Subj : March 22nd - Saint Lea of Rome To : All From : rich Date : Sun Mar 21 2021 10:05:03 From: rich March 22nd - Saint Lea of Rome (died 384) Saint Lea of Rome was a Roman noblewoman who upon the death of her husband, entered the convent of Saint Marcella. Saint Lea lived her life in service to the sisters of the convent, eventually becoming the superior of the group. While little is known about the life of Saint Lea, she is remembered for her austerity, obedient lifestyle, and strict penances. A dear friend to Saint Marcella, much of what we know of the life of Saint Lea comes from a series of letters that Saint Jerome, Church Father, wrote to Saint Marcella following her death. Even in the 4th century, shortly following her death, Saint Jerome refers to Lea as =E2=80=9Cblessed,=E2=80=9D indicating the respect and veneration offered to= her at that time. Since the 4th century, Lea has been venerated as a saint. The news of Saint Lea's death first reached Saint Marcella while sh= e was engaged in prayer and study of the 73rd Psalm with Saint Jerome. Later in the day, he wrote a letter to Marcella, offering her encouragement and extolling the Christian virtues of Saint Lea. From the 23rd epistle of Saint Jerome, to Marcella: "Who will praise the blessed Lea as she deserves? She renounced painting her face and adorning her head with shining pearls. She exchanged her rich attire for sackcloth, and ceased to command others in order to obey all. She dwelt in a corner with a few bits of furniture; she spent her nights in prayer, and instructed her companions through her example rather than through protests and speeches. And she looked forward to her arrival in heaven in order to receive her recompense for the virtues which she practiced on earth. So it is that thence forth she enjoyed perfect happiness. From Abraham's bosom, where she resides with Lazarus, she sees our consul who was once decked out in purple, now vested in a shameful robe, vainly begging for a drop of water to quench his thirst. Although he went up to the capital to the plaudits of the people, and his death occasioned widespread grief, it is futile for the wife to assert that he has gone to heaven and possesses a great mansion there. The fact is that he is plunged into the darkness outside, whereas Lea who was willing to be considered a fool on earth, has been received into the house of the Father, at the wedding feast of the Lamb. Hence, I tearfully beg you to refrain from seeking the favors of the world and to renounce all that is carnal. It is impossible to follow both the world and Jesus. Let us live a life of renunciation, for our bodies will soon be dust and nothing else will last any longer." The life of Saint Lea was one of unexpected change and service. Following the death of her husband, she gave up her wealth and privilege, living =E2=80=9Clike a fool on earth,=E2=80=9D in the words of S= aint Jerome. Saint Lea received her reward in heaven for her obedience and austerity on earth. During this Lenten season, we might look to her example, exchanging our earthly vanity and pride for true service, true faith, and true obedience to the call of the Lord. Saint Quote: We should speak to God as a friend speaks to his friend, or a servant to his master, sometimes asking a favor, sometimes accusing ourselves of our faults, sometimes laying before Him all that concerns us, our thoughts, our doubts, our projects, and our dispositions, and asking counsel from Him in all these things ...--St. Ignatius Bible Quote: Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you (Mt. 5:11-12). <><><><> Prayer for Humility O GOD, Who resistest the proud and givest Thy grace to the humble, grant us the grace of true humility, of which Thine Only begotten Son showed forth in Himself an example to the faithful, that we may never, puffed up by pride, incur Thine anger, but that, submissive to Thy will, we may receive the gifts of Thy grace. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .