From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
April 15th - Saint Hunna of Strasbourg
(born, unknown; died 679)
Saint Hunna is a lesser known saint, but one no less important. (She
is so "lesser known" that no definitive portraits or pictures were
able to be found of her--therefore, the posted pictures are simple
images representing her holy life, but do not necessarily depict the
saint herself). Saint Hunna=C2 is remembered for her love of and service
to those less fortunate than herself, despite prevailing prejudice.
Hunna's actions, at a time when the class system was firmly
entrenched, created difficulties for herself in her daily life, and embarrassment for her noble husband. Yet, she did not shy away from
her service to the poor, as she understood it to be her duty as a
Christian.
Saint Hunna was born into a privileged life, the daughter of a duke in
Alsace. She matured and married Huno of Hunnaweyer, a nobleman, and
together they settled in the diocese of Strasbourg (now France).
Together, they produced one son, Saint Deodatus, who eventually became
a monk (and then a saint!). Saint Hunna was devoted to the Lord,
raising her son with constant teaching, and living the virtues of the
faith. She spent her days caring for her home and estate, and in
prayer, while her husband traveled on diplomatic and political
missions.
But this didn't seem to be enough for Saint Hunna. In her prayer, s=
he
felt called to do more, to serve others. By the Lord, her eyes were
opened to the poverty and general squalor that the peasants and
servants lived in=E2=80=A6 and she felt moved to assist. Hunna began making daily trips from the estate into the local villages and fields,
visiting her poor neighbors, offering them religious instruction, and
working for them. At first, she simply offered to do their laundry,
earning her the title, =E2=80=9Choly washerwoman.=E2=80=9D Hunna would trav=
el from
home to home, collecting soiled clothing, and then spend the better
part of each day washing and scrubbing the clothing clean. When the
clothing was too dirty, or too threadbare to mend, she would replace
it with a new article.
As time went on, her washing service expanded to any task that her
neighbors needed help with--cooking, cleaning, childcare, even more
demanding physical labor. She also instructed in ways of cleanliness,
assisting with hygiene. Saint Hunna regularly performed the greatest
act of service, bathing those who were unable to bathe themselves.
Saint Hunna demonstrates to us great selflessness, borne out of love
for the Lord. She willingly left her life of privilege on a daily
basis, eventually being shunned by those of her class and station, to
intercede in the lives of those who had no one to care for them. She
treated the poor, the sick, the forgotten as equals to herself,
offering them basic human respect, love, and charity. Saint Hunna
welcomed all into her life as the family of God. The life of Saint
Hunna provides a gentle reminder of our own hesitancy to venture
beyond our comfortable lives, to actively engage in community service
to those in need. We are mindful of the fact that we are called to
service and social justice, and that embarking on that mission may be
difficult or even painful. We look to Saint Hunna as
inspiration--inspiration to embody the love of Christ, and to share
that love with others in service.
by Jacob
Saint Quote:
"Do not disturb your soul at the sad spectacle of human injustice ....
One day you will see the inevitable triumph of Divine justice over
it."
--St. Padre Pio
Bible Quote:
Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever!=C2 [Psalm 106:1]=C2 RSVCE
<><><><>
=C2 =C2 "Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with=
love
and compassion. Make me attentive to the needs of others that I may
show them kindness and care. Make me an instrument of your mercy and
peace that I may help others find healing and wholeness in you."
=C2 =C2 TIRED OF PRAYING? TRY THIS...
=C2 =C2 Rest, put your head back and clear your mind
=C2 =C2 of thought and worry.=C2 And say
"This is my prayer, I want to listen to the voice of God."
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)