Saint Who?
Saints Who Taught about Prayer
Saint Charles of Mount Argus
Priest († 1893) Feast: January 5
Charles was born into a large and impoverished Catholic family in the Netherlands. At the age of nineteen, he was forced into military service, but he proved a terrible soldier. As soon as he had completed his service, he entered the Passionist order and was ordained a priest. People noticed that Charles was remarkably humble, pious, and devoted to the Passion of our Lord. He was initially assigned to serve in England but was transferred several years later to Dublin.
Charles never mastered the English language, so unlike most Passionists, he could not preach or give parish missions. However, he still managed to become an exceptional spiritual director, and people flocked to his confessional. But they constantly sought him out for another reason as well: through his prayers, many people claimed to be healed of their illnesses.
During his four decades as a priest, Charles’ fame as a miracle worker spread all over Ireland and to other countries, and even non-Catholics asked for his prayers. But his gifts as a healer and a confessor were rooted in his profound love of God. It was because of his deep prayer life and his constant awareness of God’s presence that he was able to share that Good News with others. And people found themselves healed, in their bodies and in their souls.
Lord Jesus Christ, as we meditate on your Passion,
may we draw close to you in our own sufferings.
