February 16
FERIAL DAY
Mass of preceding Sunday
is celebrated
[Commemoration]
SAINT GILBERT
(Confessor)
[Historical]
SIMPLE / RED
Saint Gilbert of Sempringham’s Story
Gilbert was born in Sempringham, England, into a wealthy family, but he followed a path quite different from that expected of him as the son of a Norman knight. Sent to France for his higher education, he decided to pursue seminary studies.
He returned to England not yet ordained a priest, and inherited several estates from his father. But Gilbert avoided the easy life he could have led under the circumstances. Instead he lived a simple life at a parish, sharing as much as possible with the poor. Following his ordination to the priesthood he served as parish priest at Sempringham.
Among the congregation were seven young women who had expressed to him their desire to live in religious life. In response, Gilbert had a house built for them adjacent to the Church. There they lived an austere life, but one which attracted ever more numbers; eventually lay sisters and lay brothers were added to work the land. The religious order formed eventually became known as the Gilbertines, though Gilbert had hoped the Cistercians or some other existing order would take on the responsibility of establishing a rule of life for the new order. The Gilbertines, the only religious order of English origin founded during the Middle Ages, continued to thrive. But the order came to an end when King Henry VIII suppressed all Catholic monasteries.
Over the years a special custom grew up in the houses of the order called “the plate of the Lord Jesus.” The best portions of the dinner were put on a special plate and shared with the poor, reflecting Gilbert’s lifelong concern for less fortunate people.
Throughout his life, Gilbert lived simply, consumed little food, and spent a good portion of many nights in prayer. Despite the rigors of such a life he died at well over age 100.
From https://www.franciscanmedia.org/Ps. 30:2. In You, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never to be put to shame. In Your justice rescue me and set me free.
V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
Stand by us, O Lord, while we commemorate blessed Gilbert Thy Confessor and humbly pray that by his merits this Thy friend may assist us who dare not rely on our own. Through our Liord . . .
Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up, Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil: Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth: Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void or tongues shall cease or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part: and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.
Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me."
And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: "Son of David, have mercy on me."
And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, Saying; "What wilt thou that I do to thee?" But he said: "Lord, that I may see." And Jesus said to him: "Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole." And immediately he saw and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
SAINT ONESIMUS
Onesimus
lived in the first century. He was a slave who robbed his master and
ran away to Rome. In Rome, he went to see the great apostle, St. Paul,
who was a prisoner for his faith. Paul received Onesimus with the
kindness and love of a good father. Paul helped the young man realize he
had done wrong to steal. But more than that, he led Onesimus to
believe in and accept the Christian faith.
After Onesimus became a Christian, Paul sent him back to his master,
Philemon, who was Paul's friend. But Paul did not send the slave back
alone and defenseless. He "armed" Onesimus with a brief, powerful
letter. Paul hoped his letter would set everything right for his new
friend, Onesimus. Paul wrote to Philemon: "I plead with you for my own
son, for Onesimus. I am sending him back to you. Welcome him as though
he were my very heart."
That touching letter is in the New Testament of the Bible. Philemon
accepted Paul's letter and Paul's advice. When Onesimus returned to his
master, he was set free. Later, he went back to St. Paul and became his
faithful helper.
St. Paul made Onesimus a priest and then a bishop. The former slave
dedicated the rest of his life to preaching the Good News that had
changed his life forever. It is believed that during the persecutions,
Onesimus was brought in chains to Rome and stoned to death.
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