He descended so that we might ascend

[Rich]

He descended so that we might ascend

"God, who loved the world, gave his only begotten Son as a manifest
token of his love. If the evidence of his love is this, that he
bestowed a creature on creatures, gave a worldly being on the world's
behalf, granted one raised up from nothing for the redemption of
objects equally raised up from nothing, such a cheap and petty
sacrifice is a poor assurance of his favor toward us. Gifts of price
are the evidence of affection: the greatness of the surrender is
evidence of the greatness of the love. God, who loved the world, gave
no adopted son but his own, his only begotten [Son]. Here is personal
interest, true sonship, sincerity; not creation, or adoption, or
pretence. Here is the proof of his love and affection, that he gave
his own, his only begotten Son."
Hilary of Poitiers (excerpt from ON THE TRINITY 6.40.27)

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13 January – Blessed Francesco Maria Greco

(1857-1931)
Priest and Founder with Servant of God Raffaela De Vincentis (Sr
Maria Teresa De Vincenti (1872-1936) of the Little Workers of the
Sacred Hearts, Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Sacred Scripture,
Apostle of Charity, devotee of Eucharistic Adoration, the Blessed
Virgin and the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. Born on 26 July 1857 in
Acri, Cosenza, Italy and died on 13 January 1931 in Acri, Cosenza,
Italy of bronchitis. Patronages – the Little Workers of the Sacred
Hearts and Acri.

Francesco Maria Greco, was born on 27 July 1857 in Acri, in what was
then the Diocese of San Marco e Bisignano. Preparing for his father’s
profession, pharmacist, while still a student in Naples he felt a call
to the priesthood. At that time, while visiting the Shrine of the
Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, still under construction, he
asked for the grace of becoming “a learned priest for doing good
ministry.” He conquered the resistances of his parents and was
ordained a priest in 1881. In Acri he became arch-priest-pastor of the
Church of St Nicholas, from 1888 to his death.

In the light of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, for whom he had a
special devotion, he carried out intense and fruitful pastoral work.
Living and working in Acri in the late 1800s, Fr Francesco realised
that religious ignorance was the greatest problem his parishioners and
townspeople face – for the less they knew about God, the further from
Him they remained. Together with his sister, Maria Teresa, he began a
catechetical program to teach children, young people and adults about
the Catholic faith. The most dedicated catechist was Raffaella De
Vincenti, who later became the faithful collaborator of Blessed
Francisco, in the Institute’s foundation, on 21 November 1894, through
her profession of the vows, of chastity, poverty and obedience,
through which she received her religious name of Sister Maria Teresa
of the Sacred Hearts.

Others soon followed as young women from Acri and nearby towns heard
of the catechetical work to which she and Fr Francesco had devoted all
their energies. The Institute “… founded out of a spirit of charity,
namely the love of God”, has as “its principal purpose catechetical
instruction in parishes .” Through its apostolic works, this Institute
gives witness to the charity of the Sacred Hearts directed in a
special way to children and young people who are in need of human and
Christian formation.

Always full of priestly concern for others, this blessed man founded
the Caritas hospital which he entrusted to his sisters. He also
co-operated to the good performance of his diocese, making himself
available to requests from Bishops, who held him in high esteem. He
taught Dogmatic Theology and Sacred Scripture in the Seminary of
Bisignano and was its Rector for three years, while at the same time
the fulfilling his role as pastor. Surrounded by wide fame of holiness
he fell asleep in the Lord on 13 January 1931.

The cause of beatification began in 1960, was given in 1999 to Fr P
Luca De Rosa, OFM, general Postulator. The servant of God was declared
Venerable on 19 April 2004. On 21 January 2016, Pope Francis
authorised the Congregation for the causes of Saints to promulgate the
Decree of recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession,
thus allowing for his Beatification which took place on 21 May 2016.
The Beatification recognition was celebrated at Cosenza, Italy, with
Cardinal Angelo Amato as the chief celebrant. The beatification
miracle involved bringing Nina Pancaro out of a coma in which she had
lapsed following a severe illness and surgery. While comatose, she was
visited by a dream of Father Francesco who healed her and woke her up.

https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/13/


Quotes of the day:
“In solitude,
in the presence
of the Blessed Sacrament,
I learned the love of Jesus
and the power of this love.”
--Blessed Francesco Maria Greco (1857-1931)

“No matter how sinful
one may have been,
if he has devotion to Mary,
it is impossible that he be lost.”
--St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368)


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O God of Our Life
By St Augustine (354-430)

God of our life,
there are days when the burdens we carry
chafe our shoulders and weigh us down,
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies grey and threatening,
when our lives have no music in them
and our hearts are lonely
and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light,
run our eyes to where
the skies are full of promise,
tune our hearts to brave music,
give us the sense of comradeship
with heroes and saints of every age
and so quicken our spirits
that we may be able
to encourage the souls of all
who journey with us on the road of life,
to Your honour and glory.
Amen