#peter alcantara

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Peter of Alcantara

1499-1562

Feast Day: October 19

Patronage: night watchmen, Eucharistic adoration, Brazil, Estremadura Spain

Saint Peter of Alcantara was a Spanish Franciscan friar of noble birth. He was friends of many 16th century saints including St Teresa of Avila who he was her confessor. Peter was a priest, mystic, writer, preacher, and provincial of the Observant Franciscans. He worked towards church reform, starting with himself, practicing severe penances and patience. At times he only ate once in 3 days and sleeping 90 min. a night. He started the Alcantarine reforms, which followed a stricter order of the rule of St. Francis. He died while praying on his knees.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[cvbarroso]

Hodie XIX octobris… Sancti Petri de Alcantara, Sacerdotis ex Ordine Minorum et Confessoris.

[millythegoat]

Unhinged moments during that  clown derby

Thiago almost having a breakdown because Milly left his post 💀

“yes we’ll look at that alleged handball” Naby: “yippiee!!!”

VAR: NO PENALTY. The bench:

Milly getting away with another murder 💀

the way the ball bounced off from Ibou’s head 💀💀💀

[eternal-echoes]

“Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has His hands full of graces, and He is ready to bestow them on anyone who asks for them.”

- St. Peter of Alcantara

[incomingalbatross]

Thinking about the choice to stay being the heart of love

“Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” St. Matt. xxviii. 20. Thus our loving Shepherd, who has given His life for us who are His sheep, would not separate Himself from us by death. Behold Me, He says, beloved sheep, I am always with you; for you I have remained on earth in this Sacrament; here you find Me whenever you please, to help and console you by My presence; I will not leave you until the end of the world, as long as you are on earth. The Bridegroom, says St. Peter of Alcantara, wished to leave His Bride company, that she might not remain alone during so long an absence; and therefore He left this Sacrament, in which he Himself, the best companion He could leave her, remains.

—St. Alphonsus Ligouri, Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary

[anastpaul]

Our Morning Offering – 5 March – Hear Me, O Lord By St Peter of Alcantara

Our Morning Offering – 5 March – Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent Hear Me, O LordBy St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562) Hear me, O Lord,my soul’s delight,joy of my heart,not because of my meritsbut because of Thy boundless goodness.Teach me, enlighten me, direct me,help me in all thingsthat I may never sayor do anythingbut that which I knowto be pleasing in Thou sight.Guide me, O God,my Love, my…

[theopulenthq]

Plot Drop: Dishonor In The Court

After rigorous interrogations and pitiful conditions, members of the French and Flortentian kingdoms are released from their prison cells due to there being no conclusive evidence... though, the eyes of court remain on them. Still, there is a number of criminals to bring to justice yet, and the pre-Tribunal awaits. The solicitors build their cases, selected their jurors, and the promise of honor hangs in the air ahead of the pre-Tribunal. For those who have something to hide, this the last night before all bets are off, and every secret stands to be revealed.

But there is dishonor in the court, and it starts the evening before the pre-Tribunal.

(TW: Violence, Murder)

The Night Before the Pre-Tribunal

A seemingly ordinary evening in The Paco Imperial Palace, though guards remain on high alert following the escape of many French criminals. It is well past the witching hour when an organized group of masked mercenaries subvert De Alcantara’s well-positioned prison guards. The ripple effect of the string of escapees force the hand of those who chose violence. The targeted prisoners are roused by swords at their throats. “We have come to enact true justice.” They proclaim, forcing their way into each cell, until Madhavan Parkash and Rishabh Sundar of the Mughal Empire are identified. “Our home sends their regards.” They heed, prepared to execute the two accused, pockets heavy with Indian rupees. A struggle ensues, with the pair fighting for their lives. By the time palace authorities come to investigate, it is too late. The mercenaries are gone, with only a handful of Indian rupees and a Mughal Empire-forged blade found at the scene. Madhavan is dead, and Rishabh is comatose in the infirmary. The Mughal Empire strikes, and from it, comes the unraveling. Were they avenging their former fallen Empresses... or were they protecting their own secrets?

However, it was not only the Mughal Empire who had taken to the cover of night to slate a bloodlust. Undiscovered until the next morning, there was another assassin - one much quieter, clean. Kaiden Nelson of Cardiff was killed at some point in the night, and the scene appears to be entirely undisturbed save for one missing item of the soldier's. A stack of letters & a page of stamps - three missing. In the letters, contained information valuable to the Scottish Rebellion, and one may wonder who received the first three.

The Day of the Pre-Tribunal

Accused and all-but-proven of interfering with justice and acting against the diplomatic will of the countries in attendance, the members of the Mughal Empire are immediately confined to their apartments to sit out the Pre-Tribunal. An investigation will be held, and whoever knew of the violent storm of the prisons would be charged, tried, and sentenced as well. Panic strikes the early morning, and many whisper - “Surely the pre-tribunal cannot happen now!” Despite the panicked sentiment, those most invested in justice following the Reckoning demand to see it through. The Pre-Tribunal will carry on as planned, and the Grand Jury Hall is prepared. Everyone - from royals, nobles, to staff, is required to be in attendance, excluding the Mughal Empire, of course. 

The first of the accused to stand trial is Takuda Toshiko of Japan/Hong Kong. A spy at Japanese court and cousin to the reigning Emperor. After thorough examination of the facts and a lengthy interrogation, Takuda cracks and confesses, shaken by the attack on Rishabh. Takuda confesses to murdering the former Emperor and Empress of Japan, and promises full cooperation in the investigation in exchange for lighter sentencing for Rishabh if she recovers from the night before. When asked for a motive - he said nothing.

Verdict: Guilty - Held in prison, awaiting Emperor Kaito’s decision on sentencing. 

The second of the accused to stand trial is Peter Hermann of Scotland/Germany. A former groundskeeper of Scotland and current resident of Germany. Peter stands accused of involvement in the death of the former generation of rulers; the deceased rulers of Scotland and Germany. The evidence pointing towards Peter's involvement in both the Reckoning and the death of the former German leaders is overwhelming, with little reasonable doubt.

Verdict: While it also appears that Peter was lying about his lack of involvement with the Scottish rulers, as his story continued to change and the details muddled - he was finally found not guilty for the murder of the former Scottish rulers. He was, however, found guilty for the murder of Germany's King & Queen. Sentencing decisions will be left up to the Hatzfeld's - a fact that the Scottish section greatly opposed.

Swords were drawn, shouts rang out, and justice was demanded - Scotland & Germany yelling at one another across the courtroom. Order was barely restored just before blood spilled, with a promise for a further investigation to be held deeper to the crimes against Scotland by Peter's hand.

The third of the accused to stand trial is Meryem Adin of Turkey/China. Long-time mistress to the former, ruling Sultan of Turkey (father to the current generation of Adbul's). Recently, Meryem confessed to falsifying evidence against the former Sultan of Persia to influence Turkey's attack on his life, in order to fan the flames of a Persian/Turkish conflict. She has claimed to have taken refugee safely in China ever since.

Meryem swore to tell the truth, with no motivation to keep secrets any longer. Much to the detriment of Turkey, Persia, China, and even Madagascar. The court waits with bated breath. But a different sound comes; Meryem shrieks in pain, collapsing on the floor and left undone. The guards make haste to her body, quick to inspect the goblet of water placed at the stand. Poison. She was dead. Though first assumed to be of Madagascar origin - it is revealed that is a copycat design, of lesser potency. If Meryem had been in better health, she would have survived and the secrets she had to spill would be known.

Verdict: No verdict. Meryem is deceased before trial can commence.

The shocking spectacle of continued death & murder leads to absolute chaos. Screams of accusation are hurled - finding home mostly with those in Persia and Turkey. Everyone comes to a stand, and all form of order is lost. The remaining prisoners are ushered quickly off to the side, to return to the dungeons. But as panic ensues and confusion reigns, opportunity is seized. Those with a score to settle find their opportunity to do so, as swords clash and tempers rise. A single dagger, undoubtedly from where the Scottish court & staff huddled together, flew with impeccable aim across the courtroom, and found it's lethal target in Peter. Another down.

Amidst the fray of chaos and despair, it is the kingdoms of Egypt and Norway that break through the frenzy. Calling for order, the nations highlight their diplomacy (or perhaps, their self-interest) by putting an end to the violence and demanding stricter punishment. With less than half of the criminals they started the Tribunal with, the decision is made to end the pre-Tribunal. With many terrified and injured, a new curfew is issued to the guests - no one is allowed out of their chambers past 10pm, and to leave the palace, everyone must sign in and out with the guards.

The remaining criminals awaiting trial are Gabriel Cuvelier, Sabino Montez, Lao Patalung, and Pascal Rakotoson - and Rishabh Sundar, if she makes a recovery.

OOC details under the cut!

The events of the plot drop take place in the last week of June. We are still in the month of June in-character. You can continue to write threads during this timeline. Please do not progress your threads more than a week after the pre-Tribunal into the month of July in-game.

If you wish, you can opt for your muses to take action during the chaos of the pre-Tribunal. This includes; getting into a fight, small injuries, causing some mayhem, or taking cover where they can. All we ask is that any major plots, such as; extensive injuries, extensive harm to other muses, or anything that would impact the events following the chaos are discussed with the admin team. We encourage you to come up with your own ideas, theories, and plots to bring to us if this drop inspired you to do so!

Have fun! Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. With the admin team going into a busy season/hiatus in the near future - this will be the major plot event (including mini drops) for a few weeks!

Next up is a location change - expect a vote on our new location in the next week or two!

[momentsbeforemass]

John of Avila

Think of the great Saints of the Renaissance.

St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church and author of The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle. St. John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church author of The Dark Night of the Soul. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. St. Francis Borgia, superior general of the Jesuits. St. Peter of Alcantara, reformer of the Franciscans. St. Thomas of Villanova, archbishop of Valencia. St. John de Ribera. St. John of God.

It's a list of reformers and mystics, bishops and soldiers, firebrand preachers and quiet scholars.

What do they all have in common?

One person. Today’s saint, John of Avila.

All of them, at one point or another in their lives, were helped by John.

Whether it was a long-standing friendship, a professional correspondence, or just a moment when they needed someone in their corner, John was there for them.

And their contact with John was a life changer. Not because John was brilliant. Not because he knew the perfect thing to say. Not because he solved all their problems.

John was a life changer because he used the gifts that God gave him to support, to nurture, to encourage others.

If John found out you were struggling, he would reach out to you.

If there was something John could do to help you, he would.

And if you just needed someone to listen, John was there for you.

To be a source of hope and sign of God’s love in your life.

That’s what John did, in so many different ways, for the people in his life. And because he did it not in his own wisdom and strength, but in the grace and peace of God – the people in his life went on to become saints and to do things that we’re still talking about 500 years later.

Here’s where it gets personal. God’s call to you and me? It’s the same as His call to John.

God is calling you and me to be to be life changers for the people in our lives.

Just like John, God isn’t calling us to be brilliant, to have all the answers, or to solve all the problems.

God is calling us to support, to nurture, to encourage the people in our lives.

To reach out, to help, to listen. To be there. Not in our own wisdom and strength, but in the grace and peace of God.

To be a source of hope and sign of God’s love in their lives.

To be their John of Avila.

Today’s Readings

[nicklloydnow]

“You are lost if saints don't disgust you. Saintliness is systematic insomnia, the heart perpetually awake. Suppressing sleep is a confessed ambition: thus Peter of Alcantara, whom Teresa of Avila knew personally, and who was acclaimed as a saint while still alive, for forty years did not sleep for more than one and a half hour each night. Fasting and sleeplessness are required conditions for sainthood.

Saintliness is a negative sort of perfection. I love life too much to attain it. Because of my reserves of health, I remain a heavenly interloper. There are illnesses that can only be treated with a good dose of divinity, but I prefer the alleviation of pain provided by earthly tranquilizers. I don't have the gift of infinite joy and pain which used to throw Saint Teresa of Avila and Angela da Foligno into ecstasy. I am healthy, that is I can stand and talk about God, not fall down at the very thought of him. What a heavy price one must pay for one's health!” - Emil Cioran, ‘Tears and Saints’ (1937) [page 60]

Gwyneth Paltrow, photographed by Steven Klein, ‘W Magazine’ (September 2007)

[portraitsofsaints]

Happy Feast Day  Saint Peter of Alcantara 1499-1562 Feast Day: October 19 Patronage: night watchmen, Eucharistic adoration, Brazil, Estremadura Spain

Saint Peter of Alcantara was a Spanish Franciscan friar of noble birth. He was friends of many 16th century saints including St Teresa of Avila who he was her confessor. Peter was a priest, mystic, writer, preacher, and provincial of the Observant Franciscans. He worked towards church reform, starting with himself, practicing severe penances and patience. At times he only ate once in 3 days and sleeping 90 min. a night. He started the Alcantarine reforms, which followed a stricter order of the rule of St. Francis. He died while praying on his knees. {website}

[tinyshe]

Here are 27 quotes on the Most Precious Blood

“Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious It is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world.”~Pope Clement

“Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.” ~St Catherine of Siena.

“No! the chastisements of God are not yet at an end; still more sorrowful times are ahead; and divine justice will be placated by the devotion to the Blood of Jesus Christ.” ~St. Gaspar del Bufalo

“Devotion to the Precious Blood is the devotion of our time . . . It is a devotion for all souls, for the whole world.” ~Pope John XXIII

“This Blood that but one drop of has the power to win all the world forgiveness of its world of sin.” ~St. Thomas Aquinas.”  

“Sometimes let us kindle in our souls an ardent affection, considering his great affection towards us, which upon the cross he declared and manifested to the whole world. And the benefit which he bestowed upon us in his passion, because he bought us with the inestimable price of his precious blood, of which only, we reap the benefit and commodity.” ~St. Peter of Alcantara

“Every time a creature offers up the Blood by which he was redeemed, he offers a gift of infinite worth, which can be equalled by no other.” ~St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

“Blood of Christ, inebriate me.” ~St Ignatius of Loyola.

“I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love.” ~ St Ignatius of Antioch

“This blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. This blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church.” ~St John Chrysostom.

“Don’t hold yourselves cheap, seeing that the creator of all things and of you estimates your value so high, so dear, that he pours out for you every day the most precious blood of his only-begotten Son.” ~St Augustine

“I adore You, O Precious Blood of Jesus, flower of creation, fruit of virginity, ineffable instrument of the Holy Spirit, and I rejoice at the thought that You came from the drop of virginal blood on which eternal Love impressed its movement; You were assumed by the Word and deified in His person. I am overcome with emotion when I think of Your passing from the Blessed Virgin’s heart into the heart of the Word, and, being vivified by the breath of the Divinity, becoming adorable because You became the Blood of God.” ~St Albert the Great

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his, grace” ~Ephesians 1:7

“You heard me, only Friend whom I love.To ravish my heart, you became man.You shed your blood, what a supreme mystery!” ~St Therese de Lisieux

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God?”  ~Hebrews 9:14

“O adorable Blood of Jesus, wash our stains, save us from the anger of the avenging angel. Irrigate the Church; make her fruitful with Apostles and miracle-workers, enrich her with souls that are holy, pure and radiant with divine beauty.” ~St Albert the Great

“Upon receiving Holy Communion, the Adorable Blood of Jesus Christ really flows in our veins and His Flesh is really blended with ours.” ~St John Vianney

“We are living in times in which the divine Blood must cleanse the entire world.” ~St Gaspar

“If every evening, before we retire, we would ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to offer to God the Precious Blood of her Divine Son Jesus for the intention that thereby one mortal sin which might be committed somewhere that night might be prevented, and if every morning this offering were renewed from day to day, we could prevent many mortal sins.” ~Fr. Faber

“You come to me and unite Yourself intimately to me under the form of nourishment. Your Blood now runs in mine, Your Soul, Incarnate God, compenetrates mine, giving courage and support. What miracles! Who would have ever imagined such!”  ~St Maximilian Kolbe

“How is it that we do not die of love in seeing that God Himself could do no more than shed His divine blood for us drop by drop?” ~St Teresa of the Andes

“Jesus has given us His Blood even to the last drop. What is there left to do? Jesus is a victim. Behold I am ready, O my God, to be a victim of love!” St Gaspar

“It is in this Blood that He has laid up His blessings for us, as in a storehouse. This is true, not only of spiritual blessings, but of all blessings whatsoever.” ~Fr. Faber

“O my Most Sweet Jesus, O Jesus, Eternal High Priest, keep Thy priests in the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where no one can hurt them. Keep their anointed hands unsullied, which daily handle Thy Sacred Body. Keep pure the lips which are reddened with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unworldly their hearts which are sealed with the sublime token of Thy glorious priesthood. Cause them to grow in love and loyalty to Thee and protect them from the contamination of the world. With their power of transforming bread and wine, give them the power of transforming hearts. Bless their work with rich fruit and grant them one day the crown of eternal life. Amen.” ~St Teresa of Avila

“Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.” ~St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

Precious Blood Resources

Devotion to the Precious Blood by Fr.  Max Walz

Glories of the Precious Blood by  Fr. Max Walz

The Precious Blood: The Price of Our Salvation by Fr. Faber

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (March 5)

John Joseph of the Cross (15 August 1654 – 5 March 1739; not to be confused with John of the Cross; born Carlo Gaetano Calosinto) was an Italian priest and a professed member from the Order of Friars Minor who hailed from the island of Ischia.

Self-denial is never an end in itself but is only a help toward greater charity — as the life of Saint John Joseph shows.

John Joseph was very ascetic even as a young man. He devoted himself even at his youngest years to a life of poverty and fasting.

At 16, he joined the Franciscans in Naples. He was the first Italian to follow the reform movement of Saint Peter Alcantara.

John’s reputation for holiness prompted his superiors to put him in charge of establishing a new friary even before he was ordained.

Obedience moved John to accept appointments as novice master, guardian and, finally, provincial.

His years of mortification enabled him to offer these services to the friars with great charity.

As guardian, he saw himself with no higher privilege and insisted on working in the kitchen or carrying the wood and water needed by the friars.

When his term as provincial expired, John Joseph dedicated himself to hearing confessions and practicing mortification, two concerns contrary to the spirit of the dawning Age of Enlightenment.

John Joseph was beatified by Pope Pius VI on 24 May 1789. He was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI on 26 May 1839.

He is the patron saint of Ischilia, Italy, the place where he was born.

[terciariosfranciscanos]

St. Peter of Alcantara preaching

Antonio Elenetti––1737

[momento-hashbrowni]

Propers of the Mass, Feast of St. Paschal Baylon

St. Paschal was born at the height of the Golden Age of Spanish Catholicism, sharing the century with the likes of Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, Francis Solano, and Salvator of Horta. He was born on Pentecost to a pious peasant family at Torrehermosa, Aragon, and for the timing was named Paschal (Pascua in Spanish).

From ages 7 to 24, he served as a shepherd. He would pray on the job and paid special attention to the churchbell for the Elevation of the Eucharist. Throughout those years, he would begin his self-mortification, which would culminate in his entry into the Franciscan Order as a Friar Minor (lay brother) in 1564.

Honest, generous, and enthusiastic about devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, he is a proper role model. He wrote regularly, often on the Blessed Sacrament, encouraging devotion to the Eucharist. During a trip to France, he defended the Real Presence against a Calvinist preacher while in the midst of the preacher's Calvinish (unsurprisingly hostile) congregation.

He died in 1592. Due to miracles associated with his burial site, he was canonized in 1690. He is patron of shepherds and since 1897 has been patron of all Eucharistic Congresses and Societies. He's patron of other things, but those were the most prominent things I found, so that's what I'll list here. Post-Vatican 2, he's only observed in a limited capacity in local calendars.

St. Paschal Baylon, pray for us.

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT PASCHAL BAYLÓN The Saint of the Blessed Sacrament Feast Day: May 17

In Paschal’s lifetime the Spanish empire in the New World was at the height of its power, though France and England were soon to reduce its influence. The 16th century has been called the Golden Age of the Church in Spain, for it gave birth to Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, Francis Solano, and Salvator of Horta.

Paschal’s Spanish parents were poor and pious. Between the ages of seven and 24 he worked as a shepherd and began a life of mortification. He was able to pray on the job and was especially attentive to the church bell, which rang at the Elevation during Mass. Paschal had a very honest streak in him. He once offered to pay owners of crops for any damage his animals caused!

In 1564, Paschal joined the Friars Minor and gave himself wholeheartedly to a life of penance. Though he was urged to study for the priesthood, he chose to be a brother. At various times he served as porter, cook, gardener, and official beggar.

Paschal was careful to observe the vow of poverty. He would never waste any food or anything given for the use of the friars. When he was porter and took care of the poor coming to the door, he developed a reputation for great generosity. The friars sometimes tried to moderate his liberality!

Paschal spent his spare moments praying before the Blessed Sacrament. In time, many people sought his wise counsel. People flocked to his tomb immediately after his burial; miracles were reported promptly. Paschal was canonized in 1690 and was named patron of eucharistic congresses and societies in 1897.

[brother-joseph]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Saint Paschal Baylon Pamphlet/Minibook, by Bob and Penny Lord.