The grace of Christ bears us up

"'My yoke is easy and my burden light'... The prophet says this about
the burden of sinners: 'Because my iniquities lie on top of my head,
so they have also placed a heavy burden on me' (Psalm 38:4)... 'Place
my yoke upon you, and learn from me that I am gentle and humble of
heart.' Oh, what a very pleasing weight that strengthens even more
those who carry it! For the weight of earthly masters gradually
destroys the strength of their servants, but the weight of Christ
rather helps the one who bears it, because we do not bear grace; grace
bears us. It is not for us to help grace, but rather grace has been
given to aid us."
from an anonymous early Christian teacher(excerpt from the
INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 29: PG 56:780)

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27 June – Blessed Benvenutus of Gubbio OFM

(Died 1232)
Lay Brother of the Order of the Friars Minor of St Francis,
ex-Soldier, apostle of the sick and of lepers. Benvenutus was graced
with an ardent and mystical devotion to the Blessed Eucharist and to
the Mother of God. So ardent was his faith and contemplation that he
was seen to hold the Divine Infant in his arms. Born in the
12th-century Gubbio, Italy and died in 1232 in Corneto, Italy of
natural causes. Also known as – Benvenuto.

In the Umbrian town of Gubbio, north of Assisi, there lived a Knight
named Benvenutus, who had achieved great martial fame for his valour.
When St Francis came to Gubbio in 1222 in order to preach in that
vicinity, Benvenutus saw him and listened to him with astonishment.
His martial spirit took great pleasure in the Saint’s perfect
mortification and contempt of the world.

The grace of God so touched his heart, that, after a few days,
Benvenutus presented himself to St Francis in complete knightly attire
and entreated him humbly to admit him as a lay brother. Francis always
had great esteem for soldiers who distinguished themselves in
obedience, self-denial and fearless courage, for he considered such
training a very good preparation for the religious life. Since
Benvenutus evinced, in addition to these good qualities, a very
profound humility, Francis recognised in him, the true soldier of
Jesus Christ and gladly received him among his brethren.
Clad in a poor garment and girded with a cord, the stately warrior was
now seen heroically overcoming himself. The poorest in clothing,
dwelling and food was his choice. The purity of his heart shone in his countenance and in his entire external appearance. He seemed to have
no will whatsoever of his own, so perfect in obedience was he at all
times.

St Francis charged him with the care of the sick in a leper hospital.
There he had, in truth, daily and hourly opportunities to practice
heroic charity and self-denial. But Benvenutus was always seen, to
wait upon the patients, even the most repulsive among them, with such
cheerful devotion and care, as if he were serving his Divine Lord.
Jesus Himself. Otherwise very serious and reserved, he was very
sociable when he spoke to the sick and the depressed in order to cheer
them up.

Benvenutus was also favoured by God with a high degree of
contemplation. Sometimes he spent whole nights in prayer, pleading
with God with burning tears, for the conversion of sinners. Towards
the Blessed Sacrament he entertained an ardent devotion filled with
lively faith and frequently, our Diving Lord descended into his arms
in the form of a charming child. He also had a very special devotion
to Mary, the Blessed Mother of God.

The more completely, to purify his soul and increase his merit, God
allowed Blessed Benvenutus to be seized with a severe illness, after
he had himself tended the sick for many years. As his active charity
formerly edified everybody, so his patience and perfect resignation to
God’s holy will did so now in a greater degree. Blessed Benvenutus of
Gubbio died ten years after his entrance into the Order, in 1232, in
the City of Corneto.

Astonishing miracles wrought at the grave of Blessed Benvenutus gave
evidence of his holiness, and attracted a great concourse of pilgrims,
so that only a few years after his death, Pope Gregory IX sanctioned
his public veneration in Corneto and the surrounding country. Pope
Innocent XI extended the devotion to the entire Franciscan Order in
the year 1697.

https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/27/

Saint Quote:
"Ask of God his graces in the name of Jesus Christ, and you shall
obtain whatsoever you desire. This our Saviour has promised, and his
promise cannot fail"
--St. Alphonsus de Liguori - "The True Spouse of Jesus Christ”

Bible Quotes:
"if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it you" (John 16:23)

"If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children:
how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to
them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11)


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A Prayer of Commendation

I commend you, my dear brother (sister), to Almighty God,
and entrust You to your Creator.

May you return to Him
Who formed you from the dust of the earth.

May Holy Mary, the Angels, and all the Saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life.

May Christ, who was crucified for you
bring you freedom and peace.

May Christ, who died for you
admit you into His garden of paradise.

May Christ, the true Shepherd,
acknowledge you as one of His flock.

May He forgive all your sins,
and set you among those He has chosen.

May You see your Redeemer face to face,
and enjoy the vision of God for ever. - Amen.

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