11 July 2011: Memorial -- St Benedict, abbot

Born (480) at Nursia, Italy. Sent to Rome to be educated; but chose to lead a solitary life at Subiaco; eventually, organized twelve monasteries. The monks who joined St Benedict were devoted to work and prayer. Pope Paul VI proclaimed him Patron of Europe because of his wonderful influence in the formation of Christendom in Europe during the Middle Ages. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1575)

St Benedict of Nursia
St Benedict was endowed with profound human sensitivity. In his project for reform of society, he looked to man above all, following three guidelines: the value of the single man as person; the dignity of work, understood as service to God and the brethren; the necessity for contemplation, ie, prayer.
Having understood that God is the Absolute and we live in the Absolute, he understood that the soul of everything ought to be prayer: ‘That God be glorified in all things.’ Thus, we may summarize St Benedict’s message as a call to inner knowledge. Man must first of all enter into himself. He ought to know himself deeply; discover yearning for God and traces of the Absolute in himself.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p254

St Benedict, Father of Europe
The voice of our times, in which we live with anxiety and trepidation, tells us mankind is tending more and more toward unity. Need is felt for greater knowledge of one another, among individuals and among peoples.
Europe is accomplishing her unity, especially today; not only economic unity, but social and political unity as well, with respect for individual nationalities. Problems that must be faced and resolved are complicated and many. They range from the cultural and educational fields to those of law and economics.
Pius XII declared St Benedict to be ‘Father of Europe’, and Paul VI decreed him as Europe’s heavenly patron. Listening to St Benedict, we know the times are moving us toward an ever more intense understanding of one another such as to overcome social inequalities, egotistical indifference, undue use of force, intolerance.
And is not this the message of the Christian faith? This Christian faith which is the soul and spirit of Europe and which calls upon us to be mild, patient, merciful, peacemaking, pure of heart, poor in spirit, hungry and thirsty for justice.
St Benedict’s voice thus joins with the voice of the times. May the Beatitudes be the living program for all Europe!
We would here pray for the peace of Christ. And if we look at all the present seeking after greater unity among the peoples of Europe, let us also hope that it will lead as well to profound awareness of the roots -- spiritual roots, Christian roots.
Why? Because, if you must build a house in common, deeper foundations are needed. A superficial foundation is not enough; and that deeper foundation is always called ‘spiritual’.
May Mary assist us all to agree for uniting Europe and the whole world under the one sun who is Christ.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp255-6

The Christian roots of Europe
The evangelization of Europe began with a mother, Lydia, who immediately evangelized her own family and brought them all to be baptized (Acts 16:14-5) in F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:529. [She initiated the conversion of a continent from her home. (F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:41)]
During the fifteenth centennial commemoration of St Benedict’s birth, Pope John Paul II recalled the ‘gigantic contribution’ this saint made toward the formation of Europe. (“Address”, 1 January 1980)
It was a time when “the Church, civil society and Christian culture itself were in great danger. Through his sanctity and singular accomplishments, St Benedict gave testimony of the perennial youth of the Church. He and his followers drew the barbarians from paganism toward a civilized and truly enhanced way of life. The Benedictines guided them in building a peaceful, virtuous and productive society interwoven by bonds of fraternal concord.” (Pius XII, Encyclical, “Fulgens radiatur”, 21 March 1947)
Benedict contributed much towards forming the essentially Christian souls and roots of Europe. Without Christianity neither our common culture nor our way of being can be explained or understood. (cf L Suarez, “Christian roots of Europe”, Madrid 1986)
European identity itself is not intelligible without Christianity since “herein we find the common roots that have brought continental civilization to maturity -- Europe’s dynamism, activity and capacity for constructive expansion to other continents as well; in short, all that constitutes her glory”. (John Paul II, “Address”, 9 November 1982)
Today we have the misfortune of seeing a concerted and systematic effort to do away with the deeply Christian meaning of our existence, its most essential aspect. At times it seems as though entire nations are heading toward a new barbarism considerably worse than any other in history.
In the face of this situation, Pope John Paul II has called us all on various occasions to a new evangelization of Western Europe and the world. Today, on the feast of St Benedict, let us examine our Christian perspective on life and the apostolic spirit that must inspire all our acts.
An ancient proverb says ‘it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness’. Complaining about the evils in society is not appropriate behavior for the children of God. If each Christian decides to bring to completion the task at hand, we will change the world as the first Christians did. They were few but they had a living and operative faith. ‘It’s a big mistake not to do anything with the excuse one can do so little.’
To reach our goals we also need to count on the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Guardian Angels, and on the fortitude we derive from the Communion of Saints which affects even those most alienated from God. Holy Mary, Queen of Europe and of the world, pray for all those who continue each day on their way towards Christ ... pray for us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:7-12

Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm)
Fourth Day
When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us to be not only servants, but also your own children.
We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as you children in joy, peace and love.
(‘Pause and mention petitions.’)
Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’
‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’

• Our Lady of Clery, four leagues from Orleans. This church was rebuilt by King Louis XI who was buried there in the year 1483. — Locrius, M. Aug. lib. iv. c. 68. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Clery, near Orleans, France (15th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Clery”. Near Orleans, France. 15th century. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

NB: Due to personal circumstances, THEOTOKOS Blog Posts will be advanced at three (3) Posts daily, effective today for the period 22 July to 22 August 2011. Thank you.