Born on Pentecost Sunday in Spain in 1540, Pascal Baylon’s parents were perfect models of faith, virtue, and hard work. By the time he was seven he was praying while herding sheep, and spending his spare hours in Eucharistic adoration. When he was 24 he entered the Franciscan order as a lay brother and served as a gardener, cook, and doorkeeper. Once while traveling through France with another brother Franciscan, he narrowly escaped being stoned to death for defending the dogma of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist against a blasphemous Calvinist preacher. Pascal was known for his devotion to the poor and his self-sacrifice, and despite being poorly educated, people sought him out for his wise spiritual direction.
CHALLENGE
Before he became a Franciscan, St. Pascal Baylon served God in another way: The shepherds of his day were unruly and wild, but St. Pascal Baylon served as positive influence and role model to his friends. When we are around other people who are wild and unruly, we have the opportunity to be the good example and role model for others to follow. Today, think about your groups of friends, and how you can be the shepherd in their midst.
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