December 23, 2003

Today is the feast of St. John of Kanty or Cantius (1390 - 1473) in Poland. He was a distinguished professor at the University of Krakow and a benefactor of the poor. As an ordained priest, he was appointed to a lectureship at the University. However, jealous rivals managed to get him removed from his teaching postion, and he was assigned to work as a parish priest. He was a model pastor and won the love of his parishioners, who wept when he returned to the University as professor of Scripture. He held this position for the rest of his life, and became famous for his teaching, his humble life of poverty, and his extreme generosity to those in need. One of his favorite sayings was:"Fight all false opinions, but let your weapons be patience, sweetness, and love. Roughness is bad for your own soul and spoils the best cause."

When he died at the age of 63, he was mourned by all, and was already known as being instrumental in many miracles. He was cannonized in 1767.

Right away, this saint impresses me because he made the best of an unexpected and an undesirable situation. In fact, he excelled in the situation God had placed him. He lived a life of poverty and humility and gave the money he saved to the poor. He genuinely loved people and they could not help but love him. He effectively utilized the virtues of love, sweetness, and patience to conquer deception. This is so needed in our world today, especially in the pro-life movement. 'Won By Love' is a wonderful book written by Norma McCorvey (Roe in Roe vs. Wade) in which she describes how the love of the pro-life workers won her heart and soul for Christ.

Eagerly, we await the coming of Love into the world. It has been a penitenal Lent as we have prepared our hearts for His entrance. With hope-filled hearts, we await the birth of Our Lord and Savior. How I wish I had more to offer Him than this simple heart of mine. I give it willingly and wholly because I know that Mother Mary will present it to Him as a precious jewel -- a beautiful pearl.
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Comments

  1. Editor7/10/11, 8:13 AM

    Hello Jean,

    I am honoured to read and comment on your first blog post. I think it was quite a superb post. I love the quote by the Saint.

    Fight all false opinions, but let your weapons be patience, sweetness, and love. Roughness is bad for your own soul and spoils the best cause. ~St. John of Kanty

    Thank You and God bless you always. Amen.

    Delali

    ReplyDelete

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