Consider a dinner Cruise with your spouse in light of the feast of the Holy Spouses Monday
SAINT AGNES
Acts, Chapter 26, Verse 17-18
17 I
shall deliver you from this people and from the Gentiles to whom I send you,
18
to open their eyes
that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God,
so that they may obtain forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who
have been consecrated by FAITH in
me.’
May
this nation which has embraced the power of Satan now open its eyes and turn
from the darkness of socialism and communism and consecrate itself to being
servants of the Kingdom and bring to this nation a new revolution in spirit and
faith that supports and enriches life, liberty and happiness of its people. We
like Paul must have a mission to renew the world. We must be on fire for the Lord.
Today
we honor the martyrdom of Saint Agnes, a God-fearing child of 12, when she
faced her death. Here is St. Ambrose’s account of her demise.
This
treatise has a favorable beginning, since it is the birthday of the holy Virgin
Agnes, of whose name, modesty, and martyrdom St. Ambrose speaks in
commendation, but more especially of her age, seeing that she, being but twelve
years old, was superior to terrors, promises, tortures, and death itself, with
a courage wholly worthy of a man.
And
my task begins favorably, that since today is the birthday of a virgin, I have
to speak of virgins, and the treatise has its beginning from this discourse. It
is the birthday of a martyr, let us offer the victim. It is the birthday of St.
Agnes, let men admire, let children take courage, let the married be astounded,
let the unmarried take an example. But what can I say worthy of her whose very
name was not devoid of bright praise? In devotion beyond her age, in virtue
above nature, she seems to me to have borne not so much a human name, as a
token of martyrdom, whereby she showed what she was to be.
But
I have that which may assist me. The name of virgin is a title of modesty. I
will call upon the martyr, I will proclaim the virgin. That panegyric is long
enough which needs no elaboration but is within our grasp. Let then labor
cease, eloquence be silent. One word is praise enough. This word old men and
young and boys chant. No one is more praiseworthy than he who can be praised by
all. There are as many heralds as there are men, who when they speak proclaim
the martyr.
She
is said to have suffered martyrdom when twelve years old. The more hateful was
the cruelty, which spared not so tender an age, the greater in truth was the
power of faith which found evidence even in that age. Was there room for a
wound in that small body? And she who had no room for the blow of the steel had
that wherewith to conquer the steel. But maidens of that age are unable to bear
even the angry looks of parents and are wont to cry at the pricks of a needle
as though they were wounds. She was fearless
under the cruel hands of the executioners, she was unmoved by the heavy weight
of the creaking chains, offering her whole body to the sword of the raging
soldier, as yet ignorant of death, but ready for it. Or if she were unwillingly
hurried to the altars, she was ready to stretch forth her hands to Christ at
the sacrificial fires, and at the sacrilegious altars themselves, to make the
sign of the Lord the Conqueror, or again to place her neck and both her hands
in the iron bands, but no band could enclose such slender limbs.
A
new kind of martyrdom! Not yet of fit age for punishment but already ripe for
victory, difficult to contend with but easy to be crowned, she filled the
office of teaching valor while having the disadvantage of youth. She would not
as a bride so hasten to the couch, as being a virgin, she joyfully went to the
place of punishment with hurrying step, her head not adorned with plaited hair,
but with Christ. All wept, she alone was without a tear. All wondered that she
was so readily prodigal of her life, which she had not yet enjoyed, and now
gave up as though she had gone through it. Everyone was astounded that there
was now one to bear witness to the Godhead, who as yet could not, because of
her age, dispose of herself. And she brought it to pass that she should be
believed concerning God, whose evidence concerning man would not be accepted.
For that which is beyond nature is from the Author of nature.
What
threats the executioner used to make her fear him, what allurements to persuade
her, how many desired that she would come to them in marriage! But she
answered: It would be an injury to my spouse to look on any one as likely to
please me. He who chose me first for Himself shall receive me. Why are you
delaying, executioner? Let this body perish which can be loved by eyes which I
would not. She stood, she prayed, she bent down her neck. You could see the
executioner tremble, as though he himself had been condemned, and his
right-hand shake, his face grow pale, as he feared
the peril of another, while the maiden feared
not for her own. You have then in one victim a twofold martyrdom, of modesty
and of religion. She both remained a virgin and she obtained martyrdom.
Pray that we may emulate Agnes who was martyred rather than forsake her betrothal to Christ and exhibited the traits of a true marriage.
Life First[2] 9 Days
for Life
9 Days for Life is a "digital pilgrimage" of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person's life. A multi-faceted novena highlighting a different intention each day provides reflections, bonus information, and suggested actions. Join to receive the novena through the 9 Days for Life app, daily emails, or daily texts. See below for information on how else you can get involved! #9DaysforLife #OurPrayersMatter
Day Three:
Intercession: May all who have experienced sexual abuse receive justice, healing, and God’s peace.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Mary’s, Glory Be
Reflection: Recent reports have once again exposed the terrible abuses that many have suffered at the hands of a member of the Catholic clergy. Our hearts ache for the grave harm that has been inflicted on our brothers and sisters. Words alone cannot express our sorrow, shame and disappointment that such affronts to human dignity have been carried out within our Church. It is our prayer and hope that all who have experienced abuse will find the healing and justice they so rightly deserve, knowing that they are never alone. For, “only by confronting our own failure in the face of crimes against those we are charged to protect can the Church resurrect a culture of life where the culture of death has prevailed”.
Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)
·
Fast
from one meal today.
·
Seek
the intercession of Our Lady by praying a Rosary for Healing and Protection.
·
Offer
some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for
today’s intention.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER ONE-YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR
GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
Article 3 -THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
I.
The Sabbath Day
2168
The third commandment of the Decalogue recalls the holiness of the sabbath:
"The seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD."
2169
In speaking of the sabbath Scripture recalls creation: "For in six days
the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested
the seventh day; therefore, the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed
it."
2170
Scripture also reveals in the Lord's day a memorial of Israel's liberation from
bondage in Egypt: "You shall remember that you were a servant in the land
of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out thence with mighty hand and
outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the sabbath
day."
2171
God entrusted the sabbath to Israel to keep as a sign of the irrevocable
covenant. The sabbath is for the Lord, holy and set apart for the praise
of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on behalf of Israel.
2172
God's action is the model for human action. If God "rested and was
refreshed" on the seventh day, man too ought to "rest" and
should let others, especially the poor, "be refreshed." The
sabbath brings everyday work to a halt and provides a respite. It is a day of
protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money.
2173
The Gospel reports many incidents when Jesus was accused of violating the
sabbath law. But Jesus never fails to respect the holiness of this day. He
gives this law its authentic and authoritative interpretation: "The
sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath." With compassion,
Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life
rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a
day to honor God. "The Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: For
the intercession of the angels and saints
· Saturday Litany of the Hours
Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: January
·
Carnival
Time begins in Catholic Countries.
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
· Rosary
Day 7
St. Joseph will greatly bless those who love and honor Mary
[2]http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/january-roe-events/nine-days-of-prayer-penance-and-pilgrimage.cfm
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