Pride--the Beginning of All Sin

[Weedy]

Pride--the Beginning of All Sin

"No other cause but pride could have been the beginning of our
first parents' evil will? For pride is the beginning of all sin. What
is pride but the desire of a height out of proportion to our state.
Furthermore, it is a height out of proportion to our state to leave
God--to whom the soul should cling as its basis--and to become and to
be in some way our own basis."
--St. Augustine--City of God 14, 13

Prayer: You, Lord, are the unseen power that brings decline upon the proud.
--St. Augustine--Confessions 1, 4

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• November 28th - Saint Joseph Pignatelli

'San Giuseppe Maria Pignatelli, also known as St. Joseph Pignatelli
(December 27, 1737 - November 11, 1811) was a priest born in
Saragossa, Spain, who was responsible for the Restoration of the
Society of Jesus (Jesuits). His family was of Neapolitan descent and
noble lineage. After finishing his early studies in the Jesuit College
of Saragossa, he entered the Society of Jesus on May 8, 1753 despite
his family's opposition. On concluding his ecclesiastical studies he
was ordained, and taught at Saragossa.

In 1766 the Governor of Saragossa was held responsible for the
threatened famine, and so enraged was the populace against him that
they were about to destroy his palace by fire. Pignatelli's persuasive
power over the people averted the calamity. Despite the letter of
thanks sent by Charles III the Jesuits were accused of instigating the
above-mentioned riot. Pignatelli's refutation of the calumny was
followed by the decree of expulsion of the Fathers of Saragossa in
April 4, 1767. Minister Aranda offered to reinstate Nicola and
Giuseppe Pignatelli, providing they abandon their order, but in spite
of Giuseppe's ill-health they stood firm. Not permitted by Clement III
to land at Civita Vecchia, with the other Jesuits of Aragon, he
repaired to St. Boniface in Corsica where he displayed singular
ability for organization in providing for five hundred fathers and
students. His sister, the Duchess of Acerra, aided him with money and
provisions. He organized studies and maintained regular observance.

When France assumed control of Corsica, he was obliged to return to
Genoa. St. Joseph was again detailed to secure a location in the
legation of Ferrara, not only for the fathers of his own province of
Aragon, but also for those of Peru and Mexico, but the community was
dissolved in August, 1773. The two Pignatelli brothers were then
obliged to betake themselves to Bologna, where they lived in
retirement (being forbidden to exercise the sacred ministry). They
devoted themselves to study and Pignatelli himself collected books and
manuscripts bearing on the history of the Society. On ascertaining
from Pius IV that the Society of Jesus still survived in White Russia,
he desired to be received there. For various reasons he was obliged to
defer his departure.

During this delay St. Joseph was invited, on the instance of
Ferdinand, Duke of Parma, to re-establish the Society in his States;
and in 1793, having obtained through Catherine II of Russia a few
fathers from Russia, along with some other Jesuits the new
establishment was made. On July 6, 1797, Pignatelli renewed his vows.
In 1799 he was appointed master of novices in Colerno. On the death of
the Duke of Parma, the States of Parma were placed under allegiance of
France. Nevertheless, the Jesuits remained undisturbed for eighteen
months, during which period Pignatelli was appointed Provincial of
Italy. After considerable discussion he obtained the restoration of
the Jesuits in Naples. The papal Brief (July 30, 1804) was much more
favourable than that granted for Parma. The older Jesuits soon asked
to be received back; many, however, engaged in various ecclesiastical
callings, remained at their posts. Schools and a college were opened
in Sicily, but when this part of the kingdom fell into Napoleon's
power, the dispersion of the Jesuits were ordered; but the decree was
not rigorously executed. Pignatelli founded colleges in Rome, Tivoli,
and Orvieto, and the fathers were invited to other cities.

During the exile of Pius VII and the French occupation the Society
continued unmolested, owing largely to the prudence and the merits of
Pignatelli; he even managed to avoid the oaths of allegiance to
Napoleon. He also secured the restoration of the Society in Sardinia
(1807). Giuseppe Pignatelli died on November 11, 1811. The saint rests
today in a reliquary under the altar of the Chapel of the Passion in
the Roman Church of Il Santissimo Nome di Gesù (the ‘Gesù’). Under
Pope Gregory XVI the cause of his beatification was introduced,
reaching conclusion on February 12, 1933 and being followed by his
canonization in June 1954.

After St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Joseph Pignatelli is arguably the
most important Jesuit in the history of the Society of Jesus, linking
the two Societies, the old Society which was founded officially in
1540, and the new Society which was founded forty years after the
order had been suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. St. Joseph
Pignatelli is thus considered the saviour and restorer of the Society
of Jesus.


Saint Quote:
When you feel the assaults of passion and anger, then is the time to
be silent as Jesus was silent in the midst of His ignominies and
sufferings.
--St. Paul of the Cross

Bible Quote:
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)


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O most merciful God, Who when the holy Abbot Sylvester stood within an
open tomb, meditating on the transitory vanities of this world, wast
pleased to summon him into the wilderness and make his life
illustrious by signal virtue: we earnestly beseech Thee, that like
him, we may despise earthly things, and enjoy communion with thee
forevermore. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.

(Roman Breviary)