From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On the Desire for Eternal Life and the Wonder of God's Promises [II]   
      
   CHRIST.   
   Son, there are many fires, but the flame never ascends unaccompanied by   
   smoke. Similarly, the desires of some are afire for heavenly things,   
   while they themselves are not yet free from the lusts of the flesh.   
   Therefore they do not act solely for the glory of God when they make   
   such earnest requests of Him and your own desires, which you think so   
   sincere, are often like this. For no desires are pure and perfect that   
   are tainted by self-interest.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 49   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   12 September – Saint Ailbe   
      
    (Died 528)   
    Bishop of Emly, “The Patrick of Munster,” Confessor, Evangelist –   
      
   Saint Ailbe is venerated as one of the four great Patrons of Ireland.   
   Also known as – Ailbhe, Albert, Albeo, Albeus, Elvis. Patronages –   
   Cashel, Ireland, Diocese of, Cashel and Emly, Ireland, Archdiocese of,   
   Emly, Ireland, Diocese of, Munster, Ireland, wolves.   
      
   Ailbe was born to a maidservant in the house of Cronan, lord of Eliach   
   in County Tipperary. Cronan, for reasons unrevealed, disapproved of   
   his birth and directed that he be exposed to ‘dogs and wild beasts,   
   that he might be devoured.’ But, instead, the baby was found hidden   
   under a rock (Ail) and alive (beo), by a she-wolf who reared him among   
   her own cubs. The Saint repaid the kindness toward the end of his   
   life, when a she-wolf chased by hunters took refuge with him. He   
   ordered that it should not be harmed and would come to eat with him   
   each day.   
      
   Ailbe is frequently named as leader among the four “Palladian bishops”   
   all of whom ministered in the south of Ireland – Ailbe of Emly, Ibar   
   of Begerin, Declan of Ardmore and Ciaran of Saighir – before or around   
   the time of the arrival of St Patrick.   
      
   Since Ailbe was also known in South Wales, it seems certain that   
   before Patrick there was a movement of Christians between the south of   
   Wales and the south of Ireland. And it may be from this movement that   
   Ailbe received his Christian faith. Another source says Ailbe Baptised   
   St David of Wales.   
      
   Ailbe was particularly friendly with Declan. The Life of Declan says:   
   “They loved one another like brothers…” The Life also says they both   
   went to Rome and were Ordained Bishop by the Pope.   
      
   The Life of Declan also deferentially declares: “Humble Ailbe was the   
   Patrick of Munster….” He was considered to be one of the pre-Patrician   
   Saints of Ireland   
   The church Ailbe founded at Emly in south-west Tipperary became a   
   centre of formation for other well-known monastic saints, such as St   
   Colman of Dromore and St Enda of Aran island.   
      
   Ailbe is said to have petitioned King Aengus of Cashel for a site for   
   a Monastery for St Enda. Unaware that he had islands in his domain,   
   Aengus that night dreamed about them and granted them to Enda.   
      
   According to the Annals of Innisfallen, which draws on records   
   originally compiled at Emly, Ailbe died in 528.   
      
   Another interesting story is that Ailbe’s tomb, long forgotten, was   
   discovered in Cashel in 580 when St Brendan of Birr came on a visit to   
   inaugurate the new king. An ancient and weathered Celtic cross in its   
   churchyard is known as “St Ailbe’s Cross.”   
      
   Emly later became an important Ecclesiastical centre and Diocese. In   
   1718 it was united with Cashel and St Ailbe is the Patron of the joint   
   Archdiocese.   
      
   anastpaul./2020/09/12/   
      
      
   Saint Quotes:   
   "Do not disturb your soul at the sad spectacle of human injustice ....   
   One day you will see the inevitable triumph of Divine justice over   
   it."   
      
   "The pivot of perfection is love; he who lives in love lives in God,   
   because God is love, as the Apostle says."   
      
   "To fail in charity is like wounding God in the apple of His eye. What   
   is more delicate than the pupil of the eye? To fail in charity is like   
   failing against nature."   
      
   "Try always to advance more in charity; enlarge your heart with   
   confidence for the divine gifts which the Holy Spirit is anxious to   
   pour into it."   
   --St. Padre Pio   
      
   <><><><>   
     Most Holy Mary   
   By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church   
      
   Most Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God,   
   I am unworthy to be your servant.   
   Yet moved by your motherly care for me   
   and longing to serve you,   
   I choose you this day to be my Queen,   
   my Advocate and my Mother.   
   I firmly resolve ever   
   to be devoted to you   
   and to do what I can to encourage others   
   to be devoted to you.   
   My loving Mother,   
   through the Precious Blood of your Son shed for me,   
   I beg you to receive me   
   as your servant forever.   
   Aid me in my actions   
   and beg for me, the grace   
   never by thought, word, or deed   
   to be displeasing in your sight   
   and that of your most holy Son.   
   Remember me, dearest Mother,   
   and do not abandon me at the hour of death.   
   Amen   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)