• =?UTF-8?Q?=C2 November_1st_=E2=80=93_Bl=2E_Jerome_Hermosilla_and_Comp

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Wed Oct 31 08:53:03 2018
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    =C2 November 1st =E2=80=93 Bl. Jerome Hermosilla and Comp.
    =C2 Died 1861; beatified in 1906 by Pope Pius X.

    Little is known of the early lives of Bishop Jerome Hermosilla or
    Bishop Valentine Berrio-Ochoa. That they were chosen for the Oriental
    mission is evidence that they were courageous and resourceful men,
    probably adept in language.

    Jerome was a native of La Calzada, in Old Castile (Spain), who after
    his profession in the Dominican Order, was sent to Manila, where he
    was ordained priest and, in 1828, appointed to the mission of East
    Tonkin. He succeeded Blessed Ignatius Delgado as vicar-apostolic and
    was consecrated bishop in April 1841. Like the early office of
    pontiff, this position was practically synonymous with martyrdom;
    several of those appointed as bishop of Tonkin did not even live to be consecrated.

    Bishop Hermosilla made it his first task to gather the relics of his
    two immediate predecessors. Bishop Delgado had been thrown into the
    sea, but some of the relics were recovered by a fisherman. These and
    the remains of other martyrs were carefully preserved by Hermosilla,
    who also committed to paper their passios according to the accounts of
    eye witnesses. This took real courage=E2=80=94to carefully record the terri= ble
    tortures that he well knew were awaiting him.

    The 20 years of Bishop Hermosilla's life in Tonkin were comprised of
    constant heroism, flight, and unswerving faith. He had to hold his
    flock together, while some of his finest assistants fell at his side.
    His work had to be accomplished entirely in secret. There was always
    the possibility that a recent convert or his pagan family might betray
    the hiding place of the priest, perhaps under torture. It was a weak
    Christian who finally betrayed Hermosilla and Valentine.

    The two bishops had been hidden on board a ship en route to a place
    where they were needed to give the sacraments. The betrayer identified
    them to the ship's captain, who summoned the soldiers. A group of
    Christians almost succeeded in rescuing them, but they were betrayed a
    second time and placed in chains. Three hundred men were sent to
    escort them to the capital.

    When the arrived, they saw that they would be required to step upon a
    crucifix laid in the road. Heavily manacled and weak from torture, the
    two bishops fought so vigorously against committing this sacrilege
    that the soldiers finally relented and removed the cross. Shortly
    thereafter the bishops, two other Spanish Dominicans, and a number of
    native Christians were led in triumphant procession to the place of
    their execution, where they were put in cages. Christian witnesses
    reported that the martyrs were so rapt in prayer that they seemed
    unaware of the screaming crowds, trumpeting elephants, and other noisy
    animals surrounding them. In turn, each of the martyrs was bound, tied
    to stakes in the ground, and beheaded. Their remains were guarded for
    several days to prevent other Christians from claiming their relics.

    Peter Almat=C3=B3, OP, was born at Sassera, diocese of Vich, Spain. He
    became a Dominican and was sent to the Philippines then to Ximabara
    under Bishop Hermosilla with whom he was beheaded.

    Also beheaded with the above beatae was Blessed Valentine, who was
    born in 1827 at Ellorio, diocese of Vitoria, Spain. After his
    profession as a Dominican also went to the Philippines then to Tonkin
    as a bishop titular and vicar-apostolic. Due to a number of miracles
    attributed to Bishop Valentine Berrio-Ochoa, his cause has been
    separated from the group. He was beatified in 1909, rather than 1906,
    and since 1952 canonization has been sought for him (Benedictines,
    Dorcy).


    Saint Quote:
    =C2 "It is no small struggle to be freed from self-esteem. Such freedom
    is to be attained by the inner practice of the virtues and by more
    frequent prayer; and the sign that you have attained it is that you no
    longer harbour rancour against anybody who abuses or has abused you."
    --St. Maximos the Confessor.

    Bible Quote:
    8 Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless,=C2 and who does not go
    after gold.
    9 Who is he? And we will call him blessed,=C2 for he has done wonderful
    things among his people. (Sirach 31:8-9)=C2 (RSVCE)


    <><><><>
    Come, Holy Spirit Replace the tension within us with a holy
    relaxation. Replace the turbulence within us with a sacred calm.
    Replace the anxiety within us with a quiet confidence. Replace the
    fear within us with a strong faith. Replace the bitterness within us
    with the sweetness of grace. Replace the darkness within us with a
    gentle light. Replace the coldness within us with a loving warmth.
    Replace the night within us with your light. Replace the winter within
    us with your spring. Straighten our crookedness. Fill our emptiness.
    Dull the edge of our pride. Sharpen the edge of our humility. Light
    the fires of our love. Quench the flames of our lust. Let us see
    ourselves as you see us That we may see You.

    Amen.



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