Saint Albert the Great, Celebrated on November 15th

Saint Albert the Great, Celebrated on November 15th

Saint Albert the Great, born in the early 13th century, holds a significant place in the history of the Catholic Church. Celebrated on November 15th, his life and contributions are a testament to the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and a deep commitment to both science and spirituality.

Albertus Magnus, as he is also known, was born in Lauingen, Swabia, around the year 1200. He joined the Dominican Order and embarked on a remarkable journey of scholarship and teaching. His intellectual pursuits covered a wide range of subjects, earning him the title "Doctor Universalis" or Universal Doctor. Saint Albert was a pioneer in integrating faith with reason, emphasizing the compatibility between science and theology.

One of Saint Albert's notable achievements lies in his contributions to natural science. At a time when the scientific method was in its infancy, he explored and wrote extensively on various branches of science, including physics, astronomy, chemistry, and biology. His observations and writings laid the groundwork for future scientific advancements, showcasing the harmony between the study of the natural world and religious beliefs.

As a teacher, Saint Albert played a pivotal role in shaping the minds of his students, including the renowned Saint Thomas Aquinas. His pedagogical approach emphasized the importance of critical thinking and the pursuit of knowledge as a means of understanding God's creation. Saint Albert's teachings continue to inspire scholars and students, fostering a legacy that transcends centuries.

Beyond his intellectual pursuits, Saint Albert was known for his humility, kindness, and commitment to the well-being of others. His life exemplified the integration of faith into daily living, serving as a model for those seeking a harmonious balance between spirituality and intellectual exploration.

The canonization of Saint Albert the Great in 1931 affirmed the enduring impact of his life and teachings. On November 15th each year, the Catholic Church commemorates this saint, offering believers a chance to reflect on the intersection of faith and reason and to draw inspiration from a figure whose legacy continues to resonate in both religious and academic circles.

In conclusion, Saint Albert the Great's feast day on November 15th invites us to celebrate a remarkable figure whose contributions to science, education, and spirituality have left an indelible mark on history. His life serves as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and the practice of faith can coexist harmoniously, encouraging us to seek wisdom with a humble and open heart.

Saint of the Day: Saint Henry

Today is the feast day of Saint Henry

St. Henry, born in 972 was the son of the Duke of Bavaria and the grandson of the King of Burgundy. He was educated under the tutelage of St. Wolfgang, Bishop of Ratisbon. In 995, St. Henry succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria, and in 1002, he was elected emperor.

Both he and his wife, St. Cunegundes, lived in perpetual chastity, to which they had bound themselves by vow. He founded numerous monasteries, gave liberally to pious institutions and built the Cathedral of Bamberg. His feast day is July 13th. He is the patron saint of the childless, of Dukes, of the handicapped and those rejected by Religious Order.


Prayer 

Lord, you filled Saint Henry with your love

and raised him from the cares of an earthly kingdom

to eternal happiness in heaven.

In the midst of the changes of this world,

may his prayers keep us free from sin

and help us on our way towards you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Saint Margaret of Scotland’s Story

 

🕊 SAINT OF THE DAY 🕊

🙏🏻 ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND 🙏🏻

(Feast Day: Nov. 16,)

Pray for us!

Saint Margaret of Scotland’s Story

Margaret of Scotland was a truly liberated woman in the sense that she was free to be herself. For her, that meant freedom to love God and serve others.

Not Scottish by birth, Margaret was the daughter of Princess Agatha of Hungary and the Anglo-Saxon Prince Edward Atheling. She spent much of her youth in the court of her great-uncle, the English king, Edward the Confessor. Her family fled from William the Conqueror and was shipwrecked off the coast of Scotland. King Malcolm befriended them and was captivated by the beautiful, gracious Margaret. They were married at the castle of Dunfermline in 1070.

Malcolm was good-hearted, but rough and uncultured, as was his country. Because of Malcolm’s love for Margaret, she was able to soften his temper, polish his manners, and help him become a virtuous king. He left all domestic affairs to her, and often consulted her in state matters.

Margaret tried to improve her adopted country by promoting the arts and education. For religious reform she encouraged synods and was present for the discussions which tried to correct religious abuses common among priests and laypeople, such as simony, usury, and incestuous marriages. With her husband, she founded several churches.

Margaret was not only a queen, but a mother. She and Malcolm had six sons and two daughters. Margaret personally supervised their religious instruction and other studies.

Although she was very much caught up in the affairs of the household and country, she remained detached from the world. Her private life was austere. She had certain times for prayer and reading Scripture. She ate sparingly and slept little in order to have time for devotions. She and Malcolm kept two Lents, one before Easter and one before Christmas. During these times she always rose at midnight for Mass. On the way home she would wash the feet of six poor persons and give them alms. She was always surrounded by beggars in public and never refused them. It is recorded that she never sat down to eat without first feeding nine orphans and 24 adults.

In 1093, King William Rufus made a surprise attack on Alnwick castle. King Malcolm and his oldest son, Edward, were killed. Margaret, already on her deathbed, died four days after her husband.

Reflection 

There are two ways to be charitable: the “clean way” and the “messy way.” The “clean way” is to give money or clothing to organizations that serve the poor. The “messy way” is dirtying your own hands in personal service to the poor. Margaret’s outstanding virtue was her love of the poor. Although very generous with material gifts, Margaret also visited the sick and nursed them with her own hands. She and her husband served orphans and the poor on their knees during Advent and Lent. Like Christ, she was charitable the “messy way.”

ST. TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS

Died Aug 9, 1942

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891–1942) was born as Edith Stein in Prussia, the youngest of eleven children from a devout Jewish family. She was a bright and gifted child, and as she matured she became an atheist. She went on to receive a doctorate in philosophy, studying under the famous philosophers Heidegger and Husserl. Despite her atheism, she was affected by several friends who displayed a great passion for the Catholic faith. One day, while staying at a friend's home, she saw the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila. She read it from cover to cover, and after finishing it she exclaimed, "This is the Truth." Edith was baptized in Cologne, Germany in 1922. From there she taught for a time at a Dominican school and studied St. Thomas Aquinas and other Catholic philosophers. When the rise of anti-semitism forced her to resign from a teaching post, she wrote to Pope Pius XI asking him to publicly denounce the Nazis. Discerning a call to the religious life, she became a Carmelite nun in Cologne 1934, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross after her special devotion to the Cross of Christ. When the Nazi threat grew in Germany, her Order transferred her to a convent in the Netherlands for safety. There Edith grew in her desire to offer her life for the salvation of souls. The Nazis eventually came for her, and she, along with her sister Rose, who was also a convert, were sent to the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz. They were both killed in the gas chamber. St. Edith Stein is the patroness of martyrs and Europe. Her feast day is August 9th.

- Catholic Company

“Those who remain silent are responsible.” — St. Edith Stein