• On Self-Denial, and Renunciation of all Cupidity

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Mon Feb 19 09:10:44 2018
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    On Self-Denial, and Renunciation of all Cupidity [III]

    CHRIST.
    I have said, exchange what men consider desirable and honorable for
    that which they hold in low esteem. For true heavenly wisdom, having
    no exalted opinion of itself (Rom.12:16) seeks no recognition from the
    world, is almost disregarded by men and seems to them useless and of
    no importance. Many pay it lip-service, but it plays no part in their
    lives. Yet this is the precious pearl that remains hidden from many.(Matt.13:46)
    --Thomas =C3 Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3, Ch 32


    <<>><<>><<>>
    February 20th =E2=80=93 St. Eucherius of Orl=C3=A9ans, Abbot

    Born at Orl=C3=A9ans, France; died February 20, 743. Eucherius's sanctity
    was formed in the domestic church. His mother was a lady of great
    virtue. While she was carrying her son, she begged God daily for
    divine grace and offered the unborn Eucherius to the Father. At his
    birth, his parents dedicated him to God. When he was seven, his
    studies were planned to form both mind and soul. After being
    well-educated, especially in theology, Eucherius entered the
    Benedictine abbey of Jumi=C3=A8ges on the Seine in the diocese of Rouen c.
    714.

    He spent six or seven years here practicing penitential austerities
    and obedience, until the senate, people, and clergy of Orl=C3=A9ans deputed persons to Charles Martel, mayor of the palace, to beg his permission
    to elect Eucherius to the see vacated by the death of Eucherius's
    uncle, Bishop Suavaric. Charles Martel agreed and sent one of his
    principal officers to conduct Eucherius from his monastery to Orl=C3=A9ans. Eucherius was horrified at the notion of being consecrated bishop and
    sought the protection of his brother monks. But they preferred the
    public good to their private inclinations, and resigned him up for
    that important charge. Eucherius was received and consecrated at
    Orl=C3=A9ans with universal applause in 721.

    Although he was apprehensive about assuming the responsibilities of a
    see, his prayer life was vital. He found all the help and
    encouragement he needed in his relationship with God. Eucherius
    devoted himself entirely to the care of his church. He was
    indefatigable in instructing and reforming his flock. His sweet spirit
    and charity were so genuine that, in general, he was loved and obeyed
    even by those whom he reproved. Except Charles Martel.

    In order to finance his wars and reward his vassals, Charles Martel
    often stripped the churches of their revenues, and encouraged others
    to do the same. Eucherius, who reproved these encroachments, was
    represented to the prince as offering a personal attack; therefore, in
    737, Charles stopped in Orl=C3=A9ans on his return to Paris after having defeated the Saracens in Aquitaine. He ordered Eucherius to follow him
    to Verneuil upon the Oise, in the diocese of Beauvais, where he then
    kept his court. There Eucherius and all his relatives were exiled to
    Cologne in 737 by Charles Martel.

    Yet even in exile, Eucherius bloomed where God had planted him. The
    citizens of Cologne soon highly esteemed his virtue. So Charles Martel
    ordered him to move again, this time to a fortress in Hasbain
    (Haspengaw) near Li=C3=A8ge, where he was placed under house arrest. But
    the governor, Robert, so charmed with his virtue, that he made him
    almoner, and allowed him to retire to the monastery of Sarchinium, or Saint-Trond's near Maastricht, where he spent his last years in prayer
    and contemplation. His life was written by a contemporary
    (Benedictines, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth).

    Saint Eleutherius is portrayed in art as a bishop with a monstrance.
    Sometimes he is shown (1) being blessed by Christ as he carries the
    monstrance among poor and wounded soldiers; or (2) as an angel frees
    him from stripes (Roeder).


    Saint Quote:
    It is needful also to make use of tradition, for not everything can be
    gotten from sacred Scripture. The holy apostles handed down some
    things in the scriptures, other things in tradition.
    -- Saint Epiphanius of Salamis

    Bible Quote:
    "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
    children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not
    of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of
    God." (John 1:12-13)


    <><><><>
    Ask Our LORD'S BLESSING

    Taken from JESUS, MARY, JOSEPH NOVENA MANUAL:
    Father Stedman

    Before leaving the Blessed Sacrament.

    BLESS ME, O God of bounty! Bless me, Thou Who art holy and good! Bless me a=
    s
    Thou didst bless the patriarchs and prophets; as Thou didst bless Thy
    beloved Mother; as Thou didst bless Thy disciples before ascending into
    Heaven.

    BLESS MY EYES. Never permit them to behold vanity.

    BLESS MY EARS. Set around them a hedge of thorns to guard them from hearing unChristian words.

    BLESS MY MOUTH. Surround it with a guard of truth and kindness.

    BLESS MY BODY. Grant that chastity may clothe it as with a garment of glory=
    ..

    BLESS MY MIND. Grant that my thoughts may be like Thine.

    BLESS MY HEART. Kindle in it the fire of love which Thou didst bring on
    earth. Make it the sanctuary of every virtue.

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