Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka

Martyr

Upon the implosion of the Holy Roman Empire, Austria like many nations were left to form independent countries. With the demise of the Holy Roman Empire the Habsburgs then gained control of Austria/Hungary and ruled it with a velvet glove.

It was in 1867 that both Austria and Hungary were co-joined under the leadership of Emperor Franz Joseph. But the unification of two diverse countries would hold complications as a Constitution evolved for the Austrian peoples.

When upon the death of Emperor Franz Joseph, his nephew Francis Ferdinand became Emperor in the year 1896, and it was during his leadership that the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina would have repercussions around the world and bring untold tragedy to many nations.

For in June 28 1914 both Emperor Francis Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated, which heralded in the First World War, which would impact the entire world with untold tragedy.

But it was in 1894 that the Kafka family would be blessed with another child as Helena joined her other five siblings. Though the family were not wealthy, still they managed well enough.

The Kafka family moved to Vienna when Helena was very young so she thought of herself as very much an Austrian and had the robust nature of a true patriot. Being that her family was not overly prosperous Helena found work in various occupations as a sales assistant before training as a nurse.

It would be her job as a nurse that would deeply move her for a love and compassion for the needy and infirm. And a longing in her heart to help assist and aid them in whatever way she could. For though Helena was a very practical and disciplined young lady, she had a growing love for our Lord and longed to serve Him through her prayer and her work.

Her parents did not share the same level of Faith as their daughter so when Helena informed her family that she was considering becoming a Religious her parents vehemently opposed it. But this did not stop the strong willed Helena, who though she loved and respected her parents, still her love for God was stronger and she could not neglect the calling she felt within her heart.

So in the year 1914 Helena joined the Franciscan Order of the Sisters of Charity, and took as her name Sister Restituta. Through her love of God Sister Restituta sought to ease His sufferings by serving the sick and ill in her vocation as a nurse. For by helping to heal and bring comfort to the sick, Sister Restitua knew that this was the most perfect way to love and serve her Lord.

And she served her Lord well for the next twenty years as a very competent nurse, for though Sister Restituta was not known for her charm, she was respected for her love of the poor and infirm.

But it was the Nazi Anschluss which overtook Austria that Sister Restituta showed an uncommon bravery, and vowed not to serve Hitler as she had been known to publicly call Hitler a 'mad man'. Sister Restituta was also puzzled in how much her beloved Austrians encouraged the Nazification of her beloved Austria, and unlike many of her fellow citizens she would not bend under the Nazi dictatorship!

She was openly defiant when it came to the Nazi's and wrote a poem mocking the 'German Dictator' as well as refusing to remove Crucifixes from the hospital rooms. If anything Sister Restituta placed even more Crucifixes in the hospital wards, which had been newly built.

This was too much for the Nazi's and when they ordered her to remove the Crucifixes Sister Restituta defiantly told them no! They would stay! The Nazi's were enraged and ordered her arrest, but still Sister Restituta stood firm.

The evil Nazi regime even tried to bribe Sister Restituta if she denied her religious calling and broke her Vows; they would then spare her life. Once again this most courageous of souls spurned the Nazi's offer as mere garbage from the sewer that was National Socialism.

The Nazi regime was incensed with this infuriating sister and ordered her death by beheading, upon hearing this order Sister Restituta remained resolute and stoic and said simply, "I have lived for Christ. I want to die for Christ".

Sister Restituta Kafka died by beheading in 1943.

Blessed Sister Restituta was beatified in 1998 by Pope John Paul ll.

To quote Pope John Paul II, "courageous witness to her conviction … The Church today does not need part-time Catholics but full-blooded Christians … Thank you Sister Restituta for swimming against the tide of the times!"

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

St. Philip Neri

Italy in the 14th and 15 centuries, were milestone years when it came to artistic pursuit in all fields, paintings, sculpture, architecture and writings. These were the decades when Niccolo Machiavelli, Francesco Guicciardini wrote their famous books. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raffael Santi, and Michaelangelo Buonarroti would reach their best on the finest art ever produced.

And though artistically Italy flourished, when it came to politics it was the reverse as divisions created conflicts amongst the differing powerful dynasties. The most powerful and commercially prosperous Provinces in Italy at that time were Venice, Milan, Florence and Naples.

Some Italian Province's also had an ongoing dispute which led to outright war with the French but under the new French king Francis I a peace agreement would be signed, but like many other peace treaties it would not last.

Into this arena of great artistic accomplishments and diverse political machinations, was born in the year 1515 a baby boy who was named Philip Romolo Neri.

Though Philips father, Francesco Nero was related to the nobility he himself was not wealthy and had to work hard to provide for his growing family. The young Philip would be joined later by two sisters, unfortunately for the Neri family, their mother died while her children were very young.

The young Philip would be noted for his joy of life and sense of humour and because of his happy disposition his family nicknamed him 'Pippo'. He was much loved by his family and brought them all much happiness for to spend any time in company with the young Pippo meant a good time for all.

But due to the families financial struggles Philip was sent to San Germano to help a relative run his business. Though Philip was now a young man of 18 years, he was not known for his seriousness, but all this would change when Philip was to experience a mystical event, this would change the course of his life.

It was at this time that Philip left San Germano and travelled to Rome. And though impoverished Philip retained his sunny disposition which would help him when he found shelter with the Caccia family in Rome.

In order to be able to eat and sustain himself Philip became a tutor to the two sons of Galeotto Caccia, though both flourished under the tutorship of Philip who was a gifted teacher and able to bring out the best in these two young boys, which pleased their parents.

But even though Philips good heartedness would win him much admiration, he preferred to spend his free time in prayer and lived an austere life in private. This intense need for prayer led him to study both philosophy and theology as he felt a calling from God.

But once again Philip would surprise many by abandoning his studies, selling his books and what little he had to embark on a mission to help the people in Rome. For he could see the effect of political insecurities and also the proliferation of works of art and literature were having on the people of Rome.

So into this cynical environment Philip Neri worked to once again re-awaken the peoples love for God and the Church. He did not approach this mission with hell fire and brimstone but with his natural talent of good humour and compassion, mixed with a non judgemental and warm hearted disposition.

Philip also did not forget the sick and infirm and visited the hospitals to share the good news of Christ's love for his children. Many would stop and listen to Philips love for God and began in themselves to once again embrace the Faith which they had walked away from.

But through all this activity at nights Philip would retreat to his bedroom and spend many hours in prayer. It was during one of his prayers that Philip would experience another mystical experience, when he saw before him what looked like a globe of fire which then entered his mouth and swept down to his heart. Philip was swept up in such an ecstasy of experience that he begged the Lord, "Enough, enough, Lord, I can bear no more ".

Philip continued his work for the poor and with the help of Father Persiano Rossa, they began to gather around them laymen who would join them in their mission to help relieve the suffering of the poor, sick and elderly. A hospital would eventually be built called Santa Trinita, so that the poor and infirm had somewhere to go when sick.

The work that Philip Neri was doing truly impressed his confessor and upon being prompted Philip entered the Priesthood in 1551. Many were to be won over and through the Sacrament of Confession Father Philip's abundant kindness helped many to once again love Jesus and to trust their Lord and amend their lives.

Many who worked alongside Philip Neri also noted his immense humility and air of sincere sanctity which shone from Philips whole demeanour. For Philip though he practiced an austere life in private, kept up his natural talent to make others feel important and loved. He never lost his humour or to tease his friends and all he met in a kind and friendly manner.

The people of Rome came to love Fr. Philip Neri and many people both poor and noble sort his advice, Philip never turned anyone away. Through his love of God and his natural ability to make others feel appreciated, and with a good dose of good humour Philip achieved much more than the long faced ascetics ever could.

Philip was a long term friend of St. Ignatius and of Popes Gregory Xlll and Clement Vll who all visited Philip for advice and to converse with such a spiritual giant.

Philip Neri died in 1595.

St. Philip Neri was canonised in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Saint Marguerite d'Youville

The sixteenth century was a decisive one for Canada, in that the war between Britain and France, also affected many of the States within Canadian borders. As each State fought for its own equality amidst a vast landscape of natural beauty and splendour.

But before Canada became its own Sovereign Nation, it began as a fledgling group of Provinces with their own trade networks which were used by its neighbouring country America, the British and the French which made for a volatile cocktail, as many made much money and few of the native Canadians benefited.

But it was in the year 1763 after bitter contention between Nations that the Treaty of Paris was signed which gave most of the territories within Canada to be maintained by the British under the Monarchy. An agreement that did not suit all Canadian people most especially those Provinces dominated by the French.

But it is in the year 1701 that Canada would be blessed with the birth of Marguerite Lajemmerais, which brought much joy to her parents, Christophe and Marie Renee. Marguerite would be joined by a further 5 siblings but tragedy would strike the Lajemmerais family early when her father died, leaving the entire family in poverty and dependant upon kind relatives.

It was her Great Grandfather who helped the family financially and enabled the young Marguerite to attend Boarding School with the Ursulines. Unfortunately for Marguerite, she had to once again return home after only two years of schooling in order for her to help her mother, who found it difficult to cope.

And the young Marguerite was an invaluable help to her poor mother who tried her utmost to provide for her large family. Therefore Marguerite took it upon herself to teach her siblings what she herself had learnt under the Ursulines.

But Marguerite also longed for personal happiness and though she was a steadfast helper to her mother and also tried to instil into her brothers and sisters a deep love for God and the Church, love was to call Marguerite from her loving family.

Marguerite married Francois d'Youville in 1722, but though this lovely woman had married for love her husband was not as principled. It was not long before Marguerite would be disappointed in her husband and the pain of his many dalliances caused her much anguish which was not helped by her mother -in- laws interjections.

These were very difficult years for the young Marguerite who also shared her residence with her embittered mother-in-law. Though Marguerite was long suffering still her heart ached at her husbands duplicity most especially with his business associates and underhand business dealings with those of Indian heritage by selling them liquor.

But despite this sadness Marguerite would bear her husband six children, as she continued to pray for her husband and her Mother in Law. She also instructed her children with a deep love for the Faith and for God. But due to the times, four of her children never lived to be adults and had died at very young ages, this was heartbreaking for Marguerite especially as her husband failed to comfort her in her loss and grief!

Francois d'Youville died in 1730, during his illness his devoted wife, Marguerite cared for him till the end. Through all these ordeals which was thrust upon Marguerite she never lost her Faith but instead clung even more strongly to God and the Church. And even though she had suffered much at the hands of her husband and cruel mother-in-law, Marguerite continued to offer up prayers for them and also practiced the corporal works of mercy, which was a great and noble example to set for her surviving children.

Marguerite was a loving and earnest mother who taught her children the fundamentals of their Faith and encouraged them to also practice mercy and kind acts to all those they met. She was able to provide a good education for her children and two sons would eventually become Priests, which was a proud moment indeed for Marguerite.

During all the hardships of her life, Marguerite fostered a deep and abiding love for our Heavenly Father and sought to express this love by helping the poor find food to eat, clothes to wear and also to try and pay for the funerals of prisoners who died in jail.

Upon taking in a poor woman who was blind into her own home and still practicing charity to all those in need in her neighbouring streets, was to annoy some but also brought admiration from others. Marguerite would later also take in three other ladies who like herself wished to devote the rest of their lives to alleviating the sufferings of the poor. This would cause much consternation to her neighbours who did not wish to see the poor and dispossessed land on their door steps but it did not stop the erstwhile Marguerite, and her small group of ladies.

It was on a cold December day in 1737, that Marguerite along with her ladies made their Consecration to God and promised to help the poor in whatever capacity they could. This would be the humble beginnings of the 'Grey Nuns'. Through the struggles of life that Marguerite had endured surely tempered her patience and understanding of those who also had endured much suffering in their lives. This gave Marguerite a great respect and admiration for those who did wish to rise above their circumstances and also to comfort those who were near their end.

So through criticisms from her neighbours, deaths and fire Marguerites persevering spirit remained intact. For in all things whether good or bad Marguerite recognised the Hand of God and gave Him all honour and glory, she also encouraged her ladies to have this same confidence even when their hospital burnt down. Marguerite encouraged her fellow sisters to rebuild the hospital and to at all times maintain their confidence in a loving God.

But age was creeping up on Marguerite and though her spirit was strong still her body weakened under such a work load.

Marguerite d'Youville died in 1771.

Saint Marguerite d'Youville was canonized in 1990 by Pope John Paul ll.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.