Of a Pure Mind and Simple Intention (1)

Of a Pure Mind and Simple Intention (1)

MAN is raised up from the earth by two wings-simplicity and purity.
There must be simplicity in his intention and purity in his desires.
Simplicity leads to God, purity embraces and enjoys Him. If your heart
is free from ill-ordered affection, no good deed will be difficult for
you. If you aim at and seek after nothing but the pleasure of God and
the welfare of your neighbor, you will enjoy freedom within.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 2, Chapter 4

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August 16: - Saint Roch
 (also known as Saint Rocco and Saint Roque)

1295-1327
Saint Roch was the patron saint of dogs and surgeons, and against
plagues and epidemics. Saint Roch left a privileged life to work
amongst those infected with the black plague, and in doing so,
contracted the illness himself. His selfless service, and miracles of
healing, earned him the mantle of sainthood.

Born to a rich government family in Montpellier, France, Roch’s mother
immediately recognized the great piety and religious potential in her
son--due to the fact that he was born with a red birthmark in the
shape of the cross on his chest. His childhood was spent in education
and the pursuits of the wealthy, but he was also drawn to the
religious life. As early as age five he engaged in various bodily
mortifications, and against the wishes of his parents, frequently
invited the poor and ill into the home to provide them food and
shelter. After his father died when he was 12, and his mother when he
was 20, Roch distributed his wealth to the poor, handed over the
reigns of the governorship to his uncle, and joined the Franciscan
Order.

Once a Franciscan tertiary, Roch journeyed to Italy, dressed as a
mendicant pilgrim, stopping along the way to care for the victims of
the Bubonic plague he encountered. He stopped at Aquapendente, which
was stricken by the plague, and devoted himself to the plague victims,
curing them with prayer and the sign of the cross. He next visited
Cesena and other neighboring cities, and then finally Rome. Legend has
it that everywhere he visited, the terrible scourge disappeared before
his miraculous power. He visited Mantua, Modena, Parma, and other
cities, all with the same results. In the city of Piacenza--greatly
devastated by black death--Saint Roch, himself, contracted the plague.


From the Golden Legend:
  “And from thence went to Piacenza, for he understood that there was
great pestilence. Rocke was ever of great study how he might, in the
name of Jesu and of his passion, deliver mortal men from the hurt of
pestilence. And so an whole year he visited the houses of poor men,
and they that had most need, to them he did most help, and was always
in the hospital. And when he had been long in the hospital of
Piacenza, and had helped almost all the sick men therein, about
midnight he heard in his sleep an angel thus saying:

  O Rocke, most devout to Christ, awake and know that thou art smitten
with the pestilence, study now how thou mayst be cured. And anon he
felt him sore taken with the pestilence under his both arms, and he
thereof gave than kings to our Lord. And he was so sore vexed with the
pain, that they that were in the hospital were deprived of their sleep
and rest of the night, wherefore S. Rocke arose from his bed and went
to the uttermost place of the hospital, and lay down there abiding the
light of the day.”

Despite his failing health, he continued working throughout the city,
miraculously curing many simply by his touch and making the sign of
the cross over the heads of the ill.

Saint Roch wandered into the forest to die, but was befriended by a
loyal dog. The dog fed him with food taken from his master’s table
each day, and Saint Roch eventually recovered. He spent the next five
years in the forest, living as a hermit, praying to the Lord. After a
time, he returned to Montpellier, but this uncle did not recognize him
as his illness, years of service, and hermitude had taken their toll.
Thought to be a spy (as France was in the midst of a civil war), he
was arrested and thrown into prison for five years, which Saint Roch
endured without complaint in service to the Lord. It is said that
during that time he was cared for by an angel. Only upon his death was
the birthmark on his chest discovered, and the governor grievously
saddened by the loss.
 by Jacob


Saint Quote:
   Jesus is working on the ups and downs of human existence: preparing
his three leaders for the trials of the Passion by giving them
something to remember, a moment of glory. Peter wants it to go on for
ever, to settle down there where it felt so good. Instead Jesus brings
them down the mountain, bracing them for the bad times ahead.
   We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not
depend on material success, but on Jesus alone.
--St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Bible Quote:
Fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity,
being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment. Let nothing be done
through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each
esteem others better than themselves: Each one not considering the
things that are his own, but those that are other men's.  [Philippians
2:2-4] DRB


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Our Lord, King of all!

We pray to You, O Lord,
who are the supreme Truth,
and all truth is from You.
We beseech You, O Lord,
who are the highest Wisdom,
and all the wise depend on You
for their wisdom.
You are the supreme Joy,
and all who are happy
owe it to You.
You are the Light of minds
and all receive
their understanding from You.
We love, we love You above all.
We seek You, we follow You,
and we are ready to serve You.
We desire to dwell under Your power
for You are the King of all.
Amen
By St Albert the Great O.P. (1200-1280)