From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth {2}   
      
   What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking   
   humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that   
   makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to   
   God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For   
   what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the   
   principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the   
   love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God   
   and serve Him alone   
   --Thomas à Kempis--Imitation of Christ Book 1, Ch. 1   
      
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   March 27th - Blessed Francis Faà di Bruno   
      
   (1825-1888)   
      
   Francis, the last of 12 children, was born in northern Italy into an   
   aristocratic family. He lived at a particularly turbulent time in   
   history, when anti-Catholic and anti-papal sentiments were especially   
   strong.   
      
   After being trained as a military officer, Francis was spotted by King   
   Victor Emmanuel II, who was impressed with the young man's character   
   and learning. Invited by the king to tutor his two young sons, Francis   
   agreed and prepared himself with additional studies. But with the role   
   of the Church in education being a sticking point for many, the king   
   was forced to withdraw his offer to the openly Catholic Francis and,   
   instead, find a tutor more suitable to the secular state.   
      
   Francis soon left army life behind and pursued doctoral studies in   
   Paris in mathematics and astronomy; he also showed a special interest   
   in religion and asceticism. Despite his commitment to the scholarly   
   life, Francis put much of his energy into charitable activities. He   
   founded the Society of St. Zita for maids and domestic servants, later   
   expanding it to include unmarried mothers, among others. He helped   
   establish hostels for the elderly and poor. He even oversaw the   
   construction of a church in Turin that was dedicated to the memory of   
   Italian soldiers who had lost their lives in the struggle over the   
   unification of Italy.   
      
   Wishing to broaden and deepen his commitment to the poor, Francis,   
   then well into adulthood, studied for the priesthood. But first he had   
   to obtain the support of Pope Pius IX to counteract the opposition to   
   his own archbishop's difficulty with late vocations. Francis was   
   ordained at the age of 51.   
      
   As a priest, he continued his good works, sharing his inheritance as   
   well as his energy. He established yet another hostel, this time for   
   prostitutes. He died in Turin on March 27, 1888, and was beatified 100   
   years later.   
      
   Comment:   
      It wasn’t Francis’ lack of scholarly ability or deep-down goodness   
   that almost kept him from the priesthood, but his bishop’s distrust of   
   “late vocations.” Until the later part of the 20th century, most   
   candidates for the priesthood entered the seminary right out of grade   
   school. Today no bishop would refuse a middle-aged   
   applicant--especially someone whose care for people in need is   
   constant. Francis is a holy reminder that God’s call to reassess our   
   life’s direction can reach us at any age.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "The creed teaches us to believe also in one Holy Catholic and   
   Apostolic church of God. The Catholic Church cannot be only apostolic,   
   for the all-powerful might of her Head, which is Christ, is able   
   through the Apostles to save the whole world. So there is a Holy   
   Catholic Church of God, the assembly of the Holy Fathers who are from   
   the ages, of the patriarchs, of prophets, apostles, evangelists,   
   martyrs, to which are added all the gentiles who believe the same   
   way."   
   --St. John Damascene, Against Iconoclasts 11 (late 7th cent. to 754 AD   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It   
   will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones."  Proverbs 3:7-8   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   What, therefore, is perfect love?   
      
   It is this, when we love God only, because He is in Himself the   
   Highest Good, and most worthy of all love. In this manner we should   
   endeavor to love Him; not through self-interest, not through hope of   
   reward, not through fear of punishment, but only because He, as the   
   Greatest Good, contains all goodness and, therefore, deserves to be   
   loved only on account of Himself. Such love St. Francis Xavier had,   
   who very beautifully expresses this love in the following canticle   
   which he himself composed.   
      
      
   "My God, I love Thee, not because   
   I hope for heaven thereby,   
   Nor because they who love Thee not,   
   Must burn eternally!   
      
   Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me   
   Upon the cross embrace,   
   For me didst bear the nails and spear,   
   And manifold disgrace.   
      
   And griefs and torments numberless,   
   And sweat of agony;   
   Even death itself, and all for one   
   Who was Thine enemy!   
      
   Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,   
   Should I not love Thee well:   
   Not for the sake of winning heaven,   
   Or of escaping hell.   
      
   Not with the hope of gaining aught,   
   Not seeking a reward,   
   But as Thyself hast loved me,   
   O ever loving Lord!   
      
   Yes, so I love Thee and will love,   
   And in Thy praise will sing;   
   Solely because Thou art my God   
   And my eternal King."   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)