That Our Peace cannot Depend on Man [II]:

[Weedy]

That Our Peace cannot Depend on Man [II]:

He who attributes any goodness to himself, obstructs the coming of God's grace, for the grace of the Holy Spirit always seeks a humble heart. If you would perfectly overcome self and set yourself free from love of creatures, I would come to you with all My grace.(1 Pet.5:5) But while your interest is in creatures, the vision of the Creator is hidden from you. Learn, then for love of the Creator to overcome self in everything and you shall come to the knowledge of God. But so long as anything, however small, occupies too much of your love and regard, it injures the soul and hold you back from attaining the highest Good.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 42


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May 24th - Donatian and Rogatian, Martyrs
Died about 287

DURING the reign of the Emperor Maximian there was living at Nantes in Brittany a young man called Donatian who belonged to a prominent Romano-Gallic family and was a zealous Christian. After the outbreak of persecution his elder brother Rogatian was moved by his example and piety to desire baptism, but the sacrament was deferred because the bishop was in hiding. The emperor had issued an edict directing that all who refused to sacrifice to Jupiter and Apollo should be put to death. Upon the arrival of the prefect at Nantes, Donatian was brought before him on the charge of professing Christianity and of withdrawing others--notably his brother--from the worship of the gods. He made a bold confession and was cast into prison, where he was soon joined by Rogatian who, in the face of cajolery and threats, had remained constant to his newly-found faith. He only grieved that he had not been baptized, but he prayed that the kiss of peace which he had received from his brother might supply the necessary grace. He was destined to receive the baptism of blood. They spent the night together in fervent prayer and were brought up again the following day before the prefect, to whom they expressed their willingness to suffer for the name of Christ whatever torments might be in store for them. By his order they were tortured on the rack, their heads were pierced with lances, and they were finally decapitated. The two martyrs are greatly venerated at Nantes where they are popularly known as “Les Enfants Nantais”. A few of their reputed relics are preserved in a church dedicated in their honour.

The comparatively sober passio of these martyrs has been included in the Acta Sincera of Ruinart. This may be read also in the Acta Sanctorum, May, vol. v, and another redaction has been printed in the Analecta Bollandiana, vol. viii (1889), pp. 163-164. Though it is impossible to regard the text as the report of a contemporary, still it cannot be treated as a mere romance. Mgr Duchesne, who touches upon the matter in his Fastes Épiscopaux (vol. ii, pp. 359-361), remarks that in the whole of western Gaul these are the only martyrs whose death can confidently be assigned to the Roman persecutions. See further A. de la Borderie, Histoire de Bretagne, vol. i, pp. 187-194; Delanoue, S. Donatien et S. Rogatien (1904); G. Mollat in Annales de Bretagne, vol. xxii (1907), pp. 205-213; and J. B. Russon, La passion des Enfants nantais (1945). H. Leclercq also discussed the question at some length in DAC., vol. xii (1935), cc. 628-634, giving abundant bibliographical references.


Saint Quote:
In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal.
-- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Bible Quote:
He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do the things that are pleasing to Him. (John 8:29)


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Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory,
Of His Flesh the mystery sing;
Of the Blood, all price exceeding,
Shed by our immortal King,
Destined, for the world's redemption,
From a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man with man conversing,
Stay'd, the seeds of truth to sow;
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He the Paschal victim eating,
First fulfils the Law's command;
Then, as Food to His Apostles
Gives Himself with His own hand.

Word made Flesh, the bread of nature
By His word to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes:-
What though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Therefore, we, before It bending,
This great Sacrament adore;
Types and shadows have their ending
In the new rite evermore:
Faith, our outward sense amending,
Maketh good defects before.

Honor, laud, and praise addressing
To the Father and the Son,
Might ascribe we, virtue, blessing,
And eternal benison:
Holy Ghost, from both progressing,
Equal laud to Thee be done.

V. Thou didst send them bread from heaven,
R. Having in itself every delight.

Let us pray.

O God, who under this wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy
Passion: grant us, we beseech Thee, so to reverence the sacred mysteries of
Thy Body and Thy Blood, that we may ever feel within ourselves the fruit of
Thy redemption: Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. - Amen.

--Saint Augustine, tr. E. Caswall