• March 1st - Bl. Christopher of Milan, Prophet

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Sat Feb 29 06:30:31 2020
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    March 1st - Bl. Christopher of Milan, Prophet

    Died in Taggia, Italy, in 1484; cultus confirmed by Pope Pius IX in
    1875. Nothing is known of the early years of Blessed Christopher. He
    received the Dominican habit in the convent of San Eustorgio in Milan,
    Italy, in the early 15th century. He is recorded as being "holy and
    abstemious, humble and studious"=E2=80=94the ordinary virtues that we have
    come to take for granted among the beati; there is nothing to indicate
    the type of person Christopher was, or what peculiar circumstances
    might have led him to the Dominicans. He is noted especially for his
    preaching and for his gift of prophecy.

    The age in which Christopher lived was a rough and dangerous one, and
    a time for prophets and penitents to thrive. He was himself an
    apostolic preacher throughout Liguria and the Milanese, famous for the
    impact of his sermons on sinners. He had a vivid power of description
    and this, coupled with his gift of prophecy, made his sermons
    unforgettable.

    Christopher worked in many parts of Italy, but his name is
    particularly venerated in Taggia, where he spent many years. As a
    result of his preaching, the people of Taggia built a monastery and
    church dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy and Christopher became its first
    abbot. A great wave of spiritual revival was felt in Taggia during his
    tenure, but he was not optimistic about the future.

    In a vision he saw that most of the population would be carried off by
    plague. Twenty years before anyone was paying any attention to the
    Turks, he told the people of Taggia that Turks would invade the city,
    and they did, as he had prophesied. A disastrous flood swept the area, fulfilling another of his prophesies.

    He wrote four volumes of sermon aids, containing scriptural examples
    and quotations from the Fathers of the Church.

    In 1484, when he was absent from Taggia preaching a mission,
    Christopher fell ill and knew that he was about to die. He insisted on returning to his own monastery at Taggia. There he received the last
    sacraments and immediately died (Benedictines, Dorcy).


    Saint Quote:
    'Let us make the Sign of the Cross boldly and courageously. When the
    demons see it they are reminded of the Crucified; they take to flight;
    they hide themselves and leave us'
    --St Cyril of Jerusalem

    Bible Quote:
    Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly. For evil
    men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall
    be put out. [Pro 24:19-20]


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    Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead

    "Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because
    the hand of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.


    21st DAY

    To find ourselves forgotten on earth by those whom we love, and who
    have loved us is a cruel trial - but to find ourselves in Purgatory -
    forgotten by all whom we loved and helped on earth, must be a most
    painful sorrow.

    Prayers:=C2 Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.

    De Profundis

    =C2 =C2 Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
    O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
    =C2 =C2 Let Thine ears be attentive to the
    voice of my supplication.
    =C2 =C2 If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
    O Lord, who shall stand it?
    =C2 =C2 For with Thee there is merciful
    forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
    law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
    My soul hath relied on His word;
    my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
    =C2 =C2 From the morning watch even until
    night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
    Because with the Lord there is mercy;
    And with Him plenteous redemption.
    =C2 =C2 And He shall redeem Israel from
    all its iniquities.
    =C2 =C2 Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
    And let perpetual light shine upon them:
    =C2 =C2 May they rest in peace. Amen.

    O my God, infinitely just, hear our payers in reparation for the souls suffering in Purgatory for want of charity. Release them from their
    pains that they may evermore praise Thee and intercede at Thy
    Judgement Seat for us at the hour of our death.
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)