BL. CASPAR BONUS, RELIGIOUS

BL. CASPAR BONUS, RELIGIOUS - 14 JULY

Saints celebrated on the 14th of July

BLESSED CASPAR BONUS, RELIGIOUS

A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's
Saints' books,
"Stammenbuch..." (1693)

Caspar Bonus, French Gaspard-Bon, of the Order of the Friars Minor (Minimen), was born at Valencia in Spain on January 5, 1530 of poor but righteous parents. Already in his 15th year he wanted to enter the monastery of Saint Damian and was accepted for admission there.

But when his brother-in-law reminded him how much his elderly parents needed his support, and what grief this step would cause them, he went back to his parents, who welcomed him with joy. He then began to work as a silk merchant. Because of his impeccable conduct, Caspar gained his employer's full trust.

Five years later, however, he left this service and joined the military to go to war as a cavalryman. At one point, when his life was in danger in the midst of the tumult of battle, he vowed to enter the Order of Saint Francis of Paola (Minimen) if God would save him from this danger. Several of his fellow soldiers came to his aid and dragged him from the scene of combat alive; but he was so badly wounded that he became completely unfit for armed service and therefore had to be dismissed.

Once he was somewhat restored, he fulfilled his vow by returning to Valencia, prostrating himself at the feet of the Provincial of the Minimes, and begging for admission into the Order, which he was granted. Caspar entered the said Order on June 17, 1560 at the age of 30.

From then on led a completely new life, which he devoted only to penance, mortification and prayer. In 1561 he was ordained a priest, subsequently held several religious offices, was twice elected provincial, and died on July 14, 1604 at the age of 74 and in the 44th year of his religious life.

His memory was soon especially honoured in Spain; Archbishop John of Ribera of Valencia instituted judicial investigations and authorised his special veneration. Finally, King Philip III requested the introduction of the beatification process for this Servant of God, which then also took place on August 18, 1786 under Pius VI.

Butler*, from whom we took the above information, places his feast on August 18; but we believe - as the Bollandists* do - that the day of his death should have precedence over the date of his beatification. (But.)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, p. 571)

*A hagiography source used by the authors

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed Caspar 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.

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

BL. LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR 16th century houses, painted by Auguste Mayer He was born in the bishopric of Durham, according to Raissius ; others say at Richmond, in Yorkshire. He was master of arts in one of our universities; but going abroad to Douay, in Flanders, was received into the English college there, 1576, and made priest in 1577; and the year following sent upon the mission. Where he had not been long before he again went abroad, and travelled to Rome, partly for devotion, and partly for further improvement in learning. Here he remained in the English college till 1580, when he returned into England, and was not long after apprehended: for I find by a printed diary of things transacted in the Tower of London from 1580 till 1585, that on the 5th of December, 1580, Luke Kirby, Thomas Cottam , and other priests, were brought to the Tower from other prisons; and that these two, on the 10th...

BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR Richard Newport, alias Smith , was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute. He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of thi...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog