Saint Bede More Saints
From a homily on the Visitation by
Saint Bede the Venerable, priest (673-735)
Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord working in her
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my sprit rejoices in God my savior. With these words Mary first acknowledges the special gifts she has been given. Then she recalls God’s universal favors bestowed unceasingly on the human race.
When a man devotes all his thoughts to the praise and service of the Lord, he proclaims God’s greatness. His observance of God’s commands, moreover, shows that he has God’s power and greatness always at heart. His spirit rejoices in God his savior and delights in the mere recollection of his creator who gives him hope for eternal salvation.
These words are often for all God’s creations, but especially for the Mother of God. She alone was chosen, and she burned with spiritual love for the son she so joyously conceived. Above all other saints, she alone could truly rejoice in Jesus, her savior, for she knew that he who was the source of eternal salvation would be born in time in her body, in one person both her own son and her Lord.
For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Mary attributes nothing to her own merits. She refers all her greatness to the gift of the one whose essence is power and whose nature is greatness, for he fills with greatness and strength the small and the weak who believe him.
She did well to add: and holy is his name, to warn those who heard, and indeed all who would receive his words, that they must believe and call upon his name. For they too could share in everlasting holiness and true salvation according to the words of the prophet: and it will come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is the name she spoke of earlier: and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
Therefore it is an excellent and fruitful custom of holy Church that we should sing Mary’s hymn at the time of evening prayer. By meditating upon the incarnation, our devotion is kindled, and by remembering the example of God’s Mother, we are encouraged to lead a life of virtue. Such virtues are best achieved in the evening. We are weary after the day’s work and worn out by our distractions., The time for rest is near, and our minds are ready for contemplation.Source: The Liturgy of the Hours - Office of Readings
Saint Bede the Venerable, priest
(673-735)Saint Bede (673-735) was born near St. Peter and St. Paul monastery in Wearmouth-Jarrow, England in 673. He was sent there when three and was educated by abbots Saint Benedict Boscop and Ceolfrid. He became a monk at the monastery and was ordained to the priesthood at age 30. He lived half of his life in the monastery, devoting himself to the study of Scripture, teaching and writing. Saint Bede is considered one of the most learned men of his time and a major influence on English literature. His writings are a veritable summary of the learning of his time and include commentaries on the Pentateuch and various other books of the Bible, theological and scientific treaties, historical works, and biographies.
His best-known work is Historia ecclesiastica, a history of the English Church and people completed in 731 is a primary source of early English history up to the year 729. For this work he known as the" father" of English history. He was given the title "the Venerable" to acknowledge his wisdom and learning, a title formalized at the Council of Aachen in 853. He was the first to date events anno Domini (A.D.), and in 1899 was declared "Doctor of the Church", the only English one to date. He died at the monastery in Wearmouth-Jarrow in 735.
Bede translating the Gospel of John
Narrated by Frank Dugan