Subj : August 12th - Blessed Pope Innocent XI To : All From : rich Date : Fri Aug 11 2017 10:04:15 From: rich August 12th - Blessed Pope Innocent XI 1676 - 1689 AD When the cardinals chose Benedetto Odescalchi to be Pope Innocent XI, they chose a man of piety, ability, and firmness who was to be one of the greatest seventeenth century pontiffs. Benedetto Odescalchi was born at Como on May 16, 1611. After studies at the local Jesuit school, Benedetto took law at Rome and Naples. His ability caused him to rise in the papal service. He loved his work at Rome so much that he even resigned his bishopric of Novara to work on at Rome. Innocent XI devoted himself to saving Austria from the Turks. He pleaded with the kings of Europe to help distressed Austria, but that Christian monarch, Louis XIV, actually encouraged the Turks! Poland's fighting King John Sobieski was of nobler stuff, but it took an incredible amount of patient diplomacy on the Pope's part to get help for the Emperor. Innocent's work was rewarded. Sobieski and his Poles, Lorraine and his Germans smashed the Turks as they were about to break through Vienna's walls. It was a great victory and a decisive one. After 1683 the Turks will be on the defensive. Innocent XI was strong yet prudent. He needed both virtues in his dealings with Louis XIV. The Sun Monarch was riding too high to brook opposition even from a pope. He had extended the regale in an unfair and illegal manner. The regale was an ancient privilege the French kings had of taking over the revenue and the right of appointments to benefices in vacant dioceses. Though this dangerous custom had been restricted far back in the Middle Ages, Louis was now extending it in an arbitrary manner. Innocent protested in three successive briefs, but Louis answered by having an assembly of subservient clergymen pass the famous Four Articles of 1682. This manifesto of Gallicanism was, to say the least, highly objectionable. Innocent was put out, and relations were badly strained. Nor were they eased by the petty and arrogant resistance of the French king to Innocent's attempt to confine ambassadors' right of asylum to reasonable limits. And the Pope was not impressed by the clumsy and highhanded treatment of French Protestants which culminated in the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Innocent also was too prudent to encourage James II in his well-meant but untimely actions in favor of English Catholics. Although the pious Pope was for a time fooled by the Spanish pseudo-mystic Miguel de Molinos, he soon condemned quietism. He also condemned a number of laxist propositions. As an administrator Innocent XI was outstanding. By the practice of severe economy he soon managed to balance the papal budget, indeed even to produce a surplus, and on top of that to lower taxes! Rigidly conscientious, Innocent avoided nepotism. Innocent XI died on August 12, 1689. He was beatified by Pope Pius XII on October 7, 1956. See long Version at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08021a.htm Saint Quote: A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil. --St. Dominic Bible Verse Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) <><><><> Prayer to Defeat the Work of Satan O Divine Eternal Father, in union with your Divine Son and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg You to destroy the Power of your greatest enemy--the evil spirits. Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell and chain them there forever! Take possession of your Kingdom which You have created and which is rightfully yours. Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I repeat this prayer out of pure love for You with every beat of my heart and with every breath I take. Amen --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 # Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) * Origin: Region 15 HQ (1:15/0) .