Saints celebrated on the 4th of May
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| A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's Saints' books, "Stammenbuch..." (1693) |
Blessed Michael's surname Gedrocius or Gedroyc refers to his parents' castle of the same name which was situated not far from Vilnius. As he was weak by nature and extremely frail, it was suggested for him to join the monastic life. Michael, already as a child, wished to become a monk. This is supported by the fact that even as a boy he liked to take on and perform work that belonged to the service of God. For example, he made supply vessels with unusual skill.
His pious spirit was still more evident in the severe mortifications which, notwithstanding his physical weakness, he took up at a tender age and continued throughout his life. Four days of the week he designated fasting days for himself, and on the remaining three he ate normal amounts.
To constantly remember his Redeemer he wore a cross around his neck, and when he entered the monastery of the Augustinian Canons Regular at Cracow he asked for a cell near the church, in order to be constantly near his dear Saviour.
As a canon, he never ate meat, only enjoying vegetables and weak beer. He was often content with bread and salt, to which he sometimes added a little oil and butter as a treat.
His biography tells of many graces that he was honoured with, e.g. that one day the image of the Crucified spoke to him, but also of the battles he had to endure with the devil, even of blows he received from him. When he died, he begged his superiors' forgiveness if he had sinned against obedience, then knelt on the ground and died in this position on May 4, 1485. His body was raised on June 4, 1624. In church art, Michael is seen kneeling on the ground, rosary in hand, eye fixed to heaven, which is ablaze with the name of Jesus. (I. 552-560)
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, p. 445)
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed Michael 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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