From: trudie.Miller@cox.net   
      
   October 8th - St. Pelagia   
      
   Today we have the celebration of a feast which could be for one of several   
   women saints. It is not known if their stories, which come down to us from   
   the Desert Fathers of Egypt of the 4th and 5th centuries, are factual or a   
   fiction written to illustrate and teach virtue and Christian life.   
      
   One is inclined to believe in Pelagia's existence but whether her name was   
   Pelagia, Thais, Margaret, Appolinaria or Theodora or some other name is not   
   as important as the life of this young woman.   
      
   Pelagia, according to the Bishop of Edessa, St. Nonnus, was an actress from   
   Antioch. She was very beautiful, very wealthy and was known to live a   
   sexually promiscuous life.   
      
   According to the Desert Fathers traditions, St. Nonnus was speaking with a   
   group of bishops outside the basilica of St. Julian, Martyr. While he was   
   talking with these bishops, Pelagia, riding on a white horse and wearing her   
   famous jewels and scantily dressed like the prostitutes of her day passed   
   by. She was accompanied by many admirers and attendants.   
      
   St. Nonnus stopped speaking and watched her until she was out of sight. The   
   other bishops however all turned away and hid their eyes. St. Nonnus asked   
   them if they were not pleased at her beauty, but they were confused and   
   couldn't make any response to this seemingly "strange question" coming from   
   such a "holy" man.   
      
   St. Nonnus went on to explain that he was pleased to see her because of   
   God's great lesson to him through her. Here was a woman who took a great   
   deal of time and effort to make herself look beautiful and to practice her   
   dancing so as to be pleasing to men. He went on to say, "But we are less   
   zealous in the care of our dioceses and of our own souls."   
      
   The story goes on to tell of Pelagia being irresistibly drawn to the Church   
   the following day and hearing St. Nonnus preach, she then repented her   
   dissolute life and asked to be baptized. St. Nonnus agreed, but insisted on   
   the presence of the other bishops and appointed the deaconess Romana as her   
   sponsor.   
      
   Eight days later Pelagia is said to have given all her property away to the   
   poor, dressed in men's clothing and disappeared from the city. Later she is   
   said to have made her way to Jerusalem and lived as a hermit in a cave,   
   coming to be known as "the beardless monk." Four years later she was visited   
   by James, the deacon of St. Nonnus, and died while he was there. When the   
   body of the "beardless monk" was being prepared for burial it was discovered   
   to be that of Pelagia the actress.   
      
   There is a similar story in a homily given by St. John Chrysostom about an   
   Antiochean actress. We also find similar threads of this in the stories of   
   St. Thais and other women.   
      
   One also finds her story confused with that of Pelagia the Penitent whose   
   feast was celebrated on October 8th (Roman Martyrology, June 9th) in the   
   fourth century, and whose life is talked about by St. John Chrysostom  and   
   St. Ambrose. Regardless of the real identity of this woman, her story shows   
   us God's love and acceptance of all peoples regardless of what their life   
   may have been like prior to their conversion. His forgiveness is not   
   reserved for only a few, but for ALL .   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   The crosses with which our path through life is strewn associate us with   
   Jesus in the mystery of His crucifixion.   
   --St. John Eudes   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to   
   give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags   
   for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven   
   that no thief can reach nor moth destroy" (Luke 12:32-33).   
      
      
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   ACT OF REPARATION FOR FIRST FRIDAYS:   
      
       Behold this Heart that has loved men so much and that finds only   
   indifference, neglect, and ingratitude among most men-and often even among   
   those whom it has honored with a special love.   
        Lord, we have heard Thy sorrowful complaints. Thou hast revealed to Thy   
   blessed servant and disciple of Thy Heart, St. Margaret Mary, that Thou hast   
   felt greater sorrow over this ingratitude than over all the sufferings Thou   
   hast endured in Thy passion; that if men would only make some return of   
   love, Thou would count as nothing all that Thou hast done for them.   
       Therefore, Lord, we will try to return love for love. Through our   
   grateful, compassionate love, we shall be able to offer Thee at least some   
   consolation. We want to live a life perfect in immolation, in service, and   
   in love as Thy Heart so greatly desired.   
       Just as Mary Magdalen poured ointment over Thy feet and sacred head, we   
   likewise offer Thee adoration, love, humility, and loyalty. With Veronica,   
   we desire to console Thee for all the abuse that has been heaped upon Thee.   
   And finally, with Thy blessed Mother, St. John, and all the loyal and   
   devoted friends standing on Calvary, we will stand by Thee faithfully to   
   make up for Thy many loved ones who have deserted Thee.   
       May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.   
       To the Heart of Jesus, most worthy of adoration, be praise,   
   thanksgiving, and consolation throughout the whole world, now and forever.   
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)