FEAST OF THE DAY
St. Clement I was the third successor of St. Peter as the head of the
universal Church. He reigned during the last decade of the first
century. He was martyred in 101 during the persecution of Trajan.
During his life he was known for his writing and preaching. One of his
most renowned works is his letter to the Corinthians urging unity and
charity. The Basilica of St. Clement in Rome, one of the earliest
parishes of the city, is traditionally held to be built on the site of is
home.
St. Columban was born around the year 543 in Ireland. After a
tormented youth, he lived a hermit's life for a time and later became
a monk at Bangor. After many years in the monastery, Columban
and twelve companions were sent to France as missionaries. These
missionaries won respect for their discipline, preaching, charity and
commitment to the religious life. St. Columban was deported after a
dispute with the French royalty, and he ended up in Italy where he
founded the monastery of Bobbio where he later died. During his
lifetime, he had very many writings and founded several
monasteries.
Bl. Miguel Pro was born in Guadeloupe, Mexico in the year 1891. At
the age of twenty, Miguel decided to apply to the Jesuits, and he
entered the novitiate in the year 1911. In 1910 a civil war had broken
out in Mexico, and by 1914, the fighting was so bad that the
seminary Miguel was at began to take precautions for its protection.
Many of the seminarians were sent to Belgium to complete their
training.
Miguel was ordained in 1925 and returned to Mexico a year later.
Twenty-three days after Miguel returned to his homeland, an order
was issued suppressing public worship and ordering the arrest of all
priests. Fr. Pro was arrested and escaped several times. To help his
ministry to the people, he used many disguises and tricks to evade
the authorities.
His last capture finally came. In 1927, Fr. Miguel was arrested and
sent before the firing squad for the crime of being a Catholic priest.
Moments before his stay of execution arrived, he was killed. His
dying words were "Long live Christ the King!" Miguel was meant to
be an example to other Catholics, and his martyrdom was well
documented with pictures and by the press. The coverage did serve
as an example, but not in the way it was planned. It served to
electrify the Catholics with love of God. Fr. Miguel was beatified
September 25, 1988 by Pope John Paul II.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Charity unites us to God... There is nothing mean in charity, nothing
arrogant. Charity knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in
concord. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect. -Pope St.
Clement I
TODAY IN HISTORY
1970 Pope Paul VI issued a decree limiting the age of cardinals
eligible to vote for a new pope to 80 and younger.
TODAY'S TIDBIT
Some feast days are restricted to a specific area or have a special
importance for a certain area. Today's feast of Bl. Miguel is one of
those feasts, it is celebrated in the United States, but not world wide.
INTENTION FOR THE DAY
Today we pray that we may have the courage of Bl. Miguel Pro to
stand up for our faith in times of adversity. We also pray for all those
throughout the world, who are unable to freely and openly practice
their Faith.
| Tuesday, November 23, 2004 Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, Priest, Martyr (Optional Memorial) |
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