 10/12/2012 15:29 |
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Monday, Dec. 10, Second Week in Advent
BLESSED ADOLPH KOLPING (Germany, 1813-1865), 'Father of all apprentices'
Son of a peasant, he was a shoemaker before becoming a priest.
In Cologne, he set up the first workmen's society that promoted
the value of family life and the dignity of labor. His apostolate
with laborers was similar to John Bosco's with the urban young.
By the time he died, there were >400 Kolpingfamilien societies
in Germany. Today there are Kolpingwerk societies in 54 countries
of the world. He is buried in Cologne Cathedral and was beatified in 1991.
In some calendars, today is also dedicated to
The Servant of God BERNARDO DI QUINTAVALLE (d 1246), first follower of St. Francis of Assisi
Declared ‘Minorum Ordinis prima plantula’ (first fruits of the Minor Order of Friars), Bernard had been Francis’s first follower. A wealthy man of Assisi, he invited Francis to stay at his house one night, during which he saw that the young man gave up sleep to pray all night. Convinced of Francis’s holiness, he asked to be a disciple. Francis joyfully took him to the church where they attended Mass and then asked the priest to open the Bible three times. Three passages appeared: "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor" (Matthew 19:21). "Take nothing for the way" (Mark 6:8). "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). Francis said: "This will be the rule of life which we and all those who will join us shall follow." At that, Bernard sold all his possessions and divided the money among the poor. Francis came to trust in the older man who also proved to be holy. He sent him on missions to other cities and later, took him along on the trip to Africa to preach to the Muslims. But along the way they met a poor sick man and Francis left the ever-joyful Bernard to care for the man until he himself would return. In 1210, Francis chose Bernard to lead the first group of friars who went to Rome to ask for the approval of the Order's rule. Before his death Francis gave Bernard a special blessing and asked all of the brothers to have respect for this holy man. Bernard is buried in Assisi near his holy founder in the Basilica of St. Francis. [I have been unable to find out so far why Bernard was not beatified like the other early disciples of Francis.]
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121012.cfm
No events announced today for the Holy Father.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 10/12/2012 15:33] |
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