• January 3rd - Saint Genevieve

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Tue Jan 2 09:02:13 2018
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    January 3rd - Saint Genevieve, Patroness of Paris, Virgin
    (422-512)

    Saint Genevieve is credited with preventing Paris from falling to
    Attila the Hun, as well as miraculous cures during the Plague by her intercession. A woman of great faith, Saint Genevieve was graced with
    the gift of clairvoyance and miracle-working by the Lord, which she
    used to increase the devotion of the faithful throughout France.

    Born of wealthy parents in Gaul (modern France) in the village of
    Nanterre, near Paris, Genevieve grew up tending her family's sheep =
    in
    the fields on Mount Valerien. When Genevieve was approximately seven
    years old, Saint Germanus of Auxerre, a holy bishop, was passing
    through the region. Seeing her engaged in her shepherding duties, the
    holy bishop was graced with a vision of her future sanctity, kissed
    her on the head, and proceeded to the family's home. There, he
    informed her parents that she would become great in the sight of the
    Lord, and would lead many to salvation through the faith.

    As recounted by Saint Germanus:

    And the holy man said: =E2=80=9CBlessed are you that God hath given you thi=
    s
    child. Know you for certain that on the day of her birth the Angels
    sang and a great feast was made in Heaven. This girl shall be of great
    merit before the Lord. And from her good life and words many shall
    take example, that they shall leave the yoke of sin and convert to God.=E2=80=9D

    Then, he turned toward the child, and she said to him: =E2=80=9CBlessed
    Father, your servant is listening.=E2=80=9D

    The Bishop asked: =E2=80=9CTell me, and be not embarrassed, if you will consecrate yourself to Christ in purity without stain as His spouse?=E2=80=
    =9D

    The maid answered: =E2=80=9CBlessed be you, my Father. What you ask of me i=
    s
    the most cherished desire of my heart. I ask only that by your
    prayers, Our Lord will accomplish my desire.=E2=80=9D

    =E2=80=9CHave confidence, my daughter,=E2=80=9D said Germanus. =E2=80=9CBe = firm in your
    resolution. Prove by your works the good things that you believe in
    your heart and say with your mouth, and Our Lord shall give you
    strength as well as virtue.=E2=80=9D

    After Genevieve told Saint Germanus that she wished to dedicate
    herself to Christ, he gave her a brass medal with the image of the
    Cross upon it. She promised to wear it around her neck, and to avoid
    wearing any other ornaments around her neck or on her fingers.

    After the death of her parents, when Genevieve was fifteen years old,
    she was taken to Paris to enter the monastic life. A model sister, she
    devoted herself to fasting, prayer, and silent vigil, receiving from
    the Lord the gifts of clairvoyance and miracle-working. She traveled
    throughout the city and region, preaching, healing, and bringing many
    to the faith. She embodied a life of great austerity, practicing
    penance and charity. However, she was cruelly persecuted, by those
    both within and from outside the faith. They called her a hypocrite
    and a charlatan, but she, in humility, continued her good works.
    Eventually, following receiving some blessed bread from Saint
    Germanus--as a token of his esteem--the persecution ceased, and she
    was regarded as a saint while still living.

    The miracle that Saint Genevieve is most famously remembered for
    involves the conquest of Attila the Hun. As he, and his marauding
    forces were approaching Paris--and all hope was lost as the rest of
    Europe had fallen before him--Genevieve and her sisters prayed and
    fasted, entreating God to spare the city. She exhorted the faithful, encouraging them to pray as well, having seen in a vision the saving
    of the city. Without warning, the barbarian forces turned from Paris,
    sparing it without conflict.

    Similarly, during the siege of Paris by Childeric, king of the Franks, Genevieve went out with a few followers and procured grain for the
    starving citizens. King Childeric, though a pagan, respected her, and
    at her request spared the lives of many prisoners.

    Saint Genevieve preached the importance of the Saturday night Vigil,
    comparing it in symbolism to the manner in which the faithful should
    lead their daily lives. She said: =E2=80=9CWe must keep vigil in prayer and fasting so that the Lord will find us ready when He comes.=E2=80=9D On the = way
    to the Saturday vigil, one cold, dark, and stormy night, she and her
    traveling companions--nun from the convent--were plunged into darkness
    as their candles were blown out by the storm. Fearing the darkness and
    the storm, the nuns determined to return to the monastery, when Saint
    Genevieve made the Sign of the Cross over her lantern, which
    miraculously relit. Filled with grace and hope in the Lord, the
    sisters proceeded to their Mass. In art, Genevieve is often portrayed
    carrying a lit candle for this reason--she hoped in the light of
    Christ, even in the most profound moments of darkness!

    Saint Genevieve died peacefully in 512, at the age of 89. She was
    entombed in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Paris, although
    her relics were later translated to the Church of Saint Etienne du
    Mont. In 1129, when the plague swept through Paris, Saint Genevieve=E2=80=
    =99s
    relics were processed through the streets. Prior to the procession,
    14,000 residents of the city perished, with thousands dying each day.
    On the day of the procession, only three individuals died, and the
    following day, the deaths miraculously stopped. Saint Genevieve is
    credited with this miraculous intercession, and is considered the
    Patron Saint of Paris.


    Saint Quote:
    "Get down on your knees and pray! I know it, I see it. The Huns will not co= me!"
    --Saint Genevieve

    Bible Quote:
    How beautiful upon the mountains
    are the feet of him who brings good tidings,
    who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good,
    who publishes salvation,
    who says to Zion, =E2=80=9CYour God reigns.=E2=80=9D (Isaiah 52:7) RS= VCE


    <><><><>
    A STUDENT'S PRAYER

    Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator,
    true source of light and fountain of wisdom!
    Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect,
    dissipate the darkness which covers me,
    that of sin and of ignorance.
    Grant me a penetrating mind to understand,
    a retentive memory,
    method and ease in learning,
    the lucidity to comprehend,
    and abundant grace in expressing myself.
    Guide the beginning of my work,
    direct its progress,
    and bring it to successful completion.
    This I ask through Jesus Christ,
    true God and true man,
    living and reigning with You
    and the Father, forever and ever.
    Amen.
    (By St. Thomas Aquinas)
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)