St Henry de Osso y Cervello, Priest, optional memoria

Henry was born at Vinebre, Catalonia, Spain, on October 16, 1840 and was ordained priest on September 21, 1867. He was an apostle to young people in teaching them faith and inspired various movements for the teaching of the Gospel. As a spiritual director he was fascinated by St Teresa of Jesus, the great teacher in the ways of prayer and Daughter of the Church. In the light of her teaching, henry founded the Company of St Teresa (1876) dedicated to educating women in the school of the Gospel and following the example of St Teresa. He gave himself to preaching and the apostolate through the printing press. He underwent many severe trials and sufferings. He died at Gilet, Valencia, Spain, on january 27, 1896. he was canonised on July 16, 1993 in Madrid, by Pope John Paul II.After Discalced Carmelite Proper Offices.

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St Andrew Corsini, Carmelite Bishop, optional memoria

Andrew Corsini was born at the beginning of the 14th century in Florence, Italy, where he later became a Carmelite. He was elected provincial of Tuscany at the general Chapter of Metz. On October 13, 1349 he became Bishop pf Fiesole, and in governing his diocese he showed outstanding charity, apostolic zeal, and prudence, together with great love for the poor. he died on January 6, 1374.  

It is important that a man who set is set up as a model of how to live should be one....who is so well versed in the art of prayer that he can obtain anything he asks for from the Lord; it is as though he were singled out by a prophetic voice saying to him: 'While you are still speaking I will say, "See, I am here". Fragment from The Pastoral Rule of the Pope St Gregory the Great, The Office of Readings of the Proper offices. 

God our Father, you revealed that those who work for peace will be called your sons, through the prayers of St Andrew Corsini, who excelled as a peacemaker, help us to work without ceasing for that justice which brings true and lasting peace, we ask this through our Lord. Concluding prayer of the Morning Prayer, Discalced Carmelite Proper offices.

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St Peter Thomas, Carmelite friar and bishop, optional memoria

Born about 1350 in southern Perigord, France, he entered the Carmelite order at the age of twenty. He was elected Procurator General of the Order to the Papal Court at Avignon in 1345. In 1354 he was made Bishop of Patti and Lipari, and thereafter often acted as Papal Legate in the cause of peace and of union with the Eastern Churches. He was translated to the see of Corone in the apeleponnesus, and made Papl Legate for the east, in 1359, in 1363 he was made Archbishop of Crete. In these offices he distinguished himself as an apostle of Christian unity. He died at Famagosta in Cyprus in 1366. St Peter Thomas lived as a devout Carmelite and was a diplomatic healer and reconciler, reminding us that finding common ground and bringing reconciliation are always possible with God's help. After Discacled Proper Offices and Universalis. 

 

Lord, You inspired in your bishop, Saint Peter Thomas, an intense desire to promote peace and Christian unity. Following his example may we live steadfast in the faith and work perseveringly for peace, We ask this through our Lord. After Concluding Prayer for Morning Prayer.

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The Epiphany of the Lord

The word Epiphany means "manifestation", and it has passed into general acceptance throughout the universal Church, from the fact that Jesus Christ manifested to the eyes of men His divine mission on this day first of all, when a miraculous star revealed His birth to the kings of the East, who, in spite of the difficulties and dangers of a long and tedious journey through deserts and mountains almost impassable, hastened at once to Bethlehem to adore Him and to offer Him mystical presents, as to the Ding of kings, to the God of heaven and earth, and to a Man withal feeble and mortal. The second manifestation was when, going out from the waters of the Jordan after having received Baptism from the hands of St. John, the Holy Ghost descended on Him in the visible form of a dove, and a voice from heaven was heard, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." The third manifestation was that of His divine power, when at the marriage-feast of Cana He changed the water into wine, at the sight whereof His disciples believed in Him. The remembrance of these three great events, concurring to the same end, the Church has wished to celebrate in one and the same festival. Reflection.--Admire the almighty power of this little Child, Who from His cradle makes known His coming to the shepherds and magi--to the shepherds by means of His angel, to the magi by a star in the East. Admire the docility of these kings. Jesus is born; behold them at His feet? Let us be little, let us hide ourselves, and the divine strength will be granted to us. Let us be docile and quick in following divine inspirations, and we shall then become wise of the wisdom of God, powerful in His almighty power. After Butler's Lives of the Saints. 

 

Thirsting for God 

The Magi opened their treasures and offered the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia. 

O God, you are my God, I watch for you from the dawn. My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you. I came to your sanctuary, as one in a parched and waterless land, so that I could see your might and your glory. My lips will praise you, for your mercy is better than life itself. Thus I will bless you throughout my life, and raise my hands in prayer to your name; my soul will be filled as if by rich food, and my mouth will sing your praises and rejoice. I will remember you as I lie in bed, I will think of you in the morning, for you have been my helper, and I will take joy in the protection of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand raises me up. Morning Prayer Psalm 62(63)

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St. Kuriakos Elias Chavara, Carmelite Priest, memoria

"Today January 3, 1871....in the morning, Fr Cyriac (Kuriakos) Elias of the Holy Family, the first Prior, died after life of great innocence. He could declare before his death that he had never lost his baptysmal innocence. he was exercising himself in the practice of virtues, especially in the simplicity of heart, living faith, tender obedience and devotion to the blessed Sacrament, to the Bl Virgin mary and to St joseph. He has undergone immense hardship for the good of the Christians of Malabar, especially during the time of schism of Rochas, when he being appointed vicar general of the Syrians, showed his extraordinary devotion to the Holy See. He fought day and night to arrest the spread of schism from which he could save not less than 40 parishes. On this account the Holy Father Pope Pius IX sent him a letter expressing is great satisfaction. He was the founder abd the first Prior of the Third Order Carmelites of Malabar. He founded also the convent of nuns after undergoing many hardships. On account of his endearing virtues, learning and profound knowledge of the Syriac lamguage he enjoyed great influance on the Syrians of Malabar. He was always greatly loved by the Vicars apostolic of Malabar, much more by the people of Malabar, the gentiles and Nestorians not excluded. He endured his last illness for two years in a spirit of great resignation, nay with joy. He was detached from all disorderly affections for earthly things, which was all the more truein the last days of his life. Having received the last sacraments with extraordinary piety and devotion, in heavenly joy, and amids the tears of all who knew him, especially of mine, who knew him even as myself, he breathed his last at the age of 65 and was buried in the church of St Philomena at Koonammavu. O holy and beautiful souls, pray for me." From a note written by Fr Leopold Beccaro, OCD, after the death of his spiritual director. Taken from Discalced Carmelite Proper Offices.

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