Green * Saint Paschal

Chaplet of Saint Paschal

Saint Paschal was born May 16th in the Kingdom of Aragon. His family were peasant of humble means, his father was a shepherd.  Paschal was born on the Holy Day of Pentecost and this is how he got his name. When Paschal was seven years old he became a shepherd of the fields. He communed with God through nature and could read the the scripture written in the trees and the flowers. It was said he could not read yet slowly he learned from knowledgeable people that came by and shared with him how to make letters and read words in the Bible. One of his job in the village was to ring the church bells for Mass. 

He was a shepherd until the age of twenty-four years. It was then he had a vocation to join the Franciscan Brotherhood to become a lay brother. Saint Paschal wanted only a humble position,  he never wanting to be priest. He was the very essence of humility. He had one habit that was often threadbare and worn. He took the jobs of service, being a gardener, a porter or a cook. 

It was said he was always cheerful and a had peaceful disposition.  He was often found praying at the altar in ecstatic states in front of the Eucharist. There is a story of Saint Paschal praying in nature and the Angels came to him giving him Holy Communion. He was sent to France by his superiors. He traveled across the Pyrenees Mountains barefoot while doing devotions to the Blessed Mother on her rosary.  

He became a cook in France and was known to make wonderful food with just a few ingredients and with the help of the Angels who seasoned his dishes. 

He died and his body was miraculously became incorruptible and miracles were reported around his tomb. The French Pope of Avignon in 1690, Pope Leo canonized Paschal into sainthood. It would obviously, would be a French Pope that appreciate a good cook that created heavenly food with the help of Angels! 

Saint Paschal is a favorite folk saint in New Mexico. It not unusual to find an altar, dedicated to Paschal between hanging chilies and the scent of food cooking in pots in a South-western kitchen. 

Prayer Chaplet to Saint Paschal

I have written this prayer practice honoring Saint Paschal. I have made a chaplet of nine beads. The beads are redwood and a Holy Medal of Paschal . 

St Paschal I feel is so important as a Nature Saint at this time on Earth.  Collectively we need to return to organic foods that are grown that honor our Earth and our bodies. Simple ingredients, food that strengthens our immune system. Production of foods that are grown in a way that gives back to the soil with natural methods that restore the mineral balance. Food without minerals is dead food. Using rock dust, composting methods and earthworm casting are all ways to create an environment that heals our food and our planet.  Saint Paschal both a gardener, cook and Saint Paschal prayer for us. 

Chaplet Prayer

Saint Pascal Holy Shepherd you read scriptures in the garden, the fields and the Holy Book. Bless me with your insights.

Saint Pascal hands of mercy who tended the garden feed the hungry and flavored the food with Angelic help.  Bless our food, our children’s food and those who hunger.

Saint Pascal open our eyes, our hearts to the hand of God that tends our souls with guidance, humility and tenderness, like the lilies in the field. Bless our food and help us cultivate our soil and our souls for the greater purpose and  good for all humankind.

Amen

Nine beads first bead say 1 Our Father, second bead say 1 Hail Mary, third bead say One Glory Be repeat two more repetitions. 

Set your intention and say for nine days in row.