Charles Houben of Mount Argus, Dublin, Ireland. Who was this Passionist saint that responded with such compassion? What healings do we seek for each other in 2021?
John Andrew Houben was born on December 11, 1821 in the village of Munstergeleen, Holland. As the fourth of eleven children, his parents Peter Joseph and Elizabeth Jane, made sure he was instructed in the Catholic faith. Andrew made his first Communion at age 13. Basic studies at Sittard did not come easy for him. According to tradition while he was a slow learner he was also very dedicated as a student. In in 1840 he enlisted in the military. However that was not the best fit for him. In 1845 he opted out of soldiering. Employed for a short time at the mill of his unlce. That proved to a pivotal year. Building upon long-standing spiritual inclinations, Andrew decided to join enter the Passionist monastery at Ere, Belgium on November 5. 1845. Upon taking his religous vows, as was the custom, he bcame known as Charles of Saint Andrew. He was ordained a Passionist priest on December 21, 1850.
The Passionists had arrived in England in 1842. Father Charles was assigned there in 1852 to strengthen their presence. Though he did not have the best command of the English language, he reached out to the pastroral needs of Irish immigrants displaced by Potato Famine. Subsequently, on July 6, 1857 he was reassigned again. This time to the Passionist retreat of Mount Argus in Dublin, Ireland. Although Houben was not the most gifted preacher he did become known as a compassionate confessor. Additionally, because of the publicity associated around his healing were taking place and promoted by others, he was relocated back to England in 1866. Upon his return to Dublin in 1874, his presence became associated with Mount Argus. There were times when the sick had carriages sent to him so that he could be given safe passage to come and pray with them at their homes. Others peitioned him by mail whereby they described their suffereings and asked that he pray to God on their behalf. When Charles Houben died in 1893 his name was synonymous with Mount Argus. In 1949, Charles Houben’s remains were moved to a new tomb inside Mount Argus Church and his Shrine became the place of prayer. In 1988 Saint John Paul II beatified Father Charles Houben On June 3, 2007 Benedict XVI cannonized Saint Charles Houben at Vatican City.
As we begin this year of 2021 all of us unite in mourning those who have died and continued to suffer from and care for those who have faced the sufferings the Covid-19 Virus. Knowing how Saint Charles Hoben was a healing prayerful presence to the local people of Dublin might we from all over the world seek that he intercede on our behalf.
So let us have faith.
Let us in the silence of our hearts and mind name a personal intention.
Let us with a humily, offer the following prayer:
Heavenly Father, you filled Saint Charles with your Holy Spirit. In love with Christ Crucified he spent his life in prayer at the foot of the Cross. From the Cross he went forth to bring Good News to the poor, healing to the sick and dying, forgiveness to the sinner. Look now on your people who cry to you. Through the intercession of Saint Charles give us the graces we need.
Heal our aches and pains, our hurts and wounds, our anxieties and bad memories. Free us from depressions, habits of sin, and all evil. Strengthen our faith, deepen our hope, and increase our love.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.
Saint Charles, pray for us
Learn more about the Passionists at Mount Argus, Dublin https://www.mountargusparish.ie/devotions-to-saint-charles-of-mount-argus/
The Vatican News Service offers the following summary https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20070603_carlo-andrea_en.html
A summary by Paul Francis Spencer, C.P. is at https://charlesofmountargus.org/index.htms
To learn more about Mount Argus itself go to https://www.waterstones.com/book/herald-of-hope/paul-francis-spencer/aidan-troy/9781905965014