November 18, 1953
On this date in 1953 the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County issued a decree marking Villanova’s change of status from a college to a university.
November 17, 1920
Today is the anniversary of the death of Rudolph de Landas Berghes, at 47 years of age. The former Metropolitan of the Old Roman Catholic Church converted to the Roman Catholic Church, entered the Province, and died as a novice at Villanova. He is buried in the Villanova community cemetery.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
November 17
“Whoever has injured another by open insult, or by abusive or even incriminating language, must remember to repair the injury as quickly as possible by an apology, and the one who suffered the injury must also forgive without further wrangling. But if they have offended one another, they must forgive one another’s trespasses for the sake of your prayers which should be recited with greater sincerity each time you repeat them. Although one is often tempted to anger, yet prompt to ask pardon from one he admits to having offended, such a one is better than another who, though less given to anger, finds it too hard to ask forgiveness.”
The Rule, VI.42
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
In this day and age of mistrust in the Church, the priesthood, bishops, and even Pope Francis, in light of the recent sex abuse scandals, it is crucial for us Christians to keep up our faith, hope and love for God, also expressed in our love for our neighbors. I have heard of the saying, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” And that main thing is our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. Why do we need to keep up this relationship with our Lord? Because God loves us very much, even despite our sins. Like any reciprocal relationship, we honor God and give thanks to him for the countless gifts and blessings we receive.
November 16, 1933
The Prior Provincial was authorized by the Definitory to take out a group insurance policy for 60 members of the Province with a view to using eventual payments to establish an endowment fund for the Province House of Studies.
Saint Margaret of Scotland
November 16
“No one shall perform any task for his or her own benefit, but all your work shall be done for the common good, with greater zeal and more dispatch that if each one were to work for himself or herself alone. For charity, as it is written, is not self-seeking meaning that it places the common good before its own, not its own before the common good. So, whenever you show greater concern for the common good than for your own, you may know that you are growing in charity. Thus, let the abiding virtue of charity prevail in all things that minister to the fleeting necessities of life.”
The Rule, V.31
Saint Albert the Great
November 15
“How wonderful will be our happiness in heaven! Our undying body will be freed from the need to perform the ordinary tasks of this life. Who can describe the beauty of our bodies in that new life? Just imagine how they will act in that place where there is nothing ugly! Whatever our spirits decide will be accepted happily by our bodies. And our spirits will not be tempted to choose anything unbecoming either for themselves or for their friends, their bodies. We shall have perfect peace because there will be nothing inside or outside of us to cause upset. All of our parts will be drawn to praise the Lord. Our whole being will become one magnificent organ striking melodies in praise of the wonderful artist who made us inside and out and placed us at the center of the overpowering structure of this universe, a universe that will ravish us with its beauty.”
City of God 22.30
November 15, 1968
Fr. John McKniff, the lone Augustinian ministering in Cuba for over seven years, left that country on a Russian place bound for Mexico, intending to return after a three-month rest and medical attention. His application for re-entry was denied.
Saint Giocondo
November 14
“People didn’t make themselves, but they make bad deeds. What God made in them is good, because God made man to his image and likeness. But the evil that man worked by free choice, turning away from his author and creator and turning to wickedness, this God condemns in order to set man free; that is, God condemns what man has done, and God sets free what God himself has done.”
Sermon 23A
All Augustinian Saints
November 13
“Who would be ashamed to say, ‘I am unequal to God’? Assuredly you are. Or to say, ‘I am unequal to Christ’? Yes, you are unequal even to the mortal Christ. But Peter was what you are, the apostles and prophets were what you are. If you have no stomach for imitating your Lord, imitate your fellow servant. A whole marching column of servants has gone ahead, so there is no excuse for the lazy. Yet human weakness still complains: ‘I am not Peter’s equal, nor Paul’s.’ What, are you unequal to confessing the truth? Men of humble origin are crowned; the haughty are left with excuse. Finally, I must ask you: Are you unequal to boys? Even to girls?”
Sermon 325