267. How Officer Pat Saved the Whole Town  (Croak and Crow's 14th Dr. Seuss book choice)
Channel: Croak and Crow
Date: 2022-03-19

16:58
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"How Officer Pat Saved the Whole Town": Officer Pat sees a gnat about to disturb a cat and realizes this could be the start of a string of disasters that could obliterate the town. He intervenes and the town is saved." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horton_and_the_Kwuggerbug_and_More_Lost_Stories 

Are you over reacting?
'How Officer Pat Saved the Whole Town' . . . or did he?
Every Friday we find deeper meaning in Dr. Seuss books, both spiritually and literally, today were reading: How Officer Pat Saved the Whole Town 
Come join us for the fun!

St. Frances of Rome was born in the city of Rome in 1384 to a wealthy, noble family. From her mother she inherited a quiet manner and a pious devotion to God. From her father, however, she inherited a strong will. She decided at eleven that she knew what God wanted for her -- she was going to be a nun.

And that's where her will ran right up against her father's. He told Frances she was far too young to know her mind -- but not too young to be married. He had already promised her in marriage to the son of another wealthy family. In Rome at that time a father's word was law. 

She stubbornly prayed to God to prevent the marriage until her confessor pointed out, "Are you crying because you want to do God's will or because you want God to do your will?"

She gave in to the marriage -- reluctantly. It was difficult for people to understand her objection. Her future husband Lorenzo Ponziani was noble, wealthy, a good person and he really cared for her. An ideal match -- except for someone who was determined to be a bride of Christ.

Frances collapsed from the strain. For months she lay close to death, unable to eat or move or speak.

At her worst, she had a vision of St. Alexis he told her God was giving her an important choice: Did she want to recover or not?

Finally, she whispered, "God's will is mine." 

St. Alexis replied, "Then you will live to glorify His Name." Her recovery was immediate and complete. 

With her sister-in-law, she went to mass, visited prisons, served in hospitals and set up a secret chapel in an abandoned tower of their palace where they prayed together even though it wasn't fashionable for noblewomen to help the poor and people gossiped about two girls out alone on the streets. 

Having her husband and father-in-law completely on her side meant she could do what she always wanted. She sold her jewels and clothes and distributed money to needy. 

God granted her a special grace by sending an archangel to be her guardian angel for the rest of her life. She would always been able to see him. A constant companion and spiritual adviser, he once commanded her to stop her severe penances (eating only bread and water and wearing a hair shirt). "You should understand by now," the angel told her, "that the God who made your body and gave it to your soul as a servant never intended that the spirit should ruin the flesh and return it to him despoiled."

With her husband's support and respect, Frances started a lay order of women attached to the Benedictines called the Oblates of Mary. The women lived in the world but pledged to offer themselves to God and serve the poor. Eventually they bought a house where the widowed members could live in community.

Frances nursed Lorenzo until he died. His last words to her were, "I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. God has given me so much in your love." After his death, Frances moved into the house with the other Oblates and was made superior. At 52 she had the life she dreamed of when she was eleven. She had been right in discerning her original vocation -- she just had the timing wrong. God had had other plans for her in between.

Frances died four years later. Her last words were "The angel has finished his task -- he beckons me to follow him."
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=49

The Holy Spirit guides us and the Holy Spirit guides people to us.
#croakandcrow #spencercartier #drseuss
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen