That we should never Despair [II]

[Traudel]

That we should never Despair [II]

Banish discouragement from Thy heart as best you can, and if
trouble comes, never let it depress or hinder you for long. At the
least, bear it bravely if you cannot bear it cheerfully. Even if you
are reluctant to bear it, and feel indignant, yet control yourself,
and let no rash words escape you that may harm Christ's little ones.
The violence of your feelings will soon subside, and grace return to
heal your inner pain. I live, ( Isa 49:18) says the Lord, `ready to
help and comfort you more than ever, if you will trust Me and call on
Me with devotion.'
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 3 Ch. 57

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June 24th - St. Simplicius, Bishop of Autun

4th 5th c.
EXCEPT that he was bishop of Autun, highly esteemed for his integrity
and charity, nothing definite is known about this St. Simplicius. He
would seem to have succeeded Bishop Egemonius about the year 390. On
the other hand, it is possible that he was the Bishop Simplicius
mentioned by St. Athanasius as one of the signatories to the decrees
of the Council of Sardica in 347. According to his legend, as related
by Gregory of Tours, he came of a distinguished Gallo-Roman family and
married a maiden, young and wealthy like himself, with whom he made a
pact that they should live in continence and devote themselves to good
works. After Simplicius had been elected bishop, misunderstandings
arose and some scandal was caused in the still largely pagan city
because the hew prelate and his wife continued to dwell under the same
roof. To vindicate themselves they voluntarily submitted to an ordeal
by fire. They took red-hot coals, laid them in the folds of their
clothing, and stood up before the people for an hour without
sustaining any injury to themselves or to their garments.

So convincing was this miracle that it led over a thousand pagans to
seek baptism.

Another wonder, and one equally fruitful in conversions, was wrought
by St. Simplicius on the day of the goddess Berecynthia, which was
always an occasion for disgraceful orgies. The holy bishop met the
statue of the deity as it was being conveyed in a chariot to bless the
fields, and with a prayer for divine assistance he upraised his hand
to make the sign of the cross. Instantly the image fell to the ground,
from which no efforts could dislodge it. Moreover, the beasts which
drew the chariot refused to proceed any further.

The fantastic story just recounted is to be found in Gregory of Tours,
De Gloria Conf., nn. 73-76. There is also a short medieval life of
Simplicius (it is printed in the Catalogus of Brussels Hagiographical
MSS., vol. i, pp. 127-129), and it has been held that this was the
source from which Gregory derived his information, but Bruno Krusch
(in the Neues Archiv, vol. xxxiii, pp. 18-19) denies this. A
Simplicius, Bishop of Autun, is commemorated in the Hieronymianum, not
only today but also on November 19, and there are certain
chronological data which suggest that there may have been two bishops
of Autun of that name. See also Duchesne, Fastes Épiscopaux, vol. ii,
pp. 174-178.

Saint Simplicius lived in continence with his wife, prior to being
made bishop of Autun. He worthily bore the pastoral staff as he
zealously and successfully uprooted paganism (Benedictines).


Bible Quote:
Giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be
partakers of the lot of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of
the Son of his love, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
remission of sins: (Col. 1:12-14) DRB

Saint Quote:
One of the greatest graces for which I feel myself indebted to Our
Lord is, that His Divine Majesty has given me the desire to be
obedient; for in this virtue I find most consolation and contentment,
it being that which Our Lord recommended by His own example more than
any other, and on this account I desire to possess it more than
anything else in the world.
The more we see that any action springs not from the motive of
obedience, the more evident is it that it is a temptation of the
enemy; for when God sends an inspiration, the very first effect of it
is to infuse a spirit of docility.
--St. Teresa


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"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold;
Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful;
cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak;
strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill
them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours;
possess them always and only for yourself."
--(Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)