Subj : November 24th - SS. Flora and Mary, Virgins and Martyrs To : All From : rich Date : Sun Nov 22 2020 09:23:23 From: rich November 24th - SS. Flora and Mary, Virgins and Martyrs In the reign of Abdur Rahman II, king of the Moors at Cordova in Spain, Flora, being of Mohammedan birth by her father but secretly brought up in the Christian faith by her mother, was impeached by her own brother before the judge of the city. This magistrate had her scourged brutally, and then put her into the hands of her brother that he might overcome her resolution. Later she made her escape and took shelter with a sister. Having lain concealed some time, she ventured back to Cordova and prayed publicly in the church of St. Acisclus the martyr. There she met with Mary, sister to a deacon who had lately received the crown of martyrdom, and they agreed to give themselves up as Christians to the magistrate, by whose order they were confined where no one had access to them but some loose women. St. Eulogius, who was at that time detained in another prison, wrote them an exhortation to martyrdom, in which he told them that no involuntary infamy could harm their souls and that to yield temporarily in hope of better things must not be considered. The two girls were eventually beheaded together, declaring they would intercede in Heaven for the release of St. Eulogius and the other brethren; and they were in fact set free a week later. These Spanish martyrs belong to the group of whom we know practically nothing but what has been recorded in the narrative of St Eulogius, which may be most conveniently consulted in Migne, PL., vol. cxv, cc. 835--845. Saint Quote: The envious man is cruel, proud, unfaithful, impatient, and quarrelsome; and, what is strange, when this vice gains the mastery, he is no longer master of himself, and he is unable to correct his many faults. If the bond of peace is broken, if the rights of fraternal charity are violated, if truth is altered or disguised, it is often envy that hurries him on to crime. What happiness can such a man enjoy in this world? To be envious or jealous of another, because such a one is virtuous and happy, is to hate in him the graces and blessings God has showered down upon him. -- Saint Cyprian of Carthage Bible Quote: "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."=C2 [Psalm 50:23] <><><><> The Power of the Mass At the hour of death the Holy Masses you have heard devoutly will be your greatest consolation. Every Mass will go with you to Judgement and will plead for pardon for you. By every Mass you can diminish the temporal punishment due =C2 to your sins, more or less, according to your fervour. By devoutly assisting at Holy Mass you render the greatest =C2 homage possible to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord. Through the Holy Sacrifice, Our Lord Jesus Christ supplies for many of your negligences and omissions. He forgives you all the venial sins which you are determined to avoid. He forgives you all your unknown sins which you never confessed. The power of Satan over you is diminished. By piously hearing Holy Mass you afford the Souls in =C2 Purgatory the greatest possible relief. Through Holy Mass you are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes which would otherwise have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory by every Mass. Through the Holy Mass you are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs. When you hear Holy Mass devoutly, offering it to Almighty God in honour of any particular Saint or Angel, thanking God for the favours bestowed on him, etc., you afford that Saint or Angel a new degree of honour, joy and happiness, and draw his special love and protection on yourself. Every time you assist at Holy Mass, besides other intentions, you should offer it in honor of the Saint of the Day. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .