From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   May 13th - St. Servatus of Tongres B (RM)   
    (Also known as Servais)   
      
   Died in Tongres, Belgium, May 13, 384. Bishop Servatus of Tongres (Belgium)   
   hosted Saint Athanasius, when the latter was an exile in the West because of   
   the   
   Arian persecutions. He strenuously defended his friend and the cause of   
   orthodoxy, especially at the council of Sardica (Sofia). Saint Gregory of   
   Tours   
   relates that Servatus foretold the invasion of Gaul by the Huns and implored   
   the   
   divine mercy to avert that scourge by watching, fasting, prayers, many   
   tears,   
   and a pilgrimage to Saint Peter's tomb in Rome in 382. Regardless of his   
   pleading with the Almighty, God revealed to him that punishment was   
   necessary.   
   Still weeping, he hastened back to Tongres, where he sickened and died soon   
   after. Gregory testifies that many miracles occurred at his tomb, which   
   caused a   
   church to be built over the relics of the man who had governed the diocese   
   for   
   37 years. Most of his relics are housed in the collegiate church in   
   Maestricht.   
   Shortly after his death, the city of Tongres was plundered by Attila. Some   
   have   
   claimed that Servatus moved his see to Maestricht, but the translation was   
   made   
   only after the destruction of Tongres (Benedictines, Husenbeth).   
      
   In art, Saint Servatus is generally a bishop with three wooden shoes. He may   
   sometimes be portrayed (1) at a reading desk with a shield by him with three   
   wooden shoes; (2) being met at the city gate by burghers as he holds the key   
   and   
   is attended by an angel; (3) with a key in one hand, placing his crozier on   
   a   
   dragon; (4) striking water; or (5) with an eagle fanning him as he sleeps in   
   the   
   sun dressed as a pilgrim (Roeder). Servatus is invoked against foot   
   troubles,   
   lameness, rheumatism, rats, and mice (Roeder).   
      
      
   Also today:   
   May 13th - Our Lady of Fatima   
      
   The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared six times to three   
   shepherd children ("the Three Seers") near the town of Fatima, Portugal   
   between May 13th and October 13th 1917. Appearing to the children, the   
   Blessed Virgin told them that She had been sent by God with a message for   
   every man, woman and child living in our century. Coming at a time when   
   civilization was torn asunder by war and bloody violence, She promised that   
   Heaven would grant peace to all the world if Her requests for prayer,   
   reparation and consecration were heard and obeyed.   
   "If My requests are granted ... there will be peace"   
      
   Our Lady of Fatima explained to the children that war is a punishment for   
   sin and warned that God would further castigate the world for its   
   disobedience to His Will by means of war, hunger and the persecution of the   
   Church, the Holy Father and the Catholic Faithful. God's Mother prophesied   
   that Russia would be God's chosen "instrument of chastisement," spreading   
   the "errors" of atheism and materialism across the earth, fomenting wars,   
   annihilating nations and persecuting the Faithful everywhere.   
      
   In all Her appearances at Fatima, the Blessed Mother repeatedly emphasized   
   the necessity of praying the Rosary daily, of wearing the Brown Scapular of   
   Mount Carmel and of performing acts of reparation and sacrifice. To prevent   
   the terrible chastisement at the hands of Russia and to convert "that poor   
   nation", Our Lady requested the solemn public Consecration of Russia to Her   
   Immaculate Heart by the Pope and all the Catholic bishops of the world. She   
   also asked that the Faithful practice a new devotion of reparation on the   
   first Saturday of five consecutive months ("the Five First Saturdays")   
      
      
   Quote:   
   And what might this noble Lord do of more worship and joy to me than to show   
   me (that am so simple) this marvelous homeliness [i.e., naturalness and   
   simplicity]? Thus it fareth with our Lord Jesus and with us. For truly it is   
   the most joy that may be that He that is highest and mightiest, noblest and   
   worthiest, is lowest and meekest, homeliest and most courteous: and truly   
   this marvelous joy shall be shewn us all when we see Him.   
   -Juliana of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love   
      
   Bible Quote:   
    It is necessary that scandals come, but woe to the man through whom scandal   
   does come! St. Matthew 18:7   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Lord, let me not henceforth desire health or life,   
   except to spend them for Thee, with Thee, and in Thee.   
   Thou alone knoweth what is good for me; do, therefore,   
   what seemeth Thee best. Give to me, or take from me;   
   conform my will to Thine; and grant that,   
   with humble and perfect submission, and in holy confidence,   
   I may receive the orders of Thine eternal Providence;   
   and may equally adore all that comes to me from Thee;   
   through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)