From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

May 22nd - Saint Julia of Carthage
=C2 (also known as Saint Julia of Corsica or Saint Julia of Nonza)
=C2 died 620

Saint Julia of Carthage was a virgin and martyr of the Church. The
life of Saint Julia was recorded in the early 7th century, although
the facts are somewhat unclear. Saint Julia may have lived as early as
the fourth century, although some historians place her martyrdom in
the 7th. Regardless of when she lived, her faith and confidence in the
Lord, despite torture and martyrdom, remain inspirational today.

Julia was born of noble aristocratic parents in Carthage (South
Africa). This ancient city, founded by the Phoenicians, competed with
Rome for domination in the western part of the Mediterranean. Given
the high-profile nature of the city, it was also subject to numerous
barbarian attacks, and the city's defenses had crumbled. During one
attack by the Vandals, Julia was taken from her family, and sold into
slavery. Despite her dire circumstances, she did not complain or feel
sorry for herself. Rather, Julia accepted everything as a gift of the
Lord, and performed the most humble tasks with wonderful cheerfulness.
In her spare time, she read holy books and prayed fervently, so ardent
was her love of God.

Having grown into a beautiful and pure young woman, she was quickly
purchased by a pagan merchant named Eusebius, and taken with him to
his home in Syria. Given her loveliness, he desired to make her into
his mistress, but she declined, withstanding compliments, bribes, and eventually threats.

Rather than anger Eusebius, Julia's resistance, strength of charact=
er,
and intelligence earned her master's respect. She accompanied him o=
n
business trips, where he took advantage of her skills. During one
trip, the two were shipwrecked, but managed to survive and swim to
Corsica.

Upon arrival in Corsica, the local governor suggested the pair attend
a pagan festival, during which they would sacrifice to the gods for
their salvation. However, Julia, given her love of the Lord, refused
to attend the festival. Eusebius respected her decision, but the local governor, Felix, demanded she participate in the ceremony. "Who is
that woman who dares to insult our gods?" he cried. Eusebius explained
that she was a Christian. He further added that although he had not
been able to make her give up her religion, still was such a good,
faithful servant that he would not know what to do without her.

"I will give you four of my best women slaves for her," offered the
governor, but Eusebius refused.

"No," he said, "All you own will not buy her. I would willingly lose
the most valuable thing in the world rather than lose her."

So, Felix prepared a banquet, and waited until good Eusebius became
intoxicated and fell asleep. Finding Julia alone and undefended, he
governor tried to make Julia sacrifice to the gods. He promised to
have her set free if she would comply, but she refused.

Julia stated:

Libertas mea Christi servitium est, cui ego quotidie pura mente
deservio. Ceterum istum vestrum errorem non solum non veneror, verum
etiam detestor.

"My liberty is the service of Christ, whom I serve every day with a
pure mind. As for that error of yours, I not only do not venerate it,
I detest it."

Felix was enraged. He had her struck on the face and all her hair was
torn from her head. When she failed to renounce Christ, she was nailed
to a cross and thrown into the sea to drown. The cross with her body
drifted to the island of Gorgona where a Benedictine abbey was
located. The monks rescued her relics, and adoration began.
Accompanying the cross, as holy legend tells us, was a note (written
in angelic hand) which carried her name and story. The monks
transported her relics to a sepulcher, which was eventually translated
to the Benedictine abbey at Brescia. From there, her cultus spread
over the northwestern part of the Italian Peninsula.

The life of Saint Julia is remarkable in two ways. First, she
cheerfully bore all that life gave her, looking to the Lord as her
strength and the source of her blessings. Forced to give up an
aristocratic and privileged life, she happily embraced slavery and
cheerfully performed all tasks demanded of her. Second, when
confronted with her own torture and death, she remained firmly rooted
in her faith and love of the Lord. Despite the difficult life she
endured, she was willing to give up all that she had to testify to her
faith. We are inspired on both counts. When our lives are difficult,
and there are seemingly unmanageable obstacles encountered, how
frequently are we able to turn to God and say =E2=80=98thank you?' =
Might we
find a way to offer our difficulties to the Lord, and see the struggle
as a testament to our faith?
=C2 by Jacob

Thy lamb, Julia, O Jesus, doth cry unto thee with a loud voice,
saying, My Bridegroom, I long for thee and in struggles seek thee. I
am crucified and buried with thee in my Baptism, and for thee I do
suffer until I reign with thee. I die for thee that I may live in
thee. Then as a sacrifice without blemish receive her who for thy sake
was slain. Through her intercessions, therefore, since thou art
merciful, save our souls.


Saint Quote:
We live poverty by filling the hours of the day usefully, doing
everything as well as we can, and living little details of order,
punctuality and good humor.
--St. Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer

Bible Quote
And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth
in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us. =C2 (Romans 5:5)


<><><><>
Jesus, owing to Your death on the cross
and Your resurrection,
the faithful have a hop for eternal life
that lets them boldly counter life hardships.
Let the example of St. Julia be a motivation for us
to stay by You for ever.
You live and reign for ages and ages.
Amen.

--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)