From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   May 5th - St. Judith (Jutta)   
      
   Jutta or Judith, was born at Sangerhausen, Thuringia. We don't know much   
   about her family and early life, but she must have been from a noble   
   household, because at the age of fifteen she was married to a nobleman.   
      
   She had a reputation for being a very compassionate, gentle and charitable   
   wife. She lived as simply as her husband allowed and raised their children   
   to love God with all their hearts. Initially her husband was upset about her   
   simplicity of dress, but gradually she was able to persuade him of the   
   importance of simplicity and charity and he soon followed her example.   
      
   The details are uncertain, but her husband died during a pilgrimage to the   
   Holy Land and Judith was left to raise their children by herself. According   
   to Alban Butler as her children grew up, each eventually entered religious   
   life. This left Judith free and she gave all her possessions for the care of   
   the poor and then begged in the streets for food for them.   
      
   She then journeyed on foot to Prussia where her relative, Hanno of   
   Sangerhausen, lived. She begged for food as she went and shared what was   
   given to her with beggars she met on the road. In 1256, she eventually   
   arrived and settled in the ruins of a building near Kulmsee where she lived   
   the life of a solitary or hermit.   
      
   Her reputation for holiness and deep contemplative prayer became known to   
   all who lived in the villages around. Traditions tell us that she was often   
   seen to be in an ecstasy of prayer and lifted from the ground as if by   
   angels. She spent the next four years in her solitude praying for the   
   conversion of sinners and for the perseverance of those recently baptized.   
   She would often leave her hermitage to care for the sick poor in the area,   
   especially those who suffered from leprosy.   
      
   In 1260 she developed a fever that proved to be fatal and she died on May   
   12, 1260. People who had prayed at her graveside, asking her intercession   
   for healing of various afflictions soon reported miracles. She is the   
   patroness of Prussia. Just reading about her life shows us the essentials of   
   her holiness, simplicity, humility, compassion and love.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Hence, I tearfully beg you to refrain from seeking the favors of the world   
   and to renounce all that is carnal. It is impossible to follow both the   
   world and Jesus. Let us live a life of renunciation, for our bodies will   
   soon be dust and nothing else will last any longer.   
   -- St. Jerome   
      
   Bible Quote   
   8 He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the   
   cross. 9 For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a   
   name which is above all names: 10 That in the name of Jesus every knee   
   should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:   
   (Philippians 2:8-10)   
      
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead   
      
   "Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand   
   of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.   
      
   TWENTY-FIFTH DAY   
      
   One of the saddest facts of life is that the living so soon forget the dead.   
   We forget when we live: we are forgotten when we die. St. Monica, on her   
   deathbed, pleaded with her son, St. Augustine: "Lay my body anywhere, only   
   this I beg of you: remember me at the altar of God."   
      
   Prayers:  Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.   
      
   De Profundis   
      
      Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,   
   O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.   
      Let Thine ears be attentive to the   
   voice of my supplication.   
      If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,   
   O Lord, who shall stand it?   
      For with Thee there is merciful   
   forgiveness: and by reason of Thy   
   law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.   
   My soul hath relied on His word;   
   my soul hath hoped in the Lord.   
      From the morning watch even until   
   night; let Israel hope in the Lord.   
   Because with the Lord there is mercy;   
   And with Him plenteous redemption.   
      And He shall redeem Israel from   
   all its iniquities.   
      Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,   
   And let perpetual light shine upon them:   
      May they rest in peace. Amen.   
      
      
   Most merciful Jesus, lover of Souls. We pray Thee, by the agony of Thy most   
   Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, wash with Thy   
   Blood the Souls in Purgatory. Deliver them from their pains, that they may   
   join the Heavenly Chorus in praising Thee and interceding for us at the hour   
   of need.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)