Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Saint Frances of Rome, Religious (1384-1440)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 31:13-19 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer

Mass: Jer 17:5-10; Resp Ps 1; Lk 16:19-31  

For the Lord watches over the way of the just.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT JOSEPH, PROTECTOR OF HOLY CHURCH,

PRAY FOR US.

I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart, 

To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.

(Jeremiah 17:10)

With the words of the Lord through the Prophet Jeremiah, I go to Saint Benedict's Ch 7 on Humility. It is there that our holy father Benedict presents to us in the first step of humility that "The Prophet indicates this to us when he shows that our thoughts are always present to God, saying: God searches hearts and minds; and again he says: The Lord knows the thoughts of men; likewise, From afar you know my thoughts; and, The thought of man shall give you praise. That he may take care to avoid sinful thoughts, the virtuous brother must always say to himself: I shall be blameless in his sight if I guard myself from my own wickedness (RB 7:14-18). And it happens that the "if" is a big one. Now is the acceptable time. United in faith and prayer, we turn from sin and evil and do good. And go forth with words from Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471): "When there is a choice to be made, take the narrow way. This alone will make you more like Christ." 

God had not chosen [Frances of Rome] to be holy merely for her own advantage. Rather, the gifts He conferred upon her were to be for the spiritual and physical advantage of her neighbor. For this reason He made her so lovable that anyone with whom she spoke would immediately feel captivated by her love and ready to help her in everything she wanted. Divine power was present and working in her words, so that in a few sentences she could bring consolation to the afflicted and anxious, calm the restless, pacify the angry, reconcile enemies and extinguish long-standing hatreds and animosities. Again and again she would prevent a planned revenge from being carried out. She seemed to be able to subdue the passions of every type of person with a single word and lead them to do whatever she asked.

(From the Life of Saint Frances of Rome by Mary Magdalene Anguillaria, superior of the Oblates of the Tower of Specchi, in Office of Readings, March 9)

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This awesome shot of the Roman Forum is perfect for our saint of the day, Saint Frances of Rome, wife and mother, woman of charity, humility, and patience. The facade and bell tower of the church of Santa Francesca Romana can be seen in the back, on the right, just this side of the Colosseum. Thank you, dear Anna and Nicola, my Italian family.

© Gertrude Feick 2023