13TH MARCH 2003 ST EUPHRASIA
VIRGIN ( a.d 380--420) ;LIFE: Euphrasia was a daughter of a senator of constantinople( Turkey) Antigonus, who died shortly after her birth.He was related to the Emperor Theodosius I , who took the widow and the child under his protection.As the custom ,Theodosius arranged a betrothal for Euphrasia , at the age of 5, to the son of a wealthy senator.The widow went with Euphrasia to Egypt where they settled down near a convent of nuns. When 7 years old, she was greatly drawn to the life of the convent & begged her mother to allow her to stay with them, the abbbess told her that the Grace of God was working in Euphrasia.,soon after Euphrasia got the habit ,her mother died. Meanwhile she declined her btrothed who then desired the marriage.12 years old now and an heiress, she wrote a letter to Emperor; to allow her to follow her vocation and requesting him to use her parents` property among the poor and to enfranchise all her slaves.Arcadius compiled with her requests. Euphrasia was given hard and humbling tasks to divert her attention from the world ,to which she was tenpted to return.She compiled cheerfully to whatever she was bidden to do. Years later, as she lay on her death bed ,Julia who shared her cell, besought her to obtain for the grace of being with her in heaven.The saint died and three days after, Julia followed suit. According to Russian usage St.Euphrasia is named in preparation of the Byzantine Mass. REFLECTION: ** Christ does not force our will.He takes only what we give him.But does not give himself entirely until He see that we yield ourselves entirley to Him** ( St.Teresa of Avila) COMMENT: ***** ABOVE all things and in all things, O my soul, rest always in God, for He is the everlasting rest of the saints. Grant, most sweet and loving Jesus, that I may seek my repose in You above every creature; above all health and beauty; above every honor and glory; every power and dignity; above all knowledge and cleverness, all riches and arts, all joy and gladness; above all fame and praise, all sweetness and consolation; above every hope and promise, every merit and desire; above all the gifts and favors that You can give or pour down upon me; above all the joy and exultation that the mind can receive and feel; and finally, above the angels and archangels and all the heavenly host; above all things visible and invisible; and may I seek my repose in You above everything that is not You, my God.****( IMITATION OF CHRIST..) we adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee,Because of Thy Holy Cross Thou ha s redeemed the world....!!!!! S.THOMAS NOTTINGHAM ENGLAND --------------------------------- With Yahoo! Mail you can get a bigger mailbox -- choose a size that fits your needs =============================================================================== This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. For more info on the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ===============================================================================