SAINT OF THE DAY -- Oct. 11 - Blessed Angela Truszkowska
October 11
Blessed Angela Truszkowska
(1825 - 1899)
Patron Saint of People with Illnesses
"Help all without discrimination, friend and foe alike.
Everyone is our neighbor."
- Mother Angela Truszkowska
Today we honor a woman who submitted to God's will throughout her life—a life filled with pain and suffering.
Born
in 1825 in central Poland and baptized Sophia, she contracted
tuberculosis as a young girl. The forced period of convalescence gave
her ample time for reflection. Sophia felt called to serve God by
working with the poor, including street children and the elderly
homeless in Warsaw's slums. In time, her cousin joined her in the work.
In
1855, the two women made private vows and consecrated themselves to the
Blessed Mother. New followers joined them. Within two years they formed
a new congregation, which came to be known as the Felician Sisters. As
their numbers grew, so did their work, and so did the pressures on
Mother Angela (the new name Sophia took in religious life).
Mother
Angela served as superior for many years until ill health forced her to
resign at the age of 44. She watched the order grow and expand,
including missions to the United States among the sons and daughters of
Polish immigrants.
Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1993.
Comment:
Eldest daughter of Joseph and Josephine Truszkowski, Polish nobles. Well educated, pious, and lively youth with a frail constitution. Moved to Warsaw in 1837, and attended the Academy of Madame Guerin. Due to respiratory illness, she and her tutor Anastasia moved to Switzerland in 1841 at age 16. On 26 June 1848, at age 23, she had a moment of extraordinary grace that she considered a conversion experience, and which led her to the religious life. Spiritual student of Capuchin Father Honorat Kozminski in 1854. Joined the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1855 to help the poor, aged and homeless of Warsaw. Housed homeless children into her own home. In November 1854, she and her cousin Clothilde rented a two-room apartment at 10 Church Street, Nowe Miasto, in Warsaw, Poland. There homeless children spent their days in class and Mass, and then stayed the night; it was known as the Institute of Miss Truszkowska. Sophia prayed with the children at the Shrine of Saint Felix of Cantalice in a nearby Capuchin church. People call the kids the "children of Saint Felix" and the women the Sisters of Saint Felix, the Felicians. Thus was founded the Felician Sisters whoe are devoted to service to the poor, orphaned, sick and elderly. In 1855 Sophia and Clothilde become Franciscan tertiaries, Sophia taking the name Angela. She was forced to withdraw as its leader due to increasing deafness.
Quote:
"Help all without discrimination, friend and foe alike. Everyone is our neighbor."
- Mother Angela Truszkowska
Prayer:God, our Father, you graced Blessed Mary Angela with a living faith and boundless love which she manifested in complete surrender to your divine will. By her prayers and witness may we strive to seek, to accept, and to fulfill your will in all circumstances of our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Source: American Catholic Organization
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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?