From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Avoiding Vain Hope and Conceit: [I]   
      
   Whoever puts his confidence in men or in any creature is very foolish.   
   Do not be ashamed to be the servant of others for love of Jesus   
   Christ, and to appear poor in this world. Do not trust in yourself,   
   but put your whole confidence in God. Do what you are able, and God   
   will bless your good intention. Do not trust in your own knowledge,   
   nor in the cleverness of any man living, but rather in the grace of   
   God, who aids the humble (James 4:6) and humbles the proud.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 7   
      
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   March 1st - Bl. Christopher of Milan, Prophet   
      
   Died in Taggia, Italy, in 1484; cultus confirmed by Pope Pius IX in   
   1875. Nothing is known of the early years of Blessed Christopher. He   
   received the Dominican habit in the convent of San Eustorgio in Milan,   
   Italy, in the early 15th century. He is recorded as being "holy and   
   abstemious, humble and studious"--the ordinary virtues that we have   
   come to take for granted among the beati; there is nothing to indicate   
   the type of person Christopher was, or what peculiar circumstances   
   might have led him to the Dominicans. He is noted especially for his   
   preaching and for his gift of prophecy.   
      
   The age in which Christopher lived was a rough and dangerous one, and   
   a time for prophets and penitents to thrive. He was himself an   
   apostolic preacher throughout Liguria and the Milanese, famous for the   
   impact of his sermons on sinners. He had a vivid power of description   
   and this, coupled with his gift of prophecy, made his sermons   
   unforgettable.   
      
   Christopher worked in many parts of Italy, but his name is   
   particularly venerated in Taggia, where he spent many years. As a   
   result of his preaching, the people of Taggia built a monastery and   
   church dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy and Christopher became its first   
   abbot. A great wave of spiritual revival was felt in Taggia during his   
   tenure, but he was not optimistic about the future.   
      
   In a vision he saw that most of the population would be carried off by   
   plague. Twenty years before anyone was paying any attention to the   
   Turks, he told the people of Taggia that Turks would invade the city,   
   and they did, as he had prophesied. A disastrous flood swept the area,   
   fulfilling another of his prophesies.   
      
   He wrote four volumes of sermon aids, containing scriptural examples   
   and quotations from the Fathers of the Church.   
      
   In 1484, when he was absent from Taggia preaching a mission,   
   Christopher fell ill and knew that he was about to die. He insisted on   
   returning to his own monastery at Taggia. There he received the last   
   sacraments and immediately died (Benedictines, Dorcy).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   'Let us make the Sign of the Cross boldly and courageously. When the   
   demons see it they are reminded of the Crucified; they take to flight;   
   they hide themselves and leave us'   
   --St Cyril of Jerusalem   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and   
   shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas.   
   And behold a greater than Jonas here.  (Matthew 12:41) DRB   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead   
      
   "Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because   
   the hand of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.   
      
      
   21st DAY   
      
   To find ourselves forgotten on earth by those whom we love, and who   
   have loved us is a cruel trial - but to find ourselves in Purgatory -   
   forgotten by all whom we loved and helped on earth, must be a most   
   painful sorrow.   
      
   Prayers:  Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.   
      
   De Profundis   
      
      Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,   
   O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.   
      Let Thine ears be attentive to the   
   voice of my supplication.   
      If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,   
   O Lord, who shall stand it?   
      For with Thee there is merciful   
   forgiveness: and by reason of Thy   
   law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.   
   My soul hath relied on His word;   
   my soul hath hoped in the Lord.   
      From the morning watch even until   
   night; let Israel hope in the Lord.   
   Because with the Lord there is mercy;   
   And with Him plenteous redemption.   
      And He shall redeem Israel from   
   all its iniquities.   
      Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,   
   And let perpetual light shine upon them:   
      May they rest in peace. Amen.   
      
   O my God, infinitely just, hear our payers in reparation for the souls   
   suffering in Purgatory for want of charity. Release them from their   
   pains that they may evermore praise Thee and intercede at Thy   
   Judgement Seat for us at the hour of our death.   
      
   See whole prayer at:   
   http://www.dailycatholic.org/deprofun.htm   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)