FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Friday 11th July : St. Benedict
After living as a hermit at Subiaco, he founded the monastery of Monte Cassino. His Rule, observed by Benedictines and Cistercians, is distinguished by its wisdom and balance and those who lived by it did much to share the Europe of today. He was named patron of Europe in 1964. In our modern world, we talk fast, we travel fast, and we even pray fast. Our impatience to get to the end, our focus on completion rather than process is a real danger in reading Scripture when every word is from God and has a power all its own. Benedict knew that power because he took the time to let it work within him. He died in 547 while standing in prayer before God.
Sunday 13th July : 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The great virtue of charity is put before us today. It is the virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God. This is the new commandment of Jesus. He tells us to love one another as he has loved us. The story of the Good Samaritan is to show us that this is a virtue well within our reach.
Monday 14th July : St. Camillus de Lellis (1550-1614)
Rough-tempered and a gambler is his early life as a soldier, he was converted at the age of twenty-five. Guided by St. Philip Neri, he became a priest and worked for the sick with two companions. His Servants of the Sick prospered and founded hospitals especially where others would not go. Patron of nurses, hospitals and the sick.
Tuesday 15th July : St. Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Born in Tuscany, Minister General of the Franciscans, Cardinal Archbishop of Albano, theologian of the Council of Lyons. Known as the "Seraphic Doctor", he is the writer of biblical commentaries and many mystical and spiritual works.
Wednesday 16th July : Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. They built a chapel in the midst of their hermitages which they dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom they conceived of in chivalric terms as the "Lady of the Place". Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the patron saint of Chile.
16th July is the anniversary of the death in 1978 of Bishop Francis Lenny (Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh)