• August 29th - BB. John of Perugia and Peter of Sassoferrato

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Tue Aug 28 10:14:25 2018
    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.
    =E2=80=93Father Robert


    <><><><>
    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)
  • From rich@1:396/4 to All on Fri Aug 28 09:58:43 2020
    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)