• =?UTF-8?Q?February_11th_=E2=80=93_Saint_Felix_the_Senator_=26_Comps=2E=

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Wed Feb 10 09:11:01 2021
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    February 11th =E2=80=93 Saint Felix the Senator & Comps., Martyrs

    Died 304.
    The Acta of these African martyrs are believed to be authentic,
    contemporaneous to their deaths. Emperor Diocletian had ordered
    Christians to give up the holy Scriptures during a year-long
    persecution. In the town of Abitina, Saturninus celebrated the
    Eucharist on a Sunday in the house of Octavius Felix. The officials
    became aware of it and sent soldiers to arrest the entire congregation
    of 49 people. Arrested with Saturninus were his four children
    Saturninus (junior) and Felix (both lectors), Mary (who had
    consecrated her virginity to God), and Hilarianus (a child); and
    Dativus and another Felix (senators), Thelica, Emeritus, Ampelius,
    Rogatus, and Victoria.

    The procession of prisoners was led by the senator and Saturninus, who
    were followed immediately by the latter's children. Their courage in
    professing Jesus was in stark contrast to the infamous sacrilege
    committed just before by Bishop Fundanus of Abitina, who had given up
    the sacred books to be burned, but a violent storm put out the fire.

    After their resolute confession, the Christians were shackled and set
    to Carthage, residence of the proconsul Anulinus. They thought
    themselves blessed to be chained for Christ and sang hymns of praise
    along the way.

    Dativus was the first to be questioned, racked, torn with iron hooks,
    and then beaten with cudgels as was each in turn. The women no less
    than the men resolutely underwent the trials.

    When Anulinus continuously asked why they presumed to celebrate the
    Lord's Day against imperial orders, they repeatedly answered: "The
    obligation of Sunday is indispensable. It is not lawful for us to omit
    the duty of that day. We celebrated it as well as we could. We never
    passed a Sunday without meeting at our assembly. We will keep the
    commandments of God at the expense of our lives." No dangers nor
    torments could deter them from this duty, from which so many now seek
    to excuse themselves.

    Previously, Victoria, a professed virgin of pagan parents, had leaped
    from her window on her wedding day to prevent the marriage but was
    miraculously saved from death and escaped to the refuge of a church.
    Because she was counted among the nobility and her brother was a
    pagan, Anulinus tried every means to prevail upon her to renounce her
    faith and save herself.

    She continued to profess her faith. Her pagan brother Fortunatianus
    undertook her defense, but she refuted his intimation that she had
    simply been led astray. Anulinus asked Victoria if she would return
    home with her brother. She said that she could not because she only acknowledged as brethren those who kept the law of God. Continued
    entreaties did not move her.

    Anulinus then turned his attention to the child Hilarianus, son of
    Saturninus, thinking that he could sway one of such a tender age. But
    the child showed more contempt than fear of the tyrant's threats, and
    continued to answer that he was a Christian of his own free will.
    While his elders were being tortured, he replied, "Yes, torture me,
    too; anyhow, I am a Christian."

    These Christians died from the hardships of their confinement and are
    all honored in the ancient calendar of Carthage and the Roman
    Martyrology on February 11, though only two (both named Felix)
    actually died on that day (Benedictines, Husenbeth).


    Saint Quote:
    It is loving the Cross that one finds one heart, for Divine Love
    cannot live without suffering.
    --St. Bernadette

    Bible Quote:
    The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His compassions never
    fail; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
    (Lamentations 3:22-23)


    <><><><>
    This day is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, where Our Mother
    appeared to young Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The Blessed Virgin
    Mary appeared to St. Bernadette 18 times, beginning of the 11th of
    February in that year. It was there the Providence of God saw fit to
    confirm the long-held belief of Christendom, when Our Mother declared
    that she was "The Immaculate Conception". In this place a spring
    gushed forth, and to this day the grace of God continues to grant
    miracles of healing. Crutches of the legion of cured souls line the
    grotto.

    <><><><>
    Prayer to Lady of Lourdes

    Blessed Mother, our Lady of Lourdes, we thank you for appearing to the
    child Bernadette so as to show the world the power of God. The
    miracles brought forth then and even until now are a great testimony
    of His Love and Mercy. Thank you, Mother, not only for the miraculous
    healing power of the waters of Lourdes but also for the love and
    compassion that prevails there. We thank our Father in heaven for you,
    dear Mother and also for Saint Bernadette and we implore your
    intercessions for us that we will always be like little children,
    docile and loving and open to His Will. Amen.
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)