Religious Priest (1591-1625)
His life
+ Michael was born in Vich, Catalonia, Spain. A pious—even over-zealous child—he entered a Trinitarian monastery when he was only twelve.
+ Michael professed vows in 1607, but felt drawn to the order’s original, more austere lifestyle. After much discernment and the permission of his superiors, he chose to seek admission to the “discalced” branch of the Trinitarian friars.
+ He would later be ordained a priest and served as the superior of his community’s monastery in Valladolid, Spain.
+ Known in religious life as “Michael of the Saints,” he was especially known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his spirit of penance. Some accounts of his life relate that he was experienced ecstatic prayer during the celebration of the Mass.
+ Saint Michael of the Saints died on April 10, 1625, and was canonized in 1862. He is honored as one of the patron saints of cancer patients.
For prayer and reflection
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”—Luke 4:18-19
Prayer
O God, who by the abundance of your grace
give increase to the peoples who believe in you,
look with favor on those you have chosen
and clothe with blessed immortality
those reborn through the Sacrament of Baptism.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Collect of Easter Saturday)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...
