SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 23 - Saint Felix of Cantalice
May 23
St. Felix of Cantalice
(1515-1587)
Ass of the Capuchins(his own nickname for himself)
He slept little and ate what came to hand.He attended Mass every morning.He had a great devotion to Our Lady.He frequently recited the rosary, sometimes swept away in ecstasy, unable to finish the prayers.He was acclaimed a saint by the people of Rome immediately after his death.
He received a vision of the Virgin Mary
during which he was allowed to hold the Christ Child in his arms.
Felix was the first Franciscan Capuchin ever canonized. In fact, when
he was born, the Capuchins did not yet exist as a distinct group within
the Franciscans.
Born
of humble, God-fearing parents in the Rieti Valley, Felix worked as a
farmhand and a shepherd until he was 28. He developed the habit of
praying while he worked.
In 1543 he joined the Capuchins. When
the guardian explained the hardships of that way of life, Felix
answered: "Father, the austerity of your Order does not frighten me. I
hope, with God’s help, to overcome all the difficulties which will
arise from my own weakness."
Three years later Felix was assigned
to the friary in Rome as its official beggar. Because he was a model of
simplicity and charity, he edified many people during the 42 years he
performed that service for his confreres.
As
he made his rounds, he worked to convert hardened sinners and to feed
the poor as did his good friend, St. Philip Neri, who founded the
Oratory, a community of priests serving the poor of Rome. When Felix
wasn’t talking on his rounds, he was praying the rosary. The people
named him "Brother Deo Gratias" (thanks be to God) because he was
always using that blessing.
When
Felix was an old man, his superior had to order him to wear sandals to
protect his health. Around the same time a certain cardinal offered to
suggest to Felix’s superiors that he be freed of begging so that he
could devote more time to prayer. Felix talked the cardinal out of that
idea. Felix was canonized in 1712.
Comment:
Grateful
people make good beggars. Francis told his friars that if they gave the
world good example, the world would support them. Felix’s life proves
the truth of that advice. In referring all blessings back to their
source (God), Felix encouraged people to works of charity for the
friars and for others.
Quote:"And
let us refer all good to the most high and supreme lord God, and
acknowledge that every good is His, and thank Him for everything, [He]
from Whom all good things come. And may He, the Highest and Supreme,
Who alone is true God, have and be given and receive every honor and
reverence, every praise and blessing, every thanks and glory, for every
good is His, He Who alone is good. And when we see or hear an evil
[person] speak or act or blaspheme God, let us speak well and act well
and praise God (cf. Rm 12:21), Who is blessed forever (Rm 1:25)" (St.
Francis, Rule of 1221, Ch. 17).
Prayer:
Almighty God,
you gave St Felix to the Seraphic Family and to the Church
as an example of evangelical simplicity and innocence of life.
Following his example, may we strive to love and joyfully
follow Christ alone,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. AMEN.
Source: American Catholic Organization
Many great miracles have been associated with
the Rosary throughout history. The tremendous power of the Rosary can
overcome any problem, be it small or large, personal or worldwide.
Miracles continue to the present day.
The Rosary is a powerful prayer!
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If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please know that my husband and I pray for you every single night.
If you need immediate assistance, dial 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Does your partner:
- humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
- treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
- ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
- blame you for his own abusive behavior?
- see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
threaten to take your children away or harm them?
threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
- act excessively jealous and possessive?
- control where you go or what you do?
- keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
- constantly check up on you?