On Self-Denial, and Renunciation of all Cupidity [II]

[Weedy]

On Self-Denial, and Renunciation of all Cupidity  [II]

THE DISCIPLE. Lord, this is not the work of a single day, and no easy
matter. These few words contain the whole way of spiritual perfection.

CHRIST.
My son, do not be discouraged or diverted from your purpose at hearing
of this way of perfection. Rather let it spur you to higher things and
at least, to set your heart on them. If only you would do this, and
attain that state where you cease to be a lover of self and stand
ready to do My will and His whom I have appointed as your Father, you
would greatly please Me and your whole life would be filled with joy
and peace. You have still many things to renounce, and unless you
surrender them to Me without reserve, you cannot obtain what you ask
of Me. I counsel you to buy from Me gold, refined in the fire, that
you may be rich (Rev.3:18) in that heavenly wisdom that rejects all
worthless things. Despise the wisdom of the world and every temptation
to please others or yourself.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3, Ch 32

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October 13th – St. Coloman of Stockerau (of Melk), Martyr
(also known as Colman, Colomannus)

Died in Stockerau, Austria, on October 18, 1012. Saint Coloman, an
Irish or Scottish monk of royal lineage who began a penitential
pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was stopped at Stockerau, about six miles
from Vienna. At that time there were continual skirmishes between
Austria, Moravia, and Bohemia. So the stranger, who spoke no German,
was accused of being a spy and, after various tortures, hanged to
death with several robbers.

For 18 months Coloman's body remained on the gibbet, uncorrupted and
unmolested by the birds and beasts—a miracle. The scaffolding itself
was said to have taken root and sent forth green branches, one of
which is preserved under the high altar of the Franciscan church at
Stockerau. Many miracles were wrought by his incorrupt body.

Three years after Coloman's death, Bishop Megingard translated his
relics to Melk (then called Mark, the capital of the ancient Marcomans
near Moravia), at the request of Marquis Saint Henry of Austria, who
built a tomb for him in the imposing abbey on the Danube River in
western Austria. Four popes have granted indulgences to those who pray
at the shrine of Saint Coloman (or Colman?) at Melk (Paschal II,
Clement VI, Innocent VI, and Leo X). Melk burned a 70-pound wax candle
in 1713 in petition for the saint's prayers against the plague that
was devastating the land.

Many churches and chapels in Austria, Swabia, the Palatinate, Hungary,
and Bavaria bear his name. On his feast day in Melk, hundreds of
horses and cattle are brought to the abbey for Coloman's blessing.
Dozens of neighboring parishes made a pilgrimage to his chapel near
Würtemberg on Whitsunday until the 18th century (Benedictines, D'Arcy,
Encyclopedia, Fitzpatrick, Gougaud, Husenbeth, Kenney, Tommasini).


The Colomansfest in Schwangau. Every year, the village
celebrates St. Coloman, the patron saint of the pilgrimage church.
Just as it has been for centuries, this religious feast is celebrated
on the Sunday closest to October 13th, the name-day of the Irish
saint. This feast also involves entertainment and is a most happy
occasion. The famous church has been the destination of great
pilgrimages since the 15th century. See:

The famous baroque church standing in a field in front of the village
has been the destination of great pilgrimages since the 15th century.
According to the legend, Coloman would have been resting, preaching
and even pasturing cattle in Schwanengau during a pilgrimage trip he
made from Ireland, his country, to Jerusalem. Up to present days he
has always been invoked by catholic believers when someone gets ill
among people or animals as well, or in case of overflowings and
storms.

The first chapel was probably built between 1350 and 1400. An
altar consecration is documented on August 8th, 1495 but it’s not
clear whether the chapel was rebuilt or just enlarged on that
occasion. A civil document demonstrates the increasing importance of
pilgrimages to the Coloman church: 1552 the Emperor Karl V officially
granted to the Colomansfest in Schwangau the right to be a market day.
So pilgrims had the possibility to combine their pilgrimage with
further important events.

Markets were not only a pleasant break in the hard and monotonous work
life, but they also offered a rare occasion to buy wares. Local
handicraftsmen planned an enlargement implemented by the plasterer
Johann Schmutzer. The consequent Coloman church, consecrated in 1685,
was the first great work of this builder and artist, who was going to
win his fame above all as builder of the Wessobrunn cloister.

His work together with St. Coloman will be focused on Sunday, October
12th, when more than 200 riders on their gorgeously harnessed horses
will attract thousands of inhabitants and guests of Schwangau to
celebrate there Mass at 10 am. According to the ancient custom, at the
end of the celebration the riders will ride three times round the
Church and will be blessed. Then, like in ancient times, the feast
will be happily resounding all around the church.


Saint Quote:
 A servant of the Lord stands bodily before men, but mentally he is
knocking at the gates of heaven with prayer.
-- Saint John Climacus

Bible Quote:
 For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ,
that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as
he hath done, whether it be good or evil.   (2 Cor. 5:10) DRB


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What Can I Say, Merciful Lady?
St Anselm (1033-1109)
Marian Doctor / Magnificent Doctor

My most merciful Lady,
what can I say about the fountains
that flowed from your most pure eyes
when you saw your only Son before you,
bound, beaten and hurt?
What do I know of the flood
that drenched your matchless face,
when you beheld your Son, your Lord
and your God,
stretched on the cross without guilt,
when the flesh of your flesh
was cruelly butchered by wicked me?
How can I judge what sobs
troubled your most pure breast
when you heard,
“Woman, behold your son,”
and the disciple,
“Behold, your Mother,”
when you received as a son
the disciple in place of the Master,
the servant for the Lord? Amen