Memorial of Saints (September 25)

St. Finbar was educated at the monastery in Kilmacahill, Kilkenney. After his education, he became a preacher of the Gospel in southern Ireland. Then he decided to live a secluded life in Gouganebarra to have more time for prayer and meditation. He was then able to establish a monastery in Loigh Eirc and called it the Corcaghmer monastery. This monastery became a major influence in southern Ireland. The city of Cork, Ireland developed around the monastery's environs (died ca. 633 A.D.).

Bl. Herman the Cripple was born with a deformity that his family had to place him in Reichenau Abbey, Switzerland. The monks at the abbey taught Herman well until he developed a very keen mind and became known to scholars all over Europe at the time. He wrote the hymns Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris mater. He also wrote poetry, a universal chronicle, and a mathematical treatise. Bl. Herman spent all his life in Reichenau Abbey (died ca. 1054 A.D.).

St. Sergius of Radonezh is the Russians' "Francis of Assisi". He founded about 40 monasteries, mediated at political disputes, and prevented four civil wars between princes. The monastic movement he initiated reestablished monasticism in Russia after the Tartar invasions of the 13th century almost destroyed everything in it. In 1387 A.D., he was to be elected to the patriarchate of Moscow, but he humbly declined. St. Sergius was also instrumental in the defeat of the Tartars in the Battle of Kulikov Polye in 1380 A.D. (died ca. 1392 A.D.).

St. Ceolfrid became a monk at Gilling monastery and then moved to St. Wilfrid's monastery at Ripon. He became master of novices at Ripon and then appointed prior of St. Peter's at Wearmouth by St. Benedict Biscop. When Benedict Biscop founded St. Paul monastery at Jarrow, he made Ceolfrid his deputy. Ceolfrid succeeded as abbot when Benedict passed away. He developed St. Paul's monastery into a great center of learning (died ca. 716 A.D.).

St. Firminus was a martyr during Diocletian's persecution of Christians. Baptized by St. Honestus, he became a bishop. Catholic tradition says that he went to Gaul as a missionary and built a church at Amiens. It was here where he was arrested, tortured and beheaded for his faith in Christ (died ca. 4th century A.D.).

St. Cadoc was educated by St. Tatheus of Caerwent. He decided to become a monk, then founded a monastery at Llancarfan, near Cardiff. This monastery he founded became well-known. After these, he pursued more studies in Ireland, and then at Brednock. A very zealous monk, he returned to his monastery to become its abbot. He then visited Brittany, Cornwall, Scotland, and made pilgrimages to Rome and to Jerusalem (died ca. 575 A.D.).

St. Aunacharius spent his youth in the court of King Guntram of Burgundy. He then left to serve under bishop Syagrius of Autun. Aunacharius was then ordained and later on was elected bishop of Auxerre in 561 A.D. Very zealous in ecclesiastical matters, he attended two synods, held two in his own diocese and introduced many reforms within his episcopal jurisdictions (died ca. 605 A.D.).

St. Albert of Jerusalem became bishop of Bobbio, Italy. In 1205 A.D., he was appointed patriarch of Jerusalem. Because the Saracens were still influential in Jerusalem at the time, he was obliged to establish his see at Akka. St. Albert took a prominent role in both the civil and ecclesiastical affairs under his jurisdiction. He was known to have mediated disputes between different Frankish factions. He is also especially known to have composed a rule of life for a community of hermits led by St. Brocard at Mount Carmel - the first fule of life of the Carmelites (died ca. 1214 A.D.).

St. Vincent Strambi resisted his parents' wish to become a diocesan priest. Instead, he chose to be a religious and joined the Passionists in 1768 A.D. He became provincial in 1781 A.D., and then a bishop in 1801 A.D. After being expelled from his see because of Napoleon Bonaparte, he returned in 1813 A.D. Bishop Strambi imposed reforms in his see, cared for his faithful during a typhus epidemic, and resigned from his see to become the papal adviser of Pope Leo XII (died ca. 1824 A.D.).

25th Sunday of the Year (A)

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

September 21, 2014
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 55:6-9
Psalm 145
Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a
Matthew 20:1-16

"You go to the vineyard too."

Another parable from Jesus: The Laborers in the Vineyard. In this parable, the Lord describes the Reign of God like the owner of a vineyard, who hires laborers at different hours of a day. This vineyard-owner continued to hire even up to the last hour of the day. When the day ended, the owner of the vineyard called everyone and paid each group of laborers the same wage - without counting the number of hours each group had worked. Those who worked more hours naturally complained. But the vineyard-owner explained to the group who was hired early in the work day, that it was what they had agreed upon. His business involved not only the number of work hours, but also generosity.

God's ways and His justice are beyond human understanding. Many who are working often think in terms of numbers alone, but God thinks foremost in terms of generosity - and not on the specifics. Even in biblical times, the Jews also think in terms of a strict justice system (this explains the legalism in their religious structure). The parable Jesus presented emphasizes a value greater than that - in terms of His wisdom and generosity. Workers often think of themselves, and compare what they have with others. But God thinks of the whole picture - a vision much greater than each worker's limited human capacity to know. As many spiritual writers and masters have always written: the mystery of God's ways is really beyond all ways. His wisdom and generosity is hidden in a cloud of mystery; but He remains close to all the faithful in His Word and Sacrament.

Modern bible scholars and theologians also teach about God's justice as being qualified by His mercy. This is evidently seen in this Sunday's parable. When God calls each of us personally to His vineyard, some respond early in life, while others respond late in life. The parable should not be the basis to judge who is better. What matters is that we respond when God calls us, saying: "You go to the vineyard too". And we do our part to labor and build His Kingdom on earth. Whatever we receive as a result of our labors, is uniquely meant for each and every one of us - just the right amount needed for each one's salvation and just enough blessings needed to contribute well for the common good and the greater good.

Scripture quote:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts." (Isaiah 55)

St. Pio of Pietrelcina - Padre Pio

The Story of Padre Pio - St. Pio of Pietrelcina

A popular saint for the modern age

A popular saint for modern times is a Capuchin friar named Padre Pio. He was born on May 25, 1887 A.D., in the region of Benevento, Italy, to Mamma Peppa and Grazio Forgione. The fifth of eight children, he became an altar boy, shepherd boy and a scholar. What distinguished him from other boys was seen clearly by his confessor who said that the boy had "celestial visions and diabolical oppressors" at an early age. He was thus known to speak with Jesus and also had to contend with the devil and hell.

A Capuchin Franciscan

In 1903 A.D., he entered the Capuchins and wore their habit. He thus underwent the system of formation of the Capuchins: novitiate, study, vows, prayer, austerity, penance, and discipline. In these years, he had to endure ill health that the doctors diagnosed him as consumptive - certain that he would pass away. But in 1909 A.D., he was back at his mother's side at Pietrelcina. Then and there, he had another round of mystical afflictions, invisible stigmata, and terrible battles with the devil. But he was ordained on August 10, 1910 A.D., and he lived for some more years away from his friary so that his being "co-redeemer", as he was defined by his spiritual director, would mature. After this life in Pietrelcina, the "Nazareth" of his inner life soon ended.

The stigmata

In 1918 A.D., Padre Pio finds himself in San Giovanni Rotondo. It was here that he received the stigmata - "nailed to the cross with Christ...body bears the marks of the Lord Jesus" [Gal 2:19, 6:17]. Crowds started to flock to him to see the bleeding wounds in his hands and feet. From September 20 up until his death, he bore these wounds of Christ in his body for fifty years. Only upon his death did the wounds miraculously disappear - marking the end of the crucifixion in his life.

Other charisms

The stigmata was not the only charism or spiritual gift which Padre Pio received from God. There were other gifts which he was noted to have: hyperthemia, fasting, ecstasies, supernatural knowledge, miracles, bilocations, agility, levitations, tears of blood, fires of love, personal perfume, and many more.

Hyperthemia

The body temperature of this simple Capuchin friar is incredible. It rises up to over 48 degrees Centigrade or 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fasting

Padre Pio lived until 80 years of age living on only 300 calories per day. He did not eat breakfast, nor supper, but only picked up something to eat at midday. It was the Eucharist that gave him real life and strength.

Ecstasies

Padre Pio was seen daily or more than once during Holy Mass, completely absorbed in God, as if in a trance.

Supernatural knowledge

Doctors, scientists, politicians, priests, and people of all walks of life turned to Padre Pio for advice - presenting to him their grave problems, serious decisions to be made, and other difficult questions and situations. When these are presented to him, he would, at each of their own level, give a right reply. He was also known to have prophesied Paul VI's pontificate, the end of certain politicians, the economic crisis before 1960, the phenomenon of deChristianization, and many more.

Miracles

A living miracle himself, Padre Pio worked many real and authentic miracles. The miracles performed by this Capuchin friar is like the rewriting of many pages of miracles in the gospels. Just as St. Francis de Sales wrote, "between the gospel and a saint there is the same difference as between a written symphony and the playing of a symphony". Padre Pio's miracles thus brings the gospel miracles back to life again.

Bilocations

This spiritual gift permitted Padre Pio's presence, at the same time, in different places, even though he never left his friary. Of all his charisms, this is one of the most documented, and one of which he is popularly known for. Through this gift, he is able to accompany his spiritual children though they live faraway.

Sleep

Padre Pio has a charism which is something really beyond human capabilities and understanding. When someone would tell Padre Pio, "Good night, Padre Pio", he would reply: "Good night to who ever sleeps". He was also known to have said, "That which you sleep in a night would do me for a year".

Padre Pio is for everyone

Even though Padre Pio was totally immersed in God, he did not live in seclusion from the social problems of his time. He understood suffering and human pain better than anyone. So on May 5, 1956 A.D., when he was about seventy, he inaugurated his work - a "home for the sick" and a "home for the aged".

Death

Padre Pio passed away from earthly life on September 23, 1968 A.D. Beatified and canonized, St. Pio of Pietrelcina's tomb continues to be the object of continual pilgrimages, to the level of hundreds of thousands of people every year.

Related resources:

• "A History of the Church" by Franzen and Dolan
• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• "A Year with the Saints" by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
• "Passion of the Saints" by Discovery Channel
• Book on Padre Pio, from Ignatius Press.com