From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   February 17th - St. Silvin of Auchy, OSB B (RM)   
   (Also known as Silvinus)   
      
   Born at Toulouse (?), France; died February 15, c. 718-720. Silvinus, a   
   courtier of Childeric II and Theodoric III, gave up his worldly life and   
   became a penitential pilgrim to Jerusalem and other holy sites. In Rome, he   
   was ordained, then consecrated regional bishop and evangelized in the area   
   around Thérouanne and Toulouse. He was indefatigable in preaching Christian   
   truths and essential obligations, and taught the pagans to despise and   
   renounce the pleasures of this life, by appearing on all occasions a strong   
   lesson of self-denial and mortification. Thus, instructing them both by   
   words and actions, he gathered a large harvest in a wild and uncultivated   
   field. After some 40 years of missionary activity, which included the   
   ransoming of many slaves, he retired to the Benedictine abbey of   
   Auchy-les-Moines, where he died worn out by evangelizing.   
      
   He is commemorated in Usuard, the Belgic, and Roman martyrologies, on   
   February 17, the day of his burial, and at Auchy on February 15. Most of his   
   relics reside now in Saint-Bertin's Church at Saint- Omer, to which they   
   were translated in 951, for fear of the Normans. His original vita, which   
   was ascribed to Antenor, a disciple of the saint, is lost; the one that   
   remains was compiled in the ninth century (Benedictines, Encyclopedia,   
   Husenbeth).   
      
      
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   Whoever humbleth himself shall be exalted. -Lk. 14:11   
      
   "What is it, O my God, that we expect to gain by appearing well before   
   creatures, and by pleasing them? What does it matter to us if we are blamed   
   by them, and considered worthless, provided we are great and faultless   
   before Thee? Ah, we never come fully to an understanding of this truth, and   
   so we never succeed in standing upon the summit of perfection! The Saints   
   had no greater pleasure than to live unknown and abject in the hearts of   
   all.   
   --St. Bernard   
      
         A holy bishop, in order to live unknown, left his diocese, and putting   
   on a poor dress went secretly to Jerusalem, where he worked as a laborer.   
   There a nobleman saw him several times sleeping on the ground, with a column   
   of fire rising from his body even to the heavens. Wondering at this, he   
   asked him privately who he was. He answered he was a poor man who lived by   
   his work, and had no other means of support. The count, not satisfied with   
   this, urged him to reveal the whole truth, and the bishop, after exacting a   
   promise of secrecy during his lifetime, told him who he was, and how he had   
   left his country to escape from renown and esteem, as he held it to be   
   unworthy of a Christian, who ought always to have in mind the insults and   
   reproaches heaped upon his Lord, to enjoy the honor and reverence of men.   
      
   (Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". February - Humility)   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   But the soul that committeth any thing through pride, whether he be born in   
   the land or a stranger (because he hath been rebellious against the Lord)   
   shall be cut off from among his people:  (Numbers 15:30)   
      
      
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   THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS   
   FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL   
    (Imprimatur 1946)   
      
   Twenty-Second Day   
      
   ALMS-GIVING AFFORDS GREAT RELIEF TO THE DEPARTED   
      
        Besides prayer and other acts of devotion, there are practical good   
   works we can perform for the relief of the suffering souls, among which   
   alms-giving is one of the most prominent; for this, being a work of mercy,   
   is especially efficacious in obtaining mercy for the holy souls. Not the   
      
   rich alone are able to give alms; the poor can do so as well; since it is   
   not the value of the gift, but the good intention, in which it is bestowed,   
   that is acceptable in the sight of God. We also shall, one day, be numbered   
   among the suffering souls, and who is in greater need and poverty than they?   
   The most miserable beggar in this world can at least complain of his wants,   
   and ask others to assist him; but the souls in Purgatory cannot do even   
   this, for, the instances in which they are permitted to implore aid of the   
   living are exceptional cases, and very few are on record. What consolation   
   it will afford us when, in our own great time of need, the poor whom we   
   befriended and comforted upon earth, in the company of the holy souls, whom   
   we delivered by offering this work of mercy for them, shall come to our   
   assistance by their prayers and pious supplications! Therefore, says Holy   
   Scripture: "Do good to thy friend before thou die; and according to thy   
   ability, stretching out thy hand, give to the poor." (Eccl. xiv. 13.)   
      
   Prayer: Lord! graciously look down upon the alms we offer for the redemption   
   of the captive souls in Purgatory. Bestow upon them the full merit thereof,   
   that they may be able to discharge their debt; accept, we beseech Thee, this   
   boon of charity, that delivered from debt and penalty, Thou mayest lead them   
   into Thy heavenly kingdom. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.   
      
   Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who upon earth gave alms   
   for the relief of the suffering souls.   
      
   Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon   
   them; may they rest in peace. Amen.            (Three times)   
      
   Practice: Bestow a gift upon a poor person, and offer the merit for the   
   souls in Purgatory.   
      
   Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!   
      
   See entire 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)