From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Self-Denial, and Renunciation of all Cupidity [III]   
      
   CHRIST.   
   I have said, exchange what men consider desirable and honorable for   
   that which they hold in low esteem. For true heavenly wisdom, having   
   no exalted opinion of itself (Rom.12:16) seeks no recognition from the   
   world, is almost disregarded by men and seems to them useless and of   
   no importance. Many pay it lip-service, but it plays no part in their   
   lives. Yet this is the precious pearl that remains hidden from   
   many.(Matt.13:46)   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3, Ch 32   
      
      
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   February 20th – St. Eucherius of Orléans, Abbot   
      
   Born at Orléans, France; died February 20, 743. Eucherius's sanctity   
   was formed in the domestic church. His mother was a lady of great   
   virtue. While she was carrying her son, she begged God daily for   
   divine grace and offered the unborn Eucherius to the Father. At his   
   birth, his parents dedicated him to God. When he was seven, his   
   studies were planned to form both mind and soul. After being   
   well-educated, especially in theology, Eucherius entered the   
   Benedictine abbey of Jumièges on the Seine in the diocese of Rouen c.   
   714.   
      
   He spent six or seven years here practicing penitential austerities   
   and obedience, until the senate, people, and clergy of Orléans deputed   
   persons to Charles Martel, mayor of the palace, to beg his permission   
   to elect Eucherius to the see vacated by the death of Eucherius's   
   uncle, Bishop Suavaric. Charles Martel agreed and sent one of his   
   principal officers to conduct Eucherius from his monastery to Orléans.   
   Eucherius was horrified at the notion of being consecrated bishop and   
   sought the protection of his brother monks. But they preferred the   
   public good to their private inclinations, and resigned him up for   
   that important charge. Eucherius was received and consecrated at   
   Orléans with universal applause in 721.   
      
   Although he was apprehensive about assuming the responsibilities of a   
   see, his prayer life was vital. He found all the help and   
   encouragement he needed in his relationship with God. Eucherius   
   devoted himself entirely to the care of his church. He was   
   indefatigable in instructing and reforming his flock. His sweet spirit   
   and charity were so genuine that, in general, he was loved and obeyed   
   even by those whom he reproved. Except Charles Martel.   
      
   In order to finance his wars and reward his vassals, Charles Martel   
   often stripped the churches of their revenues, and encouraged others   
   to do the same. Eucherius, who reproved these encroachments, was   
   represented to the prince as offering a personal attack; therefore, in   
   737, Charles stopped in Orléans on his return to Paris after having   
   defeated the Saracens in Aquitaine. He ordered Eucherius to follow him   
   to Verneuil upon the Oise, in the diocese of Beauvais, where he then   
   kept his court. There Eucherius and all his relatives were exiled to   
   Cologne in 737 by Charles Martel.   
      
   Yet even in exile, Eucherius bloomed where God had planted him. The   
   citizens of Cologne soon highly esteemed his virtue. So Charles Martel   
   ordered him to move again, this time to a fortress in Hasbain   
   (Haspengaw) near Liège, where he was placed under house arrest. But   
   the governor, Robert, so charmed with his virtue, that he made him   
   almoner, and allowed him to retire to the monastery of Sarchinium, or   
   Saint-Trond's near Maastricht, where he spent his last years in prayer   
   and contemplation. His life was written by a contemporary   
   (Benedictines, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth).   
      
   Saint Eleutherius is portrayed in art as a bishop with a monstrance.   
   Sometimes he is shown (1) being blessed by Christ as he carries the   
   monstrance among poor and wounded soldiers; or (2) as an angel frees   
   him from stripes (Roeder).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   It is needful also to make use of tradition, for not everything can be   
   gotten from sacred Scripture. The holy apostles handed down some   
   things in the scriptures, other things in tradition.   
   -- Saint Epiphanius of Salamis   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become   
   children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not   
   of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of   
   God."  (John 1:12-13)   
      
      
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   Ask Our LORD'S BLESSING   
      
   Taken from JESUS, MARY, JOSEPH NOVENA MANUAL:   
    Father Stedman   
      
   Before leaving the Blessed Sacrament.   
      
   BLESS ME, O God of bounty! Bless me, Thou Who art holy and good! Bless me as   
   Thou didst bless the patriarchs and prophets; as Thou didst bless Thy   
   beloved Mother; as Thou didst bless Thy disciples before ascending into   
   Heaven.   
      
   BLESS MY EYES. Never permit them to behold vanity.   
      
   BLESS MY EARS. Set around them a hedge of thorns to guard them from hearing   
   unChristian words.   
      
   BLESS MY MOUTH. Surround it with a guard of truth and kindness.   
      
   BLESS MY BODY. Grant that chastity may clothe it as with a garment of glory.   
      
   BLESS MY MIND. Grant that my thoughts may be like Thine.   
      
   BLESS MY HEART. Kindle in it the fire of love which Thou didst bring on   
   earth. Make it the sanctuary of every virtue.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)