Imitation of Christ:

 Direct your zeal, therefore, first upon yourself; then you may with
justice exercise it upon those about you. You are well versed in
coloring your own actions with excuses which you will not accept from
others, though it would be more just to accuse yourself and excuse
your brother. If you wish men to bear with you, you must bear with
them. Behold, how far you are from true charity and humility which
does not know how to be angry with anyone, or to be indignant save
only against self!
 a Kempis  Bk II  Ch 3  Goodness and Peace in Man

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March 6th - St. Eleutherius of Spoleto, OSB Abbot

Died in Rome, Italy, c. 585-590. The Dialogues of Saint Gregory the
Great tell us of the wonderful simplicity of this holy man, who was
abbot of Saint Mark's near Spoleto and well-known as one favored by
God with the gift of miracles. When Eleutherius proudly rebuked the
devil, after delivering a child from possession and educating him at
Saint Mark's: "Since the child, is among the servants of God, the
devil dares not approach him," the devil again tormented the boy.
Eleutherius confessed his vanity and ordered the whole community to
fast and pray until the child was again freed.

Later Saint Eleutherius resigned his abbacy and migrated to Saint
Andrew's abbey founded by Saint Gregory in Rome, where he lived for
many years as a simple monk. One Easter Eve Saint Gregory was unable
to fast due to illness. He engaged Eleutherius to go with him to the
church of Saint Andrew's and offer prayers to God for his health, that
he might join the faithful in that solemn practice of penance.
Eleutherius prayed with many tears, and the pope coming out of the
church, found his himself so strengthened that he was able to fast as
he desired. Saint Eleutherius raised a dead man to life. He died in
Saint Andrew's monastery in Rome, but his body was translated to
Spoleto (Benedictines, Husenbeth).


Saint Quote:
If people would do for God what they do for the world, my dear people,
what a great number of Christians would go to Heaven! But if you dear
children, had to pass three or four hours praying in a Church, as you
pass them at a dance or in a cabaret, how heavily the world would
press upon you.
-- St John Vianney

Bible Quote:
I will accept of you for an odour of sweetness, when I shall have
brought you out from the people, and shall have gathered you out of
the lands into which you are scattered, and I will be sanctified in
you in the sight of the nations. And you shall know that I am the
Lord, when I shall have brought you into the land of Israel, into the
land for which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers.
[Ezekiel 20:41-42 ] DRB


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A Father's Prayer For Loved Ones.

Kind Father, I thank You for my home where loved ones dwell
and to which my fondest memories now turn.
I praise You for the family love and peace and cheer
which follow me and comfort me in strange and distant places.
I am grateful for all things we share in common,
the worthy lessons we learn,
the hardships and griefs we sometimes bear,
the tasks and pleasures which bind us closer to each other,
and the abiding affection and heartfelt prayers
which still keep our spirits one in You.
Shelter my home. O God,
and all my dear ones there.
Make me strong, unselfish,
and brave to defend and protect them.
Send down Your peace to every family on earth
and grant an abundance of grace to them
so that in doing Your will
they may merit the joys of eternal salvation. Amen.

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