Bishop(1004-1070)
His life
+ Guy (or Guido) was the son of the count of Acquesana, Italy, and he was educated in Bologna.
+ Named bishop of Acqui in 1034, he was a champion of reform in his diocese.
+ Bishop Guy was known for his spirit of charity and his willingness to give from his own wealth to support the local economy and to fight corruption.
+ One thing that sets him apart from many church leaders of his day was his support and encouragement of the education of women. To help in this work, he established the convent of Santa Maria de Campis.
+ Blessed Guy died in 1070 and devotion to this holy bishop was confirmed by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1853. Blessed Guy has traditionally been invoked during times of famine.
For prayer and reflection
“I will choose a faithful priest who shall do what I have in heart and mind.”—1 Samuel 2:35
Spiritual bonus
On this day, the Church also celebrates the commemoration of Saints Marcellinus, a priest, and Peter, an exorcist, who were martyred together near Rome in 304. Their names are included in the Roman Canon (the First Eucharistic Prayer)
Prayer
O God, who wonderfully numbered among your holy shepherds blessed Guy, a man aflame with divine charity and outstanding for that faith that overcomes the world, grant, we pray, that through his intercession we, too, persevering in faith and charity, may merit to be sharers of his glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors—For a Bishop)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...