From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
August 29th - BB. John of Perugia and Peter of Sassoferrato
(13th century)
Muslims from Mauretania, North Africa, invaded Christian Spain in 711
AD, and quickly gained political control of what are now Spain and
Portugal (with the exception of four kingdoms across the north:
Asturias, Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia). In these Catholic districts
the movement arose to drive the Moors out of the whole peninsula. The =E2=80=9CReconquest=E2=80=9D was accomplished, but it took a long time--unt=
il 1492.
The Muslim Caliphs (governors) would have preferred to treat the
Christians leniently, but in the ninth century they began to bear down
on them. Other persecutions followed from time to time over the next
six centuries.
St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan order in the 13th
century, very much desired the conversion of Muslims to the Christian
faith. It was for that mission that he sent to Spain two Italian
friars, John of Perugia and Peter of Sassoferrato. When the pair first
arrived in the Christian part of Spain, they went to Teruel in Aragon.
Here they spent some time preparing themselves for entry into the
Muslim part of Spain. Meanwhile, they created a very favorable opinion
of themselves among the Spanish Catholics to whom they ministered at
Teruel. The Spaniards appreciated not only their ardent preaching, but
their poverty and simplicity of life.
When the two friars decided that they were ready to enter Islamic
Spain, they moved south to Valencia, where the Moors were in power. So
long as the Franciscans lived quietly at the Valencia Church of the
Holy Sepulchre, the government did not molest them. But as soon as
they began to preach Christianity in public, the Muslims arrested them
and hauled them before the Moorish emir. The emir asked Friars John
and Peter why they had come to Valencia. Blessed John frankly
confessed that they were there in order to convert the Moors from
their errors. The emir thereupon offered them the customary choice:
conversion to Islam or death. Of course, they choose to die rather
than to apostatize. Therefore, they were condemned to have their heads
cut off. The execution took place August 29, 1231, in the garden of
the emir's palace. Before the scimitar descended on their necks, th=
ey
prayed aloud for the conversion of the ruler who had ordered their
death.
The martyrs' bodies were brought back reverently to Teruel and
miracles were soon attributed to their intercession. Pope Pius VI
beatified them in 1783.
Not long after their deaths, their prayers for the emir were answered.
In 1238 Valencia was conquered by James I, King of Aragon, and 50,000
Moors were expelled. Subsequent to his surrender, the emir who had
slain the two Franciscans became a Christian. On his conversion he
gave to the Franciscan order his palace, to be used as a friary.
=E2=80=9CWhile I was an unbeliever,=E2=80=9D he explained to the Franciscan authorities, =E2=80=9CI killed your brethren from Teruel. Here, then, is my house for your disposal, consecrated already by the blood of martyrs.=E2=80= =9D
Clearly, his conversion had been complete!
We know that Jesus promised, =E2=80=9CAsk and you shall receive.=E2=80=9D A=
nd we
accept that statement in all faith. Still, it only strengthens our
faith when we are permitted to see, every now and then, a great answer
to a heartfelt prayer.
'Father Robert
Saint Quote:
=C2 We ought not, as soon as we leave church, to plunge into business
unsuited to church, but as soon as we get home, we should take the
Scriptures into our hands, and call our wife and children to join us
in putting together what we have heard in church.
--John Chrysostom
Bible Quote:
Bear ye one another's burdens: and so you shall fulfil the law of
Christ. For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is
nothing, he deceiveth himself.=C2 [Galatians 6:2-3] DRB
<><><><>
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness
and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Amen
--By St Ignatius Loyola
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)