On Trust in God in all Trouble [V]

I thank You that You have not spared my wrongdoing, but have punished
me with bitter pain, inflicted sorrow on me, and sent me troubles of
every kind. Nothing under heaven can comfort me but You alone, 0 Lord
my God, for You are the heavenly Physician of souls, who both wound
and heal, who cast down and raise up again. (1 Sam. 2:6) Your
discipline corrects me, and Your very scourge will heal me. (Ps.18:35)
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 50

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August 5th – St. Afra of Augsburg VM (RM)

Died c. 304. Saint Afra was probably a martyr during the Diocletian
persecution at Augsburg, Germany. Her unreliable vita is probably
historically worthless, although it does appear to be an embroidery of
some historical reference. It says that Afra, a prostitute in Augsburg
from Cyprus, had been converted when the Bishop of Gerona, driven from
his diocese by persecution, reached Augsburg, Germany, and took refuge
in her mother's house.

The transformation of her life was complete, though Afra never ceased
to live as if she were doing penance for her former sins. When her
time came to suffer she saw this too as a form of atonement. The pagan
judge before whom she was brought, accused of being a Christian, told
her that her own Lord would have nothing to do with such a sinner as
she had been. But Afra replied that although she was without a doubt
unworthy to be called a Christian, Jesus Christ had indeed admitted
her as one.

"My body has sinned," confessed the saint at her trial. "Let it
suffer. I will not ruin my soul by idolatry." Her executioners tied
her to a stake on an island in the River Lech. Dried vine branches
were piled up around her and set alight. That night Afra's mother and
three other women, who are said to be Afra's servants and former
prostitutes themselves, sailed to the island, gathered up Afra's body
and buried it in a large tomb at Augsburg. The pagan authorities saw
them performing this last act of mercy. The four women were shut up in
the family tomb, which was then set on fire. They, like Saint Afra,
were burned to death.

The Benedictine abbey in Augsburg is dedicated to Saint Afra
(Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Encyclopedia).

In art, Saint Afra is depicted crowned and enthroned, holding a dead
tree. She might also be shown (1) suspended from a tree and scourged;
(2) bound to a tree and burned; (3) surrounded by flames; (4) boiled
in a cauldron; or (5) holding a fir cone (Roeder). She is the patron
saint of Augsburg, Germany, and invoked by penitent women (Roeder).


Saint Quote:
Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how
precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation
and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.
-- Pope Saint Clement I

Bible Quote:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, for I am the Lord that exercise mercy, and judgment, and
justice in the earth: for these things please me, saith the Lord.
[Jer 9:24 ] DRB

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Mary Our Strength

O Virgin, fair as the moon,
delight of the angels and saints in heaven,
grant that we may become like you
and that our souls may receive a ray of your beauty,
which does not decline with the years
but shines forth into eternity.
O Mary, sun of heaven,
restore life where there is death
and enlighten spirits, where there is darkness.
Turn your countenance to your children
and radiate on us your light and your fervour.
O Mary, powerful as an army,
grant victory to our ranks.
We are very weak
and our enemy rages with uttermost conceit.
But under your banner
we are confident of overcoming him. ….
Save us, O Mary,
fair as the moon,
bright as the sun,
awe-inspiring as an army set in battle array
and sustained not by hatred
but by the ardour of love.
Amen

By Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
(Pontiff 1939-1958)

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