القديس أنطونيوس أسقف فلورنسا/7 أيار

[walaa farouk]

القديس أنطونيوس أسقف فلورنسا/7 أيار



ولد هذا القديس في فلورنسا بايطاليا سنة 1389،
من والدين تقيين ربياه على خوف الله وحب الفضيلة.
ولما بلغ السابعة عشرة من عمره، دخل رهبانية القديس
عبد الأحد وسار فيها سيرة ملائكية.
وقد أقيم رئيساً على أديار عديدة في رهبانيته فأحسن ادارتها
، ثم انتخب نائباً عاماً ثم رئيساً اقليمياً.
وبوظائفه هذه كان يمارس أحقر الخدم مع المواعظ وسمَاع الاعترفات.
ولما توفي اسقف فلورنسا، اختاره البابا اوجانوس الرابع خلفاً للاسقف المتوفي. فاعتذر وابى قبول الاسقفية، فكتب اليه البابا يقول:"
اني آمرك بالطاعة المقدسة، فان لم تقبل، تأثم اثماً مميتاً وتتعرض للحرم".
حينئذ رفع عينيه ويديه الى السماء وقال:"
اللهم، انت تعلم أني لم أقبل الأسقفية إلا إطاعة لأمر نائبك على الأرض، فساعدني في ما أحتاج اليه".
ثم دخل فلورنسا، وهو يبلّ الأرض بدموعه.
واستمر في الأسقفية محافظاً على قوانين رهبانيته
، كأنه راهب لا أسقف، وعين مالاً قليلاً من دخله لحاجته الضرورية ولاصلاح داره، أما الباقي فاختصه بالفقراء والمحتاجين. وقد مَنَّ عليه الله بصنع المعجزات من شفاء مرضى واقامة موتى.
وقد الف كتباً كثيرة تدل على قداسته وسعة مداركه،
ثم رقد بالرب ممتلئاً قداسة وفضلاً سنة 1459.
وله من العمر 70 سنة. وفي سنة 1523 أحصاه البابا أدريانوس السادس في مصاف الطوباويين واذاع خلفه البابا اكليمنضوس السابع براءة تقديسه
. صلاته معنا. آمين!

Saint Antoninus
Archbishop of Florence
Saint Antoninus, or Little Antony, as he was called from his small stature, was born at Florence in 1389. After a childhood of singular holiness, he begged to be admitted very young into the Dominican house at Fiesole; but the Superior, to test his sincerity and perseverance, told him he must first learn by heart the book of the Decretals, or Canon Law, containing several hundred pages. This apparently impossible task was accomplished within twelve months; and Antoninus received the coveted habit in his sixteenth year.

While still young, he filled several important posts of his Order and was consulted on questions of difficulty by the most learned men of his day, being known because of his wonderful prudence, as the Counselor. He wrote several works on theology and history and served as Papal Theologian at the Council of Florence. In 1446 he was compelled to accept the archbishopric of that city. In this dignity he earned for himself the title of the Father of the Poor, for all he had was at their disposal. Saint Antoninus never refused an alms which was asked in the name of God. When he had no money, he gave his clothes, shoes, or furniture.

One day, being sent by the Florentines to the Pope, as he approached Rome a beggar came up to him almost naked, and asked him for an alms for Christ's sake. Outdoing Saint Martin, Antoninus gave him his whole cloak. When he entered the city, another one was given him; by whom, he knew not. His household consisted of only six persons; his palace contained no plate or costly furniture, and was often nearly destitute of the necessities of life. His one mule was frequently sold for the relief of the poor, but was ordinarily bought back for him again by some wealthy citizen.

Saint Antoninus died on May 2, 1459, kissing the crucifix, and repeating the words, To serve God is to reign.

Reflection. Alms-deeds include every kind of service rendered to our neighbor in need. He who supports a lame man bestows an alms on him with his feet; he who guides a blind man does him a charity with his eyes; he who carries an invalid or an old man upon his shoulders imparts to him an alms from his strength. Hence none are so poor but they may bestow an alms on the wealthiest man in the world. (St. Augustine)