On Peace and Spiritual Progress (6)

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On Peace and Spiritual Progress (6)

It is hard to give up old habits, and harder still to conquer our own
wills. But if you cannot overcome in small and easy things, how will
you succeed in greater? Resist your evil inclinations in the
beginning, and break off evil habits, lest they gradually involve you
in greater difficulties. Oh, if you could only know how great a peace
for yourself and how great a joy for your fellows your good endeavour
would win, you would have greater care for your spiritual progress.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 11

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February 16th - Saint Juliana of Cumae
(also known as Juliana of Nicomedia)

died 305
Saint Juliana became widely venerated in Medieval times, with epic
poems written about her battle and eventual victory over the Devil.
Her Acts, recorded by the Venerable Saint Bede, and detailed in the
Golden Legend, are thought to be Holy Legend, although like most Holy
Legend, remain inspirational today.

Juliana was born in Cumae, Italy, the daughter of a pagan official
named Africanus. Betrothed at a young age to a nobleman named Evilase,
Juliana refused to marry until he first became the prefect of
Nicomedia. While he was working to meet this demand--which he
eventually did--Juliana converted to Christianity, and made a vow of
chastity. She then insisted that Evilase convert as well prior to
marriage. Of course, as a Roman prefect, this was not something he was
able to do and maintain his position and status.

Juliana’s father, who himself despised Christians, beat and abused her
in attempts to change her mind, but she would not relent, holding firm
to her faith in Christ. Evilase, now well established as prefect,
called Juliana before the tribunal, and denounced her as a Christian.
As this was during the persecution of Christians under the order of
Emperor Maximianus, there was little choice than to have her executed
unless she would recant her faith. Of course, Juliana refused, finding
her refuge in the Lord, and was subjected to horrible torture.

From the poem, “Juliana,” written by the English poet Cynewulf, we
learn that during this torture, the Devil, disguised as an angel from
Heaven, appeared to her and suggested she give in to the torturer’s
request:

“Then suddenly came into the prison the Enemy of mankind, skilled in
evil; and he had the form of an angel. Wise was he in afflictions,
this enemy of the soul, this captain of Hell, and unto the holy maid
he said, “Why sufferest thou who art most dear and precious unto the
King of glory, our God ? This judge hath prepared for thee the worst
tortures, torment without end, if thou wilt not prudently sacrifice
and make propitiation unto his gods. Be thou in haste when he bids
thee be led outward hence, that thou make a sacrifice, an offering of
victory, before that death come upon thee, death in the presence of
the warriors. In this wise shalt thou survive the anger of this judge,
O blessed maid!””

Juliana is not to be fooled by the snares of the Devil, and prays to
the Lord for guidance. In return, she receives a message from God:

“Then unto her spake a glorious voice from the clouds and uttered this
word: “Do thou seize this vile one and hold him fast, till that he
rightly declare unto thee his purpose, even from the beginning what
his kinship may be.” And the heart of the glorious maid was glad; and
she seized upon that devil.”

Juliana captures the Devil, holding fast to him, and forces him to
recount his sinfulness. As he recounts a very long list of deceit and
trickery, Juliana is dragged before the tribunal. She drags the
Devil with her--he, all the while, pleading for freedom:

“I entreat thee, gracious Juliana, by the grace of God, that thou work
upon me no further insult or reproach before men than thou hast
already done, when thou overcamest the wisest in the prison shades,
the king of the dwellers in Hell, in the city of fiends, who is our
father, the lord of death. Behold thou hast afflicted me with painful
blows, and in truth I know that, before or since, never did I meet in
the kingdoms of the world a woman like unto thee, of more courageous
heart, or more perverse, of all the race of women. Clear is it to me
that thou wouldst be in all things unashamed in thy wise heart.”

Juliana let the Devil go, and he embarrassedly returned to Hell.
Juliana, for her part, bravely met her executioner. Per her Acts, she
was first partially burnt in flames, then plunged into a pot of
boiling oil, and finally beheaded.

While Saint Juliana was martyred in Nicomedia, her relics were
translated to Cumae, the place of her birth, where they were first
enshrined. In the 13th century, her relics were again translated, this
time to Naples, Italy, where they are venerated today.

Saint Juliana bravely battled the Devil, in the same manner we battle
temptations every day. In the case of her legend, Satan appeared to
her in the guise of a heavenly angel, encouraging her to accept the
things of the world as Godly and perfect, rather than renouncing
temptation and focusing on the Lord. In much the same way, we all too
often fall victim to the Devil’s snare, placing great importance on
earthly temptations and desires at the expense of our relationship
with God. When Juliana wasn’t convinced, she prayed, called upon the
Lord, who answered her prayer and opened her eyes to the Devil’s
trickery. Today’s holy saint reminds us to be vigilant and to keep our
eyes firmly fixed on the Lord--from whom our help and salvation comes!


Saint Quote:
When the heart is occupied with worldly things, especially
superfluousones, it forsakes the Lord--the Source of life and
peace--and is therefore deprived of life and tranquility, of light and
strength; but when it repents of its care for vain things, and wholly
turns from corruptible things to the incorruptible God, then the
fountain of living water again begins to flow into it, and peace,
tranquility, light, strength, and boldness before God and man one more
dwell within it. We must live wisely.
--St. John of Kronstadt.

Bible Quote:
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and
proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink 38 He
who believes in me, as[e]the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart
shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the
Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet
the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
[John 7:37-39] RSVCE
[e] John 7:38 Or let him come to me, and let him who believes in me drink


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Lord God,
You gave St. Juliana the crown of
eternal joy because she gave her life
rather than renounce the virginity she
had promised in witness to Christ.
Encouraged by her generosity, help us to
rise out of the bondage of our earthly
desires and attain to the glory of your
kingdom. Grant this through our Lord
Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
One God, for ever and ever.
Amen.