SAINT WULSTAN-


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SAINT WULSTAN-
Faithful Religious and Exemplary Bishop/1008-1095/Feast:Jan.19-#34

fr:Dear Saint,you are a shining trample of the preponderance of the 
Bishop in the 
Dark Ages.The Bishop was the all-around leader of the comunity,
the sole lawgiver of the diocese,and the administrator of all property.
*He was in charge of all social work taken on by the Church--hospitals,
schools,and prisons.
He was the principal judge and a kind of fiscal advisor to the great.
Finally,he was the only one who could stand up to the king.

St:I know you use the term "Dark Ages" simply as an historical one,
without any derogatory implications.
But there are some in your day who like to downgrade my age by 
speaking sarcastically about the Dark Ages.
*They fail to realize that there has been darkness in every age,including 
their own,when millions are taught that Christ is not the Light of the 
World and that in fact there is no God.
*But,especially since Christ's coming,there have been great Saints in 
every age who refleeted Christ's holiness and were truly led by the 
Holy Spirit Who is called the "Light of hearts."

fr:You were born in England and led the life of a Benedictine monk in a 
monastery at Worcesterfor forty-five years.
The record shows that you were an exemplary Religious,remarkable for 
your humility,obedience,ascetical severity toward yourself,and kindness 
toward others.
*As a result,you were chosen to be Bishop of the Worcester diocese,
which you governed wisely and well until death.
Religious life seems to be a good novitiate for being a good administrator 
and a spiritual leader who practices what he preaches.

St:Grace acted powerfully in me and I always tried to follow the 
promptings of the Spirit.
Accordingly,I was able to be God's instrument in putting an end to the 
horrible slave trade then existing between England and Ireland.
*I always did my best to establish peace in a time of political troubles and 
I was led to initiate the custom of pastoral visitations in England.

pr:To you Who have given,and Who are untouched by error or ignorance,
I render up my staff.
To You I resign the care of those whom You have entrusted to my care.
To You I commit them with confidence,for I know Your merits very well.

fr:Dear Saint,in our day we have a superabundance of organizations and 
plannings of every type.
But we seem to lack meditative prayer,,regularity in spiritual exercises,
and retreats that are not mere "socials." 
There is also a lack of obedience to the Magisterium of the Church.
*Intercede for us that we may witness a truly spiritual renewal in the 
Church,one that can be said to be animated by the Holy Spirit Who so 
evidently inspired the early Christians.

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