S. Andrew Avellino, first biographer of Blessed Paul Burali
Rejected three bishoprics
“We were novices together. I was a Priest and he served Mass for me. But bearing in mind that he was eleven years more Ancian than I, more noble, more learned, more virtuous than I, I had a great deal of respect and on every occasion did not spare expressions of that esteem, which I thought he deserved. But he remained strongly displeased. Although the most cordial friendship reigned, nevertheless amiable squabbles broke out between us, because he did not want to be esteemed more than others and wished to be held for “vile.” His outward attitude was no different: he willingly underwent humiliating work, such as sweeping, cleaning inmondo pots and other similar things.
For the sake of concealment he refused the Bishopric of Castellamare with the Major Chaplaincy. He did the same for the Bishopric of Crotone. Nor did he want to accept the archiepiscopal palio of Brindisi with ten thousand ducats of annuity. He was adamant in declining that oferta, which came to him from King Philip II.”
Prayer
O God, who manifested in Blessed Paul Burali the multiform and admirable ways of your call to Christian perfection, grant us the comfort of his heavenly protection to follow you wholeheartedly. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(there is a small silence to ask for the grace that each person carries in his heart)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory
Thought of Blessed Paul Burali:
“The heart of the bishop and of every ecclesiastic must be stripped of all love of transitory things, of relatives and of every own reputation, et avere in hatred every human praise.”
Q. P . R . D.