Jmj

Today, December 7, we members of the Catholic Church family honor, in a special way, the following friends of God -- saints whose souls are now in heaven:

St. Ambrose of Milan (German, nobleman, poet, orator, governor of Milan, archbishop [chosen while yet a catechumen!], Doctor of the Church, teacher of St. Augustine, d. 397)
St. Humbert of Igny (French, Benedictine abbot, d. 1148)
St. Mary Joseph Rosello [Maria Giuseppe ... baptized Benedetta] (Italian, sickly and poor child, Franciscan tertiary, foundress and superior of of Institute of the Daughters of Mercy, d. 1888 [canonized 1949])
St. Victor of Piacenza (Italian, bishop, d. 375)

If you have anything to share about these holy people, please reply now -- biographical episodes, prayers through their intercession, the fact that one is your patron saint -- whatever moves you. If you are interested in one of these saints and want to find out more about him/her, please ask. Information is sometimes available on the Internet.

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 07, 2001

Answers

[I need to take to heart the following words of wisdom from St. Ambrose, the "Honey-Tongued Doctor":]

"To avoid dissensions we should be ever on our guard, more especially with those who drive us to argue with them, with those who vex and irritate us, and who say things likely to excite us to anger. When we find ourselves in company with quarrelsome, eccentric individuals, people who openly and unblushingly say the most shocking things, difficult to put up with, we should take refuge in silence, and the wisest plan is not to reply to people whose behavior is so preposterous. Those who insult us and treat us contumeliously are anxious for a spiteful and sarcastic reply: the silence we then affect disheartens them, and they cannot avoid showing their vexation; they do all they can to provoke us and to elicit a reply, but the best way to baffle them is to say nothing, refuse to argue with them, and to leave them to chew the cud of their hasty anger. This method of bringing down their pride disarms them, and shows them plainly that we slight and despise them."

"No one heals himself by wounding another."

"Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies."

"The Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the Apostles among so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The Church's foundation is unshakable and firm against assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly beat upon the Church with crashing sounds, the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress."

"He who read much and understands much, receives his fill. He who is full, refreshes others. ... [L]et your words be rivers, clean and limpid, so that you may charm the ears of people. And by the grace of your words win them over to follow your leadership. ... [L]et the meaning of your words shine forth, let understanding blaze out. Let no word escape your lips in vain or be uttered without depth of meaning."

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 07, 2001.

Jmj

On December 7, we members of the Catholic Church family honor, in a special way, the following friends of God -- saints and blesseds whose souls are now in heaven:

St. Ambrose of Milan (German, nobleman, poet, orator, governor of Milan, archbishop [chosen while yet a catechumen!], Doctor of the Church, teacher of St. Augustine, d. 397)

St. Anianas of Chartres (French, bishop, 5th century)
St. Humbert of Igny (French, Benedictine abbot, d. 1148)
St. Mary Joseph Rosello of Albisola Marina [Maria Giuseppe] [baptized Benedetta] (Italian, sickly and poor child, Franciscan tertiary, foundress and superior of of Institute of the Daughters of Mercy, d. 1888 [canonized 1949])
St. Polycarp and Theodore of Antioch (Syrian?, early martyrs)
St. Servus (North African, tortured and martyred by Arian heretics in 484)
St. Victor of Piacenza (Italian, bishop, d. 375)

If you have anything to share about these holy people, please reply now -- biographical episodes, prayers through their intercession, the fact that one is your patron -- whatever moves you. If you are interested in one of these saints or blesseds and want to find out more about him/her, please ask. Information is sometimes available on the Internet.

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 06, 2003.