From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

October 22nd - SS. Nunilo and Alodia, Virgins and Martyrs
d. 851

This great era of the martyrs in Spain began in the year 850, under
the Moorish Abdur Rahman II, and these two maidens were among the
numberless martyrs who in those days sealed their fidelity to God with
their blood. They were sisters, living at Huesca, their father being a Mohammedan and their mother a Christian.

After the death of her first husband, she was so foolish as to take a
second who also was a Mohammedan.=C2 Her two daughters, who had been
brought up in the Christian faith, had much to suffer from the
brutality of their stepfather, who was a person of importance. They
were also pestered by many suitors to marry, but having decided to
serve God in the state of virginity they obtained leave to go to the
house of a Christian aunt.

When the laws of Abdur Rahman were published against the Christians,
they were too well known by their family and the repute of their zeal
and piety not to be soon arrested. They appeared before the kadi not
only undaunted but with a holy joy. He employed flattery and promises
to try to work them into compliance, and proceeded to threats.=C2 When
these failed him, he put them into the hands of wicked women, hoping
these would be able to insinuate themselves into the hearts of the
Christian women.=C2 But Christ enlightened and protected them, and the temptresses were obliged to declare to the judge that nothing could
conquer their resolution. He therefore condemned them to be beheaded,
which was accordingly done, and their passion is mentioned in the
Roman Martyrology on this day.

Our information is all, practically speaking, derived from the
Memoriale Sanctorum of St. Eulogius. The relevant passages are quoted
and commented upon in the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. ix.


Saint Quote
Blessed the one whose thought has been with grace, like a cloud filled
with rain, and which waters souls for the increase of fruits of life;
his praise will be for everlasting glory
..--St. Ephrem of Syria

Bible Quote:
24 Therefore Daniel went in to Ar=E2=80=B2i-och, whom the king had appointe=
d
to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus to him, =E2=80=9C=
Do
not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and
I will show the king the interpretation.=E2=80=9D Daniel 2:44=C2 RSVCE


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A prayer from The Imitation of Christ, of Thomas `a Kempis:

I offer up unto Thee my prayers and intercessions, for those
especially who have in any matter hurt, grieved, or found fault with
me, or who have done me any damage or displeasure. For all those also
whom, at any time, I may have vexed, troubled, burdened, and
scandalized, by words or deeds, knowingly or in ignorance; that Thou
wouldeth grant us all equally pardon for our sins, and for our
offences against each other. Take away from our hearts, O Lord, all suspiciousness, indignation, wrath, and contention, and whatsoever may
hurt charity, and lessen brotherly love. Have mercy, O Lord, have
mercy on those that crave Thy mercy, give grace unto them that stand
in need thereof, and make us such as that we may be worthy to enjoy
Thy grace, and go forward to life eternal. Amen.


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