May 15th - Sts. Peter, Paul, Andrew, Dionysia & Decius, Martyrs
Died 251. Peter was a young man of Lampsacus on the Hellespont, who was
martyred
at Troas together with SS. Paul, Andrew, Dionysia, and Decius. Peter was
remarkable for his physical beauty and the natural endowments of his mind,
as
well as his faith and virtue. He was captured and brought before Proconsul
Optimus who said, "You have before your eyes the edicts of our invincible
princes: sacrifice to the goddess Venus, as they command."
Peter answered: "I am surprised that you should endeavor to persuade me to
sacrifice to an infamous lewd woman, whose actions modesty forbids me to
mention, and are such as are punishable by your own laws."
Optimus ordered him to be extended on a wheel, with pieces of wood so
disposed
and bound on his body with iron chains, that the wheel being put in motion
it
might gradually occasion the breaking of his bones. The martyr, turning
his eyes
towards the heavens, said, with a cheerful countenance: "I praise and
thank you,
O Lord Jesus Christ, for vouchsafing me patience to overcome this cruel
tyrant."
Optimus, seeing his unshaken resolution, ordered his head to be struck
off.
After this execution, three other Christians, Andrew, Paul, and
Nicomachus, were
brought before him. He asked their origin and religion. Nicomachus
answered
loudly with impatience, "I am a Christian." When ordered to sacrifice to
the
gods, Nicomachus answered: A Christian must not sacrifice to devils." The
proconsul gave orders that he should be hung on the rack and tortured.
When he
was just ready to expire under his torments, he unhappily lost his crown,
and
cried out: "I never was a Christian, and am ready to sacrifice to the
gods."
The proconsul immediately caused him to be taken off the rack, but no
sooner had
the miserable man offered sacrifice than he was seized by the devil, fell
on the
ground, and beat it with his head in violent agonies, in which he expired.
God
afforded his other two servants a comfort under their affliction for this
loss.
Dionysia, a tender virgin about sixteen years old, who was standing by,
was
struck at this misfortune, and said: "Unfortunate wretch! Why did you
bring upon
yourself eternal torments for the sake of a moment's ease?" Optimus,
hearing
these words, asked if she was a Christian: she confessed she was. He then
required her to sacrifice, and threatened to expose her to prostitution,
and
burn her alive in case of refusal.
Finding his threats made no impression on her constancy, he ordered her to
be
put into the hands of two young men to be deflowered. They took her with
them to
their lodgings, but she resisted so strenuously that she tired them out.
About
midnight they were surprised at the appearance of a young man, glittering
with
light, which diffused itself over the whole house. Seized with fear, they
threw
themselves at the feet of the holy virgin. She raised them up, and told
them not
to be afraid, saying: "This is my Guardian Angel and protector." They
asked her
to intercede for them that they would not be harmed.
The next morning, the mob, stirred up by the priests of Diana, beset the
house
of the proconsul, demanding in a tumultuous manner to have Andrew and Paul
delivered up to them. The proconsul, to humor them, had them brought forth
and
commanded them to sacrifice to Diana. Upon their refusal, Optimus had them
scourged and then threw them to the rabble who stoned them to death.
When Dionysia heard the raucous noise surrounding their execution, she
began to
weep and wail bitterly. She escaped her guards and ran to the place where
they
were. Upon seeing her fellows, she cried out: "That I may live with you
eternally in heaven, I will die with you on earth." The proconsul being
informed
of the wonderful preservation of her chastity, her escape, and desire to
die
with the martyrs, ordered her to be taken away from Andrew and Paul, and
to be
beheaded at a distance (Benedictines, Husenbeth).
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0515.shtml
Saint Quote:
God, in his promises to hear our prayers, is desirous to bestow Himself
upon us;
if you find anything better than Him, ask it; but if you ask anything
beneath
Him, you put an affront upon Him, and hurt yourself by preferring to Him a
creature which He framed: Pray in the spirit and sentiment of love, in
which the
royal prophet said to Him, 'Thou, O Lord, are my ****tion.' Let others
choose to
themselves ****tions among creatures, for my part, You are my ****tion, You
alone
I have chosen for my whole inheritance.
--Saint Augustine (Austin) of Canterbury
Bible Quote:
Other sheep I have that are not of this fold. Them also I must bring.
(St. John
10:16)
<><><><>
EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS NOVENA
Jesus, Who because of Your burning love for us willed to be
crucified and to shed Your Most Precious Blood for the
redemption and salvation of our souls, look down upon us
and grant the petition we ask for ...( mention here)
We trust completely in Your Mercy. Cleanse us from sin by
Your Grace, sanctify our work, give us and all those who are
dear to us our daily bread, lighten the burden of our
sufferings, bless our families, and grant to the nations, so
sorely afflicted, Your Peace, which is the only true peace, so
that by obeying Your Commandments we may come at last to
the glory of Heaven. Amen
Say for 9 Days
|
