— 1 John 2:17 —

=E2=80=94 1 John 2:17 =E2=80=94
=20
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God
lives forever.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
"Blessed are the ears that catch the pulses of the divine whisper and
give no heed to the whispering of the world."
Thomas =C3=A1 Kempis

<<>><<>><<>>
    =E2=80=A2 13 November =E2=80=93 Saint Didacus (de Alcal=C3=A1 de Henare=
s) OFM

 (c 1400-1463)
 Lay Brother of the Order of Friars Minor, Hermit, Mystic, Confessor,
Born in c 1400 at Seville, Spain and died on 12 November 1463 at
Alcala, Castile, Spain of natural causes. Also known as =E2=80=93 St Didacu=
s
of St Nicholas, Diego, Diaz, Didacus de Alcal=C3=A1 de Henares, Didacus of
Alcala. Patronages =E2=80=93 Franciscan laity, Franciscan lay brothers,
Diocese of San Diego, California.

The Roman Martyrology states of him today: =E2=80=9CAt Alcala in Spain, St
Didacus, Confessor of the Order of Minorites, who was renowned for his
humility. Incribed on the catalogue of the Saints by Pope Sixtus V,
with a Feast Day of 13 November.=E2=80=9C

Didacus was born about 1400 at San Nicolas in Andalusia, of poor and
God-fearing parents. He entered the Third Order of St Francis when he
had scarcely reached young manhood and under the direction of a devout
Tertiary Priest, he served God for a long time as a Hermit. Consumed
with the desire for still greater perfection, he later entered the
Franciscan Convent at Arizafa in Castile and was there admitted to
solemn vows as a lay brother.

His rapid progress in virtue made him a model to all his companions.
His soul was continually occupied with God in prayer and meditation.
From this source, he gathered such supernatural insight concerning God
and the Mysteries of Faith, that learned theologians listened with
astonishment to the inspiring conversations of this uneducated lay
brother. Since Brother Didacus manifested great zeal for souls and
willingness for sacrifice, his superiors sent him with other brethren
to the Canary Islands, which at that time, were still inhabited by
wild infidels. Didacus was eager for martyrdom and in this spirit,
bore with dauntless patience, the many hardships that came his way.
Both by word and example, he helped in converting many infidels.

In 1445, he was appointed Guardian of the chief Friary on the islands
at Fortaventura. Recalled to Spain, he went to Rome in 1450 at the
command of the Observant Vicar General, St John Capistrano, to attend
the great Jubilee and the Canonisation ceremonies of St Bernardine of
Siena. On this occasion, an epidemic broke out among the many Friars
assembled in the large Convent of Aracoeli. Didacus attended the sick
with great charity and trust in God. And God did not fail him. Despite
the lack of supplies in the City at the time, Didacus always had ample
provisions for his patients. He miraculously restored many of them to
health by merely making the Sign of the Cross over them.

Leaving Rome, he returned to Spain, where, as in the former days, he
was a source of great edification to the Friars of every Convent in
which he lived.

When he felt that the end of his life was drawing near, he asked for
an old and worn-out habit, so that he might die in it as a true son of
the poor St Francis. He died on 12 November 1463, at the Franciscan
Monastery in Alcal=C3=A1, pressing a Crucifix to his heart and repeating
the words of the Good Friday chant: =E2=80=9CDulce lignum, dulce ferrum, du=
lce
pondus sustinet=E2=80=9D =E2=80=93 Precious the wood, precious the nails, p=
recious the
weight they bear.

Months passed before it was possible to bury Brother Didacus, so great
was the number of people who came to venerate his remains. Not only
did his body remain incorrupt but it diffused a pleasant odour. After
it was laid to rest in the Franciscan Church at Alcal=C3=A1 de Henares,
astounding miracles continued to occur at his tomb. Pope Sixtus V,
himself a Franciscan, Canonised Brother Didacus in 1588.

The Church pays to Didacus today, the very same honours as we have
seen her pay to Bernardine and John Capistrano. What is this but
asserting, that before God, heroic acts of hidden virtue, are not
inferior to the noble deeds that dazzle the world, if, proceeding from
the same ardent love, they produce in the soul, the same increase of
divine charity.

https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/13/


Saint Quote:
Holy Spirit, inspire me. Love of God consume me. Along the true road,
lead me. Mary, my good mother, look down upon me. With Jesus, bless
me. From all evil, all illusion, all danger, preserve me.
-- Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified

Bible Quote:
Apocalypse 18 7  "As much as she hath glorified herself, and lived in
delicacies, so much torment and sorrow give ye to her


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THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS

11th Day

OUR DUTY TO RELIEVE THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

In bestowing charity upon any person, we are usually guided by the
degree of his poverty; but, who is in such great need as he who
possesses absolutely nothing, owes a heavy debt, is unable to labor or
gain any merit, or even to beg, and must nevertheless suffer the most
excruciating torments until the last farthing has been paid? There is
a universal law to assist the needy, which extends even to strangers ;
but here the obligation is greatest, because among these souls in
Purgatory, are such as were intimately connected with us, who suffer,
perhaps, for having loved us excessively. Among the sufferers are our
fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends. How
exceedingly painful for them to be forgotten and deserted even by
those whose happiness they promoted during their sojourn upon earth;
to see the possessions left to their children foolishly squandered,
they themselves not receiving the benefit of the least farthing
thereof ! What proofs of extreme coldness and ingratitude ! Were any
of these persons afflicted with the least pain upon earth, we would do
all in our power to relieve them, but, as it is, we are devoid of all
sympathy, and leave them in their terrible suffering and anguish.

Prayer: Have mercy, O Lord, upon the suffering souls in Purgatory, and
mitigate the severity of Thy judgment, that they, who, during their
earthly lives believed in Thee hoped in Thee, and loved Thee, may
receive the crown of justice in Heaven. Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who are suffering
for their negligence in-praying for the souls in Purgatory.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine
upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)

Practice: Suffer patiently the disagreeable occurrences in your
intercourse with others.

Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!