From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   December 19th - St. Nemesion of Alexandria   
   and Other Christians, Martyrs   
      
   (d. 253)   
      
   During the persecution of Decius, Nemesion, an Egyptian, was apprehended at   
   Alexandria upon an indictment for theft. The servant of Christ easily   
   cleared   
   himself of that charge before the judge Emilianus, but was immediately   
   accused   
   of being a Christian. He was twice delivered up to torture, and after being   
   scourged and tormented more than were the true thieves, was sentenced to be   
   burnt with them and other malefactors, in the year 253.   
      
   There stood at the same time, near the prefect's tribunal, four soldiers and   
   another person who, being Christians, boldly encouraged a confessor attached   
   to   
   the rack. They were taken before the judge, who condemned them to be   
   beheaded.   
   The prefect was astonished, seeing the joy with which they walked to the   
   place   
   of execution.   
      
   Three others, named Heron, Ater and Isidore, all Egyptians, were arraigned   
   at   
   Alexandria with Dioscorus, a youth only fifteen years old, during the same   
   persecution. After enduring the most cruel rending and disjointing of their   
   limbs, they were burnt alive, with the exception of Dioscorus, whom the   
   judge   
   dismissed because of his tender age.   
      
   Reflection: Can we call to mind the fervor of the Saints, cheerfully   
   laboring   
   and suffering for God, and not feel a holy ardor glow in our own breasts,   
   and   
   our souls strongly affected by their heroic sentiments of virtue?   
      
   Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on   
   Butler's   
   Lives of the Saints and other sources, by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger   
   Brothers:   
   New York, 1894).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Far be it from Christians that to do such deeds [as our done by pagan   
   sinners]   
   should enter their mind; for temperance dwells with them, self-restraint is   
   practiced, monogamy is observed, chastity is guarded, injustice is   
   exterminated,   
   sin is rooted out, righteousness is exercised, law is ministered, reverence   
   is   
   preserved, God is acknowledged: truth controls, grace guards, peace   
   protects,   
   the holy word guides, wisdom teaches, life directs, God reigns.   
   --Saint Theophilus of Antioch   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in   
   us.   
   (1 John 1:8)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer to Defeat the Work of Satan   
      
   O Divine Eternal Father, in union with your Divine Son   
   and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of   
   Mary, I beg You to destroy the Power of your greatest   
   enemy--the evil spirits.   
      
   Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell and chain   
   them there forever! Take possession of your Kingdom   
   which You have created and which is rightfully yours.   
      
   Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart   
   of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.   
      
   I repeat this prayer out of pure love for You with every   
   beat of my heart and with every breath I take. Amen   
      
   Imprimatur, March 1973, Richard H. Ackerman, Bishop   
   of Covington   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   "Away With the Manger"   
      
   Away with the manger--no crib--baby's dead.   
   A cold, metal forceps has crushed his sweet head.   
   His body in pieces, no crying he makes;   
   While millions of dollars his killers do make.   
      
   Where are You, Lord Jesus, when Your babies die?   
   "In the dark, bloody bucket My Body doth lie.   
   Whatever you did to the least one of these-   
   Remember, oh man...You did it to Me."   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)