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一、10 月..................................1 10 月 1 月 月 月月月 ...........................1 10 月 2 月 月 月 :()The Guardian Angels..........7 10 月 4 月 月 月 :西西 St. Francis of Assisi.......9 (1182-1226)............................9 10 月 5 月 月月月月月 St. Faustina Kowalska.......11 10 月 7 月 月 Our Lady of the Rosary.........12 10 月 7 月 月 SS. Sergius and Bacchus........13 10 月 15 月 月 月月月月月月月 Teresa of Avila.....13 10 月 16 月 月 月月月月 ‧月月月 月月月 () St. Margaret Mary Alacoque..............................16 10 月 17 月 月月月月月 月月月月月月 月月月 月月月 月 月月月 :.(、)() St. Ignatius of Antioch...............................20 10 月 18 月 月 月 月 月 :()()St. Luke...............20 10 月 23 月 月 ‧月月月 St. John of Capistrano....21 10 月 24 月 月 St. Raphael the Archangel....22 10 月 28 月 月 ‧月月 St. Jude of Thaddaeus......23 10 月 28 月 月 月 :西 St. Simon of Zealot.........23 i

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Page 1: (Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays of Christmas season) · Web view當聖女還僅十一歲時,她即已養成心禱(mental prayer)的習慣,雖然她不懂那是什麼;當時她常在其床舖與牆壁間獨自地思考關於天主、生命與永恆的問題。

一、10月........................................................................110月 1日:聖女小德蘭...............................................110月 2日:護守天使(紀念)The Guardian Angels. .710月 4日:聖方濟亞西西 St. Francis of Assisi...........9(1182-1226)................................................................910月 5日:聖傅天娜修女 St. Faustina Kowalska.....1110月 7日:玫瑰聖母Our Lady of the Rosary...........1210月 7日:聖塞而吉與聖伯古斯殉道 SS. Sergius and Bacchus....................................................................1310月 15日:聖女大德蘭童貞聖師 Teresa of Avila....1310 月 16 日:聖女瑪加利大 ‧亞拉高(童貞) St. Margaret Mary Alacoque...........................................1610月 17日:聖依納爵.安提約基亞(主教、殉道)(紀念)St. Ignatius of Antioch.................................2010月 18日:聖路加(聖史)(慶日)St. Luke.........2010月 23日:聖若望‧賈必昌 St. John of Capistrano. .2110 月 24 日:聖辣法額爾總領天使 St. Raphael the Archangel..................................................................2210月 28日:聖猶達‧達德 St. Jude of Thaddaeus.....2310月 28日:熱誠者西滿 St. Simon of Zealot............23

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Page 2: (Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays of Christmas season) · Web view當聖女還僅十一歲時,她即已養成心禱(mental prayer)的習慣,雖然她不懂那是什麼;當時她常在其床舖與牆壁間獨自地思考關於天主、生命與永恆的問題。

一、10月10月 1日:聖女小德蘭 St. Therese of the Child Jesus傳教區的主保 聖女小德蘭於 1873年的 1月 2日在法國出生,聖女小德蘭從小就非常虔誠。她 4歲半時母親去世,老父對她更是寵愛有嘉。9歲時她姐姐寶琳進入嘉爾默羅修院,聖女小德蘭的聖召開始萌芽。6年後在一次羅馬朝聖覲見教宗良 13世時,就請求准許她 15歲能加入修會,剛滿 16歲的她就進了隱修院,她入隱修會後取了嬰孩耶穌的名字。聖女小德蘭的生平沒有特別的大事,她在修院過了 8年,1897年 9月 30日逝世。她謙遜忍耐修到登峰造極的地步,天真淳樸一如赤子。聖女小德蘭身在修院,卻無時不為救靈事業祈禱,並許下自己死後也會不斷為傳教工作服務,實行祈禱傳教的真諦。1925年列入聖品,被定為『傳教區的主保』。 在天主教會內,聖女小德蘭是一位極受人喜愛的年輕聖女,被稱為「小花」。聖女在加爾默羅隱院度過了她人生最後的十年,逝世時年僅 24歲;她不曾遠赴傳教、從未建立過一個修會,也沒成就過什麼大事業。她唯一的著作過世後才被出版,那是一本修改自她自己成長紀錄的小書被稱為《靈心小史—Story of a Soul》或《一朵小白花》(她的書信集與未經修改的自傳近日已出版)。聖女死後二十八年,被教會冊封為聖人。

 聖女一八七三年生於法國,是一個想成為聖人的母親與原本想成為隱修士的父親所寵愛的女兒。聖女的二位雙親早年雖已結婚,但彼此卻決定過著守貞般的生活,直至一位司鐸告訴他們,此非天主所喜悅的婚姻生活方式,他們才開始生養孕育。這對聖善的夫婦共育有九個子女,但僅存活五位,聖女正是他們最小的一位么女。 然而,悲慘很快地就臨到聖女的身上,因為在她四歲半時,她摯愛的母親即死於病症。當時,她十六歲大的姊姊寶琳(Pauline)成了她第二位母親,然而這卻使聖女陷入更嚴重的失落裡,因為五年後,她的第二位母親進了加爾默羅隱院。數月後,她患了高燒的重病,人們都以為無治癒的希望。 當聖女的姊姊圍坐在她病床前,向著房內的聖母雕像祈禱時,聖女在祈禱中見到聖母向其微笑,她的病症奇蹟地獲得痊癒。當聖女還僅十一歲時,她即已養成心禱(mental prayer)的習慣,雖然她不懂那是什麼;當時她常在其床舖與牆壁間獨自地思考關於天主、生命與永恆的問題。 當聖女的另二位姊姊 Marie與 Leonie也進入修會時,陪伴在她身邊的,僅剩父親與小姊姊賽琳(Celine)。聖女自述,那時期,當有人批評或不欣賞她時,她即會悲傷地流淚,且經常僅是為了想哭而哭泣。當時,聖女也想隨同其姊寶琳與瑪麗亞進入加爾默羅隱院,但因其年幼又加上易感的情緒,使她的願望難以實現,於是她只好向耶穌祈求,但卻無任何答覆。十四歲那年聖誕,耶穌來到聖女

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的心中,使她有了決定性的轉變;她開始拭去自己無法控制的淚水,並察覺到父親的感受,而更甚於自己的感受;關於那次經歷,聖女在自傳中如此寫道:「在這個神聖的晚上,溫柔的嬰孩耶穌,使我黑暗的靈魂充滿了光明。為了愛我的緣故,耶穌變成軟弱、渺小的嬰孩。祂的軟弱,祂的渺小,使我成為堅強的人。祂把自己的武器送給我,使我逐漸強大起來,成了一個『巨人』」。 聖女雖被譽為一朵小花,然而她卻有著鋼鐵般的意志。當加爾默羅隱院的院長因聖女過於年幼而拒絕其入會時,這位早先過於羞澀的小女孩,卻勇敢地來到主教面前請求特恩;而當主教也予以回絕時,她決定直接前往羅馬尋求教宗的特准。來到羅馬的朝聖途中,聖女因著年幼與矮小之故,得以四處觀看並觸摸聖髑。當他們走在晉見教宗的行列中時,小德蘭立即藉著接近的機會,向教宗懇求進入加爾默羅隱院的特恩。這位基督的代表(教宗良十三)見聖女年幼卻有如此大的勇氣,很快地即給予允准了。小德蘭對隱院生活的浪漫想法,很快地就得在實際的生活中遭受考驗了;同時,聖女的父親在當時也因著一連串的打擊而異常思念他的小皇后(指聖女),但聖女在隱院內是無法前去探視父親的。這段期間,聖女經歷了一段可怕的神枯時期,她描述說:「耶穌一點也不想繼續與我交談。」因此,聖女常在祈禱中痛苦地沉睡過去,她這樣自我安慰說:「母親時常深愛著沉睡於她懷裡的孩子,同樣,天主也必然深愛著在祈禱中深沉睡去的人。」聖女又說:「愛要以行為來證明。所以,我該如何證明我的愛呢?我不會

做什麼大事業,我能對耶穌做的只是遍撒小花,而每一朵花都是為愛情所做的犧牲、注視與簡單的話語;都是為愛所做的小小行為。」因此,聖女把握住每一個可以做刻苦與犧牲的機會,無論這些舉動看起來多麼渺小:對她所不喜歡的姐妹報以微笑、接受所有擺在她面前的食物而無所抱怨,即便那些常是剩餘的食物。這些小小的犧牲,其價值都大過所謂的偉大事業,因為他人都未察覺出她所做的犧牲來;也從未有人告訴過她,隱忍這些羞辱與善行是如此地美好。 聖女關切的一直是如何能在現有的生活中達致聖善,因為她不只是想求好,她還要成為聖人;她想,為她們這些過著隱密生活的微小生命而言,應有一條路能使她們成聖的;她總想成為聖人,可是當她與其他聖人相較時,她總覺得二者間有著極大的差距。但她並不因此而氣餒,她告訴自己說:「天主不會要求我做不到的事情,因此無論我有多渺小,我還是能成為聖人的;我既然不可能長得高大那麼我就按著自己的樣子,接受現狀,即便我有數不清的過失;但是,我要尋覓一條直達天庭的『小道』,那是一條既短且直的道路,是一條全新的『小路』」。 聖女自述說:「我們活在一個充滿發明的時代,我們不再需要賣力地爬著上升的台階;在大廈中有電梯,因此我決定找一個電梯好能直達耶穌的所在,因為我的個子太小無法攀爬艱難的成聖階梯。因此,我在聖經中尋找成聖之道的靈感,於是我找到『叫那小孩子到我這裡來』這句話耶穌,祢的臂膀就是領我直升天堂的電梯啊!因此,我不

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需要長大;我應停留在渺小中,且還要變得更加渺小!」 聖女曾這樣論及她的聖召說:「我覺得我有司鐸的召叫與宗徒的召叫;殉道是我年幼時的夢想,且它不斷地在我內成長。看著教會的奧體,我渴望自己能完全地在他們內愛,就是我的聖召之鑰;我知道教會有著一顆熾愛的心,且這愛建構了所有的召叫,因為愛就是ㄧ切,它擁抱了所有的時間與空間…簡言之,愛就是永恆!於是,我在狂喜中呼喊道:『耶穌,我的愛、我的聖召,我終於找到了祢…我的聖召就是愛!』」 一八九六年,聖女開始咳血,但她卻繼續工作而未告知任何人,直到一年後病情加重,其他修女才知道聖女患病一事。糟糕的是,此時聖女失去了她內心的喜樂與自信,並且覺得她會毫無建樹地在年輕時死去。在此之先,寶琳已要求聖女寫下靈心日記,並願意她繼續完成,好使其他姐妹能在聖女過世後彼此傳閱。 她的痛苦是這樣的劇烈,她說:「若我無信德,我會毫不猶豫地立即結束我的生命」;然而,聖女卻繼續保持微笑並鼓勵他人,以致於別人還以為她只是裝病。聖女有一夢想,是她死後希望完成的,那就是幫助所有還在世上的人們,她說:「我還會再回來;我要在地上用盡天堂!」 聖女於一八九七年的九月三十日過世,當時年僅二十四歲;她自己覺得能死於這年紀是出於天主的特別祝福,因為她覺得有司鐸的聖召,若她是男性,則這年紀將該是她晉鐸的年紀。

 聖女死後,隱院內的一切恢復常態,院內甚至無人論及小德蘭。但是,寶琳卻收集了小德蘭的所有著作(她做了部份編修),且出版了二千份寄往其他會院。至此,小德蘭的「神嬰小道」開始廣傳,她那全心信賴耶穌、在日常生活中履行小犧牲的教導,使得教會內成千上萬的人找到了成聖的「小道」,特別為那些渴望在尋常生活中成聖的人,帶來了莫大的鼓舞!二年內,小德蘭已名聞遐邇;一九二五年小德蘭榮登聖品。 里修的聖女小德蘭是傳教主保之一,這並不是因為她曾到過何處,而是因為她對傳教有著一股特別的熱愛;也因著她對傳教士在祈禱與信件上的支持。聖女的一生,可作為我們的提醒:當人覺得自己什麼也不會做時,那才是使天主國繼續茁壯的「小事情」。Generations of Catholics have admired this young saint, called her the "Little Flower", and found in her short life more inspiration for own lives than in volumes by theologians.

Yet Therese died when she was 24, after having lived as cloistered Carmelite for less than ten years. She never went on missions, never founded a religious order, never performed great works. The only book of hers, published after her death, was an brief edited version of her journal called "Story of a Soul." (Collections of her letters and restored versions of her journals have been published recently.) But within 28 years of her death, the public demand was so great that she was canonized.

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Over the years, some modern Catholics have turned away from her because they associate her with over- sentimentalized piety and yet the message she has for us is still as compelling and simple as it was almost a century ago.

Therese was born in France in 1873, the pampered daughter of a mother who had wanted to be a saint and a father who had wanted to be monk. The two had gotten married but determined they would be celibate until a priest told them that was not how God wanted a marriage to work! They must have followed his advice very well because they had nine children. The five children who lived were all daughters who were close all their lives.

Tragedy and loss came quickly to Therese when her mother died of breast cancer when she was four and a half years old. Her sixteen year old sister Pauline became her second mother -- which made the second loss even worse when Pauline entered the Carmelite convent five years later. A few months later, Therese became so ill with a fever that people thought she was dying.

The worst part of it for Therese was all the people sitting around her bed staring at her like, she said, "a string of onions." When Therese saw her sisters praying to statue of Mary in her room, Therese also prayed. She saw Mary smile at her and suddenly she was cured. She

tried to keep the grace of the cure secret but people found out and badgered her with questions about what Mary was wearing, what she looked like. When she refused to give in to their curiosity, they passed the story that she had made the whole thing up.

Without realizing it, by the time she was eleven years old she had developed the habit of mental prayer. She would find a place between her bed and the wall and in that solitude think about God, life, eternity.

When her other sisters, Marie and Leonie, left to join religious orders (the Carmelites and Poor Clares, respectively), Therese was left alone with her last sister Celine and her father. Therese tells us that she wanted to be good but that she had an odd way of going about. This spoiled little Queen of her father's wouldn't do housework. She thought if she made the beds she was doing a great favor!

Every time Therese even imagined that someone was criticizing her or didn't appreciate her, she burst into tears. Then she would cry because she had cried! Any inner wall she built to contain her wild emotions crumpled immediately before the tiniest comment.

Therese wanted to enter the Carmelite convent to join Pauline and Marie but how could she convince others that she could handle the rigors of Carmelite life, if she couldn't handle her own emotional outbursts? She had

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prayed that Jesus would help her but there was no sign of an answer.

On Christmas day in 1886, the fourteen-year-old hurried home from church. In France, young children left their shoes by the hearth at Christmas, and then parents would fill them with gifts. By fourteen, most children outgrew this custom. But her sister Celine didn't want Therese to grow up. So they continued to leave presents in "baby" Therese's shoes.

As she and Celine climbed the stairs to take off their hats, their father's voice rose up from the parlor below. Standing over the shoes, he sighed, "Thank goodness that's the last time we shall have this kind of thing!"

Therese froze, and her sister looked at her helplessly. Celine knew that in a few minutes Therese would be in tears over what her father had said.

But the tantrum never came. Something incredible had happened to Therese. Jesus had come into her heart and done what she could not do herself. He had made her more sensitive to her father's feelings than her own.

She swallowed her tears, walked slowly down the stairs, and exclaimed over the gifts in the shoes, as if she had never heard a word her father said. The following year she entered the convent. In her autobiography she referred to this Christmas as her "conversion."

Therese be known as the Little Flower but she had a will of steel. When the superior of the Carmelite convent refused to take Therese because she was so young, the formerly shy little girl went to the bishop. When the bishop also said no, she decided to go over his head, as well.

Her father and sister took her on a pilgrimage to Rome to try to get her mind off this crazy idea. Therese loved it. It was the one time when being little worked to her advantage! Because she was young and small she could run everywhere, touch relics and tombs without being yelled at. Finally they went for an audience with the Pope. They had been forbidden to speak to him but that didn't stop Therese. As soon as she got near him, she begged that he let her enter the Carmelite convent. She had to be carried out by two of the guards!

But the Vicar General who had seen her courage was impressed and soon Therese was admitted to the Carmelite convent that her sisters Pauline and Marie had already joined. Her romantic ideas of convent life and suffering soon met up with reality in a way she had never expected. Her father suffered a series of strokes that left him affected not only physically but mentally. When he began hallucinating and grabbed for a gun as if going into battle, he was taken to an asylum for the insane. Horrified, Therese learned of the humiliation of the father she adored and admired and of the gossip and pity of their so-called friends. As a cloistered nun

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she couldn't even visit her father.

This began a horrible time of suffering when she experienced such dryness in prayer that she stated "Jesus isn't doing much to keep the conversation going." She was so grief-stricken that she often fell asleep in prayer. She consoled herself by saying that mothers loved children when they lie asleep in their arms so that God must love her when she slept during prayer.

She knew as a Carmelite nun she would never be able to perform great deeds. " Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love." She took every chance to sacrifice, no matter how small it would seem. She smiled at the sisters she didn't like. She ate everything she was given without complaining -- so that she was often given the worst leftovers. One time she was accused of breaking a vase when she was not at fault. Instead of arguing she sank to her knees and begged forgiveness. These little sacrifices cost her more than bigger ones, for these went unrecognized by others. No one told her how wonderful she was for these little secret humiliations and good deeds.

When Pauline was elected prioress, she asked Therese for the ultimate sacrifice. Because of politics in the convent, many of the sisters feared that the family Martin

would taken over the convent. Therefore Pauline asked Therese to remain a novice, in order to allay the fears of the others that the three sisters would push everyone else around. This meant she would never be a fully professed nun, that she would always have to ask permission for everything she did. This sacrifice was made a little sweeter when Celine entered the convent after her father's death. Four of the sisters were now together again.

Therese continued to worry about how she could achieve holiness in the life she led. She didn't want to just be good, she wanted to be a saint. She thought there must be a way for people living hidden, little lives like hers. " I have always wanted to become a saint. Unfortunately when I have compared myself with the saints, I have always found that there is the same difference between the saints and me as there is between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and a humble grain of sand trodden underfoot by passers-by. Instead of being discouraged, I told myself: God would not make me wish for something impossible and so, in spite of my littleness, I can aim at being a saint. It is impossible for me to grow bigger, so I put up with myself as I am, with all my countless faults. But I will look for some means of going to heaven by a little way which is very short and very straight, a little way that is quite new.

" We live in an age of inventions. We need no longer climb laboriously up flights of stairs; in well-to-do houses

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there are lifts. And I was determined to find a lift to carry me to Jesus, for I was far too small to climb the steep stairs of perfection. So I sought in holy Scripture some idea of what this life I wanted would be, and I read these words: "Whosoever is a little one, come to me." It is your arms, Jesus, that are the lift to carry me to heaven. And so there is no need for me to grow up: I must stay little and become less and less."

She worried about her vocation: " I feel in me the vocation of the Priest. I have the vocation of the Apostle. Martyrdom was the dream of my youth and this dream has grown with me. Considering the mystical body of the Church, I desired to see myself in them all. Charity gave me the key to my vocation. I understood that the Church had a Heart and that this Heart was burning with love. I understood that Love comprised all vocations, that Love was everything, that it embraced all times and places...in a word, that it was eternal! Then in the excess of my delirious joy, I cried out: O Jesus, my Love...my vocation, at last I have found it...My vocation is Love!"

When an antagonist was elected prioress, new political suspicions and plottings sprang up. The concern over the Martin sisters perhaps was not exaggerated. In this small convent they now made up one-fifth of the population. Despite this and the fact that Therese was a permanent novice they put her in charge of the other novices.

Then in 1896, she coughed up blood. She kept working

without telling anyone until she became so sick a year later everyone knew it. Worst of all she had lost her joy and confidence and felt she would die young without leaving anything behind. Pauline had already had her writing down her memories for journal and now she wanted her to continue -- so they would have something to circulate on her life after her death.

Her pain was so great that she said that if she had not had faith she would have taken her own life without hesitation. But she tried to remain smiling and cheerful -- and succeeded so well that some thought she was only pretending to be ill. Her one dream as the work she would do after her death, helping those on earth. "I will return," she said. "My heaven will be spent on earth." She died on September 30, 1897 at the age of 24 years old. She herself felt it was a blessing God allowed her to die at exactly that age. she had always felt that she had a vocation to be a priest and felt God let her die at the age she would have been ordained if she had been a man so that she wouldn't have to suffer.

After she died, everything at the convent went back to normal. One nun commented that there was nothing to say about Therese. But Pauline put together Therese's writings (and heavily edited them, unfortunately) and sent 2000 copies to other convents. But Therese's "little way" of trusting in Jesus to make her holy and relying on small daily sacrifices instead of great deeds appealed to the thousands of Catholics and others who were trying to find holiness in ordinary lives. Within two years, the

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Martin family had to move because her notoriety was so great and by 1925 she had been canonized.

Therese of Lisieux is one of the patron saints of the missions, not because she ever went anywhere, but because of her special love of the missions, and the prayers and letters she gave in support of missionaries. This is reminder to all of us who feel we can do nothing, that it is the little things that keep God's kingdom growing.

10月 2日:護守天使(紀念)The Guardian Angels 天使是天主的使者,執行天主委派的工作。聖經記載了很多有關天使向世人傳達天主訊息的故事,天使也受天主派遣保護及引導人。 「在那敬畏上主的人四周,有上主的天使紮營護守。」(詠 34:8) 「他必為你委派自己的天使,在你行走的每條道路上保護你。」(詠 91:11) 「你們小心,不要輕視這些小子中的一個,因為我告訴你們:他們的天使在天上,常見我在天之父的面。」(瑪18:10) 護守天使節在十七世紀列入羅馬禮年曆。求護守天使 我的護守天使,天主既使你照顧我,求你常保護我,指引我、管理我。亞孟。

Guardian Angel Prayer Angel of God, my guardian dear,to whom God's love commits me here.Ever this day be at my side,to light and guard,to rule and guide. Amen St. Gertrude's Guardian Angel Prayer

O most holy angel of God, appointed by God to be my guardian, I give you thanks for all the benefits which you have ever bestowed on me in body and in soul. I praise and glorify you that you condescended to assist me with such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the assaults of my enemies. Blessed be the hour in which you were assigned me for my guardian, my defender and my patron. In acknowledgement and return for all your loving ministries to me, I offer you the infinitely precious and noble heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey you henceforward, and most faithfully to serve my God. Amen.

Exodus 23:20-22

See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against

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him, for he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

Excerpt from letter of Padre Pio to his spiritual son Raffaelina:Oh Raffaelina, what a consolation it is to know one is always in the care of a celestial spirit, who does not abandon us (how admirable) even when we disgust God! How sweet is this great truth for the believer! Who, then, does the devout soul fear who tries to love Jesus, having always close by such a great warrior? Oh, was he not one of the many who, together with the Angel Saint Michael, up there in the Empyrean, defended the honour of God against Satan and against all the other rebellious spirits, and finally reduced them to perdition and bound them in hell?

Well, know that he is still powerful against Satan and his satellites; his charity has not diminished, nor will he ever fail in defending us. Develop the beautiful habit of always thinking of him; that near us is a celestial spirit, who, from the cradle to the tomb, does not leave us for an instant, guides us, protects us as a friend, a brother; will always be a consolation to us especially in our saddest moments.

Know, oh Raffaelina, that this good Angel prays for you; offers to God all the good works you accomplish; your holy and pure desires. In the hours when you seem to be alone and abandoned, do not complain of not having

a friendly soul to whom you can unburden yourself and in whom you can confide your sorrows. For pity's sake, do not forget this invisible companion, always present to listen to you; always ready to console you.

Oh delicious intimacy, oh blessed company! Oh if all men could understand this great gift that God, in His excess of love for man, assigned to us; this celestial spirit. Often remember his presence; you must fix on him the eyes of your soul; thank him; pray to him; he is so refined, so sensitive. Respect him; be in constant fear of offending the purity of his gaze.

10月 4日:聖方濟亞西西 St. Francis of Assisi

(1182-1226)方濟會(OFM)會祖主保:動物、商人、生態保育者 1182年,在階級與貧富差距甚大的時代裡,聖方濟就在一個富有的家庭裡誕生了;母親庇佳(Pica)與父親庇耶托(Pietro),都同屬亞西西城(Assisi)裡的富商階級。為生來就具有領導氣質的聖方濟而言,身後總有數人隨他吆喝,是不足為奇的。然而,方濟卻在一次戰役中慘遭囚禁,再加上獲釋後長期臥病在床,福音的苗芽便開始在他的心田裡成長、茁壯;回頭後的方濟,決定揚棄他長久以來的騎士夢想,而願永遠地獻身於天主。為此,他稱自己為「偉大君王的傳令官」(Herald of the Great King)。從此,橫擺在方濟眼前的,是一個全然嶄新的視

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野。 某日,在靠近亞西西城一座快要傾倒的聖達勉堂(San Damiano)裡,偌大的苦像對聖人說:「重建我的殿宇吧!因為它已經快要傾倒了。」聖人便開始修築已經傾圮的聖達勉堂,連附近的二座聖堂也一併重修。由於修築需用的石頭須向亞西西城乞討,方濟便在這過程中,飽嘗了城內朋友的嘲弄。 一日,方濟與一位患有癩病的人相遇,他本能地想就此避開,但在恩寵的驅使下,他反而下馬親吻了該病患,且給了他一些金錢。此事件成了方濟生命轉變的一個關鍵點自此以後,方濟便時常與跟隨者一同在癩病人當中服務。這個發生在亞西西城外的事件,是在方濟生命的末期才被他自己寫出來的:「那(指該事件)為我看似酸苦,但後來卻在我的肉身與靈魂中轉為甘美。」方濟在那條路上戰勝了自己的軟弱,並更加增了隨時為貧苦者服務的熱望。 方濟的善行很快地就吸引了許多願意來跟隨他的人。1209年,他為了眾多的跟隨弟兄來到了羅馬,欲尋求教宗依諾森三世(Pope Inncent III)對這新成立團體的批准。最初,這個團體被稱做「來自亞西西的補贖者」,他們致力於祈禱、勞力工作與宣講福音;他們的生活方式則與他們所堅持的貧窮完全一致。 其實,在那一時代,早有許多團體是為追隨福音中的貧窮與簡樸理想而建立的。然而,有些團體卻因為拒絕接受主教在所屬轄區中,擁有能否宣講的管理權柄,因此而與慈母教會決裂;同時,這些少數團體還以自己的方式,將

自己定調為靈性教會的成員(members of the spiritual Church),而與他們所謂的俗世教會(carnal Church)有所區隔;其中有些團體甚至拒絕領受教會的聖事。 與這些「特異」團體不同的是,方濟從一開始便願意表達對慈母教會的忠誠,因為他視自己與所建立的團體為教會內的一份子,與教會有著不可分割的關係。於是,儘管許多樞機主教都質疑這種跟隨耶穌方式的可行性,教宗還是給了方濟口頭上的允准。當時,方濟就稱自己的團體為「小弟兄」(Friars Minor)。隨著時間的遞轉,這個小團體的成員越來越多,方濟便派遣這些小弟兄去四處宣講範圍遍及整個歐洲。1219年的 1月 16日,方濟指派伯納德(Berard)弟兄與其同伴前往摩洛哥宣講福音;同年,方濟自己則前往埃及與聖地。 1220年,方濟回到亞西西後,開始臥病在床;同時,他也開始意識到:需要更有能力的人來管理這個愈加龐大的團體,而這正是他自認力有未逮的部份。稍後,他便辭去了總會長的職務,且在往後的二年致力於會規的撰寫,因為他希望藉此獲得教宗正式的許可。果然,在方濟的努力下,最後定稿的會規,於 1223年獲得教宗的官方認可。事實上,1209年時,教宗口頭所允准的是初始會規,那僅是一些福音文字的集成;而 1215年所召開的第四次拉特朗大公會議(the Fourth Lateran Council)卻決議不再給予任何新會規官方的允准。因此,方濟順利地避開了這項大公會議的決議。 為了回應聖女佳蘭(St. Clare)追隨福音生活的渴望,

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方濟協助聖女組織了一個女性的團體,她們就生活在聖達勉堂裡,因此被稱為「聖達勉堂的貧窮女士」(Poor Ladies of San Damiano);也就是後來「貧窮佳蘭隱修會」(The Poor Clares)的前身(又稱為「方濟第二會」)。漸漸地,方濟運動成為一股熱潮,連一般教友都要求聖人為他們建立在俗修道的團體,於是便成立了「在俗方濟會」(the Secular Francisan Order--亦即「方濟第三會」)。 關於方濟所謂的「滿全喜樂」,他曾說過最精采的一段是在一次與良弟兄(Brother Leo)的對話中說明的。某日,方濟對他的秘書良弟兄說:「最令我欣喜的消息,不是全巴黎偉大的神學家,或是全歐洲的主教,或是英、法二國的國王都加入了我們小弟兄的團體;也不是小弟兄們皈依了所有的非基督徒;更不是方濟我領受了什麼神蹟。不,這些為方濟來說都不是滿全的喜樂。」「而是,當我在旅途的疲憊中,來到小弟兄的住處尋求落腳,但卻因未被辨識出來而遭到拒絕時。若我還能保持耐性,那就是我最滿全的喜樂了。」 1224年的 9月,方濟正在拉維納山(Mt. La Verna)上祈禱時,他領受了五傷的恩寵,因為從那刻起,在他的手足與肋旁都出現了基督苦難的標記;然而,方濟越是努力地在眾人面前隱藏,反而越是吸引周圍的人對此傷口的注意。1225年,聖人的視力與健康都每況愈下,也就是在此時,他撰寫了著名的「太陽兄弟之歌」(Canticle of Brother Sun)。最後,方濟在 1226年的 10月 3日傍晚

與世長辭,享年 45歲。 早先給予方濟甚多協助的胡高林 樞機(Cardinal Hugolino),當時已是教宗額我略九世(Pope Gregory IX),便在 1228年時,以教宗兼方濟好友的身分,親自主持了聖人列品的大典。 「我們應結出相稱的痛悔果實來。」我們要愛人如己;我們要有愛德和謙遜:我們要施捨,因為施捨能洗淨我們靈魂的罪污。事實上,人們留在世上的一切都要喪失;只能帶走他們的愛德和施捨的代價:他們將從天主那裡領取這代價的酬報與相稱的獎賞。 我們不該按血肉之見,去做聰敏與明智的人;而要作一個誠樸、謙遜、純潔的人。我們總不該想在他人之上,反而該為了天主的緣故,作眾人的僕役、並隸屬於人。 凡是如此行事,而又堅持到底的人,主的聖神將安息在他們身上,並在他們內做住所而居留其中。如此,他們將成為天父的子女,從事祂的事業:他們將是吾主耶穌的淨配、弟兄和母親。

10月 5日:聖傅天娜修女 St. Faustina Kowalska 教宗若望保祿二世呼籲整個教會把天主仁慈的奧秘「廣為宣講,並引進人們的生活裡」,並要求教會為世界呼求仁慈。聖女傅天娜( Saint Faustina )也接受了這個工作,作為她生活的見證和使命。

 傅天娜修女於一九零五年生於波蘭洛次( Lodz )附近的格洛戈威( Glogowiec )村莊。她的父母瑪麗安娜高

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華 斯( Marianna Kowalski )和 斯 坦 尼高華 斯( Stanislaw Kowalski )共有十名子女,她排行第三。傅天娜修女自小便熱愛祈禱,她工作勤奮,服從長輩,而且關懷貧苦者。她接受了不足三年的基礎教育後不久,便在十多歲時離開家庭,作別人的家僕。

 她在二十歲時加入了仁慈之母女修會( Sisters of Our lady of Mercy ),易名為傅天娜 ‧ 瑪利亞修女。十三年來,她只負責煮食、園藝和守門的工作。她的一生雖然看似平平無奇、單調乏味,卻與眾不同地跟天主深深的合而為一。她自小便渴望成聖,而且不斷為這目標而努力,並與耶穌合力拯救迷失的靈魂,甚至獻出她的生命作為贖罪的祭獻。因此,她的修道生活充滿痛苦,同時也滿載非凡的聖寵。

 耶穌就是向這位純樸而全心信靠天主的修女,作出了這個奇妙的宣言:「在舊約時期,我派遣先知向我的人民大發雷霆。今天我派遣妳把我的仁慈帶給全世界。我不想懲罰痛苦的人類,只希望治癒他們,讓他們貼近我的仁慈的聖心。」( 1588 )

 聖女傅天娜的使命包括以下三項工作:

1提醒世界聖經向我們啟示信仰的真理,也就是天主對所有人的慈愛。

2為世界呼求天主的仁慈,尤其是以嶄新的形式實行救主慈悲的敬禮,例如恭敬救主慈悲畫像,畫像下面要寫上:「耶穌,我信賴你!」;還要在複活節後首主日慶祝救主

慈悲節日;誦唸慈悲串經;在慈悲時辰(三時正)祈禱;以及宣講救主慈悲敬禮。

3發起救主慈悲的宗徒運動,包括宣講天主的仁慈和為世界呼求仁慈,以純樸的精神信靠天主,修德成聖;這意願可藉遵行天主的聖意和仁慈地對待近人表達出來。

 傳天挪修女後來患了結核病,再加上她為罪人作犧牲時所受的痛苦,使她身體虛弱,疲憊不堪。結果,她在一九三八年十月五日於克拉科夫逝世,享年三十三歲。 一九九三年四月十八日,復活節後首主日,教宗若望保祿二世於羅馬聖伯多祿廣場宣告列她為真福品。翌日,他向群眾講話時表示:「天主藉著真福傅天娜修女豐富的靈修經驗向我們講話。她留給世界救主慈悲的偉大訊息;並鼓勵我們向創造者完全地交付自我。天主賜她非凡的恩寵使她能夠藉著與天主神秘的相交以及默觀祈禱的特殊恩賜經驗他的仁慈。」 「真福傅天娜修女,謝謝妳提醒世界救主慈悲的偉大奧秘,這是使人驚歎的奧秘,是屬於天父,且不能言喻的奧秘,是今天每一個人和整個世界也極之需要的。」 教宗若望保祿二世於公元二零零零年四月三十日,複活節後首主日,在羅馬聖伯多祿廣場冊封傅天娜修女為聖品。10月 7日:玫瑰聖母Our Lady of the Rosary 這個慶日是由聖教宗碧岳五世(Pope St. Pius V)於1573年所欽定的,目的是為紀念天主的護佑,因為基督徒在拉龐多(Lepanto, 1571年 10月 7日)這場關鍵的戰

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役中,賴聖母的轉禱,克勝了土耳其入侵的軍隊,阻擋了回教勢力染指歐洲的危機。這場關鍵性的勝利,教宗歸功於誦 唸 玫 瑰經的功 效;1716 年,教宗克 萊孟十一世(Pope Clement XI)更將此一慶節擴展至整個普世教會裡。 事實上,玫瑰經的發展有一段很長的歷史。早先,是為了配合聖詠的祈禱,而有因應聖詠篇數的 150次「天主經」的誦唸;而後,又加進 150次的「聖母經」的誦唸;後來,才在每一次誦唸聖母經前,加入了耶穌生平奧跡的默想。儘管,傳統上認為:是聖母親自將玫瑰經交給了聖道明(St. Dominic),但這應不是史實。事實上,玫瑰經形式的發展,是由聖道明的追隨者開始的;當中最有名的一位,便是素有「玫瑰經宗徒」之稱的 Alan de la Roche會士,他在 15世紀時,創建了第一個玫瑰經的善會。直到第 16世紀,玫瑰經形式的發展,才成為今日所見到的樣式(包括歡喜、痛苦與榮福等十五端奧跡)。2002年,教宗若望保祿二世在原有的玫瑰經架構上,又再加入了五端的光明奧跡。 建立這節慶的目的,是為邀請所有的信眾,跟隨童貞聖母的芳表,一起默想基督的奧跡;因為聖母與天主子耶穌的降生、苦難與光榮等奧跡,有著不可分割的關係。親愛的弟兄姐妹們: 我們已在十月份的門檻上了,在紀念玫瑰聖母的禮儀伴隨下,我們再次地發現:此一傳統祈禱是如此地簡單,卻

又是如此地深邃。 我們可以這樣說:「玫瑰經」是以聖母的目光來默觀基督聖容的一種方式。為此,這是一個完全與梵二大公會議和我在《新千年的開始》牧函(Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte)中所提出的方向:「教會應在新千年的開始時,在默觀基督的聖容中划向深處。」一致的祈禱因為,玫瑰經已為我們勾勒出了整部福音的核心。 因此,我希望個人、家庭與基督徒團體都能誦唸玫瑰經為給予這份邀請更大的力量,我正在準備一份文件,該文件能幫助我們再一次地發現這個祈禱的美麗與深度。 我希望能再一次地將和平的偉大理想交付在玫瑰經的祈禱中,因為我們所面對的,是一個充滿著張力的國際情勢衝突與威脅從未止息;這種威脅,在某些地方是更加嚴重的,特別是在基督受苦之地。我們可以理解,如果人們在這樣的衝突中,繼續在心中加深這種仇恨,而無人願意真正展現交談的意願與決心的話,那麼,再多政治上的努力也都是毫無價值的。 除了天主以外,誰能傾注這種意願呢?此時此刻比任何時代都更加需要來自世界各地為和平意向奉獻給天主的祈禱。在此一觀點下,玫瑰經就成了最被需要的祈禱形式了玫瑰經之所以能締造和平,是因為當人在玫瑰經中向天主祈求恩寵之時,它會在每一個做此祈禱者的心中撒下好種籽,藉此,正義的果實與個人和團體生活中的團結可以被期待。

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 每個國家與每個家庭都在我的心思意念之中;若家庭裡願意再次開始誦唸玫瑰經的話,那麼,將會有多少的平安湧進家庭的關係裡啊!-節譯自教宗若望保祿二世在 2002年的九月 29日,於Castel Gandolfo的三鐘經演說。

10月 7日:聖塞而吉與聖伯古斯殉道 SS. Sergius and Bacchus 聖塞而吉與伯古斯是羅馬駐屯在敘利亞邊境的軍官。塞而吉任新兵訓練學校的主任。伯古斯是他的下屬。二人辦事認真,頗獲馬西彌皇帝的寵遇。有一天,塞而吉、伯古斯二人隨馬西彌皇帝到神廟獻祭,二人到了神廟門口,不肯進去。皇帝見了,就命他們進去獻祭,二人拒絕。皇帝下令將他們的軍官衣服剝去,穿上女子的衣服,到街上遊行,然後送到總督衙門,施以笞刑。塞而吉當場死在亂鞭之下,伯古斯受了鞭刑,還是不死。人們給他穿上有鐵釘的鞋子,鐵釘根根剌透他的腳尖,在街上遊行,然後斬首致命。時維公元三○三年。人們在塞而吉遺骸埋葬處所,建造一座大堂。這座大堂後來成為東方著名的聖堂。塞而吉和伯支斯二位聖者奉為羅馬帝國軍隊的主保聖人。10月 15日:聖女大德蘭童貞聖師 Teresa of Avila 聖女大德蘭(St.Teresa)是聖女小德蘭(瞻禮為本月一日)領洗的主保,故名;也稱為阿味拉之聖德蘭。她是西班牙的光榮,是十六世紀加爾默羅會的改革者,著名的女作家,所著有關神修學及神祕學的書籍,在聖教會內具

有極大的權威,四世紀以來,許多人得優入聖域,端賴聖女的著述。 Let nothing trouble you, let nothing make you afraid. All things pass away. God never changes. Patience obtains everything. God alone is enough. 何事擾你意?何物亂你心?萬般皆易逝,唯主不移真。 心有天主者,堅忍百事成。夫復何所求,有主心意稱。

 聖女大德蘭的父親亞隆沙共有十三個子女。三個是第一個妻子生的。妻子去世,續娶多維拉,生了九個孩子,其中一個就是聖女德肋撒。大德蘭是當中最得寵的孩子。她身材中等,比率相當勻稱,年輕時是有名的美女,一直到晚年時仍很漂亮。 她的個性外向,儀態開朗活潑,很能跟各式各樣的人打成一片。文筆很好,也善於繡工與家務。她的勇氣與熱情很容易被激發,聖女年方七歲,開始讀書,喜好沉思默想很是熱心虔誠。她愛閱看聖人和殉教烈士的傳記頗以為樂而且努力仿效他們的芳表,愛慕天主,犧牲自己,雖死不辭。大德蘭愛好獨居室內默想。她的房間裏,掛了一幀耶穌與撒瑪利亞婦人談話的圖像。大德蘭常在這幀像前祈禱「吾主,求你賞賜我這活水,使我永遠不再口渴。」

 過了一個時期父親見大德蘭的生活方式發生轉變,就送她到奧斯定女修院住讀。 十二歲時,這樣的熱情減少許多。大德蘭染上了時代少女的流行習慣,愛好時髦,愛好穿鮮美的衣服,她開始對一般自然的男女之情產生興趣,她也想結婚,也喜愛看騎士小說,這主要是受了表姐以及姑媽家孩子的影響。這些

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讓她的父親很煩惱,也極力反對。 大德蘭十四歲的時候,慈母去世。她非常悲傷,含著淚對聖母說:「聖母瑪利亞,請妳收留我,作我的母親。」 父親看到女兒需要正確的引導,就在一五三一年把她托給奧斯定修會的修女們。在修院寄宿的學校中,大德蘭重新找回她對上主的虔敬,也開始分辨自己是不是有聖召。一五三二年底,她到姊姊的家小聚並休養時,讀了聖業樂的書信,導致她決定進入修會,但是她的父親並不答應。那時,她的兄弟,也是她的知心好友羅瑞格,正預備乘船前往南美洲的參戰。於是大德蘭說服另一位哥哥和她一起逃家,雙雙尋求修道生活。此後她更加緊祈禱,多看聖書聖經、聖人傳記以及聖教會中著名的作品,她都已熟悉。聖耶羅尼莫的《貞女論》一書解除她一切的猶豫,二十歲那年進了本地的加爾默羅會修院。父親見木已成舟,不再反對。

 最初幾年,聖女的修道生活是虔誠的,不久之後便鬆弛了,僅避免犯大罪,對於小罪則不介意,在冷淡的生活中度日,浪費了寶貴的光陰。關於這件事,環境的不善也是其中原因之一。由於加爾默羅會成立於十二世紀,修規漸漸鬆弛,世俗的精神侵入了修院,而使許多人在修德成聖的大道上逡巡不前。德蘭也走著寬路,毫不顧及那使人得救的窄路。

 有一天,她生病了,身發高燒,感覺十分衰弱,醫生說她串了肺病。大德蘭的病越來越嚴重。一五三九年七月,父親把她帶回亞味拉的家中。八月十五日那天,她陷入極

度昏迷之中,大家都認為她將不久於人世,聖女自覺將死便領了終傅聖事。四天後她醒了過來,然而雙腿卻麻痺了三年。在接下來的治療中,她把自己奉獻給聖若瑟。

 不久她又恢復了健康,然而重又踏上了冷淡之途;祈禱也不熱心,對於良心的責難充耳不聞,她所度的生活是輕浮的,這是她在自傳中直認不諱的。

 長達十八年之久,她的祈禱生活十分平庸,但她絲毫不放棄。她的困難來自於不懂得運用想像力,把自己置身於默想中。在這個階段中,她曾具有短暫的神秘經驗,因不願引起別人的評論而強烈排斥,直到她生動體驗到「苦難中的基督」,才改變心意。這時她三十九歲,開始享有天主臨在於她的生命中的生動經驗。

 一五四四年,聖女的父親逝世,這個機會令她又回心轉意,重度熱心的修院生活。約在同一時間,她看到了一尊耶穌繫受鞭笞的雕像,給予她極為深刻的印象:耶穌血流滿身,體無完膚,使她觸目驚心,她注視著那雕像良久,從此以後耶穌便不再離開她了,她覺到耶穌就在她身旁,無論她作什麼事,耶穌必在她右方加以指導。

 一五四八年,聖女曾和聖方濟波濟亞談過一次話,獲益匪淺。聖方濟指示她每天晚上默想耶穌的苦難,一日一端如山園祈禱,出流血汗;耶穌被人鞭打,遍體鱗傷;頭戴茨冠,血流滿面;耶穌被釘於十字架上,自獻作犧牲,仰求聖父赦人之罪……很快地改變了昔日的德蘭。有一天,聖女在神視中看見一位天神手中持箭,穿透聖女的心房。此後一切犧牲就變為輕易了,因為一切都以愛情為原動力

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聖女心中充滿愛火,竟願與天主一較高低:「或受苦,或死去!」便成為聖女的座右銘。

 吾主耶穌時常顯現,賞賜她各種神恩。但是天主也允許魔鬼難為她、迫害她、誘惑她,使她不能堅守善志。一五五十年聖女親眼看見了地獄,她說道:「地獄的入口好像一座火爐,深而且暗,很是窄小;其中充滿著污穢的臭水還有無數的毒蟲蛇蠍。牆上有一個洞,聖女自覺被關在內全身為烈火包圍,火勢甚猛。全身疼痛,筋骨碎裂。可是肉身之苦不及靈魂之苦於萬一。」聖女又聽到一個聲音說「如果妳繼續過冷淡的生活,這便是妳永久的居所!」六年之後,聖女略一回想,不禁遍體冷汗,全身戰慄。自從那天以後,聖女再不敢貪圖世間瞬息之樂,甘心忍受世間一切痛苦。此外又感念天主大恩,努力愛主,避免一切罪過;又因天主而愛人,助人得救靈魂,幫助他人修德成聖在天主聖愛的大道上邁進!

 由於天主聖寵的推動,她著手寫一本書,她稱之為《天主仁慈之書》。她在這本書中敘述她靈魂的一切經過:意志不夠堅決,長期拒絕天主的聖寵,所受的誘惑,以及天主在她靈魂上所獲得的最後勝利。

 一五六二年聖女有意另建一修院,完全按照初期會規而生活,而不採取當時支離破碎、缺而不全的鬆弛規則。雖然遭遇許多困難和各方的反對,聖女終於成功了,不但建立了新修院,而且革新了她多年居住的舊院。

 一五六二年六月底,大德蘭回到亞味拉,開始著手建立新會院。八月二十四日,這座奉獻給聖若瑟的新修院創立

了,四位初學修女領受了赤足加爾默羅修會的會衣。亞味拉城裡的居民與降孕隱院的修女們都強烈地反對。院長命令大德蘭回到降孕隱院,省會長也憤怒地將大德蘭的行為呈上主教法庭,強硬地斥責她。但聽了大德蘭說明原委之後,省會長的態度軟化了,甚至允諾要協助平息眾怒,准許大德蘭在事情平息之後可以回到她所建立的聖若瑟隱院  八月二十五日,亞味拉的參議會討論了大德蘭創立新修院的案子;八月三十日,亞味拉城的領袖們開了一個大會大會中,唯一發言對抗憤慨群眾的是一位道明會的巴臬思神父(Domingo Banez O.P.)。最後,案子上訴到上議院,但在一五六二年底判決之前,省會長許可創立人大德蘭回到她新建立的會院。接下來的五年,是大德蘭生命中最平靜的日子。就在這個時期內,她寫了《全德之路》與《雅歌的沉思》。

 有一次,她以所在的修院,綱紀日廢,自覺修道多年,庸碌過日子,未免太委屈自己的聖召了。乃毅然請命,遠道出門,拜會主教,提出中興、改革方案。旅途中,人騾皆渴,見有住戶人家,便叩門求水。一窮家老寡婦,應門而出,但見隱修院修女,牽騾而至,修道人家,四出閒蕩頗不以為然,勉強給予方便。言談間,忽聞修女就是傳開反叛成性的德蘭,便下逐客令。修女沉著應對,說出心底的話,總算把老婦惶惑之心,略作開釋。修女更替老婦擦地,身手敏捷,言談謙和,工作間,還不時哼出民歌小調老婦亦自覺的相隨。修女離去後,忽然間,老婦感到屋內

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陳設依舊,心境已非。

 「她又像年輕時一樣,所有的知覺都漲滿了許多小小的快感,這是佷奇異的。真很難相信一個關在耶穌降世修院的修女,可以給她帶回來這種奇妙的感覺。但那是千真萬確的。在這位有一雙使她想起自己還是個年輕的女孩子,在花園見到的三色紫羅蘭的眼睛的女子面前,她相信主教一定會給她弄得一點辦法也沒有。」(見漫長的路頁216)

 一五六七年四月,加爾默羅修會總會長魯柏(Rubeo)神父來拜訪大德蘭,認同了她的改革,請她從亞味拉的若瑟隱院開始,將改革推動到其他的會院。此外,也准許她為有意願接受改革的男修會建立兩座會院。一五六七年八月十五日,在梅地納(Medina)建立了第二座赤足加爾默羅會院,聖女大德蘭從此開始了創建其他隱院的艱苦工作。歷盡千辛萬苦,在她有生之年共創立了十七座女隱修院,十五座男修院;以她的神火灼熱人心,使人全心全意地愛慕天主。聖女雖然工作繁忙,仍能有時間撰寫神修書籍,,透過表達她與主交往的經歷,以指導信友善度靈修生活。至今仍膾炙人口,傳誦不絕。最後她臨終時,她反覆說著「我是教會的女兒!」

 大德蘭的遺體被安葬在阿爾巴,教宗保祿五世於一六一四年四月二十四日冊封她為真福,一六一七年,西班牙議會宣佈她為西班牙主保。教宗國瑞十五世於一六二二年將她與耶穌會祖羅耀拉的依納爵、方濟薩威、依西多及裴理‧乃立一起列入聖品。一九七○年教宗保祿六世宣封為教

會聖師。

Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end.

10 月 16 日:聖女瑪加利大‧亞拉高(童貞) St. Margaret Mary Alacoque(1647-1690)「你看我的聖心多麼愛人;為了世人,我什麼都做了。可是人類非但不表示感恩之心,反而用傲漫、褻讀、冷酷無情,輕視的心對待我。」 一六二五年至一六九O年間,聖教會出了三位聖人和真福:若望歐德,高隆汴,瑪加利大,他們一致傳揚耶穌聖心的敬禮。

 一六四七年,瑪加利大生於法國蒲公田省奧頓教區。父親執行公證人職務,生有子女七人,瑪加利大行五。聖女自幼非常熱心。八歲時,父親去世,瑪加利大入加辣會修女主辦的學校,她對於修女們的生活方式,非常欽佩。修女們也很賞識瑪加利大的熱心非凡。九歲那一年,獲准初領聖禮。十一歲起,聖女患風濕病,到十五歲方才痊愈。在那一段時期,瑪加利大住在家裏。有一個已出嫁的姐姐

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和她住在一起,待她很不好。瑪加利大很痛苦,唯一的安慰是到聖堂裏朝拜聖體。可是她的家離聖堂太遠,每次出去,要徵求姐姐的意見,姐姐有時不許她出入,瑪加利大只好到花園的角落裏跪著祈禱,沒有人理睬她。

 瑪加利大的家人勸她出嫁,瑪加利大不肯,她已決定棄家修道。公元一六七一年,入聖母往見修院。

 初學時期的瑪加利大,發揚謙遜、服從的精神,待人和藹可親,從不疾言厲色。她的聖德,獲得同院修女一致的讚揚。她發了聖願,與吾主耶穌結合,吾主不斷頒賜恩寵予她。一六七三年十二月十七日,她第一次獲賜啟示。

 那一天,她跪在耶穌至聖聖體前。突然間,吾主降臨到她心裏:吾主似乎叫她坐在若望在最後晚餐中所坐的位子(那一天,是聖若望宗徒瞻禮)。耶穌很清楚地告訴她:他聖心的愛應當藉著瑪加利大向眾人顯示,耶穌也要籍著她將聖心的無限恩寵顯示給眾人。接著,耶穌似乎將瑪加利大的心取出,放在他的聖心內,然後再拿回來,放進瑪加利大的胸膛。那時,她的心被耶穌聖心的愛灼熱。

 一連十八個月,吾主耶穌經常顯現給瑪加利大,闡釋發揮每次啟示的意義。他告訴瑪加利大人類應當恭敬祂的聖心。由於世人不肯以愛還愛,對待聖心冷酷無情,瑪加利大應當盡量設法賠補。補償聖心在聖體聖事內所受的淩辱的最好方法是勸領補辱聖體,尤其是每月首瞻禮六的領聖體,賠補淩辱耶穌聖心的罪。瞻禮五舉行一小時聖時來紀念耶穌在山園祈禱的苦難。

 一六七五年聖誕瞻禮,耶穌對瑪加利大作最後一次啟示他對聖女說:「你看我的聖心多麼愛人;為了世人,我什麼都做了。可是人類非但不表示感恩之心,反而用傲漫。褻讀、冷酷無情,輕視的心對待我。」最後耶穌表示應當在聖體瞻禮後第八日之瞻禮六那一天,舉行特別瞻禮,賠補人類淩辱聖心的罪( 這瞻禮,現在定名為「耶穌聖心瞻禮」 )。這樣,耶穌很明顯地向我們表示:我們必須用恭敬耶穌聖心的敬禮,賠補世人對吾主的無限仁慈的忘恩負義的罪。

 耶穌囑咐瑪加利大,無論做什麼事,應當獲取領導人的准許,這樣,一切都本著服務的原則去做,就不會墜入撒殫的陷阱。

 瑪加利大遵從耶穌的指示,將這件事稟報院長。院長責備她完全在胡鬧。瑪加利大很高興受到這種羞辱。過了不久,她生了一場重病,生命發生危險。院長說「假如這一次天主賞賜你痊愈,就可以證明你所說的啟示是真實的。我一定准許你做耶穌聖心命令你做的一切事。」瑪加利大連忙求耶穌賞賜她病愈,她的病果然立刻好了。院長就准許她著手傳揚耶穌聖心的敬禮。但是,院內有一部分修女不相信瑪加利大的話。院長就徵求神學家的意見,那時一些神學家缺乏經驗,認為瑪加利大所說的啟示,出於幻想吾主耶穌早已對瑪加利大說過「將來有一位賢明的神師來協助你進行傳揚聖心瞻禮」。不久,真福高隆汴被指定擔任修女的特別神師。瑪加利大很高興,知道這位神師,就是耶穌所說的傳揚聖心敬禮的生力軍。

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 高隆汴和瑪加利大談話後,完全相信瑪加利大所說的啟示是真的。他個人也立即參加傳揚聖心敬禮。

 不久以後,高隆汴到英國去。瑪加利大開始很猶豫。耶穌告訴她:應當為了賠補對聖心忘恩負義的罪,遭受苦難作贖罪的犧牲。瑪加利大很膽怯,希望不要喝這杯苦酒。可是耶穌再次向她提出同樣的要求,命令她作公開的贖罪犧牲。瑪加利大毅然接受就在那一天(一六七七年十一月二十日),她遵從耶穌的命令跪在眾修女面前,以耶穌的名義,告訴她們:她指定為贖罪的犧牲,藉以賠補眾人忘恩負義的罪。修女們對這些話,反應不同,一部分人對於瑪加利大的態度,還是不諒解。瑪加利大自述道:「我這一次所受的苦,類似耶穌山園祈禱的苦難,只是程度不同。」

 瑪加利大有時獲得豐富的神恩,有時經受強烈的考驗:這考驗,有時來自內心,有時來自別人。她還受過失望、虛榮的誘感,身體衰弱多病。

 一六八一年,高隆汴到巴萊毛尼養病,一六八二年二日逝世。瑪加利大獲得神視,知道高隆汴已經升天。

 一六八四年,梅林修女任巴萊毛尼修院院長。梅林修女對於瑪加利大的聖德知道得很清楚,她就委派瑪加利大任副院長,協助管理院務。

 瑪加利大的生活,有時也夾雜若干有趣的插曲。她當副院長的時期。應當打掃唱經間。有一天,她正在打掃,別人叫她到廚房幫忙。瑪加利大立刻到廚房去,來不及把那

堆灰塵掃掉。等到修女們集體在唱經間念日課的時候,看見那堆灰塵,不禁啞然失笑。

 瑪加利大兼任初學修女導師的職務,她輔導初學修女的成績,非常顯著。若干已發聖願的修女也申請特許,參加瑪加利大主持的講習課程。

 瑪加利大提倡的耶穌聖心敬禮,迅速發展。一六八五年六月二十一日,全院舉行非正式的耶穌聖心瞻禮。兩年後巴萊毛尼造了一座小堂,取名為耶穌聖心堂。耶穌聖心的敬禮,不久普遍傳揚到其他修院和法國全境。

 一六九O年,瑪加利大患病,醫生認為病勢並不嚴重,可是瑪加利大自己說:「我這一次不會好了,因為我受苦的時期,已經滿了。」一星期後,瑪加利大要求領終傅聖事。她說道:「我現在只需要天主,我要把我的心浸在耶穌聖心。」神父給她行終傅禮,聖油傅到口唇的時候,瑪加利大瞑目安逝。

 瑪加利大於一九二O年榮列聖品。Margaret Alacoque, the fifth of seven children of Claude Alacoque and Philiberte Lamyn, was born at Lhautecour in old Burgandy, now East Central France, on July 22, 1647. She was baptized Margaret, adding the name Mary only at the time of her Confirmation in 1669. At the age of four she took a vow of chastity, though "I did not then understand what I had done, nor what was meant by the words 'vow' and 'chastity'" From her earliest years she was tenderly devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin.

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Her father died when she was eight. When she was eight and a half, she was sent to the school of the Urbanist Nuns at Charolles, where she received the only two years of formal education she ever had.

At the then early age of nine, she made her first Holy Communion. "This Communion shed such bitterness over all my little pleasures and amusements that I was no longer able to enjoy any of them, although I sought them eagerly." Shortly after this she succumbed to long illness. "But I fell into so pitable a state of ill health that for about four years I was unable to walk. My bones pierced my skin. Consequently I was removed from the convent at the end of two years. since no remedy could be found for my illness, I was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin with the promise that, if she cured me, I should one day be one of Her daughters. Scarcely had I made this vow, when I was cured and taken anew under the protection of Our Lady."

Though her father, a royal notary, had been in good financial circumstances, Margaret and her mother were after his death subjected to domestic persecution and captivity in their home by some of their relatives. This drew the girl more to mental prayer, and brought her closer to Christ in His suffering. Eventually, her mother again became mistress in her own house and prevailed upon her now seventeen-year-old daughter to consider marriage. This brought about an inner conflict and a struggle began in her soul between the devil and the world on one hand and Our Lord and her vow on the

other. Satan: "Poor fool, what do you mean by wishing to be a nun? You will become the laughing stock of the world, for you will never be able to persevere." Her Savior after the scourging: "Would you take this pleasure, whereas I never had any and delivered Myself up to every kind of bitterness for love of you and to win your heart? Nevertheless, you would still dispute with Me!"

"I had indeed committed great crimes," she writes, "for once during the days of Carnival, together with other young girls, I disguised myself through vain complacency. This has been to me a cause of bitter tears and sorrow during my whole life, together with the fault I committed in adorning myself in worldly attire through the same motive of complacency towards the persons above mentioned."

She was induced against her better judgment to apply for admission into the Ursuline Order at Macon, but was suddenly called home just "as they were ready to open the convent door to me". On May 25, 1671, she paid her first visit to her "dear Paray,' where as soon as I entered the parlor, I heard interiorly these words: 'It is here that I would have you be'" She took the habit August 25, 1671, and made her profession November 6, 1672, as the first daughter, of the new superior, Mother de Saumaise, who was to figure so largely in her later life.

Christ had carefully prepared His servant for her great mission, through suffering, prayer and special guidance.

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Her sufferings were to continue to the end, her prayer would become ecstatic, the Savior Himself would be her personal spiritual director till death. In this way she would be able to present to the world the Devotion to the Sacred Heart in its modern form.

Our Lord made many revelations to Margaret Mary-perhaps forty. The most striking of these began on December 27, 1673; they ended with the greatest of them all, "Behold this Heart," in June 1675. It was during this year that Claude de la Colombiere, a saintly young priest of the Society of Jesus, was providentially sent to Paray-le-Monail and appointed extraordinary confessor to the Visitandine community of which Margaret Mary was a member. He encouraged and reassured her, and himself became an apostle of the Devotion of the Sacred Heart for the few years of life that remained to him. The notes of His Retreat made in London in 1677, where he was sent after only eighteen months in Paray, were to be a great instrument in promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Margaret Mary was mistress of novices from 1685 to 1686. Her death came on October 17, 1690. Her body still rests at Paray-le-Monial. The process with a view to her canonization was begun in 1715. She was declared Venerable in 1824, Blessed in 1864, and became St. Margaret Mary on May 13, 1920.

10月 17日:聖依納爵.安提約基亞(主教、殉道)(紀念)St. Ignatius of Antioch 聖依納爵繼伯多祿之後,治理安提約基亞教會,在位四十載,治績斐然。107年圖拉皇帝在位初期,迫害教會,依納爵被告發,在解送到羅馬的途中,每到一處,信友爭派代表與他會晤。聖依納爵祝福他們,勸他們熱心敬主。他在旅途中給各地教會寫了七封書信,講論教會、基督,以及教友生活的真諦。他曾請求羅馬教友不要為使他得到釋放,而採取特別行動。他說:「祭台準備好了,讓我犧牲吧!我是主的麥粒,藉野獸的牙齒而磨成麵粉,好成為純潔的祭餅。」聖依納爵在旅途中,飽受解差虐待,最後將聖人押解到競技場,當眾供獅虎吞噬。在當時,羅馬競技場是一項很有吸引力的節目,許多聖人們都死於獅子口中,。聖依納爵到羅馬的那一天,恰為競技表演的最後一日,聖依納爵昂然站在場中,兩頭餓獅張牙舞爪,將他撲倒在地,貶眼間只剩一堆鮮血和殘骨。聖依納爵殉難時期為公元一○七年,他的名字列在彌撒行祭常典中。10月 18日:聖路加(聖史)(慶日)St. Luke 聖史路加是《路加福音》與《宗徒大事錄》的作者,一般相信他就是哥羅森書(哥四 14)記載與保祿同行的那位醫生;關於他的生活,我們所知甚少。聖史是一位外邦基督徒,他的福音是為向外邦人福傳而撰寫;「好撒瑪黎雅人」的比喻、耶穌對外邦人信德的讚美(路四 25-27、十七 11-19)等,都只出現在路加福音的記述中。

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 關於路加的皈依過程我們無從得知,從宗徒大事錄的記載,我們能知道他在何處開始加入保祿行列。宗徒大事錄在第十六章以前,都是以第三人的角度撰寫,就好似一位史學家詳實地紀錄史實一般;但從十六 10開始,作者都是以「我們」來描述保祿一行人。因此,路加應是於主後51年,在特洛阿城成為保祿的夥伴,隨同他前往馬其頓,途經撒摩辣刻與乃阿頗里,最後抵達斐理伯城的。隨後,路加的描述又回復到第三人稱,似乎暗示了當時路加並未與保祿同時被囚;當保祿離開斐理伯時,路加被留下來鼓勵當地的教會。在宗二十 5中,敘述又轉變成「我們」的第一人稱,告訴我們路加已經離開斐理伯,並於主後 58年時在特洛阿與保祿會晤,他們相伴同行從米肋托、提洛凱撒勒雅到耶路撒冷去。 主後 61年,當保祿在羅馬被囚禁之時,路加一直是保祿的忠實夥伴之一(費 24);在保祿最後一次的囚禁磨難中,當其他人都離開他時,也只有路加留在保祿身旁直到最後(弟後四 11)。路加對於耶穌有其獨特的觀點,這可從他所記錄的六個神蹟與十八個比喻中看出來;路加在福音中特別看重窮人與社會正義,因此,他記載了「拉匝祿與富人」的故事;他在山中聖訓強調有福者是「貧窮」之人(路六 20),與瑪竇所強調「神貧」之人(瑪五 3)是不同的;獨有路加記錄了聖母的「讚主曲」,詠道:「祂從高座上推下權勢者,卻舉揚卑微貧困的人。祂曾使飢餓者飽享美物,反使那富有者空手而去(路一 52-53)。」

 在耶穌生平的描述中,也獨有路加特別敘述耶穌與婦女的關連,特別是與聖母瑪利亞的關係;只有在路加福音中我們才能聽到聖母領報、聖母訪親、聖母獻耶穌於聖殿、耶穌在耶京走失的敘述;也只有在路加福音中,我們才能為「聖母經」的前半段找到聖經依據。 天主對罪人的寬恕與仁慈在路加福音中佔有首要的地位只有在路加福音中,我們才聽得到「蕩子回頭」的感人故事;才聽得到罪婦以淚為耶穌滌足的故事;在路加的描述中,耶穌總是將那願意尋求天主仁慈的罪人拉到自己的身旁。閱讀路加福音,我們看到的特色即:愛護窮人、願意天主國度的門為所有人而開、對婦女的尊重、為每一人帶來對天主仁慈的盼望。路加在傳統聖像上常被描繪成正在為聖母作畫的態像,牛則是他的象徵 相傳路加在保祿殉道後,奔走各地傳教,終在希臘殉道或安逝。10月 23日:聖若望‧賈必昌 St. John of Capistrano ( 1386-1456)主保:法律學者 曾有人說:「基督宗教的聖人,是世上最偉大的樂觀主義者。」然而,這些人不是看不見邪惡的存在,也從不否認其後續的影響;他們最大的不同之處,就只在於將信德奠基在基督救贖的大能之上而已;由基督而來的皈依大能不僅能擴及有罪的世人,也會延伸至每個悲慘的事件當中。 想像一下這種情景:當時歐洲在疫情的肆虐下,有三分

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之一的人口死亡,近百分之四十的司鐸凋零;同時,歐洲的分裂主義,還一度發生過三個聖座(教宗)互別苗頭的混亂局面;英法戰爭也正方興未艾;義大利的城邦間,也不斷地有著軍事衝突等。那個時代,無論是在精神或是在文化上,都壟罩在黑暗之中。然而,聖人就是在這種昏暗的局勢裡誕生的。  1385 年 時 , 聖 人 誕 生 於 義 大 利 的 賈 必 昌(Capistrano),父親曾是該城的一位日耳曼騎士。年輕時,若望在裴魯吉亞大學(University of Perugia)研習法律,且曾在拿坡里(Naples)的法庭裡當過法官,是一個相當具有才華與成就的人。稍後,由於才學卓越,拿坡里的國王拉迪拉斯(King Ladislas)便指派他做裴魯吉亞(Perugia)的市長,當時他年僅 26歲。然而,就在與鄰城的一場戰役中,他因遭背叛而被俘虜。被囚的這段期間他毅然地決定改變自己原來的生活方式。獲釋後,於1416年進入了裴魯吉亞的方濟會,四年後晉鐸。後來,聖人與聖雅格(St. James of the March),都成了聖伯爾納定(St. Bernardine of Siena)的學生;他們在伯爾納定的帶領下,共同發展了耶穌聖名以及至聖聖母的敬禮。 1420年,當若望還是一位執事時,他卓越的宣講天份便開始展露出來。晉鐸後,其宣講更是使多人歸向天主,特別是在那種對宗教普遍冷漠與困惑的時代裡;在中歐的幾個國家裡,他與另外的十二位方濟會弟兄,甚至是以天使的身分而被加以款待的。他巡迴演講的足跡遍及義大利德國、波希米亞、奧地利、匈牙利、波蘭與俄國;若望一

邊宣講悔改的信息,同時也在各地建立革新後的方濟會團體。 然而,為方濟會本身而言,內部本身也正處於詮釋與遵守方濟會規上的混亂時期;但是,藉由若望的努力,以及他本身在法學上的長才之助,這種混亂才漸漸地平息下來另外,他也曾試圖再次地使希臘與亞美尼亞的教會合而為一,但可惜未盡全功。 1453年,當土耳其的國王穆罕默德二世(Mohammed II)正以武力威脅著維也納與羅馬時,聖人已年過 70了。但是,他仍被教宗(Pope Callistus II)委任,負責宣講、籌募和領導一支對抗土耳其入侵的十字軍。最後,1456年時,這群由聖人所招募的十字軍,在將軍若望‧榮雅迪(General John Junyadi)的指揮之下,率軍馳往貝爾格勒城(Belgrade),解了該城的圍城之困,並大大地戰勝了入侵的土耳其軍隊。這雖是一場令人振奮的勝利,但此時的若望卻已是燈枯油盡了。最後,聖人便於 1456年的十月 23日,於匈牙利的維拉古(Illok)逝世。凡蒙召來赴主聖筵的人,要以聖德與值得稱許的生活典範在人前照耀;要潔身自好,掃除惡習。無論對己或對他人他們要像地上的鹽,度適合自己身份的生活;要做世界的光,以智慧的光芒照耀他人…。 「善盡職責的司鐸,尤其是那些辛勤宣講和訓誨人的司鐸,值得受雙重的尊敬。」是的,好神父值得受雙重的尊敬:亦即有關物質和他們本人兩方面的,換言之,暫時與精神兩方面的,或現世與永恆兩方面的。因為他們雖受本

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性的限制,而仍與凡人生活在世界上,他們卻熱誠努力地與天使們生活在天堂上,為能作君王明智的僕人,蒙受祂的青睞。因此,猶如太陽從高天上昇,光照普世。但願神職人員的光「在人前照耀,使人們看到這些天主之僕所做的善事,而光榮在天之父。」 無瑕可指的神職人員光明磊落的生活,放射出聖德的光芒,照耀並撫慰那些注視他們的人;他們既負有照顧他人的職責,便該以身作則指示他人,在天主的家中應如何生活。-節錄自《每日誦禱》10月 23日—選讀聖若望‧賈必昌的「神職寶鑑」。

10 月 24 日:聖辣法額爾總領天使 St. Raphael the Archangel 聖辣法額爾總領天使在多俾亞傳裡,是年輕的多俾亞友伴及導師,教導多俾亞如何使他父親的眼晴復明﹝多12:12-15,若:1-4﹞

 辣法額爾,希伯來文,意指〝天主治療〞10月 28日:聖猶達‧達德 St. Jude of Thaddaeus絕望處境的主保 聖猶達是耶穌的十二位宗徒之一,又被稱為達德,是雅各伯的兄弟(猶 1)。早期的教會學者告訴我們,聖人在猶大、撒瑪黎雅、依杜默雅、敘利亞、美索不達米亞與利比亞一帶宣講福音。根據 Eusebius的記載,聖人在主後

62年時回到耶路撒冷,並協助他的兄弟西滿成為耶京的主教。 《猶達書》是特別為那些處在假學士與異端學說威脅下的猶太皈依者所寫的,作者就是聖猶達。傳說這位宗徒在亞美尼亞的波斯殉道致命。 聖人就是那位在最後晚餐時詢問耶穌「主,究竟為了什麼祢要將自己顯示給我們,而不顯示給世界呢?」(若十四 22)。關於他的生平,我們所知不多;相傳他與聖西滿一同在波斯殉道。 在絕望處境中總讓人想起聖猶達,因為他在新約書信中強調:信友應如他們先祖所行的那樣,在險惡與困難的環境中堅持。為此,他是絕望處境的主保,而非那位因欠缺信賴天主的仁慈而負賣耶穌的依斯加略人猶達斯。

10月 28日:熱誠者西滿 St. Simon of Zealot 宗徒西滿的名字之所以被冠以「熱誠者」的稱號,是因為他向來恪守猶太法典。聖人是耶穌最早期的跟隨者之一西方傳統說他在埃及宣講福音,而後與聖猶達一同前往波斯,並在該處殉道;而東方傳統卻說他是在 Edessa祥和地辭世。他的慶日與聖猶達一樣是十月二十八日。

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