Nov 13th - Stanislaus Kostka; M. Cabrini

 My first introduction to the young Polish Jesuit Stanislaus Kostka was through the Mass my great-grandfather wrote to honor him - possibly for the young men he taught as Spring Hill College, perhaps for his roommate at the Freiborg conservatory Ignacy Paderewski. Stanislaus was only 17 when he died, and barely in the novitiate, but he truly impressed his superiors in that short time. When we think of impressive lives determined to be lived for Christ then Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini immediately jumps to mind as well - considered too ill to join two convents, she created her own, dedicated to those marginalized like her.
This is the reason that we hold up the saints for our edification and inspiration. It does not matter the length of our lives or the 'quality'. We cannot forget that in the Communion of Saints they are with us now, hoping through prayer in eternal life to continue the work that they started in earthly life. We too can live these lives of quiet love.

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Consider how hard it is for a person to be separated from any place he has loved deeply. How much harder the soul will find it when the time comes to leave the mortal body, its companion so dear. And the great fear it will experience in that moment because its salvation is at stake and it must stand in the presence of the one it has so offended. If the just man will scarcely be saved, what about me a sinner?
But think of the great joy the good will feel at the thought of the service they’ve paid to God. They will be glad because they’ve suffered something for love of him back there and didn’t fix their hope and attention on the things of this world that we leave so soon. Think of the joy that the soul will feel in its escape from the prison of this body. So long has it lived in perpetual exile, expelled from its own heavenly home. How much greater its uncontainable joy and complete satisfaction when it arrives in its own country to enjoy the vision of God with the angels and the blessed.
I am so ashamed and confused because I see how many have been lost on account of a single mortal sin, and how many times I have deserved eternal damnation.
I shall reflect on myself and ask: “What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What ought I do for Christ?”

-- From the Journal of Stanislaus Kostka