Subj : July 13th - Blessed Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago To : All From : rich Date : Mon Jul 12 2021 10:07:34 From: rich July 13th - Blessed Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago d.1963 Second of 5 children born to Manuel Baudilio Rodriguez and Herminia Santiago in 22 November 1918 at Caguas, Puerto Rico; one of his sisters is a Carmelite nun, one brother a Benedictine monk, the first Puerto Rican to be an abbot. At age 6, the family store and home were burned to the ground; they moved in with his mother's family, and Carlos spent time with his pious maternal grandmother Alexjandrina Esteras. At age 9 he wrestled a rabid dog that had snatched up his 1-year-old cousin, and was badly wounded in the fight; the cousin is now in his 70's. Suffered from ulcerative colitis from age 13, which interrupted a brilliant scholarly career; he completed high school, but it was several years before he could move on to college. Carlos never passed up a chance to serve as an altar boy. Worked as an office clerk until 1946. Tried to attend the University of Puerto Rico, but his health prevented it. After a few lessons, he taught himself to play piano and organ. Loved to spend days hiking in the countryside. Office clerk at Caguas, and at the University of Puerto Rico Agriculture Experiment Station. Translator, converting English documents to Spanish. Used his translating skills to write, and his modest salary to publish Liturgy and Christian Culture magazines. With the help of Father McWilliams, he founded a Liturgy Circle at Caguas. With Father McGlone, he organized the chorus Te Deum Laudamus. His principal apostolic work was at Catholic University Center, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico where he evangelized to students and teachers. Organized another Liturgy Circle (Circulo de Cultura Christiana: Christian Culture Circle). Published Christian Life Days to help university students enjoy liturgical seasons. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Christian Doctrine, Holy Name Society, and Knights of Columbus. His health declined further; he suffered from rectal cancer, and the misery of aggressive surgery and died in 1963. At one point he felt himself abandoned by God, but soon rediscovered his faith, and his enthusiasm. Puerto Rico's first blessed. Beatified in 29 April 2001 by Pope John Paul II; the miraculous cure of a patient's non-Hodgkins malignant lymphoma in 1981 is attributed to him; his Cause is unique, being carried forward by the laity. Canonization=E2=80=94pending Saint Quote: The study of inspired Scripture is the chief way of finding our duty, for in it we find both instruction about conduct and the lives of blessed men, delivered in writing, as some breathing images of godly living, for the imitation of their good works.=C2 Hence, in whatever respect each one feels himself deficient, devoting himself to this imitation, he finds, as from some dispensary, the due medicine for his ailment. -- Saint Basil the Great from a letter Bible Quote: And on the next day, a great multitude that was to come to the festival day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried: Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.=C2 (John 12:12-13) DRB <><><><> THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL (Imprimatur 1946) 7th Day PAIN OF SORROW FOR SIN =C2 =C2 The soul departed, before the judgment-seat of God, is enligh= tened with a perfect knowledge of the purity and sanctity of her Divine judge, clearly perceiving the stains with which she is sullied, and her extreme unworthiness of union with God. The thought: I have offended God, Who is everlasting beauty and perfection; I am not yet worthy to appear before the face of the Lord, Who is infinitely holy, not worthy to take possession of my dwelling-place in Heaven,-is the greatest sorrow of the suffering soul. Much more clearly than during their earthly lives do these holy souls comprehend the perfections of God, and love Him above all things; therefore the thought of having offended Him is a piercing sorrow which surpasses all their other sufferings. =C2 =C2 =C2 St. Ambrose tells us, there is no greater agony than re= morse of conscience caused by sin. There are examples on record, of men who died from the effects of this vehement sorrow. Yet, how much more intense must be the contrition of the suffering souls, who fully understand the great malice of sin! We know by our own experience that the depth of sorrow for having offended a person is equal to the love we bear him. The holy souls in Purgatory, being inflamed with a perfect love of God, their perfect contrition for sin is their greatest sorrow. Prayer: O God, Father of grace and mercy! graciously regard the deep sorrow of the suffering souls in Purgatory. Deign to accept their love, and grant them remission of their punishment, that, united with Thee, they may praise Thy goodness forever. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Special Intercession: Pray for the souls who, while on earth, loved God most ardently. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen.=C2 (Three times) Practice: Try to make an act of perfect contrition for your sins. Invocation: My Jesus, mercy! --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .