From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   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. Thus, he   
   suffered martyrdom for defense of the liberty of the Church and the   
   authority of   
   the Church of Rome. The young King Henry had the culprits brought to   
   justice.   
    (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopedia, White).   
      
   Although he has never been formally canonized, he is referred to in the R.M.   
   as   
   Saint Engelbert, and is venerated in Cologne (Delaney).   
      
   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   
      
   Bible Quote   
   14 But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:   
   15   
   And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are   
   called   
   in one body: and be ye thankful. (Colossians 3:14-15)   
      
      
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   Prayer of St. Ambrose (Before Mass)   
      
   Lord Jesus Christ,   
   I approach Thy banquet table   
   in fear and trembling,   
   for I am a sinner,   
   and dare not rely on my own worth,   
   but only on Thy goodness and mercy.   
   I am defiled by many sins in body and soul,   
   and by my unguarded thoughts and words.   
   Gracious God of majesty and awe,   
   I seek Thy protection,   
   I look for Thy healing.   
   Poor troubled sinner that I am,   
   I appeal to Thee, the fountain of all mercy.   
   I cannot bear Thy judgment,   
   but I trust in Thy salvation.   
   Lord, I show my wounds to Thee   
   and uncover my shame before Thee.   
   I know my sins are many and great,   
   and they fill me with fear,   
   but I hope in Thy mercies,   
   for they cannot be numbered.   
   Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and man,   
   crucified for mankind,   
   look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer,   
   for I trust in Thee.   
   Have mercy on me,   
   full of sorrow and sin,   
   for the depth of your compassion never ends.   
   Praise to Thee, saving sacrifice,   
   offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind.   
   Praise to the noble and precious blood,   
   flowing from the wounds of the my crucified Lord Jesus Christ   
   and washing away the sins of the whole world.   
   Remember, Lord Thy creature,   
   whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy blood;   
   I repent my sins,   
   and I long to put right what I have done.   
   Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins;   
   purify me in body and soul,   
   and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.   
   May Thy body and blood,   
   which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy,   
   be for me the remission of my sins,   
   the washing away of my guilt,   
   the end of my evil thoughts,   
   and the rebirth of my better instincts.   
   May it incite me to do the works pleasing to Thee   
   and profitable to my health in body and soul,   
   and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies. Amen   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)