- Jeremiah 1:5 -
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
___________________________________________________________________
God knew you, as he knew Jeremiah, long before you were born or even
conceived.
He thought about you and planned for you. When you feel discouraged or
inadequate, remember that God has always thought of you as valuable and
that
he
has a purpose in mind for you.
<<>><<>><<>>
April 10th - Saint Bademus, Martyr
Died 376
Bademus was originally a rich and noble citizen of Bethlapeta in Persia,
who
sold his rich possessions to follow Christ, then gave the greater part of
the proceeds to the poor. He reserved just enough to found a monastery
near
that city, to which he retired with several other persons, and then
governed
it with great sanctity. He conducted his religious in the paths of
perfection with sweetness, prudence, and charity.
To crown his virtue, God permitted him, with seven of his monks, to be
apprehended by the followers of King Sapor in the thirty-sixth year of
that
king's persecution. He lay four months in a dungeon, loaded with chains,
and
during this lingering martyrdom received every day a cruel flagellation.
But
he triumphed over his torments by the patience and joy with which he
suffered them for Christ.
At the same time a prince named Nersan, who was a Christian, was cast into
prison and his goods confiscated because he refused to adore the sun. At
first he seemed resolute, but at the sight of tortures his constancy
failed
him, and he promised to conform if he could be delivered. The king, to
test
whether his change was sincere, ordered Bademus to be brought where Nersan
was kept in the royal palace, and sent word to Nersan that if he would
slay
the abbot, he would be restored to his liberty and former dignities. The
apostate accepted the condition; a sword was put into his hand, and he
advanced to plunge it into the breast of the abbot. But being seized with
a
sudden terror, he stopped short, and remained some time unable to lift up
his arm to strike; he had neither courage to repent, nor heart to
accomplish
his crime.
Finally he hardened himself and continued with a trembling hand to aim at
the martyr's sides. Fear, shame, remorse, and respect made his strokes
forceless and unsteady; and so great was the number of his victim's wounds
that the bystanders were in admiration at his invincible patience. Saint
Bademus reproached his executioner, saying, "What will you do on the day
when you will have to render an account of your actions, and hear the
sentence of your condemnation? I offer myself willingly to die for the
glory
of my Lord Jesus Christ, but I would prefer to die by another hand than
yours!" The pagans themselves were horrified at the cruelty of the king,
the
long martyrdom, and the perfidious acts of the apostate.
Saint Bademus suffered on the 10th of April in the year 376. His body was
cast out of the city, but secretly carried away and interred by the
Christians. A short time afterwards Nersan fell into public disgrace, and
perished by the sword. The disciples of the Saint were released from their
chains four years later, at the death of King Sapor.
Reflection. What ravishing delights does the soul taste which is
accustomed
to converse, in the heaven of its own interior, with the Three Persons of
the adorable Trinity!
Saint Quotes:
It is only right, with all the powers of our heart and mind, to praise You
Father and Your Only-Begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Father, by
Your wondrous condescension of Loving-Kindness toward us, Your servants,
You
gave up Your Son. Dear Jesus You paid the debt of Adam for us to the
Eternal
Father by Your Blood poured forth in Loving-Kindness. You cleared away the
darkness of sin by Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection. You broke
the
bonds of death and rose from the grave as a Conqueror. You reconciled
Heaven
and earth. Our life had no hope of Eternal Happiness before You redeemed
us.
Your Resurrection has washed away our sins, restored our innocence and
brought us joy. How inestimable is the tenderness of Your Love!
We pray You, Lord, to preserve Your servants in the peaceful enjoyment of
this Easter happiness. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who
lives
and reigns with God The Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever
and
ever. Amen.
-Easter Prayer by Pope Saint Gregory the Great
Bible Quote:
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another. -Romans 12:10
<><><><>
Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead
"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the
hand
of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.
TWENTIETH DAY
He whom we mourn is in Heaven, safe from all miseries and he awaits us.
Prayers: Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.
De Profundis
Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word;
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them:
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Most merciful Jesus, by the merits of Thy five wounds, hear our prayers in
behalf of the faithful departed now awaiting Thy word in Purgatory. Grant,
O
Lord, to show particular mercy to the soul that did most to propagate the
devotion to Thy Sacred Heart while on earth. Speed his journey to Heaven,
that he may join Thy angels in praising Thee forever
|
