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  JANUARY 20

  Sebastian of Rome (third century)

  Suffering for Christ

  Impressive legends exist about Sebastian, but we know few details about the life of this famous Roman martyr. He lived in a time when it was dangerous to be a Christian. One legend contends that the Romans arrested him and threw him in prison, where two other Christian prisoners were ready to renounce their faith in order to save their lives. Sebastian’s encouragement not only gave them strength, but reached the ears of others outside the prison bars, leading to additional conversions.

  The legend of Sebastian’s death is frightening. Romans, the story goes, tied him naked to a tree and used him as a target for archery practice. Many Renaissance paintings portray this incident. After he was left to die, a widow came to bury him, but she was astonished to discover that somehow breath was still in him. She took him home and tended to his wounds. After his recovery, she pleaded with him to escape the risks of living as a Christian in Rome. Instead, he went to Diocletian and demanded that he stop persecuting Christians. Shocked to discover that the young man had survived the target practice, Diocletian ordered the immediate execution of Sebastian. He was then clubbed to death.

  JANUARY 21

  Agnes (ca. 292– ca. 305)

  Sexual equality

  The story of Agnes, who died at the executioner’s hand as a thirteen-year-old adolescent, reveals a courageous effort of a young woman to define herself as a human being in Christ, in spite of the crushing attempt of her culture to identify her strictly in terms of sex. Her stand against the prevailing attitudes of the society around her is a brave declaration of independence.

  An extraordinarily beautiful child, Agnes was born to a wealthy Roman family. As she approached puberty, many men began to express an interest in her. She did not respond positively to their advances. She told them, “Jesus is my only husband. I am already promised to the Lord.” One disappointed suitor denounced her as a Christian and she was brought before the governor. When an offer of lavish gifts did not change her mind, the governor put her in chains. Agnes refused to back down, even after being tortured. When pain did not work, the Romans tried humiliation. The Roman governor sent her to a house of prostitution where any man might have his way with her. Because she radiated such an aura of purity (Agnes is the Greek word for pure and is but a step away from agnus, which means lamb) no man would touch her. According to the ancient written record of her life, one man who dared to gaze lustfully at her naked body lost his eyesight. Exasperated men condemned her to die by the sword, a punishment she accepted as cheerfully “as others go to their wedding.”

  Agnes has been an extraordinarily popular saint through the centuries. Perhaps she is a corrective to the idea that men should have a dominant place in human society. She saw herself as a child of God while her cultural environment attempted to identify her strictly in terms of sex. Agnes refused to play by the rulebook of her time and place.

  JANUARY 22

  Vincent Pallotti (1795–1850)

  Inspired living

  The son of a Roman grocer, Vincent Pallotti was not the best student early in life. His teacher commented, “He is a little saint, but a bit thick-headed.” His studies improved, and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1817 at the age of twenty-three. With a doctorate in theology and philosophy, he became a college professor, but eventually devoted himself to pastoral work full-time. His personal diary records his spiritual insight:

  Not the intellect, but God.

  Not the will, but God.

  Not the soul, but God.

  Not the goods of the world, but God.

  Not riches, but God.

  Not honors, but God.

  Not distinction, but God.

  Not dignities, but God.

  Not advancement, but God.

  God always and in everything.

  Ahead of his times in both activity and thought, Pallotti became a target of some major dirty tricks handed out by other clergy who were apparently jealous of him. Ultimately, though, some who had mercilessly attacked him became ardent admirers and supporters.

  Vincent Pallotti wrote, “Holiness is simply to do God’s will, always and everywhere.” He provided education and practical instruction for many kinds of laborers and craftsmen, attempting to give them pride in the quality of their work. He would literally give another the shirt off his back. Once, he dressed as a woman in order to approach the bedside of a man who said he would shoot any priest who came near him.

  One comment about him beautifully summarizes his fifty-five years of life. “He did all that he could. As for what he couldn’t do— well, he did that too.” He died in Rome on January 22, 1850.

  JANUARY 23

  John the Almsgiver (d. ? 616)

  Generosity

  John was the son of a governor of the island of Cyprus. When death claimed all the other members of his family, John moved to Alexandria, Egypt, about the year 608. He became a patriarch. The Church in Egypt was splitting into factions, but his personal integrity and his careful approach to almsgiving gained the respect of everyone.

  John lived a simple life, calling the poor his masters. He would give all he could to help them, even to the point of giving away his own bedding. He worked strenuously on behalf of the poor, demanding accurate weights and measures, distributing money at his disposal to hospitals and monasteries. He built poorhouses and maternity hospitals. He spent an astonishing amount on disaster relief and in rescuing captives. He gave a ship loaded with corn to a merchant who was ruined by a couple of shipwrecks. The merchant sold the corn at a good profit in famine-struck Britain and was back in business.

  Like anyone who works for charity with the general public, John developed an eye for freeloaders. Some came to him in disguise, hoping he would not recognize that he had already given them handouts. They need not have bothered. John continued to help them generously. He would sit all day on a bench in front of the church every Wednesday and Friday in order to provide everyone with free and easy access to his attention. Generosity begets generosity, and others began to follow his example.

  JANUARY 24

  Francis de Sales (1567–1622)

  Wholesome religion

  “Live, Jesus!” That is the often repeated motto of Francis de Sales. If ever there was a genuine example of a thoroughly Christian life that is within the grasp of everyone, we can find it in this bishop of Geneva. A few complained that he made sainthood too easily attainable.

  Francis de Sales went to Geneva during troubled times. The Protestant reformation was sweeping across Switzerland at full speed. New Calvinists were making life difficult and dangerous for Catholics. Instead of pointing out the flaws in Protestant doctrine and attempting to suppress it, Francis de Sales understood the larger significance of the movement. A diplomat in the finest sense, he approached the Calvinists with love and gentleness. He established his home base a few miles away from Geneva in Annecy, France.

  Francis had been born to wealthy parents in Savoy in 1567. They wanted him to be a lawyer and paid his way through college until he had earned a doctorate in law. There are many examples in history of parents who misguided remarkable children into the wrong profession. Francis de Sales said, “God does not want me to embrace the life for which my father destines me.” He became a priest in 1593.

  The life of Francis de Sales demonstrates the extraordinary value of a calm, gentle approach to difficult issues, combined with genuine spiritual depth. Sometimes, it may be necessary for Christians to be boldly combative, but the patient, loving pattern of Jesus himself results in remarkable success. Francis is a supreme example of applied Christianity. He truly “lived Jesus” as Christ lived in him.

  Many sought Francis de Sales as their spiritual director. His correspondence with Madame de Chamoisy evolved into one of the most remarkable devotional books ever published on prayer and Christian living. Introduction to the Devout Life gives sane, understandable, and healthy spiritual
advice that ordinary people who live and work in a secular world can effectively practice every day. His illustrations and metaphors are memorable. “When little bees are caught in a storm they take hold of small stones so they can keep their balance when they fly. Our firm resolution to stay with God is like stability to the soul amid the rolling waves of life.”

  One of the great spiritual relationships existed between Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal (December 12). Their combined efforts resulted in the foundation of the Order of the Visitation in 1610. Death came relatively early to Francis de Sales, but his fifty-six years have left a permanent mark on the Church. Through his writings and example, he continues to direct the formation of the human spirit.

  JANUARY 25

  The Conversion of Paul (ca. 4 b.c.- ca.64)

  Confronting Christ

  Saul of Tarsus was a dedicated, enthusiastic Jew with a passionate interest in fulfilling the requirements of complex and detailed Jewish religious Law. The intelligent young man made the distressing discovery that the harder he tried to behave correctly, the farther the ideal life receded from his grasp. He had his heart set on being a righteous person, but his goal was not attainable. He began to feel disillusionment, and doubted that he would ever please God by strict observance of the Law. There can be no doubt that he was a well-behaved person. Anyone would have called him “good.”

  Many modern Christians do not realize they are as trapped in a system of attempting to win God’s favor by good works as was Saul of Tarsus. “Righteousness by the law” motivated Saul to persecute Christians. This is a complex and multifaceted issue. One element is probably his own dissatisfaction with the religion he had inherited. For whatever package of reasons, Saul became a serious threat to the young Christian Church. He was present when Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned, and Saul approved the action.

  The ninth chapter of the book of Acts relates the story of Saul’s conversion. He was on his way to Damascus with letters permitting him to arrest Christians and return them to Jerusalem for punishment. As he traveled, a bright light immobilized him as the risen Christ asked, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Blinded by the experience, Paul had to be led by the hand into Damascus. A Christian named Ananias then visited him at the Lord’s command, restored his sight, and baptized him. An astonishing change took place. Paul began to speak in public, giving the message that Jesus is the Son of God. The transformation of Paul is one of the most significant moments in human history. Paul’s spiritual insight into the meaning of the life and the crucifixion of Jesus gave substance and character to his writing on basic Christian doctrine.

  JANUARY 26

  Paula (347–404)

  Supporting role

  Paula began life in 347 as a member of the Roman aristocracy. She was a happily married mother until she became a widow at thirty-two. Another widow, Marcella, consoled Paula and led her into religious life. The famous Jerome (September 30) became Paula’s friend and spiritual director. It was he who wrote her biography.

  When Jerome traveled to the Holy Land in 385, Paula followed. She spent part of her fortune helping Jerome establish a monastery for men, a convent for women, and a guesthouse for pilgrims in Bethlehem. For the remainder of her life, Paula led the women’s community and devoted time to assisting Jerome in his scholarly studies. Already proficient in Greek, she now began to learn Hebrew. Jerome’s great Latin translation of the Bible from the original languages owes much credit to Paula’s capable assistance.

  Paula’s death at the age of fifty-six on January 26, 404 prompted Jerome to write a touching letter to her daughter. “I cannot say enough to do justice to the virtues of the holy and venerable Paula. From a noble family, she was even nobler in holiness.” Her grave is under the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

  JANUARY 27

  Enrique De Osso Y Cervello (1840–96)

  Teaching others

  The youngest of three Spanish children born to Jaime de Ossó and Michaela Cervelló in 1840, Enrique grew up in a devout Christian home. With natural aptitude for religious work, he became a priest in 1867. He said that his ideal was to love Jesus more each new day, and to make him known and loved by others. He decided that Christian education would be the tool that could transform society and as a result founded organizations dedicated to the task.

  JANUARY 28

  Thomas Aquinas (1225–74)

  Faith and reason

  Benedictine monks in Italy’s Monte Cassino reared the brilliant Thomas Aquinas from the age of five. His parents wanted to give him every opportunity to prepare for a significant religious life. Thomas was very compatible with the monks and remained with them until he was thirteen.

  After studying at the University of Naples, Thomas informed his parents that he wanted to become a Dominican friar. This came as a shock to them. The Dominicans were a modern group of religious beggars, the technical term for which was mendicants. His parents wanted him to become a more respected Benedictine and perhaps bring them honor at Monte Cassino. They kidnapped him and locked him away for a year in their castle. Thomas used this time to study the Sentences of Peter Lombard, memorize much of the Bible, and to look for fallacies in Aristotle’s writing. When he refused to change his mind about the Dominicans (or as his parents would have said, “refused to come to his senses”) they allowed him to return to the Dominican Order of Preachers.

  During his studies at Cologne, Thomas was a quiet, reserved student, preferring to listen rather than to speak. His competitive classmates gave the chubby new arrival the nickname, “Dumb Sicilian Ox.” One of his teachers, noticing the intelligence of Thomas, said, “One day the lowing of this “Dumb Ox” will be heard around the world.”

  Eventually, Thomas Aquinas received a doctorate at the University of Paris, where he then began to teach. In this location, he began to write and publish commentaries on Scripture and books on philosophy. His fondness for the pagan Aristotle resulted in concern among Church leadership. He also stirred up controversy by insisting that theological discussion could attend equally to conflicting ideas before reaching a conclusion. This seemed to challenge the authority of the Church.

  Preparation of his masterpiece, Summa theologiae, began in 1266. This was the first systematic approach to writing out Church doctrine. Thomas wanted to show the logic of Christian ideas. God’s revelation does not disable human reason. As portions of this vast work began to circulate, some began to challenge and criticize Thomas. The Dominicans in Naples gave him a refuge from the heated controversies regarding his ideas. They wanted him to finish his Summa, but he never did. In December, 1273, he firmly put down his pen. After a significant religious experience he said, “I can’t continue writing. Everything I have written seems to me like so much straw compared to what I have seen and what has been revealed to me.”

  When he died the next year, he was only forty-nine.

  JANUARY 29

  Gildas the Wise (ca. 500– ca. 570)

  Prophetic voice

  As a young Briton, Gildas began practicing self-denial as a serious Christian commitment. He went to Wales as a refugee and became a monk. For a while he was something of a traveling hermit, but the details are extremely sketchy.

  In 540 Gildas wrote his most famous book, De Excidiis Britanniae, in which he records vividly the failure of British leaders and clerics to live exemplary lives and make moral decisions. As did the Old Testament prophets, he told a suffering people that their own sins were responsible for their troubles. Their immorality was making the Anglo-Saxon invaders successful. Gildas attempted to awaken the conscience of the sixth-century British people with the strongest denunciatory verses he could find in the Bible. That Gildas had a working knowledge of Scripture, Virgil, and Ignatius is clearly evident in his book, and is a credit to this individual’s effort to keep faith and the human mind alive in barbaric times.

  JANUARY 30

  Bathild (d. 680)

  Transforming circumstances />
  Somewhere around 630, pirates abducted a young English girl named Bathild and transported her on a ship to France. The pirates sold her as a household slave to the comptroller in the king’s palace at Neustria. Bathild did not struggle against her circumstances, but carefully learned to do the housekeeping chores required of her, while remaining polite and gentle.

  King Clovis II found Bathild attractive and married her in 649. When the king died, she and her sons continued to rule that section of France. Because of her own experience, she took an active part in suppressing the slave trade and worked to release those already captured.

  Queen Bathild’s position allowed her to support religion in many ways. She opened a seminary for the training of clergy and a convent for nuns. Ultimately, she abandoned her royal privileges and entered the convent herself. The only thing that distinguished her from the other nuns was her extraordinary humility and strict obedience to her religious superiors. While at the convent, she devoted herself to caring for the sick and the poor.

  After a painful, lingering illness, she died on January 30, 680.

  JANUARY 31

  John Bosco (1815–88)

  Loving the unlovely

  Born on an Italian farm in 1815 and ordained a priest in 1841, John Bosco began early in his ministry to work with young people in difficulty. He opened a boarding house for boys and asked his own mother to be the housekeeper. There he taught the boys ways to earn a living in various trades. This ministry quickly expanded. In 1854 Bosco founded a religious order focused on working with young people. He called the order Salesians, honoring Francis de Sales (January 24) whom he greatly admired. Cooperating with Mary Mazarello (May 14) he also helped to start the Daughters of Mary to work with girls.

  Bosco’s critics charged that his trust in God’s providence was much greater than his actual financial resources. Others thought he was not strict enough with the boys under his care. The young men themselves, however, loved John Bosco. One eager boy crashed through a glass door wanting to meet with John as he was seen walking by on the street. John Bosco believed that Christian love provides the best guidance for young people. Punishment is not necessary when youths are engaged in interesting, creative activity. His approach was preventive instead of repressive. Bosco entertained the young people with acrobatics, juggling, and magic tricks. Getting and keeping assistants to work with the children according to his methods was a difficult and frustrating task. He continued to be personally involved in the care of his charges, and the struggle to raise funds, until the end of his life.