The fountain of life

[Weedy]

The fountain of life

O soul devoted to God, whoever you may be, fly with eager longing
to this fountain of life and light. With all the strength of your
heart cry out to him: "O inexpressible beauty of God most high, pure
radiance of eternal life! O light that illumines every other light,
and preserves in undying splendor the manifold flames that have shone
before the throne of your divinity ever since the primal dawn! O
stream eternal and inaccessible, flowing clear and sweet from a spring
concealed from mortal eyes. None can sound your abyss nor fathom your
depths; your breadth cannot be measured; your purity cannot be
sullied. From this spring flows the river which gladdens the city of
God, so that with cries of joy and thanks-- giving we sing you hymns
of praise, and learn by experience that with you is the fountain of
life, and in your light we shall see light."
--St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio

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31 May – Blessed James Salomoni OP

(1231-1314)
Priest of the Order of Preachers, “Father of the Poor,” “Apostle of
the Afflicted,” Miracle-worker graced with the ability to cure
sickness. Born as Giacomo Salomoni in 1231 at Venice, Italy and died
on 31 March 1314 of cancer at Forli, Italy. Patronages – cancer
patients, of the sick. Also known as James the Venetian, Giacomo
Salomonio, surname spelled variously as Salomone, Salomonelli,
Salomonius,

James was born in Venice, in 1231, the only child of noble parents.
His father died when he was very young and his mother became a
Cistercian nun, leaving him to the care of his grandmother. She did
well by her orphaned grandson and James became a good and studious
boy, who responded eagerly to any spiritual suggestions.

Under the direction of a Cistercian Monk, he learned to meditate and
on the Monk’s counsel, James became a Dominican at the Convent of Sts
John and Paul, in Venice, as soon as he was old enough. He gave most
of his money to the poor and arrived at the Convent with just enough
left, to buy a few books. Seeing that one of the Lay Brothers there
was in need of clothing, he gave his final small sum to him and
entered empty-handed.

James wore the Dominican habit with dignity and piety, if not with any
worldly distinction, for sixty-six years. He was humble and good and
obedient and there was nothing spectacular about his spirituality. He
was well-known for his direction of souls but he fled, even from the
distinction this work brought him. Even his retiring habits did not
protect him, for the people of Venice beat a path to his door. In
self-defence, he transferred to another house, that of Forli. This was
a house of strict observance and very poor. Nothing could suit him
better. For the remainder of his life he worked and prayed in Forli,
going out to visit the sick in the hospitals and spending long hours
in the Confessional. His charity to the poor and the sick gave the
name” Father of the Poor.”

God granted James the grace of miracles during his lifetime. Once,
while he was hearing the confession of a pious woman, she saw the Holy
Spirit, in the form of a white dove, sitting on his shoulder and
whispering into his ear. Another time, a young girl was cured through
his prayer for her, of a terrible cancer on her leg. James was himself
afflicted with cancer, during the last four years of his life. At his
death, the cancerous wound on his chest disappeared, leaving only a
faint scar and from it arose a fragrant aroma.

He died on 31 May 1314, in his eighty-third year. His relics now lie
in the Basilica of Sts John and Paul in Venice. Devotion to Blessed
James has been approved and encouraged by several Popes. In 1526 he
was officially Beatified by Pope Clement VII


O BLESSED JAMES, during your life you received, with utmost
tenderness, those who came to you with their afflictions of body and
soul, consoling them even to the point of working miracles on their
behalf. Now that you are in Heaven, listen to my poor prayers and out
of your goodness, help me in my needs with your unfailing
intercession.
(Here state your intentions)
Obtain for me, I beg you, the grace to imitate your virtues,
especially your generous love of God and neighbour, your profound
humility, your tender devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament
and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Obtain for me too, patience in
adversity, fortitude in suffering and preserve me from those dreadful
ills against which you are invoked as a special protector.
May your assistance help me to live a holy life on earth, so that I
may deserve to be with you some day in the glory of Heaven.
AMEN

V. BLESSED JAMES SALOMONI
R. PRAY FOR US.

https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/31/


Pray for Us … at the Hour of Our Death

“Our divine Redeemer, although He was God and did not except Himself
from the law of death.
It was appropriate, therefore, that His divine Mother should have been
no exception either.
But Mary had shared in the torments of her Son’s death upon Calvary
and so obtained from Him, the privilege of a death so sweet and
gentle, as hardly to justify the name at all.
Her soul was separated from her body as if in an ecstasy of love and
was united even more indissolubly with God.
She did not die of a natural disease but, out of love for God.
She had always loved God with all the ardour of the noblest of
creatures and her life ended in a final outpouring of love.
It was the climax of a continuous ascent towards God.
Death should be like this for us too.
It can be like this if we follow her example, especially in the
boundlessness of her love for God.


Bible Quote:
“My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my
Savior. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me, and
holy is His name” (Lk. 1:46).


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Prayer for Those in the Armed Service

O God, we implore Thee, watch over those exposed to the horrors of war
and to the spiritual dangers of a soldier's, a sailor's or airman's
life. Give them such a strong faith that no human respect may ever
lead them to deny it, or fear to practice it. Do Thou by Thy grace,
fortify them against the contagion of bad example, that, being
preserved from vice, and serving Thee faithfully, they may be ready to
meet death whenever it may happen, through Christ our Lord. O Sacred
Heart, inspire them with sorrow for sin, and grant them pardon. Mother
of God, be with them in battle, and, if they should be called to make
the supreme sacrifice, obtain for them that they may die in the grace
of thy Divine Son. May their guardian angels protect them. Amen.