St. Claude de la Columbiere
Kat posted the following this morning about a great saint, St. Claude de la Columbiere(1641-1682). He was one of John Paul II's favorite saints. I highly recommend his book, "The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude de la Columbiere". Thanks, Kat!
"This is a special day for the Jesuits, who claim today's saint as one of their own. It's also a special day for people who have a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - a devotion Claude la Columbiere promoted, along with his friend and spiritual companion, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The emphasis on God's love for all was an antidote to the rigorous moralism of the Jansenists, who were popular at the time.
Claude showed remarkable preaching skills long before his ordination in 1675. Two months later he was made superior of a small Jesuit residence in Burgundy. It was there he first encountered Margaret Mary Alacoque. For many years after he served as her confessor.
He was next sent to England to serve as confessor to the Duchess of York. He preached by both words and by the example of his holy life, converting a number of Protestants. Tensions arose against Catholics and Claude, rumored to be part of a plot against the king, was imprisoned. He was ultimately banished, but by then his health had been ruined.
He died in 1682. Pope John Paul the Second canonized Claude de la Columbiare in 1992."
posted by Fr Greg @ 11:50 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
On the discussion the other day about truth v. feelings, are we saying that faith rests entirely in the intellect? I ask because that's not the impression I get from true believers.
Well, faith is the virtue by which we believe in Christ. And though people talk about believing something in their hearts, knowing the truth in their bones, and so forth, it really is only the intellect that is able to do the actual assenting.
Lots of people have explanations about why they believe in Christ. Some explanations are intellectual, some are emotional. But though an argument or an experience can be a cause of faith, it isn't faith itself. Faith is believing someone else about something you yourself can't see, not an interpretation of an experience or a conclusion of an argument.
After being interviewed
By the school administration,
The eager teaching prospect
Said:
"Let me see
If I've got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids,
And
Fill their every waking moment with a love for learning,
And
You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases,
Check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and
Raise their self esteem.
You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote,
How to balance a checkbook,
And
How to apply for a job.
make sure the students pass the state exams,
Even those who don't come to school regularly or
Complete any of their assignments.
Plus,
I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps
Get an equal education
Regardless
Of the extent of their mental
Or physical handicap.
I am to communicate regularly with the parents
and am supposed to this with just
A piece of chalk,
A computer,
A few books,
A bulletin board,
A big smile
AND
On a starting salary
That qualifies my family
For food stamps!
You want me
To do all of this
And
Then you tell me...
I CAN'T PRAY?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does anyone know why people don't encourage their sons or daughters to enter the priesthood or religious life. I know my mom tried with my brother (only son) but he just wasn't interested so she gave up.
Oh to add to the above. By not asking me to join the religious order I think she did them a favor (LOL) she knows I can barely sit through an hour of Eucharistic Adoration!
Since school was out yesterday I watched the Oprah Winfrey show. She had John Edwards the psychic on her program. He was doing readings for people who wanted to get in contact with their dead loved ones. Although the show itself was fascinating I was wondering this whole act of talking to the dead must be dangerous as a malevolent spirit could come through and do some real damage.
She also had Alison Dubois on her program who is both a medium and a psychic. Alison works for the police department finding missing people. Apparently she is very good at her work and has helped out the police department a great deal. There is also a tv show about her called "The Medium"
Could someone comment on the church's position on all this.
Thanks
On the question about parents encouraging sons to become priests, I think that it has to come from within the person. When it comes to numbers of priests, quality is just as important, if not more so, as quantity. Priests play such important roles and therefore have the opportunity to do much good but also much harm. If a man feels a calling to a vocation, parents and others can listen and support, but the drive should be his own, inspired by God.
I agree. Prieshood is a calling like any other calling in life. Quality is what matters not quantity. I would rather travel miles to go to Church to hear a priest that truly believes and feels what he is saying than have one priest for every five blocks.
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