St. Brendan the Navigator Small Faith Sharing Cell Group Teaching #48: Faith and Fear Shared by Christine Fee June 2020 Persecution, Pandemics and Plagues and the great they gave us! Arising from the most difficult times in our history have been our greatest saints. In their heroic virtue and fidelity to God’s grace, they have become our role models, sources of inspiration and powerful intercessors. According to the Catechism of the , they are also key to the Church’s renewal throughout the ages. “The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history.” CCC p.828 During the Black Death in the 14th century, it is estimated that between 42-45 percent of priests died bringing the sacraments to people. This bold witness laid the seedbed for the Church’s enormous growth that followed. Our priests, Father Bob and Father Hyacinth are putting themselves at risk today to bring the sacraments to those in need. As we move through this uncertain time of pandemic it’s a wonderful opportunity to rediscover saints who lived through persecution and plagues and what they might have to say to us today. There are many saints to point to, but I’d like to look at two saints today.

CNS photo/Paul Haring Francis uses incense to venerate an image of St. Therese of Lisieux during a prayer vigil in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 1, 2019. Catholics often pray to the , popularly known as "The Little Flower of Jesus," for intercession in periods of sickness and difficult times, because St. Therese suffered great illness at a young age. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See SAINTS-INTERCESSION-PLAGUE April 2, 2020.

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St. Rocco is the patron saint of plagues and contagious diseases. He was born into French nobility and at birth had a birthmark of a red cross across his heart. His parents died when he was only 20 years old. He gave up his wealth, took a vow of poverty and began a pilgrimage to . At that time, the Black Death was ravaging Italy. As Saint Rocco made his way, he cured many of the disease by praying for them and making the Sign of the Cross. He made it to Rome but contracted the plague. He was banished from the city and took refuge in a cave. He slept there on leaves and drank water from a small stream. The story goes that a dog that refused to eat, faithfully brought him bread. When the dog’s owner, a nobleman from a nearby castle followed the dog one day, he discovered St. Rocco. He brought our saint back to the castle where Rocco was cured. Saint Rocco continued to travel through northern Italy for two or three more years before returning to his home in France. He was so weak and sick when he returned that no one recognized him, and he was thrown in jail as a spy. He languished in prison for five years, near death in August of 1378, the Governor came to see him. After seeing the red cross on his heart, the Governor realized St. Rocco was his nephew. It is recorded that the Governor and the townspeople present in the cell, saw a radiant blue light and heard a voice from heaven announcing Saint Rocco’s soul had merited eternal glory. Saint Rocco at a young age, left his home and his wealth. He lived a life of austerity and suffered greatly before his death, like Our Lord. What can you learn from him during this time of austerity and sacrifice?

Let’s go back a bit earlier, there’s a great story about St. Pope Gregory the Great and the power of prayer. In February 590 AD as the Black Plague ravaged Rome, Pope Pelagius II died of the plague. Pope Gregory, then a , was elected as his successor. In April of that year Pope Gregory organized processions in Rome where seven groups would process through the streets of the city and end at the Basilica of Mary Major to ask for Mary’s protection. The seven processional groups were: 1) clergy, 2) and , 3) and , 4) men 5) married women 6) widows and 7) children (also perhaps including the poor of Rome). Eighty people collapsed during these processions as a result of being infected by plague.

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During the seventh and last procession, Pope Gregory saw a vision. As the procession approached the mausoleum of the Roman emperor Hadrian, on the right bank of the near Vatican Hill, the pope saw St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael brandished and then sheathed his sword atop the monument, which was interpreted to signify that God would end the plague. The plague did stop after St. Pope Gregory’s vision and the faithful thanked Mary Today, this tomb is known as Castle of the Holy Angel and if you have a hardcopy of this teaching there is a picture to the left of the bronze statue of St. Michael.

There are many other saints who have been challenged by the times they were living in but rose to the occasion, challenging us today to do the same. St. Sebastian, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Catherine of Antioch, St. Barbara. They walk by our side through this pandemic. Now might be a good time to explore these saints and what they have to say to us today. I’d like to end by praying the Prayer to Saint Rocco.

Prayer To Saint Rocco

Saint Rocco, still very young, You left your home and all your possessions and you went on your way! Thank You! By your example, may we learn to free ourselves from a need for comfort and money, and especially from all spirit of greed. Pray for us! Saint Rocco, you left in search of the living God, on a road filled with risks! Thank You! By your example, may we follow our path to God each day without fear of obstacles. Pray for us!

Saint Rocco, while following the footsteps of Christ, you found the poor and the plague stricken. And you cured many. Thank You! By your example, may our heart become tender and loving toward the suffering, the rejected of this world. And may they feel free of their illness! Pray for us! Saint Rocco, at Rome, you wanted to find your Christian roots again and to restate your fidelity to the Church. Thank You!

By your example, may we not be weak members of the but rather bright and active Christians. Pray for us! Saint Rocco, for five long years, you shared the Passion of Christ, His unjust condemnation, His feeling of abandonment. You offered Your life with a love without blemish Thank You! By your example may we bear adversity without hate, without bitterness and without doubting God Pray for us! Saint Rocco

May the Lord bless us, protect us and keep us from all evil. Amen.

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Questions for discussion: 1. What word of phrase most spoke to you? 2. St. Charles Borromeo was a man of God, of during the plague in the 1500’s. He was also a man of science and was intensely criticized for closing his churches and practicing social distancing during this time. He found other ways to pastorally feed his flock. 3. What other ways have you spiritually fed yourself or others during this time when the churches were closed? 4. St. Sebastian rather than renounce his conversion to Christianity, was martyred. During this time, what has been your martyrdom? How has it changed you? 5. During the plague, St. Elizabeth of Hungary (patron saint of ) ministered to the poor and sick. What acts of charity have you seen/experienced during this time of pandemic? Do you respond with fear or love when facing hardship?

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