From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   April 6th - Bl. Catherine Of Pallanza, Virgin   
   (endowed with the gift of prophecy)   
      
   Born in Pallanza, Novara, Italy, c. 1437; died 1478; cultus confirmed in   
   1769. At age 14, Catherine began to live the life of a hermit in the   
   mountain district above Varese, near Milan. Disciples gathered around her,   
   whom she gathered into a community under the Augustinian Rule. She fought   
   epidemics, which wiped out her entire family, and against wicked tongues   
   that spread slander about her little convent of Santa Maria di Monte   
   (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).   
      
   More destructive than the many wars which devastated medieval Europe was the   
   dread disease called plague which, with varying severity, was of constant   
   recurrence, sometimes sweeping away entire populations. During one of these   
   epidemics there perished near Pallanza in the diocese of Novara a whole   
   family except one little child of the name of Catherine. She was rescued by   
   the local lord, who entrusted her to a Milanese lady who adopted and   
   educated her. When Catherine was in her fifteenth year she was so profoundly   
   touched by a sermon on the sufferings of our Lord that she then and there   
   resolved to consecrate her life to His service. Her benefactress was now   
   dead and there was no one to hinder her, so she withdrew to the mountain   
   district above Varese, where the great St Ambrose, it was said, had once   
   erected an altar in honour of the Mother of God. From time to time men had   
   lived there as hermits, but she was the first woman to settle in that   
   wilderness, and for the next fifteen years she led a life of the utmost   
   austerity. She fasted for ten months of the year, living even at less   
   penitential seasons on presents of fish which were brought to her, for she   
   seldom left her retreat. Hidden as she strove to be, other women collected   
   round Catherine to imitate her example and to become her disciples.   
   Eventually she gathered them into a community that adopted the Augustinian   
   rule and was known as the convent of Santa Maria di Monte. She died at the   
   age of forty, after being prioress four years. During her life Blessed   
   Catherine was endowed with the gift of prophecy, and her cultus was approved   
   in 1769.   
      
   See the Acta Sanctorum, April, vol. i, where a life of the beata written in   
   Italian by Cesare Tettamanzi has been translated into Latin. cf. also Sevesi   
   in Studi Francescani, vol. xxv (1928), pp. 389-449.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason   
   for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your   
   conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good   
   conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.   
   --Saint Peter the Apostle   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   The bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world.  (John   
   6:52)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Christ King of Glory (Christus Vincit)   
      
   Christ Lord of glory, Christ Prince of nations, Christ our King of kings!   
   Christ Jesus, hear us.   
   Perpetual safety and welfare to the Church of God.   
      
   Redeemer, Savior. Assist and strengthen her.   
   O Mary blessed Mother; Assist and strengthen her.   
   Joseph holy guardian; Assist and strengthen her.   
   Blessed Michael patron; Assist and strengthen her.   
   Blessed Saint Patrick; Assist and strengthen her.   
      
   All repeat: Christ Lord of glory, Christ Prince of nations, Christ our King   
   of kings!   
      
   Christ Jesus hear us. Life and health and blessings to Pope John Paul II our   
   Holy Father. Redeemer Savior, assist and strengthen him.   
      
   Blessed Peter, assist and strengthen him. King of kings.   
      
   Blessed Paul, assist and strengthen him. Christ our King, Christ our hope.   
      
   All repeat: Christ Lord of glory, Christ Prince of nations, Christ our King   
   of kings!   
      
   Jesus our glory, Fountain of grace and all mercy. Source of all our   
   blessing. Defender in battle, Strong arm of our God invincible. Our   
   stronghold and our exaltation. Our captain leader who has won our salvation.   
   Christ Jesus, our life and light eternal. To Him only is victory all praise   
   and jubilation. Through all the endless ages of eternity. - Amen.   
      
   Abundance of good things be ours. The peace of Christ be ours. Redeemed by   
   the blood of Jesus. Proclaim our joy. May His holy kingdom come. Praise be   
   to our God - Amen.   
      
    In thy conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast immaculate; pray for us to the   
   Father, whose Son, Jesus Christ conceived of the Holy Ghost, thou didst   
   bring forth. - Amen.   
      
   From the Lamb of God Prayerbook   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)