From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
November 13th - St. Homobonus
(d. 1197)
Some of the Latin baptismal names that ancient Christian parents
bestowed on their children were quaint but devout: like =E2=80=9CQuodvultdeus,=E2=80=9D which means =E2=80=9Cwhatever God wants=E2= =80=9D; or =E2=80=9CDeusdedit,=E2=80=9D
=E2=80=9CGod's gift=E2=80=9D; or =E2=80=9CDesideratus,=E2=80=9D =E2= =80=9Cwanted=E2=80=9D.
In the 12th century, there lived in Cremona, Italy, a prosperous
merchant who took his newborn son to church and announced to the
priest that he wanted him baptized =E2=80=9CHomobonus=E2=80=9D. The word me= ans =E2=80=9Cgood
man=E2=80=9D. The parent had chosen the child's baptismal name with=
care, and
he was determined to teach his son how to live up to its implications.
He fulfilled his plan well. Homobonus grew up well-instructed in the
skills of merchandising, but at the same time a lover of honesty,
virtue and self-respect. He came to appreciate that his calling as a businessman was a divine calling. God wanted him to be just where He
had put him; it was in the marketplace that he would work out his
salvation.
Providentially, Homobonus of Cremona found a wife who possessed the
same convictions. Others of their mercantile class might trip over the occupational hazards of ambition, dissipation and vain display, but
not Mr. and Mrs. H. Their simple life style gave them all the more
means and incentive to reach out to the less fortunate. God
appreciated this saintly couple's works of mercy, and even set His
stamp of approval on them by working miracles in favor of those whom
they assisted; so the author of St. Homobonus's biography assured u=
s.
Among the worthy merchant's devotional habits was to go daily to th=
e
church of St. Giles to =E2=80=9Creport=E2=80=9D to God on his activities. I=
t was
during one of these visits that he came to the end of his life. On
November 13,1197, he was attending Mass. At the Gloria he stretched
out his arms in the shape of a cross and fell forward into a
prostration. Those beside him thought this was just an act of personal
penance. But when he failed to stand for the Gospel, they went over to
him and found that he had died.
Pope Innocent III canonized this holy Cremonian only two years after
his death. No reason to wait longer. Homobonus had obviously lived up
to his name. Like Charlie Brown (if we may make such a comparison), he
was a GOOD MAN.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if those who survive us could say of us in
all sincerity, =E2=80=9CHe was a good man,=E2=80=9D or =E2=80=9CShe was a g= ood woman.=E2=80=9D There
could be no higher human praise. It would mean that we had, as St.
Paul says, shown ourselves =E2=80=9Cchildren of God beyond reproach=E2=80=
=A6 like the
stars in the sky.=E2=80=9D It would mean that we had conscientiously lived =
up
to the particular task God assigned to us and not wasted his graces.
This would mean that we had fully understood why we were created: to
know God and love Him and serve Him in this world so as to be happy
with Him forever in heaven.
=E2=80=93Father Robert
Saint Quote:
I thank thee, O Lord, that Thou hast vouchsafed to honor me with a
perfect love towards Thee, and hast made me to be bound with iron
chains, like Thy Apostle Paul.
-- Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Bible Quote:
How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!
(Psalm 47:2)
<><><><>
THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS
FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL =C2 (Imprimatur 1946)
Third Day
DOCTRINE OF PURGATORY
=C2 =C2 =C2 The destiny awaiting us at death is not the same for al=
l men: "He
will render to every man according to his works." (Matt. xvi. 27.)
Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory are the three places into which the souls
of the departed are received. Heaven is the happy destination of
perfectly pure and holy souls only; Hell the final doom of the
reprobate; Purgatory, temporarily for the just, who are not as yet
entirely purified. There God completes the punishment due to their
faults, which were not sufficiently atoned for on earth; there He
submits these holy souls to the last purgation, to cleanse them from
the least stain, and, by fire, to bring them to that degree of
perfected purity, which is necessary for them before being admitted to
eternal bliss.
Hence there are two classes of souls in Purgatory:
=C2 1. Those who depart this life, stained by venial sins and imperfecti=
ons.
=C2 2. Those who have repented sincerely 'of their mortal sins and
confessed them, if possible, without having done sufficient penance
for them. Judging from our lives, experience teaches us that most men
deserve Purgatory for both causes.
Prayer: Graciously hear, O God, the fervent prayers we offer Thee for
the suffering souls in Purgatory, who, not having satisfied Thy divine
justice, confide in Thine infinite mercy and our intercessions. Extend
unto them Thy consolations, and redeem them, through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who suffer in
Purgatory for little faults.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine
upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Be conscientious and faithful in the performance of little
duties, and offer the inconvenience for the suffering souls.
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)