Layman (1148-1233)
His life
+ Hugh was born into a noble Italian family and served as a soldier much of his life.
+ After taking part in the Third Crusade, he became a member of the Knights of Malta and was assigned to the St. John Commandery Hospital in Genoa.
+ To support the work of the hospital, he sold his armor to buy supplies for the nursing staff and he himself served the poor for nearly 50 years.
+ Blessed John died on October 8, 1233.
For prayer and reflection
“Come, you blessed of my Father, says the Lord: I was sick, and you visited me. Amen I say to you: Whatever you did for one of the least of my brethren you did it for me.”- Matthew 25:34, 36, 40
Spiritual bonus
On this day we also remember Saint Keyne. According to various traditions, she was the daughter of Saint Brychan of Brycheiniog. A beautiful girl, she refused to marry, choosing instead to offer her life to God alone. Keyne eventually left her family home and crossed the Severn River, living as a solitary. It is said that Keyne later travled throughout Wales and southern England (i.e. Cornwall) establishing shrines and chapels. She eventually returned to Wales and died there, possibly at Llangeinor in Glamorgan. A miraculous spring is found near Saint Keyne’s Church in Cornwall, and might mark the location of the site of one of her hermitages or an early shrine.
Prayer
O God, who have taught your Church to keep all the heavenly commandments by love of you as God and love of neighbor; grant that, practicing the works of charity after the example of blessed John, we may be worthy to be numbered among the blessed in your Kingdom. 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: Common of Holy Men and Women—For Those Who Practiced Works of Mercy)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...