From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   October 22nd - St. Philip of Heraclea B and Companions, Martyrs   
   Died 304.   
      
   The aged, revered bishop Philip of Heraclea, his deacon Severus, Eusebius   
   (priest), and Hermes (priest) of Constantinople were arrested under   
   Diocletian. First, the authorities closed the church. At which time Philip   
   said to the police, "Do you imagine that God dwells within walls, and not   
   rather in the hearts of men?" He simply summoned the brethren for worship in   
   the open air.   
      
   He was ordered by the governor, Bassus, to hand over the church's sacred   
   vessels and books: to the first Philip agreed, but, for the Scriptures, 'It   
   is not fitting,' he said, 'that you should ask for them or that I should   
   give them up.' The bishop and his deacon, Hermes, were then scourged and the   
   wanted goods seized. Afterwards, Philip and Hermes refused in turn to make   
   an act of worship of the emperors or of the goddess Fortune or of Heraclea's   
   name-deity, Hercules.   
      
   Later there was a fruitless interrogation by Bassus' successor, Justin,   
   after which Philip was dragged back to jail by his feet. Together with   
   Hermes and a priest called Severus, he was confined rigorously for seven   
   month before all three were taken to Adrianopolis.   
      
   Justin interviewed them twice again, and he had Philip unmercifully beaten   
   for his contumacy; they were then sentenced to death by fire at   
   Adrianopolis. St. Philip had been so badly beaten that he had to be carried   
   to the stake. St. Hermes, who was not much better, joked cheerfully and sent   
   a last message to his son: "Tell them to pay back whatever I owe, and to   
   work hard for his living as I have done, and to behave well to everybody."   
   When the fire was lit the martyrs praised and gave thanks to God until the   
   smoke suffocated them. St. Severus followed them the next day (Attwater,   
   Encyclopedia).   
      
   The Benedictines say that Severus was the deacon and the other two were   
   'inferior clergy.' They also report that we have a copy of the legal   
   document processed against them of undeniable authenticity. By mistake   
   recent editions of the R.M. register them as martyrs under Julian the   
   Apostate (Benedictines).   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   As soon as I believed there was a God, I understood I could do nothing else   
   but live for him, my religious vocation dates from the same moment as my   
   faith: God is so great. There is such a difference between God and   
   everything that is not.   
   -Blessed Charles de Foucauld   
      
   Bible Quote:   
      
   I sought the LORD, and he heard me,   
   and delivered me from all my fears.   
      
   They looked unto him, and were lightened:   
   and their faces were not ashamed.   
      
   This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him,   
   and saved him out of all his troubles.   
      
   The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,   
   and delivereth them.  (Psalm 34:4-7)   
      
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   THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS   
   FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL   
    (Imprimatur 1946)   
      
   Twenty-First Day   
      
   EFFICACY OF THE ROSARY FOR THE SUFFERING SOULS   
      
        St. Dominic declares that the redemption of the holy souls from   
   Purgatory is one of the principal effects of the Rosary. The Venerable   
   Alanus writes that many of the brethren had appeared to them whilst reciting   
   the Rosary, and had declared that next to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass   
   there was no more powerful means than the Rosary to help the suffering   
   souls. Also, that numerous souls were daily released thereby, who otherwise   
   would have been obliged to remain there for years. St. Alphonsus Liguori   
   therefore says: "If we wish to be of material assistance to the souls in   
   Purgatory, we must always recommend them in our prayers to the Blessed   
      
   Virgin Mary, and especially offer the holy Rosary for them."   
      
        Let us then frequently and with devotion recite the Rosary, which is so   
   pleasing to our blessed Mother, recommended most especially by the Holy   
   Church, discloses to us a rich source of grace, and is so efficacious in   
   relieving the suffering souls and opening Heaven to them. Should our labor   
   prevent us from reciting the entire Rosary every day, let us, at least, say   
   it in part. This simple homage to the Queen of Heaven will draw down great   
   blessings upon us, and the holy souls will be wonderfully consoled and   
   relieved, if this devotion be offered in their behalf.   
      
   Prayer: Graciously hear, O Lord! the prayer we offer Thee in the holy   
   Rosary, in honor of Mary, Thy Virgin Mother, for the relief of the souls in   
   Purgatory, while by devoutly meditating upon Thy holy life and suffering, we   
   implore Thy divine assistance. Who livest and reignest, world without end.   
   Amen.   
      
   Special Intercession: Pray for the souls who were most devoted to the holy   
   Rosary.   
      
   Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon   
   them; may they rest in peace. Amen.      (Three times)   
      
   Practice: Recite the Rosary for the suffering souls.   
      
   Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!   
      
      
   See 31day prayer at:   
   http://www.faithfuldeparted.net/prayers.html   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)