May 8

Blessed Aloysius Rabata

Priest

Optional Memorial

Born in Erice near Trapani in Sicily about the middle of the fifteenth century, Aloysius joined the Carmelites and bcame prior of the reformed convent in Randazzo. There he died in 1490 from a head wound, forgiving hi attacker & refusing to reveal his identity. 

From the Common of Men Saints (Religious) except the following: 

Office of Readings

The Second Reading

From the Cononical Process

Pray for those that persecute you

I knew Brother Aloysius well & often conversed intimately with him when he was a member of the Carmelite community of Saint Michael in the town of Randazzo, where he was prior. He was a model of virtues. He lived frugally on bread & water, & led the life of a real saint & exemplary religious. He shunned superfluous contacts & gave himself to honest work. Because of his virtuous life he came to be hated, & was persecuted by his fellow-religious. These vexations & trials he bore with singular patience & he devoted himself unceasingly to his spiritual growth & to the good of the community. The austerity of his life showed in his emaciated appearance, his sunken eyes & his pallid features, through which, nonetheless, his goodness shone out. To visitors he appeared as a model of all that was good. One in particular who often came to see him has testified that he was so profoundly moved by his example & holy conversation as to dissolve in tears. 

Though he was prior, Brother Aloysius shared in every task, even the humblest, being willing to go from door to door in Randazzo begging bread, grain or other such gifts to support the community & to help others in need. While he was on his begging rounds, other poor people would in turn ask alms from him, knowing they would never be refused. 

Once, on Easter Sunday the community had meat for dinner, but he declined it, preferring hi usual bread & water – I was told this by Brother Peter Cupani, a companion of Aloysius. He also recounted that once when Aloysius was collecting twigs & branches for firewood in the nearby fields & roadways, he was wounded in the forehead & suffered for a long time in consequence. Many people tried to find out from him who had dealt the blow, but he would never reveal it & always repeated with great patience, ‘I pray that God will pardon him, & will be glorified by what has happened.’

The street that led to the monastery of Saint Michael was dangerous & had a bad reputation. To put an end to those scandals & shameful deeds, Brother Aloysius managed to secure a nearby piece of land, thereby opening up a good wide street. Though others aided in the project, he with his own hands worked as hard as any. Whenever he needed anything for his monastery, all were willing to aid him, for they recalled his kindness & hospitality towards everyone. 

After his death his body was enclosed in a casket & placed behind a grille under the altar of the church. Here many came with great piety & devotion to pray to him, especially those who were suffering from quartan fever, many of whom were cured. Quite a number of such cures were reported at the time, & the reports continue till the present day. 

Responsory

Whenever you come to prayer

---If you have anything against anyone you must forgive him, & your Father in heaven will forgive your failings too (alleluia).

If you do not forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your failings either.

---If you have anyting against anyone you must forgive him, & your Father in heaven will forgive your failings too (alleluia). 

Morning Prayer

 Benedictus

Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do it for the glory of God. Do not seek only what is useful for yourself, but seek what works for the salvation of many (alleluia). 

Prayer

Father, 

You distinguished Blessed Aloysius Rabata with extraordinary charity & patience in bearing injuries. 

May we honor his memory by showing love, as he did, even for our enemies, and thus merit an eternal reward. 

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives & reigns with you & the Holy Spirit, one God for ever & ever.