ST. GUY, OF ANDERLECHT.
FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 12.
As a child Guy had two loves, the Church and the poor. The love
of prayer growing more and more, he left his poor home at Brussels to seek
greater poverty and closer union with God. He arrived at Laeken, near Brussels,
and there showed such devotion before our Lady's shrine that the priest besought
him to stay and serve the Church. Thenceforth, his great joy was to be always in
the church, sweeping the floor and ceiling, polishing the altars, and cleansing
the sacred vessels. By day he still found time and means to befriend the poor,
so that his alms-giving became famous in all those parts. A merchant of
Brussels, hearing of the generosity of this poor sacristan, came to Laeken, and
offered him a share in his business. Guy could not bear to leave the church; but
the offer seemed providential, and he at last closed with it. Their ship,
however, was lost on the first voyage, and on returning to Laeken, Guy found his
place filled. The rest of his life was one long penance for his inconstancy.
About the year 1033, finding his end at hand, he returned to Anderlecht, in his
own country. As he died, a light shone round him, and a voice was heard
proclaiming his eternal reward.
REFLECTION.—Jesus was only nine months in the
womb of Mary, three hours on the Cross, three days in the sepulchre, but
He is always in the tabernacle. Does our reverence before Him bear witness
to this most blessed truth?