God has not promised us tomorrow

If we knew at what time we were to depart from this world, we would be
able to select a season for pleasure and another for repentance. But
God, who has promised pardon to every repentant sinner, has not
promised us tomorrow. Therefore we must always dread the final day,
which we can never foresee. This very day is a day of truce, a day for conversion. And yet we refuse to cry over the evil we have done! Not
only do we not weep for the sins we have committed, we even add to
them.
-- Pope Saint Gregory the Great

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November 24th - St. Romanus of Le Mans
Died at Blaye, France, in 385.

We all know people who, if you look at their lives, aren’t “special”—they are not like Mother Teresa or some great preacher—and yet their commitment to letting Christ soak every thread in their
life’s fabric is no less profound. They are the quiet saints, the ones
who don’t get any attention. One of the best examples of them is St.
Romanus of Le Mans.

Romanus was a reserved homebody who would have stayed in Italy if his
uncle, St. Julian, bishop of Le Mans, had not requested his
assistance. God used Romanus to bless that city’s people in myriad
ways, including conversions, the odd resurrection, and other miracles.
And like some star athletes who kneel and point heavenward after
scoring, the shy young Italian always gave the credit to God.

Within short order St. Julian ordained his nephew to the priesthood,
and then he sent him to evangelize along the Gironde River. There
Romanus won even more conversions, especially among the sailors. What
makes this odd is that Romanus was inarticulate and scatterbrained.
However, he also was sincere. The gospel had so convicted his heart,
and he spoke of it so lovingly, that often after hearing him people
immediately asked for baptism.

When Uncle Julian died, Romanus would simply not leave the tomb,
neither day nor night. And so, when St. Thuribe was elected Julian’s successor, he asked Romanus to be the tomb’s caretaker. In time
Thuribe too died, and Romanus watched over his grave as well. Because
the early Christians desired to be buried near the saints, a cemetery
began to mushroom around the sepulchers of these two saints, and
Romanus became a member of a minor order called the Fossors
(Gravediggers). When Christians died, these brothers performed
services not unlike those of undertakers today. They also tended the
tombs and ministered to the bereaved.

When he perceived that his own race had run its course, Romanus asked
Bishop Pavace leave to go to Rome. The bishop gave it on the condition
he come back, which he did. Romanus died shortly thereafter. For many
centuries his tomb was the site of significant pilgrimages. Then, like
a photograph left too long in the sun, remembrance of him faded.

Why St. Romanus of Le Mans deserves our attention and devotion

Sanctity comes from one thing and one thing only: uncompromising love
for God over ourselves and for his will over our own. Our Savior
taught us to show that love through our treatment of others. This
consists not only in easing their burdens but also in loving them so
much that we try to bring them to Christ. St. Romanus is a great
example of how to do both very well.

Dearest God, you call us to make disciples. By St. Romanus’s prayers,
daily help us discover ways to imitate his example, so that our love
will bring many into your kingdom.

Saint Quote:
When you feel the assaults of passion and anger, then is the time to
be silent as Jesus was silent in the midst of His ignominies and
sufferings. O holy silence, rich in great virtues! O holy silence,
which is a key of gold, keeping in safety the great treasure of holy
virtues!
--St. Paul of the Cross

Bible Quote:
"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place,
neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in
may see the light." (Luke 11:29-11:33) DRB


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A prayer from The Imitation of Christ, of Thomas `a Kempis:

I offer up unto Thee my prayers and intercessions, for those especially who have in any matter hurt, grieved, or found fault with me, or who have done
me any damage or displeasure. For all those also whom, at any time, I may
have vexed, troubled, burdened, and scandalized, by words or deeds,
knowingly or in ignorance; that Thou wouldeth grant us all equally pardon
for our sins, and for our offences against each other. Take away from our hearts, O Lord, all suspiciousness, indignation, wrath, and contention, and whatsoever may hurt charity, and lessen brotherly love. Have mercy, O
Lord, have mercy on those that crave Thy mercy, give grace unto them that
stand in need thereof, and make us such as that we may be worthy to enjoy
Thy grace, and go forward to life eternal. Amen.

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