July 29, Feast day of Urban II: the Blessed and Intrepid Crusader Pope

      

This is a picture of the Council of Clermont, where Pope Blessed Urban II preached the First Crusade.

                                     *          *          *

On July 29, we celebrate the feast day of Blessed Urban II, the Pope who is most known for convoking the First Crusade in 1095 at the Council of Clermont.

His austere demeanor, Catholic zeal and fiery words convinced the French knights to go on a Crusade. 

Here is what the Pope told the knights: 

I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ's heralds to publish this everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot-soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile race from the lands of our friends. I say this to those who are present, it meant also for those who are absent. Moreover, Christ commands it.^[1]

(Picture of a monument dedicated to Godfrey of Bouillon, the French noble who led the first Crusade to victory.)

Let us pray to Pope Urban II that he inspire today's Catholics with a crusading spirit in the spiritual battle against the terrible sins that have infected every aspect of our culture.

Pope Blessed Urban II -- pray for us!