St. Olympias – December 17th
This Saint belonged to a great family of Constantinople and when she was left an orphan, she was given into the care of a wonderful Christian woman. Olympias had inherited a large fortune and was both sweet and attractive. So her uncle found it easy to marry her to Nebridius, a man who had been governor of Constantinople. St. Gregory of Nazianzen apologized for not being able to attend the wedding, and sent a poem full of good advice for Olympias.
Nebridius died very soon afterwards, however, and the Emperor urged Olympias to marry again. She answered: “Had God wished me to remain a wife, He would not have taken Nebridius away.” And she refused to marry again. St. Gregory called her “the glory of the widows in the Eastern Church.”
With a number of other pious ladies, Olympias gave herself to works of charity. She dressed plainly, prayed much, and gave her money away to everyone. Finally St. John Chrysostom had to tell her to be careful in giving away her goods. “You must not encourage laziness of those who live upon you without necessity,” he said. “It is like throwing your money into the sea.”
When St. John Chrysostom became Archbishop of Constantinople, he guided St. Olympias and her disciples in their works. A home for orphans and a chapel were opened, and help given to great numbers of people.
Among St. Olympias’ friends were five other saints, but her own bishop, St. John Chrysostom, was her dearest guide and when he was exiled, she was deeply grieved. She then had to suffer persecution and her community of widows and maiden were forced to stop their charitable works. Besides this, she was in poor health and was being criticized and even exiled. Yet St. John wrote to her: “I cannot stop calling you blessed. The patience and dignity with which you have borne your sorrows, your prudence, wisdom and charity have won you great glory and reward.”
St. Olympias died when she was about forty. Some one described her as “a wonderful woman, like a precious vase filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Let us make sure to have a good guide in our spiritual work, so that we will be certain of spending our lives in the best possible way.
Showing posts with label Saints-O. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saints-O. Show all posts
12/17/08
11/18/08
St. Odo of Cluny
St. Odo of Cluny – November 18th
This French saint was not a very holy young man when he first began his service to the Church. He was more interested in music than in divine things. But one day, this young student realized how different his life was from the perfect life taught by the Rule of St. Benedict. So Odo entered a monastery, and tried to please God in every way. Sometimes, however, his kind heart caused him to do unwise things, but as he grew older, he learned to be more prudent.
St. Odo was forty-eight when he became Abbot of Cluny, which was to be the most famous monastery in Europe. Many other monasteries copied Odo’s way of keeping all the monks fervent and close to God. He was called to Rome by the Holy Father to try to keep peace between two angry kings. He was invited to many monasteries by Abbots who wanted his advice. Yet he still found time to write several books, hymns and holy poems.
All through his life, St. Odo showed charity to those who were opposed to him. Once a peasant tried to kill him with a rock, shouting that Odo’s monks owed his money. Odo escaped, and then went to pay the man the money he had demanded. He thought no more about the matter until he heard that he king had ruled the peasant’s right arm should be cut off in punishment. At once the Saint went to court and persuaded the ruler to set the man free.
Just before he died, St. Odo wrote a hymn in honor of St. Martin of Tours, whose great charity he had always imitated.
Today I will try hard to imitate the charity of this saint in words and deeds.
This French saint was not a very holy young man when he first began his service to the Church. He was more interested in music than in divine things. But one day, this young student realized how different his life was from the perfect life taught by the Rule of St. Benedict. So Odo entered a monastery, and tried to please God in every way. Sometimes, however, his kind heart caused him to do unwise things, but as he grew older, he learned to be more prudent.
St. Odo was forty-eight when he became Abbot of Cluny, which was to be the most famous monastery in Europe. Many other monasteries copied Odo’s way of keeping all the monks fervent and close to God. He was called to Rome by the Holy Father to try to keep peace between two angry kings. He was invited to many monasteries by Abbots who wanted his advice. Yet he still found time to write several books, hymns and holy poems.
All through his life, St. Odo showed charity to those who were opposed to him. Once a peasant tried to kill him with a rock, shouting that Odo’s monks owed his money. Odo escaped, and then went to pay the man the money he had demanded. He thought no more about the matter until he heard that he king had ruled the peasant’s right arm should be cut off in punishment. At once the Saint went to court and persuaded the ruler to set the man free.
Just before he died, St. Odo wrote a hymn in honor of St. Martin of Tours, whose great charity he had always imitated.
Today I will try hard to imitate the charity of this saint in words and deeds.
7/11/08
St. Oliver Plunkett
St. Oliver Plunkett - July 11th
Oliver was an Irishman who went to Rome when he was sixteen to become a priest. After he was ordained, he could not go back to Ireland because of the persecution there, so he became a teacher of theology in Rome. For twelve years, he led a busy and virtuous life until the Pope made him Archbishop of the most important diocese in Ireland.
St. Oliver was able to labor for his people only two years before a new persecution forced him to go into hiding. But in those two years he put new fervor and love of God into the hearts of the Catholics in Ireland. He converted many desperate bandits; he made peace between disagreeing groups; he corrected wrong practices, and he won the love and respect even of the Church’s enemies.
This holy Archbishop was inclined to be touchy and hot-tempered, but his humility and charity kept his temper under control. In fact, he defended a bishop who had had disagreement with him and even cared for him tenderly when the bishop lay dying in prison.
St. Oliver was put to death for the Faith, after spending nine months in jail himself. Always cheerful and kind, he prayed for his enemies before he died.
Those who truly love God also love their neighbors, and willingly sacrifice themselves for them.
Oliver was an Irishman who went to Rome when he was sixteen to become a priest. After he was ordained, he could not go back to Ireland because of the persecution there, so he became a teacher of theology in Rome. For twelve years, he led a busy and virtuous life until the Pope made him Archbishop of the most important diocese in Ireland.
St. Oliver was able to labor for his people only two years before a new persecution forced him to go into hiding. But in those two years he put new fervor and love of God into the hearts of the Catholics in Ireland. He converted many desperate bandits; he made peace between disagreeing groups; he corrected wrong practices, and he won the love and respect even of the Church’s enemies.
This holy Archbishop was inclined to be touchy and hot-tempered, but his humility and charity kept his temper under control. In fact, he defended a bishop who had had disagreement with him and even cared for him tenderly when the bishop lay dying in prison.
St. Oliver was put to death for the Faith, after spending nine months in jail himself. Always cheerful and kind, he prayed for his enemies before he died.
Those who truly love God also love their neighbors, and willingly sacrifice themselves for them.
6/20/08
Blessed Osanna of Mantua
Blessed Osanna of Mantua - June 20th
This Italian Saint was the oldest child of a large family. Her father had wanted her to marry, but Osanna gave herself entirely to God.
When she was eighteen, Osanna received a wedding ring from Our Lord. Though no one else could see it, she always felt it on her finger. She also felt some of the sufferings Jesus suffered-the crown of thorns, the wound in His side, and the wounds in His hands and feet. She lived at home and served her family in every way, yet she belonged to the third order of St. Dominic and wore the habit of that order.
Strange as it may seem, Osanna was asked by the Duke of Mantua to run the affairs of his kingdom while he was away. She who had never been to school knew how to make the best decisions because she trusted completely in God. And she used her friendship with the Duke to help everyone in any kind of trouble.
A great many of Blessed Osanna prayers were for the church and for Italy. She feared God would send great punishments for the many sins being committed in her time. Yet she was not a gloomy soul. She loved her friends dearly, and people crowded her house to ask her advice and comfort.
A person living in the world can become a saint, if he prays, keeps away from sin and does good deeds. To learn how to live such a holy life, we should read inspiring books.
This Italian Saint was the oldest child of a large family. Her father had wanted her to marry, but Osanna gave herself entirely to God.
When she was eighteen, Osanna received a wedding ring from Our Lord. Though no one else could see it, she always felt it on her finger. She also felt some of the sufferings Jesus suffered-the crown of thorns, the wound in His side, and the wounds in His hands and feet. She lived at home and served her family in every way, yet she belonged to the third order of St. Dominic and wore the habit of that order.
Strange as it may seem, Osanna was asked by the Duke of Mantua to run the affairs of his kingdom while he was away. She who had never been to school knew how to make the best decisions because she trusted completely in God. And she used her friendship with the Duke to help everyone in any kind of trouble.
A great many of Blessed Osanna prayers were for the church and for Italy. She feared God would send great punishments for the many sins being committed in her time. Yet she was not a gloomy soul. She loved her friends dearly, and people crowded her house to ask her advice and comfort.
A person living in the world can become a saint, if he prays, keeps away from sin and does good deeds. To learn how to live such a holy life, we should read inspiring books.
2/16/08
St. Onesimus
St. Onesimus - February 16th
St. Onesimus was a slave who robbed his master and ran away to Rome. In Rome he went to see the great Apostle St. Paul, who was a prisoner for his Faith. Paul received Onesimus with fatherly love, made him realize he had done wrong, and converted him to the Faith.
After Onesimus’ conversion, St. Paul sent him back to his master, Philemon, who was the Apostle’s friend. He sent Philemon a letter, in which he wrote: “I plead with you for my own son, for Onesimus…. I am sending him back to you. Welcome him as though he were my very heart.”
Onesimus returned home and was set free. Later, he went back to St. Paul and became his faithful helper.
St. Paul made Onesimus a priest and then Bishop of Ephesus. During the persecutions, he was brought in chains to Rome and there stoned to death.
If we ever should hurt anyone in any way, let us ask forgiveness right away. God will be pleased to see that we are sorry and He will bless us as He did Onesimus.
St. Onesimus was a slave who robbed his master and ran away to Rome. In Rome he went to see the great Apostle St. Paul, who was a prisoner for his Faith. Paul received Onesimus with fatherly love, made him realize he had done wrong, and converted him to the Faith.
After Onesimus’ conversion, St. Paul sent him back to his master, Philemon, who was the Apostle’s friend. He sent Philemon a letter, in which he wrote: “I plead with you for my own son, for Onesimus…. I am sending him back to you. Welcome him as though he were my very heart.”
Onesimus returned home and was set free. Later, he went back to St. Paul and became his faithful helper.
St. Paul made Onesimus a priest and then Bishop of Ephesus. During the persecutions, he was brought in chains to Rome and there stoned to death.
If we ever should hurt anyone in any way, let us ask forgiveness right away. God will be pleased to see that we are sorry and He will bless us as He did Onesimus.
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