April 12: Saint Alferius, Abbot

Cognovi Domine quia aequitas judicia tua, et in veritate tua humiliasti me. ps. 118.
Lord, I know that Your judgements and Your orders are equity itself. You have humbled me by truth and justice. Therefore I submit myself voluntarily to Your Holy Will. Altaria domini non alienum sed divini duntaxat amoris ignem accipiant. S. Pet. dam. l. I. ep.
The altars of the lord will never receive any foreign holocaust, but only the fire of divine love.

Example: There is one who is well resigned to the Will of God. He is welcome before the Throne of Jesus Christ because he burns with nothing but the fire of divine love and he humbly recognizes that every thing that happens to him is ordained from Above. There is nothing more just. Saint Alferius was persuaded of these excellent truths. He was a native of Salerno, his school served as the prince's court in that city, and he was sent as their ambassador to the king of Germany. He was thrown off course in his journey, for unbeknownst to him, a great joy was set aside for him. He headed for the King of Kings in the Abbey of Cluny, where the monks were setting an appealing trap for their superior. The wicked demon of profit that he brought to that monastery thrust itself upon him from the top of a mountain. This fall confounded all who served to bring it about, and Alferus was the only one who remained sane. He mocked his adversary. Having been a prophet to many, Jesus Christ prophesied his death to him, which awaited him at a banquet which youths had prepared for him. He continued his miracles after his death.

Practice: How do you judge this great man, Lover of God? Was his resignation to the Will of God and surrender to His Providence not the cause of his perfection? He believes that he is going to a prince of this world to negotiate with im, but God sends him to a monastery so that He may sanctify him and many others. He finds himself joyful in his obedience to God. As for you, you should praise God, asking that his Will be done if you aspire to serve only the King of Kings. Anything that happens to you will be to your consolation. God asks that you practice humility in particular, so do not be ashamed of your lowliness: If you are humiliated and abandoned, swear that it is done in good faith, and do not color your humiliation with honorable pretexts as if you are saving yourself through the strength of your spirit and your good judgement; if you are exalted, let it be known that it is totally without merit -- and make people believe it. So you will do the Will of God, and you will be joyful.