April 9th - St. Eupsychius, Martyr
Julian the Apostate, arriving in Caesarea on his march to Antioch, was
infuriated to find that the majority of the population was Christian. He
was
further enraged to learn that the Christians had destroyed the last
remaining
pagan temple in the city, a temple dedicated to Fortune. In his anger,
Julian
crossed out the name of the city from the list of cities and ordered that
it
return to being called by it's ancient name, Mazaca, rather than the name
of
Caesarea which had been given to it by Tiberius. He then claimed all the
Christian churches in the city and took possession of any thing of
material
value. Many Christians were tortured in order to extract from them the
location
of some sacred objects. In addition to this, Julian had all the clergy
enlisted
in the train-bands under the governor of the province. He also imposed
heavy
taxes on all Christians.
Worst of all, Julian had many Christians put to death. A young man by the
name
of Eupsychius, from a noble family and a newlywed, was among those
sentenced
to
death. Julian then continued his march, leaving orders in the newly named
city
of Mazaca that the Christians be compelled to rebuild the temples. Instead
of
rebuilding the pagan temples, the Christians erected a church to the true
God
and named it after Eupsychius.
Just eight years after the death of Eupsychius, on April 8, Saint Basil
celebrated the feast of this martyr and invited all the bishops of Pontus.
This Version taken from:
http://www.daughtersofstpaul.com/saintday/index.html
Saint Quote:
One must pass through the desert and spend some time there in order to
receive
the grace of God; it is there that one empties oneself, that one drives
away
from oneself everything which is not God and that one empties completely
the
house of one's soul in order to leave all of it to God alone.
-Blessed Charles de Foucald
Bible Quote:
8 Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not
gone
after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. 9 Who is he, and
we
will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
(Ecclesiasticus 31:8-9)
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Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
Mary, Mother of God, I firmly believe in the doctrine of Holy Mother
Church
concerning your Immaculate Conception: namely, that you were, in the first
instant of your conception, by the singular grace and privilege of God, in
view
of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, preserved
immune
from all stain of original sin.
Alone of all the children of Adam, you were gifted with the fullness of
sanctifying grace that made you the object of a very special love on the
part of
God. How wonderful were the workings of Divine power to make you a fitting
dwelling for the Redeemer of the world! With no tendency to evil, but with
a
deep yearning for the highest virtue, you glorified God more than all His
other
creatures. At the very instant of your conception your mind was filled
with
the
light of God, and your will was entirely conformed to the Divine Will. You
were
always intimately united with God.
I thank God with you for these wonderful blessings. Help me to imitate
your
holiness to some degree. Your holiness was not the result of the privilege
of
your Immaculate Conception and sanctifying grace alone, but followed from
your
gift of yourself to God and your constant cooperation with His graces.
Help
me
to be generous with God by turning to good account the graces that He ever
bestows on me, and by rising promptly when I fall, with renewed confidence
in
His Mercy.
Ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of
sinners,
comfort of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings.
Deign
to cast upon me a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a
privileged
sanctuary, from which you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers
have
obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and cor****al. I
come,
therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal
intercession.
Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests. Through gratitude
for
your
favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share
your
glory.
Through your loving compassion shown to thousands of pilgrims who come to
your
shrine at Lourdes, and through your special love for your devoted client
Bernadette, I ask for this grace if it be the Will of God: (Mention your
request).
Our Lady of Lourdes, aid me through your prayer with your Divine Son, to
be
a
true child of yours, as Bernadette was, and to grow daily into your
likeness.
Prayer to Saint Bernadette
Saint Bernadette, little shepherdess of Lourdes, favored with eighteen
apparitions of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and with the privilege of
lovingly
conversing with her, now that you are eternally enjoying the entrancing
beauty
of the Immaculate Mother of God, do not forsake me, your devoted client,
who
am
still in this valley of tears.
Intercede for me that I, too, may walk the simple path of faith. Help me
to
imitate your example, at our heavenly Queen's request, by saying the
Rosary
daily and by doing penance for sinners.
Teach me to imitate your wonderful devotedness to God and our Lady, the
Immaculate Conception, so that, like you, I may be blessed with the grace
of
lasting faithfulness and enjoy the happiness in heaven of the eternal
vision
of
God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Concluding Novena Prayer
God of infinite mercy, we celebrate the feast of Mary, Our Lady of
Lourdes,
the
sinless Mother of God. May her prayers help us to rise above our human
weakness.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns
with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.
Amen.
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