Subj : February 19th - St. Lucy Yi Zhenmei and Comp. To : All From : rich Date : Tue Feb 18 2020 07:57:28 From: rich February 19th - St. Lucy Yi Zhenmei and Comp., Martyrs 1815 - 1862 Lucy Yi Zhenmei, a native of Mainyang in Sichuan, was born a Catholic on December 9, 1815, and was the youngest member in her family. Even as a child she was very pious, making a vow of chastity at the age of 12. She loved to read classics and at the age of 20, she fell gravely ill, but quickly recovered with a remedy her brother prescribed. Continuing her studies, she became more spiritually devout, spending hours in daily prayer, much like a religious. Her mother taught her how to spin, which also became part of her daily life. After her father died, she lived with her brother and mother, using part of her leisure time to teach the faith to children nearby. The parish priest, who asked her to teach at the school in Mianyang, noticed her devotion and reliable knowledge of her faith. After four years, her brother went to Chongqing to practice medicine, and Lucy and her mother moved with him. In Chongquing, the priest also asked her to help teach the women in the parish. When she was offered money for her work, she refused to take it and offered her work to God. A few years later, her brother moved back to Guiyang, and soon after her mother died. Full of enthusiasm for spreading the Gospel, she went on doing missionary work. However, for her own safety she decided to stay at the convent of lay virgins. Shortly after, her failing health forced her to move back home again. In 1861, Bishop Hu asked her to teach once more at the convent. In spite of opposition from relatives, she returned to work there. In 1862, she went with Fr. Wen Nair to open a mission in Jiashanlong, but just then the administrator of Guizhou Province, Tian Xingshu, began to stir up hatred against Christians, which the local magistrate supported. As a result, Zhang Tienshen, Wu Shuesheng, Chen Xianheng and Father Wen were all imprisoned and sentenced to death without a formal trial. On February 18, the day of their execution, they met Yi Zhenmei on the road. She was also jailed and put on trial that very day and sentenced to death as she refused to renounce her faith. The following day at noon, February 19, 1862, she was beheaded. Brave believers took the bodies of all five martyrs to the Liuchonnguan seminary grounds for burial. Pope Pius X proclaimed all five of them "Blessed" on May 2nd, 1909 and Pope John Paul II canonized them on October 1st, 2000. Saint Quote: Humility is the mother of many virtues. =C2 From it spring obedience, holy fear, reverence, patience, modesty, mildness, and peace; for, whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any, and does not feel the insults which may ensue. --St. Thomas of Villanova Bible Quote: "The patient man is better than the valiant; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities." [Proverbs 16: 32.] =C2 DRB <><><> The Handmaid of the Lord Lowliest of women, and most glorified: In thy still beauty, sitting calm and lone: A brightness round thee grew; and by thy side, Kindling the air, a form ethereal shone, Solemn, yet breathing gladness. From her throne a queen had risen with more imperial eye; A stately prophetess of victory From her proud lyre had struck a tempest's tone. For such high tidings as to thee were brought, Chosen of Heaven, that hour: but thou, O thou, E'en as a flower with gracious rains o'er fraught, Thy Virgin head beneath its crown didst bow, And take to thy meek breast the All-holy Word, And own thyself the handmaid of the Lord. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .