From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   September 9th - St. Omer of Thérouanne, OSB B (RM)   
   (Also known as Audomarus)   
      
   Born in Coutances, France, c. 595; died September 9, c. 670. Saint Omer was   
   the only son of wealthy and noble parents, Friulph and Domitilla, whose only   
   thoughts were for the benefit of their son- both secular and spiritual. Upon   
   the death of Domitilla, Friulph sold his estate, and distributed the entire   
   proceeds among the poor. Thereafter, Friulph and Omer were welcomed by Abbot   
   Saint Eustasius to Luxeuil monastery near Besançon, where they were both   
   professed.   
      
   Omer was distinguished by his humility, obedience, and devotion. Within a   
   short time his reputation for sanctity became widely known. After spending   
   more than 20 years at Luxeuil, Saint Omer was nominated by Bishop Saint   
   Acharius of Noyon-Tournai and appointed by King Dagobert to be bishop of   
   Thérouanne, a diocese sadly in need of evangelization that then encompassed   
   the Pas-de-Calais and Flanders. The choice was applauded by the king,   
   bishops, and nobility, but not by Saint Omer.   
      
   Upon receiving notification, he cried out: "How great is the difference   
   between the secure harbor in which I now enjoy a sweet calm, and that   
   tempestuous ocean into which I am pushed, against my will, and destitute of   
   experience!" Without listening to his humble objections, the deputies   
   presented him to the bishops, who consecrated him at the end of 637.   
      
   Omer succeeded in making inroads with the Morini, where others before him   
   had failed or been stopped: Saints Fuscian, Victoricus, and Gentian as well   
   as Quintinus had brought the Gospel to them but were martyred; Saint   
   Victricius of Rouen had worked among them but lacked enough pastors during   
   the incursions of the barbarians to keep the people from falling back into   
   heathenism; and in the 6th century, Saint Remigius sent Antimund and   
   Adelbert to evangelize them. The work of completing the conversion of the   
   Morini was left to Saint Omer.   
      
   He began this task as always-with prayer-and completed it by dedicating   
   himself totally to the mission. He destroyed pagan idols and temples and   
   patiently instructed the people. His first priority was to bolster the faith   
   of the few Christians that he found. His own zeal, piety, and good works   
   drew others to the faith, as did his eloquent preaching that emphasized   
   disinterested service and reconciliation. He also enlisted the service of   
   other holy monks from Luxeuil, including Saints Mommolinus, Bertrand, and   
   Bertin. They literally covered the district with abbeys that served as   
   centers for their missionary activities. Omer himself was the co-founder of   
   Sithiu (Sithin), around which grew the town now known as Saint-Omer.   
      
   The author of his life recounts many miracles performed by Omer. In his old   
   age he was blind (from at least 663), but that did not stop him from tending   
   to his flock. When Bishop Saint Aubert of Arras-Cambrai translated the   
   relics of Saint Redact in 667 from the cathedral to the monastery which he   
   had built in his honor, Saint Omer assisted and recovered his sight for a   
   short time on that occasion. His body was buried by Saint Bertin at our   
   Lady's church, which is now the cathedral (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney,   
   Farmer, Husenbeth).   
      
   In art, Saint Omer is portrayed by a stream in episcopal vestments holding a   
   bunch of grapes. At his feet, a man saved from drowning and a casket of   
   relics. He may also be shown with Saint Bertin (Roeder). He is venerated at   
   Saint Omer (Sithiu) and Luxeuil (Roeder).   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "What we gain by fasting is not so great as the damage done by anger;   
   nor is the profit from spiritual reading as great as the harm done when   
   we scorn or grieve a brother."   
   --St. John Cassian   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in   
   necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake for when I   
   am weak, then am I strong."  (2 Cor 12:10 )   
      
   Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Saint Augustine's Threnus Prayer   
      
   It is sometimes called A Prayer For Those In Tribulation.   
   This is one of the very best penitential prayers I have ever come across and   
   it reflects a deep understanding of fallen human nature.   
   (based on the translation by Michael W. Martin of Thesaurus Preces   
   Latinarum). I love to make regular use of this prayer during Lent and during   
   Embertides.   
      
   I would be wise to place before Thine eyes, O Lord,   
   My misdeeds and the wounds I have received.   
      
   For if I do, the less I suffer   
   And the greater I merit.   
      
   I feel the punishment for sin,   
   Yet I do not shun my obstinacy in sinning.   
      
   My fragile nature is shattered by Thy scourges,   
   Yet my evil ways remain unchanged.   
      
   My sick mind is wrenched,   
   Yet my stiff neck is not bent.   
      
   My life sighs in pain,   
   And yet, it does not amend itself.   
      
   If Thou waiteth, I do not reform,   
   If Thou punisheth, I do not last.   
      
   When accused, I admit what I have done,   
   Yet when punished, I forget.   
      
   If Thou punisheth, I make promises;   
   If Thou holdeth back the sword, I do not carry out my promises.   
      
   If Thou striketh me, I cry out that Thou might spare me;   
   If Thou sparest me, I again provoke Thee to strike me.   
      
   If difficulties come, I ask for a time for repentance.   
   If mercy comes to my aid, I abuse Thy patience which has spared me.   
      
   Even when my wounds are scarcely healed,   
   My ungrateful mind forgets.   
      
   If Thou hearest me quickly, I become haughty from mercy.   
   If Thou art slow, I complain bitterly out of impatience.   
      
   I am willing to serve Thee because of what Thou hast done,   
   Yet I do not fear to neglect what Thou willst have me do.   
      
   Thou hast in Thy power, O Lord, this guilty wretch who has confessed;   
   Be merciful, for Thou art kind and loving.   
      
   I have known that, unless Thou forgiveth me,   
   Thou shalt justly punish me.   
      
   But with Thee is much pity   
   And abundant forgiveness.   
      
   Grant, without any merit on my part, what I ask,   
   O Thou, who hast made from nothing him who asks Thee.   
      
   Have mercy on me crying out to Thee, O Lord.   
   May my faithful and tearful voice stir up Thy mercy.   
      
   May that forgiveness not consider that I sin,   
   But may it reflect on the fact I implore mercy.   
      
   Since it is a great misery that I am accused,   
   May the fact that I am miserable make Thy mercy be the greater.   
      
   I beg Thy help,   
   And before Thee I place the evils and sorrows of my crimes.   
      
   By my prayers I look for Thy mercy,   
   The very mercy which I have spurned by my sins.   
      
   Raise me up in Thy mercy, O Lord our God,   
   So that in the fellowship of salvation and the joy of charity,   
      
   While I long to be saved,   
   I may rejoice in the faith and peace of all the nations.   
      
   Through Christ our Lord Who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost,   
   One God, world without end.   
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)