ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER
Saints celebrated on the 31st December
SAINT LOUIS OF GRENADA, RELIGIOUS
[On December 31,] one of the saints celebrated by the Church is St Louis of Grenada. He was born in Spain in 1504 and became a Dominican. St Louis was a great preacher and writer, and in his works he wanted to make the interior life accessible to all members of the Church, not just to priests and religious. St Louis explained that performing certain fundamentals would make Church members more like Christ:
Mental prayer, cultivation of virtue, contempt for the things of this world, contemplation of God in nature, obedience to the commandments, participation in the sacraments and imitation of the saints.
SINNER'S GUIDE
Here are some words from his book ‘Sinner’s Guide’: ‘Remember that the prize for which you are striving is worth more than all you can ever give to purchase it. Against the assaults of corrupt nature you have God’s grace. Against the assaults of the devil you have the almighty power of God. Against the allurements of evil habits you have the force of good habits confirmed by grace. Against a multitude of evil spirits you have numberless angels of light. Against the bad example and persecutions of the world you have the good example and strengthening exhortations of the saints. Against the sinful pleasures and vain joys of the world you have the pure joy and ineffable consolations of the Holy Spirit.
EVIL OUTNUMBERED
Is it not evident that all that are for you are stronger than all that are against you? Is not God stronger than the devil? Is not grace superior to nature? Are not the good angels more powerful than the fallen legions? Are not the pure and ineffable joys of the soul more delightful than the gross pleasures of sense and the vain amusements of the world?’
HE LED THE DOMINICANS IN PORTUGAL AS THEIR PROVINCIAL
St Louis was invited to preach in Portugal and in 1555 he went there, serving the royal family and others. He led the Dominicans in Portugal as their provincial from 1556 until 1560. St Louis died in 1588.
From: Spiritual Thought from Fr Chris
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Louis may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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