Subj : November 24th - St. Romanus of Le Mans To : All From : rich Date : Sat Nov 23 2019 08:30:18 From: rich November 24th - St. Romanus of Le Mans Died at Blaye, France, in 385. Romanus appears to be an average person. Yet just as the Church never leaves any of us completely alone, she never lets any of us completely useless. In the most unexpected times and places, across the ages, across vast distances, we will always encounter someone in her whose existence takes on mysterious meaning and power, whose life is suddenly filled with love. Romanus was an introvert by nature and never aspired to leave his native Italy until his Uncle Julian called him across the Alps. Bishop Julian had been sent to Le Mans in Gaul by Pope Clement; and under the circumstances Romanus, who was destined for holy orders himself, could hardly refuse to go. The success of the new missionary and his companions was reported to be breathtaking=E2=80=94miracles, cures, even resurrections from the dead. = Yet Romanus was not a demonstrative or emotional man, so he rejoiced in silence. Rare indeed is the man who knows how to be happy and admiring and keep silent. As soon as he had settled in, his uncle, who had already become known as the great Saint Julian, honored as first bishop of Le Mans, ordained him a priest; then he sent him off with his pilgrim's staff to preach the Gospel at the mouth of the Gironde. It wasn't that Romanus was very eloquent=E2=80=94he wasn't much of a talker and even less = of an organizer=E2=80=94but he didn't need to be because what he was bringing = was life. And so clear was his message that those who heard it came to be baptized by him immediately. Calmly and quietly he put sin to death and then, with the waters of baptism brought them to life again. From time to time he cast out a small demon, effected a cure, cast out another demon ... but reluctantly almost shyly. In general uncles die before their nephews. When Julian died, Romanus returned to Le Mans, where all he wanted was to be allowed to stay near the tomb of the man he venerated as a father. Saint Thuribe succeeded St. Julian as bishop and entrusted Romanus with the care of the tomb, which was in the basilica of the Holy Apostles. And Romanus stayed there faithfully. Thuribe died and was buried next to Julian. Romanus watched over them and led the people in worship of God. A churchyard quickly developed, for it was the custom among early Christians to bury their dead near the bodies of saints. And so, near the graveyards, there sprang up little communities of clerics who looked after the burial of their Christian brothers. They formed a minor order called the "Grave-diggers." Romanus was a "Grave-digger." He and his companions received the bodies of the Christians of Le Mans that were brought to be buried near their first bishops, Julian and Thuribe, thereby continuing the bond with the baptism of the bodies and souls. When he felt that his end was near, Romanus wanted to see Rome once again. Pavace, the former deacon who had now become bishop, allowed him to go on condition that he promised to return. Romanus kept his promise. He returned just in time for his death, which he faced without fear. At dawn on the 7th of November, probably in 385, with Pavace officiating and his brother Grave-diggers around him, Romanus was laid to rest in the basilica, next to Julian and Thuribe. People continued to come to the basilica, but Romanus gradually faded from the memory of men. But not from the memory of the Church which, happily, forgets nothing (Benedictines, Encyclopedia). Saint Quote: If it were given a man to see virtue's reward in the next life, he would occupy his intellect, memory and will in nothing but good works--regardless of danger or fatigue. --St Catherine of Genoa Bible Quote: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27) <><><><> Psalm CIX The Messias, King and Priest, victorious =C2 over His enemies =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 The Lord said to my Lord: Sit Thou at my right = hand. =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 Until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 The Lord will send forth the scepter of Thy powe= r out of Sion: rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies. =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 Thine is dominion in the day of Thy power, amid = the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day-star have I begotten Thee. =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 The Lord hath sworn, and He will not repent: Tho= u art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedech. =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 The Lord upon Thy right hand: hath overthrown ki= ngs in the day of His wrath. =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 He shall judge among the nations; He shall fill = the land with the fallen. He shall smite in sunder the heads in the land of many. =C2 =C2 =C2 =C2 He shall drink of a brook in the way: therefore = shall He lift up His head. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .