Our Saint of the Day 😇 is celebrated as the founder of monasticism in Palestine.
October 21, 2024
Dear John,
Do you ever have times when you feel like you just want to go off somewhere and be by yourself? If so, then you would probably get along well with St. Hilarion. He was constantly in search of solitude where he could live in prayer.
Unfortunately, though, he often wasn't able to. People constantly sought him out for spiritual wisdom. I can appreciate St. Hilarion's desire to be alone sometimes. Life can often get overwhelming and we just need to take a step back and regroup.
We at Franciscan Media understand the need for prayer and solitude. That is why we love sharing these spiritual resources with you and want to continue to do so for many years to come. To help us in these efforts, we humbly ask you to consider a gift to Franciscan Media today.
May the example of all the saints inspire you today!
Despite his best efforts to live in prayer and solitude, today’s saint found it difficult to achieve his deepest desire. People were naturally drawn to Hilarion as a source of spiritual wisdom and peace. He had reached such fame by the time of his death that his body had to be secretly removed so that a shrine would not be built in his honor. Instead, he was buried in his home village.
Saint Hilarion the Great, as he is sometimes called, was born in Palestine. After his conversion to Christianity, he spent some time with Saint Anthony of Egypt, another holy man drawn to solitude. Hilarion lived a life of hardship and simplicity in the desert, where he also experienced spiritual dryness that included temptations to despair. At the same time, miracles were attributed to him.
As his fame grew, a small group of disciples wanted to follow Hilarion. He began a series of journeys to find a place where he could live away from the world. He finally settled on Cyprus, where he died in 371 at about age 80.
Hilarion is celebrated as the founder of monasticism in Palestine. Much of his fame flows from the biography of him written by Saint Jerome.
Reflection
We can learn the value of solitude from Saint Hilarion. Unlike loneliness, solitude is a positive condition in which we are alone with God. In today’s busy and noisy world, we could all use a little solitude
The life of Francis shows us that right relationship in creation is not easy. He heard the words spoken by the crucified Christ—“go rebuild my house”—and took them literally. He began to rebuild San Damiano stone by stone. But as he reflected on these words, he came to understand a deeper meaning of them in his life. His devotion to Mary, the mother of God, led him to realize that the “house of God” is, first, the human person. The Word dwells in human flesh, not in stone buildings.
As the Word dwells in the human person, so, too, the same Word dwells in creation. The word who is made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ is the same word through whom all things are made. The Incarnation of God opened up the eyes of Francis to the inner truth of creation as the very place where God is revealed—or concealed—when humans fail to see God humbly present in the magnificent diversity of creation.
Pope Francis has a difficult job to do at this point in history when the Church is so divided. We have a responsibility to pray for him as a spiritual leader and decision-maker, so that he may continue guiding the universal Catholic Church with wisdom and compassion.
Pray
Lord God, I trust that you deeply desire to minister to your people through the hands and feet of Pope Francis. Thank you for giving us a leader so rich in mercy, one who genuinely hopes to honor Jesus with all he does. Today I ask that you grant him the grace of discernment so that he can be sure of your guidance in all of his decisions. Sustain him with the ability to feed your sheep and seek unity in a time of division. Strengthen his body, soul, and mind, and grant him good health and long life. I pray that the Holy Father will feel your comfort and love and continue to seek your will with all of his might. Amen.
Act
Pray the Lord’s Prayer on behalf of Pope Francis today. Follow up your prayer with a petition of gratitude for the pope’s guidance and strength.
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Shannon K. Evans. Learn more here!
This newsletter is not free to produce! Please consider making a donation to help us in our efforts to share God's love in the spirit of St. Francis.
