Subj : =?UTF-8?Q?January_11th_=E2=80=93_St=2E_Vitalis_of_Gaza=2C_Hermit?=
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From : rich
Date : Thu Jan 10 2019 08:24:07

From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

January 11th =E2=80=93 St. Vitalis of Gaza, Hermit

Died c. 625.

=C2 Vitalis was a monk of Gaza, of unknown origin, who in his monk's
dress, at the age of 60, arrived in the gay and dazzling city of
Alexandria, Egypt, like a ghost of the desert. In his lonely cell he
had read the story of the woman taken in adultery and had felt
impelled to travel to the city and work among the prostitutes. He
obtained the name and address of every harlot, hired himself out as a
day laborer, and every night took his wage to one of these unfortunate
women.

It was a very strange and unconventional procedure. He would sup with
the woman, then, giving her the money, would say: "I pay thee this,
that thou mayest spend one night without sin." Afterwards he would
pray with her, often passing the night in reciting the Psalms, and, on
leaving, would extract a solemn promise that she would tell no one of
the nature of his visit.

It led to great scandal and he was gravely misunderstood, but the
Church refused to intervene and he continued his mission. Thus he
visited in turn every harlot in Alexandria, and many, moved by his
purity and sincerity as well as by his earnest appeal, abandoned their
shameful calling. Many, indeed, afterwards married and became good
wives and mothers.

But his story ends in tragedy. One day, when leaving a house of ill
fame, he was struck on the head by a man who misunderstood his motive.
Vitalis made his way back with difficulty to the wretched hovel where
he lived, and the crowd that followed, when they entered, found him
dead upon his knees. In his hand was a fragment of parchment bearing
the words:

"Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will
bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels of the heart."

Then all whom he had helped revealed the secret of his redemptive
work, and the whole city gathered to do him honor, the women following
him to his grave bearing lamps and candles (Benedictines,
Encyclopedia, Gill).


Saint Quote:
"Oh what remorse we shall feel at the end of our lives, when we look
back upon the great number of instructions and examples afforded by
God and the Saints for our perfection, and so carelessly received by
us! If this end were to come to you today, how would you be pleased
with the life you have led this year?"
--St. Francis de Sales

Bible Quote
And Abraham answered, and said: Seeing I have once begun, I will speak
to my Lord, whereas I am dust and ashes.=C2  (Genesis 18:27)


<><><><>
ACT OF CONSECRATION

O Lord, since I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid,
I renounce the devil and all his works and pomps; all the
vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh.
Thou alone art the God of my heart; Thou, O God, art my
portion forever. Thou art the portion of my inheritance and of
my cup. Thou art He that will restore my inheritance unto me.
Do Thou therefore take for Thine own all the powers of my
soul, my memory, my intellect, and my will. All that I am, and
all that I have, Thou hast bestowed upon me: therefore I give
back all to Thee, and surrender it to be wholly governed by
Thy sovereign will. Grant me but grace to love thee alone,
and I am rich enough and ask no more.


--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)

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