Subj : June 19th - St. Romuald To : All From : rich Date : Tue Jun 18 2019 08:52:01 From: rich June 19th - St. Romuald Founder of the Order of Camaldoll Ravenna, a well-known town in Italy, received, in the beginning of the 10th century, from God, the grace to become the birthplace of St. Romuald. The first 20 years of his life he passed like a child of the world, who only seeks after pleasure. Dogs, horses, hunting, riding, play, and society, were the only things he enjoyed, and in which he occupied his time. Of praying, visiting the church, listening to the Word of God, reading holy books, or other Christian exercises, he cared to hear and know nothing.... See more at. http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Romuald%20popup.html <><><><> Practical Considerations The virtuous life of St. Romuald offers to you many points for instruction and imitation. Some of these are: I. St. Romuald does penance during a 100 years for 20 years spent in youthful follies. When will you commence to do penance for time which you have not only passed in frivolities, but, perhaps, even in sin and crime? Begin today, for you do not know how much time will be left to you for its accomplishment. II. From the idly spent years of St. Romuald's life he gathered nothing but bitterness, while those he had dedicated to the service of God filled his soul with consolation and peace. You also will one day experience only fear and bitterness, if you continue to belong to those children of the world who live only to gratify their passions. If you, however, diligently serve the Lord your God and flee all sensual pleasures, the thought of your having done so will be an indescribable comfort to you when you lie upon your deathbed. With whom, then, will you side? With the frivolous children of the world and licentious Carnival fools, or with the servants of God? III. St. Romuald prepared himself for death during 20 years, and still feared! Why do you, then, live on from day to day without the smallest fear--you who, perhaps, up to the present time, have not in any way prepared yourself? Do you not know that a long eternity follows death, and that you will most certainly die miserably if you are not prepared for your last hour? IV. St. Romuald was ashamed when reading the Lives of the Saints: he reflected how little he had followed their example. Have you not much more reason to be ashamed? Rouse yourself to imitate the Saints in future more earnestly; otherwise you cannot expect to be classed among them in heaven. V. St. Romuald deprives himself of the food he most craves, and gives it to the poor. Can you not sometimes do the same ? And why do you not? Ah! believe me, such self-abnegation and mortification is much more acceptable to God, and much more salutary to your own soul, than you imagine. If you love God and value your salvation do not neglect it, especially if you cannot perform any greater works of penitence, as did St. Romuald. VI. St. Romuald believed it to be better to suffer when innocent than when guilty. You will have to think the same; for whoever suffers innocently, suffers, according to the words of Saint Peter, as a Christian after the example of Christ. Therefore, never say, "If I had done this or that, if I were guilty of the offence, if I had deserved it, I would suffer patiently." Not so. A Christian should not speak thus. Just because you have not deserved it, suffer patiently; for then you suffer after the example of Christ. Finally, reflect how strictly St. Romuald fasted, and how he kept not only one forty days' fast during the year, but two, without shortening his life by so doing. I do not ask of you a similar austerity; but the Lord your God asks--nay, He commands you to keep the forty days' fast, instituted by the Apostles as faithfully as in your power. It begins in this or the following month. Resolve today to fulfil, your duties. You have good reason not to hesitate, as God commands you through His Church. You are bound under pain of eternal damnation to obey the Church. You have sinned, perhaps, more than St. Romuald; therefore you must repent if you would not lose heaven. Of the penances ordained by God Himself, fasting is one of the most salutary; therefore use it to your own profit. Do not imagine, as I have already told you, that your health will suffer by it, or that your life will be shortened. St. Romuald enjoyed better health and lived longer than hundreds of others who seldom or never fasted. Was not his life prolonged for over a 100 years? By the transgression of the fast, you commit sin and offend God: how, then, can you expect to strengthen your health by it or to prolong your life? "Not to fast in the forty days' fast is a sin," writes St. Ambrose. "Whoever fasts not, during the forty days' fast, shall experience the punishment." And, again: "It is no trifling sin, brethren." Saint Quote: I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of the hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. =E2=80=94Saint Paul in his second letter to Saint Timothy Bible Quote: Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able=C2 (Luke 13:24) <><><><> Oratio Sancti Caietani (Prayer of St. Cajetan); 1480-1547. Look down, O Lord, from Thy sanctuary, from Thy dwelling in heaven on high, and behold this sacred Victim which our great High Priest, Thy holy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, offers up to Thee for the sins of His brethren and be appeased despite the multitude of our transgressions. Behold, the voice of the Blood of Jesus, our Brother, cries to Thee from the cross. Give ear, O Lord. Be appeased, O Lord. Hearken and do not delay for Thine own sake, O my God; for Thy Name is invoked upon this city and upon Thy people and deal with us according to Thy mercy. Amen. That Thou wouldst defend, pacify, keep, preserve, and bless this city, we beseech Thee, hear us. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .