From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   The Comforter is with us in our troubles   
      
   "He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and   
   helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we   
   should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with   
   groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes   
   intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and   
   dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand;   
   tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the   
   pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord'   
   (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the   
   reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with   
   angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth   
   comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He   
   portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse   
   of the paradise of delight."   
    by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.(excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20)   
      
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   May 10th - St. Solangia of Bourges, VM (AC)   
   (also known as Solange of Bourges of Genevieve du Berry)   
      
   Born at Villemont, near Bourges, France; died c. 880. Solangia was born into   
   a family of poor vine-dressers. At an early age, she vowed to serve god and   
   remain a virgin. She worked as a shepherdess, watching her father's sheep.   
   When her hour of prayer approached, she is said to have been attended by a   
   guiding star that shone brightly over her head. She was said to have a great   
   affinity for animals and to have the gift of healing.   
      
   One of the sons of the count of Poitiers, hearing of her beauty, came to see   
   her. When she resisted Bernard's advances, he pulled her up onto his horse   
   by force. She extricated herself but was injured in the process, and he   
   murdered her with his hunting knife. Legend had it that she then rose and   
   carried her head in her hands to the Church of Saint-Martin-du-Cros. In its   
   cemetery an altar was built in her honor in 1281. The field in which she   
   liked to pray came to be called le Champ de Sainte Solange (Benedictines,   
   White).   
      
   In art, Saint Solangia can be identified as a shepherdess with a star over   
   her head, near a crucifix. She may also be portrayed (1) with a hunting   
   knife in her throat; (2) with a knife in her breast, distaff, flowers,   
   cross, and sheep around her; or (3) carrying her head (Roeder). She is   
   patron of Bourges and the province of Berry, and protector of little   
   children and shepherds, and invoked for rain (Roeder).   
      
      
   Reflection. We delight in decorating the altars of God with flowers, lights,   
   and jewels, and it is right to do so; but if we wish to offer to God gifts   
   of higher value, let us, in imitation of Saint Fidelis, labor to save souls   
   who would be lost; that is to offer Him the ornaments of paradise which He   
   so ardently longs to acquire.   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   The garden of the Lord, brethren, includes-- yes, it truly includes--   
   includes not only the roses of martyrs but also the lilies of virgins,   
   and the ivy of married people, and the violets of widows. There is   
   absolutely no kind of human beings, my dearly beloved, who need to   
   despair of their vocation; Christ suffered for all. It was very truly   
   written about him: who wishes all men to be saved, and to come to the   
   acknowledgement of the truth.   
   -- Saint Augustine of Hippo   
      
   Bible Quote   
   I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen   
   write to thee. 14 But I hope speedily to see thee, and we will speak   
   mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the   
   friends by name. (3 John 1:13-14)   
      
      
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   Prayer for Charity:   
      
   O my Jesus, Thou who art very Love,   
   enkindle in my heart that Divine Fire   
   which consumes the Saints and transforms them into Thee.   
   O Lord our God,   
   we offer Thee our hearts   
   united in the strongest and most sincere love of brotherhood;   
   we pray that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament   
   may be the daily food of our souls and bodies;   
   that Jesus may be established as the center of our affections,   
   even as He was for Mary and Joseph.   
   Finally, O Lord, may sin never disturb our union on earth;   
   and may we be eternally united in heaven with Thee   
   and Mary and Joseph and with all Thy Saints.   
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)