Enjoy today's newsletter!
Saint of the Day for April 15: Caesar de Bus (February 3, 1544 – April 15, 1607) Listen to Saint Caesar de Bus’ Story Here Like so many of us, Caesar de Bus struggled with the decision about what to do with his life. After completing his Jesuit education he had difficulty settling between a military and a literary career. He wrote some plays but ultimately settled for life in the army and at court. For a time, life was going rather smoothly for the engaging, well-to-do young Frenchman. He was confident he had made the right choice. That was until he saw firsthand the realities of battle, including the Saint Bartholomew’s Day massacres of French Protestants in 1572. He fell seriously ill and found himself reviewing his priorities, including his spiritual life. By the time he had recovered, Caesar had resolved to become a priest. Following his ordination in 1582, he undertook special pastoral work: teaching the catechism to ordinary people living in neglected, rural, out-of-the-way places. His efforts were badly needed and well received. Working with his cousin, Caesar developed a program of family catechesis. The goal—to ward off heresy among the people—met the approval of local bishops. Out of these efforts grew a new religious congregation: the Fathers of Christian Doctrine. One of Caesar’s works, Instructions for the Family on the Four Parts of the Roman Catechism, was published 60 years after his death. He was beatified in 1975 and canonized in 2022. Reflection “Family catechesis” is a familiar term in parish life today. Grounded in the certainty that children learn their faith first from their parents, programs that deepen parental involvement in religious education multiply everywhere. There were no such programs in Caesar’s day until he saw a need and created them. Other needs abound in our parishes, and it’s up to us to respond by finding ways to fill them or by joining in already established efforts.
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Pope Francis: The Good Shepherd Considering Pope Francis’ debilitating health issues, my mind always goes back to when his papacy was announced to the world. When the crowd finally quieted after he made his entrance on the balcony, the smiling Jesuit from Argentina humbly said, “Brothers and sisters, good evening. You all know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him. But here we are.” Then, in an unprecedented move, he asked the crowd to pray for him. When that moment of silence ended, he invited Catholics on a journey with him—one of love, of prayer, and of brotherhood. It was a new day. The flock had a new shepherd. —from Franciscan Media’s “Pope Francis: From Argentina to the World“
by Christopher Heffron |
Honoring Creation Reflect St. Francis of Assisi taught that in God we are connected to the earth and all created things. In the spiritual life we are called to live attuned to this interdependence in small but important ways. Pray Creator of heaven and earth,
Today I remember
the many small ways
I can honor the divine life
all around me.
As I reach down
to pick up trash
from the sidewalk
or move a bug outdoors
instead of killing it,
may your Spirit fill me
with the knowledge
that all things
are my brothers and sisters.
Amen. Act Choose one simple way that you can begin to honor creation with more integrity. Ideas might include starting a compost pile, locating and using a recycling site, joining a farm co-op, or mending clothes instead of discarding them. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Shannon K. Evans. Learn more here! |
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