- Jeremiah 29:11-13 -
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to
prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you
will call
upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek
me and
find me when you seek me with all your heart."
_____________________________________________________________________
Preyer is not a little habit pinned on to us while we are tied to our
mother's
apron strings, neither is it a little quarter-of-a-minute's grace said
over an
hour's dinner, but it is the most serious work of our most serious years.
- E.M. Bounds
<<>><<>><<>>
December 2nd - St. Bibiana
St. Bibiana was born in Rome and lived there all her life. It was the
time in
Rome that persecutions against Christians were rampant. Bibiana's father,
named
Flavian, was arrested, burned in the face with a hot iron, and was
banished toa
place called Acquapendente, where he died of his wounds a few days later.
Bibiana's mother was caught some time after and beheaded. Bibiana was
left with
her sister, Demetria, both alone in the world. They were both stripped of
everything they had in the world and suffered greatly from poverty.
The Governor of Rome, Apronianus, summoned them to appear before him.
Demetria,
after being interrogated, made a public confession of her Faith and then
immediately after, fell down and died at the foot of the tribunal, in the
presence of the judge.
Apronianus then gave orders for Bibiana to be sent to a wicked woman named
Rufina. Rufina tried to bring Bibiana towards another way of thinking,
but
Bibiana, using prayer as her ****eld, was invincible.
Apronianus was enraged at the courage and perseverance of this young
virgin. He
ordered that she be tied to a pillar and whipped with scourges. The whip
they
used was loaded with leaden plummets at the ends, causing the skin to have
even
bigger gashes than from a normal whip. All through her scourging, she
remained
cheerful. She finally died.
Children, try to follow the virtues of St. Bibiana. Pray for fidelity and
patience to see you through all your trials and hard****ps. Don't let the
world's vain pleasures lure you in, to try and distract you from your duty
to
God.
As St. Bibiana prayed when she saw she was in danger, pray much, dear
children.
Pray especially to our Holy Mother, who will lead you to her Son and
ensure your
eternal salvation, if you are faithful to her.
St. Bibiana, pray for us!
<><><><>
The Collect from the Roman Breviary:
O God, the giver of all good gifts, who didst bestow on thy
servant Bibiana both the flower of virginity and the palm of
martyrdom ; we pray thee, that, by her intercession, our
hearts may in such wise be joined in charity unto thee ; that
we, being defended against all dangers, may attain unto the
rewards of everlasting salvation.
Saint Quote:
"For He came to save all through means of Himself-all, I say, who through
Him
are born again to God-infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old
men."
-Irenaeus, Against Heresies,2,22:4 (A.D. 180),
Bible Quote
10 Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is
the
price of her. 11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall
have no
need of spoils. 12 She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of
her
life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)
<><><><>
A FATHER'S BLESSING
Father, I thank you for the gift of my family
for whom I now pray
and upon whom I now ask you
to shower your blessings.
With St. Joseph as my guide,
may I always be ready
to spend my life for them.
Bless my wife whom you have given to me as my spouse,
sharing in your wondrous work of creation.
May I see her as my equal
and treat her with the love of Christ for his Church.
May Mary be her guide
and help her to find your peace and your grace.
Bless my children with your life and presence.
May the example of your son
be the foundation upon which
their lives are built,
that the Gospel may always
be their hope and sup****t.
I ask you, Father, to protect and bless my family.
Watch over it so that in the strength of your love
its members may enjoy prosperity,
possess the gift of your peace and,
as the Church alive in this home,
always bear witness to your glory in the world.
Amen.
|
