St. Vincent de Paul, Apostle of Charity.  

Accused of theft by his roommate, Vincent did not defend himself, showing himself to be more like the Lord and less interested in self-advancement and public image — the real thief confessed years later.  In 1612, he was named pastor of Saint-Medard in Clichy, a poor rural parish just northwest of Paris. As pastor, he experienced the priesthood in a way unknown to him to that point, and told the bishop he was happier than the bishop himself, and even the pope.

However, in less than a year Bérulle recalled him to Paris to become chaplain to the Gondi family and tutor to their children. In January of 1617, Vincent was on the Gondi estates in Picardy, and heard the confession of a dying man, who told Madame de Gondi that he would have been damned without Vincent's ministry. She urged Vincent to preach a sermon on general confessions, which produced such a response that other priests were called to help hear all the confessions.

Now, very conscious that the poor were not being evangelized or helped, Vincent felt called to a more pastoral ministry. With Bérulle's help, he became the parish priest in Châtillon-les-Dombes in the southeast of France, helping his fellow priests to a more faithful way of life, as well as ministering to and teaching the people. In August 1617, as he was preparing for Sunday Mass, a parishioner brought news of the illness and destitution of an entire family in the parish. He preached on their need, and that afternoon the people responded in overwhelming numbers by carrying them food and supplies. Vincent then called a meeting of interested women, and urged them to put order into their generosity by taking turns. With rules drawn up by Vincent, they established a group which became the first Confraternity of Charity.

By December, 1617, Madame de Gondi prevailed in her request that Vincent return to their family by giving him freedom to preach missions in various towns and villages. In 1619, at the urging of Monsieur de Gondi, King Louis XIII, appointed Vincent chaplain general of the galleys with responsibility for the spiritual well-being of all the galley convicts of France.

During this period Vincent experienced a  twofold conversion. First, he was being converted to the poor, who were becoming the center of his life. Second, he was also being converted to his priesthood, seeing it not as a career, but as a personal relationship with Jesus. However, his "conversion" does not seem to rest on one dramatic moment, but rather on a gradual opening to the power of God's grace working in him, and allowing him to see his world more clearly in the light of Christ.

Toward the end of 1618, the bishop of Geneva, Francis de Sales, arrived in Paris, and inspired Vincent with the power of humility and gentleness. Vincent reflected: "How good you must be, my God, if Francis de Sales, your creature, is so gentle and lovable." Vincent's disposition was naturally moody and melancholy, but he now decided that he could not simply say he was made that way and could not change. He went to Soissons to make a retreat, asking God to help him change. His prayer was answered, not immediately, but gradually as he came to understand the direction his priesthood should go and the beauty of serving others. Vincent continued giving local missions to the people. Madame de Gondi, seeing the effect of these missions, set aside money for a community to preach such missions on a wider scale, and asked Vincent to find a community able and willing to do so. Vincent asked the Jesuits and several other communities, but none were able to accept this additional apostolate. Vincent went to his old mentor, Father Duval, to share his concern and ask for advice. Duval told him that God was clearly calling Vincent himself to do the work of the missions. Vincent accepted the call, and in April, 1625, founded the Congregation of the Mission to evangelize the poor people of the countryside.

The Archbishop of Paris approved the Congregation, giving them the Collège des Bons Enfants for a motherhouse. Members were secular priests who made simple vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability. In 1628, the Congregation gave its first retreat to candidates for the priesthood in preparation for their ordination. This gradually led to additional efforts to help priests in their vocation. In 1633, the motherhouse moved to the former priory of Saint-Lazare, north of the city. Beginning in 1635, additional houses were established, in France, in other European countries, and in Africa. Vincent also served as spiritual director for a growing number of people, one of whom was a widow, Louise de Marillac, in whom Vincent saw leadership potential. The Ladies of Charity, a coalition of noblewomen Vincent had organized to serve poor people, had grown and spread, as had the Confraternities of Charity. Vincent found it impossible to oversee all these groups, so he turned to Louise. Despite frail health, Louise traveled from town to town, visiting, guiding and encouraging the fledging organizations.

Vincent assumed direction of the Hôtel-Dieu, a large hospital in Paris. Both Vincent and Louise realized that greater commitment would be needed to give the necessary care with consistency and love. Young women from rural areas began to appear, ready to assist. In 1633, Louise welcomed several of them into her own home for training, and they became the nucleus of a new type of religious community, the Daughters of Charity. They lived in houses, not convents; their cloister was the city streets; their enclosure was their commitment to God and service. They gave their lives to visiting the sick in the homes, ministering in hospitals, caring for prisoners, orphans, the mentally ill, and the homeless of Paris. They also taught catechism to rural children.

In 1639, Lorraine was devastated by war. Vincent collected money and other forms of aid, sending members of his Congregation to distribute the aid and organize relief, and sending Daughters of Charity to minister to victims and refugees. This ministry continued during the 30 years war, and a brutal civil war called the Fronde.

In June of 1643, Vincent began serving on the Queen's Council of Ecclesiastical Affairs. There he exercised significant influence on the selection of good and worthy bishops, oversaw the renewal of monastic life, dealt with Jansenism, and was able to keep the plight of the people and the poor before the government of France.

Vincent continued his work until his death on September 27, 1660. A witness tells us, "At the moment of his death, he surrendered his beautiful soul into the hands of the Lord, and seated there, he was handsome, more majestic and venerable to look at than ever."

    BY:  Offre Jerry

Reflection on Valentine Day "The Story of St. Valentine"

St. Valentine knew that he might get caught in his Christian activities. He knew that if he continued to marry those who were in love, he would soon get caught. He knew that by helping other Christians escape from the tortures and beatings brought on by the Romans, that he would bring greater punishment upon himself when he was caught. He knew that if he told the court the truth about the Roman gods that he would be thrown into prison. And he also knew that if he continued to remain true to his faith in Christ that his life was in danger.

But he continued anyway, because he loved Christ with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and he loved his neighbor as himself. He was willing to risk his life to free the prisoners and spread the Gospel of Christ to those who needed to hear it. Because of his concern also for those who needed to be married in the Christian faith, St. Valentine is known today as the Patron Saint of sweethearts and lovers.

The Bible Says: "No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one's life for one's friends."(John 15:13) God showed us this love by coming in Christ to die for our sins. And St. Valentine demonstrated this love when he died for his friends, and for his faith in Christ. This is the kind of love that Valentine's Day is really all about. And this is what his Feast Day of Feb. 14 should bring to our minds. May God help us to have that same kind of love for others, and that same kind of commitment and faithfulness to Christ, even in the face of death, until the Lord calls us home.

By: OFFRE JEREMAIH A.

                                                              Amazing Grace:
                                        The Story of John Newton

                      (As Compile By: Offre Jeremiah Abua "A Student University of Lagos Nigeria")

(I Offre Jeremiah decide to Research about the Author of this great hymn "AMAZING GRACE" because through this hymn things above human understanding happens in my Academic and Spiritual life, of which i will post subsequently on this blog; Right from my Secondary Education days in Philipson Comprehensive College Ikom to Federal Science College Ogoja all in Cross River State in the South-Southern part of Nigeria to my University Education. Please incase of correction and criticism don't hesitate to leave your comment on this blog or sending it to offrejeremiah@gmail.com or my Facebook Wall "Jerry Offre" or better still Call: +2348039608857 God will bless you remember no one is perfact aspsecially when it comes to history.)

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...” So begins one of my most beloved hymn,  a staple in the hymnals of many denominations, New Britain or “45 on the top” in Sacred Harp. The author of the words was John Newton, the self-proclaimed wretch who once was lost but then was found, saved by amazing grace.
Newton was born in London July 24, 1725, the son of a commander of a merchant ship which sailed the Mediterranean. When John was eleven, he went to sea with his father and made six voyages with him before the elder Newton retired. In 1744 John was impressed into service on a man-of-war, the H. M. S. Harwich. Finding conditions on board intolerable, he deserted but was soon recaptured and publicly flogged and demoted from midshipman to common seaman.
Finally at his own request he was exchanged into service on a slave ship, which took him to the coast of Sierra Leone. He then became the servant of a slave trader and was brutally abused. Early in 1748 he was rescued by a sea captain who had known John's father. John Newton ultimately became captain of his own ship, one which plied the slave trade.
Although he had had some early religious instruction from his mother, who had died when he was a child, he had long since given up any religious convictions. However, on a homeward voyage, while he was attempting to steer the ship through a violent storm, he experienced what he was to refer to later as his “great deliverance.” He recorded in his journal that when all seemed lost and the ship would surely sink, he exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work for him.
For the rest of his life he observed the anniversary of May 10, 1748 as the day of his conversion, a day of humiliation in which he subjected his will to a higher power. “Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace has bro’t me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” He continued in the slave trade for a time after his conversion; however, he saw to it that the slaves under his care were treated humanely.
In 1750 he married Mary Catlett, with whom he had been in love for many years. By 1755, after a serious illness, he had given up seafaring forever. During his days as a sailor he had begun to educate himself, teaching himself Latin, among other subjects. From 1755 to 1760 Newton was surveyor of tides at Liverpool, where he came to know George Whitefield, deacon in the Church of England, evangelistic preacher, and leader of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. Newton became Whitefield’s enthusiastic disciple. During this period Newton also met and came to admire John Wesley, founder of Methodism. Newton’s self-education continued, and he learned Greek and Hebrew.
He decided to become a minister and applied to the Archbishop of York for ordination. The Archbishop refused his request, but Newton persisted in his goal, and he was subsequently ordained by the Bishop of Lincoln and accepted the curacy of Olney, Buckinghamshire. Newton’s church became so crowded during services that it had to be enlarged. He preached not only in Olney but in other parts of the country. In 1767 the poet William Cowper settled at Olney, and he and Newton became friends.
Cowper helped Newton with his religious services and on his tours to other places. They held not only a regular weekly church service but also began a series of weekly prayer meetings, for which their goal was to write a new hymn for each one. They collaborated on several editions of Olney Hymns, which achieved lasting popularity. The first edition, published in 1779, contained 68 pieces by Cowper and 280 by Newton.
Among Newton’s contributions which are still loved and sung today are “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” and ”Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” as well as “Amazing Grace.” Composed probably between 1760 and 1770 in Olney, ”Amazing Grace” was possibly one of the hymns written for a weekly service. Through the years other writers have composed additional verses to the hymn which came to be known as “Amazing Grace” (it was not thus entitled in Olney Hymns), and possibly verses from other Newton hymns have been added. However, these are the six stanzas that appeared, with minor spelling variations, in both the first edition in 1779 and the 1808 edition, the one nearest the date of Newton’s death. It appeared under the heading Faith’s Review and Expectation, along with a reference to First Chronicles, chapter 17, verses 16 and 17 [see the below for this Scripture – Graham Pockett].

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

The origin of the melody is unknown. Most hymnals attribute it to an early American folk melody. The Bill Moyers special on “Amazing Grace” speculated that it may have originated as the tune of a song the slaves sang. Newton was not only a prolific hymn writer but also kept extensive journals and wrote many letters. Historians accredit his journals and letters for much of what is known today about the eighteenth century slave trade. In Cardiphonia, or the Utterance of the Heart, a series of devotional letters, he aligned himself with the Evangelical revival, reflecting the sentiments of his friend John Wesley and Methodism.
In 1780 Newton left Olney to become rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, St. Mary Woolchurch, in London. There he drew large congregations and influenced many, among them William Wilberforce, who would one day become a leader in the campaign for the abolition of slavery. Newton continued to preach until the last year of life, although he was blind by that time. He died in London December 21, 1807. Infidel and libertine turned minister in the Church of England, he was secure in his faith that amazing grace would lead him home.

Author’s Note:

I got most of my materials from God's Vineyard Christian Library, Calabar Cross River State Nigeria, University of Lagos Main Library, Google Search Engine and Ikom Main Library Cross River State. I pray God to give me the grace to serve him through write up.

Thank You For Reading: OFFRE JERRY. 

THE SIN OF FORNICATION

THE SIN OF FORNICATION (By: Offre Jeremiah...........Student: University of Lagos, Nigeria)

It has been said that our world is in the middle of a sexual revolution. Many today question the old concepts of morality. Others have decided that we need to update our code of ethics. As a result, sexual promiscuity is becoming more prevalent. Numbers have accepted the hedonistic "Playboy Philosophy" without questioning it. The old "Puritanical" concepts of sex are scoffed at, and it is considered sophisticated in many circles for young unmarried people to engage in sexual activity. Even some religious people, in an attempt to be relevant, have spoken out in favor of relaxing sexual codes. This is exemplified by the 2008 pronouncement by Bro. Offre Jeremiah on youths life in  Catholic Biblical Movement of Nigeria (CBMN) St. Peter's The Apostle Catholic Parish Four Corners Ikom, Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State were he condemned  sex for single persons, homosexuals and "other styles of interpersonal relationships."

In light of this relaxing of sexual standards, it is well for the Christian to ask if fornication is wrong. By fornication we are referring in a general way to all sexual intercourse between people who are not married to each other. Should Christians today relax the standards of past generations? We should not be prudish, for the Bible is not, but we must abide by God's teaching.

God's word does not condemn sex in general. When it is used in the way God intended, it is blessed and promotes the welfare and happiness of mankind. (I Corinthians 7.2-5; Proverbs 5.18-19.)The proper use however is within the marriage relationship. (Hebrews 13-4.) Sexual intercourse outside of marriage is wrong and has been condemned by God in every generation. There are several reasons why fornication is wrong in all circumstances.

        1. It is a sin against God. When men break any commandment of God they are defying His authority and committing sin. The Bible makes it plain that God opposes fornication. (Galatians 5.19; I Corinthians 6.9.) When urged by his master's wife to commit fornication with her, Joseph said, "How then could I ....sin against God." (Genesis 39.9.)

        2. It is a sin against one's fellow man. By such an act you not only sin, but you also cause another to sin with you. Furthermore, you sin against any others who may be affected by the act. Joseph regarded it as a sin against his master to commit fornication with his master's wife.

        3. It is a sin against self. By fornication one dishonors his body. (I Corinthians 6.15-I8.) It can bring a loss of one's honor, reputation, and self-respect. (Proverbs 6.32-33) It may also bring disease to the body, thus dishonoring the temple of God.

        4. It is a sin against the soul. "He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding: he doeth it who would destroy his soul." (Proverbs 6.32.) Fornication destroys spiritual sensitivity. (Hosea 4:11.) Those who do not repent of fornication will suffer the punishment of eternal hell. (Revelations 21:8.)

        5. It is a sin against one's family. It is so serious it is the only reason God allows an innocent person to divorce and remarry another. (Matthew 5.32; 19.9.)

        6. It is a sin against society. Such sins destroy nations. (cf. Genesis 19.) It spreads epidemics of venereal diseases and breaks down moral fiber.

        Surely every Christian can see that we must strive for Biblical purity. Sex as God intended is very good. Fornication is wrong, and we must abstain from it. We must respect God's laws of morality or we will suffer the consequences. "Having therefore these promises beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from the defilement of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear God." (2 Corinthians 7:4.)