From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Peter was first given the keys   
      
   Peter was first given the keys, but then he was allowed to fall into   
   sin by denying Christ; and so his pride was humbled by his fall. Do   
   not be surprised, then, if after receiving the keys of spiritual   
   knowledge you fall into various evil thoughts. Glorify our Lord, for   
   He alone is wise: through setbacks of this kind He restrains the   
   presumption that we tend to feel because of our advance in the   
   knowledge of God. Trials and temptations are the reins whereby God in   
   His providence restrains our human arrogance.   
   --John of Karpathos.   
      
   ============   
       • November 7th – St. Engelbert of Cologne, Bishop, Martyr   
      
   Born at Berg, Germany, c. 1187; died near Schwelm, 1225. Engelbert was   
   the son of the count of Berg. While still a boy studying at the   
   Cathedral school at Cologne, he received several ecclesiastic   
   benefices through family influence.   
      
   The future saint was excommunicated either for threatening Emperor   
   Otto IV with armed violence or for taking unlawful possession of   
   benefices. After he joined the crusade against the Albigensians, the   
   excommunication was lifted. Shortly thereafter he was appointed   
   archbishop of Cologne in 1217 (about age 30).   
      
   Engelbert's life was chiefly taken up with secular affairs of state,   
   and he would hardly have received a saint's cultus had it not been for   
   the circumstances of his death. He did, however, rule his see well,   
   restored clerical discipline, brought Franciscans and Dominicans into   
   the diocese, held regular synods, encouraged monastic life, and was   
   generous to the poor.   
      
   As previously stated, he was also deeply involved in politics. He   
   supported Emperor Frederick II (who appointed him regent during the   
   minority of Henry's son in 1220 when the Emperor went to Sicily),   
   tutored the crown prince, was chief minister of the empire, and   
   crowned Henry King of the Romans in 1222.   
      
   Engelbert's crusade against the Albigensians did redeem him in the   
   eyes of the church. Probably only a fighting bishop could have looked   
   after the diocese of Cologne in those turbulent times. Although   
   Engelbert did insist on discipline for the clergy and religious in his   
   diocese, both groups knew they could always rely on his protection.   
      
   This led to the saint's murder. His cousin, Count Frederick of   
   Isenberg, was in theory administrator and protector of the nuns of   
   Essen. In practice he stole their lands and goods, and oppressed the   
   vassals of the nuns. The archbishop vigorously protested against the   
   abuse and deprived his cousin of the office. The count and 50   
   retainers waylaid the archbishop at Gevelsberg, Germany, on November   
   7, 1225, and left him dead with 47 wounds in his corpse. The young   
   King Henry had the culprits brought to justice (Attwater,   
   Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopedia, White).   
      
   In art, Engelbert is depicted in archiepiscopal vestments with a   
   crozier in one hand and an upraised sword, piercing a crescent moon,   
   in the other (White).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   The everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross   
   that He now presents to you as a gift from His all-knowing eyes,   
   understood with His Divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed   
   with loving arms and weighted with His own hands to see that it be not   
   one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed   
   it with His holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with   
   His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and   
   then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you,   
   an alms of the all-merciful love of God.   
   --St Francis de Sales   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   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.   
      
   FIFTH DAY   
      
   In consideration of our future prayers, God deigns to grant to a dying   
   sinner good dispositions which secure him the salvation of his soul.   
      
   Prayer:  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, I offer Thee the Blood shed by Thine only begotten Son   
   on Calvary; the sorrows of His blessed Mother, for the remission of   
   our sins, the deliverance of the Souls in Purgatory, for our Holy   
   Mother Church and for the forgiveness of sinners.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)