From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
November 27th - St. Maximus of Riez
Born at Decomer (Ch=C3=A2teauredon near Digne), Provence, France; died 460. Saint Maximus was baptized in infancy and raised in a Christian home,
where he lived a reclusive life at home in order to mortify his senses
and train his will. Finally he decided to enter religious life in the
community of L=C3=A9rins, which was then under the direction of its
founder, Saint Honoratus.=C2 When Honoratus was consecrated archbishop
of Arles in 426, Maximus was chosen to be the second abbot of L=C3=A9rins
to succeed its founder. Saint Sidonius records that the monastery
acquired a new luster because the prudent conduct and bright example
of Saint Maximus were such that the monks did not mind the severities
of the rule; they obeyed him cheerfully and quickly.
Maximus was also favored with the gift of working miracles which
supplemented his reputation for great sanctity. So many came to
consult him that he eventually had to hide in a forest to escape those
seeking to make him bishop of Fr=C3=A9jus. Later he was promoted to the see
of Riez in Provence and much against his will, in 434, received the
episcopal consecration from Saint Hilary. (He had fled to the coast of
Italy in an attempt to shun the dignity.) He was one of the most
prominent prelates of the church of Gaul in his time. Throughout his episcopacy, he continued to wear his hair shirt and habit, and observe
the monastic rule as far as it was compatible with his episcopal
functions.
Among the sermons wrongly attributed to Eusebius Emisenus are several
now ascribed to Saint Maximus. He attended the councils of Riez in
439, Orange I in 441, and Arles in 454. His body now rests in the
cathedral of Riez, which is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and Saint
Maximus (Attwater 2, Benedictines, Coulson, Husenbeth).
Saint Quote:
"It is fitting for the ministers [priests and bishops] of sacraments
to be righteous [absolutely free of mortal sin]; because ministers
should be like unto their Lord. ... Consequently, there can be no
doubt that the wicked [priests/bishops in mortal sin] sin by
exercising the ministry of God and the Church, by conferring the
sacraments.
"And since this sin pertains to irreverence towards God and the
contamination of holy things, as far as the man who sins is concerned,
although holy things in themselves cannot be contaminated; it follows
that such a sin is mortal [deserving of damnation]."
--St. Thomas Aquinas (Doctor, 1225-74) - "Summa Theologica"
Bible Quote:
"As the judge of the people is Himself, so also are His ministers ...
Be ye holy, because I am holy"=C2 (Ecclesiasticus 10:2; Leviticus 19:2)
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Meditations on the Poor Souls in Purgatory
[26]The Retributions of Purgatory
God's way is to punish in kind. This law holds in Purgatory as in most
other penalties that God inflicts. Those who have pampered their
bodies will suffer an exceeding great physical torment. Each sinful
indulgence of the body will add to the fierceness of the scorching
flames. The intemperate and glutton will suffer a parching thirst and
gnawing hunger; the luxurious will be plunged into a cauldron, as it
were, of boiling metal, and endure an agony, one moment of which will
more than out-balance all the delights of earth. Have I reason to fear
in this respect?
Those who have chosen to follow their own will instead of the will of
God, who have been proud and ambitious, and rebellious against God,
will have far worse things to suffer. The God whom they have forgotten
will in His turn forget them; and in the agony of their remorse, they
will lament the folly and the sin that has left them in the blackness
of darkness. If without self-will there be no Hell, it is also true
that without self-will there would be no Purgatory.
Those who have neglected to help the Holy Souls during life will be
neglected in their turn. Somehow, others will forget to pray for them,
or if Masses and prayers are offered for them, God will transfer the
main benefit of these to others. Every one who goes to Purgatory will
lament his want of generosity to others while he had a chance of
helping them. Slow, indeed, will be the release of those who did
little or nothing for the release of others. Try to anticipate the
punishments in kind by 1. Mortification; 2. Submission; 3. Charity to
others.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)