-- John 10:10-11 --

    "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come
that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good
shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." ===================
Jesus gives us a rich abundant life. In a hot oppressive desert, sheep
are vulnerable to the elements and predators. They need a shepherd who
can lead them to water and food each day and keep them safe each
night. Jesus tells us that He is that shepherd. Unlike the thief who,
"comes only to steal and kill and destroy," Jesus has come that we
might "have life, and have it to the full." He knows us by name and is committed to our care. Life as one of Jesus' sheep is indeed
full--full of his abundant love, faithful attention, and amazing
grace.

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February 15th - Sts. Faustinus and Jovita, Martyrs

The two Brothers, whom we are to honour today, suffered martyrdom in
the beginning of the second century, and their memory has ever been
celebrated in the Church. The glory of the great ones of this world
passes away, and men soon forget even their very names. Historians
have oftentimes a difficulty in proving that such heroes ever existed,
or, if they did exist, that they flourished at such a period, or
achieved anything worth notice. Brescia, the capital of one of the
Italian Provinces, can scarcely mention the names of those who were
its governors or leading men, in the second century; and yet here are
two of her citizens, whose names will be handed down, with veneration
and love, to the end of the world, and the whole of Christendom is
filled with the praise of their glorious martyrdom. Glory, then, to
these sainted Brothers, whose example so eloquently preaches to us the
great lesson of our Season,--fidelity in God's service.

The sufferings which merited for them the
crown of immortality, are thus recorded in the Liturgy.

The two brothers, Faustinus and Jovita were born of a noble family in
Brescia. During the persecution under Trajan, they were led captives
through various cities of Italy, in each of which they were made to
endure most cruel sufferings, by reason of their brave confession of
the Christian faith,which nothing could induce them to deny. At
Brescia, they were for a long time confined in chains; then were
exposed to wild beasts, and cast into fire, from neither of which
tortures did they receive hurt or harm. From Brescia they were sent to
Milan, still fettered with the same chains: and there their faith was
put to the test of every torment that cruelty could devise; but, like
gold that is tried by fire, their faith shone the brighter by these
sufferings. After this, they were sent to Rome, where they received encouragement from Pope Evaristus; but there, also, were made to
endure most cruel pains. At length, they were taken to Naples, and
there, again, put to sundry tortures; after which, they were bound
hand and foot, and cast into the sea; but were miraculously delivered
by Angels. Many persons were converted to the true faith, by seeing
their courage in suffering, and the miracles they wrought. Finally,
they were led back to Brescia, at the commencement of the reign of the
Emperor Adrian; there they were beheaded, and received the crown of a
glorious martyrdom.

from the Liturgical Year, 1870


Short Acts Of Trust

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy love for me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!


Saint Quote:
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it
even more fully in your heart.
--Saint Francis of Assisi

Bible Quote-Judging Others.
37 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you
will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed
together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out
to you.”  Luke, chapter 6


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Prayer of Perseverance in Grace for Parents

O God of grace, Source of supernatural virtues and of meritorious
works! You enlighten and vivify our souls, elevate them above
themselves, and make them like unto angels, and even to Your own
children and the spouses of Jesus Christ. Be praised, O Heavenly
Father, for Your boundless goodness, wisdom, and power, which You
manifest in us! Enclose us in Your innermost Heart and espouse us to
our Heavenly Bridegroom and Brother, Jesus Christ. May no happiness
and no suffering of this earth, no desire and no fear, no pleasures
and no pain, no temptation and no trial ever estrange us from Your
love, nor cast us again into the horrible darkness of sin, into the
hideous death of the soul, into Your disgrace!

Deign, O my God and Father, to grant this also to my children whom, in
baptism, You have made Your own, and whom You have entrusted to me,
that I may rear them in supernatural love of You, and may maintain and strengthen them in that same supernatural love. Grant that they may
ever look upon their privilege of being children of God as the highest
good they possess on earth: that they may walk so circumspectly,
earnestly, and courageously in the ways of Your love, that they may
never lose their high prerogative, never disgrace it, but, rather, may
increase it daily, and at last die in full possession of it. Amen.

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