From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   14 June – St Marcian of Syracuse   
      
    (Died c 68)   
   Martyr, Bishop of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy, Disciple of and Consecrated   
   by St Peter, Missionary, Evangelist. Born in the first century in   
   Antioch and died in c 68 in Syracuse, Italy by murder. Patronages –   
   Cities of Gaeta and Syracuse, Italy. Also known as Marcellus.   
      
   The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “At Syracuse, St Marcian,   
   Bishop, who was Consecrated Bishop by the blessed St Peter and killed   
   by the Jews after he had preached the Gospel.”   
      
   Marcian is considered the first evangeliser of Christianity in that   
   Italian City, where he arrived in the year 39, sent by Saint Peter, of   
   whom he was a disciple. He is considered the first Bishop of Syracuse.   
      
   His preaching was completed with that of Saint Paul.   
      
   He made many conversions, for which he suffered persecution by the   
   local Jewish community and in the year 68 he was Martyred.   
      
   His body is venerated in the Cathedral of Gaeta, the City of which he   
   is a Co-patron but the oldest representation is found in the Catacomb   
   of Santa Lucia in Syracuse.   
      
      
   Purity of Intention   
      
   “St Alphonsus indicates the signs by which we can judge whether our   
   actions are performed from the pure intention of pleasing God.   
      
   ...You know that He is not concerned with the outcome of your work but   
   only with whether you have undertaken it with the purpose of pleasing   
   Him.   
   (2) The second proof is that you are as pleased with the good which is   
   worked by means of others, as if it had been achieved through you.   
   (3) The third sign is that you do not long for one position rather   
   than another but, are content with whatever Providence has arranged   
   for you, so that you seek only to please God in everything which you   
   do.   
   (4) The final proof is that you do not look for approval or gratitude   
   because of your good actions.   
      
   Saint Quote   
   True obedience manifests itself in executing gladly and without any   
   repugnance, things which are objects of antipathy or contrary to one's   
   interests.   
   --St. Alphonsus Rodriguez   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he who   
   commendeth himself, is approved, but he, whom God commendeth.  (2 Cor.   
   10:17-18)   
      
      
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   Adoro Te Devote (Paraphrased)   
      
   I adore You my hidden God truly present beneath the form and   
    appearance of bread and wine. My mind cannot grasp this Mystery but   
    my heart can understand. My senses fail me but I believe for You   
    have said it. You are the Word of truth that lasts forever. Only   
    listening to You is my trust secure. On the Cross You hid Your   
    Divinity but in the Holy Eucharist You have hid Your Humanity too.   
    Unto both alike I profess my belief like the Good Thief who   
    professed it to You.   
      
   Though I do not see Your Wounds like Thomas yet I profess You my   
    Lord and my God. Help me believe in You, hope in You and love You   
    more and more. You left this Sacrament not only as a reminder of   
    Your Saving Death but as a Living Bread which gives me Your life to   
    share. Enable me to taste Your sweetness here on earth.   
      
   O Jesus, grant me, a sinner, to be washed in Your Precious Blood.   
    That Blood of which a single Drop could save all the world.   
    Contemplating Your hidden Presence in the Holy Eucharist grant me   
    what my soul hungers and thirsts for, to behold Your Divinity and   
    Glory in Heaven both now and forevermore. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)