Saints + Scripture: Paschaltide

The Popish Plot
Theology Thursday: "Christian Music?"

For two more days, 'tis still the Pascha; today is the Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter: Wikipedia-link.

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Norbert, Bishop (circa 1080-1134; of Xanten, of Magdeburg), founder of the Premonstratensians (O. Praem.; A.K.A. the Norbertines, the White Canons), formally the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link The True Enlightenment!, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.Praem.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The Premonstratensians, also known as the Norbertines, are canons regular [a type of priest] of the Catholic Church founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by [St.] Norbert of Xanten. Premonstratensians are designated by O.Praem. As the Premonstratensians are not monks but canons regular, their work often involves preaching & exercising of pastoral ministry; they frequently serve in parishes close to their abbeys or priories.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ceratus of Grenoble, Bishop (circa 400-450), exiled for opposing the Arian heresy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Heresy.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gudwal, Bishop (floruit 650; also spelt Curval, Guidgal, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Claudius of Besançon, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 607-699, A.K.A. the Thaumaturge ["Miracle Worker"), Bishop of Besançon: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Besançon.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Greenwood, Religious & Martyr, O.Cart. (died 1537), martyred in the reign of the English king Henry VIII, one of the Carthusian Martyrs of London: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (List); Martyrs-link Charterhouse & Wikipedia-link Charterhouse.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-two, verse thirty & chapter twenty-three, verses six thru eleven;
Psalm Sixteen, verses one, two(a), & five; seven & eight; nine & ten; & eleven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses twenty thru twenty-six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus is sitting at supper with his disciples, the core of the Church, on the last night of his life on earth. Jesus prays, “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one.”

What precisely are the bonds of unity within the body of Christ? What are the elements that foster Christian unity? I would first mention the credal expressions of the one faith of the Apostles. At every Sunday Mass, Catholics stand to profess together the Nicene Creed, in all of its verbal and conceptual complexity, recapitulating thereby the victories won in the early Church by the advocates of the apostolic faith over those who would compromise it.

I would mention as well the liturgy and the sacraments and devotional practices. We are one in the measure that we participate together in common worship and in common means of accessing the divine life. We are united, too, in our commitment to the brothers and sisters through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. And finally, we are one through our shared structure of order which comes from the Apostles.

Through these various means, we become saints, people whose lives are about one thing.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Norbert
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses eleven thru sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one, two, & three(a); four; five; & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-five thru thirty-three.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns & weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God."
—Pope Francis (born 1936, reigning since 2013)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"One single act of love will make us know Jesus better… It will bring us closer to Him for all eternity."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Humility is the pathway to knowledge."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)