April 22nd - Saint Leonides, Martyr
(d. 202)
The Emperor Severus, in the year 202, the tenth of his reign, raised a
bloody
persecution which filled the entire empire with martyrs, but especially
Egypt.
The most illustrious of those who by their triumphs ennobled and edified
the
city of Alexandria was Leonides, father of the great Origen. He was a
Christian
philosopher and excellently versed both in the profane and sacred
sciences.
He
had seven sons; the eldest was Origen, whom he brought up with very great
care,
returning thanks to God for having blessed him with a son of such an
excellent
disposition for learning, and so remarkable a piety. After his son was
baptized,
he would come to his bedside while he was asleep and, bending over the
child,
would kiss his breast respectfully, as the temple of the Holy Spirit.
When the persecution reached Alexandria in 202, under Laetus, governor of
Egypt,
Leonides was cast into prison. Origen, who was then only seventeen years
of
age,
burned with a fervent desire for martyrdom, and sought every op****tunity
of
facing it. His ardor redoubled at the sight of his father's chains, and
his
mother was forced to lock up all his clothes to oblige him to stay at
home.
She
conjured him not to forsake her; thus, unable to do more, he wrote a
letter
to
his father in very moving terms, strongly exhorting him to look at the
crown
that was offered him with courage and joy. He added this exhortation:
"Take
heed
that for our sakes you do not change your mind!" Leonides was indeed
beheaded
for the faith in 202.
Sources: 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); Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul
Guérin
(Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 4.
Saint Quote:
Never see a need without trying to do something about it.
--Blessed Mary Mackillop
Bible Quote:
Woe to the worthless shepherd that leaveth the flock! The sword shall be
upon
his arm, and upon his right eye; his arm shall be clean dried up, and his
right
eye utterly darkened. (Zech 11:17)
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Nine Day Novena to Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church
Day One - April 22
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in
your
arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in
my
name
and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw
my
dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
The man nearest to Christ Jesus was His foster father, Joseph the
carpenter.
John the Baptist saw Christ briefly near the Jordan and knew that his work
as
Precursor was over. The Apostles lived and worked with Christ during the
brief
days of His public life. But Joseph presided over the events of Christ's
Infancy, provided for Him the house that sheltered Him from birth to
baptism,
and was of all the men of earth the one at whose hands Jesus received most
in
service and love and unselfish devotion. Born of a royal line, Joseph was
a
carpenter. That trade he passed on to his foster Son. Joseph was destined
to
immortal honors of the Church, yet no spoken word of his is recorded in
the
Scriptures. Still the Church with good reason cries out, "Go to Joseph."
This
injunction we confidently obey as we pray:
The Prayer of Saint Joseph
O God, who in thine ineffable providence was pleased to choose
blessed
Joseph for the spouse of thy most holy Mother, grant we beseech thee, that
we
may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate
as
our
protector on earth. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the
unity
of
the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Litany to Saint Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned descendant of David, pray for us.
Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
Husband of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Watchful protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most strong, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workmen, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Protector of families, pray for us.
Comfort of the distressed, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us,
O
Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously
hear
us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy
on
us.
He made him lord of his house, And prince of all his
possessions.
Let us pray
O God, Who didst deign to elect Blessed Joseph spouse of Thy
most
holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him whom we venerate
as
our protector on earth as our intercessor in Heaven. Who livest and
reignest
world without
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