From: hildegard8@excite.com   
      
   August 14th - St. Athanasia of Constantinople, Matron (RM)   
      
   Born on the island of Aegina; died 860. Some complain that most of the   
   saints were hermits and virgins, priests and popes, who bear little   
   resemblance to the typical Catholic in the pews. Saint Athanasia was   
   married. Not only was she married, she was married twice. Both times she did   
   so reluctantly.   
      
   The first time her parents arranged a marriage to an army officer. Although   
   Athanasia would have preferred the religious life, she readily complied with   
   their wishes. Three weeks after their wedding, her husband was killed in a   
   battle with a Moorish raiding party from Spain. The savagery of these raids   
   so decimated the population of Aegina that authorities passed a law that   
   make celibacy illicit. So, Athanasia married again.   
      
   She was equally yoked with her second spouse. Together they led a life of   
   good works and prayer so that their home became a center of religious   
   activity. His wealth permitted them the means to extend considerable charity   
   to those in need. In a division of labor, Athanasia visited the sick in   
   their homes in the city and countryside, while her husband remained at home   
   and dispensed aid to all who came to them. On Sundays, Athanasia conducted   
   Bible-reading groups.   
      
   After a few years of marriage, her husband decided to become a monk. He   
   turned over all his property to Athanasia, so that she could continue their   
   work. When he had entered the monastery, Athanasia turned their home into a   
   convent. The sisters lived an extremely austere life that was moderated by   
   the able guidance of an abbot named Matthias, who also suggested that they   
   move the convent to a more isolated location called Tamia.   
      
   The monastery grew and so prospered at Tamia that the fame of Athanasia   
   reached the ears of the empress at Constantinople. Theodora, the wife of   
   Emperor Theophilus the Iconoclast, called her to Constantinople to help her   
   restore the veneration of images. Athanasia stayed in Constantinople for   
   seven years, and fell deathly ill shortly after her return to Tamia.   
   Nevertheless, Athanasia continued to attend divine office until the eve of   
   her death (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).   
      
   In art, Saint Athanasia is shown weaving. There is a star over her or on her   
   breast. Sometimes the picture will include Empress Theodora (Roeder).   
      
      
   Reflection: As the body sinks under fatigue unless supported by food, so   
   external works, however holy, wear out the soul which is not regularly   
   nourished by prayer. In the most crowded day we can still make time secretly   
   to lift our soul up to God and draw new strength from Him.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses   
   anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the   
   soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.   
   -Saint Ephraem of Syria   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will   
   give it to you. St. John 16:23   
      
      
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   LITANY OF PENANCE   
      
   LORD have mercy.   
   Lord, have mercy.   
   Christ, have mercy.   
   Christ, have mercy.   
   Lord, have mercy.   
   Lord, have mercy.   
      
   Christ, hear us.   
   Christ, graciously hear us.   
   God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.   
   God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.   
   God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.   
   Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.   
   Incarnate Lord, Have mercy on us.   
   Lover of souls, Have mercy on us.   
   Saviour of sinners, Have mercy on us.   
   Who didst come to seek those that were lost, Have mercy on us.   
   Who didst fast for them forty days and nights, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy tenderness towards Adam when he fell, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy faithfulness to Noe in the ark, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy remembrance of Lot in the midst of sinners, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy mercy on the Israelites in the desert, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy forgiveness of David after his confession, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy patience with wicked Achab on his humiliation, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy restoration of the penitent Manasses, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy long suffering towards the Ninevites, when they went in sackcloth and   
   ashes. Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy blessing on the Maccabees, who fasted before the battle, Have mercy   
   on us.   
   By Thy choice of John to go before Thee as the preacher of penance, Have   
   mercy on us.   
   By Thy testimony to the Publican, who hung his head and smote his breast,   
   Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy welcome given to the returning Prodigal, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy gentleness with the woman of Samaria, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy condescension towards Zacchaeus, persuading him to restitution, Have   
   mercy on us.   
   By Thy pity upon the woman taken in adultery, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy love of Magdalen, who loved much, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy converting look, at which Peter wept, Have mercy on us.   
   By Thy gracious words to the thief upon the cross, Have mercy on us.   
   We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.   
   That we may judge ourselves, and so escape Thy judgment, We beseech Thee,   
   hear us.   
   That we may bring forth worthy fruits of penance, We beseech Thee, hear us.   
   That sin may not reign in our mortal bodies, We beseech Thee, hear us.   
   That we may work out our salvation with fear and trembling, We beseech Thee,   
   hear us.   
   Son of God, We beseech Thee, hear us.   
      
   Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,   
   Spare us, O Lord.   
   Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,   
   Graciously hear us, O Lord.   
   Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,   
   Have mercy on us.   
      
   Christ, hear us.   
   Christ, graciously hear us.   
   O Lord, hear our prayer.   
   And let our cry come unto Thee.   
      
   Let us pray.   
   Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy faithful, pardon and peace, that they   
   may be cleansed from all their offences, and also serve Thee with a quiet   
   mind, through Christ our Lord. --Amen   
      
   Cardinal Newman   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)