Subj : August 11th - St. Susanna To : All From : rich Date : Mon Aug 10 2020 10:23:12 From: rich August 11th - St. Susanna Saint Susanna was a Roman Virgin, who, on the 11th day of August in the year 290, was beheaded by order of her uncle the Emperor Diocletian.=C2 She incurred his displeasure by refusing to break her vow of chastity and marry his adopted son, Maximilian Galerius. This is the simple story of a Christian martyr of the third century. It is a story of love for Jesus Christ, repeated many times through the centuries, a love so exalted and complete in its dedication that there was no place in it for another.=C2 In her consecrated life of virginity Saint Susanna had no thought of marriage.=C2 She would marry no one, not even the adopted son of the Emperor. If Diocletian knew that Susanna, a staunch believer in Jesus Christ, had consecrated her virginity to Him by vow, he did not let it influence his judgment. =C2 It was his order that she marry Galerius. She had led many faltering pagans to the doors of the Church and to the saving waters of Baptism.=C2 Now faced with the Emperor's command she had to make a choice of life or death, not an unfamiliar one in those days.=C2 To refuse the offer of marriage might well mean death, but she who had been a source of courage and constancy to others must not falter herself.=C2 It was with fury and disbelief that Diocletian heard Susanna had refused to marry his choice, or for that matter anyone's choice. The Empress Serena, herself a Christian, interceded for her during the next several months, every effort was made to persuade Susanna to change her mind.=C2 After repeated failures, Diocletian gave the order which made his young cousin a martyr to the faith in the home of her father.=C2 She died by beheading. On the night of her death, August 11th, 290, the Empress Serena visited the home of our martyred Saint and reverently carried the body away.=C2 At her order the corpse was placed in a tomb next to that of Saint Alexander in the catacombs of Saint Felicitas.=C2 Early next morning Pope Saint Caius said a Mass in her place of martyrdom, the present site of the Church of Santa Susanna. Historians say that the Emperor was neither for nor against the Christians personally.=C2 His adopted son and military aide, however, was violently opposed to the new faith, nor did Diocletian stay his hand.=C2 When Galerius felt that the tenets of this new religion had denied him a most desirable bride, his anger was boundless.=C2 It may well be that the refusal of Saint Susanna to marry the Emperor's choice was the single incident that touched off the bloodiest persecution the Christians had thus far known.=C2 It was to claim many others of Susanna's immediate family including her father, Gabinius, and her uncle, Pope Caius. Through her death, and in the very place where her youthful blood spilled on the earth, rises the church which today, and for many centuries, has borne her name--the Church of Santa Susanna. Reflection: To honor the martyrs and duly celebrate their feasts, we must learn their spirit and study to imitate them according to our state of life. We must, like them, resist evil, subdue our passions, suffer afflictions with patience, and bear with others without murmuring or complaining. The cross is the ladder by which we must ascend to heaven. Quote: Depression comes from not having faults but from refusal to face them. There are tens of thousands of persons today suffering from fears which in reality are nothing but the effects of hidden sin. The examination of conscience will cure us of self-deception. It will also cure us of depression! --Bishop Fulton Sheen <><><><> Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Sickness Mother of Perpetual Help, you know how much I suffer because of my sickness. Not only my body but my soul is also affected. I do not even have the strength to pray as I should. Nothing gives me any relief. Even the visits and compassion of my friends bring me no comfort. My courage is beginning to fail; impatience and sadness are having their effect on me. Most tender and loving Mother, in my feelings of distress, I put all my trust in you. Your compassionate heart will surely have pity on me. Merciful Mother, do not forget your devoted, afflicted child's (here mention your sickness). Ask your Son, Jesus, to give me the courage and strength to accept my sickness as the will of God and to bear it with patience and resignation. If it is God's will, intercede for me in recovering my former good health; but if it is God's will that I continue to suffer, or, that this sickness should lead me to a better life, I am perfectly resigned. Loving Mother, I am confident you will obtain the grace to do whatever God asks for me. Amen. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .