From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

August 23rd - Saint Philip Benzini de Damiani, Gifts of Miracles and Tongue=
s
(1233-1285)

Saint Philip Benzini de Damiani, miracle worker, servant of the
Blessed Mother, and General Superior of the Order of the Servites.
Despite his brilliant mind and gifts of miracles and tongues, Saint
Philip's humility and simple faith remained throughout his
life--continuing to inspire us today.

Born in Florence, Italy, on the Feast of the Assumption, Philip was
entering the world as Our Blessed Mother appeared to the Seven Holy
Founders. Upon being in their presence, at not yet one year of age,
Philip clearly spoke, announcing them as the Servants of Mary, and
stating his desire to join their order. From that moment on, he
demonstrated great piety and resistance to the temptations of youth,
praying daily the Penitential Psalms, and constantly begging God's
mercy for his sins.

Saint Philip clung to his desire to enter the Servite Order, but felt
sinful and unworthy to serve the Lord or the Blessed Mother, and for
that reason, followed his father's wishes and studied medicine and
philosophy at Universities in Paris and Padua. Upon graduation, he set
up practice, but soon grew weary of the work, feeling as if he was
called to greater service. One day, while attending a Mass at the
Florence Servite Chapel, The Blessed Virgin appeared to Philip,
bidding him to enter her Order. Obediently, his heart overjoyed--but
still laced with the fear of unworthiness--he entered the order, but
only as a lay brother. To his superiors he mentioned nothing of his
scholastic and professional achievements, maintaining his humility as
penance for sins.

It was not, however, long before his great intellect and wisdom were discovered, and his superiors prepared him for the priesthood.
Following his ordination at Siena in 1258, he was made Master of
Novices and developed a reputation for practicality, wisdom, and
inspiring conversions. He was also noted for miracles, his first
occurring upon meeting a leper walking along the road outside the
city. As the leper had little clothing, and Saint Philip had no money,
he gave the poor man his cloak. Upon placing it around his shoulders,
his leprosy was immediately healed.

Saint's Philip's life was instantly changed, following his =
first
miracle. He was accorded honors quickly, and his counsel was sought by
local and international leaders. Saint Philip was sent to Forli, Italy
to resolve a conflict between the Pope and the Emperor. During the negotiations, he was heckled and then struck across the cheek by the
Emperor's emissary. Patiently, Philip turned his head to offer the
other check to the emissary, who was so moved by the gesture,
converted on the spot (becoming Servite Saint, Peregrine). Saint
Philip healed many additional political rifts throughout Italy, common
in those days, and was subsequently sent to the Netherlands and
Germany, in both of which he did great good. In good time, he was
elected General of the Servite Order, and was discussed in conclave to
ascend to the Papacy, but fled the discussions out of humility, hiding
in cave in the mountains until Pope Gregory X was elected. At the
Council of Lyons, he defended and codified the Servite Order, speaking
to the assembled prelates with the gift of tongues.

The rite of blessing of bread is also celebrated today, in honor of
Saint Philip Benzini. This rite owes its origin to two miracles. One
day, in the beginning of his generalship, Saint Philip found his
brothers at Arezzo, in Tuscany, almost dying from starvation. Moved
with compassion, he made a long and fervent prayer to God through our
Blessed Lady. At last a loud knock was heard at the door of the
monastery, and the Brother who went to open, found a large basket of
the purest bread. As nobody was to be seen, all thought that God had
sent His angel to bring them food from heaven. Another time the Saint
had lost his way in an immense forest, and after having long wandered
about, was starving with his companions. Philip redoubled the fervor
of his prayers and suddenly shepherds called the religious to a little
hut, where they found bread and water. When they had dined, and wished
to thank the charitable shepherds, they could see them no more. So
again they attributed their deliverance to God's angels.

Despite all his achievements, Philip never lost his humility, living a
life of extreme penance, and proclaiming himself as fit only for hell
despite an exemplary life free from mortal sin. On his deathbed he
recited verses of the Miserere, his cheeks streaming with tears.
Shortly before he died, the Mother of God appeared before him. He
lifted up his arms with joy and breathed a gentle sigh, as if placing
his soul in Her hands. Saint Philip Benzini died in the Servite
Monastery at Todi (Umbria) on the Octave of the Assumption, 1285. His
relics are buried at Todi, where he is venerated today.

The life of Saint Philip Benzini reminds us that all to often we fail
to examine our lives with a critical eye. Saint Philip never made that
mistake, spending his days in contemplation and evaluation of his
behaviors and perceived sins, offering them to the Lord in penance,
penitence, and humility. His legacy inspires us to endeavor so to act
as we would wish to have acted when we stand before your Judge. This
is the rule of the Saints, and the only safe rule for all.
by Jacob


Reflection: Endeavor so to act as you would wish to have acted when
you stand before the Judge of your eternity. This is the rule of the
Saints, and the only safe rule for all.

Bible Quote
Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and
taught. 15 And the Jews wondered, saying: How doth this man know
letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said: My
doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:14-16) DRB


<><><><>
A Complaint Against Treacherous Tongues

1 I call on the LORD in my distress,
and he answers me.
2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.
3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom tree.
5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
7 I am a man of peace;
but when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 120:1-7
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)