SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 11 - Saint Ignatius of Laconi
May 11
St. Ignatius of Laconi(1701-1781)
Apostle of the StreetHe Made Peace Between Enemies
Ignatius is another sainted begging brother.
He was the second of seven children of peasant parents in Sardinia. His
path to the Franciscans was unusual. During a serious illness, Ignatius
vowed to become a Capuchin if he recovered. He regained his health but
ignored the promise. A riding accident prompted him to renew the
pledge, which he acted on the second time; he was 20 then. Ignatius’s
reputation for self-denial and charity led to his appointment as the
official beggar for the friars in Cagliari. He fulfilled that task for
40 years; he was blind the last two years.
While on his rounds,
Ignatius would instruct the children, visit the sick and urge sinners
to repent. The people of Cagliari were inspired by his kindness and his
faithfulness to his work.
Vincent, from an
early age showed signs of a religious vocation. His father would not
permit him to pursue this because the family depended on his help. As
an adolescent, he fell gravely ill and made a vow that if he should
recover he would become a Capuchin.
His father however, was still
opposed Vincent's promise. But when he confronted his parents and told
them of the vow he made to enter the Capuchin Order, and they quickly
relented.
When Vincent approached the provincial minister to ask if he
could enter the Capuchin Order, his request was met with a resounding,
"No". The provincial judged that Vincent's frail appearance to be too
much of an obstacle for living the austere, rigorous life of a
Capuchin. Through persistence, Vincent was eventually accepted.
He was
given the name Ignatius. For the last 40 years of his life, he served
as questor. Ignatius was illiterate, his grammar poor and his dialect
rough. However, he was recognized for his holiness.
He always set out
on his quest with rosary in hand and eyes down cast. People often gave
alms to this "apostle of the street", out of personal devotion than
charity. He was always held in high esteem by others and was referred
to as the "holy friar". He never sought personal prestige or
recognition. His words, though unpolished, always reflected a faith
perspective.
To those who came to him for comfort, he would advise,
"Trust God". He had a great devotion to the Virgin Mary. For the last
two years of his life, Ignatius was completely blind, although he was
still actively engaged in ministry. He died on 11 May 1781. He was
beatified by Pius XII on 16 July 1844 and canonized on 21 October 1951.
Comment:
Why
did the people of Cagliari support the friars? These followers of
Francis worked hard but rarely at jobs that paid enough to live on.
Under these conditions St. Francis allowed them to beg. The life of
Ignatius reminds us that everything God considers worthwhile does not
have a high-paying salary attached to it.
Quote:
"And I used to work with my hands, and I [still] desire to work; and I
firmly wish that all my brothers give themselves to honest work. Let
those who do not know how [to work] learn, not from desire of receiving
wages for their work but as an example and in order to avoid idleness.
And when we are not paid for our work, let us have recourse to the
table of the Lord, seeking alms from door to door" (St. Francis, Testament).
Prayer:
Lord God,
you led St Ignatius along the way of humility,
innocence and fraternal charity to the heights of sanctity.
Help us to imitate his virtues and to practice charity on earth
with word and deed.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
Source: American Catholic Organization
Many great miracles have been associated with
the Rosary throughout history.
The tremendous power of the Rosary can
overcome any problem,
be it small or large, personal or worldwide.
Miracles continue to the present day!
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If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please know that my husband and I pray for you every single night.
If you need immediate assistance, dial 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Does your partner:
- humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
- treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
- ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
- blame you for his own abusive behavior?
- see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
threaten to take your children away or harm them?
threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
- act excessively jealous and possessive?
- control where you go or what you do?
- keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
- constantly check up on you?