From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   The Intimate Friendship of Jesus (2)   
      
      WHEN Jesus is near, all is well and nothing seems difficult. When   
   He is absent, all is hard. When Jesus does not speak within, all other   
   comfort is empty, but if He says only a word, it brings great   
   consolation. Did not Mary Magdalen rise at once from her weeping   
   when Martha said to her: "The Master is come, and calleth for thee"?   
   John 11:28. Happy is the hour when Jesus calls   
   one from tears to joy of spirit.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 2, Chapter 8   
      
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   October 9th - St. John Leonardi   
   (1541?-1609)   
      
     "I am only one person! Why should I do anything? What good would it   
   do?" Today, as in any age, people seem plagued with the dilemma of   
   getting involved. In his own way John Leonardi answered these   
   questions. He chose to become a priest.   
      
   After his ordination, he became very active in the works of the   
   ministry, especially in hospitals and prisons. The example and   
   dedication of his work attracted several young laymen who began to   
   assist him. They later became priests themselves.   
      
   John lived in a time of reform after the Reformation and the Council   
   of Trent. He and his followers projected a new congregation of   
   diocesan priests. For some reason the plan, which was ultimately   
   approved, provoked great political opposition and he was an exile from   
   his hometown of Lucca, Italy, for almost the entire remainder of his   
   life. He received encouragement and help from St. Philip Neri [whose   
   feast is May 26], who gave him his quarters--along with the care of   
   his cat!   
      
   In 1579 he formed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and   
   published a compendium of Christian doctrine that remained in use   
   until the 19th century.   
      
   Father Leonardi and his priests became a great power for good in   
   Italy, and their congregation was confirmed by Pope Clement in 1595.   
   He died at the age of 68 from a disease caught when tending those   
   stricken by the plague.   
      
   By the deliberate policy of the founder, the Clerks Regular of the   
   Mother of God have never had more than 15 churches and today form only   
   a very small congregation.   
      
   Comment:   
      
   What can one person do? If you ever glanced through a Christopher   
   Notes pamphlet you know—plenty! In the life of each saint one thing   
   stands clear: God and one are a majority! What one person, following   
   God's will and plan for his or her life, can do is more than our mind   
   could ever hope for or imagine. Each of us, like John Leonardi, has a   
   mission to fulfill in God's plan for the world. Each one of us is   
   unique and has been given talent to use for the service of our   
   brothers and sisters for the building up of God's kingdom.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   As it is not possible, in this pilgrimage of ours, not to meet and   
   become entangled with each other, if we would preserve interior peace   
   we must possess a great fund of meekness to oppose the unexpected   
   assaults of anger.   
   --St. Francis de Sales   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   19 My brethren, if any of you err from the truth, and one convert him:   
   20 He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the   
   error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a   
   multitude of sins.  (James 5:19-20)   
      
      
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   Jesu   
      
   Jesu, by that shuddering   
   dread which fell on Thee;   
      
   Jesu, by that cold dismay   
    which sicken'd Thee;   
      
   Jesu, by that pang of heart   
    which thrill'd in Thee;   
      
   Jesu, by that mount of sins   
   which crippled Thee;   
      
   Jesu, by that sense of guilt   
   which stifled Thee;   
      
   Jesu, by that innocence   
   which girdled Thee;   
      
   Jesu, by that sanctity   
   which reigned in Thee;   
      
   Jesu, by that Godhead   
   which was one with Thee;   
      
   Jesu, spare these souls   
   which are so dear to Thee;   
      
   Who in prison,   
   calm and patient,   
   wait for Thee;   
      
   Hasten, Lord, their hour,   
   and bid them come to Thee.   
   To that glorious home,   
   where they shall ever gaze on Thee. -Amen   
   --Bl. John Henry Newman   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)