Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: All
Santa Balbina

Santa Balbina

Day XIV. Tuesday, Week II.

"Lord, help us always, for without you we are bound to fail" (Adapted from Collect for today).

Santa Balbina. Unfortunately, little known about Saint Balbina except from earliest times she was venerated as a Christian martyr, probably at the time of emperor Hadrian (132). Tradition has it that she was baptized and chose Christ as her spouse. Since she refused to be unchaste, she and her father, Quirinus, were accused, convicted, and executed for being Christian. Pope Saint Mark (336) erected this church in Balbina's memory and the earthly remains of father and daughter lie together under the altar.

 

44 posted on 03/01/2010 11:41:46 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies ]


To: Salvation
Stational Church: Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent
 
 
Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere.

Information is from the
Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:
In the heart of Transtiber Rome, entered by way of a Baroque gateway portal and a cheerful courtyard, towers the splendid church of St. Cecilia, in which is buried St. Cecilia, the virgin-martyr. In the fifth century, this church was one of the most celebrated churches in Rome.

On Ash Wednesday, the church was St. Sabina, the martyr-matron. On Wednesday of the first week of Lent, we visited St. Mary Major. On this third Wednesday, it is again a woman—the virgin-martyr and "glory of the early Church," St. Cecilia, who leads us to "the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

One reason why Christians often are lacking in joy and holy enthusiasm is their lack of purity. We know how the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. The two cannot live in the same house. One of the two must go. St. Cecilia knew no compromise. Her baptismal garment was never stained by impurity.

Let us pray: O God, the restorer and lover of innocence, turn towards Thee the hearts of Thy servants; that being inflamed with the fervor of Thy Spirit, they may be found both steadfast in faith and fruitful in good works. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

45 posted on 03/03/2010 12:03:42 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson