May

20

St. Bernardine of Siena

May 20, 2008 |

St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) was a friar minor, missionary and reformer, Apostle of Italy. Born to nobility, he was orphaned at six and left to the care of aunts. At seventeen, he joined the Confraternity of Our Lady attached to Santa Maria della Scala and ministered to the plague-stricken, even managing the entire hospital for a few months, thus ruining his health. Giving away his inheritance, he took the habit at twenty two. An eloquent speaker, he attracted penitents who ‘flocked to confession like ants’. He fearlessly attacked the ruling class and denounced vice with great effect. His goal was, however, peace. He is called greatest preacher of his day, Apostle of the Holy Name and restorer of the OFM. More information at the linked New Advent webpage.

The news
  • Saints and humour. Nice videos.
  • Meanwhile, hybrid chimeras the world over rejoiced yesterday over the decision by the British government to legalise their genesis. Seriously, this is where those old mad-scientist movies come to life for us. We’re a step closer to that ghastly scene in the Alien movie.
  • After this ghastly development, Cranmer has more imagery on this Satanic element of contemporary human culture. Caution: pictures/videos of babies being cruelly murdered by the scientifically minded. What think you now of the continual reminders from Our Lady of the building wrath of God?
  • Fr. Longenecker and the so-called resurrifix. I think early Christians would not have needed imagery to show them crucifixion; it was right there, their friends were probably getting crucified.
  • Archbishop Nichols on BBC World at One. Apparently, he addressed a doctor who thinks ’saviour-siblings’ will save his son. Isn’t this technology in its infancy, with no guarantees at all?
Scripture
And taking a child, he set him in the midst of them. Whom when he had embraced, he saith to them, “Whosoever shall receive one such child as this in my name, receiveth me. And whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” (Mark 9:35-36)

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