Zeal in Amending our Lives (9)

Zeal in Amending our Lives (9)

 If there were nothing else to do but praise the Lord God with all
your heart and voice, if you had never to eat, or drink, or sleep, but
could praise God always and occupy yourself solely with spiritual
pursuits, how much happier you would be than you are now, a slave to
every necessity of the body! Would that there were no such needs, but
only the spiritual refreshments of the soul which, sad to say, we
taste too seldom!
Thomas a Kempis--Imitation of Christ--Bk 1, Ch 25

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3 February – Blessed Stephen Bellesini OSA
Also known as
Aloysius Bellesini
Stefano Bellesini

Memorial
2 February
3 February (Augustinians)

(1774-1840)
Priest and Friar of the Augustinian Hermits, Teacher and mentor of the
youth, Apostle of the poor, Parish Priest. Born as Luigi Giuseppe in
1774 in Trento, Italy and died on 2 February 1840 in Genazzano, Italy
of natural causes.

Stephen was born of the aristocracy in Trento on 25 November 1774. In
1790, aged just 16, despite his father’s opposition, he entered the
Order of Saint Augustine at the Convent of Saint Mark of Trento. He
completed his novitiate in Bologna, where he took his religious vows
and the name of Stefano. He was then sent to Rome for his studies of
philosophy and theology whereafter he returned to Bologna.

Fidelity in challenging circumstances was something Stephen had
learned early on as an Augustinian. Just three years after his
religious profession, and still only twenty-two years of age, he
experienced the effects of a rising revolutionary campaign that forced
him to leave the Monastery in Bologna where he was studying for the
priesthood and return to his native City to continue his education
under the guidance of tutors.

In 1797 he was Ordained Priest in Trento. His years as a young priest
were spent in the trying circumstances of a Church under siege by a
government desirous of limiting the Church’s influence and eventually,
putting an end to the religious way of life which Stephen had
professed. Finally, after several years of tension and uncertainty,
Stephen and his community were expelled from their Monastery for good,
forbidden to wear any longer, the habit of their religious profession.
They would never return. The Monastery would never re-open.

Stephen went to live with his brother and opened a school where he
devotes himself to the education of poor children, providing free
education and food and clothing where needed. Seven years later, the
Priest Stephen, by now a successful and respected teacher who had
championed the rights of poor and underprivileged children, won the
admiration and love of the people. Even the materialistic local
authorities came to respect his work. Eventually he was named
Inspector of Schools in Trent.

However, he missed religious life and in 1814,when he had the chance
to return to community life, Stephen resigned his important post in
Trent and went to join the Augustinian community in Bologna. Political
leaders in Trent begged Stephen to return to his work in the schools
there, offering to increase his pay. But Stephen refused, writing to
them, “You would surely not ask me (to return to Trent) if you
realised the unbreakable bond between a Friar and his God, who is the
King of Kings. Before his altar, I have solemnly promised to be
faithful to those vows.“

Stephen spent several years as Director of Novices, mentoring and
teaching young Augustinians the principles of community life in the
Order.

In his later years, Stephen served as Parish priest in Genazzano.
There his ministry included a special emphasis on the needs of the
poor and of children. In January, 1840, while answering a call to care
for a sick parishioner, he tripped and fell. A cut on his leg became
infected and he developed a high fever.

He tried to remain active for the next two days but the fever never
went away., it is believed he might have contracted the Typhus after
attending at many of the sick in his Parish. He died ON 2 February1840
in Genazzano. His remains are at the Shrine of Our Mother of Good
Counsel in Genazzano.

Stephen’s sanctity was well-known and highly respect. Champion of
youth, advocate for justice, comforter of the sick, guardian of the
poor, his message is timely, his life is exemplary and his love for
and commitment to religious life, are signposts to all religious and
to the faithful. Pope Pius X Beatified Stephen on 27 December 1904.
His cause continues, seeking a second miracle at his intercession –
“how will they call on him, if they have not heard of him?” Blessed
Stephen pray for us!

At the entrance to the Chapel of the General Curia in Rome there is a
familiar painting of the Augustinian Blessed, Stephen Bellesini. It is
a copy of an original work done by G Toeschi in 1905, depicting a
crowning moment and possibly one of the last, of Stephen’s life. He
stands close to the bedside of an infirm man, administering perhaps
Extreme Unction or simply offering him some comfort, while the man’s
wife presses her head to the bed, seemingly overcome with grief or
exhaustion. Two young children look on anxiously. The artist
touchingly captured here an important aspect of the ministry which
occupied the latter part of Stephen’s life, as he visited the homes of
the townspeople, bringing them the comfort of the Sacraments and
oftentimes, material assistance as well, during the typhus epidemic
which struck Genazzano in the Spring of 1839. As we know, less than a
year later, Stephen, himself, would fall victim to the pestilence and
would succumb – a martyr of charity – faithful to the end.

https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/03/


“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat
was covered by the waves but He was asleep.”- Matthew 8:24

REFLECTION

While all the rest were awake, He alone was fast asleep, even with
utter doom threatening both Himself and His dear ones.
Why? It is not a calm sky, beloved but the storm, which tests a
pilot’s skill. When the breeze is mild, even the poorest sailor can
manage the ship. But in the crosswinds of a tempest, we want the best
Pilot with all His skil!.”
– St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and
Doctor of the Church “Doctor of Homilies” (Sermon 20).

PRAYER – O God, You Who know that our human frailty cannot stand fast
against the great dangers that beset us, grant us health of mind and
body, that with Your help we may overcome what we suffer on account of
our sins. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns
with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Amen (Collect).


Saint Quote:
Let us faithfully transmit to posterity the example of virtue which we
have received from our forefathers.
--Saint Peter Damian

Bible Quote:
Thus saith the Lord: Stand ye on the ways, and see.  And ask for the
old paths, which is the good way, and walk ye in it, and you shall
find refreshment for your souls.  (Jeremias 6:16)


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3. Whoever is not very humble, can never draw profit from
contemplation, in which any little atom of insufficient humility,
though it may seem nothing, works the greatest harm.
--St. Teresa

One day, the Blessed Virgin prayed her most holy Son that He would
bestow some spiritual gifts upon St. Bridget. But He gave her this
reply: "Whoever seeks lofty things ought first to be exercised in the
lowly, by the paths of humility." Because the blessed clara of
montefalco experienced a vain pleasure in some things she had done,
the lord withdrew from her for 15 years, his lights and celestial
consolations, which she could not regain during all that time, though
she begged for them earnestly, with tears, prayers, and the use of the
discipline.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". February – Humility)