Our Saint of the Day was so beloved that King Philip III of Spain paid for a special tomb to house this beloved friar. š
Hello John,
In case you missed it, we have a new releaseāan inspiring journal depicting Mother Mary in different cultures and showing her universal love of all! If you are like me, you'll love the beautiful images and thought-provoking reflections! Check it out at: Universal Mother: A Journal for Finding Yourself in Mary |
Tara Hemelgarn
Marketing Manager |
Saint of the Day for April 3: Benedict the African (1526 ā 1589)
Saint Benedict the Africanās Story Benedict held important posts in the Franciscan Order and gracefully adjusted to other work when his terms of office were up. His parents were slaves brought from Africa to Messina, Sicily. Freed at 18, Benedict did farm work for a wage and soon saved enough to buy a pair of oxen. He was very proud of those animals. In time, he joined a group of hermits around Palermo and was eventually recognized as their leader. Because these hermits followed the Rule of Saint Francis, Pope Pius IV ordered them to join the First Order. Benedict was eventually novice master and then guardian of the friars in Palermoāpositions rarely held in those days by a brother. In fact, Benedict was forced to accept his election as guardian. And when his term ended, he happily returned to his work in the friary kitchen. Benedict corrected the friars with humility and charity. Once he corrected a novice and assigned him a penance only to learn that the novice was not the guilty party. Benedict immediately knelt down before the novice and asked his pardon. In later life, Benedict was not possessive of the few things he used. He never referred to them as āmine,ā but always called them āours.ā His gifts for prayer and the guidance of souls earned him throughout Sicily a reputation for holiness. Following the example of Saint Francis, Benedict kept seven 40-day fasts throughout the year; he also slept only a few hours each night. After Benedictās death, King Philip III of Spain paid for a special tomb for this holy friar. Canonized in 1807, he is honored as a patron saint by African Americans. The liturgical feast of Saint Benedict the African is celebrated on April 4. Reflection Among Franciscans, a position of leadership is limited in time. When the time expires, former leaders sometimes have trouble adjusting to their new position. The Church needs men and women ready to put their best energies into leadershipābut also men and women who are gracefully willing to go on to other work when their time of leadership is over. Saint Benedict the African is a Patron Saint of: African Americans |
āAs holy as she was, Mary's life was framed in the same world of hardship that we endure. Mary held closely in her heart the good things that God was doing in her life.ā āfrom the book, Universal Mother, by Holly Schapker and Cecelia Dorger |
Wield Your Words Well When it comes to how we communicate with othersāespecially in this an election yearāletās turn to the Gospel of Matthew who gives us a strong warning: āOn the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemnedā (12:36-37). Especially in todayās fractious times, using the Bibleās rich advice can improve our interactions and soothe our wearied souls. Godās words should heal us. When our words are kind and gentle, our spirits will be too. We will have fewer regrets and be more charitable and peaceful. Today, letās wield our words well, confident in the guidance of Godās word. āfrom St. Anthony Messengerās āFive Steps toward Better Communicationā
by Colleen Arnold, MD |
A Journal for Finding Yourself in Mary |
Grace in Times of Trouble Reflect Blessed Onesimus was a runaway slave in the New Testament. Despite this distressing situation, he ultimately became known as a holy one in the early Church. It was St. Paul who gave Onesimus guidance and encouragement. Paul nurtured his faith and then sent Onesimus back to his owners in Colossae. St. Paul gave Onesimus a letter to share with his slaveholders, Philemon and Apphia, with a plea that they reconsider Onesimusā position: āSo if you regard me as a partner, welcome [Onesimus] as you would me [Paul]ā (Phlm 1:17). Pray Blessed Onesimus,
Please pray that I may not let seasons of trouble discourage me.
Pray that I may put all my hope in God,
and let his grace flow through me.
Amen. Act Have you ever read St. Paulās Letter to Philemon? Consider getting to know this holy slave by reading this short epistleāmaybe five verses a day for five days. Make it a mini Bible study! Consider which character you relate to the most: Onesimus, Philemon, Apphia, or Paul? Today's Pause+Pray was written by Theresa Doyle-Nelson. Learn more here! |
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