Wisdom Wednesday: Why Fasting Can Help Make You Healthy And A Saint with Brother Andre Marie

Wisdom Wednesday

Special Guest Brother Andre Marie

Follow Brother on social media GAB and Twitter - @Brother_Andre

Also check out their website - www.catholicism.org

HEADLINE: Saint Peter of Alcantara (1562) by The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 

HEADLINE: What’s in That Prayer? The Collect for Saint Peter of Alcantara by Brother Andre Marie 

* Oration that the Church prays in the Mass and Office for Saint Peter of Alcántara (October 19) - Deus, qui beátum Petrum Confessórem tuum admirábilis pœniténtiæ et altíssimæ contemplatiónis múnere illustráre dignátus es: da nobis, quǽsumus; ut, eius suffragántibus méritis, carne mortificáti, facílius cæléstia capiámus.

* Translation - O God, who hast deigned to render blessed Peter Thy Confessor illustrious for his gift of penance and highest contemplation: grant us, we beseech Thee, that for the sake of his favorable merits, by the mortification of the flesh we may more easily obtain heavenly things. 

* We all need to mortify the flesh, at the very least in a way to keep us free from mortal sin, but those who love God want to do more. I have been told that Franciscan Friars, even in very strict communities, are warned not to attempt the degree of severity that their illustrious brother, Fray Pedro de Alcántara, was so famous for. The logic that can be found in some of the works of Saint Alphonsus is, I believe, very helpful for us when considering this question of “how much penance” is for us. After showing several examples of extreme penitence, Saint Alphonsus tends to challenge us, not to copy the specific acts, but to say to ourselves: “If this saint could do so much, surely, I can do X.” Supernatural prudence, charity, and wise spiritual direction can fill in that blank for us. 

* Meanwhile, if we do nothing by way of penance over and above the very little the Church presently demands of us in Lent (never mind the presently non-binding ember days!), we are assured of two things: (1) a long purgatory, and (2) a very uneasy time of it when we read the life of Saint Peter of Alcántara!

* In order to keep from falling asleep he would either kneel or remain standing. He took very little sleep. His cell was only 4 1/2 inches in diameter.

* Underneath his tunic he wore a hair shirt made of tin plates!

* He only ate every 3rd day!

* He obviously didn’t know about the Hobbit meal times.

* In one word…apathy. 

* Brattle Bookstore in Boston - https://www.brattlebookshop.com/

HEADLINE: Episode 346: Laying the Foundations for the Seventh Beatitude. Guest: Sister Maria Philomena, M.I.C.M. 

HEADLINE: Time and Salvation by Brother Andre Marie 

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