May 22nd- Saint Julia, Virgin, Martyr
Patron of Corsica (Fifth century)
Saint Julia was a noble virgin of Carthage, who, when the city was taken
by
Genseric in 439, was sold for a slave to a pagan merchant of Syria. In the
most mortifying employments of her station, by cheerfulness and patience
she
found a happiness and comfort which the world could not give. Whenever she
was not employed in household affairs, her time was devoted to prayer and
reading books of piety.
Her master, who was charmed with her fidelity and other virtues, thought
proper to take her with him on one of his voyages to Gaul. When he reached
the northern part of Corsica, he cast anchor and went ashore to join the
pagans of the place in an idolatrous festival. Julia was left at some
distance, because she would not be defiled by the superstitious
ceremonies,
which she openly spurned. The governor of the island, Felix, a bigoted
pagan, asked who this woman was who dared to insult the gods. The merchant
informed him that she was a Christian, and that all his authority over her
was too weak to prevail upon her to renounce her religion; nonetheless, he
found her so diligent and faithful he could not part with her. The
governor
offered him four of his best slaves in exchange for her. But the merchant
replied, "No; all you are worth will not purchase her; for I would lose
the
most valuable thing I have in the world rather than be deprived of her."
Nonetheless Felix, while the inebriated merchant was asleep, attempted to
compel her to sacrifice to his gods. He offered to procure her liberty if
she would comply. The Saint made answer that she was as free as she
desired
to be, as long as she was allowed to serve Jesus Christ. The pagan,
offended
by her undaunted and resolute air, in a trans****t of rage caused her to be
struck on the face, and the hair of her head to be torn off. Finally he
ordered her to be hanged on a cross until she expired. Certain monks from
the isle of Gorgon trans****ted her relics there, but in 763 the king of
Lombardy transferred them to Brescia, where her memory is celebrated with
great devotion.
Reflection. Saint Julia, whether free or a slave, whether in prosperity or
in adversity, was equally fervent and devout. She adored all the sweet
designs of Providence; and far from complaining, she never ceased to
praise
and thank God for all His holy designs. God, by an admirable chain of
events, raised her by her fidelity to the honors of a Saint, and to the
dignity of a virgin and martyr.
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).
Quote:
The Lord sends us tribulations and infirmities to give us the means of
paying the immense debts we have contracted with Him. Therefore, those
who
have good sense receive them joyfully, for they think more of the good
which
they may derive from them than of the pain which they experience on
account
of them.
-St. Vincent Ferrer
Bible Quote
4 I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my
prayers. 5 Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord
Jesus, and towards all the saints: 6 That the communication of thy faith
may
be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you
in
Christ Jesus. (Philemon 1:4-6)
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LITANY OF THE FATHER
O God, Father in heaven.................."have mercy of us"
O God Son, Redeemer of the world.."have mercy of us"
O God Holy Spirit.............................."have mercy of us"
Holy Trinity, one God......................."have mercy of us"
Father, Creator of the world............."have mercy of us"
Father, propitiator of the world........."have mercy of us"
Father, eternal wisdom......................"have mercy of us"
Father, infinite goodness..................."have mercy of us"
Father, bountiful................................"have mercy of us"
Father, fount of all things.................."have mercy of us"
Father, most sweet............................"have mercy of us"
Father, of infinite mercy............... ..."have mercy of us"
Father, our defender........................."have mercy of us"
Father, our glory and happiness. ....."have mercy of us"
Father, richness of all people............continue.
Father, triumph of all nations............
Father, hope of all Christians............
Father, splendor of the Church.......
Father, splendor of the kings..........
Father, overthrougher of the idols.......
Father, solace of the people..............
Father, joy of priests.........................
Father, guide of men..........................
Father, gift of men.............................
Father, gift of family..........................
Father, help of the poor.....................
Father, guide of the youth.................
Father, friend of the children............
Father, freedom of slaves.................
Father, light to those who are in darkness..
Father, destroyer of the proud..........
Father, wisdom of the just.................
Father, rest in tribulations.................
Father, hope in desolation.................
Father, harbor of safety..................
Father, consolation of the poor.........
Father, consolation of the afflicted...
Father, refuge of the hopeless..........
Father, refuge of the orphans...........
Father, refuge of the aged.................
Father, refuge of the dying................
Father, extinguishes the thirst of our poverty..
Father, life of the dead......................
Father, glory of the saints.................
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world-Spare us O Lord!
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world-Graciously hear us, O
Lord!
Lamb of God, who taketh away.the sins of the world-Have mercy on us!
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