The Great might of Christ's hand

[Rich]

The Great might of Christ's hand

"The faithful also have the help of Christ, and the devil is not able
to snatch them. Those who have an endless enjoyment of good things
remain in Christ's hand, no one thereafter snatching them away from
the bliss that is given to them. [No one can throw them] into
punishment or torments. For it is not possible that those who are in
Christ's hand should be snatched away to be punished because of the
great might Christ has. For 'the hand' in the divine Scripture
signifies 'the power'” It cannot be doubted therefore that the hand of
Christ is unconquerable and mighty to all things."
by Clement of Alexandria.(excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL
OF JOHN 7.1)

===========
May 29th – Martyrs of Toulouse
(died 1242)

Saint William Arnaud and 11 companions died in Avignonet, France, and
are known as the “Martyrs of Toulouse.” William, a Dominican friar,
was sent with his companions by Pope Gregory IX, appointed
inquisitors, to the regions of France to combat heresy which was
spreading under the guise of Albigensianism (a theory of dualism which
considered the body evil, thereby preventing resurrection. Christ was
thought to have not been man, given that he would have succumbed to
evil, had he been. This theory removed the Sacraments of the Church,
replacing them with pagan rituals for purification).

Along with William, were Bernard of Roquefort and Garcia d’Aure of
Comminges, both Dominicans. Two Franciscan friars accompanied them,
Stephen Saint-Thibery and Raymond Cortisan. A Benedictine friar,
Raymond Cortison, referred to as “the Writer” originally from
Toulouse joined them, as did Bernard from the cathedral of Toulouse.
Pietro d’Arnaud, notary of the Inquisitors, and Fortanerio and
Adhemar, clerics of the Inquisitors, completed the group of martyrs.

This group of brave men found most every door to them closed in
Toulouse, under penalty of punishment from the ruling count at the
time. They set up a small farmhouse outside the city gates, preaching
throughout the countryside with great success. Many were converted,
and many miracles of healing were performed. Eventually, their
presence became threatening to the local government, who lured the
holy men to an ambush by spreading word that the ruling Count--an
acquaintance of Saint William--was ready to reject his heretical
beliefs and return to the Church.

On the eve of the Ascension of Our Lord, the martyrs, having received
a heavenly vision of their imminent martyrdom, traveled as a group to
the castle of Count Raymond III of Toulouse, where his soldiers fell
upon them in the great hall, slaughtering 7 of the 11. The remaining
four--including William--escaped to a local Church, where they were
found by the soldiers singing the Te Deum. It was here, in the church,
that they were murdered--an act unforgivable in Medieval times due to
the principle of sanctuary. Particularly angered by the singing, the
soldiers first cut out Saint William’s tongue, prior to killing him.
The bodies of the martyrs were thrown down a ravine and large boulders
were rolled on top of them. As evening fell, however, bright, heavenly
lights streamed from their bodies, leading the faithful to them to
collect their relics. They were interred in the Church of San Romano
at the monastery in Toulouse.

The church of Avignonet where they were murdered was placed under
interdict, the doors closed and locked, because of the sacrilege, and
for 40 years no Mass was celebrated there. When the interdict was
lifted, the bells rang of themselves, according to legend, to let
people know that Avignonet was once more a member of the living
Church.
by Jacob


Saint Quote
We therefore grossly deceive ourselves in not allotting more time to
the study of divine truths. It is not enough barely to believe them,
and let our thoughts now and then glance upon them: that knowledge
which shows us heaven, will not bring us to the possession of it, and
will deserve punishments, not rewards, if it remain slight, weak, and
superficial. By serious and frequent meditation it must be concocted,
digested, and turned into the nourishment of our affections, before it
can be powerful and operative enough to change them, and produce the
necessary fruit in our lives. For this all the saints affected
solitude and retreats from the noise and hurry of the world, as much
as their circumstances allowed them.
--St. Apollinaris

Bible Quote:
4 Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men,
but chosen and made honourable by God: [5] Be you also as living
stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.[1 Peter 2:4-5] DRV


<><><><>
EJACULATIONS TO THE
MOST HOLY SACRAMENT

I adore Thee at all moments,
O living Bread,
come down from heaven,
most august Sacrament.

O Jesus,
beloved Son of the Virgin Mary,
I pray Thee to bless my soul.

To Thee I consecrate my heart,
O most blessed Jesus,
my dear Saviour.

Mayest Thou be known,
adored, and loved by all,
and may thanks be continually given to Thee
in the Most Holy and most august Sacrament.