On Inconstancy of Heart: [I]

[Rich]

On Inconstancy of Heart: [I]

CHRIST.
My son, do not trust your affections, for they are changeable and
inconstant. All your life you are subject to change, even against your
inclination.(Rom.8:20) At one time you are cheerful, at another sad;
now peaceful, now troubled: now full of devotion, now wholly lacking
it; now zealous, now slothful; now grave, now gay. But the wise man,
who is well versed in spiritual matters, stands above these changing
emotions. He pays small regard to his momentary feelings and whims,
but directs all the powers of his mind towards the right and true end.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3, Ch 33

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September 4: - Saint Rose of Viterbo
(1234-2352)

"Prayer reveals to souls the vanity of earthly goods and pleasures. It
fills them with light, strength and consolation; and gives them a
foretaste of the calm bliss of our heavenly home."

Saint Rose of Viterbo was a miracle worker, Franciscan tertiary, and
Virgin of the Church. Saint Rose lived a brief 18 years, but during
that time accomplished amazing works through her love of the Lord and
devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

Saint Rose was born of poor and pious parents, in Viterbo, Italy. She
entered the world at a time when Emperor Frederick II was oppressing
the Church and denouncing the Papacy, all to regain control of the
“Roman Empire.” Pope Gregory IX excommunicated the “self-confessed
heretic,” and war waged across Italy. Throughout all this, the infant
Rose was filled with grace from her birth. Before she could walk, her
parents would find her kneeling before Jesus in His tabernacle,
praying before sacred images, she listened to pious conversation,
retaining all she heard. At three years old, she miraculously brought
her maternal aunt back from death by laying her hands upon the woman
and calling out her name. And by age seven, she had declared her
intention to live the life of a recluse, devoting herself to penances.
She dressed in a coarse habit, and enacted daily penances of fasting
and discipline.

Around that time, Rose feel ill, contracting the consumption, and was
believed to be on the verge of death. Our Blessed Mother appeared to
her on her sickbed, and Rose suddenly exclaimed to those gathered
beside her: “All of you here, why do you not greet the Queen of the
world? Do you not see Mary, the August Mother of my God, coming
forward? Let us go to meet Her, and prostrate ourselves before Her
majesty!” Knowing Rose to possess supernatural gifts, and to be both
pious and holy, they turned toward the door and knelt down. Mary, the
Mother of God, spoke to Rose, telling her she must enter the Third
Order of Saint Francis, then go out to “reprove, convince, exhort and
bring back the erring to the paths of salvation. If your endeavors
bring upon you sarcasm and mockery, persecution and labor, you must
bear them patiently... Those who assist you will be enriched with all
the graces of the Lord.”

Rose miraculously recovered, and donned the habit of the Third Order
of the Franciscans. Shortly after, our Lord appeared to her on the
Cross, wearing the crown of thorns on His head and bleeding profusely
from all His wounds. Rose, aghast at the sight, called out: "O my
Lord, who has reduced Thee to this state?"

Our Lord replied, "My love, my deep love for men has done this."
"But," asked Rose, "who has so pierced and torn Thee?"
"The sins of men have done it," was our Lord's answer.
"Sin, sin!" cried the saint, and she scourged herself to make
atonement for the sins of the world.

Rose then took a cross in her hand and went up and down the streets
and public squares of her city telling people of the terrible tortures
our Lord suffered and of the heinousness of sin. From that point on
she spent the next two years—when she was just ages 8-10-- preaching
penance to the city of Viterbo, and defending the papacy. As Viterbo
had been captured by the forces of the emperor, her father grew
nervous as she attracted more and more attention. Eventually, he
forbade her to preach, threatening to beat her if she continued. Saint
Rose answered gently, "If Jesus could be beaten for me, I can be
beaten for him. I do what Jesus has told me to do, and I must not
disobey him." Eventually, her successful preaching got her banished by
the orders of the prefect of the city.

The family left Viterbo, ending up in the city of Vitorchiano. Holy
legend tells us that the residents lived under the influence of a
sorceress, and Rose converted the entire city by standing on a burning
funeral pyre, completely enveloped in flames, but remained unharmed.
Upon the death of the emperor, Papal power was restored, and the
family returned to Viterbo. Saint Rose, now 13, sought to enter the
monastery of Saint Mary of the Roses. The abbess refused to receive
her because being poor, she could not bring with her the required
"dowry." The young tertiary responded, "You will not have me now, but
perhaps you will be more willing when I am dead."

Saint Rose returned to her father’s house, and lived there in a
private cell. She increased her prayer and mortification, continued to
pray for the faith of the Catholic Church, and demonstrate great zeal
for the Lord. A number of young women came to live with her, and she
instructed them in the faith. At the young age of 18, Saint Rose died,
having prophesized her own death (of what is now believed to have been
a heart defect). Her dying words to her parents were: "I die with joy,
for I desire to be united to my God. Live so as not to fear death. For
those who live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet
and precious."

Saint Rose of Viterbo was buried in the church of Santa Maria in
Podio. After her death, Pope Alexander IV ordered that her body by
laid to rest in the convent that had refused her admission, completing
her prophesy, and her incorrupt body was translated to the convent of
Saint Mary of the Roses. Her body remains fragrant and beautiful, as
if still in life. For more than 700 years it has remained supple and
unchanged, save for its color, which was darkened after a fire in the
chapel where it reposed.

On 3 September, the eve of her Feast Day, a massive tower (“The
Machine of Saint Rose”) is paraded through the city of Viterbo in
honor of Saint Rose. The tower is illuminated and is marched through
the city whose lights are turned off during this procession.

Saint Rose of Viterbo was gifted with the graces of love for neighbor,
the spirit of prayer and a great zeal for the faith. Like many
Franciscan saints, her life is one of simple grace and presence in the
Lord. She did not influence popes and kings, but rather defended the
papacy. She was unable to establish the religious order of her dreams,
and was instead content to suffer graciously for the Lord. When she
foresaw her young death, she looked forward to it as the gateway to
new life. The short life of Saint Rose reminds us that in the events
of our ordinary lives, we can lift up and consecrate ourselves to the
Lord… and in doing so, have a profound impact on those around us.
by Jacob


Heavenly Father,
in the youthful Saint Rose, Your servant,
You combined wonderful courage of soul
and unsullied innocence.
As we celebrate her merits
may we imitate the example of her virtues.

Saint Quote:
Rose's dying words to her parents were: "I die with joy, for I desire
to be united to my God. Live so as not to fear death. For those who
live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet and
precious."
--Saint Rose of Viterbo

Bible Quote:
Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; [5] And
there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord;
[6] And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who
worketh all in all.
[1 Corinthians 12:4-6] DRV

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The Most Holy Name of Jesus
is our Strength insuperable.

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be Saved."--Rom. x. 13:
(Hymn of Thomas a Kempis)

In Christ's dear Name with courage bear
Whatever ills betide;
For worldly good is oft a snare,
And fills the heart with pride.
What seems a loss will often prove
To be our truest gain;
And pains endured with patient love
A jewelled crown obtain.

Brief is this life, and brief its pain,
But long the bliss to come;
And trials borne for Christ attain
A place with martyrdom.
The Christian soul by patience grows
More perfect day by day,
And brighter still and brighter glows
With Heaven's eternal ray.