November 23rd - Bl. Margaret of Savoy
Trudie
Born at Pinerolo in 1382; died 1464; beatified in 1669. Margaret of Savoy,
daughter of Duke Amadeo II, is one of three royal princesses who wore the
Dominican habit and were beatified. In the 15th century, she was the glory of a
family that has given several beati to the Church.
Born into the royal house of Savoy, Margaret grew up in a household in which
piety and wealth were ordinary. Her own parents died when she was small, and she
was educated by an uncle, who arranged an early marriage for her to the Marquis
of Montferrat, Theodore Paleologus.
As queen of her fairly large domain, Margaret was the model of Christian rulers.
She felt that it was her duty to exceed in charity and humility in the
proportion that she was wealthier than those around her, and she devoted all of
her time to God and to her neighbors. Her husband was a widower with two
children, to whom she gave the greatest care. The hundreds of dependents on the
large estates came to her for charity and instruction.
Disaster stuck Savoy several times in the years when she was wife and mother.
Famine and plague came, making great demands on her time and her courage.
Unhesitatingly, she went out to nurse the plague-stricken with her own hands,
and she sent out food and clothing from her husband's stores until it was
doubtful if anything would be left. After this crisis passed, war hovered over
the kingdom, and she prayed earnestly that they would be delivered from the
horrors of invasion.
In 1418, the marquis died. His young widow was one of the most eligible women in
Europe. Margaret sorrowed for her husband, but she made it clear to her
relatives that they need not plan another marriage for her, as she was going to
enter a convent. In order to live a life of complete renunciation, she decided
to found a convent of her own at Alba in Liguria that would follow the ancient
rule of Saint Dominic. Accordingly, she took over a cloister which had fallen
into ruin, having only a few poor inhabitants, and rebuilt it for Dominican use.
She dedicated the house to St. Mary Magdalen.
There is one very delightful story told of her sojourn in the convent. When she
had been there many years, she one day had a young visitor; he was the son of
one of her step-children. Hunting nearby, he had killed a doe, and he brought
her the motherless fawn to tend. It was a pretty little animal, and it soon grew
to be a pet. The legends about the fawn have probably been exaggerated, as it
was supposed to be able to go and find any sister she would name, and, for
several years, the animal had free rein of the halls and cells of the sisters.
Perhaps it was true, though, since the house confessor told her that the deer
must go. She took it to the gate and told it to go. It fled into the forest, and
returned only when Margaret was about to die.
Margaret attained a high degree of contemplative prayer. One time Our Lord
appeared to her and asked her whether she would rather suffer calumny, sickness,
or persecution. Margaret generously accepted all three. Her offer was taken, and
for the remaining years of her life she suffered intensely from all three
sorrows (Dorcy). It should be noted that Saint Vincent Ferrer influenced
Margaret to join the Dominican tertiaries (Benedictines).
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1123.shtml
Saint Quote:
Other sins find their vent in the accomplishment of evil deeds, whereas pride
lies in wait for good deeds, to destroy them.
-St. Augustine
Bible Quote:
Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (II Tim. 2:3)
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THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS
FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL
(Imprimatur 1946)
Ninth Day
PAIN OF FIRE IN PURGATORY
The Church has given no decision regarding the word "fire" in relation to
Purgatory; but according to Theologians and Doctors of the Church, we are to
understand a material fire. Concerning this, Bishop Colmar of Mayence, a great
friend of the holy souls, writes: "Besides being deprived of the vision of God,
the souls in Purgatory must also endure the tortures of a fire, the effects of
which are so much more painful, as it is an instrument in the avenging hand of
God; a fire, as St. Augustine says, in comparison to which our material fire is
as nothing; a fire that entirely penetrates the soul, in whatever manner this
may be accomplished.
How, and to what extent this is done, we know not, but may draw our
conclusion from similar instances. "In like manner," says St. Gregory the Great,
"as the fallen angels, although pure spirits, are tormented by the material fire
of hell, so may a similar fire torture the souls of the departed in Purgatory."
The justice of God can punish a spirit by means of a material substance, as well
as He can, in His omnipotence, give life to a body by the agency of a spirit.
According to the holy Fathers, the fire of Purgatory does not differ from the
fire of hell, excepting in point of duration. "It is the same fire," says St.
Thomas, "that torments the reprobate in hell, and the just in Purgatory. The
least pain in Purgatory," he adds, "surpasses the greatest sufferings of this
life." Nothing but eternal duration makes the fire of hell more terrible than
that of Purgatory.
Prayer: Refresh, O Lord, the suffering souls in Purgatory, with the dew of Thy
grace, that their pains may be relieved, and, in Thy mercy, hasten the moment of
their deliverance, that they may meet Thee in Heaven, where no fire but that of
Thy holy love shall consume them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for all the souls in Purgatory, particularly for
those who are forgotten by their relatives.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them;
may they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Endeavor to spread the devotion for the holy souls in Purgatory as
much as possible.
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!
See 31day prayer at:
http://www.faithfuldeparted.net/prayers.html