Today's prayer đ is in honor of those who battle addiction.
Dear John, When I read today's Saint of the Day entry on Luke Belludi, I'm reminded of the importance of presence and companionship on our spiritual journeys. Truly, no one is an island unto themselves, and when we focus on our connections and common ground, beautiful things can happen: like Rebuilding God's Church. Accompaniment is a major piece of our Christian identity, but it can be easy to lose sight of it sometimes. Blessed Luke Belludi showed how deeply the commitment to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ can run and why that's important. Would I have the courage to secretly return to a city where outright hostility and violence had just been dealt out to the town's nobles? I don't know. But his story gives me courage, and then I remember that fortitude is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. So, today, I pray that we accompany each other, with hearts aflame with courage and love, and resume our steps on this shared path toward our home in the Lord. If you enjoy this newsletter, would you help us customize our resources to suit your needs better by donating to Rebuilding God's Church? We are humbled and honored to create media that hopefully accompanies you on your spiritual journey. Peace and all good! Daniel Imwalle Managing Editor St. Anthony Messenger |
Saint of the Day for February 24:
Luke Belludi (1200 â c. 1285)
Listen to Blessed Luke Belludiâs Story Here
In 1220, Saint Anthony was preaching conversion to the inhabitants of Padua when a young nobleman, Luke Belludi, came up to him and humbly asked to receive the habit of the followers of Saint Francis. Anthony liked the talented, well-educated Luke and personally recommended him to Francis, who then received him into the Franciscan Order. Luke, then only 20, was to be Anthonyâs companion in his travels and in his preaching, tending to him in his last days and taking Anthonyâs place upon his death. He was appointed guardian of the Friars Minor in the city of Padua. In 1239, the city fell into the hands of its enemies. Nobles were put to death, the mayor and council were banished, the great university of Padua gradually closed and the church dedicated to Saint Anthony was left unfinished. Luke himself was expelled from the city but secretly returned. At night he and the new guardian would visit the tomb of Saint Anthony in the unfinished shrine to pray for his help. One night a voice came from the tomb assuring them that the city would soon be delivered from its evil tyrant. After the fulfillment of the prophetic message, Luke was elected provincial minister and furthered the completion of the great basilica in honor of Anthony, his teacher. He founded many convents of the order and had, as Anthony, the gift of miracles. Upon his death he was laid to rest in the basilica that he had helped finish and has had a continual veneration up to the present time. Reflection The epistles refer several times to a man named Luke as Paulâs companion on his journeys. Perhaps every great preacher needs a Luke; Anthony surely did. Luke Belludi not only accompanied Anthony on his travels, he also cared for the great saint in his final illness and carried on Anthonyâs mission after the saintâs death. Yes, every preacher needs a Luke, someone to offer support and reassuranceâincluding those who minister to us. We donât even have to change our names.
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Do Not Close Your Ears
Too often, the poor, the needy, the homeless, and the destitute are not heard. Immigrants, refugees, and others treated as aliens are pushed away. Victims of trafficking and people at risk of being trafficked go unseen. People with disabilities or physical challenges and those suffering from mental illness are often ignored and left out. Others are held back by the persistence of discrimination. In short, there are many people whose voices are not heard. People whose concerns are ignored or discounted need a voice to defend their rights. Whose voice do they need? Ours. âfrom St. Anthony Messengerâs ââSpeak Out for Those Who Cannot Speakââ
by Tom Faletti |
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Battling Hard Things Reflect When battling the hard things of life like addiction, we need spiritual companions to pray for usâspiritual brothers and sisters to fight for us from heavenâs gaze. St. Maximilian Kolbe, the humble Franciscan priest who gave his life for another prisoner in Auschwitz, is known as the patron saint of those who battle addictions. Fr. Kolbeâs example of courage and love can be an encouragement to those you may know who are fighting the battle of addiction in their own lives. Pray Dear God,
the pain and suffering
of addiction
is something that
touches the lives
of many families
and individuals.
Surround those suffering
with help, resources,
and companions on the journey
to healing and wholeness.
St. Maximilian Kolbe,
pray for those most affected
by the pain of addiction.
Amen. Act Has addiction touched the life of someone you know or someone in your family? Think about how you can support them on the path to healing. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Patricia Breen. Learn more here! |
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