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| Religion Forum Index » Apologetic Forum » June 10th - Blessed John Dominici de Banchini, OP B... |
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 Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:04 am |
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June 10th - Blessed John Dominici de Banchini, OP B (AC)
Born in Florence, Italy, 1376 (or 1350?); died in Hungary 1419; cultus
confirmed
in 1832; beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI.
John is an example of the triumph of spirit over difficulty, and an
indication
that God can use any type of instrument He chooses, if He has a certain work
to
be done. John was almost rejected by the Dominicans because he had such a
severe
speech defect that the superior felt he would never be able to preach-a real
impediment in the Order of Preachers.
The saint was born into a poor Florentine family. His early years were noted
for
piety. In fact, if anyone came looking for him, his mother would say, "Go
and
look in the church. He spends most of his time there." He had a special love
for
the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella, and he haunted it from early
morning to late at night. It was not a surprise to anyone when, at the age
of
17, he decided to enter the Dominican order.
Here several difficulties presented themselves. John had no background of
education, which was absolutely necessary in an order of scholars. To make
matters worse, he had the speech defect. Some of the fathers felt that he
should
support his parents, although they protested that this should not stand in
the
way of their son's vocation. It was two years before John was allowed to
begin
his novitiate at Santa Maria Novella. The order soon discovered the treasure
they had. John excelled in theology and Sacred Scripture, and so he was
sent,
with the other superior students, to finish his studies in Paris.
Now he was face to face with the difficulty that his superiors had seen from
the
beginning. An ordained priest, member of a preaching order, he must fulfill
his
vocation by preaching. His superiors attempted to forestall any
embarrassment by
assigning him work in the house. John felt that the intervention of heaven
was
required, so with the utmost simplicity he prayed to Saint Catherine of
Siena,
who had just died, to cure him. The impediment disappeared, and John
joyfully
began to preach. He became one of the most famous Dominican preachers.
In 1392, after years of successful missionary work in all the cities of
Italy,
John was appointed vicar-provincial of the Roman province. It was a task
that,
both intellectually and spiritually, called for a giant.
The plague had cut into the order with such devastating effect that regular
life
barely existed. The convent of Santa Maria Novella had lost 77 friars within
a
few months; other convents were in even worse condition. The mortality had
been
higher among the friars than anywhere else, because they had gone quite
unselfishly to the aid of the stricken people. However, this misfortune had
left
the order perilously understaffed, and there were a good many members who
believed quite sincerely that the conditions of the time called for a
mitigated
observance of the rule. Many of the houses were already operating in this
fashion. It was to be the principal work of Blessed John Dominici to right
this
condition, and bring back the order to its first fervor.
He began his work with a foundation at Fiesole. Before he had even erected
the
new convent, four young men received the habit, one of whom was
Antoninus-future
saintly archbishop of Florence. Two years later, two of the most gifted
young
artists in Italy, whom history would know as Fra Angelico and his brother,
Fra
Benedetto, received the habit. With these and other earnest young men, John
Dominici set about the difficult work of building anew an order that had
suffered a diminution of its original fervor. Soon the house at Fiesole, and
others modeled upon it, could be described, as the first houses of the order
were, the "homes of angels."
Difficult days were in preparation for John Dominici. He was appointed
cardinal
in 1407, named archbishop of Ragusa, and chosen as confessor to the pope.
Due to
schism, there were two claimants to the papacy. The situation grew even
worse
when, after another election, no less than three powerful men claimed to
have
been lawfully elected pope.
Largely through the diplomacy and wise counsel of John Cardinal Dominici,
the
rival claimants to the papal throne agreed to withdraw their claims, and the
groundwork was laid for the election of a new and acceptable candidate. At
this
time, John Dominici publicly renounced his cardinalate, thus indicating to
the
enemies who accused him of political ambition that he cared nothing for
honors
in this world.
John was preaching in Hungary against the heresies of John Hus at the behest
of
the pope when he died. He was buried in the Church of Saint Paul the Hermit
in
Buda. Many miracles were worked at his tomb before it was destroyed by the
Turks
(Benedictines, Dorcy).
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0610.shtml
<><><><>
All things whatsoever that they command you, observe and do. (Matt. 23:3)
Saint Quote:
"Obedience is, without doubt, more meritorious than any austerity. And what
greater austerity can be thought of than that of keeping one's will
constantly submissive and obedient"?
-St. Catherine of Bologna
When St. Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi was sick, she was accustomed to refuse
any delicate food or costly medicine that was offered her; but if the
bringer required her to take it as an act of obedience, she made no further
objections; but saying only "Blessed be God," she would instantly take it.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". June - Obedience)
Bible Quote
But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever
I shall have said to you. (John 14:26)
<><><><>
CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Adorable Heart of Jesus, the tenderest, the most amiable,
the most generous of all hearts, penetrated with gratitude at
the sight of Thy benefits, I come to consecrate myself wholly
and unreservedly to Thee! wish to devote all my energies to
propagating Thy worship and winning, if possible, all hearts to
Thee. Receive my heart this day, O Jesus!
Or rather take it, change it, purify it, to render it worthy of
Thee. Make it humble, gentle, patient, faithful and generous
like Thine, by inflaming it with the fire of Thy love. Hide it in
Thy Divine Heart with all hearts that love Thee and are
consecrated to Thee; never permit me to take my heart from
Thee again. Let me rather die than grieve Thy Adorable
Heart. Thou knowest O Heart of Jesus, that the desire of my
heart is to love Thee always, to be wholly Thine in life and in
death, in time and in eternity. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
have mercy on us. Sacred Heart of Jesus I trust in Thee.
<><><>
CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
I (Name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in thy
hands, O Immaculate Mother, the vows of my baptism; I
renounce Satan, his pomps and works and I give myself
entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my
cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful
to Him than I have ever been before.
In the Presence of All the Heavenly Court, I choose Thee
this day for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate
to Thee, as Thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both
interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good
actions, past, present and future; leaving to Thee the entire
and full right of disposing of me, without exception, according
to Thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God in time and
in eternity. (Amen) |
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