From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   May 31st - SS Cantius, Cantianius, Cantianella & Protus, Martyrs   
      
   Died May 31, c. 304. Two brothers, Cantius and Cantianus, along with their   
   sister Cantianella, were members of an illustrious Roman family, the Anicii,   
   and   
   near relations of the Emperor Carinus, who supported the Christians in Gaul.   
   They were orphaned but their tutor or guardian, a man named Protus, happened   
   to   
   be a Christian and taught them the faith.   
      
   When the persecution under Emperor Diocletian started, the three orphans and   
   their guardian decided on flight. Before leaving Rome they sold their home   
   and   
   possessions. Apart from what they needed for their journey, they gave the   
   proceeds to the poor. Then the fugitives attempted to escape to their estate   
   in   
   Aquilea. They were pursued and captured at a place called Aquae Gradatae.   
      
   General Sisinnius and Governor Dulcidius had no problem dealing with the   
   rank   
   and file confessor, but felt obliged to consult with Emperor Diocletian   
   regarding the disposition of personages of so great a family. Diocletian   
   ordered   
   that they should be beheaded if they refused to offer sacrifice to the civic   
   gods. Although all four knew that the penalty for holding fast to   
   Christianity   
   would be death, not one agreed to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods. They   
   were   
   all beheaded. Zoelus, a priest, honorably embalmed and buried their bodies   
   in   
   the same monument. The of Aquae-Gradatae has been changed to San Cantiano.   
   Their   
   acts are genuine, published by Mabillon in an appendix to his Gallican   
   Liturgy.   
   The panegyric preached in their honor by Saint Maximus of Turin is extant   
   (Benedictines, Bentley, Husenbeth).   
      
   This group is represented in art as two youths, a girl, and their tutor with   
   a   
   staff and faggot. Sometimes there picture may show (1) a sword; (2) them   
   fleeing   
   in a chariot, beheaded before an idol; or (3) with palms and sword, Protus   
   is   
   depicted as a bishop. They are the patrons of children, and venerated in   
   Aquileia (Roeder).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with   
   love.   
   --St. Therese of Lisieux   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more   
   and   
   more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are   
   Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say   
   that   
   the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of   
   some. 19   
   Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this   
   inscription:   
   "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of   
   the   
   Lord must turn away from wickedness."  (2 Tim 2:16-19)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Today is also the Feast of the Visitation of Our Blessed Mother to her   
   sister   
   Elizabeth's.  It is here that John the Baptist was cleansed of sin within   
   his   
   mother's womb, so that he could make straight the path of the Lord.   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS   
      
   God of great mercy, Who deigned to send us Your only-begotten   
   Son as the greatest proof of Your fathomless love and mercy,   
   You do not reject sinners; but in Your boundless mercy You   
   have opened for them also Your treasures, treasures, from   
   which they draw abundantly, not only justification, but also   
   all the sanctity that a soul can attain. Father of great mercy,   
   I desire that hearts turn with confidence to Your infinite mercy.   
   No one will be justified before You is he is not accompanied by   
   Your unfathomable mercy. When You reveal the mystery of   
   Your mercy to us, there will not be enough of Eternity to   
   render You thanksgiving.   
      
   O Jesus, how sorry I am for poor sinners. Jesus, grant them   
   contrition and repentance. Remember Your Sorrowful Passion.   
   Jesus, give me the souls of sinners; let Your mercy rest on them.   
   Take everything away from me, but give me souls.   
   Let the shell of my body conceal my offering, for Your   
   Most Sacred Heart is hidden in a Host, a living sacrifice.   
   Transform me into a sacrifice for sinners, pleasing to You.   
    I desire to atone each moment for poor sinners.   
   O my Creator and Father of great mercy, I trust in You,   
   for You are Goodness Itself.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)