-- Proverbs 15:15-18 - -

-- Proverbs 15:15-18 - -

    All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
    Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.
    Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.
    A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
    but a patient man calms a quarrel.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
 Our attitudes color our whole personality. We cannot always choose
what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each
situation. The secret to a cheerful heart is filling our mind with
thoughts that are true, pure and lovely, with thoughts that will dwell
on the good things in life (Philippians 4:8). Look at your attitudes
and then examine what you allow to enter your mind and what you choose
to dwell on. You may need to make some changes.

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11 February =E2=80=93 Saint Lazarus of Milan
Also known as Lazzaro

Memorials
14 March
11 February (Ambrosian Rite)

(Died 449) Archbishop of Milan from 438 to 449.

We have almost no information about the life and episcopate of St
Lazarus, though his name means =E2=80=9Che who is assisted by God.=E2=80=9D=
 He
probably studied in Milan and is reported to have been of stern
appearance. A late tradition, with little historical basis, associates
Lazarus with Milan's family of the Beccardi. It is believed that he
resisted the Manichaeans, in the footsteps of St Pope Leo the Great.

St Lazarus became Bishop of Milan in 438. The times were volatile and
troublesome, for the Goths were ravaging Italy and were masters of
Milan but although Lazarus had much to suffer at their hands, he ruled
his flock prudently and faithfully.

St Magnus Felix Ennodius (c 473-521), the Bishop of Pavia and
Rhetorician and Poet (Feast day =E2=80=93 17 July), includes him in a list =
of
twelve holy Bishops of Milan, of whom St Ambrose was the first and
most eminent.

Lazarus is chiefly remembered in connextion with the Rogationtide
litanies which, it is believed, he was the first to introduce. To
invoke the protection of God at that distressful period, he ordered a
three days=E2=80=99 fast with processions, litanies and visits to various
Churches from the Monday to Wednesday within the Octave of the
Ascension. Afterwards, it is believed that St Mamertus introduced
these litanies into the Diocese of Vienne and changed the date to the
three days before Ascension day. The first Council of Orleans (511)
ordered that this observance should be general throughout France and
it spread quickly to England and elsewhere.

Later still, Archbishop Stephen Nardini and St Charles Borromeo did
much to encourage and establish this custom in Milan, which continues
to the present day. The word rogation comes from the Latin verb
rogare, meaning =E2=80=9Cto ask,=E2=80=9D which reflects the beseeching of =
God for the
appeasement of His anger and for protection from calamities.

Lazarus died on 14 March in the year 449, after having been the
Archbishop of Milan for 11 years but his Feast is kept on today, 11
February because Saints=E2=80=99 days are not celebrated during Lent, in th=
e
Diocese of Milan which, as is well known, follows its own Ambrosian
rite.

https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/11/


Saint Quote:
I went back each day for fifteen days, and each time, except one
Monday and one Friday, the lady appeared and told me to look for a
stream and wash in it and to see that the priests build a chapel
there. I must also pray, she said, for the conversion of sinners. I
asked her many times what she meant by that, but she only smiled.
Finally, with outstretched arms and eyes looking up to heaven, she
told me she was the Immaculate Conception.
-- Saint Bernadette of Lourdes

Bible Quote:
"for the Lord is a judge who is utterly impartial. He never shows
partiality to the detriment of the poor, he listens to the plea of the
injured party. He does not ignore the orphan's supplication, nor the
widow's, as she pours out her complaint." Ecclesiasticus 35:12-13

The Power of Mary

=E2=80=9CWe should turn confidently to Mary, especially when we are tempted=
.
She cannot allow us to offend her Jesus and to fall into the foils of
the devil, as long as we pray to her with faith in her intercession.
=E2=80=9CThe devil, as a roaring lion,=E2=80=9D says St Peter, =E2=80=9Cgoe=
s about seeking
someone to devour=E2=80=9D (1 Peter 5:8).
But, our Mother Mary is always by our side seeking to protect us.
Let us entrust ourselves to her maternal care.
Not only does Mary wish to help us, declares St Bonaventure but, those
who do not pray to her, commit almost as great an offence, as those
who openly insult her (In Spec Virg)!
--Antonio Cardinal Bacci


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The Prayer for Courage

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous,
teach me to serve You as You deserve:
to give and not count the cost,
to fight and not heed the wound,
to toil and not seek rest,
to labor and not seek reward,
save that of feeling that I do Your will. - Amen.
--Saint Ignatius of Loyola