The Doctrine of Truth {5}

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The Doctrine of Truth {5}

The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?
A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but according to the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 3


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May 4th - Bl. Catherine of Parc-aux-Dames, Virgin
(13th v. became famous for her visions and miracles)

BL. CATHERINE of Parc-aux-Dames was the daughter of Jewish parents, resident in the city of Louvain. Amongst the constant visitors to their house was the duke of Brabant’s chaplain, Master Rayner, with whom his host used to have long discussions on religious subjects. From the time she was five years old, little Rachel--as she was then called--was an attentive listener to these talks and one day the priest, noticing her eager expression, said to her, “Rachel, would you like to become a Christian?” “Yes--if you would tell me how!” was the prompt reply.

From that time Master Rayner began to give her instruction in the faith as occasion offered. Rachel’s parents, however, became uneasy at the change which was taking place in their child, and when she was in her seventh year decided to send her away beyond the Rhine, to remove her from Christian influences. Rachel was greatly distressed at the prospect, but one night she had a vision of our Lady, who gave her a staff and bade her escape. The girl arose at once, slipped out of the house and made her way to the priest, by whom she was taken to the Cistercian nuns in the abbey of Parc-aux-Dames, a mile and a half from Louvain. There she was baptized and clothed with the habit of the order, assuming the name of Catherine. Her parents appealed to the bishop of Louvain, to the duke of Brabant and even to Pope Honorius, that their daughter might be restored to them--at any rate till she was twelve years old. The bishop and the duke favoured the claim, but it was successfully opposed by Engelbert, archbishop of Cologne, and William, abbot of Clairvaux. Catherine accordingly remained at Parc-aux-Dames until her death, and became famous for her visions and miracles.

See the account in the Acta Sanctorum, May, vol. i, which is mainly compiled from such Cistercian sources as Caesarius of Heisterbach and Henriquez. But the Dominican Thomas de Cantimprd also vouches for the truth of the story, from his personal knowledge of Catherine.


Saint Quote:
Learn from Saint Thérèse to depend on God alone and serve Him with a wholly pure and detached heart. Then, like her, you will be able to say ‘I do not regret that I have given myself up to Love’.
-- Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

Bible Quote
My brethren, if any of you err from the truth, and one convert him: 20 He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)


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An Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

At that time, Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a
crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on him a purple robe,
and said, "Hail, King of the Jews." And they smote Him with their hands. And
they spat upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.

And the soldiers took Jesus, and He, bearing His Cross, went forth into a
place called the place of the skull, where they crucified Him, and two
others with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

After this, Jesus, knowing all things which should come to pass, said, "I
thirst." And they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and
put it to His mouth.

And when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink, but said, "It is
finished." And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.

And immediately the earth did quake, and the sun was darkened. And the veil
of the Temple was rent, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened, and
those who slept arose. Which things, when the centurion saw, he said,
"Truly, this was the Son of God."

At length one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith
came thereout blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and we know
that his record is true.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray
Lord Jesus Christ, who for us sinners didst place Thy hands and Thy feet and
Thy whole body upon the wood of the Cross; and didst bear the crown of
thorns, set upon Thy head by the soldiers in dishonor of Thy most Holy Body;
and hanging upon the Cross didst suffer five wounds for the sake of us
sinners, and hast redeemed us by Thy sacred Blood, grant us we beseech Thee,
O Lord, this day, and every day, the practice of penitence, abstinence,
patience, humility, and chastity, and light, sense, understanding, and
knowledge of the truth, even unto the end. Through Thee, Jesus Christ,
Saviour of the world, King of glory, who, together with the Father and the
Holy Spirit, livest and reignest God, world without end. - Amen.

POPE JOHN XXII