From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Resisting Temptation  [IX]   
      
       In temptations and tribulations a man is proved what progress he   
   has made: and in them there is greater merit, and his virtue appears   
   more conspicuous. Nor is it much if a man be devout and fervent when   
   he feels no trouble; but if in the time of adversity he bears up with   
   patience, there will be hope of a great advancement.   
       Some are preserved from great temptations, and are often overcome   
   in daily little ones: that being humbled they may never presume of   
   themselves in great things, who are weak in such small occurrences.   
   --Thomas à Kempis--Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 13   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   May 1st - Sigismund of Burgundy, King    
      
   Died 523. Gunebald, ruler of the kingdom of Burgundy, in the early 6th   
   century, claimed to be a Christian but denied the divinity of Jesus   
   Christ. His son and heir, Sigismund, under the influence of Bishop   
   Saint Avitus of Vienne, accepted the truth. In 515, Sigismund built   
   the famous monastery of Saint- Maurice at Agaune in Valais, where many   
   hermits had lived in scattered cells.   
      
   Sigismund succeeded his father in 516. Although he had intellectually   
   become a Christian, his temper and savage ways remained those of a   
   Vandal pagan. He had been king for scarcely a year when his son   
   Sigeric fell out with his stepmother, Sigismund's second wife, who   
   accused him of conspiracy to kill his father. The king took the   
   stepmother's part. So great became his rage during the course of the   
   quarrel that he ordered his officers to strangle the prince.   
      
   When Sigismund's temper cooled, he was appalled at what he had done to   
   his son. He strove to make amends. He retired to the monastery of   
   Saint-Maurice, bringing with him enough monks to ensure that the voice   
   of praise could be heard at all times.   
      
   The king became a lover of the poor, liberally distributing his goods   
   in their service. But still he felt he had not properly made amends   
   for the murder of Sigeric. Only some great calamity, he felt, could   
   atone for such an action; and in his prayers Saint Sigismund welcomed   
   anything that might happen to him by way of punishment in this life   
   that he might not suffer in the next.   
      
   Gunebald had killed the grandfather of three royal sons of Clovis,   
   king of the Franks. They decided not only to take revenge by attacking   
   Sigismund; they also aimed at overrunning Burgundy, too. The three men   
   conquered Sigismund in battle.   
      
   Sigismund disguised himself in a monk's habit and hid in a cell near   
   the abbey of Agaunum. For some time Sigismund escaped their swords,   
   but he was eventually found, captured, and taken to Orléans for   
   execution. His corpse was flung down a well at Columelle. His shrine   
   is near the Abbey of Agaunum, where he is honored as a martyr; however   
   his relics were translated to the cathedral of Prague by Emperor   
   Charles IV (Benedictines, Bentley, Husenbeth).   
      
   Sigismund is depicted in art as an old king with a sword and well or   
   font near him. At times he may be shown (1) with his two sons by him;   
   (2) enthroned with royal regalia, a greyhound at his feet, Sigismondo   
   Malatesta before him; (3) with a sword and palm, armor by him; or (4)   
   as a young ruler, crowned holding an orb and scepter (Roeder).   
   Sigismund is venerated at Rimini (Templo Malatestiana) and is invoked   
   against fever (Roeder).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as   
   life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy   
   to be given, as peace to be spread.   
   -- Saint Francis of Assisi   
      
   Bible Quote”   
   And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And   
   he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? 31   
   Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired   
   Philip that he would come up and sit with him.  (Acts 8:30-31)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Give perfection to beginners, O Father   
   give intelligence to the little ones;   
   give aid to those who are running their course.   
   Give sorrow to the negligent;   
   give fervor of spirit to the lukewarm.   
   Give to the perfect a good consummation;   
   for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen."   
      
   --Prayer of St. Irenaeus.    
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)