From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Appreciating God's Grace   
      
      Be grateful, therefore, for the least gift and you will be worthy   
   to receive a greater. Consider the least gift as the greatest, the   
   most contemptible as something special. And, if you but look to the   
   dignity of the Giver, no gift will appear too small or worthless. Even   
   though He give punishments and scourges, accept them, because He acts   
   for our welfare in whatever He allows to befall us.   
      He who desires to keep the grace of God ought to be grateful when   
   it is given and patient when it is withdrawn. Let him pray that it   
   return; let him be cautious and humble lest he lose it.   
   Imitation of Christ:-- a Kempis Bk II   Ch 10   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
       • October 26th - Saint Evaristus, Pope and Martyr   
      
   (died 107)   
    Pope Saint Evaristus was the 4th successor of Saint Peter. While   
   little is known about this 5th pope, we do know that Saint Evaristus   
   governed the Church for 9 years, during which time he laid the   
   groundwork for future Church policy. Saint Evaristus was profoundly   
   committed to the expansion of vocations in the Church. The institution   
   of cardinal priests is ascribed to him, as he is the pope who first   
   divided Rome into several titles or parishes, assigning a priest to   
   each. He also appointed seven deacons to attend the bishop and   
   conferred holy orders 3 times in the month of December which was quite   
   unusual, given that these ceremonies were generally reserved for   
   seasons of fasting and prayer.   
      
   Saint Evaristus lived in the 2nd century, born into a Jewish family in   
   Bethlehem. He is often depicted in art accompanied by a crib,   
   reflecting his close ties to Christ, due to the place of his birth.   
   Saint Evaristus’ parents immigrated to Greece while he was very young,   
   and the future pope was brought up in the Jewish faith. Pious,   
   knowledgeable, and virtuous, Evaristus received the best education of   
   the time.   
      
   As he grew, he was more and more drawn to Christianity, and eventually   
   he became a priest, traveling to Rome, and engaging in ministry there   
   despite the growing threat and persecution of Christians. He was much   
   admired for his devotion to the Lord, service to others, and   
   commitment to the teachings of Christ. So loved was he that when Pope   
   Anancletus (who had elevated him to bishop) was martyred, Saint   
   Evaristus was selected to replace him. For his part, Evaristus   
   proclaimed his belief that he was unworthy to take the throne of   
   Peter, but the Lord saw to his ascension.   
      
   Pope Saint Evaristus led the Church for approximately 8 years, during   
   which time he organized the Roman See, instructed and encouraged the   
   clergy, and prepared the faithful for the persecution that was   
   imminent. He wrote several letters, each reinforcing the teachings of   
   the Church. In his first epistle, addressed to the bishops of Africa,   
   Evaristus decreed that 7 deacons were to monitor a bishop’s preaching,   
   to ensure that he did not lapse from the true teachings. Evaristus did   
   not wish to see undue accusations aimed at his bishops, yet reserved   
   solely to the See of Rome the power to terminate any bishop as a   
   result of this indiscretion. His second epistle drew a comparison   
   between the lasting bond of husband and wife and that of a bishop and   
   his diocese.   
      
   During the leadership of Pope Saint Evaristus, the clergy were   
   solidified and the congregations of believers grew at an astounding   
   rate--largely due to his love and zeal for the truth of Christ.   
   However, as were most popes at that time of Church formation,   
   Evaristus was eventually arrested during the reign of Emperor   
   Domitian, and sentenced to death for being a Christian. As he was   
   taken to prison, his jailers were amazed to see the joy on his face,   
   as he thought himself privileged to have been found worthy to suffer   
   and die for Jesus. He was martyred by decapitation, and his remains   
   were buried in the Vatican near the tomb of Saint Peter.   
      
   While little is known about the life of our 5th pope, we can feel   
   certain of his commitment to, and love of, the Lord. Pope St Evaristus   
   inherited a difficult task--to assume the leadership of a Church beset   
   by persecution and suffering. Rather than turning outward, this great   
   leader looked within the Church, strengthening the roles of bishops   
   and clergy, preparing the faithful to survive and thrive during their   
   suffering, as Jesus did. His simple faith, love, and courage helped   
   prepare the Church to weather the great storm!   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   What I recommend most earnestly is not to lose heart when you are   
   tempted. Do you wish to succeed? The best way is to reveal the   
   temptations to your spiritual director immediately. The devil loves   
   darkness. He always operates in the dark because he knows that if he   
   is discovered he is beaten.   
   --St. John Bosco   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country   
   that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants, and that he   
   set out without knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in   
   the Promised Land as though it were not his, living in tents with   
   Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise."   
   [Hebrews 11:8-9[   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Hail, Sweet Jesus!   
   Prayer to Christ   
   in His Passion and Death   
   By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)   
      
   Hail, sweet Jesus!   
   Praise, honour and glory be to Thee, O Christ,   
   Who, of Thou own accord, embraced death,   
   and recommending Thyself to Thy heavenly Father,   
   bowing down Thy venerable Head,   
   did yield up Thy Spirit.   
   Truly thus giving up Thy life for Thy sheep,   
   Thou hast shown Thyself, to be the Good Shepherd.   
   Thou died, O Only-begotten Son of God.   
   Thou died, O my beloved Saviour,   
   that I might live forever.   
   O how great hope,   
   how great confidence have   
   I reposed in Thy Death and Thy Blood!   
   I glorify and praise Thy Holy Name,   
   acknowledging my infinite obligations to Thee.   
   O good Jesus,   
   by Thy bitter Death and Passion,   
   give me grace and pardon.   
   Give unto the faithful departed,   
   rest and life everlasting.   
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)