The Daily Pilgrimage

Today in the Roman year

Pentecost teaches that the Holy Ghost does not create private religious enthusiasm detached from doctrine, worship, and authority. He gathers, sends, teaches, and strengthens the visible Church. The remnant must therefore seek fire without disorder and zeal without novelty.

Fulfill one ordinary duty promptly and offer it for the glory of God.

Roman Martyrology

June 25

In the territory of Guletto, near Nusco, St. William, confessor, founder of the hermits of Mount Vergine. — At Beraea, the birthday of St. Sosipater, disciple of the blessed apostle Paul. — At Rome, St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, with twenty-two others. — At Alexandria, St. Gallicanus, ex-consul and martyr, who had been honored with a triumph, and was held in affection by the emperor Constantine. Converted by Saints John and Paul, he withdrew to Ostia with St. Hilarinus, and devoted himself entirely to the duties of hospitality and to the service of the sick. The report of such an event spread through the whole world, and from all sides many persons came to see a man who had been a senator and consul, washing the feet of the poor, preparing their table, serving them, carefully waiting on the infirm, and performing other works of mercy. Driven from this place by Julian the Apostate, he repaired to Alexandria, where, for refusing to sacrifice to idols, at the command of the judge Raucian, he was put to the sword, and thus became a martyr of Christ. — At Sibapolis, in Syria, under the goveronr Lysimachus, in the persecution of Diocletian, St. Febronia, virgin and martyr, who was scourged and racked for defending her faith and her chastity, then torn with iron combs and exposed to fire. Finally, having her teeth plucked out and her breasts cut off, she was condemned to capital punishment, and went to her spouse adorned with her sufferings as with so many jewels. — At Besancon, in France, St. Antidius, bishop and martyr, who was killed by the Vandals for the faith of Christ. At Riez, St. Prosper of Aquitaine, bishop of that city, distinguished by his erudition and piety. He valiantly combated the Pelagians in defence of the Catholic faith. — At Turin, the birthday of St. Maximus, bishop and confessor, most celebrated for his learning and sanctity. — In Holland, St. Adelbert, confessor, disciple of the sainted bishop Willibrord.

Gospel of the Day

Every one that hath left house... shall receive an hundredfold.

St. William, Abbot - Matthew 19:27-29

“Every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters... for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold.”

Ask St. William for a silence that belongs to Christ. The soul hears more when it has left something behind.

Highlighted saint

St. William

Abbot and founder of the hermits of Mount Vergine.

St. William, confessor, founded the hermits of Mount Vergine near Nusco.

His witness teaches withdrawal for God, discipline of life, and the kind of holy solitude that becomes fruitful because it is governed by prayer, penance, and obedience.

Ask St. William for solitude ordered to God. The desert is not emptiness when prayer dwells there.

Breviary Witness

The hermit founder of Mount Vergine.

Matins - St. William, Abbot

• The Breviary honors St. William as abbot and founder of the hermits of Mount Vergine.
• His witness teaches solitude ordered by prayer, penance, and discipline rather than restlessness or self-will.

Give God some silence. St. William teaches that withdrawal is fruitful when it becomes prayer.

From Matins

The pilgrim turned by God into a founder.

Matins - Second Nocturn - St. William, Abbot of Monte Vergine

Roman Breviary, Proper lessons for St. William

“The hand of God drew the lad to the higher and holier life of a monk.”

• The Breviary remembers St. William as the noble youth of Vercelli who undertook pilgrimage with bare feet, an iron girdle, and severe hardship for love of God.
• When obstacles turned him from the Holy Sepulchre, divine providence kept him in Italy for a more fruitful monastic work.
• On Monte Vergine he gathered devout men, formed them according to the Gospel and the rule of St. Benedict, and confirmed his witness by prayer, penance, miracles, and purity under temptation.

Let God redirect zeal without cooling it. St. William teaches that frustrated plans may become a vocation, and that silence, rule, and purity can found a refuge for souls.

Truth of the Faith

Revelation Was Entrusted to the Church

Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition are received within the Church, whose divinely assisted teaching office guards the deposit of faith.

Prayer

O Lord, strengthen the little duties of this day with Thy grace, that nothing entrusted to me may be wasted through negligence or vanity.