SS. Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia| Daily Meditation| Daily Quote by S. Padre Pio| Divine Mercy Reflection
Today in the Latin Calendar we commemorate SS. Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, Martyrs. A story about this commemoration can be found by Clicking Here.
Another Story:
The Holy Martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia suffered for Christ during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305).
Saint Vitus was the son of an illustrious Sicilian dignitary, the pagan Gelas. Gelas tried to turn his son from Christianity, but failed. Paternal love then turned to hatred, and he decided to kill Vitus.
In order to save the boy, his tutor Saint Modestus and his governess Saint Crescentia, who were Christians, secretly took him from his parental home. They saw a boat at the river, and an angel entered the boat with them. They reached the Italian district of Lucanium, where the saints lived quietly, hiding from those who would persecute them. The holy youth continued to heal the sick and convert pagans to Christianity. His fame soon spread throughout the region.
Sts Vitus and Modestus went to present themselves before Diocletian, and were thrown into prison. Then the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the prisoners, strengthening them for their contest. He helped them, and the fetters fell from their hands.
Ascribing the miracle to magic, Diocletian ordered that Saint Vitus be thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. The saint stood in it as if in cool water, and remained unharmed. Then a fierce lion was set loose. The young man made the Sign of the Cross, and the beast laid at his feet and began to lick them. They tied the holy martyrs to pillars and began to scrape them with iron claws.
Saint Crescentia came out of the crowd of spectators, confessed herself a Christian and reproached the emperor for his cruelty. He also sentenced her to torture.
Saint Vitus called out to God, “O God, save us by Thy power and deliver us.” Then an earthquake struck, and many pagans perished beneath the collapsed buildings. Diocletian fled to his chambers in fear. An angel released the martyrs from the pillars and took them to Lucanium.
Saint Vitus prayed that God would accept their souls in peace and not deprive those who kept their memory of His benefaction. A Voice came from Heaven, “Thy prayer is heard.” Then the saints joyfully surrendered their souls to God.
The holy martyrs Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia suffered for Christ in the year 303. These saints are also commemorated on June 15.
The relics of Saint Vitus were transferred to Prague. The Holy Prince Vyacheslav (Wenceslaus) of the Czechs (September 28) built a church in honor of Saint Vitus, in which he was afterwards buried.
Daily Meditation
The Only Way:
Whatever God does, He does beautifully and perfectly. God does not have another way of doing things.
Quote by S. Padre Pio:
When the soul grieves and is afraid of offending God, it does not offend Him and is very far from committing sin.
Divine Mercy Reflection
Reflections on Notebook Two: 112-188
We now enter into Notebook Two of the six notebooks that make up the Diary of Saint Faustina. The reason for having more than one notebook is simply that when one notebook was filled by Saint Faustina she began with a new one. Therefore, there is nothing particularly different from one notebook to the other. However, for the purpose of this current book of daily reflections, each reflection will begin to be lengthened, starting here with Notebook Two, so as to help you, the reader, enter more deeply into the beautiful mysteries of faith and our shared spiritual life that have been revealed in these writings of Saint Faustina.
You are invited once again to take one reflection each day and to ponder it throughout the day. Try to pray the prayer for each reflection each morning, noon and evening. Allow each mystery reflected upon to become a source of wisdom and understanding for you.
Reflection 166: The Power of Your Unity with Christ
Imagine being All-Powerful, or being an intimate friend of one who is All-Powerful. There is a story of Pope St. Leo I, who lived in the fifth century, which reveals the power of God. It is said that Attila the Hun and his violent army sought to sack Rome. Pope St. Leo met Attila and “persuaded” him to turn back. Later, when Attila’s army asked why he turned back, Attila stated that he had been alarmed by a figure dressed as a priest who stood at the pope’s side. This figure was holding a drawn sword and acted as if he would strike Attila dead if he advanced. In fear, Attila turned around and left.
This short story reveals the power of God to defend us against all wickedness. Though an angel may not appear in physical form next to you, you can be assured that if you are immersed in the Mercy of God, there is nothing you need to fear. All the powers of Heaven will be on your side. The Lord will defend you against every evil and will give you strength to accomplish all that gives Him glory (See Diary #858).
Reflect, today, upon two things: 1) Your unity with Christ; 2) The power that flows from that unity. Do you trust that the Lord will protect you from all evil? Do you realize that fear is useless when you have faith and are clothed with the Mercy of God? Reflect upon this fact and surrender yourself more fully to the Lord who must become your Sole Commander in life.
My Lord and my Sole Commander, I trust You with my life. I entrust to You my whole being, especially all things that tempt me to fear. Give me confidence in Your Divine Mercy and help me to rely upon You in all things without reserve. Jesus, I trust in You.