From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Quality is superior to quantity   
      
       As good theologians teach,(20) God is more glorified by a single   
   act of charity of ten talents than by ten acts of charity of one   
   talent each. Likewise a single very perfect just soul pleases God more   
   than many others who remain in mediocrity or tepidity. Quality is   
   superior to quantity. This is why the plenitude of grace in Mary   
   surpassed from the first day of her existence that of all the saints,   
   as a single diamond is worth more than a quantity of other precious   
   stones.   
       Charity, therefore, ought by our merits to grow until death. With   
   this infused virtue, our aptitude to receive a new increase grows,(21)   
   our spiritual heart dilates more and more, and our divine capacity is   
   enlarged according to the words of the psalm: "I have run the way of   
   Thy commandments, when Thou didst enlarge my heart." (22) St. Paul   
   also says: "Our heart is enlarged. . . . Be you also enlarged." (23)   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   October 27th - St Frumentius of Ethiopia   
   (also known as Abuna (Our Father), Kesate Birhan (Revealer of Light),   
   and Abba Salama (Father of Peace).)   
      
   (died 383)   
      
    Together with his twin brother, saint Aedesius, he is credited with   
   bringing the faith to that region of Africa, as well as translating   
   the New Testament into local language to make it more accessible to   
   the people there. A disciple of St Athanasius of Alexandria, St   
   Frumentius turned the tragedy of his youth into a powerful opportunity   
   to preach the truth of the Gospel to those in need.   
      
   Born in Tyre, Lebanon, Frumentius and his brother were taken on a   
   voyage to Ethiopia what still young children by their uncle, Meropius,   
   a Christian philosopher and explorer. During the voyage, tragedy   
   struck and the ship was attacked by barbarian pirates while harbored   
   in a community on the Red Sea. The entire crew, with the exception of   
   the two children, were slain, and the ship destroyed. Frumentius and   
   Aedesius were taken as slaves.   
      
   The brothers grew in faith, serving their king well. On his deathbed,   
   grateful for years of service, the king granted the twins their   
   freedom. However, the queen begged them to stay at court and assist   
   her in governing the country until the heir to the throne came of age.   
   This, they gladly did, convincing her to allow the introduction of   
   Christianity to the country, and opening trade ties with the West.   
   Over time, the brothers used their influence to spread Christianity   
   first throughout the court, and then throughout the country. First   
   they encouraged Christian merchants, who had been recently allowed   
   into the country, to practice their faith openly by meeting at places   
   of public worship. Eventually, this led to the conversion of the   
   native residents. When the prince reached the age of governing, the   
   brothers resigned their posts.   
      
   Saint Frumentius traveled to Alexandria, where he arranged a meeting   
   with St Athanasius, and begged him to send a bishop back to Ethiopia   
   to shepherd the fledgling Christian community. Athanasius, a wise man   
   of faith, consecrated Frumentius a bishop, sending him back to the   
   Ethiopians, recognizing him to be the best man for the position.   
      
   Upon his return, Frumentius was welcomed back with reverence, and   
   through working of miracles and holy example, converted the king, and   
   subsequently, the majority of the nation. He worked tirelessly   
   throughout the country until his death in approximately the year 383.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great   
   things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.   
   --Saint Gregory the Great   
      
   Bible Quote:   
    "That is why the promise is to faith, so that it comes as a free gift   
   and is secure for all the descendants, not only those who rely on the   
   Law but all those others who rely on the faith of Abraham, the   
   ancestor of us all (as Scriptures says: 'I have made you the father of   
   many nations').  Romans 4:16   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart:   
      
   Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, what ineffable power thy   
   divine Son hath given thee   
   over His own adorable Heart. Full of trust in thy merits, we come   
   before thee and beg thy protection. O heavenly Treasurer of the Heart   
   of Jesus, that Heart which is the inexhaustible source of all graces,   
   which thou mayest open to us at thy good pleasure, in order that from   
   it may flow forth upon mankind the riches of love and mercy, light and   
   salvation,  grant unto us, we beseech thee, the favors which we seek.   
   . . .We can never, never be refused by thee, and since thou art our   
   Mother, O our Lady of the Sacred Heart, graciously hear our prayers   
   and grant our request. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)