From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On the Love of Solitude and Silence  (V)   
      
   In silence and quietness the devout soul makes progress and learns the   
   hidden mysteries of the Scriptures (Ecclus.39:1-3). There she finds   
   floods of tears in which she may nightly wash and be cleansed   
   (Ps.6:6). For the further she withdraws from all the tumult of the   
   world, the nearer she draws to her Maker. For God with His holy angels   
   will draw near to him who withdraws himself from his friends and   
   acquaintances. It is better to live in obscurity and to seek the   
   salvation of his soul, than to neglect this even to work miracles. It   
   is commendable in a Religious, therefore, to go abroad but seldom, to   
   avoid being seen, and to have no desire to see men.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 20   
      
   ==============   
   February 13th - Martinianus the Hermit   
   (Also known as Martinian of Caesarea)   
      
   Died c. 400.   
      
   Recluse near Caesarea, Palestine, who put his feet in the fire and   
   another time jumped into the sea to escape from the so-called weaker   
   sex. You may ask how this all came about.   
      
   Martinianus retired to the 'place of the Ark' near his hometown of   
   Caesarea when he was about 18. He lived for 25 years among holy   
   solitaries practicing penance and the virtues, and manifesting the   
   gift of miracles.   
      
   The harlot Zoë, hearing of his sanctity and inspired by the devil,   
   determined to pervert him. She pretended to be a poor woman, lost and   
   helpless in the desert late at night, and prevailed upon Martinianus   
   to allow her to spend the night with him in his cell. About dawn she   
   tossed aside her beggar's rags and donned her city finery. Zoë told   
   him that she offered herself and all her wealth and estates to him.   
   She also appealed to the Old Testament saints who were wealthy and   
   married, and urged him to abandon his purpose.   
      
   It seems that Martinianus may have assented in his heart for he did   
   not send her away immediately. He was expecting certain people to call   
   upon him for a blessing and instructions but told her to wait. He   
   intended to dismiss his guests, but was touched with remorse.   
   Returning speedily to his cell he built a fire and stuck his feet into   
   it. Hearing his scream of pain, Zoë ran to him. "If I cannot bear this   
   weak fire, how can I endure the fire of hell?"   
      
   This example excited Zoë to sentiments of grief and repentance. She   
   asked Martinianus's help in finding the way to salvation. Thus, she   
   entered the convent of Saint Paula in Bethlehem, where she lived in   
   continual penance, lying on the floor and consuming only bread and   
   water.   
      
   It took nearly 7 months for Martinianus's legs to heal. When he was   
   able to rise from the ground, he retired to a rock surrounded by water   
   on every side to be secure from the approach of danger and all   
   occasion of sin. Here he lived exposed to the elements and seeing no   
   one except a boatman who brought him supplies twice annually.   
      
   After six years on the rock, he one day spied a ship wrecked at the   
   bottom of his rock. All on board had perished except for one girl, who   
   cried out for help. He rescued her but, fearing temptation of living   
   alone with her for two months until the boatman came again, resolved   
   to leave her and his provisions. She freely chose to live out her days   
   on the rock in imitation of Martinianus.   
      
   He threw himself into the sea to shun all danger of sin, swam to the   
   mainland, and travelled through many deserts to reach Athens, where he   
   lived out the rest of his life.   
      
   Martinianus's name does not appear in the R.M., but does occur in the   
   Greek Menaea. Some have questioned whether this story is entirely   
   fictitious (Benedictines, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth).   
      
   Saint Martinian's emblem is a dolphin, standing on a rock in the sea (Roeder).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   If by a diligent life of virtue, you wash away the film of dirt that   
   covers your heart, then the divine beauty will shine forth in you.   
   --St. Gregory of Nyssa   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   Sow for yourselves in justice, and reap in the mouth of mercy, break   
   up your fallow ground: but the time to seek the Lord is, when he shall   
   come that shall teach you justice.   [Hosea 10: 12]  DRB   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS   
   FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL  (Imprimatur 1946)   
      
   21st  Day   
      
   EFFICACY OF THE ROSARY FOR THE SUFFERING SOULS   
      
      St. Dominic declares that the redemption of the holy souls from   
   Purgatory is one of the principal effects of the Rosary. The Venerable   
   Alanus writes that many of the brethren had appeared to them whilst   
   reciting the Rosary, and had declared that next to the Holy Sacrifice   
   of the Mass there was no more powerful means than the Rosary to help   
   the suffering souls. Also, that numerous souls were daily released   
   thereby, who otherwise would have been obliged to remain there for   
   years. St. Alphonsus Liguori therefore says: "If we wish to be of   
   material assistance to the souls in Purgatory, we must always   
   recommend them in our prayers to the Blessed   
      
   Virgin Mary, and especially offer the holy Rosary for them."   
      
     Let us then frequently and with devotion recite the Rosary, which is   
   so pleasing to our blessed Mother, recommended most especially by the   
   Holy Church, discloses to us a rich source of grace, and is so   
   efficacious in relieving the suffering souls and opening Heaven to   
   them. Should our labor prevent us from reciting the entire Rosary   
   every day, let us, at least, say it in part. This simple homage to the   
   Queen of Heaven will draw down great blessings upon us, and the holy   
   souls will be wonderfully consoled and relieved, if this devotion be   
   offered in their behalf.   
      
   Prayer: Graciously hear, O Lord! the prayer we offer Thee in the holy   
   Rosary, in honor of Mary, Thy Virgin Mother, for the relief of the   
   souls in Purgatory, while by devoutly meditating upon Thy holy life   
   and suffering, we implore Thy divine assistance. Who livest and   
   reignest, world without end. Amen.   
      
   Special Intercession: Pray for the souls who were most devoted to the   
   holy Rosary.   
      
   Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine   
   upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen.        (Three times)   
      
   Practice: Recite the Rosary for the suffering souls.   
      
   Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!   
      
   See entire 31 day prayer at:   
   http://www.faithfuldeparted.net/prayers.html   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)