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May 18 - Blessed William of Toulouse

Priest

Today we remember a French Augustinian who excelled in preaching the word of God. By means of his own deep interior life and attentiveness to Scripture, his influence on the people of his day through this ministry as well as through the gift of spiritual direction, was significant and widespread. He was loved and admired by the people, who recognized his holiness and the power of his intercession.

William was born in Toulouse, France, around the year 1297. At the age of 19 he entered the Augustinian monastery in his native city and was sent to study in Paris where he received the title of lector in theology. Afterwards he devoted himself especially to the ministry of preaching, for which he became well known and respected, and through which he drew many others to embrace the religious life. Except for a brief period when he was Prior in Pamiers, he seems to have spent his whole religious life in Toulouse, in the monastery of Saint'Etienne, where, in 1341, the Order's General Chapter was held. William died in Toulouse on May 18, 1369 and was buried in the cemetery of his monastery. Not long after, because of the veneration of the people who regarded him as a saint and wonder-worker, his remains were transferred to the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene where he was accustomed to celebrate Mass. Leo XIII confirmed his cult in 1893.

William's methodology as a preacher was: pray, contemplate, and only then speak of God, otherwise the preacher's words will not touch the heart of his listeners, but become lost in the rafters of the church. As a man of prayer and recollection, he was much sought after as a spiritual director 

May 22 - Saint Rita of Cascia

Religious

Today we celebrate the feast of one of the most well-known saints of our Order and one of the most popular of the Church. This attractiveness is due in part to Saint Rita's experience of many challenges in life, met always with great confidence in God and exemplary courage. She thus offers a valid example to people who share her various states of life as spouse, parent, widow and consecrated religious. She reminds us all that nothing is impossible to God.

Rita Lotti was born in 1381 in the little village of Roccaporena, Italy, the only child of a devout and humble Christian couple. She was given in marriage at a young age to Paolo Mancini and together they raised two sons. When Paolo was murdered as the result of a long-standing family rivalry, Rita was moved to forgiveness because of her strong Christian convictions, but her sons, teenagers by now, were determined to avenge their father's death. Her words were unable to change their hearts, but her prayers to God prevented them from exacting revenge. Both boys died of natural causes, leaving Rita without a family, but not without hope. After several years and various requests, she succeeded in gaining admittance to the convent of the Augustinian Nuns in Cascia where she lived the remaining forty years of her life in prayer and simple works of charity. At the age of 61, while at prayer on Good Friday before an image of Jesus crowned with thorns, she received the stigmata in the form of a single wound in her forehead. This remained until her death at 76 years of age on May 22, 1457. Rita of Cascia was canonized on May 24, 1900 by Leo XIII who proclaimed her 'The Precious Pearl of Umbria.' Her body is venerated in her basilica in Cascia.

Rita is venerated today as The Peacemaker, not only for her courageous act of forgiveness at her husband's death, but also for the continuous, though futile, encouragement of her sons to follow her example, and the reconciliation of Paolo's family with that of his assassins. This latter was the great 'miraculous deed' that gained her acceptance into the convent. She is also known as the Saint of the Impossible for the many challenges she faced in life and the many graces she has obtained since death.

Saint John of Sahagún

Priest

There are some individuals of selfless heart who find little satisfaction in life unless they give of themselves continually and without reservation. Saint John was one such person who repeatedly divested himself of honors and privileges in order to gain the inheritance of eternal happiness. In doing so, he enriched the lives of others by his word and example as well.

John González was born in 1430 of a well-to-do family in Sahagún de Campos, Spain. He studied under the Benedictines in his native city, showing great promise. In 1454 he was ordained priest by the bishop of Burgos and held the office of chaplain at the church of Saint Gadea. When his bishop died in 1456, John resigned as chaplain and moved to Salamanca to pursue further studies in canon law and theology, obtaining degrees in both. He was named preacher of the city of Salamanca and a member of the University College of Saint Bartholomew. As preacher, he drew large crowds due to his clarity, eloquence and sincerity, while also incurring opposition and criticism for his denunciation of the sins of both nobles and commoners. On June 18, 1463, John renounced all his offices in order to join the Augustinian Order in Salamanca. He was professed the following year on August 28, and thereafter continued his preaching ministry while exercising various responsibilities in the Order as prior and delegate to various provincial chapters. Because of his renown in the city he became a principle agent of reconciliation between rival groups, thus bring peace to Salamanca. He was also respected as a defender of the rights of workers and the common folk. Characteristic of his personal life was his great devotion to the Eucharist, his humility and simplicity. John died on June 11, 1479 at the age of 49, was beatified in 1601 and canonized in 1691 by Innocent XII. It was thought by some of his contemporaries that he had actually been poisoned in retaliation for his condemnation of the immoral lifestyle of a public figure. His remains are venerated in the cathedral of Salamanca where he is honored as patron of both the city and the diocese. 

Saint John's life bears witness to the necessity of being attentive always to the call of God and generous in responding, regardless of where the summons might lead. There can be no limits placed on one's availability when a person experiences within the force of God's love - whether in one's state of life or in the carrying out of one's responsibilities even at a high price.  

June 4 - Blessed James of Viterbo

Bishop

The life of Blessed James of Viterbo, whom we commemorate today, reminds us of the importance of placing our gifts at the service of others. In this way we find, as he did, the path that leads to our own personal growth and holiness, while at the same time bringing enrichment to others. The gift you have been given, give as a gift - are the words of Scripture that come alive in the example of Blessed James. 

Thought by some historians to be a descendant of the noble Capocci family, James was born in Viterbo, Italy, around 1255. He joined the Augustinians in 1272 at the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in his native city, and was sent to study theology at the Order's newly opened General House of Studies in Paris. Among his teachers was Giles of Rome who held James in great esteem. After several years in Italy exercising various responsibilities in the Order, he returned to Paris for additional studies. He obtained his doctorate there in 1293 and, with the election of his former professor, Giles, to the office of Prior General, served as regent of studies until 1299. He then was assigned to Naples, Italy, where he taught and served again as regent. James was named Archbishop of Benevento by Boniface VIII in September, 1302 and the following December was transferred to the Archdiocese of Naples. During his tenure the cathedral of Naples was constructed. His single most important theological work, De regimine cristiano, is considered the first systematic treatise on the Church. James died in Naples at the end of 1307 or the beginning of 1308, known for his great love for the Church and the teachings of Saint Augustine. Pius X confirmed his cult in 1911. 

James was a man endowed with intellectual and pastoral talents which he willingly put at the service of the Order - still in its formative years - and of the Church. At the same time he was a man in whom the grace of humility was also evident, gaining him the admiration and respect of his fellow religious and the people of his archdiocese, who held him in high esteem both in life and after his death.
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