Rich
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September 8th - St. Corbinian
Born at Châtres (near Melun), France; died 730. This early apostle of Bavaria was baptized Waldegiso after his father, but his mother changed his name to Corbinian, after herself--it must have been a very interesting family life! He lived as a anchorite for 14 years in a cell that he built near a chapel in Châtres on the road to Orléans. The fame of his sanctity, which was increased by the occurrence of several miracles and the prudent advice that he gave in spiritual matters, drew several followers whom he formed into a religious community under his discipline. The distraction that this gave him made him think of seeking some new place where he might live in obscurity, and because he also had a devotion to Saint Peter, he determined to go to Rome and become an anchorite. He visited Pope Saint Gregory II to receive his apostolic blessing on his new undertaking. But when the Holy Father discovered the saint's abilities, he admonished Corbinian to use his talents to harvest God's fields. St. Corbinian agreed because he had learned to listen to what he thought was God's voice.
So Gregory sent Corbinian, who may already have been a bishop or who was so consecrated by Gregory, to preach in Bavaria, where he put himself under the protection of Duke Grimoald. After having successfully increased the number of Christians, he fixed his residence at Freising, in Upper Bavaria, which, however, did not become a regular episcopal see until Saint Boniface made it such in 739.
Though indefatigable in his apostolic duties, Corbinian was careful not to undertake more than he could handle, lest he should forget what he owed to his own soul. He always performed the divine office leisurely, and reserved several hours daily for holy meditation, so that he would have the spiritual resources with which to complete his obligations in the mission field.
When Saint Corbinian discovered that his Christian patron Grimoald had defied Church discipline by marrying his brother's widow, Biltrudis, he refused to deal with the duke until they separated. But the lady Biltrudis was offended by this truth and persecuted Corbinian in the hope of cowing him into allowing her to be reinstated. She abused him as a foreign interloper, specifically, a British bishop--which of course he was not. Losing hope she conspired to have him murdered. The saint took refuge at Meran, and remained in semi-exile until Grimoald (who had rejoined Biltrudis in his absence) was killed in battle shortly after and Biltrudis was carried off by the Franks.
Thereafter, Corbinian was recalled by Grimoald's successor, and continued his missionary work throughout Bavaria. Corbinian was buried at a monastery he had founded at Obermais, at Meran, but his body was brought to Freising in 765 by Aribo, his second successor and biographer (Benedictines, Delaney, Husenbeth, Walsh).
In art, Saint Corbinian is portrayed as a bishop making a bear carry his luggage because it has eaten his mule. The image may show just the bishop and a bear. Corbinian might also be shown with Duke Grimoald at his feet and the bear and mule in the background (Roeder).
Saint Quote:
In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the wind blows it back. Fix the time, the length of your meditation, and do not rise from your place until you have finished even at the cost of being crucified.
--Padre Pio
Bible Quote:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: Unto an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you, Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5) DRV
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The Birth of Mary
We Fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, and deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin!
Meditation:
Mary is born! The dawn announcing the coming salvation of mankind is at hand. The deep significance of Mary's birth is expressed in the words of the Church: "Thy birth, O virgin Mother of God, has brought joy to the world; for from thee is to come forth the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord, to dispel the curse and bring the blessing, to conquer death and bring us everlasting life. On this day a light broke forth to brighten the paths of men through all time. Let us, then, rejoice in Mary's coming."
Equally expressive and touching are the reflections of that great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine: "The day has dawned, the long-wished for day of the blessed and venerable Virgin Mary. Well may this earth of ours rejoice and be glad for having been honored and sanctified by the birth of such a virgin."
Practice: Let us, then, rejoice in Mary's coming. Let us hail the birth of her who attained the dignity of mother without losing the high privilege of a virgin. Let us imitate her holy life, that she may become our intercessor before the throne of her Son, our judge and redeemer. By becoming the Mother of God she became also our Mother. As Mother of the Redeemer she is also the Mother of the redeemed. Richard of St. Lawrence writes: "If we desire grace and help, let us have recourse to Mary and we shall obtain what we desire." For, as St. Alphonsus remarks: "All graces and gifts which God has resolved to bestow upon us He gives us through the hands of Mary."