From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   February 11th - Saturninus, Dativus, Felix, Ampelius & Comps. MM (RM)   
      
   Died 304. The Acta of these African martyrs are believed to be authentic,   
   contemporaneous to their deaths. Emperor Diocletian had ordered Christians   
   to give up the holy Scriptures during a year-long persecution.  In the town   
   of Abitina, Saturninus celebrated the Eucharist on a Sunday in the house of   
   Octavius Felix. The officials became aware of it and sent soldiers to arrest   
   the entire congregation of 49 people. Arrested with Saturninus were his four   
   children Saturninus (junior) and Felix (both lectors), Mary (who had   
   consecrated her virginity to God), and Hilarianus (a child); and Dativus and   
   another Felix (senators), Thelica, Emeritus, Ampelius, Rogatus, and   
   Victoria.   
      
   The procession of prisoners was led by the senator and Saturninus, who were   
   followed immediately by the latter's children. Their courage in professing   
   Jesus was in stark contrast to the infamous sacrilege committed just before   
   by Bishop Fundanus of Abitina, who had given up the sacred books to be   
   burned, but a violent storm put out the fire.   
      
   After their resolute confession, the Christians were shackled and set to   
   Carthage, residence of the proconsul Anulinus. They thought themselves   
   blessed to be chained for Christ and sang hymns of praise along the way.   
      
   Dativus was the first to be questioned, racked, torn with iron hooks, and   
   then beaten with cudgels as was each in turn. The women no less than the men   
   resolutely underwent the trials.   
      
   When Anulinus continuously asked why they presumed to celebrate the Lord's   
   Day against imperial orders, they repeatedly answered: "The obligation of   
   Sunday is indispensable. It is not lawful for us to omit the duty of that   
   day. We celebrated it as well as we could. We never passed a Sunday without   
   meeting at our assembly. We will keep the commandments of God at the expense   
   of our lives." No dangers nor torments could deter them from this duty, from   
   which so many now seek to excuse themselves.   
      
   Previously, Victoria, a professed virgin of pagan parents, had leaped from   
   her window on her wedding day to prevent the marriage but was miraculously   
   saved from death and escaped to the refuge of a church. Because she was   
   counted among the nobility and her brother was a pagan, Anulinus tried every   
   means to prevail upon her to renounce her faith and save herself.   
      
   She continued to profess her faith. Her pagan brother Fortunatianus   
   undertook her defense, but she refuted his intimation that she had simply   
   been led astray. Anulinus asked Victoria if she would return home with her   
   brother. She said that she could not because she only acknowledged as   
   brethren those who kept the law of God. Continued entreaties did not move   
   her.   
      
   Anulinus then turned his attention to the child Hilarianus, son of   
   Saturninus, thinking that he could sway one of such a tender age. But the   
   child showed more contempt than fear of the tyrant's threats, and continued   
   to answer that he was a Christian of his own free will. While his elders   
   were being tortured, he replied, "Yes, torture me, too; anyhow, I am a   
   Christian."   
      
   These Christians died from the hardships of their confinement and are all   
   honored in the ancient calendar of Carthage and the Roman Martyrology on   
   February 11, though only two (both named Felix) actually died on that day   
   (Benedictines, Husenbeth).   
      
      
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   This day is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, where Our Mother appeared to   
   young Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to   
   St. Bernadette eighteen times, beginning of the eleventh of February in   
   that year. It was there the Providence of God saw fit to confirm the   
   long-held belief of Christendom, when Our Mother declared that she was "The   
   Immaculate Conception". In this place a spring gushed forth, and to this   
   day the grace of God continues to grant miracles of healing. Crutches of   
   the legion of cured souls line the grotto.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   When you feel the assaults of passion and anger, then is the time to be   
   silent as Jesus was silent in the midst of His ignominies and sufferings.   
   -St. Paul of the Cross   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   I will give glory to Thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise Thee, O God my   
   Saviour.   
   I will give glory to Thy name: for Thou hast been a helper and protector to   
   me.   
   - (Ecclesiasticus 51:1-2)   
      
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   The Litany of Our Lady of Lourdes:   
      
   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 Spirit; Have mercy on us.   
   Holy Trinity, one God; Have mercy on us.   
      
   Holy Mary; Pray for us.   
   Holy Mother of God; Pray for us.   
   Mother of Christ; Pray for us.   
   Mother of our Savior; Pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, help of Christians; Pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, source of love; Pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the poor; Pray for us.   
    Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the handicapped; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of orphans; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all children; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all nations; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the Church; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, friend of the lonely; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of those who mourn; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, shelter of the homeless; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, guide of travelers; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, strength of the weak; Pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, refuge of sinners; pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of the suffering; Pray for us.   
   Our Lady of Lourdes, help of the dying; pray for us.   
   Queen of heaven; Pray for us.   
   Queen of peace; Pray for us.   
      
   Lamb of God, Thou takest away the sins of the world; Spare us O Lord.   
   Lamb of God, Thou takest away the sins of the world; Graciously hear us, O   
   Lord.   
   Lamb of God, Thou takest away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.   
      
   Christ hear us; Christ graciously hear us.   
      
   Let us pray: Grant us, Thy servants, we pray Thee, Lord God, to enjoy   
   perpetual health of mind and body.  By the glorious intercession of Blessed   
   Mary ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrows, and enjoy   
   everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)