[Robert Drobot]

Commemorating † The Feast of Saint Paul the Hermit, Confessor † Saint Paul (229-342) was born in Lower Thebaïd, Egypt. At age 22 during the persecution of Emperor Decius, he learned that his brother-in-law, who wanted to confiscate his estate, was planning to report him as a Christian to the pagan authorities. Paul fled, taking refuge in the desert. After the danger abated, he decided to remain a hermit. At the end of his life, Saint Anthony visited him in his cave in the desert and found an exemplar of what a holy man should be. He lived as an anchorite for more than 90 years. His life in the desert, however, should not lead us to think that the contemplation of God left him uninterested in the glorious battles of the Church. No one walks securely on the road leading to God if he is not united to the Spouse whom Christ chose and established as the column and fundament of Truth. Among the children of the Church, those called to be most closely united to her are the contemplatives, since they traverse the sublime, arduous roads where many dangers lurk. From the depths of his cave, Paul, enlightened by divine inspiration, followed the battles of the Church against Arianism. He was an admirer of Saint Athanasius and united to those who defended that the Word was co-substantial with the Father. He asked Saint Antony, to whom he left his own tunic, to bury him with the tunic of Saint Athanasius, which Saint Antony had received as a gift from the Patriarch of Alexandria. Comments of Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira : These are good commentaries on Saint Paul, the first hermit. The selection focuses on the nobility of the eremitic state, which consists of living alone in the desert making elevated meditations that seem far removed from human affairs, and, therefore, from the fight between Good and Evil. Actually, the personal fight of the hermit between his ordered passions directed by reason and his disordered passions directed by the Devil are not antithetical to the fight. The selection clearly shows that those contemplative hermits, by special enlightenment from God, had a clear notion of the merit of the fight of the Church in their times. The contemplative and active lives are profoundly harmonic, which can be seen in the life of Saint Paul the Hermit. From the depths of his cave where he lived isolated and dedicated to meditating on the things of God, he also followed in spirit the battles of the great Saint Athanasius. When he died, he asked to be buried in the tunic of Saint Athanasius to manifest his enthusiasm for the battles that the great warrior was waging against Arianism. This episode illustrates how the external apostolate is linked to the interior life, how the active life is linked to the contemplative. There is yet another consideration that can be made about the eremitic state. When speaking of it, one usually emphasizes the sacrifice and strength of will it takes to separate oneself from earthly things and be alone. In effect, the desire to talk and be with others is never so strong as when one is alone. Human nature is made in such a way that when we are with others for a long time, we want to be alone; but after we are alone for a time, we want to be among others. So, one of the greatest glories of the eremitic state would be to live alone and in silence. This is true in a certain way. But there is another aspect of the eremitic state to consider. Its nobility lies not just in remaining silent, but also in speaking with God. Speaking with God should be understood not as having continuous apparitions and revelations, but in keeping the spirit occupied with things of God, profound thoughts, elevated aspirations, noble causes. It is to be familiar with the highest cogitations of the human spirit, which are religious thoughts. This is, in my opinion, the excellence of the eremitic state, what constitutes its principal adornment and highest respectability. From a certain point of view, a man in the eremitic state practices the virtue of respect above all others. For the hermit nothing is small, without importance, or trivial. He understands the highest reasons for which each thing was created and its sacred, august character. When he speaks, his voice is like a bronze bell, grave and serious, calling men to the highest cogitations of the spirit. This is what the modern world is lacking more than anything else. The modern man completely lacks the virtue of respect. He lacks respect for himself and things because he rejected this spirit and embraced triviality and banality. He only likes transitory, concrete things that offer an immediate pleasure. The eremitic state is, on the contrary, a way of living where a man is like a flaming torch of gravity and respect. Respect for God, above all, but also respect for himself and for every created thing as it reflects God. This is what I think is the glory of the eremitic state. We should ask Saint Paul the Hermit to pray for us to have an understanding of and desire for this virtue, because without the virtue of respect, neither moral perfection nor sanctity exists. Α ☧ Ω

[Robert Drobot]

CALENDAR of the SAINTS Anno Dómini 15 January 2012 "....and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. ~ ~ Apocalypse Α ☧ Ω Saint Ablebert, Martyr Α ☧ Ω Saint Alexander Abbot. Founder of the Acremetre (Greek: without sleep), monks of Asiatic origin. He converted Saint Rabulas, the governor of Edessa, by a miracle. In the desert he converted thirty robbers, and changed their den into a monastery. Founded a monastery on the Euphrates. With 300 monks, he settled at Gomon in Bithynia, and divided them into six choirs to sing the Divine Office, so that it might ascend ceaselessly, night and day. Α ☧ Ω Saint Antonius of Ilbenstadt Α ☧ Ω Saint Arnold Janssen Albert felt an early call to the priesthood, and was ordained in A.D. August 1861. Well educated, he taught science and catechism for twelve years. Chaplain and director of the Ursuline convent at Kempen in A.D. 1873. Director of the diocesan Apostleship of Prayer in A.D. 1874. Editor of a journal about missionary work in A.D. 1873. In A.D. 1875 he established a missionary society called the Society of the Divine Word in Steyl, Holland; it received papal approval in A.D. 1901. The order, which soon had houses in Holland, Austria, and Germany, was composed of missionary priests who worked in Toga, New Guinea, Japan, Paraguay, and throughout North America. In A.D. 1889, Albert founded the Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Ghost to assist the priests in their mission. The Sisters serve as teachers in mission lands, especially of young girls. With the help of Blessed Maria Virgo, Arnold formed the sisters a contemplative branch named Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration who devote themselves to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and prayer for the success of missionary efforts. These sisters are nicknamed Pink Sisters because of the color of their habit. Α ☧ Ω Saint Blaithmaic of Iona, Martyr Abbot. Evangelist to England during a time of frequent Danish raids. Martyred in A.D. 823 by Danish invaders on the steps of the altar at the abbey church at Iona. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint Bonitus of Clermont Chancellor to King Sigebert III of Austrasia. Appointed governor of Marseilles by King Thierry III in A.D. 667. Bishop of Clermont in A.D. 689. He resigned the see when doubts arose about the validity of his election. Saint Bonitus spent his later years as a holy hermit at the Benedictine abbey of Manglieu, Clermont. Α ☧ Ω Saint Britta, Martyr Fourth century virgin. Martyred with Saint Maura. Their relics were discovered by Saint Euphronius. Α ☧ Ω Saint Ceolwulf of Northumbria, Martyr King of Northumbria, England. Patron and supporter of Saint Bede. Abdicated his throne in A.D. 738 to became a monk at Lindisfame. Bede dedicated his Ecclesiastical History to "the most gracious King Ceolwulf". Α ☧ Ω Saint Emebert of Cambrai Son of Count Witger and Saint Amalburga. Brother of Saint Gudule and Saint Reineldis. Bishop of Cambrai, France. Α ☧ Ω Saint Ephysius of Sardinia, Martyr Martyred in A.D. 303 on Sardinia, Italy. Α ☧ Ω Saint Eugyppius, Martyr Ordained in Rome, Italy. Worked with Saint Severinus in Noricum ( part of modern Austria ), and wrote a biography of him. Α ☧ Ω Saint Francis Ferdinand de Capillas, Martyr Joined the Dominicans in Valladolid, Spain. Missionary to China. He made so many converts in Fu-kien , China, that local officials arrested him as a spy.This holy man was beheaded A.D. 15 January 1648 in Fu’an, Fujian, China. Considered the proto-martyr of the Martyrs of China. Α ☧ Ω Blessed Geoffrey of Peronne Friend of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Prior of Clairvaux. Refused the bishopric of Tournai, Belgium. Α ☧ Ω Saint Gwrnerth Monk at Welshpool and Bardsey, Wales. Friend of Saint Liewellyn. Α ☧ Ω Saint Habakkuk the Prophet Seventh century BC Old Testament prophet in Judea. Α ☧ Ω Saint Isidore the Egyptian Priest in charge of a Alexandria pilgrims hospice. Opposed Arianism, supported Saint Athanasius, and was persecuted by Arians. Friend of Saint John Chrysostom. Α ☧ Ω Saint Ita of Killeedy, Martyr Born to the Irish nobility, possibly a member of the royal family. She refused to marry, and eventually received her father‘s blessing to live a celibate life. Founded the convent at Hy Conaill, County Limerick, Ireland which attracted large numbers of nuns. Founded a school for boys in Killeedy; one of her students was Saint Brendan. Second only to Saint Brigid in popular Irish devotion. Many extravagant miracles have become associated with her including healing a man who had been decapitated, and living solely off food delivered from heaven. Α ☧ Ω Saint John Calabytes Born wealthy. Ran away from home as a child, and became a monk at Gomon on the Bosphorus at age 12. When he finally returned home as a beggar at age 18, his family did not recognize him. However, the did recognized that he was a holy man, and the family allowed him to live as a hermit in a small hut (a calybe in Greek) near their front door. Only on his death were they were informed of his real identity. His story has led to his being a symbol of homelessness, and how we may not recognize the humanity in the poor and homeless in our midst. Α ☧ Ω Saint Liewellyn Monk at Welshpool and Bardsey, Wales. Friend of Saint Gwrnerth. Α ☧ Ω Saint Lleudadd of Bardsey Monk. Abbot of Bardsey, Gwynedd, Wales. Worked with Saint Cadfan in Brittany. Α ☧ Ω Saint Macarius of Egypt Shepherd in the desert region of Skete. Hermit. Spiritual student of Saint Anthony the Abbot. Founder of a monastic community in Skete. Ordained at age 40. His sanctity drew followers, and his desert community numbered thousands at his death. Fought Arianism, and was exiled for it. Several Libyan desert monasteries still bear the name Macarius. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint Malard of Chartres Bishop of Chartres, France. Attended the Council of Chalons-sur-saone in A.D. 650. Α ☧ Ω Saint Malo Α ☧ Ω Saint Maura, Martyr Fourth century virgin. Martyred with Saint Britta. Their relics were recovered by Saint Euphronius. Α ☧ Ω Saint Maurus Born to the nobility, the son of Equitius, a senator, and Giulia. Disciple of Saint Benedict of Nursia at age 12. Studied with Saint Placid. Deacon. Benedictine monk. Assisted Saint Benedict at Subiaco, Italy, and at Monte Cassino in A.D. 528. Founder and abbot of the abbey at Glanfeuil, France in A.D. 543; it was later renamed for him. Could heal by prayer, and there are multiple stories of him bringing the dead back to life. At the moment of the death of Saint Benedict, Maurus received a vision of his old teacher travelling a street that led to heaven. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint Maximus of Nola Bishop of Nola, Italy. Worked with Saint Felix of Nola, and with him was saved by the work of a spider. Worked against the persecutions of Decius, and to save his tormented parishioners. The effort wore him out and sent him to an early grave. Α ☧ Ω Saint Micah Α ☧ Ω Saint Paul the Hermit Paul grew up in an upper-class, Christian family. He was well educated, fluent in Greek and Egyptian. His parents died when the boy was 15. When the persecutions of Decius began a few years later, Paul fled into the desert to escape both them, and the machinations of his brother Peter and other family members who wanted his property. He lived as a desert hermit in a cave the remainder of his 113 year life, surviving off fruit and water, wearing leaves or nothing, spending his time in prayer; legend says a raven kept him supplied with bread. Late in life he came to know, and was buried by Saint Anthony the Abbot. His biography was written by Saint Jerome. Blessed Saint Peter of Castelnau Known in lay and religious life for his intelligence, piety, and devotion. Archdeacon of Maguelone in A.D. 1199. Cistercian monk at Fontfroide A.D. 1202. Papal legate and inquisitor A.D. 1203 under Pope Innocent III. Assigned to work with the heretic Albigensians, to bring them back to the church. He embarked on a great evangelization campaign through southern France; Saint Dominic de Guzman worked in this effort. Martyred by Albigensians, probably with the support of Count Raymond VI of Toulouse who hoped to use the Albigensian crisis to increase his political power. Stabbed to death with a lance A.D. 1208 near Saint Gilles Abbey by Albigensian heretics, sparking the Albigensian Crusade against the heretics in southern France. Α ☧ Ω Saint Placid, Martyr Son of a patrician senator named Tertulus. Disciple and spiritual student of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Friend of Saint Maurus, who saved him from drowning. Accompanied Benedict to Monte Cassino, which was given to Benedict by Tertulus. Known through the second Dialogue of Saint Gregory the Great. Α ☧ Ω Saint Romedius of Sanzeno Α ☧ Ω Saint Sawl Welsh chieftain. Father of Saint Asaph. Α ☧ Ω Saint Secundina, Martyr Maiden martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Decius. Her guards were converted to Christianity by her testimony of faith before the judges. Α ☧ Ω Saint Tarsicia of Rodez Granddaughter of King Clotaire II of the Franks. Sister of Saint Ferreol of Uzès. Lived as a hermit near Rodez, France. Α ☧ Ω Saint Teath May have been the daughter of Saint Brychan of Brecknock in Wales. She is mentioned in 13th century documents. A Cornwall church bears her name. No details of her life have survived. Α ☧ Ω