Appreciating God’s Grace
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Be grateful, therefore, for the least gift and you will be worthy to receive a greater. Consider the least gift as the greatest, the most contemptible as something special. And, if you but look to the dignity of the Giver, no gift will appear too small or worthless. Even though He gives punishments and scourges, accept them, because He acts for our welfare in whatever He allows to befall us.
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He who desires to keep the Grace of God ought to be grateful when it is given and patient when it is withdrawn. Let him pray that it return; let him be cautious and humble lest he lose it.
(Imitation of Christ— Thomas a Kempis, Book II, Chapter ten)
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Blessed Francis of Fabriano OFM, Priest of the Order of the Friars Minor, theologian, spiritual writer, renowned preacher–born Francesco Venimbeni in Ancona, Italy and died on 22 April 1322 of natural causes, aged 70.+
Francis was born in the year 1251 in the city of Fabriano (Ancona). His father was a physician in that city and highly esteemed, not only because of his medical ability but still more, because of his love for the poor and afflicted and his sincere piety. Daily, little Francis recited the Divine Office and was proficient in Latin before he was ten.
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To the great joy of his parents, Francis gave evidence of the finest talents, an alert understanding, and a meek and devout temperament.
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As a boy Blessed Francis of Fabriano had a very serious illness which brought him to death’s door. Then the pious mother vowed to make a pilgrimage to the grave of St Francis of Assisi and at once, the illness took a turn for the better.
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In Assisi the venerable Brother Angelo, one of the first associates of Saint Francis, saw the lovely boy and foretold to the mother that he would later be his companion in the order. In consequence, Francis won the commitment and love of his parents more and more.
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The boy’s desire for learning and his great progress were especially pleasing to his father. When he had reached his seventeenth year, he experienced a strong impulse to consecrate himself to God in the Order of St Francis and his pious parents gave their consent.
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In 1267, he completed his humanities and philosophical studies before Francis entered the Franciscan convent at Fabriano and there, under the excellent direction of Father Gratian, later minister general of the entire order, Blessed Francis of Fabriano was instructed in all the conventual virtues.
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He applied himself to theological studies and purchased – with his father’s own funds – a handsome scale of books and other publications for the convent. He loved to call it the “best workshop in the convent” and its catalogue contains works of the Church Fathers as well as mathematicians and preachers.
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There were also works of theological and biblical commentators. Mark of Lisbon OFM (died 1622) Franciscan Historian and the Bishop of Porto in Portugal, dubbed the friar as a “most learned man and renowned preacher.”
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In order to gain the Portiuncula indulgence he went to Assisi and there, he heard from the trusted companion of Saint Francis, Brother Leo, who was still living, how this popular indulgence had been given and also how the stigmata had been bestowed. Concerning both these facts Francis later wrote a book, which still serves as evidence.
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Blessed Francis died on 22 April 1322 and had predicted the date of his own death. He is buried in Fabriano. The beatification for the late friar was celebrated on 1 April 1755 after Pope Pius VI approved the late friar’s “cultus.”
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see this
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Saint Quote of the day:
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“For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the merciful
word, by forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no
word, then pray–that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And
when the Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this
basis we shall receive the eternal verdict.”
–Saint Faustina Kowalska
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Bible Quote:
“Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst
of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not” (Luke
24:36).
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Training your soul
Your life has been given to you mainly for the purpose of training your soul. This life we live is not so much for the body as for the soul. We often choose the way of life that best suits the body, not the way that best suits the soul. God wants you to choose what suits the soul as well as the body. Accept this belief and a wonderful molding of character is the result. Reject it and God’s purpose for your life is frustrated, and your spiritual progress is delayed. Your soul is being trained by the good you choose. Thus the purpose of your life is being accomplished.
–From Twenty-Four Hours a Day
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The Course of Truth
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
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“Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly,
not to all the people but unto witnesses chosen before God.”
WHEN royal Truth, released from mortal throes,
Burst His brief slumber and triumphant rose,
Ill had the Holiest sued
A patron multitude,
Or courted Tetrarch’s eye, or claim’d to rule
By the world’s winning grace, or proofs from learned school.
But, robing Him in viewless air, He told
His secret to a few of meanest mould;
They in their turn imparted
The gift of men pure-hearted,
While the brute many heard His mysteries high,
As some strange fearful tongue, and crouch’d, they knew not why.
Still is the might of Truth, as it has been,
Lodged in the few, obey’d and yet unseen.
Rear’d on lone heights and rare,
His saints their watch-flame bear,
And the mad world sees the wide-circling blaze,
Vain searching whence it streams and how to quench it’s rays.
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Malta
24 December 1832
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