Archive for the ‘Saints’ Category.
May 9, 2013, 3:44 pm
The glorious Battle of Lepanto, in an ancient painting.
Pope Pius V’s feast day was recently celebrated on April 30.
Despite his tears and protests, Michele Ghisleri – better known as St. Pius V – was elected Pope in 1566. Born into a poor family, he was taken in by the Dominicans, who gave him his education, and eventually he joined the Order when he turned fifteen.
He was a virtuous and simple man, buying little for himself. Although he would travel from one town to another to hear confessions as a priest, he did not own a cloak. When asked about this he remarked, “Poor followers of the Gospel ought to be content with one tunic.” Continue reading ‘The Dominican Pope Pius V Showed Concern for Christendom and Zeal Against Heresy’ »
April 12, 2013, 11:02 pm
At right: Ancient manuscript illustration showing four events in the life of St. Stanislaus.
As Americans observe the foreboding specter of the government’s demands of the Catholic Church to violate its principles, we have no further to look than St. Stanislaus as an example of one who stood firmly for the faith, even unto his death.
One of Poland’s most prominent saints, St. Stanislaus, was heroic as both bishop and martyr. In the eleventh century, Boleslaw II ruled as king of Poland. After a series of military victories and successes, Boleslaw gained much renown among his people, but his character was flawed by cruelty and unbridled lust. After he carried off the wife of one of his own noblemen, the only person to dare chastise him was Stanislaus, the archbishop of Cracow.
Stanislaus had previously confronted the king over land belonging to the Church, which the king had taken for himself, and Boleslaw did not respond well to these criticisms. Although he condemned the king’s deeds, as a shepherd of the Church, Stanislaus tried to encourage Boleslaw to grow in holiness. Continue reading ‘St. Stanislaus, Martyr, Defied the King and Defended the Faith’ »
May 24, 2012, 1:00 am
Blessed Jordan of Saxony relates the drama of the opening of the coffin.
The translation of a saint’s body refers to the ceremony surrounding its being moved from one place to another, usually to a higher-status location. The following is from the Dominican Office of Readings, and is from the letters of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, second Master General of the Order of Preachers, and patron of Dominican vocations. The translation occurred on May 24, 1233, and its feast is celebrated the same day. Read also our post on the translation “ ’Aroma of Christ’ Noted at the Moving of St. Dominic.”
[To all the brothers of the Order of Preachers whom he loves in the beloved Son of God, Brother Jordan, humble Master and Servant of the same Order, wishes health and eternal joy.]
In its unsearchable wisdom the divine goodness is often accustomed to delay the manifestation of virtue, not that it might slip into oblivion, but rather that after having been hidden, it may be revealed more abundantly at an opportune moment. Whether God wished to so provide greater benefits for the Church or whether for some other reason, certain brothers whose simplicity outweighed their prudence decided that it would be quite sufficient if the glory of Saint Dominic, the servant of the Most High and the founder of the Order of Preachers, were known to God alone. They decided it was not worth the effort to bring that glory to the attention of others.
However, some thought otherwise, but offered no opposition since they were fainthearted. So it was that for nearly twelve years the glory of our blessed Father Dominic remained hidden, with little regard for his holiness. The treasure was hidden and of no use to anyone. Dominic’s virtue had been demonstrated many times, but it had been covered over by the negligence of his sons. Continue reading ‘Feast of the Translation of the Body of St. Dominic, May 24’ »
