Enjoy today's meditation on St. Clare of Assisi! đ
Dear John,
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Saint of the Day for August 26: Joseph Calasanz (September 11, 1556 â August 25, 1648) Saint Joseph Calasanzâ Story From Aragon where he was born in 1556, to Rome where he died 92 years later, fortune alternately smiled and frowned on the work of Joseph Calasanz. A priest with university training in canon law and theology, respected for his wisdom and administrative expertise, he put aside his career because he was deeply concerned with the need for education of poor children. When he was unable to get other institutes to undertake this apostolate at Rome, Joseph and several companions personally provided a free school for deprived children. So overwhelming was the response that there was a constant need for larger facilities to house their effort. Soon, Pope Clement VIII gave support to the school, and this aid continued under Pope Paul V. Other schools were opened; other men were attracted to the work, and in 1621 the communityâfor so the teachers livedâwas recognized as a religious community, the Clerks Regular of Religious SchoolsâPiarists or Scolopi. Not long after, Joseph was appointed superior for life. A combination of various prejudices and political ambition and maneuvering caused the institute much turmoil. Some did not favor educating the poor, for education would leave the poor dissatisfied with their lowly tasks for society! Others were shocked that some of the Piarists were sent for instruction to Galileoâa friend of Josephâas superior, thus dividing the members into opposite camps. Repeatedly investigated by papal commissions, Joseph was demoted; when the struggle within the institute persisted, the Piarists were suppressed. Only after Josephâs death were they formally recognized as a religious community. His liturgical feast is celebrated on August 25. Reflection No one knew better than Joseph the need for the work he was doing; no one knew better than he how baseless were the charges brought against him. Yet if he were to work within the Church, he realized that he must submit to its authority, that he must accept a setback if he was unable to convince authorized investigators. While the prejudice, the scheming and the ignorance of men often keep the truth from emerging for a long period of time, Joseph was convinced, even under suppression, that his institute would again be recognized and authorized. With this trust he joined exceptional patience and a genuine spirit of forgiveness
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St. Clare, Teacher We live in a hurting world. Suffering overwhelms people. We are not removed from that reality. We see it on the daily news. We hear it in the pleas for prayer contained in the emails, letters and phone calls that we receive. We touch it in our neighbors, our families and our own lives. We cannot remove or take away all the pain that we witness. Life is messy; even Jesus did not clean up all the messiness in the lives of the people he encountered. St. Clare has taught us to bring our messiness to God. God teaches us what we need to know. We are always looking for solutions. Our contemplative life teaches us that answers are not always clearly visible or even available. Yet, our contemplative stance also teaches a way of living peacefully with the questions. Our way of life is not a way of ignorance or avoidance of reality. It is a way of faith. It is a way of knowing that God is bigger than we are! It is a way of believing that God always comes through. âfrom Franciscan Mediaâs âLoving St. Clareâ
by Sister Claire André Gagliardi, OSC |
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Equality for Women Is Equality for All Reflect While much work has been achieved for womenâs rights over the years, there is still much to be done. In 1973, the US Congress made August 26th known as âWomenâs Equality Day.â The observance of Womenâs Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to womenâs continuing efforts towards full equality. Pray Mothering God,
You love all of your beloved children,
and that always includes your daughters.
Help us to use our voices and votes to make policies and procedures
that help support, free, and cherish womenâ
not oppress or control them.
May we honor the gifts of all women in the world and in the Church.
Amen. Act Reflect about who was a woman who inspired, mentored, or helped shape your life. What did you love most about her? Think about a way you can honor and celebrate another woman around you in honor of a woman who poured into your own life and story. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Patricia Breen. Learn more here! |
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