May 5th - St. Judith (Jutta)
Jutta or Judith, was born at Sangerhausen, Thuringia. We don't know much
about her family and early life, but she must have been from a noble
household, because at the age of fifteen she was married to a nobleman.
She had a reputation for being a very compassionate, gentle and charitable
wife. She lived as simply as her husband allowed and raised their children
to love God with all their hearts. Initially her husband was upset about
her
simplicity of dress, but gradually she was able to persuade him of the
im****tance of simplicity and charity and he soon followed her example.
The details are uncertain, but her husband died during a pilgrimage to the
Holy Land and Judith was left to raise their children by herself.
According
to Alban Butler as her children grew up, each eventually entered religious
life. This left Judith free and she gave all her possessions for the care
of
the poor and then begged in the streets for food for them.
She then journeyed on foot to Prussia where her relative, Hanno of
Sangerhausen, lived. She begged for food as she went and shared what was
given to her with beggars she met on the road. In 1256, she eventually
arrived and settled in the ruins of a building near Kulmsee where she
lived
the life of a solitary or hermit.
Her reputation for holiness and deep contemplative prayer became known to
all who lived in the villages around. Traditions tell us that she was
often
seen to be in an ecstasy of prayer and lifted from the ground as if by
angels. She spent the next four years in her solitude praying for the
conversion of sinners and for the perseverance of those recently baptized.
She would often leave her hermitage to care for the sick poor in the area,
especially those who suffered from leprosy.
In 1260 she developed a fever that proved to be fatal and she died on May
12, 1260. People who had prayed at her graveside, asking her intercession
for healing of various afflictions soon re****ted miracles. She is the
patroness of Prussia. Just reading about her life shows us the essentials
of
her holiness, simplicity, humility, compassion and love.
Saint Quote:
Hence, I tearfully beg you to refrain from seeking the favors of the world
and to renounce all that is carnal. It is impossible to follow both the
world and Jesus. Let us live a life of renunciation, for our bodies will
soon be dust and nothing else will last any longer.
-- St. Jerome
Bible Quote
8 He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of
the
cross. 9 For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a
name which is above all names: 10 That in the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
(Philippians 2:8-10)
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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-FIFTH DAY
One of the saddest facts of life is that the living so soon forget the
dead.
We forget when we live: we are forgotten when we die. St. Monica, on her
deathbed, pleaded with her son, St. Augustine: "Lay my body anywhere, only
this I beg of you: remember me at the altar of God."
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, lover of Souls. We pray Thee, by the agony of Thy
most
Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, wash with Thy
Blood the Souls in Purgatory. Deliver them from their pains, that they may
join the Heavenly Chorus in praising Thee and interceding for us at the
hour
of need.
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