On the Uses of Adversity (2)

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On the Uses of Adversity (2)

A man should therefore place such complete trust in God, that he has
no need of comfort from men. When a good man is troubled, tempted, or
vexed by evil thoughts, he comes more clearly than ever to realize his
need of God, without whom he can do nothing good. Then, as he grieves
and laments his lot, he turns to prayer amid his misfortunes. He is
weary of life, and longs for death to release him, that he may be
dissolved, and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23). It is then that he knows
with certainty that there can be no complete security nor perfect
peace in his life.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 12

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October 29th – St. Colman of Kilmacduagh

Born at Corker, Kiltartan, Galway, Ireland, c. 550; died 632; cultus
approved in 1903. Son of the Irish chieftain Duac, Colman was educated
at Saint Enda's monastery in Aran. Thereafter he was a recluse, living
in prayer and prolonged fastings, at Arranmore and then at Burren in
County Clare. With King Guaire of Connaught he founded the monastery
of Kilmacduagh, i.e., the church of the son of Duac, and governed it
as abbot-bishop. The "leaning tower of Kilmacduagh," 112 feet high, is
almost twice as old as the famous town in Pisa. The Irish round tower
was restored in 1880. There is a legend that angels brought King
Guaire to him by causing his festive Easter dinner to disappear from
his table. The king and his court followed the angels to the place
where Colman had kept the Lenten fast and now was without food. The
path of this legendary journey is called the "road of the dishes."

As with many relics, Saint Colman's abbatial crozier has been used
through the centuries for the swearing of oaths. Although it was in
the custodianship of the O'Heynes of Kiltartan (descendants of King
Guaire) and their relatives, the O'Shaughnessys, it can now be seen in
the National Museum in Dublin (Attwater, Benedictines, Carty, D'Arcy,
Farmer, MacLysaght, Montague, Stokes).

Other tales are recounted about Saint Colman, who loved birds and
animals. He had a pet rooster who served as an alarm clock at a time
before there were such modern conveniences. The rooster would begin
his song at the breaking of dawn and continue until Colman would come
out and speak to it. Colman would then call the other monks to prayer
by ringing the bells.

But the monks wanted to pray the night hours, too, and couldn't count
on the rooster to awaken them at midnight and 3:00 a.m. So Colman made
a pet out of a mouse that often kept him company in the night by
giving it crumbs to eat. Eventually the mouse was tamed and Colman
asked its help:

"So you are awake all night, are you? It isn't your time for sleep, is
it? My friend, the cock, gives me great help, waking me every morning.
Couldn't you do the same for me at night, while the cock is asleep? If
you do not find me stirring at the usual time, couldn't you call me?
Will you do that?" It was a long time before Colman tested the
understanding of the mouse. After a long day of preaching and
travelling on foot, Colman slept very soundly. When he did not awake
at the usual hour in the middle of the night for Lauds, the mouse
pattered over to the bed, climbed on the pillow, and rubbed his tiny
head against Colman's ear. Not enough to awaken the exhausted monk. So
the mouse tried again, but Colman shook him off impatiently. Making
one last effort, the mouse nibbled on the saint's ear and Colman
immediately arose—laughing. The mouse, looking very serious and
important, just sat there on the pillow staring at the monk, while
Colman continued to laugh in disbelief that the mouse had indeed
understood its job. When he regained his composure, Colman praised the
clever mouse for his faithfulness and fed him extra treats. Then
entered God's presence in prayer. Thereafter, Colman always waited for
the mouse to rub his ear before arising, whether he was awake or not.
The mouse never failed in his mission.

The monk had another strange pet: a fly. Each day Colman would spend
some time reading a large, awkward parchment manuscript prayer book.
Each day the fly would perch on the margin of the sheet. Eventually
Colman began to talk to the fly, thanked him for his company, and
asked for his help:

"Do you think you could do something useful for me? You see yourself
that everyone who lives in the monastery is useful. Well, if I am
called away, as I often am, while I am reading, don't you go too; stay
here on the spot I mark with my finger, so that I'll know exactly
where to start when I come back. Do you see what I mean?" So, as with
the mouse, it was a long time before Colman put the understanding of
the fly to the test. He probably provided the insect with treats as he
did the mouse—perhaps a single drop of honey or crumb of cake. One day
Colman was called to attend a visitor. He pointed the spot on the
manuscript where he had stopped and asked the fly to stay there until
he returned. The fly did as the saint requested, obediently remaining
still for over an hour. Colman was delighted. Thereafter, he often
gave the faithful fly a little task that it was proud to do for him.
The other monks thought it was such a marvel that they wrote it down
in the monastery records, which is how we know about it. But a fly's
life is short. At the end of summer, Colman's little friend was dead.
While still mourning the death of the fly, the mouse died, too, as did
the rooster. Colman's heart was so heavy at the loss of his last pet
that he wrote to his friend Saint Columba. Columba responded:

"You were too rich when you had them. That is why you are sad now.
Trouble like that only comes where there are riches. Be rich no more."
Colman then realized that one can be rich without any money
(Curtayne).


Saint Quote:
Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd,
leading him to life.
-- St. Basil the Great

Bible Quote
I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen
write to thee. 14 But I hope speedily to see thee, and we will speak
mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the
friends by name. (3 John 1:13-14)


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Anima Christi:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to Thee,
That, with Thy saints, I may praise Thee
Forever and ever. Amen.