#Apostolic Youth Book | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

orthodoxydaily · 4 months ago

Text

SAINTS&READING: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024

august 25_september 7

RETURN OF THE RELICS OF THE APOSTLE BARTHOLOMEW FROM ANASTASIOPOLIS TO LIPARI (6th.c.)

The Transfer of the Relics of the Apostle Bartholomew took place at the end of the sixth century. His apostolic activity and martyr’s end are remembered by the Church on June 11. The Apostle Bartholomew suffered for Christ in Armenian Albanus (now Baku_ Azerbaijan) in 71, where his holy relics were. Numerous miracles occurred from the relics of the holy Apostle, and many of the unbelieving were converted to Christ. Under the emperor Anastasius (491-518) the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew were transferred into the newly constructed city of Anastasiopolis (or Dura) and remained there until the end of the sixth century.

When the city of Anastasiopolis was captured by the Persian emperor Chozroes, Christians took up the chest with the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew and fled with it to the shores of the Black Sea. Having overtaken them, pagan priests threw the chest with the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew into the sea. Four other chests containing the relics of the holy Martyrs Papian, Lucian, Gregory and Acacius were also thrown into the sea.

By the power of God the chests did not sink into the depths of the sea, but miraculously floated upon the waves and reached Italy. The chest with the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew came to land at the island of Lipari, and the remaining chests continued their journey and came to land at various places in Italy. The chest with the relics of the Martyr Papian halted at Sicily, the Martyr Lucian at Messina, the Martyr Gregory at Calabria, and the Martyr Acacius at Askalon.

The arrival of the relics of the holy Apostle Bartholomew was revealed to Bishop Agathon of the island of Lipari, who went with clergy to the shores of the sea, took the chest from the waters and solemnly transferred it to church.

Myrrh flowed from the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew, healing people of various illnesses. The holy relics remained in the church of the island of Lipari until the middle of the ninth century, when the island was captured by pagans. Christian merchants took up the holy relics of the Apostle Bartholomew. They transferred them to Beneventum, near Naples, where they were received with great veneration and placed in the city's main church.

APOSTLE TITUS OF THE SEVENTY AND BISHOP OF CRETE ( 1st. c.)

Saint Titus, Apostle of the Seventy was a native of the island of Crete, the son of an illustrious pagan. In his youth he studied Hellenistic philosophy and the ancient poets. Preoccupied by the sciences, Titus led a virtuous life, not devoting himself to the vices and passions characteristic of the majority of pagans. He preserved his virginity, as the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer (December 20) testifies of him.

For such a manner of life the Lord did not leave him without His help. At age twenty Saint Titus heard a voice in a dream, suggesting that he abandon Hellenistic wisdom, which could not provide salvation for his soul, but rather to seek that which would save him. After this dream, Saint Titus waited yet another year, since it was not actually a command, but it did guide him to familiarize himself with the teachings of the prophets of God. The first that he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it to the 47th Chapter, he was struck by the words, speaking as it were about his own spiritual condition.

When news reached Crete about the appearance of a Great Prophet in Palestine, and about the great miracles He worked, the governor of the island of Crete (an uncle of Titus) sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, incarnate of the Most Holy Virgin Mary Who came into the world for the redemption of the race of mankind from the oppression of ancestral sin.

At Jerusalem, Saint Titus saw the Lord. He heard His preaching and believed in Him. He witnessed the suffering and death of the Savior on the Cross, His glorious Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven. On the day of Pentecost the future apostle heard how the Twelve Apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, spoke in various languages, among which was the Cretan language (Acts 2: 11).

Saint Titus accepted Baptism from the Apostle Paul and became his closest disciple. He accompanied Saint Paul on his missionary journeys, fulfilling the tasks entrusted to him. He was involved in establishing new churches, and was with Paul in Jerusalem.

Saint Titus was numbered among the Seventy Apostles and was made Bishop of Crete by the Apostle Paul. Around the year 65, not long before his second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul sent a pastoral epistle to his son in the Faith (Tit. 1: 4).

When the Apostle Paul was taken like a criminal to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, Saint Titus left his flock in Crete for a time and went to Rome to be of service to his spiritual Father. After Saint Paul’s death by martyrdom, Titus returned to Gortyna, the chief city of Crete.

Saint Titus peacefully guided his flock and toiled at enlightening the pagans with the light of faith in Christ. He was granted the gift of wonderworking by the Lord. During one of the pagan feasts in honor of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to a crowd of pagans.

When he saw that they would not listen to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show to the mistaken people the falseness of idols. By the prayer of Saint Titus, the idol of Diana fell down and shattered before the eyes of all. Another time Saint Titus prayed that the Lord would not permit the completion of a temple of Zeus, and it collapsed.

By such miracles Saint Titus brought many to faith in Christ. After bringing the light of faith to the surrounding regions, Saint Titus died peacefully at the age of 97. At the time of his death, his face shone like the sun.

Source all texts: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Matthew 5:14-19

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #bible #wisdom #faith #saints #jesus christ #holyspirit #apostle

0 notes

noeticprayer · 9 months ago

Text

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

Reading from the Synaxarion:

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncr eated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Apolytikion of Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Fourth Tone

Holy and Divine instrument of wisdom, bright and harmonious trumpet of theology, with one voice, we praise you, O Gregory, preacher of God. Since your mind now stands before the First Mind, guide our minds to Him, O Father, that we may cry to You, "Hail Herald of Grace."

0 notes

isobelleposts · 2 years ago

Text

A Unique Perspective into the Marcos Regime from Gina Apostol

Cover of 'Gun Dealer's Daughter' by Gina Apostol

Gun Dealer’s Daughter by Gina Apostol is one of the first Filipino novels I’ve read and has pushed me to further explore and support local writers. As someone who is young and has never witnessed the Marcos regime with my own eyes or lived through those dreadful times—and thankfully so—getting an unusual perspective of the era through the deranged mind of Soledad Soliman immediately hooked me to purchase the book.

Ferdinand Marcos Sr. alongside his wife, Imelda Marcos

THE RICH

Soledad Soliman, as regarded through the book’s title, is a gun dealer’s daughter with close ties to the dictator and easy access to privilege and wealth. What struck me most aside from the fractured consciousness of the main character, which author Gina Apostol puts us through to witness this story, was the privilege that was often pointed out and openly stated for the readers to interpret.

From the spoils of those bloody times, my parents purchased this gilded womb.

Page 45 of ‘Gun Dealer’s Daughter’

Although Sol was only a baby when the bloody times of the Martial Law first broke out, this line alone proves the sheer privilege she and her family has—able to escape and avoid these crimes while others less privileged were given no other choice than to live under the unjust ruling of the dictator, with some even left to be wrongfully arrested and killed.

“We’ll always have our wealth, we will always have our names. There is something suspicious, dishonest, in playacting revolt. We’re cockroaches. We’ll outlast even our crimes.”

Page 139 of ‘Gun Dealer’s Daughter’

Even Sol herself acknowledges this privilege during a talk with Jed in one of the book’s pages.

Victims of the Martial Law

THE TORTURED

This book is unfortunately slow-paced, and although I adore Gina Apostol’s efforts and talent to write so precisely in the blurred mind of the main character, it took me a while to get to a chapter that would push me to read what else may follow. The plot of the book, I would say, arrives near the end wherein Sol’s vision of her past gradually becomes clearer and concise.

It was the severed head of a child. — Her skirt a clump over her waist. A private army aimed at her parts.

Page 193 of ‘Gun Dealer’s Daughter’

It was at this point that the story started taking up its pace as my stomach lurched in disgust and fright over the images that popped into my head with the author’s description of these tortures that similarly took place in real life not so long ago, to innocent civilians and activists fighting for the country’s freedom.

“That corner there, Sol. See that line, that shadow?” Edwin said. I nodded, looking. “That’s a gun, an automatic.”

Page 194 of ‘Gun Dealer’s Daughter’

It was disappointing, that I, along with Sol, only then was struck with the seriousness of her father’s business and her close association with these horrid crimes. To think that she had been so closely linked with giving way for these tortures to take place was something only the most cruel people could ignore.

THE ENDING

Gina Apostol’s writing is one of the most unique ones I’ve encountered and the structure of this story was interesting enough to keep me reading. Yet despite this, it felt as though the story from the very beginning was leading up to a major revelation that never met or come close to exceeding my expectations.

“Why, the Colonel had to go, of course,” my mother exclaimed. “One way or the other, Gianni said, he had to go. He was not following the plan.”

Page 272 of Gun Dealer’s Daughter

The book shares an interesting view into the Marcos regime through the eyes of the privileged youth, and though it may not be the most educational book there is to learn about our sadly almost-forgotten and widely disregarded history based on recent election results, it is a well-written story that has you applauding the author for her clear execution.

17 notes · View notes

traumacatholic · 3 years ago

Note

do you have any resources for catholics who are lgbt?

I hope you don't mind that I'm going to answer this generally, because I don't know specifically what kind of resources you're looking for, and I'm not part of any LGBT Catholic spaces.

I think it's a good idea to hear from a wide range of views on the subject, more specifically from the people that are actually impacted by these viewpoints. So to that end, I do recommend looking out both Side A and Side B people to hear about their lives, their faith, the things that have been meaningful to them. You can find a lot of people from various 'camps' as it were on Tumblr by just doing various searches - these people would also probably be in a much better position to offer you specific resources, as I don't read much on LGBT issues with regards to Catholicism or faith more generally.

@blessedarethebinarybreakers has resources that cater to Side A and Side B perspectives. It might be good to check those resources out as a starting point. Some people do choose to reject the labels of Side A and Side B - but I do still believe this terminology can be useful when it comes to finding resources for specific perspectives as well as finding community. You can do a search on Tumblr for things like 'Side B Catholic’ 'Side B Christian’ etc and find people to connect with that way.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2015 created a leaflet called 'Coming Home to Catholicism and to Self', that might be worth checking out. The leaflet also contains various links to different organisations as well as resource recommendations. It's a fairly accessible leaflet, and probably worth checking out as a starting point.

Quest - Pastoral Support for LGBT Catholics (UK Based but they do offer a lot of recommended readings etc).

Courage is a Catholic apostolate for persons with same-sex attraction. Another organisation that's pretty similar is https://www.edeninvitation.com/sexuality-resources, you can find a range of organisation and resource recommendations at this link.

Not a resource as such, but there is a subreddit for LGBT Catholics. It might be worth having a look here: https://www.reddit.com/r/LGBTCatholic/ and seeing what kind of resources and viewpoints are being shared and discussed. A slightly more active sub is https://www.reddit.com/r/GayChristians/

Some general resources:

https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-roman-catholic-church

https://www.lgbtcatholicsyag.org.uk/resources

https://www.usccb.org/committees/laity-marriage-family-life-youth/homosexuality

https://fortunatefamilies.com/resources-and-website-links

https://lgbtcatholics.org/recommended-books/

I'd also recommend for any books that you come across that sound interesting, to do a search of them on Goodreads. You can often find that Goodreads will categorise books on a similar topic together, so you can often find more books on the same topic easily this way.

If any of my followers have any resource recommendations that'd be great too!

#Side A #Side B #side b christian #Side A Christian #Side B Catholic #Side A Catholic

15 notes · View notes

tinyshe · 3 years ago

Text

Ember Days: The 1st Wednesday, Friday & Saturday after ‘Lucy, Ashes, Dove and Cross’

The term ‘Ember Days‘ find its origin in the Latin Quatuor Tempora (‘four times’). Ember Days are observed on the successive Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the beginning of the four seasons of the year and are an ancient practise instituted by the Church to thank God for blessings received and to implore further graces for the season ahead. They are intended to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation and to assist those in need.

Ember Days are days of fasting and abstinence and fall annually after “Lucy, Ashes, Dove, and Cross“:

• December 13 (St. Lucia, V.M.) • Ash Wednesday • Whitsunday (Pentecost) • September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

From Blessed be God: A Complete Catholic Prayer Book (pp.234-5): “Wednesday, Friday and Saturday were days of particular devotion in the early Church: Wednesday as recalling the betrayal of our Lord, and Friday in memory of His Passion, Saturday was later added to these days of prayer and penance as a continuation of Friday, and as far back as the second century they were set apart as Stational days, that is, as days of special religious service and fasting.”

The origins of Ember Days date from the ancient Church (at least the fifth century) and the modern format was arranged and prescribed by Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085).

As the dismantling, deconstruction and open disregard for the practise of the authentic, orthodox Catholic Faith took hold after Vatican II, veiled in stratagems of ambiguity and seeded generationally, the observance of Ember and Rogation Days were among the early casualties.

And on that note, and bearing in mind that God sends His people the priests that they deserve – some say on a personal, rather than purely societal, basis – following the extract from Jeremiah 3: 14-15 below, are some prayers for Ember Days.

“Return, O ye revolting children, saith the Lord: for I am your husband: and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a kindred, … I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine.” (Jeremiah 3: 14-15)

Ember Day Prayers

ANT. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee.

V/. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge. R/. From generation to generation.

Let us pray. GRANT, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that as year by year we devoutly keep these holy observances, we may be pleasing to Thee both in body and soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Honour of Christ’s Betrayal and Passion

O GOD, Who to redeem the world didst vouchsafe to be born amongst men, to be circumcised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the traitor Judas with a kiss, to be bound with cords, and as an innocent lamb to be led to the slaughter; Who didst suffer Thyself to be shamelessly exposed to the gaze of Annas, Caiphus, Pilate and Herod; to be accused by false witnesses, tormented by scourges and insults, crowned with thorns, smitten with blows, defiled with spittings, to have Thy divine countenance covered, to be struck with a reed, to be stripped of Thy clothes, nailed to and raised high upon a Cross between two thieves, to be given gall and vinegar to drink, and then pierced with a lance; do Thou, O LORD, by these most sacred sufferings, which I, unworthy as I am, yet dare to contemplate, by Thy holy Cross and by Thy bitter Death, free me from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to bring me to Paradise, whither Thou didst lead the thief who was crucified with Thee, my Jesus, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, God forever and ever. Amen.

5x Pater Noster … Ave Maria … Gloria Patri … (Pre-1968 Indulgence of 3 years)

Prayer for God’s Blessing on Our Labours

O LORD, graciously look down upon Thy servants and upon the work of their hands, and do Thou, Who givest food to every creature, bless and preserve the fruits of the earth, that the needy may be filled with good things and that all may praise the glory of Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Vocations to the Priesthood

ANT. Why stand ye all the day idle, go ye into my vineyard.

V/. Ask the Lord of the harvest. R/. That He send labourers into His vineyard.

Let us pray. GOD, Who willest not the death of the sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; grant, by the intercession of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin and of all the saints, labourers for Thy Church, fellow labourers with Christ, to spend and consume themselves for souls. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. (Pre-1968 Indulgence of 3 years)

•••••••

Psalm 102

Benedic, anima. Thanksgiving to God for His mercies. [1] FOR DAVID himself.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name. [2] Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. [3] Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases. [4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion. [5] Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.

.[6] The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong. [7] He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel. [8] The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy. [9] He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever. [10] He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

.[11] For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him. [12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us. [13] As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him: [14] For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust: [15] Man’s days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.

.[16] For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more. [17] But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children’s children, [18] To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them. [19] The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all. [20] Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.

.[21] Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will. [22] Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

Gloria Patri …

•••••••

Litany of the Saints

Lord, have mercy on us. (Lord have mercy on us.) Christ, have mercy on us. (Christ have mercy on us.) Lord, have mercy on us. (Lord, have mercy on us.)

Christ, hear us. (Christ, hear us.) Christ, graciously hear us. (Christ, graciously hear us.)

God the Father of heaven, (have mercy on us.) God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.) God the Holy Ghost, (have mercy on us.) Holy Trinity, one God, (have mercy on us.)

Holy Mary, (* pray for us) Holy Mother of God, (*) Holy Virgin of virgins, (*)

St. Michael, (*) St. Gabriel, (*) St. Raphael, (*) All ye holy Angels and Archangels, (*) All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, (*)

St. John the Baptist, (*) St. Joseph, (*) All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, (*)

St. Peter, (*) St. Paul, (*) St. Andrew, (*) St. James, (*) St. John, (*) St. Thomas, (*) St. James, (*) St. Philip, (*) St. Bartholomew, (*) St. Matthew, (*) St. Simon, (*) St. Thaddeus, (*) St. Matthias, (*) St. Barnabas, (*) St. Luke, (*) St. Mark, (*) All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, (*) All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, (*)

All ye holy Innocents, (*) St. Stephen, (*) St. Lawrence, (*) St. Vincent, (*) SS. Fabian and Sebastian, (*) SS. John and Paul, (*) SS. Cosmas and Damian, (*) SS. Gervase and Protase, (*) All ye holy Martyrs, (*)

St. Sylvester, (*) St. Gregory, (*) St. Ambrose, (*) St. Augustine, (*) St. Jerome, (*) St. Martin, (*) St. Nicholas, (*) All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, (*) All ye holy Doctors, (*)

St. Anthony, (*) St. Benedict, (*) St. Bernard, (*) St. Dominic, (*) St. Francis, (*) All ye holy Priests and Levites, (*) All ye holy Monks and Hermits, (*)

St. Mary Magdalen, (*) St. Agatha, (*) St. Lucy, (*) St. Agnes, (*) St. Cecilia, (*) St. Catherine, (*) St. Anastasia, (*) All ye holy Virgins and Widows, (*) [Other Saints may be added]

All ye holy Saints of God, (Make intercession for us.) Be merciful, (Spare us, O Lord.) Be merciful, (Graciously hear us, O Lord.)

From all evil, (^ O Lord, deliver us) From all sin, (^) From Thy wrath, (^) From sudden and unlooked for death, (^) From the snares of the devil, (^) From anger, and hatred, and every evil will, (^) From the spirit of fornication, (^) From lightning and tempest, (^) From the scourge of earthquakes, (^) From plague, famine and war, (^) From everlasting death, (^) Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, (^) Through Thy Coming, (^) Through Thy Birth, (^) Through Thy Baptism and holy Fasting, (^) Through Thy Cross and Passion, (^) Through Thy Death and Burial, (^) Through Thy holy Resurrection, (^) Through Thine admirable Ascension, (^) Through the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete. (^) In the day of judgment. (^)

We sinners, (~ we beseech Thee, hear us) That Thou wouldst spare us, (~) That Thou wouldst pardon us, (~) That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve Thy holy Church, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate, and all orders of the Church in holy religion, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to the whole Christian world, (~) That Thou wouldst call back to the unity of the Church all who have strayed from her fold, and to guide all unbelievers into the light of the Gospel, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, (~) That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, (~) That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, (~) That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, from eternal damnation, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, (~) That Thou wouldst vouchsafe graciously to hear us, (~) Son of God, (~)

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Lord.) Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us, O Lord.) Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us.)

Christ, (hear us.) Christ, (graciously hear us.) Lord, have mercy, (Lord, have mercy.) Christ, have mercy, (Christ, have mercy.) Lord, have mercy, (Lord, have mercy.) . [Our Father, inaudibly until] … And lead us not into temptation (but deliver us from evil. Amen.)

(Partial Indulgence, 1968; taken from Fisheaters.com)

~~~ +++++++ ~~~ Rogation Day Prayer

All we can do is worth nothing Unless God blesses the deed; Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide Till God gives life to the seed; Yet nearer and nearer draws the time, The time that shall surely be When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea.

(source)

#catholic #ember days #prayer #prayers #scripture #fast #fasting #lucy ashes dove and cross #rogation tide

5 notes · View notes

lady-plantagenet · 3 years ago

Text

On the Codes that Bound Medieval Scholars

R., servant of the cross of Christ, by the divine mercy cardinal priest with the title of St. Stephen in Monte Celio and legate of the apostolic seat, to all the masters and scholars at Paris - eternal safety in the Lord. Let all know, that having been especially commanded by the lord pope to devote our energy effectively to the betterment of the condition of the students at Paris, and wishing by the advice of good men to provide for the tranquility of the students in the future, we have ordered and prescribed the following rules:

No one is to lecture at Paris in arts before he is twenty years old. He is to listen in arts at least six years, before he begins to lecture.

He is to promise that he will lecture for at least two years, unless he is prevented by some good reason, which be ought to prove either in public or before the examiners.

He must not be smirched by any infamy.

When he is ready to lecture, each one is to be examined according to the form contained in the letter of lord P. bishop of Paris (in which is contained the peace established between the chancellor and the students by the judges appointed by the lord pope, approved and confirmed namely by the bishop and deacon of Troyes and by P. the bishop, and J. the chancellor of Paris).

[He shall read] The treatises of Aristotle, on logic, both the old and the new, to be read in the schools in the regular and not in the extraordinary courses. The two Priscians, or at least the second, are to be read in the schools in the regular courses.

On the feast-days [about 100 a year] nothing is to be read except philosophy, rhetoric, quadrivialia [books relating to the "quadrivium" -arithmetic, geomtry, music and astronomy], the Barbarisms, [The third book of the Ars major of Donatus], the Ethics [Nichomichean Ethics of Aristotle], if one so chooses, and the fourth book of the Topics [of Boethius]. The books of Aristotle on Metaphysics or Natural Philosophy, or the abridgements of these works, are not to be read, nor "the doctrine" of master David de Dinant, of the heretic Almaric, or of Maurice of Spain.

In the inceptions and meetings of the masters and in the confutations or arguments of the boys or youths there are to be no festivities. But they may call in some friends or associates, but only a few.

We also advise that donations of garments and other things be made, as is customary or even to a greater extent and especially to the poor.

No master lecturer in arts is too wear anything except a cope, round and black and reaching to the heels-at least, when it is new. But he may well wear a pallium [proper garment for a monk]. He is not to wear under the round cope embroidered shoes and never any with long bands.

If any one of the students in arts or theology dies, half of the masters of arts are to go the funeral, and the other half to the next funeral. They are not to withdraw until the burial is completed, unless they have some good reason.

If any master of arts or theology dies, all the masters are to be present at the vigils, each one is to read the psalter or have it read. Each one is to remain in the church, where the vigils are celebrated, until midnight or later, unless prevented by some good reason. On the day when the master is buried, no one is to lecture or dispute.

[Regarding the deceased and their burial]. We fully confirm to them the meadow of St. Germain in the condition in which it was adjudged to them.

Each master is to have jurisdiction over his scholars. (Hear that @nebylitsa XD?)

No one is to receive either schools or a house without the consent of the occupant, if he is able to obtain it. No one is to receive a license from the chancellor or any one else through a gift of money, or furnishing a pledge or making an agreement.

Also, the masters and students can make among themselves or with others agreements and regulations, confirmed by a pledge, penalty or oath, about the following matters: namely, if a student is killed, mutilated or receives some outrageous injury and if justice is not done; for taxing the rent of Hospitia; concerning the dress, burial, lectures and disputations; in such a manner, however, that the university is not scattered nor destroyed on this account.

We decide concerning the theologians, that no one shall lecture at Paris before he is thirty-five years old, and not unless he has studied at least eight years, [later prolonged to 14 years] and has heard the books faithfully and in the schools. He is to listen in theology for five years, be he reads his own lectures in public. No one of them is to lecture before the third hour on the days when the masters lecture.

No one is to be received at Paris for the important lectures or sermons unless he is of approved character and learning. There is to be no student at Paris who does not have a regular master.

In order moreover that these may be inviolably observed, all who presume contumaciously to violate these our statutes, unless within fifteen days from the date of the transgression take care, to correct their presumption in the presence of the university masters and scholars, or in the presence of some appointed by the university, by the authority of the legation with which we are entrusted, we bind with the bond of excommunication. “

- Robert de Coucon, Statutes for the University of Paris, 1215, Internet Medieval Sourcebook

#scholasticism #now I see where the term masters comes from!#THIS #some of these are soo cute #it reinforces how academia is really at its roots a priestly vocation #quotes

3 notes · View notes

presidialista · 4 years ago

Photo

Servant of God María de la Luz Camacho, martyr of Christ the King

The Cristero War ended in 1929, when two bishops signed ��Los arreglos” with the Mexican government, thus betraying the Cristeros that gave their lives in the battlefield. The Vatican, trusting what this couple of bishops reported on the situation in Mexico, believed that if the Church made a pact with the government the persecution would end. This grave error doomed our country and all militant catholics.

María de la Luz received the glory of martyrdom at the age of 27 in these post-war times, in which the Cristero leaders were being hunted and killed in cold blood.

The martyr was born in a very pious family that was very active in parrochial life: her father and brothers worked in the Catholic Action, while she, her step-mother and sisters served in many parrochial activities and apostolates.

Among many other social works, María de la Luz founded a catechesis center in her home and a library full of pious books; always worried about the needy, she gave clothes and food to the poor and destitutes.

She was not only worried about the material well-being of the poor but also she cared for their spiritual health, and making use of her great acting skills, started a theater group that performed plays for the poor, not only to entertain them, but to keep them away from immoral places and activities, such as the cinema, dance clubs, and other centers of vice. The social hall of the Coyoacán parish was crowded when she performed with her company.

Her spiritual life was as constant and active as her work in the World. She attended Holy Mass and received Our Lord in communion daily, and organized Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration centers in the homes of the neighbourhood, as the persecution made difficult celebrations in the temples.

In imitation of the great saints, she sanctified her life through her daily chores, and by having feminine, constructive hobbies like singing, embroidering, painting, sewing, and playing music.

In 1934, the new president of the republic, Lázaro Cárdenas, began a new chapter in the long history of religious persecution in the country, imposing an openly socialist education in schools and sorrounding himself with notorious anti-catholics, the most savage and ruthless being Tomás Garrido Canabal. Garrido virtually destroyed all catholic temples and expelled all priests in his native Tabasco when he was governor, and also formed the Red Shirts, a youth wing of socialist and fiercely anti-catholic values.

December 30, 1934, an armed group of these Red Shirts marched to attack the church of San Juan Bautista in Coyoacán, María de la Luz’ parish. The parish priest summoned the faithful to defend the XVI century temple, and of course María de la Luz and her family answered the call.

Once there, the Red Shirts started the hostilities: a young socialist climbed the church to fly the red and black flag. María de la Luz then shouted valiantly “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” and the other catholics that stood their ground protecting the church doors followed her in praising Our Lord with loud voices. The socialists did not flinch, but furiously responded “¡Viva la Revolución!”, pulled their pistols on the catholics, and began shooting both the temple and the faithful.

María de la Luz fell, fatally wounded of several shots to the chest, her heart pierced by expanding bullets; 4 other martyrs also died in the attack. Merciful God granted her a few minutes of life, just enough to receive the Sacrament of Extreme Unction from her confessor and spiritual director, Fr. Alejandro Torres.

A multitude attended the funeral, and her mortal remains were protected by an armed guard of honor. Her body awaits the resurrection of the flesh in San Juan Bautista, the parish she protected with her life.

¡Viva Cristo Rey y sus mártires!

#Cristero #Cristiada #cristeros #cristero war #viva cristo rey #catholic #catholic women #catholic woman #roman catholicism #Traditional Catholicism #Traditional Mass #traditional catholic #mexico #Deus Vult #Martyrs

15 notes · View notes

etakeh · 4 years ago

Photo

So I’ve been ordained for a couple years, I think I need to pick a title.

I’m partial to these two, but I don’t even know. I’m trying to stay away from any that are associate with a particular religion, since I am attached to no particular religion.

And I’ll take suggestions not on the list - I was browsing through Star Trek belief systems earlier for inspiration. No luck though, they’re all a little *too*religiousy.

Colporteur - a peddler of books, newspapers, and similar literature.

Thaumaturge - a worker of wonders and performer of miracles; a magician.

(list also in the read-more, I still haven’t figured out how to do alt-text on desktop)

OH ALSO if you want to get ordained, it’s fast and free. Any physical paraphernalia with the info on it costs, but the actual ordination is free.

You can legitimately marry people, bless things, all the good stuff.

Abbe

Abbess

Abbot

Ananda

Angel

Angelic Healer

Angelic Messenger

Angelic Minister

Apostle of Humility

Apostle

Apostolic Reverend

Archangel

Archbishop

Archcardinal

Archdeacon

Archmandrite

Archpriest

Archpriestess

Art Missionary

Ascetic Gnostic

Astrotheologian

Avatar

Bible Historian

Bishop

Brahman

Brother

Buddhist Monk

Buddhist Priest

Canon

Cantor

Cardinal

Chaplain

Chief

Christian Apostolic Scribe

Christian Clerical Teacher

Christian Financial Preceptor

Christian Taoist Priest

Cleric

Colonel

Colporteur

Curé

Deacon

Deaconess

Dervish

Director

Directress

Disciple

Druid

Druidess

Elder

Emissary

Evangelist

Evangelizing Pastoral Counselor

Existcreatologist

Faithkeeper

Father

Field Missionary

Flying Missionary

Free Thinker

Friar

Goddess

Godhi

Guru

Hadji

Healing Minister

High Priest

High Priestess

Imam

Interfaith Minister

Kahuna

Lama

Lay Minister

Lay Sister

Learned Theologian

Life Facilitator

Litterarum Doctor

Magus

Man of the Cloth

Master

Martyr

Matriarch

Messenger

Messianic Judeo-Christian

Messianic Rabbi

Metaphysical Teacher

Metropolitan

Minister of Dance

Minister of Music

Minister of Peace

Minister of Sacred Environment

Minister of Sacred Light

Minister of Well Being

Minister

Missionary Doctor

Missionary Healer

Missionary of Music

Missionary Pastor

Missionary Priest

Missionary

Monk

Monsignor

Most Reverend

Mother Superior

Mystic Warrior

Mystic

Mystical Philosopher

Nun

Officiant

Oracle

Orthodox Monk

Padre

Pagan Minister

Parochial Educator

Pastor General

Pastor

Pastoral Counselor

Patriarch

Peace Counselor

Philosopher

Preacher

Prebendary

Preceptor

Priest

Priestess

Prince of Faith

Professor Emeritus

Prophet

Prophetess

Qoheleth

Rabbi

Rector

Religious Preacher

Revelator

Reverend Doctor

Reverend Father

Reverend

Reverend Mother

Reverend

Right Reverend

Sacred Minister

Sadhu

Sage

Saint

Saintly Healer

Scribe

Seer

Sensei

Spiritual Priest

Shaman

Shepherd

Sister

Soul Therapist

Spiritual Counselor

Spiritual Healer

Spiritual Minister

Spiritual Missionary

Spiritual Priestess

Spiritual Therapist

Spiritual Warrior

Starets

Swami

Teller

Thanatologist

The Very Esteemed

Thaumaturge

Unitarian Universalist of the Sacred Light

Universal Monk

Universal Philosopher of Absolute Reality

Universal Priest

Universal Rabbi

Universal Religious Philosopher

Venerable

Vicar

Wiccan Minister

Wiccan

Wizard

Yogi

Youth Pastor

Zen Master

#religious titles #ordination titles #ordination

4 notes · View notes

joyful--love · 5 years ago

Text

Since I'm sharing my journey through my faith on this blog, I figure I should establish a background.

I grew up Christian, attending various churches. The ones I remember are two Baptist churches and one United church, plus a few that my family "tested out" before settling on one. I'll share my thoughts on that in a later post.

Certain things about secular culture have never made sense to me. The main one being the existence of Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. Having grown up in church, and having a fairly logical thought process as a child, the concept of Santa never made sense to me, and the Easter bunny was very far fetched (in was 90% sure they were both my parents as far back as I can remember questioning such things). Disregarding being raised in church, I never understood how I could receive a gift delivered by a fat man in a red coat if every gift had a "from mom and dad" or "from grandma and grandpa" sticker on it.

Proverbs 22:6 says : "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (KJV)

My current pastor quotes this verse often, and I can't help but feel a little bit neglected in this command. While I know my parents are believers, they didn't foster faith in every aspect of my life. Yes, we went to church every week, prayed over our meals, and had a nightly bedtime prayer. But as I got older, attending church regularly wasn't valued as much in my home. I can't help but wonder why.

I did attend my youth group for most of my high school years, although I stopped going when my friends moved away and my youth pastor changed.

During my junior high and high school years, I felt a pressure to fit in and be like my peers. My mom mostly listened to music from her teenage years, and as such, I didn't know most of what was recent. We talked, she let me buy some new music. I soon discovered I preferred worship music and 70s soft rock better than that top 100 charts. That's another story for another time.

In high school, I was also trying to figure out who I was. I think I was pretty comfortable with my interests to not go out and do stupid things, however, I had a deep hunger for something.

I was super into nerd culture at the time. Specifically, Harry Potter (I read all the books between second and fourth grade), Doctor Who, and The Lord of the Rings. Now, I'm not saying there's anything inherently wrong about enjoying fictitious stories, but I let them take over. I had a friend who sought out every last detail about the "fandoms" she was in, and that was infectious. I felt the need to keep up with her, but it was so exhausting.

Fast forward to researching universities and attending open houses. Each of the schools I had my eye on where not in my hometown, and as such, one of my criteria was seeking out a church I could easily get to from campus. I needed a church. I had neglected my faith for far too long.

I did find a church. I now attend an apostolic pentecostal church, and have a deeper understanding of the bible than I ever had before, and a better understanding of who I am in Christ. I am so grateful to have an understanding and loving pastor and wonderful friends.

#a piece of my testimony #Jesus #God #christianity #christian #church #testimony #background #faith #christian faith #apostolic girl #apostolic #pentecostal

3 notes · View notes

thesynaxarium · 3 years ago

Photo

On the second Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate our Venerable Father Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica. Saint Gregory, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359. His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today. May he intercede for us always + Source: https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=1055&PCode=2LENTS&D=S&date=03/28/2021 (at Thessaloniki, Greece) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbS_idIvO_m/?utm_medium=tumblr

23 notes · View notes

orthodoxydaily · 6 months ago

Text

Saints&Reading: Saturday, June 29, 2024

june 16_june 29

SAINT TIKHON, BISHOP OF AMAPHUNTUM (Cyprus,425)

Saint Tikhon, Bishop of Amathus, was born in the city Amathus on the island of Cyprus. His parents raised their son in Christian piety, and taught him the reading of sacred books. It is said that the gift of wonderworking appeared in Saint Tikhon at quite a young age.

His father was the owner of a bakery, and whenever he left his son alone in the shop, the holy youth would give free bread to those in need. Learning of this, his father became angry, but the son said that he had read in the Scriptures, that in giving to God one receives back a hundredfold. “I" said the youth, “gave to God the bread which was taken,” and he persuaded his father to go to the place where the grain was stored. With astonishment, the father saw that the granary, formerly empty, was now overflowing with wheat. From that time the father did not hinder his son from distributing bread to the poor.

A certain gardener brought the dried prunings of vines from the vineyard. Saint Tikhon gathered them, planted them in his garden and besought the Lord that these branches might take root and yield fruit for the health of people. The Lord did so through the faith of the holy youth. The branches took root, and their fruit had a particular and very pleasant taste. It was used during the lifetime of the saint and after his death for making wine for the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist.

They accepted the pious youth into the church clergy, made him a reader. Later, Mnemonios, the Bishop of Amathus ordained him a deacon. After the death of Bishop Mnemonios, Saint Tikhon by universal agreement was chosen as Bishop of Amathus. Saint Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus (May 12), presided at the service.

Saint Tikhon labored zealously to eradicate the remnants of paganism on Cyprus; he destroyed a pagan temple and spread the Christian Faith. The holy bishop was generous, his doors were open to all, and he listened to and lovingly fulfilled the request of each person who came to him. Fearing neither threats nor tortures, he firmly and fearlessly confessed his faith before pagans.

In the service to Saint Tikhon it is stated that he foresaw the time of his death, which occurred in the year 425.

The name of Saint Tikhon of Amathus was greatly honored in Russia. Temples dedicated to the saint were constructed at Moscow, at Nizhni Novgorod, at Kazan and other cities. But he was particularly venerated in the Voronezh diocese, where there were three archpastors in succession sharing the name with the holy hierarch of Amathus: Saint Tikhon I (Sokolov) (+ 1783, August 13), Tikhon II (Yakubovsky, until 1785) and Tikhon III (Malinin, until 1788).

ST MARK OF APOLLONIAS, NEPHEW OF THE APOSTLE BARNABAS

This Mark is usually identified with Mark the cousin of the Apostle Barnabas. According to Hippolytus, in his work On the Seventy Apostles, Mark the cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10; Phlm. 24) is distinct from John Mark the Bishop of Byblos (Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37) and Mark the Evangelist (2 Tim. 4:11). They all belonged to the Seventy Apostles of Christ (ranked #56, #65, and #14, respectively), who were sent out by Jesus to saturate Judea with the gospel not long before His crucifixion (Luke 10:1). Hippolytus says that Mark the cousin of Barnabas was a leader of the apostolic Church and the Bishop of Apollonia. (There are various possible sites for this place, including some in Greece, some in Italy, one in Thrace, one in Bithynia and one in Cyrenaica.)

Ancient sources in fact consistently distinguish the apparent three Marks of the New Testament. Medieval sources, on the other hand, increasingly regarded all New Testament references to Mark as Mark the Evangelist, and many modern scholars have agreed in seeing a single Mark. The very fact that various writings could refer simply to Mark without further qualification has been seen as pointing to a single Mark.

Mark the cousin of Barnabas is mentioned by Paul as a "fellow worker" in the closings of three Pauline epistles. In antiquity he was regarded as a distinct Mark, Bishop of Apollonia. If, on the other hand, the Marks are to be identified, the fact that these epistles were written after the departure of John Mark with Barnabas in Acts must suppose some later reconciliation. But a majority of scholars, noting the close association of the Marks with Paul and Barnabas, indeed regard them as likely the same person.

Mark the Evangelist, however, is known only from the patristic tradition, which associates him only with Peter and makes no mention of Paul. Jerome alone suggests that the Mark of whom Paul speaks may be the Evangelist. But modern scholars have noted that as Peter fled to the house of John Mark's mother, the two men may have had a longstanding association.

According to the Synaxarion of Constantinople, Bishop Mark of Apollonia suffered a martyric death by being hanged upside down, tying boulders to his hands, and leaving him to hang there in the void.

Source: Orthodox Christianity then and Now

ROMANS 1:7-12

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established- 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

MATTHEW 5:42-48

42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #bible #wisdom #faith #saints

0 notes

anastpaul · 5 years ago

Text

Saint of the Day – 1 April – Saint Lodovico Pavoni FMI (1784-1849) Priest, Founder of the Sons of Mary Immaculate which came to be known also as the “Pavoniani, “ Pioneer in vocational schools, known as the “Forerunner of St John Bosco” – born on 11 September 1784 at Brescia, Italy and died on Palm Sunday, 1 April 1849 at Saianco, Italy of natural causes. The figure of Pavoni is of a Saint who made a great impact by his work on behalf of youth and persons most in need of support (deaf, disabled, orphans and the poor) while also contributing to the renewal of contemplative life. Patronages – Sons of Mary Immaculate, Vocational and Trade schools.

Blessed Lodovico Pavoni was born in Brescia on 11 September 1784 and, after 30 years of service to young people, died in Saiano, outside Brescia, on 1 April 1849. For 30 years he followed his inspiration to serve the needs of the young boys on the streets with positive methods of education. He began by opening his own oratory (catechetical and recreation centre) that in 1821 he expanded it into a hostel for their shelter and a school to teach them a trade. In 1825 he founded a religious congregation of priests and brothers to run the educational and industrial activities that grew out of his intuition.

Lodovico was a lively and bright child, interested in the world around him and quick to grasp the social problems of his day. He prepared for the priesthood by receiving his theological formation at the home of the Dominican, Fr Carlo Domenico Ferrari, future Bishop of Brescia. During the Napoleonic era in Italy (1799-1814), the French Emperor closed seminaries. In Brescia, in 1807, he was Ordained a Priest and first launched the oratory. A book by Pietro Schedoni, Moral Influences, listed the reasons for the “rebellion” of young boys – leaving inadequate schooling for a job, bad influences of adult workers, poverty and peer pressure. The author confirmed Lodovico in his personalist approach – to concentrate on the personal and social formation of the young, with a positive and preventative approach.

In 1812 when appointed secretary to Bishop Gabrio Nava, he received permission to continue with his “oratory”. In 1818, he was named rector of the Church of St Barnabas with permission to found an orphanage and a vocational school that in 1821 became the “Institute of St Barnabas.” Lodovico decided that the first trade would be book publishin, to this end, in 1823 he set up “The Publishing House of the Institute of St Barnabas,” the precursor of today’s Ancora press. The boys could also choose to be carpenters, silversmiths, blacksmiths, shoemakers, experts in tool and dye making. In 1823, Fr Pavoni welcomed the first deaf mutes to the school. He purchased a farm to set up an Agricultural School.

In 1825 he established a religious institute to continue his work. In 1843 Pope Gregory XVI authorised it for Brescia. On 11 August 1847, the Brescia Vicar Capitular, Msgr Luchi, established the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate or “Pavoniani.” On 8 December 1847, Lodovico and the first members made their religious profession.

On 24 March 1849, during the “Ten-Days” when Brescia rebelled against the Austrians and both sides were ready to pillage the city, Bl Lodovico, who had taken care of citizens during a cholera epidemic, performed his last heroic act of charity when he led his boys to safety, to the novitiate on the hill of Saiano, 12 kilometres away. A week later he died at the dawn of Palm Sunday, 1 April 1849 as Brescia was in flames. Lodovico’s ideal of education was a broad one, to dispose a person in his wholeness to be good. Fifty years before “Rerum novarum”, he grasped the religious significance of social justice and set an example by his own dealings with his employees.

Like St John Bosco after him, Pavoni’s used encouraging and preventative methods – he preferred gentleness to severity. He used to say, “Rigorism keeps Heaven empty”.

His Congregation numbers 210 members in six nations: Brazil, Colombia, Eritrea, Germany, Italy and Spain. They still publish books . In Rome they run the Ancora bookstore outside St Peter’s Square. As of 2008 there were 34 houses and out of the 210 religious there were 107 of them being Priests…. Vatican.va

There are many reasons why Pavoni can be considered a precursor. Long before Don Bosco or Don Murialdo, Pavoni saw in the phenomenon of juvenile neglect, one of the great dramas that characterised the age of transition, between the old regime and industrialised society. He understood, that the only way of redemption, was through holistic education of the person. Religious education was his fundamental objective but Pavoni saw professional training, as the way that best covers all aspects of the person.

Pavoni was not an teacher but he had a real educational method, which is characterised by an emphasis on prevention. There are many modern congregations that consider it a point of reference.

The centrality of the Christian faith, love for each person, the importance of work as an instrument of human and social development, clear rules within an organisation but implemented as in a family, attention to personal relationship and recourse to reason, rather than imposition, – these are the components of a plan that aims to equip young people with the necessary tools to develop a balanced personality and to recognise their social role, before the impact of the social situation drives them, inexorably to the margins.

In the decree of 5 June 1947 Pope Pius XII described Pavoni as “another Philip Neri, the precursor of St John Bosco and the perfect emulator of St Joseph Cottolengo.” This authoritative judgement has now received the most solemn approval and recognition of a second miracle with the Canonisation of St Lodovico Pavoni on 16 October 2016 by Pope Francis.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“This Jesus,God has raised Him up and of that we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32). The interior consciousness, that became a burning and invincible faith, guided the spiritual and Priestly experience of Lodovico Pavoni, Priest, Founder of the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate. Gifted with a particularly sensitive spirit, he was totally comitted to the care of poor and abandoned youngsters and even deaf-mutes. His activity branched out in many directions, from that of education to the publishing sector, with original apostolic intuitions and courageous innovations. At the basis of everything, there was a solid spirituality. By his example, he exhorts us to place our confidence in Jesus and to be, ever more immersed, in the mystery of His love. “– from the Beatification homily by St Pope John Paul II on Sunday, 14 April 2002.

Saint of the Day – 1 April – Saint Lodovico Pavoni FMI (1784-1849) Saint of the Day - 1 April - Saint Lodovico Pavoni FMI (1784-1849) Priest, Founder of the…

#stlodovicopavoni

5 notes · View notes

freyalor · 6 years ago

Note

Gloves.

With joy, Papillon.

Fandom : FrenchHistoryFriendship : Richelieu & Joseph Date and place :Paris, 1621Words : 4KRating : G (Warning : blood)

I quicken my pace, becausethis dark feeling in me has kept growing since this morning, and Godin his warnings has never led me astray.

The cobblestones of Parisare merciless with the soles of my feet, but this is my penance week,and no glory, no praise, no temptation can divert me from my faith. Ishall walk from the Ursulines convent to the Louvre barefooted, nomatter how filthy Paris can be in late September.

I pass the Palacegates as the evening sun declines and the horizon starts to burn withgorgeous shades of rosy red. The Lord, in his endless grace, hascreated the most magnificent blend of thin white clouds and vibrantlight to salute the day once more, but I cannot spare time to marvelat it, because this pain of bad omens twisting my stomach, Iknow what it means.

The doors of the Louvresopen for me with reverence, valets and Courtiers bowing politely onmy passage. I hear their murmurs, of course I do, the same I’ve beenhearing for fifteen years.

Devout man,apostolic soldier, an example of faith, somesay, but I am not moved by flattery. Lunatic,rabid monk, demented wolf of bigotry, othersspit, but I am not touched by villainy.

Only one thingmatters, one sole purpose guides me. And I feelit needs me upstairs.

I was walking quitepeacefully as I got out of the Convent one hour ago, but I fear I amalmost running by now, passing in front of the Queen Mother’s doorssnarling her servants out of my path. I only concede a brief halt onthe last doorstep before the study, accepting a wet cloth and a basinto clean my feet from the grime of the street.

My penance, as healways says, doesn’t require ruininghis rugs.

But the moment it’s done,I barge in and lock the door behind my back, the twist of anguish inmy guts almost sucking the air out of me. As darkness crawls up thewalls of the study I quickly search around, not even at a man’slevel, but right away on the floor.

It doesn’t take long, ofcourse, for my fear to be confirmed by a dark silhouette curled atthe feet of his desk.

I knew it, oh,Christ almighty, I knew it.

God, in his warnings, hasnever let me astray.

I rush at his side,falling on my knees to search him for injuries.

-”Eminence?” I call.

But he doesn’t reply.

I hastily brush hishair away from his eyes to inspect them. They are wide open, butunseeing, emptied of all light, warmth or hope. I squint in thereclining light, Lord above, that painin my guts, I knew what it meant.

I grip his cheek to turnhis head towards me, get a glimpse of the state of his mouth, andsqueeze my eyes shut for a second.

Christ in Heavens, notagain.

Why burden thismiraculous mind with such ghastly madness?

Were the hardships onthe way to his fate not enough a price to pay?

I take a deep breath tosteady myself before I examine him further.

His lips are soiledwith thick stains of dried blood, spread on his cheeks and jaw linein chaotic brushstrokes. His face itself is unwounded, but I knowwhat surely is. I blindly reach for his slender hands, bringing themout into the last fragment of light coming through the window, andexhale a low groan of dismay.

He ate himself raw.

-“Oh, Eminence,for God’s sake!”I scold him, my shoulders slumping a little.

No reaction, of course.

I look around. Nocandles have been lit. It means the fithas started long before dark. His fingers are glued with black clotsof dried blood, so I suppose he’s been lying there for at least onehour.

Very well. Verywell.

I gently let go of him andget up in a wince. I walk to the hearth, revive the fire and dropthree large logs in it. Then, as the first flames rise from theirembers, I light a few candles with them, and set the kettle to boil.I go for the drawer where he keeps his medicine, pick up theCarmelite herbs he uses to soothes his headaches, and count ten dropsin a large cup. I prepare his basin next, and fetch the discretewooden case where bandages are always prepared, right there upon theshelf, under a pile of ancient maps.

I carry everythingto the small bedroom next door that is everything herHighness Queen Mother thinks him worthyof, sweep his nightstand clear with my elbow, sending books andpapers crashing on the floor in the process, and drop the cup andbasin upon it instead.

Then I spin around andhead back to the study, rolling up the sleeves of my robes.

-“Alright, Eminence,let’s do it.” I huff, pointlessly I suppose.

I kneel next to him again,this time to shift him on his back and slide my arms underneath hislegs and shoulders. Groaning in effort I haul him up and move to hisbedroom. God, I used to be stronger than this.

As if my exertionwasn’t enough, that’s the moment he choses to blink back to reality,realise he’s being carried, and start strugglingagainst it.

-“For the love of God,keep still!” I hiss, and his squirming stops dead.

-“Joseph?” His brokenvoice tries as I lay him on his bed.

-“Whothe hell else?” I almost shout, andhe flinches in instinctive guilt.

As I leave him there tostride back towards the kettle I vaguely realize I am being too harshwith him again, but truly, I can’t help how enraged, howdisappointed I feel. I had hoped for this sickness of his to recedeas he ascended towards his rightful place next to the King, but ifanything has changed in those last five years, it has mostly been forthe worst.

What I had mistaken for atemporary condition, a sign that the Lord wanted this exceptional manon much higher grounds than the miserable town of Luçon, was infact, as I have been forced to admit later, a curse he would carryall his life, a further strain upon his resolute, yet unfortunatelyfrail body.

I wrap a handkerchiefaround the kettle handle and lift the pot out of the fire. I bring itto the bedroom to pour warm water in the basin, careful to spareenough to fill his cup of herbs.

He has laboriously sit upon the bed while I was gone, and he’s watching me now with meek,exhausted eyes, expecting my anger, no doubt, to break like thunderanytime.

But I stay silent instead,dipping the handkerchief in the basin with one hand, handing out hiscup with the other. He moves to seize it, but his fingers are in sucha state they wouldn’t keep a steady hold of a feather.

-“Don’t.” I grunt, andlift the cup to his lips instead.

He glances down athis hands and whines in deep shame, still taking a sip out of the cupwith quiet obedience. I make him drink all of it before I start,because I’ll have to peel those dried clots of blood off his skinand it shall hurt like hell.

I examine his sleeves.Those new bishop robes may be more suited for the Louvre than thecheaper ones he had in Luçon, but their sleeves are too tight to berolled up. I sigh, unbuttoning the whole frock.

-“We need to get rid ofthese.” I mumble. “I want access to your hands.”

He lets himself be handledrather calmly at first, watching my hands with a dazed frown, but themoment I start brushing the opened robes off his shoulders he letsout a panicked shriek, crawling away from me in confused terror, hiseyes blurred with renewed nightmares.

I freeze, hands suspendedin the air, feeling my heart miss a beat, not because of his fright,not only that.

Also because of thatsmell I sniffed on his exposed skin.

The smell of rancid sweatand sugared wine.

The smell of disgust.

The smell of her.

Oh, bloody hell.

Exhaling sharply, I sit onthe edge of the bed, watching him shiver and heave for a while, untilhe understands there’s no one else than me here, and slowly calmsdown.

I should have knownit was the Medici.She must have had one of her afternoon hungersagain.

It’s not what she doesto him, or what she asks him to do when she summons him alone in herchambers and dismisses her usual audience of witches and worms.Fortunately, she’s a dull-minded, unimaginative woman, and the sinsshe forces upon him are, after all, quite commonplace.

It’s not that,it’s her.It’s just her.

Her rotten teeth, herdecaying hairline. Her dusty jewels and heavy gowns. Her immense,disgraceful body, loaded with both fat and vanity, too cumbersome tobe washed more than once a month.

Her vile tongue, her wet,slimy lips, and her bottomless appetite for everything sugary andsweet.

Including Eminence’s paleskin.

Its been ten years nowshe’s been devouring his youth with famished chortles every day andnight. In less than five, his rich brown locks have turned to silvergrey, and deep lines of worry have crawled around the corner of hiseyes, his body marked by her ravages just as permanently as his soulis.

As time only blackened hermind and thickened her face, Marie de Medici has turned into amonster of self-assured stench, and though many other men would makedo with this atrocity for the sake of the favours and privileges sheso freely distributes, this one lives every second spent in her bedas the cruelest of all tortures.

He’s not repulsed as Ican be by the carnal sins of this world, it’s not that. It ispainfully obvious how this man craves touch with every fibre of hisbeing.

He is destined for more,so much more than her, that’s all.

His mind, thoughmethodical and wise, has been drawn towards the delicacies of art andnature since his earliest childhood. He has a taste, a needfor the absolute, his eyes constantlylooking up to higher skies, and being trapped under the rancid weightof this mindless mare is an insult to his rare, refined soul.

I wait for his eyes toregain some focus, and since his hands are still useless, I reach outto tug his robes off his arm myself, reciting Deuteronomy to soothehis fear.

-“ TheLord himself goes before you and will be with you,”I whisper as I roll his black attire away until he’s bare to thewaist, “he will never leave you norforsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

He looks reassured,familiar with my voice reading out the Bible to him, so as I pick upthe basin, and lay it down on his lap to grab one of his hands, hebarely lets out a whimper of protest.

I plunge the handkerchiefin warm water and start rubbing dried blood off his fingers one byone. As I work, the nasty scabs reveal horrid wounds underneath; mostof them bite marks, though I suspect him to have used some kind ofblade at some point. He seems to discover, just as I do, the extentof the damage, and with a broken sob, he softly pleads:

-“I can’t do thisanymore, Joseph. I can’t…”

I know what he meansto say, and God be my witness I understand, but our sacred dreamsjust can’t affordto have any of this by now.

-“We have a purpose,Eminence.” I sternly remind him. “We have a-”

-“Stop calling methat way!” He cuts in, averting his eyes in self-hatred. “I toldyou already I am nota Cardinal.”

To his stunned confusioninstead of arguing I just let out a fond chuckle, releasing his cleanhand to reach for the other.

-“Of course you are.”I scoff. “You are, and you have always been.”

I wash his other set offingers with the same devoted care, his blood eventually turning thebasin water into a badly filtered Bourgogne wine in a sad mimicry ofJesus’ miracle. When my work is done, I discard the filthyrecipient and pull out the bandages box, sighing in concern at hisripped, abused skin.

This is worse thanbefore. This is worse than ever. Thecuts are deeper, the wounds nastier, some areas bitten several times.

Lord, he must have hurthimself for hours to force out, I suppose, the agony he felt inside.

I distractedly pat hisshoulder, then push him downwards onto the bed until he lies downthere, and pull the covers over him. I gesture him to roll on hisside and put his hands on my lap.

He obeys, soundless, numb,barely the shadow of the man he was last time I saw him.

I’ve been a fool.Evangelic duties or not, I shouldn’t have left him alone in theLouvre for so long.

His wits are remarkableand he has fierce adaptive instincts, it’s true. His knowledge ofnames, faces, facts and secrets is far greater than anyone suspects,and he has already managed to prepare the next three best profitablediplomatic moves for France regarding each significant force inEurope clear as day on maps and papers. He has made excellent use ofhis delicate speech and charming poise already, earning himself eyesand ears in places where his name hasn’t even been heard yet.

But this placeremains a nest of snakes and the Medici’s clique,even after Concini’s death, is still a bunch of the lowest breed ofhumanity. There will be no rest for him as long as she’s around,sweeping her salacious stare upon his skin.

I’ve been a fool.

Like it or not,Eminence’s nerves will need constant consideration, and my denyingthe strain our scheme for power is having on his sanity won’t helphim in any way. This kind of misjudgement is forbidden to me. As longas he’s not at the King’s right side day and night yet, he hasme, only me,to protect him from his foes, and from himself.

I’ve been a fool,a stupid fool.

Inept to speak my remorseotherwise, I carefully grab his wrists and kiss his abused knuckles four times with the same devotion I would have for the Christ’s ownshroud.

-“My Eminence.”Ibreathe against the stigmata of my mistakes, and he closes his eyesin sheer sorrow.

-“Please, Joseph!” Hecries. “I don’t deserve your care. I am not the man you see inme, I never will. Why do you keep pushing me upwards while I’m sovisibly worthless?”

Hell,I hate it when he speaks that way. Iknow it’s just his nerves talking, but mercy me, it feels like aninsult to the very face of the Lord.

-”Look at me,Ezechielli” He breathes, “look at me, I am a monster. This dreamwe have, God’s mission as you say, you would have accomplished itbetter on your own.”

-”Shut it.” I grumble,busying myself with the thin strips of bandage.

But he doesn’t hear, eyesblurred, face half-buried in his pillow, shivers of exhaustioncrawling up his spine.

-”Youcould be Cardinal, you could be Minister.” He raves on, adrift.“You already have the reputation of a Saint. I know your feet arebleeding too, Joseph, with the mortifications you impose yourself aspunishment for the sin you’ll never commit!”

-”Shutit, you idiot!” I yell, and hisshocked stare darts up to my face though a veil of tears.

I can’t look at himtoo long, because as he keeps praising my virtues while he drags hisown soul into the dust, he’s being so wrongI could slap him in the face.

-”I’ll tell youof my sins, Eminence.” I hiss, focusing on taking care of hiswounds instead. “I’ll tell you why it has to be youalone, right next to the Sun, beaming in red cardinality on the verypages of future history.”

He doesn’t say a word,lying frozen in his bed, his wide eyes fixed upon mine, his bleedinghands offered to my care with unquestioning trust, looking soinnocent I almost cannot breathe.

-”Do you know why Imortify myself?” I blurt out, transported. “Because I am acoward. Those sacrifices that need to be made to achieve our holypurpose, those sins that need to be committed for France to be rebornout of the dark ages into an era of light, those horrid acts, thosefilthy deeds, only you are brave enough to carry them out.”

-”Joseph…” He tries,his barely bandaged hand moving towards my face, but I fear his touchwould only turn me to dust, and I inch away from him.

-”I was the one toadvise you to seduce the Medici” I go on, cutting stripes of whitefabric with my teeth and wrapping them around his skin, “becausethe young King had not yet the strength to seize the power that wasowed to him, and if the influence we needed had to be given to you,alas, it could only be by this fat whore.”

-”Joseph, we bothagreed…”

-”Yes, we bothagreed, but I remain safely tucked in your shadow, pushing youforward to damnation while I relish in the comfortof being true to my holy vows!”

I hate the fact that myeyes tingle, but it is the truth of God spoken through my mouth, andas I brush a damp strand of hair off his worried brow, I feel onlyhumbled by the strength, the purity of him.

-”And here youare, my Eminence, your magnificent soul offered as sacrificial lambfor the sake of our vision, burdened with ailment and pain,misunderstood, despised and tortured. Here you are, oblivious to yourown martyrdom, elevating me to the heights of saints, so I beg you,for the love of God and everything you hold dear, right now, justbloody shut it.”

A single tear pools at thecorner of his eye before it sinks into the pillow. He complies tomy will and doesn’t speak at all, but the determination of this mancan’t be ignored as he makes a painful effort to haul himself up onhis wounded hands, stare into my eyes for a second and drop aninfinitely soft, trembling kiss on my cheek.

He lets himself fall backon the bed then, and gives me a tired smile.

I cross his brow, wipingfeverish sweat off his skin as I whisper :

-”Andthe peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard yourhearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“Amen”, he gentlysays, his voice devoid of all belief.

I expect him to sleep, Godknows I bloody would, but he insists upon me checking thecorrespondence he has prepared today for the officers and governorsof the South instead, since we need to know how many allies he couldcount on in his dearest, greatest endeavour: the utopia he calls theState.

I find myself, thus, goingback to the study to pick up his writing of the day, and sit on thatplain chair next to his bed to read it aloud, just like every otherdamn day.

I find both of usdiscussing probabilities and exchanging intel, clicking back into ournatural ways as if nothing happened, his cautious, analytical mindacting as the guardrail of my uncompromising impetus.

We agree upon a fewmodifications, that I write in the margins of his letters myself,since his reddened, throbbing hands are sealed in layers of bandages.

We agree, above all, uponthe fact that any further building of the State will have to waituntil the King is truly King, because no one in the Medici’sentourage has the even half of the ambition we need.

He sighs, then, thwartedby how far from reach his beloved dream remains.

Even in his own rooms inthe Royal Apartments of the Louvres, secured as the Queen Mother’slong-term favourite, even here, so far away from Luçon, from Blois,from exile and even disgrace, he’s still devoured by how incompletehe is.

A taste, a need forthe absolute. Heis destined for so much more, that’s all.

He’s destined for a placeright next to the Sun.

History is lying there inthis bed, locked within a brilliant mind, boiling to be given thepower it requires to change the balance of the whole continent,waiting in despair for a twenty years old man who still needs torealize he’s being robbed of his own crown.

History is lying there,sealed within a vibrant heart, already drawn towards the King byforces far beyond mankind, God’s mighty will showing itself inshining evidence through this man’s unquenchable feelings for youngLouis.

-”Be patient, Eminence.”I reassure him, stiffly patting his shoulder some more. “Soonenough, the red robes you deserve will be granted to you by thefilthy monster I made you crawl underneath, and each one of thosewounds will be atoned in glory.”

He bites his lips,smothering a bitter smile. I know he doesn’t share half of myfaith, but it’s not the first time my own conviction supports usboth, and it won’t be the last.

-“Withcardinality,” I hammer, ardent, “you will gain access to theRoyal Council, and I swear to you, all you’ll have to do, then, isspeak out those dreams you’ve been writing about for years. You’lljust have to talk, Eminence, and he willknow. He will see your worth. He’s no Bourbon if he doesn’t. He willsee you for who you are, and when he’ll grow strong enough to useyou, he’ll call you at his side, you, the only eagle that can flyright into the Sun. He’ll keep you under his protection, thegreatest servant he ever had, and he will love you then, I promiseyou, just as much as you love him.”

With that, he rasps aspiteful laugh, and blatantly rolls his eyes at me, shifting awayuntil he’s lying on his back, his hands carefully raised one inchabove the sheets.

I let out a dreamy smile,because, truly, can I blame him for his disdain?

-“You think Idon’t know what I’m talking about right?” I throw him, defiant.“How can a monk speak about love, well, learn, youngman, that I have been in love before.”

He has a small start,turning back towards me with wide, suspicious eyes, and his disbeliefisn’t truly a surprise. My tempted heart has been sealed long agoin a steel armour forged in the flames of faith and holy purpose, andthough this man is the only one I trust with my life, there are stillparts of my pastI kept hidden from his sight.

-“Would you think it sostrange,” I ask, laughing good-heartedly, “knowing I have been atthe Pluvinel Academy just like you, to think I too have known, in theblessed carelessness of my youth, the beauty of a woman?”

He sits up a little, then,his bright stare fixed upon me, and leans towards me in untaintedinterest, his own suffering forgotten in the raw curiosity his mindhas always been fuelled by.

-“What was hername?” He timidly asks, and I find myself stunned by how difficultit is to summon back her name to my lips.

-“Isabelle, Ithink.” I mutter, frowning in the struggle to recall her face fromthat part of my memories I left for dead so long ago. “She was theyoungest daughter of our neighbours in Montfort.”

I see him ready toask for more details, but I am not sure Ican remember much more, so I raise a finger in front of his nose andjust add:

-“Now, thecalling of God was already strong in my heart, but my mother and thatyoung girl were both resolute souls. There has been a day where I hadto lock myself in my room in Tremblay, while both women kept knockingon my door, reciting poetry, and imploring me to come out andaccompany them to a ball.”

He seems to make atremendous effort to picture that,and again, it’s only natural.

All I ever speak,all I ever act upon in his presence is God’s own will, from whatpour into my cup to every advice I ever give.

I have burned withthe Lord’s holy word since I learned how to read, yetunsure God’s plans for me until they were revealed to my face.Indeed, though I forgot everything about Isabelle, I remember thefirst time I saw those dark, fervent eyes all too well, in a squalidroom of the presbytery of Luçon, where his careful, yet ferventvoice felt already heavy the sound of glories to come.

I knew I couldn’tignore the glorious path that had been laid out for me anymore, then,and as I called him, “Eminence” was the only name my lips couldform.

-“You didn’tsuccumb.” He breathes, a bit admiring, perhaps.

-“Never.” Istate. “They went to that ball alone, while I sat in my roomcopying ‘The life of Saint Francis’. Twice.”

And before he even startsto snicker, my finger above his face turns into a stern warning.

-“And don’t rollyour eyes at me again, I still have your ‘Perfection of theChristian Man’ on my nightstand in Saint Honoré!”

At that he lets out hisfirst laugh, and I feel blessed already.

We share a few moments ofpeaceful silence, and I put the diplomatic letters away on the buffetto pick up the Bible instead, clearing my throat before I read a fewverses to him, in the hope of lulling him to sleep.

But before I do hesoftly pulls at my sleeve, flinching in pain as his fingers barelycan take a hold of the fabric, and nods at his hands with anguish.

-“This will neverheal until a few days.” He muses, his voice threatened by guiltagain. “Yet, I have managed to get myself invited to the Generalsreview ceremony tomorrow morning. The King will be there, you see,and the only pair of gloves I own will not hide those bandages.”

I look down at the layersof linen around his skin. Some of them are already stained in freshblood while others make his fingers too thick to fit in the tight,merciless satin gloves that came with the new robes.

I chuckle, then,because I can’t help it. God, inhis warning, has never led me astray.

I fumble in mypilgrim bag, the one I keep hanging on my shoulder at all times,giving as only answer to his questioning look:

-“Do you know why I wasat the Ursuline Convent this morning?”

-“For a sermon, Isuppose.” He tries.

-“Yes, but notonly.” I correct. “You will be delighted to know that SisterJeanne Espérance, who has been living there for twenty years now,besides being the most devout soul of her order, also happens to bethe best seamstress in Paris, especially with very fine leathers.”

I pull out a thincardboard case, then, and hand it over to him. Puzzled, he gentlypushes the lid open with the only side of his left thumb that’sstill undamaged, and gasps as he discovers, wrapped in delicatetissue, a pair of brand new black gloves.

-“It’s roe deerskin.” I explain. “Not as fashionable as the fancy silkennonsense worn at Court those days, but having the remarkableadvantage to be lenient withbumps and bruises.”

While I speak, Ilift Sister Jeanne’s excellent handiwork out of the box and gesturefor him to extend his hands again. I slowly, carefully slip theslightly extensible leather gloves on, taking my time around theworst of his wounds, until all signs of his burden are hidden fromthe world.

I admire the resultfor a while, then lift his fingers to my lips, murmuring my oath toembrace his curse at last as the necessary darkness to his light:

-“ AgnusDei, quitollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. »

He shakes his headin perplexity again, but sinks into the bedwith a reassured sigh all the same, smiling brightly at his glovesbefore his eyes flutter close and he falls asleep just like that,with his hands still in mine, wearing the token of my friendshiparound the marks of his martyrdom.

I stay with him, asI stayed so many other nights, perched on the side of his bed, myeyes fixed on his face with the same certainty I had as a child,gazing at the Christ Himself, as my journey had just begun, in theold house of Du Tremblay.

#Cardinal Richelieu #Father Joseph #french history #Louis XIII #13PROMPTS #prompt fic

23 notes · View notes