• =?UTF-8?Q?May_25th_=E2=80=93_St=2E_Zenobius_of_Florence?=

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Sun May 23 10:15:28 2021
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    May 25th =E2=80=93 St. Zenobius of Florence
    (Also known as Zanobi, Zenobio)

    Born in Florence, Italy; died c. 390. Bishop Zenobius of Florence,
    Italy, was a great friend of Saint Ambrose and Pope Saint Damasus. He
    was well educated, particularly in philosophy. In his search for
    wisdom, Zenobius discovered the folly of idolatry and opened his ears
    to the Gospel preached by Christians. His parents reacted violently
    against what they deemed an infraction of parental authority when they discovered that Zenobius had been baptized privately by the bishop of
    Florence. Zenobius placated them by answering with meekness and
    constancy and interweaving a rational account of his faith. Soon he
    was able to win them over to Christ. Because of his zealous desire to
    serve Christ in His church, Zenobius was ordained a deacon. In that
    role he preached with such great efficacy that his reputation became
    known to both Bishop Ambrose of Milan and Pope Damasus, who called him
    to Rome and sent him to Constantinople as papal legate in connection
    with the Arian problem.

    Upon the death of Damasus, Zenobius returned to Florence, where he
    succeeded to the episcopal chair. Through his admirable humility,
    modesty, abstinence, and charity, Zenobius proved himself a true
    successor to the Apostles. The words of his teaching were confirmed by miracles. The prayers and work of Zenobius was blessed with great
    fruit as many people converted to the faith. Saint Zenobius died
    during the reign of Honorius and his relics placed with veneration in
    the great church at Florence (Benedictines, Husenbeth).

    In art, Saint Zenobius is a bishop raising to life a child killed by
    an ox cart. He may sometimes be shown with a child near him or with
    the city of Florence behind him (or the Florentine lily on the morse
    of his cope). Zenobius, patron and principal apostle of Florence, is
    invoked against headache (Roeder).


    Saint Quote:
    O Holy Mary! My Mother; into thy blessed trust and special custody,
    and into the bosom of thy mercy, I this day, and every day, and in the
    hour of my death, commend my soul and body. To thee I commit all my
    anxieties and sorrows, my life and the end of my life, that by thy
    most holy intercession, and by thy merits, all my actions may be
    directed and governed by thy will and that of thy Son.
    -- Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

    Bible Quote:
    For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not
    the same office:=C2 So we, being many, are one body in Christ; and every
    one members one of another:=C2 And having different gifts, according to
    the grace that is given us...=C2 [Rom 12:4-6a]=C2 DRB


    <><><><>
    O Mother and Handmaid of God
    By St Methodius (c 815 =E2=80=93 885)
    (Brother of St Cyril)

    Your name, O Mother of God,
    is replete with all graces and Divine blessings.
    You have contained Him, Who cannot be contained
    and nourished Him, Who nourishes all creatures.
    He Who fills heaven and earth
    and is the Lord of all,
    was pleased to be in need of you,
    for it was you who clothed Him with that flesh
    which He did not have before.
    Rejoice, then, O Mother and Handmaid of God!
    Rejoice, because you have made Him a debtor
    who gives being to all creatures.
    We are all debtors to God but He is a debtor to you.
    That is why, O most holy Mother of God,
    you possess more goodness and greater charity,
    than all the other Saints
    and have freer access to God, than any of them,
    for you are His Mother.
    Be mindful of us, we beg you, in our miseries,
    for we celebrate your glories
    and know how great is your goodness.
    Amen


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    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)