- St. Peter of Alcantara (1562). Priest, Religious. (Traditional)
- Sts. John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, Priests, & Companions (1642). Martyr. They are patrons of Canada. (Current) The North American Martyrs
PETER, while still a youth, left his home at Alcantara in Spain, and entered a convent of Discalced Franciscans. He rose quickly to high posts in the Order, but his thirst for penance was still unappeased, and in 1539, being then forty years old, he founded the first convent of the “Strict Observance.” The cells of the friars resembled graves rather than dwelling-places. That of St. Peter himself was four feet and a half in length, so that he could never lie down; he ate but once in three days; his sackcloth habit and a cloak were his only garments, and he never covered his head or feet. In the bitter winter he would open the door and window of his cell that, by closing them again, he might experience some sensation of warmth. Amongst those whom he trained to perfection was St. Teresa. He read her soul, approved of her spirit of prayer, and strengthened her to carry out her reforms. St. Peter died, with great joy, kneeling in prayer, October 18th, 1562, at the age of sixty-three.
REFLECTION: If men do not go about barefoot now, nor undergo sharp penances, as St. Peter did, there are many ways of trampling on the world; and our Lord teaches them when He finds the necessary courage.
WORD OF THE DAY
CANDLESTICK. A holder for a candle consisting of a foot, stem, knob, and bowl to receive wax drippings; in some instances it has a sharp point or pricket at the top on which the candle is fixed. In other instances the top is a cut-out cup-shaped hole into which the candle is placed. It symbolizes the Eucharist and is often represented with the Host above it. The rubrics prescribe two, four, or six candlesticks on or around the altar for Mass, with lighted candles.
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!)
October, Month of the Rosary
Maria Magnificata. Short Meditations for October, the Month of the Rosary. 19th Day — Mary’s loss of Jesus for three days.
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