Admonitions profitable for the spiritual life 2.

Admonitions profitable for the spiritual life 2.

 His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have
His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2)  But there are many who,
though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing
after it, because they have not the mind of Christ.  He, therefore,
that will fully and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ,
let him strive to conform his whole life to that mind of Christ.
--Thomas à Kempis ---Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 1

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October 13th - Saint Daniel and Companions, Martyrs

After the Franciscan Order had been blessed in the glorious death of
its first martyrs, St. Berard and his four companions, holy rivalry
was aroused among the children of St. Francis to offer their blood in
preaching the Faith of Christ.

In 1227, Daniel, provincial of Calabria, a man of eminent sanctity,
and six companions, Angelus, Samuel, Donulus, Leo, Hugolinus, and
Nicholas, with the blessing of the minister general, went to Africa to
preach the Gospel of Christ to the Mohammedans. Landing at Ceuta, they
resolved to preach in that large city. Before entering the city
proper, they learned from Christian merchants that a strict order
prohibited entrance to all Christians. They realized that their
undertaking was fraught with the greatest danger, and they prepared
themselves accordingly.

On Saturday, October 2nd, they made their confession, received Holy
Communion, and then spent the remainder of the day in prayer. In the
evening, as our Lord did on the eve of His sufferings, they washed one
another's feet. On Sunday morning they entered the city and began to
preach to the crowds in the streets and public places, boldly
declaring that salvation was to be found only in the name of Jesus.
The city was in an uproar. The courageous preachers were thrown into
prison. There they wrote to the Christian merchants in the suburbs:

"Blessed be God, the Father of mercies, who comforts us in all our
tribulations! Our Lord has commanded us: 'Go and preach the Gospel to
all creatures.' He has said: 'The servant is not greater than the
Master; if men persecute you, remember that they first persecuted Me.'
Struck by these words, we poor and unworthy servants of Jesus Christ
have abandoned our home, and have come to preach in this country for
the glory of God and the salvation of souls, and the confusion of
obstinate infidels. ...And although we may have much to suffer, we are
greatly comforted in the Lord, hoping He will be pleased to accept the
sacrifice of our lives. To Him only be honor and glory forevermore."

A week later the prisoners were led before the governor, and an
attempt was made to induce them to renounce their faith, first by
promises, then by threats. All remained firm in their profession of
Christ and were condemned to be beheaded.

The six companions bow knelt down before Daniel, their superior,
thanked him for providing them with the opportunity of winning a
martyr's crown, and asked for a final blessing. Father Daniel, amid
tears of holy joy, embraced each one, blessed them, and said: "Let us
rejoice in the Lord, my faithful companions, for this festive day for
us! The holy angels are already coming to conduct our souls to the
eternal mansions, and this day the white-robed martyrs will receive us
into their holy company. Heaven is open above our heads, we shall soon
be in possession of eternal happiness."

And so their heads rolled from the block, but their souls took their
flight to heaven. Their remains were later taken to Spain, where many
miracles occurred at their intercession. Pope Leo X canonized them in
1516.

Bible Quote:
24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your
burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in
every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you
and bless you. 25 And if you make me an altar of stone, you shall not
build it of hewn stones; for if you wield your tool upon it you
profane it. 26 And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your
nakedness be not exposed on it.’  Exodus 20:24-25 RSVCE

Bible Quote
 "For our sake he made the sinless one a victim for sin, so that in
him we might become the uprightness of God."  [2Corinthians 5:21]


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ON VENERATING THE HOLY MARTYRS
1. In our veneration of the saints, the holy martyrs deserve special
attention. We venerate in them, to an extent, the blood of Christ,
since the blood they shed is like a continuation of the blood which
Christ shed for us on Mt. Calvary. They sealed with their blood the
truths for which Christ was crucified. By sacrificing their lives they
also gave proof of their perfect fidelity and supreme charity towards
Christ, thus giving all Christians an encouraging example. The willing
self-oblation of the holy martyrs should impel us to venerate these
heroes of the Faith and should fill us with a great love for our holy
religion.

2. Consider the special way in which holy Church draws our attention
to the veneration of the holy martyrs. On their feastdays the priest
approaches the altar clothes in red vestments. The color reminds us of
the blood the martyrs shed. In offering their blood and their lives
for their holy Faith, they made the greatest sacrifice man can make.
We should praise and bless them for it in the name of holy Church,
whose glorious heroes they are. The red of the vestments also
signifies the fire of love which God kindled in the hearts of the
martyrs. That is also the purpose of the red color on the feast of
Pentecost. The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in the form of
fiery tongues and strengthened them remarkably. It is this fire of
love that gives martyrdom its value. "If I should deliver my body to
be burnt and have not charity, it profits me nothing" (1 Cor 13:3).
Hence, on the feasts of the holy martyrs, we should praise and thank
God, who gave this fire of love to so many thousands of His saints,
who became witnesses of their Faith by shedding their blood.

3. Consider that the martyrs gave proof of their fidelity even before
they shed their blood. Faithful to the call of the apostolate, they
went out to face danger after due preparation. They accepted reproach
and pain patiently, even cheerfully, for the sake of Christ; promises
could not lure them; nor threats frighten them to abandon Him. We must
imitate the martyrs in their fidelity even if we are not called upon
to shed our blood for Christ. Only in that way may we hope to please
them by our veneration. The glorious crown which they have won, should
encourage us to remain faithful in our allegiance to Christ. Their
powerful intercession will help us.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
As we rejoice, O Lord, at the crown which our brethren, Thy martyrs,
have won, may it produce in us an increase of virtue, and at their
intercession may it also be our comfort. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.