- Ephesians 4:1-3 -
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of
the
calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing
with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the
Spirit
through the bond of peace.
_________________________________________________________________________
No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must accept and
love
others. When we see faults in others, we should be patient and gentle.
Rather
than dwelling on that person's weakness or looking for faults, pray for
him
or
her; be loving, gentle and understanding, and peaceful toward them.
Remember,
you are Christ's representative here on earth!
<<>><<>><<>>
May 13th - St. Servatus of Tongres B (RM)
(Also known as Servais)
Died in Tongres, Belgium, May 13, 384. Bishop Servatus of Tongres
(Belgium)
hosted Saint Athanasius, when the latter was an exile in the West because
of
the
Arian persecutions. He strenuously defended his friend and the cause of
orthodoxy, especially at the council of Sardica (Sofia). Saint Gregory of
Tours
relates that Servatus foretold the invasion of Gaul by the Huns and
implored
the
divine mercy to avert that scourge by watching, fasting, prayers, many
tears,
and a pilgrimage to Saint Peter's tomb in Rome in 382. Regardless of his
pleading with the Almighty, God revealed to him that punishment was
necessary.
Still weeping, he hastened back to Tongres, where he sickened and died
soon
after. Gregory testifies that many miracles occurred at his tomb, which
caused a
church to be built over the relics of the man who had governed the diocese
for
37 years. Most of his relics are housed in the collegiate church in
Maestricht.
Shortly after his death, the city of Tongres was plundered by Attila. Some
have
claimed that Servatus moved his see to Maestricht, but the translation was
made
only after the destruction of Tongres (Benedictines, Husenbeth).
In art, Saint Servatus is generally a bishop with three wooden shoes. He
may
sometimes be ****trayed (1) at a reading desk with a ****eld by him with
three
wooden shoes; (2) being met at the city gate by burghers as he holds the
key
and
is attended by an angel; (3) with a key in one hand, placing his crozier
on
a
dragon; (4) striking water; or (5) with an eagle fanning him as he sleeps
in
the
sun dressed as a pilgrim (Roeder). Servatus is invoked against foot
troubles,
lameness, rheumatism, rats, and mice (Roeder).
Also today:
May 13th - Our Lady of Fatima
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared six times to three
shepherd children ("the Three Seers") near the town of Fatima, ****tugal
between May 13th and October 13th 1917. Appearing to the children, the
Blessed Virgin told them that She had been sent by God with a message for
every man, woman and child living in our century. Coming at a time when
civilization was torn asunder by war and bloody violence, She promised
that
Heaven would grant peace to all the world if Her requests for prayer,
reparation and consecration were heard and obeyed.
"If My requests are granted ... there will be peace"
Our Lady of Fatima explained to the children that war is a punishment for
sin and warned that God would further castigate the world for its
disobedience to His Will by means of war, hunger and the persecution of
the
Church, the Holy Father and the Catholic Faithful. God's Mother prophesied
that Russia would be God's chosen "instrument of chastisement," spreading
the "errors" of atheism and materialism across the earth, fomenting wars,
annihilating nations and persecuting the Faithful everywhere.
In all Her appearances at Fatima, the Blessed Mother repeatedly emphasized
the necessity of praying the Rosary daily, of wearing the Brown Scapular
of
Mount Carmel and of performing acts of reparation and sacrifice. To
prevent
the terrible chastisement at the hands of Russia and to convert "that poor
nation", Our Lady requested the solemn public Consecration of Russia to
Her
Immaculate Heart by the Pope and all the Catholic bishops of the world.
She
also asked that the Faithful practice a new devotion of reparation on the
first Saturday of five consecutive months ("the Five First Saturdays")
Quote:
And what might this noble Lord do of more wor****p and joy to me than to
show
me (that am so simple) this marvelous homeliness [i.e., naturalness and
simplicity]? Thus it fareth with our Lord Jesus and with us. For truly it
is
the most joy that may be that He that is highest and mightiest, noblest
and
worthiest, is lowest and meekest, homeliest and most courteous: and truly
this marvelous joy shall be shewn us all when we see Him.
-Juliana of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love
Bible Quote:
It is necessary that scandals come, but woe to the man through whom
scandal
does come! St. Matthew 18:7
<><><><>
Lord, let me not henceforth desire health or life,
except to spend them for Thee, with Thee, and in Thee.
Thou alone knoweth what is good for me; do, therefore,
what seemeth Thee best. Give to me, or take from me;
conform my will to Thine; and grant that,
with humble and perfect submission, and in holy confidence,
I may receive the orders of Thine eternal Providence;
and may equally adore all that comes to me from Thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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