Saint Oliver Plunkett (1625-1681)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication
Mass: Amos 5:14-15, 21-24; Resp Ps 50; Mt 8:28-34
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
We have two great saints to celebrate today. One who spent a considerable amount of time in S. California, Junipero Serra, known as the Apostle of California. Fitting that he was canonized by Pope Francis in our country during the Holy Father's visit here in 2015. It is said that Junipero's motto was: "Always forward, never back." So with Saint Junipero's intercession, may we keep going. We also have Irish Oliver Plunkett, whose name has a very nice ring to it. I am sure many are not so intrigued with the lives of the saints as I. However, here goes. It is said that Oliver Plunkett cheated "his executioners by dying before he could be ceremonially disembowelled." Apparently his body rests at Downside Abbey in the UK, and his head in the cathedral at Drogheda in Ireland. Similar to another great saint, Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), whose body is in Rome and whose head is in Siena. O the beauty of our faith and tradition.
With so many great ones (officially recognized as saints or not) in heaven to cheer us on, let's go with the words of God through the prophet Amos: Seek good and not evil, that you may live; Then truly will the Lord, the God of hosts, be with you as you claim! (Amos 5:14). Keep going!
SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA,
SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: Upright in the garden!© Gertrude Feick 2020
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