Jesus said to the Pharisees:“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linenand dined sumptuously each day.And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scrapsthat fell from the rich man’s table.Dogs even used to come and lick …
“The mitigation of the Rule did not accomplish all that was expected. In theory, the double life seems to have been provided for; in practice, however, after a period of fervent progress, the active life seemed to destroy the contemplative. In the succeeding century this discrepancy gave rise to grave misgivings among the more contemplative …
Today, March 16, is the commemoration of Blessed John de Sordis. John was born in Cremona, Italy in 1125. His parents Evangelista and Berta were from the nobility. His father died early, and so his mother married nobleman Adam Cacciafronte. Adam was a very loving stepfather and treated him like his own son, giving him …
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,and said to them on the way,“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priestsand the scribes,and they will condemn him to death,and hand him over to the Gentilesto be mocked and …
“On the question of abstinence some interesting points were raised before the final decision was effected. From the report of the discussions, all were in agreement of the importance and necessity of abstinence as an essential of the Rule, but the representatives of the Order advocated abstinence from wine in place of abstinence from meat. …
Today, March 15, is the commemoration of Saint Clement Hofbauer. Born in 1751 in present-day Czech Republic, Clement felt called to become a priest early in life. However, his family could not afford such an education. After his father’s death, he then worked as a journeyman, apprentice baker, and househelp at the Norbertine Abbey. He …
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,“The scribes and the Phariseeshave taken their seat on the chair of Moses.Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,but do not follow their example.For they preach but they do not practice.They tie up heavy burdens hard to carryand lay them on people’s shoulders,but …
“When St. Simon petitioned Pope Innocent IV for a mitigation of the original Rule, the Pope appointed as advisers two Dominicans, one of whom was the famous Hugo of St. Cher, the other William, Titular Bishop of Andorra. Two representatives were also appointed by the Order. It is probable one of these was Fr. Peter …
Today, March 14, is the commemoration of Blessed Thomas Vives. Little is known about this humble member of the Mercedarian Order. He was sent to Tunis (Africa) to do mission, but was instead met with resistance by the anti-Christian forces in the area. For five years he was imprisoned there. He spent his remaining days …
Jesus said to his disciples:“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged.Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.Forgive and you will be forgiven.Give and gifts will be given to you;a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,will be poured into your lap.For the measure with …