From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Trust in God in all Trouble [V]   
      
   I thank You that You have not spared my wrongdoing, but have punished   
   me with bitter pain, inflicted sorrow on me, and sent me troubles of   
   every kind. Nothing under heaven can comfort me but You alone, 0 Lord   
   my God, for You are the heavenly Physician of souls, who both wound   
   and heal, who cast down and raise up again. (1 Sam. 2:6) Your   
   discipline corrects me, and Your very scourge will heal me. (Ps.18:35)   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 50   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   August 5th – St. Afra of Augsburg VM (RM)   
      
   Died c. 304. Saint Afra was probably a martyr during the Diocletian   
   persecution at Augsburg, Germany. Her unreliable vita is probably   
   historically worthless, although it does appear to be an embroidery of   
   some historical reference. It says that Afra, a prostitute in Augsburg   
   from Cyprus, had been converted when the Bishop of Gerona, driven from   
   his diocese by persecution, reached Augsburg, Germany, and took refuge   
   in her mother's house.   
      
   The transformation of her life was complete, though Afra never ceased   
   to live as if she were doing penance for her former sins. When her   
   time came to suffer she saw this too as a form of atonement. The pagan   
   judge before whom she was brought, accused of being a Christian, told   
   her that her own Lord would have nothing to do with such a sinner as   
   she had been. But Afra replied that although she was without a doubt   
   unworthy to be called a Christian, Jesus Christ had indeed admitted   
   her as one.   
      
   "My body has sinned," confessed the saint at her trial. "Let it   
   suffer. I will not ruin my soul by idolatry." Her executioners tied   
   her to a stake on an island in the River Lech. Dried vine branches   
   were piled up around her and set alight. That night Afra's mother and   
   three other women, who are said to be Afra's servants and former   
   prostitutes themselves, sailed to the island, gathered up Afra's body   
   and buried it in a large tomb at Augsburg. The pagan authorities saw   
   them performing this last act of mercy. The four women were shut up in   
   the family tomb, which was then set on fire. They, like Saint Afra,   
   were burned to death.   
      
   The Benedictine abbey in Augsburg is dedicated to Saint Afra   
   (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Encyclopedia).   
      
   In art, Saint Afra is depicted crowned and enthroned, holding a dead   
   tree. She might also be shown (1) suspended from a tree and scourged;   
   (2) bound to a tree and burned; (3) surrounded by flames; (4) boiled   
   in a cauldron; or (5) holding a fir cone (Roeder). She is the patron   
   saint of Augsburg, Germany, and invoked by penitent women (Roeder).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how   
   precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation   
   and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.   
   -- Pope Saint Clement I   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and   
   knoweth me, for I am the Lord that exercise mercy, and judgment, and   
   justice in the earth: for these things please me, saith the Lord.   
   [Jer 9:24 ] DRB   
      
   <><><><>   
   Mary Our Strength   
      
   O Virgin, fair as the moon,   
   delight of the angels and saints in heaven,   
   grant that we may become like you   
   and that our souls may receive a ray of your beauty,   
   which does not decline with the years   
   but shines forth into eternity.   
   O Mary, sun of heaven,   
   restore life where there is death   
   and enlighten spirits, where there is darkness.   
   Turn your countenance to your children   
   and radiate on us your light and your fervour.   
   O Mary, powerful as an army,   
   grant victory to our ranks.   
   We are very weak   
   and our enemy rages with uttermost conceit.   
   But under your banner   
   we are confident of overcoming him. ….   
   Save us, O Mary,   
   fair as the moon,   
   bright as the sun,   
   awe-inspiring as an army set in battle array   
   and sustained not by hatred   
   but by the ardour of love.   
   Amen   
      
   By Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)   
   (Pontiff 1939-1958)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)