April 20th - Saint Marcellinus, Bishop of Embrun
(d. 374)
Saint Marcellinus was born in Africa of a noble family; with two other
Christians desiring to evangelize Gaul, Vincent and Domninus, he went to
Pope Saint Damasus. The young men were sent to Eusebius, bishop of
Verceil,
who encouraged them for their mission and announced to them that they
would
have much to suffer. The three were ordained, and Marcellinus was
consecrated bishop of Embrun by Eusebius and the bishop of Valencia. The
gift of miracles fortified the preaching of Marcellinus at Embrun, in a
region bordering on the Alps, while his companions continued their labors
at
Digne. Saint Domninus was later consecrated bishop of Digne by Saint
Marcellinus, and energetically protected his flock from the errors of
Arius;
eventually Saint Vincent succeeded him there.
Marcellinus built at Embrun a chapel in which he passed his nights in
prayer, after laboring all day in the exercise of his sacred calling. By
his
pious example, as well as by his earnest words and his miracles, he
converted many of the pagans among whom he lived. A striking miracle,
added
to these influences, brought the entire population of Embrun into the
church, with the exception of one idolater, who later also abandoned his
gods. The waters in the nearby baptistry were increased, without the human
intervention which had been proposed, to accommodate great numbers of
catechumens who, during the feast of Christmas, would be baptized. The
same
event occurred again at Easter, and the sick were healed by the waters.
For
as long as the ancient baptistry remained standing, the miracle was
renewed,
as Saint Gregory of Tours and Saint Adon of Vienne attest - that is, for
more than five hundred years.
Saint Marcellinus died at Embrun about the year 374, and was interred
there.
Saint Gregory of Tours, who speaks of him in terms of highest praise,
narrates some of the countless miracles which multiplied at his tomb.
Reflection. Though you may not be called upon to preach, endeavor to give
good example, remembering that deeds often speak louder than words.
Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on
Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea
(Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).
Saint Quote:
"If we could but know what a precious treasure lies concealed in
infirmities, we would receive them with as much joy as we would the
greatest
benefits, and we would bear them without complaint or any sign of
annoyance"
-St. Vincent de Paul
This Saint was tried by many long and most painful infirmities, which
often
deprived him of the use of his limbs, and left him no rest by day or
night.
He bore them all with unalterable tranquillity, and conversed with the
same
affability and serenity of countenance that he had when he was well. A
word
of complaint never escaped from his lips, but he praised and thanked God
constantly for sending to him these sufferings, and looked on them as
special favors. The most he did when the pain was at its worst, was to
turn
to the crucifix and animate himself to patience by devout interior
aspirations. If he ever happened to speak of his sufferings, he mentioned
them as a thing of no account, saying that he suffered little in
comparison
with what he deserved, or with what Christ suffered for love of us. One of
his household was one day applying a dressing to his limbs, which were
diseased for forty years, when moved with compassion at seeing them so
swollen and ulcerated, he exclaimed, "Alas, how grievous are your
sufferings!" But the saint quickly replied: "How can you apply the word
grievous to the work of God, and His divine arrangement in causing a
miserable sinner to suffer? May God pardon you for what you have just
said!
This is not the way to speak in the school of Christ! Is it not right that
the guilty should suffer and be chastised? And cannot the Lord do with us
whatever pleases Him?"
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)
Bible Quote:
19 Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the
doors
were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the
Jews,
Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. 20
And
when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The
disciples
therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20)
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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.
TWENTY-SECOND DAY
Let us never cease our prayers for the faithful departed. St. Francis de
Sales often said: "I fear the good opinion which my friends have formed of
me: they will believe me in Heaven and leave me to suffer.
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 ****ne upon them:
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Most merciful Jesus, have mercy on the Souls in Purgatory. For us, Thou
didst become Man, and suffer to die. By the merits of Thy agony and death,
release the faithful
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