Memorial of Saints (October 11)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Andronicus, Tarachus and Probus, martyrs
• Nectarius, bishop;
• Canice or Kenneth, abbot;
• Agilbert, bishop;
• Gummarus or Gommaire;
• Bruno the Great of Cologne, bishop;
• Alexander Sauli, bishop;
• Maria Desolata (Emmanuela Torres Acosta), virgin

St. Bruno the Great of Cologne (925-965 A.D.) is not the St. Bruno of Cologne who founded the Carthusians. The founder of the Carthusians lived between the years ca. 1030-1101 A.D. This St. Bruno became the personal secretary of Emperor Otto I, who was his brother. In 953 A.D., St. Bruno was appointed archbishop of Cologne. He was active in the political life of his time: a leader in imperial as well as ecclesiastical affairs and helping settle many political disputes. He died at Rheims on October 11.

Memorial of Saints (October 10)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Francis Borgia, confessor;
• Gereon and Companions, martyrs;
• Eulampius and Eulampia, martyrs;
• Maharsapor, martyr;
• Cerbonius, bishop;
• Paulinus of York, bishop;
• Daniel and Companions, martyrs

St. Cerbonius (d. ca. 575) was driven from Africa by the Vandals. He moved to Tuscany with St. Regulus whom he eventually succeeded as bishop of Populania. When the Ostrogoths invaded Tuscany, St. Cerbonius was ordered to be killed by wild beasts by King Totila. However, St. Cerbonius was miraculously saved. He spent the last thirty years of his life in exile on Elba.

Saints (October 10), Learn more

On the Jerusalem's Spirituality and Rule of Life

In the Heart of the City, In the Heart of God by Pierre-Marie Delfieux

This book is about monastic spirituality. It is unique because it describes the Jerusalem Community's rule of life - which is a spirituality that lives monasticism "in the midst of the world" - "in the heart of the city".

A brief introduction

The Introduction of the book has this quote:

"In the Heart of the City, In the Heart of God is not just the rule of life of the monastic communities; it is also a "Book of Life" expressing the ideal lived by all those in the Communion. It is a spiritual guide for both monastics and laity, since their common baptismal vocation has its source in the one Gospel and its model in the unique face of Christ."

A spiritually enriching book

Monastic spirituality is probably the deepest of the spiritualities in the Catholic Church since many who live this spirituality are in constant prayer and meditation. Even while doing ordinary work, monastics always place themselves before God in an attitude of prayer and contemplation. The spiritual wisdom embedded in this book can be helpful for anyone wanting to avoid the distracting noise of the city and his work environs. It is indeed a discipline to balance one's attention between what one does in the external world and in how one relates to God. Most of the time one's attention, thoughts and feelings get dissipated by the influence of news and activities. When anyone immerses in a book such as this, a refreshing experience of silence and the knowledge of God's presence becomes priceless.

To get an idea of what the book contains, here is a list of the book's chapters:

• Communities
• Love
• Prayer
• Work
• Silence
• Hospitality
• Monastic
• Monks and Nuns
• Chastity
• Poverty
• Obedience
• Humility
• In the Heart of the City
• At the Heart of the World
• In the Church
• Jerusalem
• Joy

Scriptural references

The book is written with scriptural references at the sides of the pages. Monastic life is very much rooted in the scriptures. Much of what is known of monastic life has a specific reference to a scripture passage: either in the Old Testament or in the New Testament. To understand the contents of the book very well, a good English translation of the Bible can help a lot.