May 20th - St. Ethelbert
Date of birth unknown; d. 794; King of the East Angles, was, according to
the "Speculum Historiale" of Richard of Cirencester (d. about 1401), the
son
of King Ethelred and Leofrana, a lady of Mercia. Brought up in piety, he
was
a man of singular humility. Urged to marry, he declared his preference for
a
life of celibacy, but at length consented to woo Altrida (Alfrida),
daughter
of Offa, King of the Mercians. Leofrana foreboded evil and tried to
dissuade
Ethelbert; but in spite of an earthquake, an eclipse of the sun, and a
warning vision, he proceeded from Bury St. Edmunds to Villa Australis,
where
Offa resided. On his arrival Altrida expressed her admiration for
Ethelbert,
declaring that Offa ought to accept him as suzerain. Cynethryth, the
queen-mother, urged by hatred of Ethelbert, so poisoned Offa's mind
against
him, that he accepted the offer of a certain Grimbert to murder their
guest.
Ethelbert, having come for an interview with Offa, was bound and beheaded
by
Grimbert. The body was buried ignominiously, but, revealing itself by a
heavenly light, was translated to the cathedral at Hereford, where many
miracles attested Ethelbert's sanctity. The head was enshrined at
Westminster Abbey.
The "Chronicon" of John Brompton (fl. 1437) adds a few particulars: the
body
with the head was first buried on the banks of the Lugg. On the third
night
the saint commanded one Brithfrid, a nobleman, to convey his relics to
Stratus-way. During the journey the head fell out of the cart and healed a
man who had been blind for eleven years. Finally the body was entombed at
Fernley, the present Hereford. According to Brompton, Altrida became a
recluse at Croyland. Offa repented of his sin (Matthew of Paris represents
Offa as ignorant of the plot till after Ethelbert's murder), gave much
land
to the martyr, "which the church of Hereford holds to the present day",
founded St. Albans and other monasteries, and made his historic pilgrimage
to Rome.
St. Ethelbert figures largely in the Missal, Breviary, and Hymnal of the
Use
of Hereford. His feast is on 20 May. Thirteen English churches, besides
Hereford cathedral, are dedicated in honour of Ethelbert; and one of the
gateways of Norwich cathedral bears his name.
This Version taken from:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05553a.htm
Saint Quote:
Resist your impatience faithfully, practicing, not only with reason, but
even against reason, holy courtesy and sweetness to all, but especially to
those who weary you the most.
-St. Francis de Sales
Bible Quote
14 Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria
had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. 15 Who, when
they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
16
For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized
in
the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and
they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)
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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-SIXTH DAY
It costs us very little to help the faithful departed. We are obliged to
pray-to assist at Mass, to receive the Sacraments-to give alms, and to
fast
on the days appointed. If we are in the state of grace, and offer these
works for the Holy Souls, they are acceptable to God and speed their
relief.
Prayer: 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, release the Souls in Purgatory from the results of
their imperfections, especially the soul suffering there through my bad
example. Take him today to Thy Heavenly Throne, that he may join the
Saints
in praise of Thee and will intercede for me in my hour of need.
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