From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
January 20th - Pope Saint Fabian
(birth date unknown, deceased 250)
Fabian, a =E2=80=9Crelatively unimportant=E2=80=9D layperson traveled to R= ome
upon the death of Pope Anteros (the nineteenth pope) in 236.
While assembled during the election of the successor,
in a room filled with famous men, bishops of renown, and likely
candidates for the papacy, a dove appeared in the room and
hovered over the head of Fabian. Understood by those present as a
divine sign, representing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Christ,
Fabian was immediately elected the twentieth pope by acclamation=E2=80=94th=
e
unanimous and unquestioned or unplanned agreement of all present that
the Holy Spirit had chosen this candidate.
Pope Saint Fabian's 14 year papacy was marked with peace, much as
the dove upon his head at election would suggest. During that time,
Christians experienced greater rights and privileges than previously.
Fabian is said to have baptized the Roman Emperor Philip and his son,
built up the Church in Rome, constructed catacombs to store the
remains of previous popes and saints, and collected the first Church documentation and court records of the holy martyrs who had gone to
their deaths defending the Church and proclaiming the truth of Christ.
Pope Saint Fabian's time leading the Church is recognized as a peri=
od
of growth and organization which enabled the people of Christ to
survive the severe persecution that was soon to begin.
Fabian's papacy ended as the reign of Emperor Decius began, and the
persecution of Christians intensified to new levels. Refusing to
renounce Christ and offer pagan sacrifice, Decius had Fabian beheaded.
He is buried in the Catacombs of Callistus, where the stone slab on
his tomb can still be read: =E2=80=9CFabian. Bishop. Martyr.=E2=80=9D
Pope Saint Fabian's life was one that was changed dramatically by t=
he
Spirit of God. He accepted the Lord's call with grace and dignity, =
and
was described by Saint Cyprian as an =E2=80=9Cincomparable=E2=80=9D man who=
se glory in
death matched the holiness and purity of his life. Saint Fabian was
also a man marked by peace=E2=80=94not the peace that comes in life when th= ere
is nothing troubling us, or nothing wrong=E2=80=94but the true peace of
Christ. As the persecutory climate in Rome increased, Fabian remained
at peace with Christ, steadily building the Church, preparing for what
was to come through his trust and confidence in the Lord. His quiet
faith is an inspiration for all of us.
Saint Quote:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.=C2 [Romans
8:18]
Bible Quote:
.. . . and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood
came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of
the Son of Man.=C2 (Matt. 24:39)
<><><><>
A PRAYER FOR THE DYING AND A SPECIAL SOUL
O MOST MERCIFUL JESUS, lover of souls,
I beseech Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart,
and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother,
wash clean in Thy Blood the sinners of the whole world
who are to die this day.
Remember most especially the soul I spiritually adopt
with the intention of entrusting him or her to Thy Shepherd's care:
I beseech Thee for the grace to move this sinner, who is in
danger of going to Hell, to repent. I ask this because of my
trust in Thy great mercy.
If it should please Thy Majesty to send me a suffering this day
in exchange for the grace I ask for this soul, then, it, too,
shall please me very much, and I thank Thee, Most Sweet Jesus,
Shepherd and Lover of Souls; I thank Thee for this
opportunity to give mercy in thanksgiving for all the mercies
Thou hast shown me. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)