From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Inquire not into the Unsearchable Judgments of God  [III]    
      
   Some, in their ardent enthusiasm, profess a greater devotion to one   
   Saint than to another; but this devotion is of human origin, not   
   divine. I am He who made all the Saints; I gave them grace; I endowed   
   them with glory. I know the merits of each; I went before them with My   
   blessings. (Ps. 21:3) I foreknew my loved ones before time began.   
   (Rom.8:29) I chose them out of the world; (John 15:19) they did not   
   first choose Me. I called them by grace; (Gal. 1:15) I drew them by   
   mercy. I was their guide in many a temptation; I poured forth on them   
   wonderful consolations. I gave them perseverance, and I crowned their   
   patience.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 58   
      
      
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   April 15th - Blessed Caesar de Bus   
   d. 1607   
      
    Blessed Caesar de Bus was a military priest teaching catechism to   
   ordinary people in neglected rural out-of-the-way places   
      
   b. 1544 Like so many of us, Caesar de Bus struggled with the decision   
   about what to do with his life. After completing his Jesuit education   
   he had difficulty settling between a military and a literary career.   
   He wrote some plays but ultimately settled for life in the army and at   
   court.   
      
   For a time life was going rather smoothly for the engaging, well-to-do   
   young Frenchman. He was confident he had made the right choice. That   
   was until he saw firsthand the realities of battle, including the St.   
   Bartholomew's Day massacres of French Protestants in 1572.   
      
   He fell seriously ill and found himself reviewing his priorities,   
   including his spiritual life. By the time he had recovered Caesar had   
   resolved to become a priest. Following his ordination in 1582, he   
   undertook special pastoral work: teaching the catechism to ordinary   
   people living in neglected, rural, out-of-the-way places. His efforts   
   were badly needed and well received.   
      
   Working with his cousin, Caesar developed a program of family   
   catechesis. The goal—to ward off heresy among the people—met the   
   approval of local bishops. Out of these efforts grew a new religious   
   congregation: the Fathers of Christian Doctrine.   
      
   One of Caesar's works, Instructions for the Family on the Four Parts   
   of the Roman Catechism, was published 60 years after his death. He was   
   beatified in 1975.   
      
       Comment: “Family catechesis” is a familiar term in parish life   
   today. Grounded in the certainty that children learn their faith first   
   from their parents, programs that deepen parental involvement in   
   religious education multiply everywhere. There were no such programs   
   in Caesar’s day until he saw a need and created them. Other needs   
   abound in our parishes, and it’s up to us to respond by finding ways   
   to fill them or by joining in already established efforts.   
      
       Blessed César de Bus, you who left us the admirable example of a   
   life completely dedicated to God, you who were on fire with the desire   
   to communicate the life of God to your brothers, intercede for us with   
   the Lord now, so that the same fire may consume us and the same   
   charity urge us.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
       I was so beside myself and fired with such a longing to do   
   something in imitation of him, that I would not give my eyes sleep or   
   my days rest until I had given some beginning to this resolution of   
   mine.   
   --Blessed Cesar de Bus, writing about Saint Charles Borromeo.   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!   
   How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"   
   [Romans11:33]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer For Harmony And Unity   
      
   Lord Jesus,   
   open our hearts and minds   
   to the guidance of your Spirit.   
   Help us to discern the Father's will   
   for your Church today.   
   Do not let our weaknesses or prejudices hinder your work,   
   and teach us to do all we can   
   to make the kingdom of the Father come on earth.   
   Bring us to the harmony and unity given by your Spirit,   
   and make us one in praising God with you.   
      
   Hear us, Lord,   
   for we are your beloved people.   
      
   All answer: Amen!   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)