• =?UTF-8?Q?June_9th_=E2=80=93_SS_Primus_and_Felician=2C_Martyrs?=

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Sat Jun 8 08:34:54 2019
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    June 9th =E2=80=93 SS Primus and Felician, Martyrs
    (d. 286)

    Primus and Felician were brothers, and being accused of professing the Christian religion, during the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian,
    they were thrown into irons, which an Angel broke, and they were
    delivered. But being soon led again before the praetor, and as they
    most earnestly clung to the Christian faith, they were separated one
    from the other. The steadfastness of Felician was the first to be put
    to the test in divers ways. As they who strove to persuade him into
    impiety, found it hopeless to gain aught from him by words, he was
    fastened hand and foot to a stake and there left to hang three days,
    without either food or drink. The day after that, the praetor having
    called Primus before him, thus addressed him: "Seest thou how much
    wiser is thy brother, than thou art? He hath obeyed the Emperors, and
    they have made him honourable. Thou hast only to follow his example to
    be made partaker of his honours and favours."

    Primus replied: "What hath befallen my brother, I know, for an angel
    hath told me. Would to God, that seeing I have the same will that he
    hath, I were not divided from him in the same martyrdom." These words
    raised the wrath of the praetor, and to the torments which he had
    already inflicted on Primus, he added this also, that he had boiling
    lead poured into his mouth, and this, in presence of Felician. After
    that, he had them both dragged into the amphitheatre, and two lions
    let loose upon them, in presence of about twelve thousand people, who
    were gathered together to see the show. The lions only fawned upon the
    knees of the saints, making friends with them, caressingly moving
    their heads and tails. This spectacle turned 500 persons of the
    assembled crowd, together with their households, to the Christian
    religion. The praetor then, moved beyond all endurance, by what had
    passed, caused Primus and Felician to be beheaded with the axe.


    Reflection.
    A soul which truly loves God regards all things of this world as
    nothing. The loss of goods, the disgrace of the world, torments,
    sickness, and other afflictions are bitter to the senses, but appear
    light to the one who loves God. If we cannot bear our trials with
    patience and silence, it is because we love Him only in words. =E2=80=9COne
    who is slothful and lukewarm complains of everything, and calls the
    lightest precepts hard,=E2=80=9D says Thomas a Kempis.


    Saint Quote:
    All the martyrs are to be honored by us, but especially those whose
    relics we possess. They assist us by their prayers; they preserve us
    as to our bodies in this life, and receive us when we depart hence.
    --Saint Maximus of Turin


    <><><><>
    Act of Entrustment to St. Joseph

    O dearest St. Joseph, I entrust myself to you that you may always be
    my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain
    for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior
    life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory
    of God, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate
    Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in
    the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.

    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)