Appreciating God’s Grace (2)

[Rich]

Appreciating God’s Grace (2)

   Now, since the moment of temptation is always nigh, since false
freedom of mind and overconfidence in self are serious obstacles to
these visitations from heaven, a man can never enjoy them just as he
wishes.
    God does well in giving the grace of consolation, but man does
evil in not returning everything gratefully to God. Thus, the gifts of
grace cannot flow in us when we are ungrateful to the Giver, when we
do not return them to the Fountainhead. Grace is always given to him
who is duly grateful, and what is wont to be given the humble will be
taken away from the proud.

--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 2, Chapter 10

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April 6: - Saint Crescentia Hoess
April 5 on some Calendars

(1682-1744)
April 6 marks the feast day of Saint Crescentia Hoess, a woman of
deep piety and humility, who despite persecution at the hands of her
Franciscan sisters remained cheerful and warm.

Born in a small town near Augsburg, Bavaria, Crescentia survived a
poor childhood with grace and joy. Her father, a weaver, had little
money to support the family, and yet Crescentia was renowned in the
area for her cheerful disposition, and her willingness to give the
little she had to those who needed it more. She spent her days at the
local church praying, and received her first Holy Eucharist at the
unusually young age of seven due to her knowledge of the catechism and
her demonstrated love for the Lord. Residents of the town, Catholic
and non-Catholic alike, referred to her as “the little angel.” At this
time, around age seven, while praying in the chapel of the Franciscan
convent, she heard a voice which said, “this shall be your dwelling
place.”

When Crescentia reached 18, she professed her desire to join the Third
Order of Saint Francis, which her father approved of. He approached
the convent, but her admission was refused as she didn’t have a
sufficient dowry to accompany her. Crescentia bore this rejection with
grace and humility, as she bore all other difficulties. It wasn’t
until the Protestant mayor of the town, who shared the same affection
for Crescentia as all the town’s residents, intervened that she was
accepted into the Order.

However, life was not easy for Crescentia once she took the veil.
Rather, her sisters, under the direction of the Superior, treated her
poorly, referring to her as “beggar,” and expecting her to perform the
most menial tasks. She was not provided with her own cell, forced to
beg her sisters to sleep in a corner each night. All of these things,
as prior to her monastic life, she suffered with piety and grace--so
much so, that her sisters would accuse her of hypocrisy. But
Crescentia’s faith would not be dampened, nor would her sprits. She
performed the menial tasks given to her better than anyone else could
have, praying constantly while she did, and thanking the Lord for the
opportunity. Following reception of the Holy Eucharist, she began
experiencing visions of the Lord, which at first concerned her, and
later brought her comfort.

After some years, a new Superior was appointed to direct the convent,
and with her, change came upon the place. The new Superior recognized
the piety and obedience of Sister Crescentia, and through her
leadership, so did the community. She was appointed Mistress of
Novices, and then years later, Superior of the convent. Both positions
she reluctantly accepted with humility and grace. Under her direction,
the rules were strictly enforced, but with compassion and joy. Warmth
and humor guided her daily interactions with her sisters.

Word of Crescentia’s piety and grace spread, as did her humility.
Local nobles, heads of state, and learned scholars consulted with
Crescentia for spiritual direction. She became known for practical
solutions to problems and a common-sense approach. Her advice to her
visitors always stressed the need for prayer but also encouraged the
petitioner to do everything possible to resolve the issue.

Crescentia and her community demonstrated great kindness to the poor
and those in need. She welcomed all as brothers and sisters of Christ,
and treated them with respect, dignity, and charity. To her sisters
she recommended observing silence, recollection, and spiritual
reading, especially the Gospels. The teacher of their religious life
had to be Jesus on the Cross.

In her years as superior of the community, the convent underwent a
renewal. No one with a heart for the Lord was turned away, regardless
of the size of their dowry. Crescentia justified her selectivity
regarding vocations saying, "God wants the convent rich in virtue, not
in temporal goods.” She emphasized to her sisters unlimited trust in
divine providence, readiness in the acts of the common life, love of
silence, devotion to Jesus crucified, and devotion to the Eucharist
and the Blessed Mother.

As she aged, Crescentia was beset with many physical ailments, which
she endured with patient and joyful suffering. Eventually, her hands
and feet became so crippled, she was unable to straighten her body and
was confined to her bed, in the fetal position. Like Saint Francis,
she cried out to the Lord, grateful for the gift of her limbs so that
she might suffer. She died at peace on Easter Sunday, surrounded by
her sisters.

Saint Crescentia had many reasons and opportunities to turn from the
Lord, based upon the way others treated her. And yet, throughout her
trials, humiliation, and suffering, her faith in God only deepened and
grew. It was this faith that led her to transform her community,
re-centering her sisters in the love of Christ, and the acceptance of
all. She taught her charges, and in doing so teaches us, to never
criticize others unkindly. Moreover, through her life, she reminds us
that God is pleased by our gracious suffering, enduring all with
patience and hope.
-- by Jacob

Bible Quote:
"Do not imagine that I am going to accuse you before the Father: you
have placed your hopes on Moses, and Moses will be the one who accuses
you.  If you really believed him you would believe me too, since it
was about me that he was writing.."  Jesus addressing the Jews of
Jerusalem in  John 5:45-46

Saint Quote:
To think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect--that is happiness.
That creatures recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us,
makes us no poorer; it is they who by this lose interior joy; for
there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbor.
--St. Therese of Lisieux


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Sabbatum Sanctum
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

I look at You, my Lord Jesus
and think of Your most holy Body
and I keep it before me,
as a pledge of my own resurrection.
Though I die, as die I certainly shall,
nevertheless, I shall not forever die,
for I shall rise again.
O You, who are the Truth,
I know and believe with my whole heart,
that this very flesh of mine will rise again.
I know, base and odious as it is at present,
that it will one day, if I be worthy,
be raised incorruptible
and altogether beautiful and glorious.
This I know,
this by Your grace,
I will ever keep before me.
Amen