Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth {3}

What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking
humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that
makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to
God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For
what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the
principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the
love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God
and serve Him alone.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 1 Ch. 1

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January 6th - Saint Erminold of Prüffening

(died 1121)
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Erminold of Prüffening, abbot
and martyr for the faith. Saint Erminold was a Benedictine abbot, who maintained such strictness in his monastery, that he was slain by one
of his own lay brothers. His life is an example of order and
devotion, in a troubled world. He is famed for his spirit of prayer
and charity for the poor and needy.

Erminold was born to one of the royal families in Swabia (one of the
four original provinces of Germany), and was given to the abbot of
Hirschau, a local monastery, to be educated. His tutor, William, was
one of the most learned and pious men of those times, and Erminold
flourished under his tutelage, by the grace of God. He made rapid
progress in his studies, and upon completion, promptly took the vows
of monastic life. There, he lived a life of quiet devotion and strict adherence to community rules.

In 1110, Erminold was appointed Abbot of the Monastery at Lorch by
Emperor Hney V. However, as the Emperor owed Erminold’s brother a
favor, he refused the position, given the appearance of simony (the
buying or selling of ecclesiastical positions, or profit from sacred
things). Returning to Hirschau, he resumed his quiet life.

Only seven years later, the Bishop of Bamberg, invited Erminold to
assume the abbotship of the Abbey at Pruffening, near Ratisbon,
Germany. He became the first father there, attracting new members and
growing the congregation in the faith.

Saint Erminold was a great friend of the poor. Upon assuming
leadership at Pruffening, Erminold emptied all the storehouses of his
monastery to feed the needy during a famine. When at length nothing
was left to feed his monks, the saintly man begged God to intervene,
and invoked the intercession of the martyr, Saint George. His prayers
were answered when the next day a rich noble came to the abbot,
promising to relieve their want from his own wealth.

Saint Erminold insisted on strict discipline, according to the Rule of
Saint Benedict. While the majority of his community lived in harmony,
some lay brothers took offense at his strictness, and in 1121, one
named Aaron killed him. It is said by some that he was beaten with a
piece of timber, whereas other accounts indicate he was stabbed. All
accounts agree that following his mortal wound, he lingered in life
for a few days, passing into Heaven on Epiphany at the hour he had
predicted. He had stated, “Tomorrow, during the solemnities of the
greater Mass, with the choir singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest,’ I shall depart from this world.” Following his death, a large number of miracles were recorded at his tomb at St. George Church at Prüffening
Abbey in Regensburg, Germany
by Jacob

Quote:
Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the
eyes, the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your
priests act like priests, your bishops like bishops and your religious
act like religious.
--Abp. Fulton J. Sheen


Saint Quote:
God is certainly more desirous of our best welfare than we are
ourselves; and He knows the ways and means of promoting it better than
we, for they are in His hands as Ruler of the Universe; wherefore, in
all the accidents which befall us, most certainly that happens which
is the best.
-- St. Augustine

Bible Quote:
And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the
words of eternal life. (John 6:69)


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Holy Mary, my patron,
I ask you to pray for me to Jesus your son.
Through your constant prayers,
may God continue to guide my paths
and help me to follow Jesus in love.

Holy Mary, pray for me
and for all the people of God.

Amen.

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