-- Proverbs 17:16 --

    Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to
get wisdom?
    ========================
    This verse is a warning against investing one's money or time in a fool, since that investment is sure to be lost. The word "fool" can be defined as
one who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding; one who acts unwisely on a given occasion. We all, unfortunately, know these kind of
people.

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January 30th - St. Hyacintha Mariscotti

(1585-1640)
Most of the nun-saints written up in this column have had
straightforward careers, whatever their setbacks: a pious youth, an
early entrance into the convent, a conscientious observance of the
holy rule, and a reputation for prayerfulness, good works and mystical
favors. Sister Hyacintha Mariscotti, on the other hand, started off as
an unlikely vocation. Only gradually did she come around and make up
for lost time.

Clarice Mariscotti was the daughter of a noble couple, Marcantonio and
Ottavia Orsini Mariscotti. Born in Vignanello, some 50 miles north of
Rome, she was educated in the Franciscan convent at nearby Viterbo. An
older sister was a nun there, but Clarice showed little patience with
pieties, and even her preservation from death at 17 little touched her
heart. She looked forward rather to marriage. At age 20 she picked
young Marquis Cassizucchi as her choice, but her parents gave him
instead to her younger sister. Clarice became downright furious.

According to the then-current (and unwise) policy, she now, as a
spinster daughter, was expected to enter the convent. She did receive
the veil of the Franciscan order at her school-convent in Viterbo,
taking the name Hyacintha (Giacinta). But she warned her father that
she intended to live there with all the worldly comforts that she felt
entitled to as a noblewoman. She therefore demanded that he furnish
her cell elegantly. She wore a habit of the finest fabric, had her own
kitchen, and both received guests and went calling at pleasure. While
she attended devotions regularly and did not offend against her vow of chastity, her disregard of the Franciscan spirit of obedience, and
especially poverty, caused grave scandal in that convent for ten long
years.

At length, however, when Sister Hyacintha came down with a slight
illness, her Franciscan confessor, visiting her cell, pointed out the inappropriateness of its furnishings. That gave her pause, but no
complete healing. Later on, however, during the course of a really
serious illness, she experienced a genuine change of heart, and made a
public confession of her faults before the whole community of sisters.

From that time on Gacinta was a different woman, a true Franciscan.
She discarded her costly habit for an old, used one; she went
barefoot; she practiced self-denial rigorously, frequently fasting on
bread and water; she intensified her personal devotion to the child
Jesus, to the passion of Christ, to the Holy Eucharist, and to the
Blessed Mother. Deeply contemplative, she even received miraculous
gifts. Towards the needy she showed courageous charity, nursing the plague-ridden, and establishing two lay confraternities to attend to
the needs of the needy, especially the homeless, those in jail, and impoverished nobles who were too proud to beg. For all these she
herself would beg from door to door. Good deeds of this sort deserved
high praise, but she now rejected any commendation, considering
herself the unworthiest of mortals.

Despite her almost extreme piety, the reformed Giacinta was noted for
her common sense. She might deny herself even necessary food and
sleep, but she showed great balance in guiding the novice sisters
along prudent lines. Asked once what she thought of a certain nun
reputed for union with God, she replied, “First of all I should like
to know how far she is detached from creatures, humble and free from
self-will, even in good and holy things…. The sort of people who most
appeal to me are those who are despised, who are devoid of selflove
and who have little sensible (spiritual) consolation…. The cross, to
suffer, to persevere bravely in spite of the lack of all sweetness and
relish in prayer: This is the true sign of the spirit of God.” How
completely Franciscan was that statement!

St. Hyacintha died at 55 in 1640. When she was canonized in 1807, the
papal document said that “through her apostolate of charity she won
more souls to God than many preachers of her time.” When we see a
willful, self-indulgent person somersault into utter selflessness, we
are surely witnessing the grace of God powerfully at work. Though she
achieved this turnabout three centuries ago, St. Hyacintha is still a
parable for our self-centered times. Are we weighted down by worldly possessions, pleasures, a rebellious spirit, sinful addictions?
Giacinta’s example, however belated in her own life, reminds us that
with God all things are possible, even joyous liberation from our
worst enslavements.
–Father Robert


Saint Quote:
Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit him often. Do you
want him to give you few graces? Visit him seldom. Visits to the
Blessed Sacrament are powerful and indispensable means of overcoming
the attacks of the devil. Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the devil will be powerless against you.
--Saint John Bosco

Bible Quote:
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and
weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6 )


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Prayer of the graces

Mary, Mother of the Eucharist,
precious gem of God,
shining pearl of the sky and the earth,
co-redemptrix of mankind,
Mother of us all,
look at your poor and humble creatures,
help us to understand the love
of Jesus the Eucharist.
Gain for us the graces
that each one needs,
provided that they are in accordance with God's will.
Mary, Mother of the Eucharist,
Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
we, even if imperfect,
count on your help.
Thank you Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

 (At the end say three Hail Mary with the ejaculatory prayer: Mother of the Eucharist, pray with us)

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