• June 4th - St. Vincentia Gerosa, Virgin

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Wed Jun 3 09:59:23 2020
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    June 4th - St. Vincentia Gerosa, Virgin
    Co-Foundress of The Sisters of Charity of Lovere

    UNDER July 26 herein will be found an account of St. Bartholomea
    Capitanio, foundress of the =E2=80=9CSuore della Carit=C3 =E2=80=9D of Lo= vere--an
    institute closely resembling both in its spirit and its activities the world-famous Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. In the work of
    giving life to this project Bartholomea was assisted from the first by
    a companion much older than herself, who was also a native of Lovere.
    Catherine Gerosa=E2=80=94the name Vincentia only came to her when she assum=
    ed
    the habit of a nun--had been born in 1784 and for forty years had led
    a most holy life, devoted almost entirely to works of charity and the
    domestic duties which had devolved upon her after the early death of
    her parents. It seems to have been in 1823 or 1824 that she was
    brought into intimate contact with Bartholomea Capitanio, both of them
    having been deeply moved by an appeal of Mgr Nava, bishop of Brescia,
    who called for volunteers to help in rescue work, especially through
    the education of the young. This was at the time sadly neglected in
    that part of Italy under Austrian rule. Though Catherine Gerosa's
    attraction was rather in the direction of the service of the sick and
    poor, she was persuaded to join forces with her younger friend who
    felt specially called to the work of instructing children.

    In the end both aims were combined in the institute which they planned
    in close dependence upon the rule of the Sisters of Charity of St.
    Vincent de Paul. They would gladly have affiliated themselves to the
    great French order, but the political theories of the then government
    refused recognition of any organization which depended upon foreign
    control. The work prospered astonishingly, despite the lack of all
    resources and despite the death in 1833 of the more active of its
    foundresses at the early age of twenty-six. But Vincentia, though she
    had to carry on alone, was truly possessed by the spirit of God. She
    seems also to have been an admirable organizer and under her rule
    recruits and new foundations continued to multiply. She herself was
    the humblest of creatures and found the marks of respect paid to her a
    great trial. She turned continually to the remembrance of our Lord'=
    s
    sufferings on the cross for strength and guidance. Hence she used to
    say, =E2=80=9CHe who has not learnt, what the crucifix means knows nothing,
    and he who knows his crucifix has nothing more to learn=E2=80=9D. After a l= ong
    illness most patiently borne, Mother Vincentia died on June 29, 1847.
    She was canonized in 1950.

    Fr Luigi Mazza, s.j. who published in 1905 a full account of Bl.
    Bartholomea Capitanio and her institute, supplemented this in 1910
    with a Life of Mother Vincenza Gerosa. The decree of beatification (in
    Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. xxv, 1933, pp. 300-303) includes a
    biographical summary. See also Kempf, The Holiness of the Church in
    the Nineteenth Century, pp. 204-207.


    Reflection:
    The "world" rejected Jesus and his disciples can expect the same
    treatment. Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are
    either for him or against him, for his kingdom of light or for the
    kingdom of darkness. Let us stay in the light of Jesus and not in the
    kingdom of darkness.

    Saint Quote:
    Behold Jesus Christ crucified, who is the only foundation of our hope;
    He is our Mediator and Advocate; the victim and sacrifice for our
    sins. He is goodness and patience itself; His mercy is moved by the
    tears of sinners, and He never refuses pardon and grace to those who
    ask it with a truly contrite and humbled heart.
    --St. Charles Borromeo


    =C2 <><><><>
    Prayer to Defeat the Work of Satan

    O Divine Eternal Father, in union with Thy Divine Son
    and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of
    Mary, I beg Thee to destroy the Power of Thy greatest
    enemy--the evil spirits.

    Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell and chain
    them there forever! Take possession of Thy Kingdom
    which Thou hast created and which is rightfully Thine.

    Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart
    of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

    I repeat this prayer out of pure love for Thee with every
    beat of my heart and with every breath I take. Amen


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