Subj : January 30: -Saint Martina of Rome To : All From : rich Date : Fri Jan 29 2021 09:02:58 From: rich January 30: -Saint Martina of Rome =C2 (died 226) Today we celebrate the feast day of Saint Martina of Rome, virgin martyr, and model of charity for the poor. Saint Martina was martyred for her refusal to renounce Christ and sacrifice to the pagan gods. Martina's witness, made all the more powerful by her youth, is said= to have inspired miraculous conversions similar to that experienced by Saint Paul.=C2 Her faith and conviction inspires us today. Born into the family of a wealthy and noble consul in Rome, Saint Martina grew up with the luxuries and privileges reserved for the wealthy at that time. Nonetheless, she shied away from vain pursuits, and instead offered her time (and her family's wealth) in service t= o the poor.=C2 While still young, both of Saint Martina's parents = died, and she was left with a sizable inheritance.=C2 For the love of Christ, she distributed all that she had to the poor and needy of Rome.=C2 This she did to sever her ties with the world, that she might be more ready for martyrdom, should she fall victim to the Christian persecution sweeping the city. This persecution, under the direction of Emperor Alexander Severus, had begun in attempts to rid the city of the Christian faith, a faith that was deemed threatening to the Roman Empire.=C2 Similar persecution swept throughout the land, but was most pronounced in Rome.=C2 One afternoon, Martina was discovered praying in a church.=C2 She readily accompanied the three officers who arrested her, begging them politely to let her finish her prayers and speak with her bishop.=C2 This they did, triumphantly returning her to the emperor, certain that she would renounce the faith and serve as an example to other Christians. However, when ordered to speak, Saint Martina asserted that she would never sacrifice to the pagan gods, and certainly never to idols--the handiwork of men.=C2 She proclaimed the truth of the one true God, and was sentenced to torture. Martina was raked with iron hooks across her body, but in the process, her torturers were thrown to the ground by a powerful shaking of the earth accompanied by a bright light.=C2 Within this light, Saint Martina prayed for their souls, and when they arose, they had been converted, similar to Saint Paul's experience on the road. Not to be embarrassed, the emperor ordered her tortured again.=C2 This time, she was tied by her hands and feet to posts in the ground and cruelly scourged.=C2 She was allowed to rest one day, assuming this torture (and the threat of more) would change her mind.=C2 When brought to the temple of Diana the next day to offer sacrifice, fire fell from the heavens and burnt the temple, crushing and killing many pagan priests and worshipers. Additional torture attempts were tried, including being thrown to a lion (who lost interest in her and failed to attack) and being placed in a fiery furnace (which failed to even singe her clothing). Eventually, Saint Martina was beheaded, her head displayed as a warning to Christians. Saint Martina's relics were discovered during the papacy of Pope Ur= ban VIII, in 1634.=C2 Along with the relics of several other martyrs, she was placed in a beautiful church located in the Roman Forum.=C2 This church was dedicated in her honor, and hymns were written in her honor. Saint Martina's life reminds us that each of us--however small--can effect great change in our communities with the help of the Lord. All we need do is ask, through prayer, and the Lord's light will shine upon us and throughout our world. =C2 by Jacob Saint Quote: Don't you see that Satan and his agents take possession of all inventions and all achievements of progress to convert them to evil? All the more reason to finally wake up and get to work in order to reconquer the positions taken up by the enemy. --St. Maximilian Kolbe Bible Quote: Let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.=C2 (Matt. 5:16) <><><><> Chaplet of Blessed Miguel Pro, SJ [On the crucifix or medal of Fr. Pro] Blessed Miguel, before your death, you told your friend to ask you for favors when you were in Heaven. I beg you to intercede for me and in union with Our lady and all the angels and saints, to ask Our Lord to grant my petition, provided that it be God's will. [Mention request] [On the white beads that symbolize his purity] We honor and adore Holy Ghost. We pray as Jesus taught us to pray. [Our Father] We venerate with love the Virgin May.[Hail Mary] All you angels, bless you the Lord forever. Saint Joseph, Saint [name of your patron], and all the saints pray for us. Blessed Miguel, high spirited youth, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, loving son and brother, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, patient novice, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, exile from your homeland, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, prayerful religious, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, sick and suffering, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, defender of workers, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, courageous priest in hiding, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, prisoner in jail, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, forgiver of persecutors, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. Blessed Miguel, holy martyr, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .