• May 19: Pope Saint Peter Celestine V

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Fri May 18 10:06:22 2018
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    May 19: Pope Saint Peter Celestine V
    (1215-1296)

    Pope Saint Peter Celestine V , example of profound humility, and
    reluctant pope. Saint Celestine serves as a remarkable example of
    obedience to the Lord, serving only to glorify God, and running from
    personal glory during his life. He is referred to as the =E2=80=9CPhoenix o=
    f
    the Church,=E2=80=9D and was truly unique in that upon being placed on the Throne of Saint Peter, he spontaneously abdicated from his position,
    though none contested his election, for the glory of the Lord and the
    good of the Church and her people.

    Peter was born in Isernia, Italy, in 1215, the 11th of 12 children of
    humble, pious parents. His father died when he was very young, and his
    mother, a hard-working woman, raised her 12 children herself. His
    mother, instructing them in their daily prayers, would frequently ask,
    "Which one of you is going to become a saint?" Without exception,
    Peter would answer "Me, Mama! I'll become a saint!" In his daily
    prayers Peter received visits from Angels, Saints and the Virgin Mary.
    He recounted everything with simplicity to his mother. Recognizing his
    piety and faith, Peter's mother ensured that he was well educated,
    preparing him for a religious life.

    At age 17, Peter entered the Monastery of Santa Maria di Faifoli, near Montagano, Italy, becoming a Benedictine monk. Here he began to pursue
    a life of solitude, and at age 20, became a hermit, moving into a cave
    on Mount Morrone, and receiving his surname, Celestine. Peter spent
    his days preaching and reading the Scriptures, attracting a large
    crowd who would come to him for spiritual guidance and counseling. At
    age 30, Peter moved to Mount Majella with two other companions, where
    he began to apply to himself a life of strict mortification rules. He
    would fast for 6 days a week, undertake long prayers, wear hair shirts
    and iron chains. If he was not praying or reading, he would copy books
    or do some hard work so that the devil would not find him doing
    nothing, and tempt him. As many continued to flock to him, he founded
    the order of the Celestines. During this time, he studied for the
    priesthood, becoming ordained and receiving Papal approval for his
    order.

    During the years he spent on the mountain, Peter's life was filled
    with miracles. The mysterious sound of celestial bells seemed to ring
    all day and frequently heavenly voices were heard singing in the air.
    A mysterious dove, whiter than snow, often lit on Peter's oratory, and
    when the new church he had built reached completion, angels appeared,
    clothed in gowns of white, and were overheard to say, "Let us attend
    the dedication." While celebrating the office, a beautiful seamless
    garment, like that worn by the angels, fell upon the shoulders of
    Saint Peter, a sign of Heaven's approval of his sanctity.

    Despite his ordination and years of prayer and mortification, Peter
    considered himself unworthy of serving the Lord. Moreover, he
    considered himself unworthy of celebrating Mass, and only changed his
    mind after hearing a Divine Voice that convinced him. =E2=80=9CI am not wor= thy
    of offering the Holy Sacrifice,=E2=80=9D Peter protested. The Lord replied: =E2=80=9CAnd who is worthy of such a thing? Celebrate it, despite your unworthiness, but offer it in fear.=E2=80=9D

    Following the death of Pope Nicholas IV, the cardinals convened a
    conclave to elect a new pope, but could not come to a decision. As the
    conclave stretched into it's second year, Peter received a message
    from God, which he personally delivered to the cardinals. Upon hearing
    his message--that the Lord was not pleased with the delay in selecting
    a successor--the cardinals promptly elected Peter as the 192nd pope.

    Peter Celestine became Pope Celestine V, although reluctantly. In
    delivering his message from the Lord, he had not sought the position,
    nor did he consider himself qualified. Such was his humility that upon
    hearing of his appointment--at age 84-- he wept sorrowfully, but
    accepted the will of the Lord obediently.

    Saint Celestine served as pope for only approximately five months. The
    primary objective of his pontificate was to reform the clergy, many of
    whom were using spiritual power to obtain worldly power at the time.
    Celestine sought a way to bring the faithful to the original Gospel
    spirit, and he settled on "Pardon" - he called for a year of
    forgiveness of sins, and return to evangelical austerity and fidelity.

    Despite these positive reformations, during Celestine's five month
    papacy, due to his humble nature and simplicity--many took advantage
    of him. He was, in his simple trust, no match for the corruption that
    plagued the Church at that time. He could not say "no" to anyone, and
    soon the Vatican found itself surrounded by great confusion. At last,
    the humble man, also quite wise, decided to give up his position as
    Pope, lest he do permanent damage to the Church and place his own
    position above that of the will of God. Therefore, on December 13,
    1294, clothed in full pontifical vesture, he read before the Cardinals
    this act of his great renunciation, asking for forgiveness for his
    inability to lead the Church:

    =E2=80=9CInspired by many legitimate reasons, desiring a more humble state = and
    a more perfect life, fearing to compromise my conscience and seeing my
    weakness and incapacity, considering the malice of men and yearning
    for the rest and spiritual consolation I enjoyed before I was raised
    to this position, I, Celestine V, Pope, do hereby freely and
    voluntarily renounce the Sovereign Pontificate and abandon the dignity
    and position to which I was raised.=E2=80=9D

    Saint Celestine hoped to return to the mountains, living the remaining
    days in one of his monasteries in peace. However, the newly elected
    pope, Boniface VIII (who ushered in the years of great schism in the
    papacy), was worried that Celestine may try to reclaim the papacy. He
    had him locked in a cell, stating it would be =E2=80=9Csafer to keep him wh= ere
    wicked people could not take advantage of him.=E2=80=9D Pope Saint Celestin=
    e V
    was put in a hidden cell in a Roman house, where he eventually died
    after 10 months of solitude. During this time, he was cheerful and
    close to God. "You wanted a cell, Peter," he would repeat to himself,
    "and a cell you have."

    Saint Celestine died on May 19, 1296 and was buried in the church of
    Saint Agatha in Ferentino, Italy. He was later re-interred in the
    Church of Saint Maria di Collemaggio, in Aquila, Italy--the church
    that he was asked to build by the Blessed Virgin in a vision while
    living as a hermit. The church was greatly damaged during an
    earthquake in 2009, but the saint's relics, still venerated
    today--were spared destruction. While inspecting the earthquake
    damage, Pope Benedict XVI visited Celestine's remains in the badly
    damaged Santa Maria di Collemaggio and left the woolen pallium he wore
    during his papal inauguration in April 2005 on his glass casket as a
    gift. To mark the 800th anniversary of Celestine's birth, Pope
    Benedict XVI proclaimed the Celestine year from August 28, 2009
    through August 29, 2010. The Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a
    special plenary indulgence to those who pray before the remains of
    Saint Celestine V during the year dedicated to him.


    Saint Quote:
    Our Savior's passion raises men and women from the depths, lifts them
    up from the earth, and sets them in the heights.
    --St. Maximus of Turin

    Bible Quote:
    But at that time Michael shall rise up, the great prince, who standeth
    for the children of thy people: and a time shall come, such as never
    was from the time that nations began, even until that time. And at
    that time shall thy people be saved every one that shall be found
    written in the book. (Daniel 12:1) DRB


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    Perfection

    True perfection does not consist in abandoning a life of sin as a
    slave might for fear of punishment; nor in doing good in the hope of
    receiving a reward. Expecting the virtuous life to yield a profit
    would be making it a matter of trade and commerce. No, it seems to me
    that to be perfect we must look beyond even the hoped-for blessings
    which we have been promised are stored up for us. Our only fear should
    be the loss of God's friendship, and the only honor or pleasure we
    covet should be that of becoming God's friend. You can attain such perfection--and I know that you will attain it abundantly--if you
    raise your mind to the majesty of God. The gain will surely be shared
    by all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
    --St. Gregory of Nyssa
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)