From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   We are all poor beggars in need of God   
      
   Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live   
   as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest   
   animal known by the Jews where Jesus lived and taught. The "eye of the   
   needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively   
   describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by   
   travelers when the larger public gate was locked at night. Normal   
   sized people had to "lower" themselves to enter that gate. A camel   
   would literally have to kneel and crawl through it. Until we humbly   
   kneel before the Lord and acknowledge our total need and dependence on   
   him, we will not find true peace, security, and happiness that can   
   sustain us now and forever. Only God alone can satisfy our deepest   
   need and longing.   
      
   ==============   
   September 1st – Saint Verena of Zurich   
      
   The virgin Verena came from Upper Egypt and followed the troops into   
   Europe. She lived in Milan in the home of a holy man named Maximus for   
   some years, visiting prisoners and comforting those who had lost loved   
   ones through martyrdom. When she heard about the martyrdom of St.   
   Victor of Soluthurn, one of the Theban legion, she crossed the Alps to   
   Aguanum and stayed at the home of a Theban fugitive not far from   
   there.   
      
   Afterwards, St. Verena retired to a narrow cave where she spent her   
   time in prayer, fasting, and repentance. She supported herself by   
   means of handwork, which a Christian woman nearby sold to the pagan   
   Germans. Eventually she became widely known, and became a spiritual   
   mother to many, especially young maidens. Healings occurred through   
   her prayers. She restored vision, guided all that came to her on the   
   path of piety, and even taught proper hygienic practices. Finally, as   
   more people became aware of her, she was arrested by the Roman   
   authorities. St. Maurice appeared to her in prison to comfort her. She   
   was finally released after healing the Roman governor.   
      
   To escape the resulting fame, she fled to a small island where the Aar   
   and Rhine rivers meet. There she freed the island from serpents,   
   nursed the sick, and healed the blind and lame. Afterwards she went to   
   Tenedo (Zurzach) and founded a church dedicated to the Mother of God.   
   She lived at the home of the local priest, but because he fully   
   trusted her, it stirred up jealousy in the village people. In spite of   
   this, she cared for the poor, cleansed the lepers, and devoted herself   
   to the needy. Due to the continued jealous slanders, she begged the   
   priest to build her a segregated cell, where she lived for her   
   remaining eleven years in prayer and fasting, healing those who came   
   to her and guiding whoever sought her counsel.   
      
   On the day of her repose, she was granted a vision of the Most Holy   
   Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Her cell later became a shrine and was   
   one of the most frequented places of pilgrimage in that region. The   
   first monastic enclosure of Canton Aargau was built at the site of her   
   tomb.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one   
   thinks about reforming himself.   
   --St. Peter of Alcantara   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides   
   that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.  As we said   
   before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides   
   that which you have received, let him be anathema.  (Galatians 1:8-9)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Sickness   
      
   Mother of Perpetual Help, you know how much I suffer because of my   
   sickness. Not only my body but my soul is also affected. I do not even   
   have the strength to pray as I should. Nothing gives me any relief.   
   Even the visits and compassion of my friends bring me no comfort. My   
   courage is beginning to fail; impatience and sadness are having their   
   effect on me. Most tender and loving Mother, in my feelings of   
   distress, I put all my trust in you. Your compassionate heart will   
   surely have pity on me. Merciful Mother, do not forget your devoted,   
   afflicted child.   
      
    (here mention your sickness).   
    Ask your Son, Jesus, to give me the courage and strength to accept my   
   sickness as the will of God and to bear it with patience and   
   resignation. If it is God's will, intercede for me in recovering my   
   former good health; but if it is God's will that I continue to suffer,   
   or, that this sickness should lead me to a better life, I am perfectly   
   resigned. Loving Mother, I am confident you will obtain the grace to   
   do whatever God asks for me. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)