Saints and Spiritual Friendship: by Neill, Chervin, Galilea

Saints as Great Friends

"Great Saints Great Friends" by Mary Neill, O.P., and Ronda Chervin, is a book on the lives of 11 Saints. Like Segundo Galilea in his book, "The Friendship of God", Neill and Chervin sees the Saints as sources of spiritual friendship in the interior life. The Saints author Segundo Galilea features in his book are:

St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Catherine of Siena,
Julian of Norwich,
St. Thomas More,
St. Ignatius of Loyola,
St. Francis Xavier,
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. John of the Cross,
St. Rose of Lima,
the Priest of Ars (John Vianney),
Cardinal John Newman,
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,
St. Therese of Lisieux,
and Sts. Cecilia, Agatha, Agnes and Lucy.

Neill and Chervin, like Galilea, also write on

St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Catherine of Siena,
St. Thomas More,
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. John of the Cross,
and St. Therese of Lisieux.

The five other saints the two authors include, but which Segundo Galilea did not have in his selection are:

St. Paul the Apostle,
St. Thomas Aquinas,
St. Joan of Arc,
St. Bernadette of Lourdes
and St. Elizabeth Seton.

Segundo Galilea

In his book, Galilea's focus is not on the Saints themselves, but as an added feature and concluding section to his major topic, "The Friendship of God: Christianity as Friendship". Galilea presented a spirituality of friendship in the Christian faith, with human friendship as a window to see God's friendship with His people. The Saints Galilea selects in this book are his favorites, with whom he has special interests and devotions.

Dr. Ronda Chervin and Sr. Mary Neill, O.P.

These two authors divided the chapters of their book with each one writing on Saints they have a special devotion to. Chervin writes on St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Elizabeth Seton. Neill, on the other hand, writes on: St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Joan of Arc, St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette of Lourdes and St. Therese of Liseiux. Both authors have written well by showing how the Saints are not only holy, but human. It is their ardent commitment to Christ that has raised the level of their prayer and way of life to heights beyond the average Christian. These Saints are described by the two authors as "God Seekers", for they have sought the Lord with their whole mind, heart, soul and strength. It is by their perseverance in faith that they were able to create a profound impact on countless generations of men and women.

Presentation of each Saint's life and work:

Each chapter written by Chervin and Neill contains a brief description of each saint's life story. The description is then followed by a discussion on how each Saint's life influenced the modern believer. Both authors are able to capture the minds of the modern believer by their own journeys in life. Dr. Ronda Chervin is a wife, mother, professor, author and international lecturer. Sr. Mary Neill, OP, is a professor, workshop director, lecturer and co-director of Inner Explorations.

Excellent spiritual reading

Aside from the Scriptures, the lives of the Saints and other spiritual content reading help to reground one's state of life in what is truly important. Refocusing and recentering one's life in God is very important in a world that has a lot of distractions. Spiritual reading is the key to regain one's center in God. These two books by Neill and Chervin, and by Galilea will remind any soul that his relationship with God and the Church is a sure guide to what is important in one's life and work.

Memorial of Saints (July 24)

St. Declan was one of the bishops ministering to the Irish peoples before St. Patrick arrived in Ireland. Having studied in Gaul, he returned to Ireland and was consecrated to the episcopate. He founded the church of Ardmore where he is said to have built a monastery, a hermitage, and a holy well. There is also an ancient stone on a beach in Ardmore. The stone, which is the size of a boulder, is visited by numerous pilgrims during what they call "Pattern Week". These are the many stories in tradition connected with St. Declan. The holy bishop spent his last years in a hermit's cell before returning to the main settlement he built at Ardmore (died early 6th century A.D.).

St. Christina was converted to the Christian faith as a young girl. After her conversion, she destroyed the pagan images of her father. In anger, her father tied a rock around her neck and threw her into Lake Bolsena. She was however miraculously saved. Taken captive again, her tongue was cut out. She was placed in a furnace for five days, and then was executed by arrows (died 3rd century A.D.).

St. Lewina was a British woman martyred by the invading Saxon army. The story of her martyrdom was discovered in 1058 A.D. when her relics and those of St. Ideberga were transferred from a church at Seaford, Sussex, to St. Winnoc's at Bergues, Flanders (date of death unknown).

Sts. Boris and Gleb were sons of Vladimir of Kiev. After the death of their father, Boris learned of the plan of another brother to defraud him and Gleb of their inheritance. Avoiding what could be a great conflict in the family, and the use of unnecessary force, Boris went to a deserted place to pray. But his brother's followers found him and stabbed him to death with a sword. Gleb was also stabbed to death in Kiev. Another brother of Boris and Gleb got hold of their bodies and buried them in St. Basil's Church. Miracles were reported at their graves. St. Boris is the patron saint of Moscow (died ca. 1015 A.D.).

St. Christina the Astonishing was a Belgian who had an epileptic fit at twenty-one and by all appearances seemed to have died. When a Mass was being said for her, she soared to the roof of the church until the priest ordered her to come down. She reported to the priest that her soul had been to hell, purgatory and heaven, but was ordered to return to earth to pray for the poor souls of purgatory. This is only one of the incredible events that happened in St. Christina's life. She spent the last years of her life in St. Catherine's convent at Saint-Trond (died ca. 1224 A.D.).

St. Christina of Tyre was a martyr. Since she was devoutly Christian, she did not want to sacrifice to the pagan gods to save her life from execution by the pagan authorities. She was thus subjected to the most cruel tortures done in her times: a fire was lit under her; her breasts were cut off; her tongue was cut off; and she was thrown into the sea. When she miraculously survived all these tortures, she was executed with an arrow shot directly through her heart (date of death unknown).

St. John Boste studied at Queen's College, Oxford, England. He became Catholic in 1576 A.D. and was ordained in 1581 A.D. Sent on a mission to minister to the Catholics of northern England, he became wanted by the English authorities. After being found by them, he was arrested and tortured on the rack. This torture crippled him. He was however able to return to Durham but was eventually arrested again and condemned to death for his priesthood. He is one of the Martyrs of Durham (died ca. 1594 A.D.).

16th Sunday of the Year (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) Years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

July 20, 2014
Liturgical readings
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Psalm 86
Romans 8:26-27
Matthew 13:24-43

"The field-owner said: 'No, don't pull up the weeds...you might take the wheat along with them...wait until harvest'."

In a world that is highly educated in science and technology, God's wisdom in the Scriptures, and common sense wisdom in practical living are still highly valid and valued. God's wisdom reminds all of many unseen spiritual forces - some beneficial, some detrimental, to health of both soul and body. The "good forces" come from God, while the "destructive forces" are from the Ancient Enemy. This battle between good and evil is the cause of many conflicts in the world. For the conflicts are caused by the battle in every soul; and the turmoil caused by the battle spills over to others and the environment. So the gospel calls all today to be wise, patient and practical in this battle.

This battle between good and evil is explained well in the spiritual classic, the "Imitation of Christ", written by Thomas á Kempis. The author writes:

"You must realize that your Ancient Enemy is striving in every way to disturb the good state of your desires, and to turn you against every exercise of devotion...against vigilance over your heart and a firm resolve to make progress in goodness. He supplies many evil thoughts to make you feel restlessness and revulsion, to keep you back from prayer...He has no liking for humble confession, and if he could, he would see that you stopped making your communion." (Imitation, Book 3, chapter VI).

To choose Christ in a world where many are becoming enemies of Christ and the Church, is a vocation. In this vocation, the Ancient Enemy tempts all that he can so they lose heart and become anxious of an uncertain future (which many news online presents). Sometimes, the temptation is directed so that one would rely only on one's strength and intellect, (and that of others), and forget that there is a God whose will and wisdom is greater than all. There is no need to be overwhelmed by the struggle. All that is needed is to "slow down", and to remember the wisdom of the Gospel: Patience. To be patient with others, but most of all to be patient with one's self, is the key. The Lord had been patient with all humanity until now. It is in Him that one's patience will bear much fruit against all evil that seeks only destruction.

Scripture quotes for reflection:
"The Lord gave His sons good ground for hope; He would permit repentance for their sins." (Wisdom 12)