MAY 19, 2024 – PENTECOST – ST. PETER CELESTINE.

• St. Ivo (Yves) (1303). Patron or Patroness, Priest. Patron of Lawyers. (Historical)
• St. Peter Celestine (Celestine V) (1296). Founder or Foundress, Pope, Religious. (Traditional) Founded the Celestines
• St. Pudentiana (160). Virgin. (Traditional)

WHIT SUNDAY.

FIFTY days after Easter, the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ were assembled in an upper chamber, engaged in prayer, according to the recommendation of the Divine Master, and awaiting the accomplishment of the promise He had made to them, of sending them a Comforting Spirit, the Paraclete, who should teach them all things. Lo! a great noise, as of a rushing tempest, was suddenly heard, the house was rocked to and fro, and tongues of fire were seen resting on the head of each one. At once all were changed into new men, their minds being endowed with full understanding of the Scriptures and of the wonders they had hitherto witnessed without comprehending, and their souls were filled with strength from on high; thenceforth they belonged no more to themselves but to the work of the Gospel. From that time forth this Divine Spirit has not ceased to pour itself forth upon the Church to enlighten, confirm, protect, and guide; it has not ceased communicating itself to each of the faithful individually, either by means of the sacraments or by grace, whenever it has found hearts well disposed.

The Fathers of the Church and all theologians are of one mind in recognizing, in the workings of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of the faithful, seven chief gifts: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and the Fear of the Lord. The gift of Wisdom helps us to judge healthily of all things concerning our last end; the gift of Understanding, to apprehend the truths revealed, and to submit our hearts thereto; the gift of Counsel, to choose in all things the part best fitted for the sanctification of our souls; the gift of Fortitude, to resist temptations and overcome dangers; the gift of Knowledge, to discern the best means of sanctifying ourselves; the gift of Piety, or Godliness, causes us to love religion and the practices having reference to Divine Worship; the gift of the Fear of the Lord turns us aside from sin and from whatever may displease God.

REFLECTION: “They that are according to the flesh mind the things that are of the flesh; but they that are according to the Spirit mind the things that are of the Spirit. For the wisdom of the flesh is death; but the wisdom of the Spirit is life and peace.”

ST. PETER CELESTINE.

AS a child, Peter had visions of our Blessed Lady, and of the angels and saints. They encouraged him in his prayer, and chided him when he fell into any fault. his mother, though only a poor widow, put him to school, feeling sure that he would one day be a saint. At the age of twenty, he left his home in Apulia to live in a mountain solitude. Here he passed three years, assaulted by the evil spirits and beset with temptations of the flesh, but consoled by angels’ visits. After this, his seclusion was invaded by disciples, who refused to be sent away; and the rule of life which he gave them formed the foundation of the Celestine Order. Angels assisted in the church which Peter built; unseen bells rang peals of surpassing sweetness, and heavenly music filled the sanctuary, when he offered the Holy Sacrifice. Suddenly he found himself torn from his loved solitude by his election to the Papal throne. Resistance was of no avail. He took the name of Celestine, to remind him of the heaven he was leaving and for which he sighed, and was consecrated at Aquila. After a reign of four months, Peter summoned the cardinals to his presence, and solemnly resigned his trust. St. Peter built himself a boarded cell in his palace, and there continued his hermit’s life; and when, lest his simplicity might be taken advantage of to distract the peace of the Church, he was put under guard, he said, “I desired nothing but a cell, and a cell they have given me.” There he enjoyed his former loving intimacy with the saints and angels, and sang the Divine praises almost continually. At length, on Whit Sunday, he told his guards he should die within the week, and immediately fell ill. He received the last Sacraments; and the following Saturday, as he finished the concluding verse of Lauds, “Let every spirit bless the Lord!” he closed his eyes to this world and opened them to the vision of God.

REFLECTION: “Whoso,” says the Imitation of Christ, “withdraweth himself from acquaintances and friends, to him will God draw near with His holy angels.”

WORD OF THE DAY

FREQUENT COMMUNION. The practice, dating from the first centuries of the Church, of receiving Holy Communion often, as a means of growing in union with God. Weekly reception was customary already in apostolic times. From the end of the second century many priests and laity received every day. By the thirteenth century the practice had so declined that the Fourth Lateran Council had to legislate at least annual Communion at Easter time. In the sixteenth century the Council of Trent urged the reception of Holy Communion at every Mass attended. During the centuries of Jansenist influence, Communion became rare, until 1905 when St. Pius X decreed that "Frequent and daily Communion, as a thing most earnestly desired by Christ our Lord and by the Catholic Church should be open to all the faithful" (Denzinger 3375-83). The only conditions required were the state of grace and the right intention.

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

May, Month of the Immaculate Heart

Maria Magnificata. Short Meditations for May, the Month on Our Lady’s Life. 19th Day — Mary’s loss of Jesus for three days.

This article, MAY 19, 2024 – PENTECOST – ST. PETER CELESTINE. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
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