From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
June 3rd - St. Lifard, Abbot
HIS illustrious birth, the progress he had made in the study of the
laws, and his extraordinary probity and piety qualified him for one of
the first dignities in the magistrature of Orleans. The constant
attendance he gave to all the duties of his charge was no hinderance
to his devotions, either public, in assisting at all parts of the
divine office, or private, in his closet; especially to his assiduity
and fervour in frequenting the sacraments. To be more at liberty, and
to disengage himself from the distractions of the world, in the
fortieth year of his age he resigned his charge, and initiated himself
in an ecclesiastical state: nor was it long before the bishop of
Orleans ordained him deacon. We may easily imagine with what piety and
devotion he acquitted himself of all the sacred duties of his state.
So perfectly was he penetrated with respect and awe of the majesty and
presence of God, and with love of his goodness, when he assisted at
the celebration, that he appeared like an angel about the altar. The
spirit of love and penance and holy contemplation daily growing
stronger in his heart, he resolved to withdraw himself entirely from
the world, and bury himself in close solitude. The place he chose for
this purpose was near the river Maulve, not far from the mountain and
castle of Mehun or Meung, situated on the Loire, a little below
Orleans. [1] Urbicius, his disciple, bore him company, and they built themselves an hermitage of twigs and rushes.
The life which the saint here led was admirable. A little bread and
water was all the subsistence he allowed himself, in sickness as well
as in health, and his only garment was made of sackcloth. He often
passed whole nights in prayer, and in all his employments his mind was
so taken up on God as if he had lived without a body. Mark, bishop of
Orleans, then lived at Cleri, two leagues below the city, famous for
the collegiate church of the Blessed Virgin, still much resorted to by
pilgrims to implore her intercession. [2] This prelate was an
eye-witness to the great virtues of St. Lifard, whose hermitage was
very near his residence, ordained him priest, and allowed him to found
a monastery on the spot where his hermitage stood. This happened
before the 4th council of Orleans, in which bishop Mark subscribed in
541. St. Lifard soon assembled a numerous community, and was to it a
bright model of Christian perfection.
An extraordinary gift of miracles drew on him the admiration of men.
The year in which he died is not known; but it was some time after the
middle of the 6th century. His body was buried at Mehun; and over his
tomb was built, first a chapel, afterwards a famous collegiate church,
which is to this day enriched with his relics, and bears his name. A
church in the city of Orleans, and several others in the diocese, are
dedicated to God under his invocation. His name occurs in the Roman Martyrology.
See his life in Surius and Mabillon, s=C3=A6c. 1; Ben. also Saussaye, Annal=
.. t. 3.
Note 1. Mehun in Orleanois is by mistake confounded by several with
Mehun in Berri, four leagues from Bourges, where was a royal castle
now falling to ruin, in which Charles VII., who had recovered France
from the English, suffered himself to die of hunger for fear of being
poisoned, in 1461, not Charles V. as Dom Vaissette mistakes.
Note 2. The marble tomb of Lewis XI. who chose to be buried there out
of devotion to the B. Virgin, is still shown there, though the
Huguenots plundered it, and burnt his bones.
Saint Quote:
Labor without stopping; do all the good works you can while you still
have the time.
--Saint John of God
Bible Quote:
Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is
near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his
thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on
him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive. For my thoughts
are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as
the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above
your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. [Isa 55:6-9 ] DRB
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PSALM 110
I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart:
in the assembly of the righteous and in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord:
exquisite and agreeable to all His designs.
His work is His praise and glory;
and His justice remaineth forever.
The merciful and gracious Lord hath appointed a memorial of His
wonderful works;
He hath given food to them that fear Him.
He will be for ever mindful of His covenant:
the greatness of His works will He publish to His people.
To give them the inheritance of the Gentiles:
the works of His hands are truth and justice.
True and lasting are all His ordinances,
confirmed for ever and ever;
made in truth and justice.
He hath sent redemption to His people;
He hath appointed His covenant for ever.
Holy and awful is His name:
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
All understand it aright, who practise it:
His praise endureth for ever and ever.
Ant. Great are the works of the Lord,
equisite to all His designs.
And. He that feareth the Lord.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)