Saint Casimir, son of the king of Poland, was born in 1458. He practiced the Christian virtues with special regard to chastity and kindness to the poor and was zealous in the faith, particularly in his devotion to the holy eucharist and the Virgin mary. Casimir died of consumption in 1484.
From the Life of Saint Casimir written by a contemporary
(Cap. 2-3: Acta Sanctorum martii 1, 347-348)
By fulfilling the commands of the Most High he stored up treasure for himself
By the power of the Holy Spirit, Casimir burned with a sincere and unpretentious love for almighty God that was almost unbelievable in its strength. So rich was his love and so abundantly did it fill his heart, that it flowed out from his inner spirit toward his fellow men. As a result nothing was more pleasant, nothing more desirable for him, than to share his belongings, and even to dedicate and give his entire self to Christ's poor, to strangers, to the sick, to those in captivity and to all who suffered. To widows, orphans and the afflicted, he was not only a guardian and patron but a father, son and brother. One would have to compose a long account to record here all his works of love and dedication for God and for mankind. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine or to express his passion for justice, his exercise of moderation, his gift of prudence, his fundamental spiritual courage and stability, especially in a most permissive age, when men tended to be headstrong and by their very natures inclined to sin.
Daily he urged his father to practice justice throughout his kingdom and in the governance of his people; and whenever anything in the country had been overlooked because of human weakness or simple neglect, he never failed to point it out quietly to the king.
He actively took up the cause of the needy and unfortunate and embraced it as his own; for this reason the people called him the patron of the poor. Though the son of a king and descendant of a noble line, he was never unapproachable in his conversation or dealings with anyone, no matter how humble or obscure.
He always preferred to be counted among the meek and poor of spirit, among those who are promised the kingdom of heaven, rather than among the famous and powerful men of this world. He had no ambition for the power that lies in human rank and he would never accept it from his father. He was afraid the barbs of wealth, which our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of as thorns, would wound his soul, or that he would be contaminated by contact with worldly goods.
Many who acted as his personal servants or secretaries are still alive today; these men, of the highest integrity, who had personal knowledge of his private life, testify that he preserved his chastity to the very end of his life.
Responsory: Sirach 29:11; 1 Timothy 6:11
Invest your wealth according to the command of the Most High.
--It will yield a profit far greater than gold.
Strive for justice, reverence, faith and love;
always be patient and gentle.
--It will yield a profit far greater than gold.
Prayer
All-powerful God,
to serve you is to reign:
by the prayers of Saint Casimir,
help us to serve you in holiness and justice.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, on 26 November 1858, the daughter of Francis A. Drexel, a prominent banker, and Hannah Langstroth, who died shortly after Katharine's birth. Her father later married Emma Bouvier Drexel. It was from them that Katharine and her two sisters learned the lessons of love of God and neighbor, especially the poor. Katharine gave her fortune and her life to serve the poor and oppressed, particularly African American and Native American people. She helped finance many missions among them. In 1891, she founded a missionary community, The sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The eucharist was the center of and sustenance for her life; she saw it as the source of unity among races. Katharine died on 3 March 1955, in her 97th hear, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II, on 20 November 1988.
Note: Katharine Drexel was canonized by Pope John Paul II, on Sunday October 1, 2000. His homily at the canonization Mass is available on the internet here.
From a sermon On the Dress of Virgins by Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr
(Nn. 3-4, 22. 23: CSEL 3, 189-190. 202-204)
The more numerous her virgins, the greater the joy of mother Church
Now I wish to address the order of virgins. Because their way of life is more exalted, our concern for them must be greater. If we compare the Church to a tree, then they are its blossom. Virgins show forth the beauty of God's grace; they are the image of God that reflects the holiness of the Lord; they are the more illustrious members of Christ's flock. They are the glory of mother Church and manifest her fruitfulness. The more numerous her virgins are, the greater is her joy.
To these virgins then I speak and address my exhortation, out of love rather than any sense of authority; and I do this without claiming the right to censure them, for I am among the last and the least and fully aware of my lowliness; I do it rather because the more anxious and concerned I am about them, the more I fear the devil's attack. For it is no idle concern nor vain fear that takes thought of the path of salvation and keeps the Lord's life-giving commandments.
They have dedicated themselves to Christ, and, renouncing the pleasures of the flesh, have consecrated themselves body and soul to God, in order to finish a task that is destined to win a greater prize; they should not strive to adorn themselves or give pleasure to anyone but the Lord, from whom they hope to receive the reward for their chastity.
Virgins, persevere in the way of life you have begun, persevere in what you are to be. For you will receive a glorious prize for your virtue, a most excellent reward for your chastity. You have already begun to be now what we shall all be in the future. You already possess, here in this world, the glory of the resurrection. You pass through this world without the world's infection. If you persevere in chastity and virginity, you are equal to God's angels. Only keep your profession of virginity strong and inviolate. You began your way of life courageously; now persevere without faltering. Seek right conduct as your adornment, not jewelry or attractive clothing.
Listen to the voice of the apostle Paul, God's chosen vessel, sent to announce the commands of heaven. Paul said: The first man was made of the dust of the earth; the second is from heaven. Those who are made from earth are like him who was on the earth. Those who are of heaven are like him who is from heaven. As we have borne the image of the man who is of the earth, so let us bear the image of the man who is from heaven. This image is shown forth in virginity, purity, holiness and truth.
Responsory: 1 Corinthians 7:34; Psalm 73:26
The thoughts of the virgin are always upon God.
--Her desire is to be holy both in body and soul.
The God of my heart is my portion for ever.
--Her desire is to be holy both in body and soul.
Prayer
Ever-loving God,
you called Blessed Katharine Drexel
to teach the message of the Gospel
and to bring the life of the Eucharist
to the African American and Native American peoples.
By her prayers and example,
enable us to work for justice
among the poor and the oppressed,
and keep us undivided in love
in the eucharistic community of your Church.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
