April 6th - ST. CRESCENTIA HOESS By: Pearl Joby

Saint Crescentia Hoess is today’s commemorated saint. Saint Crescentia was born in 1682, in Kaufbeuren, Germany, a little town in the diocese of Augsburg. She was the daughter of a poor weaver. Saint Crescentia spent her time praying in the church and assisted people who were poorer than her. She mastered the truths of her religion and was permitted to take her first Holy Communion at the age of 7. She entered the convent of the Tertiaries of Saint Francis. She was considered a burden and assigned nothing other than menial tasks. Even her cheerful spirit was misinterpreted as flattery or hypocrisy. Her conditions improved four years later when a new superior was elected who realized her virtue. Crescentia was appointed mistress of novices. So she won the love and respect of the sisters that, upon the death of the superior, Crescentia was unanimously elected to that position. Under her, the financial state of the convent improved and her reputation in spiritual matters spread. She was soon being consulted by princes and princesses; bishops and cardinals too sought her advice. And yet, a true daughter of Francis, she remained ever humble. Bodily afflictions and pain were always with her. First, it was headaches and toothaches. Then she lost the ability to walk, her hands and feet gradually becoming so crippled that her body curled up into a fetal position. Despite her sufferings, she was filled with peace and joy as she died in 1744.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Grant, O God, that love and suffering may grow hand in hand in me, so that I may love you more and more with the cheerful disposition which is the fruit of love. O Lord, only grant me love for you, and I shall be rich enough. I desire only that you leave me to my nothingness and that you alone, if I may say so, be all in all and loved and honored by everybody. I wish to take pleasure in nothing but only in you and your love. Amen