I realize this a ridiculous question but I must ask; do any of us truly realize, scripturally, what are the differences Between Anything and Everything?

2 thoughts on “I realize this a ridiculous question but I must ask; do any of us truly realize, scripturally, what are the differences Between Anything and Everything?”

1. THE SACRED HEART

   PRAYER OF ST. GERTRUDE TO THE SACRED HEART

   This prayer is thought to be originally prayed by St. Gertrude and adapted
   by St. Alphonse Liguori; he is considered the author because of its final formulation.

   O Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and life giving fountain of eternal life,
   infinite treasury of the Divinity, and glowing furnace of love, Thou art
   my refuge and my sanctuary. O adorable and glorious Savior,
   consume my heart with that burning fire that ever inflames Thy Heart.

   Pour down on my souls those graces that flow from Thy love. Let my
   heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine
   may in all things be conformed to Thine. May Thy will be the rule
   of both my desires and my actions.

   ACT OF LOVE TO THE SACRED HEART

   How great, O my Jesus, is the extent of Thine excessive charity! Thou hast prepared
   for me, of Thy most precious Body and Blood, a divine banquet, where Thou
   givest me Thyself without reserve. What hath urged Thee to this excess of love?
   Nothing but Thine own most loving Heart.

   O adorable Heart of my Jesus, furnace of Divine Love, receive my soul into the wound
   of Thy most Sacred Passion, that in this school of charity I may learn to make
   a return of love to that God Who hast given me such wonderful proofs of His love.

   DEVOUT AFFECTIONS ON THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

   It was revealed to St. Gertrude that reading and meditating on the Passion are far more useful and efficacious than all other spiritual exercises. As those who handle flour cannot avoid contracting some of the flour’s powdery substance, so no one, however imperfect his devotion may be, can occupy his mind with the Passion of Our Lord without receiving some benefit therefrom. And, however cold and lukewarm our devotion, Our Lord will look upon us with greater long-suffering and mercy if we never omit the memory of His Passion.

   FIRST PRAYER

   O Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal sweetness and jubilee of those who love Thee, remember all the presentiment of grief Thou didst endure from the moment of Thy conception, and especially at Thy
   entrance into Thy Passion, when Thou didst say: My soul is sorrowful even unto death; and when, by reason of Thy overwhelming dread and anguish and grief, Thou didst sweat, as it were, drops of Blood trickling down upon the ground. Remember all the bitterness of Thy sorrow when Thou wast seized upon by the Jews, accused by false witnesses, condemned by three judges, buffeted and smitten, spit upon, scourged, and crowned with thorns. O sweetest Jesus, I implore Thee, by all the sorrows and insults Thou didst endure, have mercy on me, a sinner.

   SECOND PRAYER

   O Jesus, paradise of the delights of God, remember now all the dread and sorrow Thou didst
   endure when Pilate pronounced on Thee sentence of death; when the godless soldiers laid the
   heavy Cross on Thy shoulders, and fastened Thee thereon with rude and blunted nails,
   cruelly stretching Thy sacred limbs so that all Thy bones could be numbered: I beseech Thee,
   vouchsafe to pronounce a merciful sentence on me in the day of judgment, and deliver me
   from all punishment. Amen.

   THIRD PRAYER

   O Jesus, Heavenly Physician, remember now the languor and the pain Thou didst endure
   when lifted upon the Cross, when all Thy bones were out of joint, so that no sorrow was like
   to Thy sorrow, because, from the sole of Thy foot to the top of Thy head, there was no
   soundness in Thee; when, notwithstanding, Thou didst put away the feeling of all Thine
   own griefs, and pray to Thy Father for Thine enemies, saying: Father, forgive them;
   for they know not what they do. By this, Thy charity and Thy mercy, grant that the
   dignity and worth of Thy Passion may be the entire remission of all my sins. Amen.

   FOURTH PRAYER

   O Jesus, mirror of the eternal splendor, remember now that sadness which filled
   Thy Heart when Thou didst behold in the mirror of Thy Divinity the reprobation of
   the wicked and the multitude of the lost; and by the depth of the compassion Thou
   didst show to the robber on the cross, saying: This day thou shalt be with Me in
   Paradise, I beseech Thee, O compassionate Jesus, show me Thy mercy in the
   hour of my death. Amen.

   FIFTH PRAYER

   O Jesus, King most beloved, remember now the mournful desolation of Thy Heart,
   when Thou, forsaken by all, wert mocked as Thou didst hang on the Cross; when
   Thou didst find none to comfort Thee but Thy beloved Mother, who stood by Thy Cross
   to the last, and whom Thou didst commend to Thy disciple, saying: Woman, behold
   thy son, and to the disciple: Behold thy Mother. I beseech Thee, O compassionate
   Jesus, by that sword of anguish which then pierced her Heart, do Thou condole with me
   and console me in all my tribulations. Amen.

   SIXTH PRAYER

   O Jesus, inexhaustible fountain of pity, remember now that bitterness which Thou didst
   endure when, Thy strength being exhausted and Thy sacred Body dried up, Thou didst
   feel that burning thirst, and hadst not one drop of water to cool Thy parched tongue, but
   only vinegar upon hyssop; I beseech Thee that Thou wouldst extinguish in me the
   thirst of carnal concupiscence and worldly delights. Amen.

   SEVENTH PRAYER

   O Jesus, mighty King, remember now that when Thou wast plunged into the bitter
   waters of Thy Passion until they closed over Thy head, Thou wast forsaken not only
   by men, but by Thy Father also, and didst cry out with a loud voice, saying: My God,
   My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? By this Thine anguish and dereliction, I
   beseech Thee, forsake me not in my last agony. Amen.

   EIGHTH PRAYER

   O Jesus, strong Lion of the tribe of Juda, remember now the sorrow and the woe Thou
   didst endure, when all the forces of Thy Heart and of Thy Flesh failed Thee utterly, and
   Thou didst bow Thy Head and cry: It is consummated. By this Thine anguish and Thy woe,
   have mercy on me at the end of my life, when my soul shall be troubled, and my spirit
   disquieted within me. Amen.

   NINTH PRAYER

   O Jesus, splendor of the Father’s glory and figure of His substance, remember now that
   earnest commendation with which Thou didst commend Thy Spirit to the Father, saying:
   Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit! and when, Thy most sacred Body being
   torn and Thy Heart broken, and all the bowels of Thy compassion laid bare for our
   Redemption, Thou didst give up Thy Spirit: I beseech Thee, by all that love which moved
   Thee, the Life of all that live, to submit to death, that Thou wouldst mortify and kill in my
   soul whatever is displeasing to Thee. Amen.

   TENTH PRAYER

   O Jesus, true and fruitful Vine, remember now the lavish, the excessive profusion
   wherewith Thou didst shed Thy Precious Blood, when on the Cross Thou didst tread
   the winepress alone, and wast crushed a s a cluster of ripe grapes; when Thou didst
   give us water and Blood from Thy pierced Side, so that not one drop remained in
   Thy Heart. Then wast Thou hung up as a bundle of myrrh, and Thy tender Flesh grew
   pale, and Thy moisture was all dried up within Thee, and the marrow of Thy bones
   consumed. By this Thy most bitter Passion, and by the shedding of Thy most
   Precious Blood, I beseech Thee, O most loving Jesus, wash my soul at the hour of
   my death with the water which flowed from Thy Sacred Side, and adorn it with
   comeliness in the Precious Blood of Thy sweetest heart, and render it acceptable
   in Thy sight in the fragrant odor of Thy Divine love. Amen.

   OBLATION

   Accept, O compassionate Jesus, this my prayer with that exceeding love wherewith
   Thou didst endure a bitter Death, and didst offer it , together with all the fruit of Thy
   most sacred Humanity, to God the Father on the day of Thine Ascension; and by the
   depth of those Wounds which scarred Thy Flesh and pierced Thy hands and feet
   and Heart, I beseech Thee, raise me up, who am steeped and sunk in sin, and render
   me well-pleasing to Thee in all things. Amen.

   GUARDIAN ANGEL

   GUARDIAN ANGEL PRAYER

   O MOST holy Angel of God, appointed by God to my Guardian, I give thee thanks for all the
   benefits which thou hast ever bestowed on me in body and soul. I praise and glorify thee that thou
   condescended to assist me with such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the
   assaults of my enemy. Blessed be the hour in which thou were assigned me for my Guardian,
   my defender and my patron. In acknowledgment and return for all thy loving ministries to me, I
   offer thee the infinitely precious and noble Heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey thee
   henceforward, and most faithfully to serve my God. Amen.

   SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT CHAPLET

   Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great that the following prayer would release 1,000
   Souls from Purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was later extended to include
   living sinners as well.

   “ETERNAL FATHER, I OFFER THEE THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD
   OF THY DIVINE SON, JESUS, IN UNION WITH THE MASSES SAID
   THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TODAY,
   FOR ALL THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY,
   for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church,
   those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”

   [In one Rosary or chaplet this prayer is said 50 times!]

   Say this chaplet using regular Rosary beads.
   Begin with the Apostles’ Creed, one Our Father, three Hail Marys
   and a Glory Be to the Father just as with Our Lady’s Rosary.

   On the five decades, say the above Prayer for the Holy Souls on each Hail Mary bead
   and the Our Father on each separator bead between the decades.

   PRAYER TO FREE 1000 SOULS FROM PURGATORY: PROMISE PRAYER
   A Prayer Which Would Release 1,000 Souls From Purgatory
   Each Time It Is Said:

   Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great that the following prayer would release 1,000
   Souls from Purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was later extended to include
   living sinners as well.

   “ETERNAL FATHER, I OFFER THEE THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THY DIVINE SON,
   JESUS, IN UNION WITH THE MASSES SAID THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TODAY, FOR ALL THE
   HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church,
   those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”

   APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDATION: M. Cardinal Pahiarca at Lisbon, Portugal, March 4, 1936

   THE TWO FLOWER PRAYERS OF ST. GERTRUDE

   HAIL, White Lily, of the ever-peaceful and glorious Trinity!
   Hail, Vermilion Rose, the delight of Heaven, of whom the King
   of Heaven was born and by whose milk He was nourished!
   Do thou feed our souls with the effusions of your divine influences.

   Hail! Vivifying Gem of Divine Nobility!
   Hail, Most Loving Jesus, Unfading
   Flower of Human Dignity!
   Thou art my Sovereign and only Good.

   A MOST TENDER AND EFFICACIOUS OFFERING TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

   O Sweetest Jesus, I beseech Thee, by the love which caused Thee to take
   flesh in the bosom of this most pure Virgin, that Thou wouldst supply for our
   defects in the service and honor of this most benign Mother who is ever ready
   to assist us, with maternal tenderness, in all our necessities. Offer to Thy
   beloved Mother, O amiable Jesus, the superabundant beatitude of Thy sweetest
   Heart. Show her Thy Divine predilection which chose her from all eternity,
   above all creatures, to be Thy Mother, adorning her with every grace and virtue.
   Remind her of all the tenderness which Thou didst manifest to her on earth,
   when she carried Thee on her bosom and nourished Thee with her milk.
   Recall to her Thy filial obedience to her in all things, and especially Thy care
   at the hour of Thy death, when Thou didst forget Thine own anguish to solace
   hers, and didst provide her with a faithful guardian. Remind her, also, of the
   joys and glory of her Assumption, when Thou didst exalt her above all the choirs
   of Angels and constitute her Queen of Heaven and earth. O good Jesus, make
   Thy Mother propitious to us, that she may be our advocate and protectress
   in life and in death. Amen.

   THANKSGIVING FOR GRACES BESTOWED ON ST. GERTRUDE

   To implore favors through her merits:
   God revealed to St. Gertrude that those who should thank him for the graces bestowed upon her
   would participate in her merits, and would obtain their petition provided it were for their eternal welfare.

   O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ, I praise, extol and bless Thee, in union with that
   Heavenly praise which the Divine Persons of the Most Holy trinity mutually render to
   Each other, and which thence flows down upon Thy Sacred Humanity, upon
   the Blessed Virgin Mary and upon all the Angels and Saints. And I give Thee
   thanks for all the graces Thou didst lavish upon Thy beloved spouse, St. Gertrude.
   I thank Thee especially for that ineffable love wherewith Thou didst pre-elect her
   from all eternity, didst enrich her so highly, didst draw her so sweetly to Thyself by the
   strongest bonds of love, didst unite her so blissfully to Thyself, dwell with such delight
   in her heart, and crown her life with so blessed an end. I recall to Thee now, O most
   compassionate Jesus, the promise Thou didst make to Thy beloved spouse, that
   Thou wouldst most assuredly grant the prayers of all who come to Thee through her
   merits and intercession, in all matters concerning their salvation. I beseech Thee, by
   Thy most tender love, grant me the grace . . . [mention it] which I confidently expect. Amen.

   PRAYER BEFORE WORK

   O Lord Jesus Christ, in union with Thy most perfect actions I commend to Thee
   this my work, to be directed according to Thy adorable will, for the salvation
   of all mankind. Amen.

   ACTS OF PRAISE IN HONOR THE MOST BLESSED TRINITY

   I venerate and glorify Thee, O Most Blessed Trinity, in union with that ineffable glory
   with which God the Father, in His omnipotence, honors the Son and the Holy Spirit forever.

   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
   was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

   I magnify and bless Thee, O Most Blessed Trinity, in union with that most reverent glory with
   which God the Son in His unsearchable wisdom, glorifies the Father and the Holy Spirit forever.

   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
   was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

   I adore and extol Thee, O Most Blessed Trinity in union with that most adequate and
   befitting glory with which the Holy Spirit, in His unsearchable goodness, extols the
   Father and the Son forever.

   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
   was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

   OFFERING OF OUR SAVIOR’S LIFE TO THE ETERNAL FATHER

   O most loving Father, in atonement and satisfaction for all my sins, I offer Thee
   the whole Passion of Thy most beloved Son, from the plaintive wail He uttered when
   laid upon the straw in the manger, through all the helplessness of His infancy,
   the privations of His boyhood, the adversities of His youth, the sufferings of His manhood,
   until that hour when He bowed His head upon the Cross and with a loud cry gave up His Spirit.
   And, in atonement and satisfaction for all my negligences, I offer Thee, O most loving
   Father, the most holy life and conversation of Thy Son, most perfect in His every thought,
   word, and action, from the hour when he came down from His lofty throne to the
   Virgin’s womb, and thence came forth into our dreary wilderness, to the hour when He
   presented to Thy fatherly regard the glory of His conquering flesh. Amen.

   EFFICACIOUS PRAYER TO ST. GERTRUDE

   I praise and greet thee, O most blessed virgin, Gertrude, through the sweetest Heart of Jesus,
   thy Spouse; and through this Heart I magnify the goodness and condescension of the ever-adorable
   Trinity for all the grace which has ever flowed forth from that unfathomable abyss for thy salvation; beseeching
   thee by that mutual love which united thy pure heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that thou wouldst look
   on me as commended to thy care in life and in death, and be my faithful advocate with God. Amen.

   SALUTATION OF THE WOUNDS OF JESUS

   When St. Gertrude had recited this prayer 5,466 times, in honor of all the Wounds of our Lord Jesus, He appeared to her in vision, having on each Wound a rose flashing with a golden splendor, and greeted her tenderly, saying: “Behold, I will appear to thee, in this refulgent form at the hour of thy death, and I will cover all thy sins, and adorn thee with a glory, like that with which thou hast adorned My Wounds by thy salutations; and all who use this or any similar devotion shall receive the like favor.” In order to make up this number, and become a partaker of this promise of Christ, you may say the following prayer five times a day for three years, adding the oblation, which our Lord directed to Saint Mechtilde to repeat after each division of five.

   Glory be to Thee, most gracious, sweetest, most benign, sovereign, transcending, effulgent, and ever peaceful Trinity, for the roseate Wounds of Jesus Christ, my chosen and only love.

   OBLATION

   (To be said alter each five repetitions.) O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, accept this prayer, with that surpassing love, with which Thou didst endure all the Wounds of Thy most Holy Body. Have mercy on me, and on all sinners, and on all the Faithful, living and departed. Grant them grace and mercy, remission of sins and everlasting life. Amen.

   PRAYER TO JESUS

   (Our Lord promised St. Gertrude, that if anyone should praise God for her, and give Him thanks for the love wherewith He had chosen her from eternity, He would assuredly grant him whatever he asked, provided that it tended to his salvation.)

   O most compassionate Jesus, Giver of all good and all grace, may all that are in the round world, and the depth of the sea and the compass of Heaven, give thanks to Thee, and praise Thee with that infinite, everlasting, and unchanging praise, which floweth forth from Thee, and floweth back unceasingly upon Thee! again, for the exceeding love wherewith Thou didst shed into the heart and soul of Thy beloved Spouse Gertrude, so great a flood of graces, and of loving kindnesses, and didst reveal to the world the mysteries of Thy tender compassion through her, Thine Own chosen and peculiar instrument. Wherefore, from my inmost heart, I render Thee utmost thanks; and I beseech Thee, on behalf of all in Heaven, on earth or in Purgatory, through that ineffable Divine love, wherewith Thou didst from all eternity, elect to special grace Thy loving and most faithful servant, and didst in Thine own appointed time, draw her so sweetly to Thee, and unite her so intimately to Thyself, and dwell with such delight in her heart, and crown her life with an end so blessed, that Thou wouldst condescend graciously to hear and answer my petition. I recall to Thy mind now, O most Compassionate Jesus, the promise Thou didst make to Thy beloved spouse, in Thy great and superabounding goodness, that Thou wouldst most assuredly grant the prayers; of all who come to Thee, through her merits and intercession, in all matters concerning their salvation, binding Thyself, moreover, if Thou didst not at once grant their petition, to bestow on them threefold in Thine Own good time, from the omnipotence, the wisdom, and the tender kindness, of the Adorable Trinity. Calling thus to Thy mind, this, Thy faithful promise, I beseech Thee, leave me not desolate, but bestow on me the salutary effect of my petition. Amen.

   Läsningar: 1 Joh 4:19 – 5:4; Ps 72:2, 14-15bc, 17; Luk 4:14–22a.

   Kära bröder och systrar

   På vardagarna under jultiden läses som första läsning i mässan ur Johannes första brev. Det genomgående temat för detta brev är att ”Gud är kärlek” (1 Joh 4:8, 16). Det är inte bara så att kärleken skulle vara det vackraste som Gud har skapat och att Gud är oändligt kärleksfull. Nej, kärleken är oskapad och Gud är själva kärleken i sig själv, eftersom det hör till hans väsen att vara en evig kärleksgemenskap mellan Fadern och Sonen i den Helige Ande. Och under julen firar vi och tackar för att Gud har uppenbarat denna kärlek för oss genom att bli människa i Jesus Kristus. I det första kapitlet av sitt brev skriver aposteln Johannes att ”Det vi har sett och hört förkunnar vi för er, för att också ni skall vara med i vår gemenskap, som är en gemenskap med Fadern och hans son Jesus Kristus.” (1 Joh 1:3). Och i dagens kommunionsantifon, hämtad ur brevets fjärde kapitel, skriver han: ”Så uppenbarades Guds kärlek hos oss: han sände sin ende son till världen för att vi skulle få liv genom honom.” (1 Joh 4:9).

   Den därpå följande versen, som lästes i mässan i onsdags, lyder: ”Detta är kärleken: inte att vi har älskat Gud utan att han har älskat oss och sänt sin son som försoningsoffer för våra synder.” (1 Joh 4:10). Detta är mycket viktigt att betona. Det är alltid Gud som har initiativet. Det är han som har skapat oss och som har älskat oss först. I läsningen i mässan i går hörde vi att ”vi har lärt känna den kärlek som Gud har till oss och tror på den.” (1 Joh 4:16). Det första som vi måste göra som kristna är att tro på Guds kärlek, och sedan öppna oss för att ta emot den. Vi får inte ha en bild av Gud som en vredgad Gud, som vi till att börja med skulle behöva blidka genom att på egen hand göra en massa uppoffringar och leva perfekta liv. Detta är omöjligt för oss att göra i vårt syndiga tillstånd utan Guds nåd, och utan att först ha erfarit och tagit emot Guds kärlek. I läsningen igår hörde vi också att ”Rädsla finns inte i kärleken, utan den fullkomliga kärleken fördriver rädslan, ty rädsla hör samman med straff, och den som är rädd har inte nått kärlekens fullhet.” (1 Joh 4:18). Att sträva efter att göra Guds vilja av rädsla för att straffas av honom kan i bästa fall vara en bra början, ty ”Herrens fruktan är vishetens begynnelse”, som det sägs i psalm 111 (v. 10). Men Gud har skapat oss av kärlek och för kärlek. Han vill att vi ska älska honom frivilligt, vare sig av tvång eller av rädsla för straff. Och det är genom att på detta sätt ta emot och besvara Guds kärlek som vi uppfyller vår kallelse som människor, blir fullkomliga, heliga och lyckliga.

   Men när vi väl har erfarit Guds kärlek och blivit övertygade om hans godhet mot oss och upptänds av en naturlig längtan att besvara hans kärlek, vad skall vi då göra? Det är detta vi hörde om i dagens läsning. ”Var och en som tror att Jesus är Kristus, han är född av Gud, och den som älskar fadern älskar också hans barn.” (1 Joh 5:1). Denna vers kan tolkas på två sätt samtidigt. Den som verkligen älskar Gud Fadern älskar också den som av evighet är född av honom, Jesus Kristus. Men den som verkligen älskar Gud älskar också hans andra barn, våra medmänniskor. Vidare hörde vi att ”detta är kärleken till Gud: att vi håller hans bud.” (1 Joh 5:3). När vi väl själva har erfarit och tagit emot Guds kärlek, då kan vi, drivna av denna kärlek, i sin tur älska Gud genom att hålla hans bud. Och när det är kärlek snarare än rädsla som driver oss att hålla Guds bud, då upplever vi dem inte som tunga, utan det blir tvärtom en glädje att dela Jesu skonsamma ok och lätta börda (jfr Matt 11:30).

   Låt oss be om nåden att vi själva och alla människor får nåden att verkligen erfara Guds kärlek och komma till tro på den, så att vi, drivna av denna kärlek, i vår tur älska Gud och våra medmänniskor genom att av kärlek hålla Guds bud. Amen.

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2. 😭49 years ago today, Palestinians invaded the Lebanese Christian town of Damour and massacred hundreds of civilians.

   Men were lined up against the walls of their homes and gunned down.

   Women were tortured and gang-raped.

   Babies were shot in the back of their heads.

   Pregnant women had their babies cut out of the womb.

   ‘It was an apocalypse’, said Father Labaky, a priest who survived the massacre.

   “They were coming in thousands, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar! Let us attack them for the Arabs, let us offer a holocaust to Mohammad’, they were slaughtering everyone, men, women and children.”49 years ago today, Palestinians invaded the Lebanese Christian town of Damour and massacred hundreds of civilians.

   Men were lined up against the walls of their homes and gunned down.

   Women were tortured and gang-raped.

   Babies were shot in the back of their heads.

   Pregnant women had their babies cut out of the womb.

   ‘It was an apocalypse’, said Father Labaky, a priest who survived the massacre.

   “They were coming in thousands, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar! Let us attack them for the Arabs, let us offer a holocaust to Mohammad’, they were slaughtering everyone, men, women and children.”
   1976

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   January 9 Saint Julian, Martyr and Saint Basilissa: Converted Home into Hospital for Poor and Sick.
   Maria Angela Grow
   Jan 20

   READ IN APP

   January 9 Saint Julian, Martyr and Saint Basilissa: Converted Home into Hospital for Poor and Sick.

   († 313)

   Julian is the patron of hospitals.

   Basilissa is invoked against chilblains.

   .

   Saint Julian was born at Antinoe, in Egypt, of noble parents. As they were good and fervent Christians, they took great care to bring him up in the school of virtue. Hence, even in his earliest years, Julian showed by the innocence of his life and the fidelity wherewith he devoted himself to his religious duties, that he was called to accomplish one day great things for the glory of God and the salvation of his neighbor. From his very childhood, he seemed fully to understand that saying of the Apostle, “the fashion of this world passeth away.” The love of God, and God alone, filled his heart from earliest childhood.

   .

   Wherefore, he looked upon all the temporal blessings which God had bestowed upon him as a means to attain the end of his creation, and not as objects whereon a Christian may suffer his affections to rest – knowing how short-lived and uncertain they are. Accordingly he found his delight in reading the Sacred Writings and the records of the glorious deeds of the martyred Saints; while he would never grow weary of conversing with persons whom he knew to be faithful observers of the Divine Law. Thus he passed the days of his youth in preparing himself for the trials of life – which began with him much sooner than he had reason to anticipate.

   .

   At the age of 18, when his good parents thought that he had now come to man’s estate, and concluded that it would be best for him to settle in life by making choice of some virtuous person, who might be a suitable consort to accompany him on this world’s journey. This troubled him much, for he had read the saying of Saint Paul, ” He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.” i Cor. vii. 32, 33.

   .

   They were not a little astonished at the objections made by the youth, to whom every expression of their will or desire had ever been a law obeyed without hesitation.

   .

   He besought his parents to allow him to defer giving them a final answer till he had well considered their proposal during seven days. He now fasted, and watched, and prayed, revealing to God the desire of his heart, to keep his body in virginity, and his soul devoted to God alone. At the end of the seven days he saw Christ in a vision, who said to him, ” Fear not, Julian, to take thee a wife, and to fulfil the desire of thy parents. As virgins ye shall serve me, and I shall not be separated from you, and as virgins shall ye enter into my kingdom.” Then Julian was filled with great joy, and he considered whom he should choose. Now there was one maiden, Basilissa by name, who was well-known to his parents, and with whom he had been acquainted from childhood, and whom he loved for her whiteness of soul. Therefore he told his father that he consented to marry Basilissa. And she, on her side, was glad to be the wife of Julian, but her timid soul shrank from the cares and responsibilities of marriage, for she was as yet young and fresh to the world.

   .

   The marriage took place with all the boisterous merriment and display, usual then as now; and evening approaching, the young bride was led by the maidens, who were her fellows, to the nuptial chamber. Now when Julian entered, there came an odour in the apartment, as of lilies and roses, though the season was mid-winter, and an awe fell on their young hearts. And they put their hands together, and promised to serve God together in purity and fervour, with singleness of heart all their days. Then they were aware of One present in the room, and kneeling down, they fell prostrate, and besought Him to accomplish the good work He had begun in them. And when they looked up, the chamber was full of light, and they saw Jesus and Mary, and an innumerable company of virgin Saints. Then the Lord said, “Thou hast conquered, O Julian, thou hast conquered!” And the Blessed Virgin said, “Blessed art thou, Basilissa, who hast thus sought with single heart the glory that is eternal.”

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   Then said Jesus, “My soldiers, who have overcome the wiles of the old serpent, rise and behold what is prepared tor you!” Thereupon came two clothed in white robes, and girded about the loins with golden zones, having crowns of flowers in their hands, and they raised them from the ground and showed them an open book seven times brighter than silver, inscribed with golden letters, and round about it stood four elders, having vials in their hands of pure gold, from which ascended diverse odours. And one, answering, said, “In these four vials your perfection is contained. For out of these daily ascends an odour of sweet fragrance before the Lord. Therefore, blessed are ye, because ye have rejected the unsatisfying pleasures of this world to strive after those which are eternal, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.”

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   Then Julian looked, and beheld his name, and the name of his wife, Basilissa, written in the book. And the elder said, “In that book are written the chaste and the sober, the truthful and the merciful, the humble and gentle, those whose love is unfeigned, bearing adversities, patient in tribulation, and those who, for the love of Jesus Christ, have given up father and mother, and wife and children, and lands, for his sake, lest they should impede the progress oi their souls to perfection, and they who have not hesitated to shed their blood for his name, in the number of whom you also have merited to be written.”

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   Then the vision passed. But Julian and Basilissa spent the night in prayer, and singing joyful praises to the Lord.

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   Saint Julian and Saint Basilissa, though married, lived by mutual consent in perpetual chastity. They sanctified themselves by the most perfect exercises of an ascetic life.

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   And when his parents were dead, Julian divided his house and made it into a hospital, in which they sheltered up to a thousand poor people. All his substance he spent in relieving the necessities of the sick and suffering. Basilissa attended those of her sex in separate lodgings, and Julian, who for his charity is known as the Hospitaler, cared for the men.

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   Egypt, where they lived, was in those days blessed with persons who, either in the cities or in the deserts, devoted themselves to the most perfect exercises of charity, penance, and mortification. Conversions were numerous, and persecutions by furious pagans followed as the numbers of Christians increased. Basilissa, after having survived seven of those, died in peace, foretelling to her husband that he would die a martyr.

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   Julian lived afterwards for a number of years, but in 313, Marcian, Governor of Middle Egypt under Diocletian, had arrived in Antinoe to see that the edicts of his imperial master were enforced. By his order, in every street and market place some idol was put up, that no one might have a chance of selling or buying anything without first offering sacrifice. Moreover, he commanded every citizen to have in some prominent place of his dwelling a statue of Jupiter, as a proof of his fidelity to the religion of the empire. When it was reported to him that in the neighborhood there were living, under the care and direction of Julian, formerly a distinguished citizen of Antinoe, a great number of Christians, who were ready to suffer torments and death rather than offer incense to his gods, he grew exceedingly angry. Forthwith calling his Assessor, he ordered him to repair at once to the abode of these men, and to command them to comply without delay with the laws, that thus they might avoid the punishment prepared for the disobedient. The Assessor, accompanied by his assistant and some of the chief men of the city, straightway proceeded to execute the order of the Governor. Beside those who were there already, many other Christians, both of the clergy and laity, had come to seek an asylum near the Saint, feeling persuaded that, if they did not escape the dangers of the persecution, they should at least derive strength and courage from his words and example.

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   When the Governor heard that Julian and the brethren were resolved not to comply with his wicked commands, he flew into a great passion, and without considering the cruelty and injustice of the action, sent a band of soldiers with orders to consign to the flames all the dwellings of the servants of God with their inmates. He directed, however, that Julian himself, after witnessing the death of his spiritual children, should be brought to the city, that he might have the pleasure of interrogating and of punishing him, if he should refuse to yield to his wishes. In this manner, therefore, their faith being tried by fire, this numerous company of Martyrs went to receive the reward of their fidelity to their heavenly King. Nor was the fact of their living in glory left unknown to the people of the neighborhood. For, it is related that during many succeeding years they could daily be heard singing, at stated hours, both by day and by night, the offices of the Church, as they had been wont to do under the direction of their spiritual father. At the place, also, where the ruins of the buildings lay, all sorts of diseases continued to be healed, as of old, whenever the faithful resorted thither to implore the intercession of the holy cenobites

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   Julian was seized and subjected to cruel tortures. The governor, Marcian, ordered him to be dragged, laden with chains, and covered with wounds, about the city. As the martyr passed the school where Celsus, the son of the governor, was being instructed, the boys turned out into the street to see the soldier of Christ go by. Then suddenly the lad exclaimed, “I see angels accompanying, and extending a glorious crown to him. I believe, I believe in the God of the Christians!” And throwing away his books, he fell at the feet of Julian, and kissed his wounds. When the father heard this, he was filled with ungovernable fiiry, and believed that the Saint had bewitched the boy; he ordered them both to be cast into the lowest dungeon, a loathsome place, where the corrupting carcases of malefactors lay, devoured by maggots. But God filled this hideous pit with light, and transformed the stench into fragrant odours, so that the soldiers who kept the prison were filled with wonder, and believed. That same night, a priest, Antony, who lived with seven little boys, orphans committed to his care by their parents, summoned by God, came with these seven children to the prison. An angel went before them, and at his touch the gates flew open. Then Antony, the priest, baptized Celsus and the believing soldiers.

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   On the morrow the governor, supposing that the night in the pit had cured his son, sent him to his mother, and the boy, having related to her in order all he had seen and heard, she believed with her whole heart, and was baptized by the priest.

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   The governor, Marcian, ordered all these converts to death. With Julian died thirty-one other persons, including a priest named Anthony, a new Christian named Anastasius, Celsus, the seven-year-old son of the judge who sentenced Julian, Marcianilla, the mother of Celsus, who when she came to visit her son was won over to the faith, and many other Christians. Spared by fire and wild beasts, Saint Julian finally was decapitated.

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   During the night the Christians came, and, easily distinguished the Martyrs by a soft and mysterious light that shone from them; they took them up with great reverence and deposited them carefully beneath the altar in one of the churches. Here many healings, both of body and soul, were performed in behalf of persons who came to implore the intercession of the Saints with God.

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   Julian’s tomb became illustrious by many great miracles, including the cure of ten lepers on the same day.

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   Many churches and hospitals, in both the East and in the West, bear the name of one or another of these martyrs. Four churches at Rome and three in Paris are dedicated to Saint Julian.

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   Reflection. God often rewards men for works that are pleasing in His sight by giving them grace and opportunity to do other works higher still. Such was the case for Saint Julian, whose posthumous miracles attained prodigious numbers.

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   Eternal Father, I wish to honor Saints Julian and Basilissa, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon them. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of these saints, and I commit the end of my life to them by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, Saints Julian and Basilissa might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.

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