Mystery of the day: Luminous
Saint of the day
Seven Founders of the Servite Order
The objects of the Servite Order are preaching the Gospel and the propagation of the devotion to the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God with reference to Her sorrows. The male members of the Order are called Servite Friars or the Servants of Mary. The members of the Order use the letters O.S.M. that stand for Ordo Servorum Beatae Mariae Virginis. The Servite Order was founded in Florence by seven young people. They were Buonfiglio dei Monaldi, Giovanni di Buonagiunta, Amadeus of the Amidei, Ricovero dei Lippi-Ugguccioni, Benedetto dell’ Antella, Gherardino di Sostegno and Alessio de’ Falconieri. They were later called as Bonfilius, Bonajuncta, Bartolomeus, Hugh, Manettus, Sostene and Alexius respectively. They belonged to seven patrician families of that city and they earlier formed a community of laymen known as the Laudesi or Praisors of Mary. It is said that in the year 1233, they witnessed a vision of Blessed Virgin Mary on the feast of the assumption, advising them to devote themselves entirely to eternal things. Among the seven persons six were ordained as priests except Alexis. But unlike others Alexis lived up to 110 years. Then they went to Monte Senario to have stricter seclusion and Mother Mary appeared to them there also on April 13, 1240 and conferred on them a black habit and asked them to follow the rules of St. Augustine. The first approval for the Order was given on March 13, 1249 by Cardinal Raniero Capocci, papal legate for Tuscany. The Order was suppressed in the year 1270 but was finally approved by Pope Benedict-XI on February-11, 1304 by way of a Papal Bull Dum levamus.
The seven founders of the Servite Order were canonized in the year 1888.
Reflection for the day
Theme: Who are you?
"But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." (Mark 8:29)
One of the questions, we often longing to be asked especially by the strangers in the absence of those whom we are familiar with is: "Who are you?"
The answer to this thought provoking question can be given taking cognizance of three camps:
a. Personalities with show-case identity: Who will tell the stranger who they are, in addition with who they wish to become if time and space permit.
b. Personality with hidden identity: These are those who will like to walk away from the camera, accepting a gentleman regardless of their qualifications and accolades.
c. The personality with borrowed identity: They are those who go extra-mile to introduce themselves as the first set of humans on earth to travel to the moon and return with water.
Of these three camps, one could certainly come to terms that none has really introduced himself. What then is required is our outward show to speak of who we are; and not our vocal expression of whom we think we are.
Today, Christ went into what could be termed as "self-examination" by interrogating His disciples about His identity. Even though He knew who He was, He wanted to drive home a message, to remind us that our identity does not rely on who we think we are; but what others see in us in our day-to-day living. Thus asking them:
"But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." (Mark 8:29)
As Christ followers, who we are defined our relationship with Christ. For us to be true followers, we need to bear witness to the truth, so that our thoughts, words and actions will be confession of the true identity of Jesus Christ as our Lord and master.
Today, we celebrate seven men whose identity did not give the glory they enjoy today, but their works bore witness to their faith and as true Christians. Every true witness does not defined by identity, but by action. For one can go about with big cross or medal on his neck, regularly wearing of habit or religious garment, but his work does not match with his identity. Such a fellow is nothing but a personality for public show.
Finally, dearest friend(s) in Christ let us live a life worthy of our Christian identity. For when we do this, we are partaking in the propagation of the Gospel.
Peace! Be with you.
Let us pray
Eternal Word, we are grateful for being called to share in the identity and image of the Divine. Grant we pray the grace to match our actions with our identity for the greater glory of God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 17022022
Amen, more grace and remain blessed fr.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Thanks Fr. We are learning every day.
ReplyDeleteAmen, thank you
ReplyDelete