Subj : June 16th - Saint Benno of Meissen To : All From : rich Date : Fri Jun 15 2018 10:19:02 From: rich June 16th - Saint Benno of Meissen (Also known as Benedict) Memorial 16 June formerly 3 August (1010-1106) Saint Benno worked throughout his long life to reform the Church, supported the legitimacy of the Pope at a time when the papacy was being politically attacked, suffered persecution and exile, and worked numerous miracles. Saint Benno remains one of the most venerated saints throughout Germany. Benno was born to a noble family in Saxony (modern day Germany), and was educated from a young age by the monks of the abbey of Saint Michael. He was ordained a priest, and eventually, at the age of 56 became Bishop of Meissen. Soon thereafter, he was appointed Canon to the imperial chapel of Emperor Henry III, a pious ruler who looked to the Church for guidance in political matters. Upon his death, Henry IV ascended to the throne, at the young age of 16. Unlike his predecessor, he sought to subjugate the Church to the state, and restrict the legitimacy of the papacy throughout Germany. However, at that time, one of the greatest of the Church's popes, P= ope Gregory VII, sat on the Chair of Peter, and wished for nothing more than to preserve the role of the Pope in investing bishops--that is, providing bishops with the symbols of their holy office, signifying their marriage to the Church. This =E2=80=9CInvestiture Contest=E2=80=9D sp= read throughout Europe, and many bishops sided with the political leaders of their regions, rather than the Pope. However, Saint Benno stood alongside Pope Gregory VII, against the Emperor, instituting the reforms of the Church and maintaining the divine duties of the Pope. For his trouble, he was imprisoned and exiled for many years. One of the most famous legends told of Saint Benno involves his barring the emperor from receiving the Holy Eucharist following his excommunication (the Pope had excommunicated Henry IV, due to his decisions to challenge the Church's legitimate authority to invest bishops). Henry, however, hoped that the German bishops would take no notice of this `excommunication' and rode to Meissen--to the cathedral served by Saint Benno--to receive the Eucharist. Saint Benno realized that there was nothing he could do to keep the emperor out, save barring the cathedral to everyone. So that is what he did. He locked the cathedral doors, and threw the keys into the river Elbe. Henry knew that if he attempted to break down the doors to the cathedral, he would anger the crowds gathered, so simply rode away vowing vengeance on the holy bishop. After he had gone, Saint Benno ordered the local fisherman to cast their nets into the Elbe, and after praying over the water, they hauled in their nets. In the net was a fish that had the keys to the cathedral hanging upon its fins. Benno retrieved the key and reopened the cathedral. It was not soon thereafter that he was both imprisoned and exiled, although would not stray from the teachings of the Church, even under threat of punishment. Saint Benno lived to be a very old man, and spent the last years of his life preaching the faith to those who had not yet converted. He never lost sight of his calling as a diocesan bishop, visiting and preaching at all the parishes in his diocese, celebrating the Mass, enforcing discipline and enacting reform amongst the clergy, and building many grand cathedrals for the glory of the Lord. An accomplished musician, Saint Benno encouraged music and chanting during Masses throughout the diocese, penned many hymns, and wrote extensively on the Gospels. Following his death, at the age of nearly 100, Saint Benno was buried in the cathedral at Meissen. When the cathedral was rebuilt in 1285, his relics were translated to the new cathedral, and many miraculous cures were reported at that time. His relics were later translated to Munich in 1580, and Saint Benno remains the patron saint of that city today. Saint Benno lived during a difficult political time, and managed=E2=80=94despite threat, imprisonment, and punishment=E2=80=94to rem= ain true to the teachings of the Church, and his role as priest and bishop. At a time when the Church is criticized and attacked from both the inside and outside, we look to saints like Saint Benno as inspiration. His witness provides example to each of us, inspiring fidelity and truth, even when these are the =E2=80=9Chard decisions=E2=80=9D to make. by Jacob Quote God walks with sincere men, reveals Himself to humble men, enlightens the understanding of pure minds, and hides His grace from the curious and the proud. --Imitation of Christ Bible Quote: Let what you say be simply =E2=80=98Yes' or =E2=80=98No'; = anything more than this comes from evil.[a] Matthew 5:37 RSVCE <><><><> A prayer to the Sacred Heart: O most Holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore Thee, I love Thee, and with lively sorrow for my sins, I offer Thee this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Thy will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in Thee and for Thee. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions; give me health of body, assistance in my temporal knees, Thy blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .