From: hildegard8@excite.com   
      
   February 9th - Blessed Marianus Scotus, OSB Abbot (AC)   
   (also known as Muirdach MacRobartaigh or Muiredach MacGroarty)   
      
   Born in Donegal, Ireland; died 1088. The noble MacRobartaigh family is   
   related to the O'Donnels, who were the hereditary keepers of the Cathach   
   (Battle Book of Colmcille). In 1067, Muirdach set out with some companions   
   on a pilgrimage to Rome. En route he was induced to become a Benedictine at   
   Michelsberg Abbey (near Bamberg), Germany. The pilgrims stopped to rest at a   
   hostel maintained by the local convent. Its abbess, Emma, learned that   
   Muirdach was extraordinarily gifted at producing manuscripts. Using the   
   seemingly irresistible powers of persuasion that all nuns seem to have, he   
   took up her suggestion and migrated to Upper Minster at Regensburg to create   
   the literary treasures of Saint Peter's Church in Regensburg. The most   
   famous of these are the Pauline Epistles that now reside in the Imperial   
   Library at Vienna, Austria. The quality and quantity of his artful   
   productions, which appear inspired by the Holy Spirit gained for him a   
   reputation for sanctity.   
      
   In 1078, he founded and became the abbot of the abbey of Saint Peter in   
   Regensburg. Having successfully taken charge of the church and abbey   
   attached to it for the task of copying manuscripts, other Irish monks were   
   attracted to the mission. The abbey expanded to the point that, within 10   
   years, plans were made for another such monastery. In this way, Muirdach   
   originated the congregation of 12 "Scottish," that is, Irish monasteries in   
   southern Germany. (The reason for the term "Scottish" is that it was used   
   from the time of the Romans for the Irish. Even 200 years after the   
   establishment of the Scottish monarchy, the term was commonly used for   
   things Irish. Although Scottish monks pressured Pope Leo XIII, who did   
   permit them in 1515 to take possession of Saint James in Regensburg and the   
   abbeys at Constanz and Erfurt. In Germany, the 12 are still known as the   
   Schottenklöster. )   
      
   Saint James Abbey, like the ones to follow, was established with funds sent   
   from Ireland. They retained the character and enjoyed privileges normally   
   granted to Irish monasteries. In the 12th century, the emperor granted to   
   the abbot of Saint James, considered the motherhouse, the privilege of using   
   the half-eagle on his coat of arms, the right to the title of prince, and   
   the status of independent statehood for the entire congregation of   
   monasteries, which included the two at Regensburg, two in Vienna, and   
   foundations at Würzburg, Nuremberg, Constanz, Memmingen, Erfurt, Kelheim,   
   Oels, and Schottenburg (Silesia) (Benedictines, Montague).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does   
   not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself   
   from it"   
   -St. Vincent de Paul   
      
   Bible Quote   
   12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall   
   humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
         When Macarius was returning one day to his cell, he met the devil,   
   who, with a scythe in his hand, tried to cut him in pieces. But he could not   
   do it, because as soon as he came near, he lost his strength. Then, full of   
   rage, he said, "Great misery do I suffer from thee, O Macanus; for, though I   
   wish so much to hurt thee, I am not able. It is strange! I do all that thou   
   doest, and even more; thou dost fast sometimes, and I never eat; thou   
   sleepest little, and I never close my eyes; thou art chaste, and so am I. In   
   one thing only thou surpassest me." "And what is that one thing?" inquired   
   Macarius. "It is thy great humility" replied the demon. Saying this, he   
   disappeared, and was seen no more.   
      
        The devil once appeared to a monk in the form of the Archangel Gabriel,   
   and said that he was sent to him by God. The monk replied, "See that thou be   
   not sent by another!" And the devil immediately disappeared.   
      
        When an old priest was exorcising a possessed person, the demon said   
   that he would never come out, if he did not first tell him what the goats   
   and what the lambs were like. The good priest quickly answered: "The goats   
   are all those who are like me. What the lambs may resemble, God knows."  At   
   these words, the devil cried out: "Through your humility I can no longer   
   remain here" and immediately departed.   
      
   (Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". February - Humility)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer Commending Ourselves to God   
      
   O Lord, into your most merciful hands I commend my body and soul, thoughts   
   and acts, desires and intentions. I commend the needs of my body and soul,   
   future and past, my faith and hope, the end of my life, the day and hour of   
   my death, the burial and resurrection of my body. O most merciful God, whose   
   clemency the sins of the world can never transcend, take me, a sinner, under   
   the wings of our protection and deliver me from every evil.  Cleanse my   
   iniquities, grant me a reformation of my life, and protect me against future   
   transgressions, that I may in no manner ever anger You. Shelter my weakness   
   from passions and evil persons, guard me against my visible and invisible   
   enemies, lead me on the road of salvation and to Yourself, the safe harbor   
   and haven of my desires. Grant me a happy, peaceful, Christian death, and   
   protect me from evil spirits. Be merciful to me, your servant, at the great   
   judgment, and number me among the blessed flock who stand on your right,   
   that, together with them, I may forever glorify You, my Creator. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)