From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On the Uses of Adversity (1)   
      
   IT is good for us to encounter troubles and adversities from time to   
   time, for trouble often compels a man to search his own heart. It   
   reminds him that he is an exile here, and that he can put his trust in   
   nothing in this world. It is good, too, that we sometimes suffer   
   opposition, and that men think ill of us and misjudge us, even when we   
   do and mean well. Such things are an aid to humility, and preserve us   
   from pride and vainglory. For we more readily turn to God as our   
   inward witness, when men despise us and think no good of us.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 12   
      
   =========   
   September 14th - St. Albert of Jerusalem   
   (Also known as Albert Avogadro, Albert of Acre)   
      
   Memorial   
       • 14 September   
       • 17 September on some calendars   
       • 25 September on some calendars   
       • 8 April on some calendars   
      
   Albert was born at Parma, Italy about the year 1149. Little is known   
   of his early life but he came from a distinguished family and was well   
   educated. He received degrees in theology, as well as civil and canon   
   law. He became a Canon Regular at the Abbey of the Holy Cross in   
   Mortara, Lombardy. In 1184, at the age of 35, he was consecrated   
   bishop of Bobbio and soon afterward was transferred to Vercelli in the   
   Lombardy region.   
      
   Albert proved to be a wise and prudent leader as well as a skillful   
   diplomat and peacemaker. He was chosen mediator between Pope Clement   
   III and Frederick Barbarossa, and in 1199, under Pope Innocent III,   
   Albert was able to bring about peace between Parma and Piacenza.   
      
   In 1203 when the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michael, died the Canons   
   Regular petitioned Pope Innocent III to send Albert, a man whose   
   wisdom and holiness were known even to the people of Jerusalem. At   
   that point in history the crusaders under Godfrey de Boullion had set   
   up a Latin kingdom of Jerusalem. Many of the prelates appointed were   
   of questionable character and the Church suffered greatly. Pope   
   Innocent reluctantly appointed Albert to the post of Patriarch of   
   Jerusalem and in 1205 he set out for the Holy Land.   
      
   Because of the Moslem occupation of Jerusalem from 1187, Albert   
   located his residence at St. Jean d'Acre. His first order of business   
   was to establish a relationship of trust and respect with both the   
   Christian and Moslem communities. This had been a major negligence   
   among his predecessors. Albert worked hard to keep peace between all   
   the factions of his patriarchate.   
      
   Perhaps what Albert is best known for is the Carmelite Rule which he   
   compiled at the request of St. Brocard. In 16 short definitive   
   chapters Albert set down a rule which was confirmed by Pope Honorius   
   III in 1226. This was later modified by Pope Innocent IV in 1246.   
   While the actual founder of the Carmelites is unknown, Albert of   
   Jerusalem was definitely its first legislator.   
      
   Albert was summoned to attend the Lateran council by Pope Innocent   
   III, but circumstance prevented it. Albert had had to depose the   
   master of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit at Acre from his office and   
   the disgruntled man took his revenge on September 14, 1214, the feast   
   of the Exaltation of the Cross. While Albert was officiating at a   
   procession in the Church of the Holy Cross at Acre, the man attacked   
   and killed him. Albert's feast has been celebrated by the Carmelites   
   since 1411, but it wasn't until 1666 that it was formally approved.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   It is a matter of real sorrow when God has given those strength to   
   break stronger fetters, those of vanity and sin, that they neglect   
   their own progress and the attainment of such great blessings because   
   they will not detach themselves from trifles. Not only do they not   
   advance, they fall back. For it is well known that on the spiritual   
   road not to go on overcoming self is to go backwards, and not to   
   increase our gain is to lose. As wood can never be transformed into   
   fire if one necessary degree of heat is missing, so the soul that has   
   even one imperfection can never be perfectly transformed in God.   
   -- St. John of the Cross   
      
   Bible Quote   
   The heart of the proud man is like a stormy sea, never at rest: "Like   
   the raging sea which cannot rest;" [Isa. lvii, 20] and the heart of   
   the humble is fully content in its humility--"Rich in his being low"   
   [James i, 10]--and is always calm and tranquil and without fear that   
   anything in this world should disturb him, and shall "rest with   
   confidence." [Isa. xiv, 30]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer   
      
   Lord God, through St. Albert of Jerusalem   
   you have given us a Rule of life   
   according to your Gospel   
   to help us attain perfect love.   
   Through his prayers   
   may we always live in allegiance to Jesus Christ   
   and serve faithfully until death   
   him who lives and reigns   
   with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,   
   One God, for ever and ever.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)