Saint of the day and Feast days.

[odhiambo]

Saint Cyril and
 Saint Methodius.
These two saints were brothers born in Thessalonica, Greece, of a senatorial family, in 827 and 826 respectively. Their mother Maria may have been Slavic. Both brothers Studied at the University of Constantinople, (modern day Istanbul, Turkey).Cyril taught philosophy there but Methodius serverd as governor of a Slavic region. Both brothers became priests, with Constantine taking the name of Cyril.
They were living in a monastery on the Bosphorous, when the Khazars sent to Constantinople for a Christian teacher. Cyril was selected and was accompanied by his brother. They learned the Khazar language and converted many of the people.
Soon after the Khazar mission, there was a request from Prince Ratislav of Moravia for a preacher of the Gospel.
The Moravians wished a teacher who could instruct them and conduct Divine service in the Slavonic tongue. On account of their acquaintance with the language, Cyril and Methodius were chosen for this work.
In preparation for it Cyril helped develop an alphabet for the Slavonic language termed glagolithic, that eventually became what is known as the Cyrillic today, thus starting Slavonic literature.
The new language and their successes, brought them enemies in Germany, especially among jealous church leaders who coveted their success and the growing influence they wielded among the Slavs.They were also regarded by the Germans with distrust, first because they had come from Constantinople where schism was rife, and again because they held the Church services in the Slavonic language. On this account the brothers were summoned to Rome by Nicholas I, who died, however, before their arrival. His successor, Adrian II, received them kindly. Convinced of their orthodoxy, he commended their missionary activity, sanctioned the Slavonic Liturgy, and ordained Cyril and Methodius bishops. Cyril, however, was not to return to Moravia. He died in Rome, 4 February 869 and was buried in San Clemente Church.
Methodius returned to Moravia and continued with his evangelization. He also evangelized in Bohemia, Pannonia, and Poland.
Hewas the one who baptized Saint Ludmilla and Duke Boriwoi.
He became Archbishop of Velehred (in the modern Czech Republic), but was deposed and imprisoned in 870 due to the opposition of German clergy with his work. Often in trouble over his use of Slavonic in liturgy, some claiming he preached heresy. He was repeatedly cleared of all charges.
Methodius translated the Bible into the Slavonic languages. He pioneered the use of local and vernacular languages in liturgical settings.
Methodius died on 6 April 885 at Moravia (modern Czech Republic)
Saint Cyril,
Pray for us!
Saint Methodius,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

What of Saint Valentine?
As I look out of the window onto the streets of Nairobi, I see a spartering of red so I guess I must mention Saint Valentine
Note that this Memorial was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted.

[odhiambo]

Saint Valentine.
Patron Saint of those who love each other.
Very little is actually known about this saint. There is no record of when he was born. All we know is that he was a kind hearted priest in Rome, possibly a bishop. He was also a physician. Assisted by St. Marius and his family, Saint Valentine helped many martyrs in the persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. He also helped numerous Christians to escape and ministered to those in prison.
According to romantic legend, Saint Valentine, continued to marry young couples against the wishes of the Emperor. Apparently Claudius thought that married soldiers weren't as good as single soldiers. He was apprehended and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome. The prefect attempted to make Valentine renounce his faith. When his attempts failed, he commended him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards, to be beheaded.
Valentine was martyred as ordered on February 14, 269.
He was buried on the Via Flaminia, part of his relics are now in the church of St. Praxedes.
About the year 270. Pope Julius I is said to have built a church near
Ponte Mole to his memory, which for a long time gave name to the gate now
called Porta del Popolo, formerly, Porta Valetini.
In 350, a basilica was erected on the spot of his burial.
Saint Valentine,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

On this day is celebrated the custom of sending “Valentines” to loved ones. Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with romance.
The custom apparently stems from the medieval belief that birds choose their mates on this day!
Valentine is the patron saint of those who love each other.

[Shin]

St. Apollonia for teeth! Help us! Pray for those who work in dentistry! 

I don't think St. Valentine likely appreciates much how his feast day is now kept or much of the associations he supposedly approves of.
 
I think many people think just because something isn't on the universal calendar, when it used to be, there's something wrong with it -- this is not true. There are far more saints for possible dedicated feast days on the martyrologies than only one for each day on the calendar. So many of these saints are instead celebrated on local calendars, or by religious orders in their calendars, or where they are especially patronized at particular parishes or churches. Being not on the Western calendar is nothing against the saint.

St. Valentine, pray for us, and for reparation to God to be made for lack of chastity and respect!

[Patricia]

St. Valentine, pray for us!! 

St. Appollonia pray for us!!    For those in the teeth business.

[Shin]

St. Valentine, pray for us!! 

St. Appollonia pray for us!!    For those in the teeth business.

Happy teeth! 

[odhiambo]

St. Apollonia for teeth! Help us! Pray for those who work in dentistry! 

I don't think St. Valentine likely appreciates much how his feast day is now kept or much of the associations he supposedly approves of.
 
I think many people think just because something isn't on the universal calendar, when it used to be, there's something wrong with it -- this is not true. There are far more saints for possible dedicated feast days on the martyrologies than only one for each day on the calendar. So many of these saints are instead celebrated on local calendars, or by religious orders in their calendars, or where they are especially patronized at particular parishes or churches. Being not on the Western calendar is nothing against the saint.
St. Valentine, pray for us, and for reparation to God to be made for lack of chastity and respect!

I hear you Shin and I am completely with you there.
The point was that I select Saints from a list and Saint Valentine's name was not included. Last year a reader wondered why I had not posted anything on the Saint.

[odhiambo]

15 February

Today is the Memorial of
Saint Claude la Colombière
Among many other saints.

[odhiambo]

Claude de la Colombière
Claude was born of noble parentage at St. Symphorien d'Ozon in the Dauphine , southeastern France, on 2nd February 1641. He was the third child of Bertrand La Colombière and Margaret Coindat.
After his birth, the family moved to Vienne and Claude began his early education there, completing his studies in rhetoric(Law?) and philosophy in Lyon . It was during this period that Claude realized he wanted to join the religious life in the Society of Jesus.
He entered the Congregation in 1659 at the age of 17. In 1674 he was made superior at the Jesuit house at Paray-le-Monial, where he became the spiritual director of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. He was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In 1676 Claude was sent to England as chaplain to Mary Beatrice d’Este, the Duchess of York. This was a very difficult and delicate assignment because of the conditions prevailing in England at the time. He took up residence in St. James Palace in October. Athough it must have been difficult for him, he continued to guide Blessed Margaret Mary by letter.
In addition to sermons in the palace chapel and unremitting spiritual direction both oral and written, Claude dedicated his time to giving thorough instruction to the many who sought reconciliation with the Church they had abandoned. And even if there were great dangers, he had the consolation of seeing many reconciled to it, so that after a year he said: "I could write a book about the mercy of God I've seen Him exercise since I arrived here!"
At the end of 1678, while awaiting his recall to France, he was falsely accused in the Titus Oates plot to assassinate King Charles. Consequently he was arrested and thrown into prison.
After months in prison, in extremely poor conditions he was lucky to escape with his life. He was banished from England by royal decree. The abuse of the prison term affected Claude's health which deteriorated rapidly on his return to France.
The last two years of his life were spent at Lyon where he was spiritual director to the young Jesuits there, and at Paray-le-Monial.
In 1681 he returned to Paray, in very poor condition. On 15th February 1682, the first Sunday of Lent, towards evening Claude suffered a severe hemorrhage which ended his life.
His principal works, including Pious Reflections, Meditations on the Passion, and Retreat and Spiritual Letters, were published under the title, Oeuvres du R. P. Claude de la Colombière (Avignon , 1832; Paris , 1864.
Saint Claude de la Colombière,
Pray for us!

[mod: brief edit]

[Shin]

'It is then a truth of our faith that God is responsible for all the happenings we complain of in the world and, furthermore, we cannot doubt that all the misfortunes God sends us have a very useful purpose. We cannot doubt it without imputing to God a lack of judgment in deciding what is advantageous for us.'

St. Claude de la Colombiere

'Kiss the hands of God, crucified for you, the hands that have struck you and caused you to suffer. Repeat over and over again to Him His own words to His Father while He was suffering:  Not my will but thine be done. In all that Thou wishest of me, today and for always, in heaven and on earth, let Thy will be done, but let it be done on earth as it is done in heaven.'

St. Claude de la Colombiere

'I feel so persuaded, O my God, that You graciously watch over those who hope in Thee, and that no one need require anything so long as they look up to Thee in all things, that I am determined for the future to lay at Your feet, all my anxieties and troubles. "In peace, in the selfsame I will sleep and rest. For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope." (Ps. iv.)'

St. Claude de la Colombiere

'All spiritual writers agree that the best sign you can have of solid devotion is the amendment of life and perseverance in good. You think there is illusion in such frequent Communion and that it would be better to go more rarely. Do not come to me with such arguments. I began to amend my life by frequenting Holy Communion after having tried every other way and failed. When I went rarely to Holy Communion I had no end of bad habits and imperfections which appeared to me insurmountable. I uprooted these by multiplying my Communions, and you want me to believe that it was the devil who urged me to do this! Every time I omitted to frequent Communion I felt my weakness more. I know some souls who have relapsed into sin the very day they omitted Communion. When I communicated again I felt fervor rekindle in my heart. I know by my own experience and by that of hundreds of people that by following your advice they would soon give up all reception of Sacraments.'

St. Claude de la Colombiere

[odhiambo]

I was hoping , Shin, that you would post To Jesus My Friend
by St. Claude de la Colombiere 

[odhiambo]

16 February
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Gilbert of Sempringham
Among many other saints.

[Shin]

I was hoping , Shin, that you would post To Jesus My Friend
by St. Claude de la Colombiere 

That's a favorite of mine too! 

Here it is from straight out of the prayer library.

To Jesus My Friend
by St. Claude de la Colombiere

Jesus! You are my true Friend, my only Friend. You take a part in all my misfortunes; You take them on Yourself; You know how to change them into blessings; You listen to me with the greatest kindness when I relate my troubles to You, and You have always balm to pour on my wounds.

I find You at all times; I find You everywhere, You never go away: if I have to change my dwelling, I find You there wherever I go. You are never weary of listening to me, You are never tired of doing me good. I am certain of being beloved by You, if I love You; my goods are nothing to You, and by bestowing Yours on me, You never grow poor; however miserable I may be, no one nobler or cleverer or even holier can come between You and me, and deprive me of Your friendship; and death, which tears us away from all other friends, will unite me forever to You. All the humiliations attached to old age, or to the loss of honor, will never detach You from me; on the contrary, I shall never enjoy You more fully, and You will never be closer to me than when everything seems to conspire against me to overwhelm me and to cast me down. You bear with all my faults with extreme patience, and even my want of fidelity and my ingratitude do not wound You to such a degree as to make You unwilling to receive me when I return to You. O Jesus, grant that I may die praising You, that I may die loving You, that I may die for the love of you.

Amen!

[Shin]

A book of his spiritual direction under the title "The Spiritual Direction of Saint Claude de la Colombière" along with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque's autobiography are great to read!

 

[odhiambo]

Gilbert of Sempringham
Gilbert was born in 1083 at Sempringham, Lincolnshire, England. He was the son of a wealthy Norman knight called Jocelin. His father apparently wanted Gilbert to follow in his footsteps and become a soldier, but Gilbert was drawn to religious life. He was sent to France to study.
Gilbert returned to England as a master of arts, and opened a school for the children of the poor in Sempringham, paying special attention to training in religion.
His father gave him money from the rents on part of his lands in Sempringham and Tirington. Gilbert gave most of this to the poor. He became a Clerk in the household of Bishop Robert Bloet of Lincoln, England. He was ordained at age 40.
When his parents died in 1130, Gilbert returned to the manor and began to spend his inheritance by founding Benedictine and Augustinian monasteries, and by providing for the poor. He drew up rules for an order of nuns later known as the Gilbertines, the only order founded on a rule designed by an Englishman( So I understand).The order was later suppressed in the persecutions of King Henry VIII of England.
In 1165, Gilbert was imprisoned for a time by King Henry II after he was falsely accused of helping the exiled Saint Thomas of Canterburry (Thomas Becket).
He was exonerated but his troubles were far from over. When he was 90 years old, some of his lay brothers revolted against his authority. The dispute was ended by Pope Alexander III who supported him.
Saint Gilbert became blind in his old age. He retired from the Order, devoted himself to prayer and the communal life. He lived to be over 100 years old.
He died a natural death in 1189-1190 at Sempringham , England. He was canonized in 1202 by Pope Innocent III
Saint Gilbert,
Pray for us!