From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

September 7th =E2=80=93 St. Regina (Regnia, Reine) of Autun, Martyr

Born in Alise (Alesia), Burgundy, France; died c. 251 or 286. Regina
has been venerated at Autun from an early date and was probably
martyred under the persecution of Decius or Maximian Herecleus;
however, we have no particulars of her life, so her clients developed
a suitable one for her. Thus, it is related that Regina's father,
Clement, was a prominent pagan citizen; her mother died in giving her
life. The baby was entrusted to the care of a Christian nurse who had
her baptized, which, to put it mildly, didn't please her father. He
repudiated his daughter, refusing to ever see her again. The nurse was
poor, so she sent Regina to tend her little flock of sheep. The young
saint found this to be a pleasing occupation because it provided her
with the time and solitude to pray and read the lives of the saints.

Too soon the little girl grew to womanhood and attracted the attention
of the prefect of the province, Olybrius, who decided that she would
be his bride. Regina, having dedicated her life to God, rejected his
advances. Her father was willing to accept her as his daughter when he
knew that she had a distinguished suitor, but she rejected his
entreaties as well. As Olybrius was setting out on a journey, he had
Regina imprisoned--the chief jailer was her own father, who carefully
guarded his daughter in order to ensure his own advancement. He
encased her in an iron belt joined by two chains to opposite walls.

When Olybrius returned, he again tried to sway Regina to become his
wife. Again she rejected him. In his anger he had her scourged over a
wooden horse, her nails torn from their beds, and her skin rent by
iron hooks. Regina recovered from her injuries immediately after being
returned to her cell. That night in prison, she had a vision of the
cross, and a voice told her that her release would be soon. The next
day Olybrius began the process again, this time using torches on her
side, crucifixion, and finally decapitation. Many witnesses are said
to have been converted by the appearance of a dove hovering over her
head.

The story is entirely a Burgundian adaptation of the legend of Saint
Marina or Margaret of Antioch. Her relics are enshrined in Flavigni
abbey, to which they were translated in 864, and where they have been
rendered famous by miracles and pilgrimages. There is a miraculous
spring with powers to heal ringworm, mange, scurvy, and other
illnesses, with a hospital nearby dedicated to Saint Regina founded by
Saint Vincent de Paul (Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth,
White).

In art, Saint Regina is portrayed as a maiden bound to a cross with
torches applied to her sides. She might also be shown (1) in prison
with a dove appearing on a shining cross; (2) with a lamb or sheep
near her (not to be confused with Saint Agnes); (3) scourged with rods (Roeder); or (4) in a boiling cauldron (White). She is venerated at
Autun, France, and in southern Germany (Roeder).


Saint Quote:
Never utter in your neighbor's absence what you would not say in their pres= ence.
-- Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

Bible Quote:
But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his
heart to all generations. To deliver their souls from death; and feed
them in famine. (Ps. xxxii. 11,19)


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A prayer to one's Guardian Angel when you cannot attend Mass:

O Holy Angel at my side,
Go to the church for me,
Kneel in my place, at Holy Mass,
Where I desire to be.

At Offertory, in my stead,
Take all I am and own,
And place it as a sacrifice
Upon the Altar Throne.

At holy Consecration's bell,
Adore with Seraph's love,
My Jesus hidden in the Host,
Come down from heaven above.

Then pray for those I dearly love,
And those who cause me grief,
That Jesus' Blood may cleanse all hearts,
And suff'ring souls relieve.

And when the priest Communion takes,
Oh, bring my Lord to me,
That His sweet Heart may rest on mine,
And I His temple be.

Pray that this Sacrifice Divine,
May mankind's sins efface;
Then bring me Jesus' blessing home,
The pledge of every grace.
Amen.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)