Subj : =?UTF-8?Q?February_2nd_=E2=80=93_Saint_Jean=2DTh=C3=A9ophane_V=C3=A9nar To : All From : rich Date : Thu Feb 01 2018 09:08:53 From: rich February 2nd =E2=80=93 Saint Jean-Th=C3=A9ophane V=C3=A9nard Memorial 2 February formerly 6 November formerly 4 December 24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam (1829-1861) St. Jean-Th=C3=A9ophane V=C3=A9nard was a French missionary to Vietnam who = was martyred for the faith. Even as a youngster this holy French priest dreamed of witnessing to the Gospel of Christ. He went to study for the priesthood. Then he entered a college for missionaries in Paris, France. His family, whom he dearly loved, was greatly saddened to think that after he became a priest he would leave them. Theophane realized that the long ocean voyage to the Far East would most probably separate him from his family for the rest of his life. =E2=80=9CMy darling sister,=E2=80=9D he wrote in a letter, =E2=80=9Chow I c= ried when I read your letter. Yes, I well knew the sorrow I was going to bring on my family. I think there will be a special sorrow for you, my dear little sister. But don't you think it cost me bloody tears, too? By taking such a step, I knew that I would give all of you great pain. Whoever loved his home more than I do? All my happiness on this earth was centered there. But God, who has united us all in bonds of most tender affection, wanted to draw me from it.=E2=80=9D After being ordained a priest, Theophane set out for Hong Kong. He sailed in September 1852. He studied languages for over a year there. Then he went on to Tonkin, present-day Vietnam. Two obstacles were in the way of this zealous missionary: his poor health and a terrible persecution. Yet he struggled bravely on. Often he wrote to tell his beloved sister in France all his adventures and narrow escapes from his persecutors. Famous for having inspired St. Therese of Lisieux, who said of St. Jean-Th=C3=A9ophane that he was someone who had lived her own image of a martyr and missionary, St. Jean was born in France, became a priest in the Society of Foreign Missions, and was sent to Vietnam. Due to the persecutions of the anti-Christian Vietnamese Emperor Minh-Menh, priests were forced to hide in the forest and live in caves. They were able to sneak out at night and minster to the people. Eventually someone betrayed St. Jean, and he was arrested. During his trial, he refused to renounce his faith in order to save his life. He was condemned to death, and spent the last few weeks of his life locked in a cage. His gentle ways won even his jailers. He managed to write a letter home in which he said: =E2=80=9CAll those who surround me are civil and respectful. A good many of them love me. From the great mandarin down to the humblest private soldier, everyone regrets that the laws of the country condemn one to death. I have not been put to the torture like my brethren.=E2=80=9D But their sympathy did not save his life. After he ha= d been beheaded, crowds rushed to soak handkerchiefs in his blood. Bishop Retord, the local bishop, wrote of him, =E2=80=9CThough in chains, h= e is happy as a bird!=E2=80=9D It was during his incarceration that he wrote many letters, some to his family. His most famous line is from a letter to his father in which he said, =E2=80=9CA slight sabre-cut will separate my head from my bo= dy, like the spring flower which the Master of the garden gathers for His pleasure. We are all flowers planted on this earth, which God plucks in His own good time: some a little sooner, some a little later . . . Father and son may we meet in Paradise. I, poor little moth, go first. Adieu.=E2=80=9D In reading these letters, St. Therese the Little Flower came to understand and use the image of being a little flower, whom God nevertheless cared for and cultivated, despite her minute size. On the way to martyrdom Father V=C3=A9nard chanted psalms and hymns. To his executioner, who coveted his clothing and asked what he would give to be killed promptly, he answered: =E2=80=9CThe longer it lasts the better it will be=E2=80=9D. St. Jean-Th=C3=A9ophane V=C3=A9nard was beheaded Feb. 2, 1861. His severed head was later recovered and is preserved as a relic in Vietnam. The rest of his body rests in the crypt of the Missions Etrang=C3=A8res in Paris. Saint Quote: According to St. Bonaventure, all the angels in heaven unceasingly call out to her: "Holy, holy, holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God." They greet her countless times each day with the angelic greeting, "Hail, Mary", while prostrating themselves before her, begging her as a favour to honour them with one of her requests. According to St. Augustine, even St. Michael, though prince of all the heavenly court, is the most eager of all the angels to honour her and lead others to honour her. At all times he awaits the privilege of going at her word to the aid of one of her servants. --St. Louis Marie de Montfort Bible Quote: Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart. Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness. (Psalms 97:11-12) DRB <><><><> A Night Prayer Eternal Father, I desire to rest in Thy Heart this night. I make the intention of offering to Thee every beat of my heart, joining to them as many acts of love and desire. I pray that even while I am asleep, I will bring back to Thee souls that offend Thee. I ask forgiveness for the whole world, especially for those who know Thee and yet sin. I offer to Thee my every breath and heartbeat as a prayer of reparation. Amen --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .