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On Ardent Love and Eager Desire to Receive Christ [I]
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May 16, 2013, 1:28:05 PM5/16/13
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On Ardent Love and Eager Desire to Receive Christ [I]
THE DISCIPLE. Dear Lord, I long to receive Thee with deepest devotion and ardent love, and with all the affection and favour of my heart, as many Saints and holy persons have longed to receive Thee in Communion, who were especially pleasing to Thee by the holiness of their lives, and were on fire with devotion. 0 my God, Eternal Love, my supreme good and eternal delight, I wish to receive Thee with the most eager devotion and deepest reverence that any of Thine Saints have ever felt, or could feel.
--Thomas à Kempis--Imitation of Christ Book 4 Ch.17
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May 16th - St. Ubald, Bishop of Gubbio
b. 1100
WE are fortunate in possessing an excellent and reliable biography of Ubald Baldassini, bishop of Gubbio, compiled by Theobald, his immediate successor. The saint, descended from a noble family in Gubbio, became an orphan at an early age and was educated by his uncle, also bishop of the same see, in the cathedral school. Having completed his studies, he was ordained priest and appointed dean of the cathedral, young though he was, that he might reform the canons amongst whom grave irregularities were rampant. The task was no easy one, but he succeeded before long in persuading three of the canons to join him in a common life. Then, that he might obtain experience in the management of a well-conducted household, he resided for three months with a community of regular canons which had been established by Peter de Honestis in the territory of Ravenna. The rule which they followed he brought back to Gubbio, and within a short time it was accepted by the whole chapter. A few years later, after their house and cloisters had been burnt down, Ubald thought it a favourable moment to retire from his post into some solitude. With this object in view he made his way to Fonte Avellano where he communicated his intention to Peter of Rimini. That great servant of God, however, regarded the plan as a dangerous temptation and exhorted him to return to the post in which God had placed him for the benefit of others. The saint accordingly returned to Gubbio, and rendered his chapter more flourishing than it had ever been before. In 1126 St Ubald was chosen bishop of Perugia; but he hid himself so that the deputies from that city could not find him; then he went to Rome, threw himself at the feet of Pope Honorius II and begged that he might be excused. His request was granted but when, two years later, the see of Gubbio fell vacant, the pope himself directed that the clergy should elect Ubald.
In his new office the saint displayed all the virtues of a true successor to the apostles, but perhaps his most distinguishing characteristic was a mildness and patience which made him appear insensible to injuries and affronts. On one occasion workmen repairing the city wall encroached upon his vineyard and were injuring his vines. He gently drew their attention to this. Thereupon the foreman, who probably did not recognize him, became abusive and pushed him so roughly that he fell into a pool of liquid mortar, he rose up, splashed all over with lime and dirt, and without a word of expostulation returned to his house. Eyewitnesses, however, reported the incident and the citizens clamoured loudly that the foreman should be punished. So great was the popular indignation that a severe sentence seemed a foregone conclusion, when St Ubald appeared in court and claimed that, since the offence had been committed against an ecclesiastic, it came under his jurisdiction as bishop. Then, turning to the culprit, he bade him give him the kiss of peace in token of reconciliation, and, after a prayer that God would forgive him that and all his other trespasses, he directed that the man should be set at liberty.
The saint often defended his people in public dangers. The Emperor Frederick Barbarossa during his wars in Italy had sacked the city of Spoleto and threatened to subject Gubbio to a similar fate. Ubald met the emperor on the road and diverted the tyrant from his purpose. During the last two years of his life, the holy bishop suffered from a complication of painful diseases which he bore with heroic patience. On Easter day 1160, although very ill, he rose to celebrate Mass, and, that he might not disappoint his people, preached and gave them his blessing. He was carried back to bed, from which he never rose again. At Pentecost, as he lay dying, the whole population of Gubbio filed past his couch, anxious to take a last farewell of one whom each individual regarded as his dear father in God. Ubald died on May 16, 1160, and the people who flocked to his funeral from far and wide were eye-witnesses of the many miracles God performed at his tomb.
The life by Bishop Theobald is printed in the Acta Sanctorum, May, vol. iii, and there is a further collection of miracles in vol. vii. A modern Italian biography was published by Gianpaoli in 1885. On the curious confusion between St Ubald and the “St Theobald” who is honoured as the patron of Thann, in Alsace, see H. Lempfrid in Mittheilungen d. Gesellschaft f. Erhalt. d. gesch. Denkmäler im Elms,, vol. xxi (1903), pp. 1-128.
Saint Quote:
All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding his life we find that he is the best example.
-- Saint Teresa of Avila
Bible Quote:
But he that heareth and doth not is like to a man building his house upon the earth without a foundation: against which the stream beat vehemently. And immediately it fell: and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:49) DRB
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"He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress."
(Proverbs 21:23)
"To restrain the tongue is therefore a great good, and on the other hand, not to restrain it, a poisonous evil"
"Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth. Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things.
"Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue ... defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell. For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.
"But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison. By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." - James 3:4-10
THE DISCIPLE. Dear Lord, I long to receive Thee with deepest devotion and ardent love, and with all the affection and favour of my heart, as many Saints and holy persons have longed to receive Thee in Communion, who were especially pleasing to Thee by the holiness of their lives, and were on fire with devotion. 0 my God, Eternal Love, my supreme good and eternal delight, I wish to receive Thee with the most eager devotion and deepest reverence that any of Thine Saints have ever felt, or could feel.
--Thomas à Kempis--Imitation of Christ Book 4 Ch.17
<><><><><>
May 16th - St. Ubald, Bishop of Gubbio
b. 1100
WE are fortunate in possessing an excellent and reliable biography of Ubald Baldassini, bishop of Gubbio, compiled by Theobald, his immediate successor. The saint, descended from a noble family in Gubbio, became an orphan at an early age and was educated by his uncle, also bishop of the same see, in the cathedral school. Having completed his studies, he was ordained priest and appointed dean of the cathedral, young though he was, that he might reform the canons amongst whom grave irregularities were rampant. The task was no easy one, but he succeeded before long in persuading three of the canons to join him in a common life. Then, that he might obtain experience in the management of a well-conducted household, he resided for three months with a community of regular canons which had been established by Peter de Honestis in the territory of Ravenna. The rule which they followed he brought back to Gubbio, and within a short time it was accepted by the whole chapter. A few years later, after their house and cloisters had been burnt down, Ubald thought it a favourable moment to retire from his post into some solitude. With this object in view he made his way to Fonte Avellano where he communicated his intention to Peter of Rimini. That great servant of God, however, regarded the plan as a dangerous temptation and exhorted him to return to the post in which God had placed him for the benefit of others. The saint accordingly returned to Gubbio, and rendered his chapter more flourishing than it had ever been before. In 1126 St Ubald was chosen bishop of Perugia; but he hid himself so that the deputies from that city could not find him; then he went to Rome, threw himself at the feet of Pope Honorius II and begged that he might be excused. His request was granted but when, two years later, the see of Gubbio fell vacant, the pope himself directed that the clergy should elect Ubald.
In his new office the saint displayed all the virtues of a true successor to the apostles, but perhaps his most distinguishing characteristic was a mildness and patience which made him appear insensible to injuries and affronts. On one occasion workmen repairing the city wall encroached upon his vineyard and were injuring his vines. He gently drew their attention to this. Thereupon the foreman, who probably did not recognize him, became abusive and pushed him so roughly that he fell into a pool of liquid mortar, he rose up, splashed all over with lime and dirt, and without a word of expostulation returned to his house. Eyewitnesses, however, reported the incident and the citizens clamoured loudly that the foreman should be punished. So great was the popular indignation that a severe sentence seemed a foregone conclusion, when St Ubald appeared in court and claimed that, since the offence had been committed against an ecclesiastic, it came under his jurisdiction as bishop. Then, turning to the culprit, he bade him give him the kiss of peace in token of reconciliation, and, after a prayer that God would forgive him that and all his other trespasses, he directed that the man should be set at liberty.
The saint often defended his people in public dangers. The Emperor Frederick Barbarossa during his wars in Italy had sacked the city of Spoleto and threatened to subject Gubbio to a similar fate. Ubald met the emperor on the road and diverted the tyrant from his purpose. During the last two years of his life, the holy bishop suffered from a complication of painful diseases which he bore with heroic patience. On Easter day 1160, although very ill, he rose to celebrate Mass, and, that he might not disappoint his people, preached and gave them his blessing. He was carried back to bed, from which he never rose again. At Pentecost, as he lay dying, the whole population of Gubbio filed past his couch, anxious to take a last farewell of one whom each individual regarded as his dear father in God. Ubald died on May 16, 1160, and the people who flocked to his funeral from far and wide were eye-witnesses of the many miracles God performed at his tomb.
The life by Bishop Theobald is printed in the Acta Sanctorum, May, vol. iii, and there is a further collection of miracles in vol. vii. A modern Italian biography was published by Gianpaoli in 1885. On the curious confusion between St Ubald and the “St Theobald” who is honoured as the patron of Thann, in Alsace, see H. Lempfrid in Mittheilungen d. Gesellschaft f. Erhalt. d. gesch. Denkmäler im Elms,, vol. xxi (1903), pp. 1-128.
Saint Quote:
All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding his life we find that he is the best example.
-- Saint Teresa of Avila
Bible Quote:
But he that heareth and doth not is like to a man building his house upon the earth without a foundation: against which the stream beat vehemently. And immediately it fell: and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:49) DRB
<><><><>
"He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress."
(Proverbs 21:23)
"To restrain the tongue is therefore a great good, and on the other hand, not to restrain it, a poisonous evil"
"Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth. Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things.
"Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue ... defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell. For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.
"But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison. By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." - James 3:4-10
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