Selections
from
the Supplement to the Liturgy of the Hours for the Order of Preachers
A
Draft Translation of the Proprium Officiorum Ordinis Praedicatorum (1982) for
Study and Consultation: Dominican Liturgical Commission, U.S.A. Chicago, 1991
DIFFERENT ELEMENTS IN THE OFFICES: Historical Notes
25. In accord with the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours a short biographical note has been placed at the beginning of the proper Office of each Saint or Blessed.
As is the case for some Propers of certain religious families and dioceses, these short biographical notices were written in a fuller manner and edited according to contemporary historico-critical findings by the office of the Postulator General of the Order."
Thus, the desire of many has been satisfied, namely, the desire for spiritual nourishment, not only from the second readings of the Office of Readings, but also from the biographical note which describes the unique characteristics of the spiritual life, the teaching, or the pastoral activity of the Saint or Blessed. These notes can serve as an initial introduction to the Saint or Blessed or as a homiletic aid, as well as a source for personal meditation. General Introduction, p. xxxiv.
Liturgical Calendar of the Order of Preachers
3 Bl. Stephana Quinzani, sister and virgin
4 Bl. Zedislava Berkiana, lay Dominican and wife
7 St. Raymond of Penyafort, friar, priest and Master of the Order Memorial
10 Bl. Gonsalvo of Amarante, friar and priest
Bl. Ann of the Angels Monteagudo, nun and virgin
11 Bl. Bernard Scammacca, friar and priest
18 St. Margaret of Hungary, nun and virgin Memorial
19 Bl. Andrew of Peschiera, friar and priest
22 Bl. Anthony della Chiesa, friar and priest
23 Bl. Henry Suso, friar and priest
27 Bl. Marcolino of Forli, friar and priest
28 St. Thomas Aquinas, Friar, Priest and Doctor of the Church Feast
29 Bl. Villana de' Botti, lay Dominican and wife
3 Bl. Peter of Rufa, friar, priest and martyr
Bl. Anthony Pavonio, friar, priest and martyr
Bl. Bartholomew of Cerverio, friar priest and martyr
4 St. Catherine de' Ricci, sister and virgin Memorial
7 Anniversary of Deceased Parents
12 Bl. Reginald of Orleans, friar and priest Optional Memorial
13 Bl. Jordan of Saxony, friar, priest and Master of the Order Memorial
16 Bl. Nicholas of Paglia, friar and priest
18 Bl. John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico), friar and priest Optional Memorial
19 Bl. Alvarez of Cordoba, friar and priest
20 Bl. Christopher of Milan, friar and priest
24 Bl. Constantius of Fabriano, friar and priest
24 [Vigil of the Annunciation of the Lord]
25 Annunciation of the Lord Solemnity
5 St. Vincent Ferrer, friar and priest Memorial
10 Bl. Anthony Neyrot, friar, priest and martyr
13 Bl. Margaret of Castello, lay Dominican and virgin
14 Bl. Peter Gonzalez, friar and priest
17 Bl. Clara Gambacorta, nun and widow
Bl. Maria Mancini, nun and widow
19 Bl. Isnard of Chiampo, friar and priest
Bl. Sibyllina Biscossi, lay Dominican and virgin
20 St. Agnes of Montepulciano, nun and virgin Memorial
27 Bl. Osanna of Kotor, lay Dominican and virgin
29 St. Catherine of Siena, Lay Dominican, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Feast
30 St. Pius V, friar and pope Memorial
4 Bl. Emily Bicchieri, nun and virgin
7 Bl. Albert of Bergamo, lay Dominican and husband
8 Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10 St. Antoninus of Florence, friar and bishop Memorial
12 Bl. Jane of Portugal, nun and virgin
13 Bl. Imelda Lambertini, nun and virgin
15 Bl. Giles of Portugal, friar and priest
Bl. Andrew Abellon, friar and priest
19 Bl. Francis Coll Guitart, friar and priest
21 Bl. Columba of Rieti, sister and virgin
24 Translation of Our Holy Father Dominic Memorial
27 Bl. Andrew Franchi, friar and bishop
28 Bl. Mary-Bartholomew Bagnesi, lay Dominican and virgin
29 Bl. William Arnauld, friar and priest, and Companions, martyrs
30 Bl. James Salomonio, friar and priest
2 Bl. Sadoc, friar and priest, and Companions, martyrs
4 St. Peter of Verona, friar, priest and martyr Memorial
8 Bl. Diana and Bl. Cecilia, nuns and virgins Optional Memorial
10 Bl. John Dominic, friar and bishop Optional Memorial
12 Bl. Stephen Bandelli, friar and priest
18 Bl. Osanna of Mantua, lay Dominican and virgin
20 Bl. Margaret Ebner, nun and virgin
23 Bl. Innocent V, friar and pope
7 Bl. Benedict XI, friar and pope
8 Bl. Adrian Fortescue, lay Dominican, husband and martyr
9 St. John of Cologne, friar and priest, and Companions, martyrs Memorial
13 Bl. James of Varazze, friar and bishop
17 Bl. Ceslaus of Poland, friar and priest Optional Memorial
22 [St. Mary Magdalene, Patroness of the Order Memorial]
24 Bl. Jane of Orvieto, lay Dominican and virgin
25 Bl. Augustine of Biella, friar and priest
2 Bl. Jane of Aza, Mother of St. Dominic and Bl. Mannes Optional Memorial
3 Bl. Augustine Kazotic, friar and bishop
8 Our Holy Father Dominic, Priest Solemnity
9 Bl. John of Salerno, friar and priest
14 Bl. Aimo Taparelli, friar and priest
15 [Assumption Solemnity]
17 St. Hyacinth of Poland, friar and priest Memorial
18 Bl. Marines, friar, priest and brother of St. Dominic Optional Memorial
19 Bl. Jordan of Pisa, friar and priest
23 St. Rose of Lima, lay Dominican and virgin Memorial
26 Bl. James of Bevagna, friar and priest
28 Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Feast
2 Bl. Guala of Bergamo, friar and bishop
4 Bl. Catherine Racconigi, lay Dominican and virgin
5 Anniversary of Deceased Friends and Benefactors
6 Bl. Bertrand of Garrigue, friar and priest
18 St. Juan Macias, friar and religious Memorial
20 Bl. Mark of Modena, friar and priest
Bl. Francis Posadas, friar and priest
24 Bl. Dalmatius Moner, friar and priest
26 Bl. Lawrence of Ripafratta, friar and priest
28 St. Dominic Ibanez de Erquicia and St. James Kyushei Tomonaga, friar and
priests, St. Lawrence Ruiz, lay Dominican and husband, and Companions,
martyrs Memorial
3 Bl. Dominic Spadafora, friar and priest
4 Our Holy Father Francis of Assisi, Deacon Feast
5 BI. Raymond of Capua, friar, priest and Master of the Order Optional Memorial
6 Bl. Bartolomeo Longo, lay Dominican
7 Our Lady of the Rosary Feast
8 Bl. Ambrose Sansedone, friar and priest
Bl. Matthew Carreri, friar and priest
9 St. Louis Bertrand, friar and priest Memorial
11 Bl. James of Ulm, friar and religious
13 Bl. Magdalen Panatieri, lay Dominican and virgin
21 Bl. Peter of Citta di Castello, friar and priest
22 Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church Solemnity
25 Bl. Peter Geremia, friar and priest
26 Bl. Damian of Finale, friar and priest
27 Bl. Bartholomew of Vicenza, friar and priest
30 Bl. Benvenuta Bojani, lay Dominican and virgin
November
1 [All Saints Solemnity]3 St. Martin De Porres, Friar and Religious Feast
5 Bl. Simon Ballachi, friar and religious
6 Bl. Francis de Capillas and Alfonsus Navarette,
friars and priests, and Companions, martyrs Memorial
7 All Saints of the Order of Preachers Feast
8 Anniversary of Deceased Brothers and Sisters of the Order of Preachers
14 Bl. John Liccio, friar and priest
Bl. Lucy of Narni, sister and virgin
15 St. Albert the Great, Friar, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Feast
19 Bl. James Benefatti, friar and bishop
24 St. Ignatius Delgado, friar and bishop, St. Vincent Liem, friar and priest, St.
Dominic An-Kham, lay Dominican and husband, and Companions,
martyrs Memorial
25 Bl. Margaret of Savoy, nun and religious
1 Bl. John of Vercelli, friar and priest
8 [Immaculate Conception Solemnity]
16 Bl. Sebastian Maggi, friar and priest
22 Anniversary of the Approval of the Order
24 [Vigil of Christmas]
25 [CHRISTMAS Solemnity]
JANUARY 3
Blessed Stephana Quinzani
Sister and Virgin
Blessed Stephana was born in 1457 near Brescia, Italy. She was particularly devoted to the Passion of our Lord and bore the marks of his stigmata. At the same time she experienced spiritual aridity as well as doubts and temptations. She founded a convent at Socino where she and her sisters led a regular life. Well-known for her service to the poor, she died at Socino on January 2, 1530.
JANUARY 4
Blessed Zedislava Berkiana
Lay Dominican and Wife
Blessed Zedislava was born in Moravia around the year 1220. As a wife and mother she provided well for-her own family and was also known as a loving mother of the poor. She received the Dominican habit and together with her husband helped to build up the Order in Bohemia. Renowned for her service to the poor, she died in 1252.
JANUARY 7
Saint Raymond of Penyafort
Friar, Priest and Master of the Order Memorial
Born at Penyafort in Catalonia around the year 1175, Saint Raymond was a priest of the church of Barcelona. He became a distinguished theologian and professor of canon law at the University of Bologna and while there joined the Order in 1222. During his own lifetime he was known for his Summa which he composed as an aid for confessors. Upon the order of Gregory IX he compiled the Decretals which remained in use until the present century. Elected third Master of the Order (1238-1240) Raymond served his brothers faithfully. He encouraged the friars to engage in dialogue with Moslems and Jews, established a school for the study of Arabic languages and the Koran and aided the friars of Our Lady of Mercy in their work in northern Africa. He died in Barcelona on January 6, 1275.
Alternative Second Reading
From the collection Mare historiarum of our brother, John Colonna, a contemporary of Saint Raymond.
"He was a man of the greatest perfection, exceedingly zealous for the religious life".
During the pontificate of Gregory IX brother Raymond of Penyafort, a Catalan by birth and the third Master of the Order of Preachers, was well known. Before he entered the Order, he was a distinguished doctor of canon law at the university of Bologna.
After Raymond had received the habit, his prudence, knowledge and holiness led to his appointment as socius to John of Abbeville, cardinal legate to Spain. Upon his return to the papal court, he became a close friend and personal counselor of Pope Gregory IX, and also served as his chaplain, his penitentiary, and the person who dealt with the petitions of the poor. Later upon the order of the pope he collected the Decretals, which had previously been scattered in four volumes, into a single volume, a work which is still in use today.
Being a holy and religious man, Raymond conducted himself in a holy and prudent manner at the curia, observing a humility and complete integrity in all matters pertaining to the Order. There was hardly anyone who had business with that curia who did not speak well of him and considered him to be a very saintly man, as indeed he was.
Because of his sanctity the Supreme Pontiff wanted to name him an archbishop, but he resisted this so resolutely and with such conscientiousness, that the Pope was obliged to stop putting pressure on him, seeing that he did not wish to accept such a position.
With difficulty Raymond obtained permission from the Pope to retire from the Roman curia. While living in the priory of Barcelona in a manner which might be described as "angelic, " he was elected Master of the Order, a position which he could hardly be induced to accept. He was a man of the greatest perfection and zealous for the religious life, desiring that the rigor of the Order be observed even in the slightest matter. Raymond compiled the Summa de casibus which provided counsel to be given for the salvation of souls, a work which was most beneficial for the whole Church. Thanks to his diligence our Constitutions, which had been in considerable disorder, were edited in a proper form, with precise distinctions and titles, such as they are today.
After governing the Order for two years, he realized that his strength was no longer equal to the work involved for the remainder of his term, and at his earnest request the diffmitors at Bologna accepted his resignation. Upon returning to his own province, Raymond lived at the priory of Barcelona for the remainder of his life, renowned for miracles both in life and in death.
JANUARY 10
Blessed Gonsalvo of Amarante
Friar and Priest
Born around 1187 in the diocese of Braga, Portugal, Blessed Gonsalvo became a parish priest. After spending fourteen years traveling about the Holy Land and the sanctuaries of Rome, he took up the eremitical life. Eventually he was inspired to enter the Dominican Order. After his introduction to religious life he obtained permission to return with a companion to Amarante, the scene of his earlier solitude, and there took up the life of a hermit once again. He spent his time in contemplation, ascetical practices and in catechizing the people of the area. He died at Amarante in 1259.
JANUARY 10
Blessed Ann of the Angels Monteagudo
Nun and Virgin
Blessed Ann was born in Arequipa, Peru, in the year 1602 and in 1619 professed solemn vows in the monastery of St. Catherine of Siena. There she fulfilled the offices of sacristan, mistress of novices and prioress. She was completely taken up in prayer with God, yet did not neglect the needs of her neighbors. She died in Arequipa on January 10, 1686.
JANUARY 11
Blessed Bernard Scammacca
Friar and Priest
Blessed Bernard was born in Sicily in the year 1430. As a young man he suffered a serious leg wound which became the means of his conversion from a life of dissipation. He entered the Order in 1452 and strove to conform himself to Christ crucified through works of charity, acts of penance and contemplation of the Passion. Bernard was especially known for his care of the sick and the poor and he established a hospital to serve them. He promoted the regular life in the Order and was a gifted preacher. He died on January 11, 1487.
JANUARY 18
Saint Margaret of Hungary
Nun and Virgin Memorial
Margaret was born in 1242, the daughter of Bela IV, King of Hungary, and Maria Lascaris, daughter of the emperor of Constantinople. Before her birth her parents had vowed to dedicate their child to God if Hungary would be victorious over the invading Tartars. Their prayers were answered and so when almost four years old Margaret was placed in the Dominican monastery of Veszprim. At the age of twelve she moved to a new monastery built by her father near Buda and there made profession into the hands of Humbert of Romans. Margaret lived a life totally dedicated to Christ crucified and inspired her sisters by her asceticism, her works of mercy, her pursuit of peace, and her humble service. She had a special love for the Eucharist and the Passion of Christ and showed a special devotion to the Holy Spirit and Our Lady. She died on January 18, 1270.
Second Reading
From the letter of canonization by Pope Pius XII.
"Strive to become like this woman, consecrated to the Spouse of virgins, the very King of martyrs."
[ Margaret of Hungary was born of a royal family in the thirteenth century. Four other women renowned for holiness in the Church came from that one family -- Saint Elizabeth, her cousin, Blessed Agnes of Prague, and Blessed Cunegunda and Blessed Jolenta, the daughters of King Bela IV. The Holy See approved veneration of these four.
Margaret was born of devout parents, Bela IV and Maria Lascaris, the king and queen of Hungary. Before her birth her parents had vowed that, if a daughter were born, she would be dedicated to God to obtain the freedom and welfare of the kingdom. God heard their prayers and vows. When Margaret was not yet four years old, the queen, mindful of her promise and the blessings received from God, brought her to the monastery of the Dominican nuns at Veszprim to learn regular observance at a tender age so as to serve God more fittingly.]
Margaret was deeply moved by her schooling in the cross. She at once forgot her royal home and developed a docile and obedient spirit, winning from the nuns their tender affection. She was led at this early age to an angelic love of Christ and the Virgin Mother of God.
In his desire to gain divine help more surely and effectively for himself and his kingdom, her father, the king, built a monastery in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on an island in the Danube. There he supported a community of consecrated virgins, including his daughter Margaret, "the one among his children whom he loved most tenderly, for he saw in her definite signs of a life holy and pleasing to God."
Margaret refused marriage with a prince of Poland and at the age of twelve took solemn vows before Humbert, the Master of the Order. Later the King of Bohemia eagerly sought her in marriage, despite her desire to keep her pledge to her Divine Spouse. To forestall this and any other occasion of unwanted requests for marriage, Margaret wished to show openly that she was espoused to Christ: she asked to receive the veil and her request was joyfully granted by the Archbishop of Strigonia.
After her consecration to the Spouse of virgins, Margaret desired most fervently to become like the King of martyrs in her contempt of self and the world and in mortifying her body. Her clothes were always of the poorest quality; she wished to perform the lowliest tasks; and she took delight sweeping the house, doing menial work, preparing meals and carrying heavy loads. When others feared to incur infection from diseases of her sick sisters or the servants, she showed such love and desire for the lowliest tasks that she single-handedly assumed the heavy and difficult duties of those who were ill.
Margaret's thoughts were on the mysteries of the Passion: she sighed and burned with the desire to be a martyr. In the presence of Christ, veiled in the Eucharist or imaged on the cross, she freely poured out her heart; she prayed everywhere and unceasingly, frequently adding to the prescribed office the entire psalter, as well as prayers to God the Father or to the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, or salutations to the Virgin Mother of God whom she loved dearly.
In order to placate the wrath of God and win mercy for her people she "wept copiously and disciplined her body with fasts; she wore a hair shirt, as if grieving for the sins of all who did evil before God. She bemoaned deeds of oppression and in her prayers she begged God that the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of his hand would defend innocent people and those members of the Church who were brought together by the Lord's most precious blood."
But Margaret did not limit herself to fervent prayers and harsh penance; she was also fired with the zeal of an apostle and strengthened by heroic fortitude. As a result she did not hesitate to openly rebuke a man who was perpetrating an injustice, even though he had great authority and a high position.
For a third time Margaret spurned an offer of marriage, saying that she freely wished to keep her virginity for Christ the Lord. Then her Divine Spouse, always faithful and more than generous, made a sweet dwelling place in the heart of his handmaid, and heaped it with gifts from heaven, making her the companion of his passion and the sharer of his consolation and power, both in her own lifetime and after her death.
Alternative Second Reading
From a sermon of our brother John Tauler, On the Ascension of the Lord.
"True peace in the midst of agitation."
All those who desire to imitate God the Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ, must humbly, without murmuring, take upon their shoulders the cross of suffering, whether that suffering be interior or exterior, merited or unmerited. Thus laden with such sufferings, they will go on their way joyfully, following their Lord. This is the only means by which we may one day arrive where Christ has preceded us.
Certainly there are many people who desire to be witnesses of the Savior in times of peace, that is to say, provided that all goes well in pursuing their desires. They willingly wish to become saints, but without toil, without weariness, without difficulties, without cost to themselves. They have the ambition to know God, to taste and feel God, as long as there is no unpleasantness. But if they must labor, if they experience any bitterness, any desolation, any darkness or strong temptations, or if God seems hidden and they experience no consolation either interiorly or exteriorly, their good resolutions vanish. These are not the true witnesses whom the Savior seeks.
Who does not seek peace? Who does not wish to enjoy peace everywhere and in everything they do? Striving for this kind of peace cannot be simply put off. For it is not by modest efforts that we can have peace at all times and hold fast to it even in the midst of misfortune. It is from striving that a true, durable and sure peace comes. In fact all that we look for and love outside of this is an illusion. If, on the other hand, we apply ourselves with all our strength to maintaining joy in the midst of sadness, peace in the midst of agitation, simplicity in the midst of multiplicity, and cheerfulness in the midst of vexation, then we will be true witnesses of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was to such disicples that Christ himself offered peace, both before his death and after his resurrection. But they will never find an exterior peace in this life; rather they will be given an essential peace, that is, true peace in the. midst of troubles, happiness in the midst of insults, life in the midst of death. They will rejoice and be glad when others hate them, when they are handed over for judgment, and when they are condemned to death. These are the true witnesses of God.
JANUARY 19
Blessed Andrew of Peschiera
Friar and Priest
Blessed Andrew was born at Peschiera, Italy in 1400 and entered the Order in a reformed priory of the Congregation of Lombardy. Itinerant preaching was his life's ministry, especially in the Valtelline region of the Italian Alps where he labored for forty-five years. Traveling on foot and living with the poor, he reconciled many to Christ. He died at the priory of Morbegno on January 18, 1485.
JANUARY 22
Blessed Anthony Della Chiesa
Friar and Priest
A member of the noble Della Chiesa family, Blessed Anthony was born at San Germano, Italy, in 1394 and received the Dominican habit at Vercelli in 1417. He served as prior in several convents of the Order and labored to restore the regular life. He was known for his gentle, yet firm treatment of human frailty. He died on January 22, 1459.
JANUARY 23
Blessed Henry Suso
Friar and Priest
Blessed Henry Suso was born in Constance-Swabia, Germany, towards the end of the thirteen century and is associated with Meister Eckhart and John Tauler in the school of Dominican spirituality know as the "Rhineland Mystics." He pursued Divine Wisdom and manifested a great love for the Passion of the Lord. In his writings he taught detachment from all sensible reality and union with God through the contemplation of the perfections and sufferings of Christ. He died in Ulm on January 25, 1366.
Office of Readings
Second Reading
From a letter of Blessed Henry Suso.
"The testament or rule of love."
May the name of God be hallowed in you that you may joyfully drink from the wounds of Christ! May divine love, true peace, deep humility flowing from the faithful heart of Jesus, and joyful forgetfulness of self in the company of the most dear Son of God and of the Virgin Mary be yours. This is my "Lord's Prayer" for bidding you farewell in Christ Jesus.
My little ones, may you experience such a spirit in your good works and be such a work before God. Although your works may be many, may you be one in heart. Grace is given now and glory in eternity in greater abundance for the soul which is entrusted to the hands of God than for the soul which is outwardly perfect, however great and holy it may appear.
Cultivate all the virtues you can, yet do not place your confidence in them, but in Christ alone.
Turn your hearts to Christ in your heavenly homeland and, through burning desire rather than through your senses, consider this earth as a kind of sweet exile where you await the will of God with eagerness for God's honor. Receive everything from the hands of God -- joy, labor, hardships, prosperity, honor, happiness, disgrace, and calumny. Above all, lie prostrate before his feet, casting yourselves so completely and perfectly to the ground that no one can bring you lower. Rejoice in honoring our Lord, sigh for him, love him, seeking no delight for yourselves. Trust in him and never cease proclaiming your love for him.
My dearest ones, receive this message from God for your good through me, a poor sinner, who is in every way your friend. What? Don't you want to confess your sins? "Yes, gladly, dear brother." Do not confess the sins of others. Do not judge one whom you do not wish to imitate. Rather, through understanding of your own lowliness discover judgment for others.
Do you not wish to experience God's presence? Then learn to know yourself. Do you not wish to receive a new illumination and grace from God? Then learn to recognize God's gifts and give thanks for every grace you receive from God.
Do you not wish to live in God and to have God live in you both now and in eternity? Then learn to die to self for the lofty life of the soul is hidden in the dying and death of natural desires. In both joy and sorrow this death, which we have chosen in every instance in which we can seize either joy or sorrow, makes it possible for us to follow the naked and despoiled Christ, being naked and despoiled ourselves.
This will serve as a short guide. Diligently set yourself apart from everything which lasts but a short time. Wisely purify yourself of everything which has the guise of creatures. Confidently be lifted heavenward with Christ. Firmly rule your natural self with prudence. Humbly show yourself to be agreeable and you will be able to know the truth. That is all for now. Farewell!
JANUARY 27
Blessed Marcolino of Forli
Friar and Priest
Blessed Marcolino was born in Forli, Italy, in 1317 and entered the Dominican Order as a youth. He loved silence and solitude and was noted for his devotion to the Virgin Mother of God. He supported the reform efforts of Raymond of Capua, faithfully carried out his priestly ministry and performed works of charity. He was a counselor for many. especially of the sick. He died on January 24, 1397.
JANUARY 28
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Friar, Priest and Doctor of the Church Feast
Saint Thomas, a member of the noble family of Aquino, was born in the castle of Rocca Sicca in 1225 and spent his early years at the Abbey of Monte Cassino. Against his family's wishes he entered the Order of Preachers at Naples (1244) and was sent to Cologne to complete his studies under the direction of Saint Albert the Great. He devoted all his energy to the service of truth, eagerly searching it out, lovingly contemplating it, and imparting it to others through his writing, his teaching and his preaching. His life was marked by devotion to the Passion of the Lord, to the mystery of the Eucharist, and to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Because of his fidelity to regular life, his love of truth, and his piety, the Order recognizes him as a model for its own pursuit of truth. He died at Fossanova on March 7, 1274, while on his way to the Council of Lyons. He was declared Patron of all Universities and Catholic Schools by Leo XIII. This date recalls the translation of his remains to Toulouse.
Second Reading
From a conference by St. Thomas Aquinas.
"The law of divine love is the standard for all human actions."
It is evident that not all are able to labor at learning and for that reason Christ has given a short law. Everyone can know this law and no one may be excused from observing it because of ignorance. This is the law of divine love. As scripture says, The Lord will quickly execute sentence upon the earth.
This law should be the standard for all human actions. In the case of products of human manufacture, each product is considered right and good when it conforms to a standard. So also each human act is considered right and virtuous when it conforms to the standard of divine love. But when a human act does not conform to the standard of love, then it is not right, nor good, nor perfect.
This law of divine love accomplishes in a person four things that are much to be desired. First, it is the cause of one's spiritual life. For it is evident that by the very nature of the action what is loved is in the one who loves. Therefore whoever loves God possesses God in himself; for scripture says, Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. It is the nature of love to transform the lover into the object loved. And so if we love God, we ourselves become divinized; for again, Whoever is joined to God becomes one spirit with him. Augustine adds, "As the soul is the life of the body, so God is the life of the soul." Thus the soul acts virtuously and perfectly when she acts through charity, and through charity God lives in her; indeed, without charity she cannot act; for scripture says, Whoever does not love, remains in death. If a person possesses all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but lacks charity, that person has no life. For it matters not whether one has the grace of tongues, or the gift of faith, or any other gift such as prophecy; these do not bring life without charity. Even if a dead body should be adorned with gold and precious jewels, it nevertheless remains dead.
The second point about charity is that it leads to the observance of the divine commandments. Gregory the Great says that charity is not idle. For charity is present if one is occupied about great things; but if one is not so occupied, charity is not present. We see a lover do great and difficult things because of the one loved, and that is why the Lord says, Whoever loves me will keep my word. Whoever keeps this command and the law of divine love fulfills the whole law.
A third point about charity is that it provides protection against adversity. For misfortune cannot harm one who has charity; rather it becomes useful to that person; as scripture says, All things work for good for those who love God. Furthermore, misfortune and difficulties seem pleasant to the lover, and our own experience verifies this.
A fourth point about charity is that it truly leads to happiness, since eternal blessedness is promised only to those who have charity. For all other things are insufficient without charity. You must note that it is only the different degrees of charity, and not those of any other virtues, which constitute the different degrees of blessedness. Many of the saints were more abstemious than the apostles, but the apostles excel all the other saints in blessedness because of their higher degree of charity.
[Thus, from what we have said it is evident that charity accomplishes four things. First, it effects the remission of sins. And this is evident from our own experience. For if anyone should offend another and then should conceive a strong love for the one offended, the offense is forgiven the offender because of the love. This is most evident in the case of Magdalene of whom the Lord said, Her many sins have been forgiven. But why? He added, Because she has shown great love. Perhaps someone may say, therefore charity is sufficient for having sins forgiven and penitence is not necessary. But, it must be understood that no one truly loves who is not truly penitent.
Again, charity illumines the heart. For as Job said, we are all enveloped in darkness. Often we do not know what we should do or what we should desire, but charity teaches us everything necessary for salvation; as scripture notes, his anointing teaches you about everything. This is because where charity is, there is the Holy Spirit who knows all things and who leads us in the right way. Again, charity effects perfect joy in a person. Likewise, charity effects perfect peace and gives a person great dignity. For charity transforms a slave into a free person and a friend. Not only does charity transform us into free people but it also makes us children, that we may be called and may be children of God, for the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. While it is true that all gifts are from the Father of lights, nevertheless this gift of charity far excels all other gifts. For we can possess all the other gifts while lacking charity and the Holy Spirit, but when we possess charity we also necessarily possess the Holy Spirit.]
Alternative Second Reading
From the theological works of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
"The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom."
Christ chose to have parents who were poor but perfect in virtue, lest anyone should glory in his noble lineage and the riches of his parents. He lived a life of poverty to teach others to spurn riches. He lived an ordinary life having no high position to recall others from an inordinate greed for honors. He endured labor, hunger, thirst and bodily scourging, lest those who are intent on bodily pleasures and delights draw back from the good of virtue because of the rigors of such a life.
In the end Christ endured death, that others might not abandon the truth for fear of death. And lest anyone should fear to undergo a shameful death for the sake of the truth, he himself chose the most shameful kind of death, namely, death on a cross. Thus it was fitting for the Son of God to take on human flesh and to suffer death, that by his example he might encourage us to pursue virtue. Peter attested to the truth of this, saying, Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
If Christ had lived in the world in wealth and power and with a high position, it might have been thought that the purpose of his teaching and miracles was to curry human favor and power. Therefore, to make it clear that he was performing a work of divine power, Christ chose all that was low any weak in the world: a lowly mother, a life without riches, and uncultured disciples and messengers. Christ himself was to be rejected and condemned to death by the great ones of the world, to make it perfectly clear that the undertaking of his miracles and his teaching was not of human but of divine power.
Another point must be considered: in the disposition of providence the Son of God-become-human desired to suffer weakness and wanted his disciples, whom he established as the ministers of human salvation, to be despised in the world. This is the reason he did not choose educated and noble men, but unlettered and common men, namely, poor fishermen. When he sent them to work for the salvation of the world, Christ commanded them to observe poverty, to endure persecution and reproaches and even to undergo death for the sake of the truth, lest their preaching seem to be directed toward some earthly advantage. Thus the salvation of the world would be attributed only to the divine and not to any human wisdom or power. Accordingly, the divine power for accomplishing marvelous deeds was not lacking in these men, who appeared to be of no account in the eyes of the world.
All this was necessary for human redemption that we might learn not to rely proudly on ourselves, but rather on God. For the perfection of human justice requires that we totally subject ourselves to God. It is also from God that we hope to obtain all the good things for which we must strive and which have already been obtained for us.
JANUARY 29
Blessed Villana de' Botti
Lay Dominican and Wife