has not learnt, what the crucifix means knows nothing,   
   and he who knows his crucifix has nothing more to learn”. After a long   
   illness most patiently borne, Mother Vincentia died on June 29, 1847.   
   She was canonized in 1950.   
      
   Fr Luigi Mazza, s.j. who published in 1905 a full account of Bl.   
   Bartholomea Capitanio and her institute, supplemented this in 1910   
   with a Life of Mother Vincenza Gerosa. The decree of beatification (in   
   Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. xxv, 1933, pp. 300-303) includes a   
   biographical summary. See also Kempf, The Holiness of the Church in   
   the Nineteenth Century, pp. 204-207.   
      
      
   Reflection:   
   The "world" rejected Jesus and his disciples can expect the same   
   treatment. Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are   
   either for him or against him, for his kingdom of light or for the   
   kingdom of darkness. Let us stay in the light of Jesus and not in the   
   kingdom of darkness.   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Behold Jesus Christ crucified, who is the only foundation of our hope;   
   He is our Mediator and Advocate; the victim and sacrifice for our   
   sins. He is goodness and patience itself; His mercy is moved by the   
   tears of sinners, and He never refuses pardon and grace to those who   
   ask it with a truly contrite and humbled heart.   
   --St. Charles Borromeo   
      
      
    <><><><>   
   Prayer to Defeat the Work of Satan   
      
   O Divine Eternal Father, in union with Thy Divine Son   
   and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of   
   Mary, I beg Thee to destroy the Power of Thy greatest   
   enemy--the evil spirits.   
      
   Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell and chain   
   them there forever! Take possession of Thy Kingdom   
   which Thou hast created and which is rightfully Thine.   
      
   Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart   
   of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.   
      
   I repeat this prayer out of pure love for Thee with every   
   beat of my heart and with every breath I take. Amen   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)