Browsing Category Saint of the Day

The Rev’d Alban Butler (1710-1773) undertook to write a thoroughgoing account of saints for the Catholic Book Society (Derby, England: Thomas Richardson & Son). What resulted was a massive 12-volume (one per month) work: The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints: Compiled from Original Monuments and Other Authentic Records. The first edition was completed in 1759, and became a classic in hagiography, with later editions that included commentary, such as the 1842-1846 work, used here.
[Because subsequent research showed that certain individuals never existed or had actually been pagan deities cloaked in a Christian veneer, or because the miracles were simply too “out there” for a more modern audience, a severe gelding of Butler’s magisterial work took place in 1956. Alas.]
Out of each day’s multiple stories, I shall lift up those vignettes to riff on. Enjoy and (if it’s in your particular vernacular) be edified! – TK

Your Passions Are Sacred! May 28 and St. Caraunus

Tim Koch Saint of the Day 0 Comment

Caraunus sacrificed his life when he diverted a group of thugs away from his friends and disciples, and toward himself. His death, in this case, came not from remaining steadfast in his declaration of Christianity–in fact, the thugs were looking for money, not statements of belief or affiliation. Rather, Caraunus’ death came from charity, from love. For this he has been made a saint. His actions demonstrate the words attributed to Jesus Christ, specifically, “Greater love has no one but this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13, NIV).

In addition to the example of love for others that Caraunus set, he also showed the green light that God offers to humans to follow their passion in what they do. Butler reports very simply that Caraunus “determined to consecrate himself entirely to the ministry of the word”–that is, Caraunus did the deciding about what work he wanted to throw himself into, which, in this case, was preaching.

Of course, if Caraunus had decided to go into a non-religious line of work, he would not be on the Saints Calendar unless he had been a Christian mason/carpenter/shepherd who was killed as a martyr for his faith. Yet, it seems thoroughly viable for anyone to be “determined to consecrate herself/himself entirely to [fill-in-the-blank].” There is something powerfully liberating and ultimately pleasing on all levels when the one who is created acknowledges the desires instilled in her or his heart by the Creator, and then says an all-out “YES” to them.

Watch out for thugs, yes. But watch out more for finding endless reasons for not pursuing one’s passions–these are sacred.