November 6 Saint nuno alvarez pereira Religious

Memorial

Nuno was born in 1360, and for many years pursued a military career, becoming the champion of Portuguese independence. After the death of his wife, he joined the Order as a brother in 1423 at the monastery of Lisbon, which he had founded himself, and took the name Nuno of Saint Mary. There he lived until his death in 1431. He was noted for his prayer, his practice of penance, and his filial devotion to the Mother of God. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on April 26, 2009 at a ceremony in St. Peter's Square.

From the Common of Men Saints (Religious), except the following:
Office of Readings
The Second Reading (I)
Nn. 43, 44
From the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council
Consecration to God through religious vows

The teaching and example of Christ provide the foundation for the evangelical counsels of chaste self-dedication to God, of poverty and of obedience. The Apostles and Fathers of the Church commend them as an ideal of life, and so do her doctors and pastors. They therefore constitute a gift of God which the Church has received from her Lord and which by his grace she always safeguards.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, Church authority has been at pains to give a right interpretation of the counsels, to regulate their practice and also to set up stable forms of living embodying them.

This form of life has its own place in relation to the divine and hierarchical structure of the Church. Not, however, as though it were a kind of middle way between the clerical and lay conditions of life. Rather it should be seen as a form of life to which some Christians, both clerical and lay, are called by God so that they may enjoy a special gift of grace in the life of the Church and may
contribute each in his own way, to the saving mission of the Church.

The Christian who pledges himself to this kind of life binds himself to the practice of the three evangelical counsels by vows or by other sacred bonds of a similar nature. He consecrates himself wholly to God, his supreme love. In a new and special way he makes himself over to God, to serve and honor him. True, as a baptized Christian he is already dead to sin and dedicated to God; but he desires to derive still more abundant fruit from the grace of his baptism. For this purpose he makes profession in the Church of the evangelical counsels. He does so for two reasons: first, to be set free from hindrances that could hold him back from loving God ardently and worshipping him perfectly; and secondly, in order to consecrate himself in a more thoroughgoing way to the service of God. The bonds by which he pledges himself to the practice of the counsels show forth the unbreakable bond of union that exists between Christ and his bride the Church.

All the members of the Church should unflaggingly fulfill the duties of their Christian calling. The profession of the evangelical counsels shines before them as a sign which can and should effectively inspire them to do so. For the People of God has no lasting city here but seeks the city which is to come, and the religious state of life, in bestowing greater freedom from the cares of earthly
existence on those who follow it, simultaneously reveals more clearly to all believers the heavenly goods which are already present in this age, witnessing to the new and eternal life which we have acquired through the redemptive work of Christ and preluding our future resurrection and the glory of the heavenly kingdom.

Furthermore the religious state constitutes a closer imitation and an abiding reenactment in the Church of the form of life which the Son of God made his own when he came into the world to do the will of the Father, and which he propounded to the disciples who followed him. Finally, this state manifests in a special way the transcendence of the kingdom of God and its requirements over
all earthly things, bringing home to all men the immeasurable greatness of the power of Christ in his sovereignty and the infinite might of the Holy Spirit which works so marvelously in the Church.

This state of life, then, which is constituted by the profession of the evangelical counsels, while not entering into the hierarchical structure of the Church, belongs undeniably to her life and holiness.

Responsory
R. God chooses the poor of this world and makes them rich in faith and the heirs to his kingdom * for God has promised it to those who love him (alleluia).

V. He gives good things to the poor and his justice endures for ever * for God has promised it to those who love him (alleluia).

The Second Reading (II)
T XV, c 6
A reading from The Exhortation on the Carmelite Rule by Blessed John Soreth
The Helmet of Hope and the Sword of Salvation

On your head set the helmet of salvation, and so be sure of deliverance by our only Savior, who sets his own free from their sins.' The helmet of salvation is hope, which looks forward to eternal salvation; and it is called the 'helmet' of salvation because, just as the helmet is the uppermost piece of a soldier's armor, worn on the head, so hope is the uppermost of the virtues, always facing upwards and sighing for the joys of heaven. 'Of salvation' means that hope obtains what it longs for: salvation; or rather, just as the shield of faith is faith itself, the helmet of salvation is salvation—Jesus Christ himself—for 'salvation is from the Lord,' and we are to hope for salvation from our only Savior, The remembrance of, or longing for, his lasting salvation is the headpiece of our minds, which makes us safe against any blows the evil one can deal us.

But it is better to be armed for attack than for mere defense. This is why the Rule adds: 'The sword of the spirit, the word of God, must abound in your mouths and hearts; let whatever you do have the Lord's word for accompaniment.' The pieces of armor we have been considering, the breastplate of holiness, the shield offaith and the helmet of salvation, will keep you safe enough from ever giving in to the devil or any of his minions; but there is another weapon which will enable you to subdue him completely with his whole horde and his works. This is the sword of the spirit, that spiritual blade the word of God. There are four reasons why the word of God is called the sword of the spirit: first, it is made by the Holy Spirit, 'for it is not you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.' Second, it slays our spiritual foes as Isaiah says: 'With the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.' Third, it divides spirit from flesh as we find in the Letter to the Hebrews: 'The word of God is living and active, piercing to the division of soul and spirit.' Fourth, it wounds and penetrates our innermost spiritual • parts, which is why it is compared to sharp arrows in the Psalms: 'A warrior's sharp arrows.' 

The temptations our enemy subjects us to may be cruel but far more cruel to him is a text from the word of God. And if armor and weapons are not defense enough for us and we feel the need of rations, we need not think we have been left without supplies; God's word is our provision. 'Though an army encamp against me' and temptation lays siege, I will trust in the word of my God, 'the
sword of the spirit,' and it will bring me easy victory. Then I can wash my hands, knowing that 'he has prepared a table before me that I may not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,' and 'in the strength of that food' I shall run with our father Elijah 'to the mountain of God' by way of his commandments. That is why the Rule adds: 'The word of God
must abound in your mouths' in preaching, 'and in your hearts' in meditation. Just as our Order's patroness the Blessed Virgin Mary 'kept all these words in her heart,' so must they abound in your hearts by meditation, and in your mouths by instruction. It is by your Rule then brothers, and from the Order's first institution that you are bidden to preach the word of God like our father Elijah 'whose word burned like a torch;' after his example 'let the word of God abound in your mouths and hearts, and let all you do,' whatever it may be, 'have the Lord's word for accompaniment.'

Responsory

R. Cast aside the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, * the Lord Jesus Christ (alleluia).
V. Your word is a lamp for our feet, and a light on our path, * the Lord Jesus Christ (alleluia).

Morning Prayer

Benedictus
The Lord is my inheritance; he is good to those who seek him (alleluia).

Prayer
Lord God,
you called Saint Nuno Alvares Pereira
to put aside his sword and follow Christ
under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Through his prayers may we too deny ourselves,and devote ourselves to you with all our hearts.
We ask this through our Lord.

Magnificat
Our faith is the victorious power that overcomes the world (alleluia)