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Leader: Let us remember

All: That we are in the Holy Presence of God.

Readings from "Brothers Called to Sainthood"

Reader 1: Born on November 7, 1845 to a prominent family in Cuenca, Ecuador, Br. Miguel Febres Cordero entered the Christian Brothers at the age of 14, and after completing his initial formation, began a teaching career that lasted for 32 years in the Brothers' school in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador.

Reader 2: Teacher and scholar, Br. Miguel published the first of many textbooks at the age of 17. His firm grasp of teaching principles influenced the Ecuadorian government to adopt many of these texts for schools throughout the republic. The quality of his books on grammar led to Br. Miguel's election, in 1892, to the Ecuadorian National Academy of Letters, and shortly thereafter to the National Academies of Venezuela, Spain, and France. His other literary works include odes, hymns, and occasional plays.

Reader 3: Each year for over three decades, Br. Miguel, so much at home with the literary giants of his day, found nothing more important than personally preparing the youth of Quito for their first communion. For them he wrote manuals of piety, gave them religious instruction, and conducted retreats. When he went to Belgium in 1907 to revise his textbooks for use in other Spanish-speaking countries, he briefly visited New York City.

Reader 4: In 1908, he moved to the warmer climate of Spain for his health. The political situation there, and his failing health, disrupted his writing and editing. He died on February 9, 1910, at the Brothers' school near Barcelona. When his body was returned to Ecuador, it was interred with considerable public ceremony. In 1954, the Ecuadorian government issued postage stamps and erected a monument to honor Br. Miguel's services to God and country. Br. Miguel was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1977 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 21, 1984.

(Short Pause)

Response: John 21; Isaiah 46

Left: I tell you solemnly; as a young person

you fastened your belt and went about as you pleased.

Right: But when you are older, you will stretch out your hands,

and another will tie you fast and carry you off against your will.

Left: And yet, in your old age I shall be still the same,

when your hair is gray, I shall still support you.

Right: I have already done so,

I have carried you; I shall still support and deliver you.

Reader 2: "I must," he once wrote in his private notebook, "look for every possible way of making the lessons and work agreeable and pleasant to my pupils." So he laughed when they laughed, and was not afraid to sacrifice a little discipline in the cause of good humor. He was understanding and patient as well, and never lost his temper, especially with the slower children.

Reader 3: A former pupil says of Brother Miguel, "It was his great charm of manner that drew us to him and we were all happy and delighted to be with him at any time. A great thing about him was that he never made any distinction between rich and poor, but treated everyone just the same. It always struck me that he liked to be with us, and we certainly loved to be with him. I never saw him harsh or even offhand with anybody. All of the children in the school loved him."

Reader 4: Brother Miguel was a lovable person. He was always available to those who called on him for any reason, and would immediately lay aside whatever work he was engaged in to listen to their story. Brother Miguel wrote, "The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God." Herein lies the secret of the holiness of Brother Miguel. Everything he did was done for God and to promote the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

All: You, O Lord, are my strength, my patience, my light, and my counsel.

It is you who guides me in working with those confided to my care.

Do not leave me on my own for a single moment.

For my own conduct and for that of others,

give me the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and fortitude,

the spirit of knowledge and piety,

the spirit of respect for you, and an ardent zeal to procure your glory. Let my efforts be united with those of Jesus Christ

and formed by the example of St. John Baptist de La Salle and St. Miguel. Amen.

Leader: Saint John Baptist de La Salle

All: Pray for us.

Leader: Saint Miguel

All: Pray for us.

Leader: Live Jesus in our hearts.

All: Forever.