Angelic Humility

When I read about today’s saint – the Spanish Jesuit Alphonsus Rodriguez (1532-1617), my thoughts turn towards our French Carmelite Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614-1691), for they had similar humble vocations in the Church.  Here he worked as a door-keeper but also devoted himself to prayer and penances. Both were unassuming lay brothers in unspectacular positions – Brother Lawrence as cook and sandal-maker, Brother Alphonsus as doorkeeper - but both exercised immense influence through their sheer holiness and spiritual wisdom.  ‘Alphonsus was able to influence not only young students, like St. Peter Claver, whom he advised to go to America and became the “saint of the slaves”, but also local civic and social leaders, who came to his lodge for advice and direction.’  [courtesy of catholicireland.net] As for Brother Lawrence, ‘His first ten years of religious life were filled with spiritual darkness, coupled with a keen sense of his sins. But he abandoned himself to the Lord and made a concerted effort to live simply under the gaze of God in all things and in every moment of the day. Thus, he found peace.’ [courtesy of Carmelite.com]  As with St Therese, whose little book has impacted on millions of lives, a little book of the sayings of Brother Lawrence continues to inspire many today.

Intercessions

Pope Leo as he recovers from his operation for cancer.

Angie - seemingly the last illness

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Theresa K, Elena

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling, Noreen

David OCDS – housebound

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly