April 23 Saint George. MGOCSMNorthAmerica on Apr 23, 2012 Saint George Martyr, Patron of Soldiers († 303) Saint George was born in Palestine of Christian parents, towards the close of the third century …More
April 23 Saint George.
MGOCSMNorthAmerica on Apr 23, 2012
Saint George
Martyr, Patron of Soldiers
(† 303)
Saint George was born in Palestine of Christian parents, towards the close of the third century. In early youth he chose a soldier's life, and soon obtained the favor of Diocletian, who advanced him to the grade of tribune. But when the emperor began to persecute the Christians, George rebuked him at once for his cruelty, sternly and openly, and announced his resignation. Having foreseen that the words he would say might bring about his death, he had first distributed his wealth and clothing to the poor.
Young man, Diocletian said to him, think of your future! I am a Christian, George replied, and nothing in this world is the object either of my ambition or my regret. Nothing can shake my faith. He was subjected to a long series of torments, and finally beheaded.
There was something so heartening in the defiant cheerfulness of the young soldier, that every Christian felt a personal share in this triumph of Christian fortitude. Devotion to Saint George is very ancient and widespread in the Church. A fourth-century church dedicated to him at Constantinople is believed to have been built by Constantine, and his name is invoked in the most ancient liturgies. In Europe, Malta, Barcelona, Valencia, Aragon, Genoa, and England have chosen him as their patron. Even beyond the circle of Christendom he was held in honor, and invading Saracens learned to exempt from desecration the image of the one they hailed as the White-horsed Knight.
Reflection. Saint Bruno wrote: What shall I say of fortitude, without which neither wisdom nor justice is of any value? Fortitude is not of the body, but is a constancy of soul; with it we are conquerors in righteousness, patiently bearing all adversities, and in prosperity are not puffed up. Fortitude is never conquered, or if conquered, is not fortitude.
Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894); Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 4
MGOCSMNorthAmerica on Apr 23, 2012
Saint George
Martyr, Patron of Soldiers
(† 303)
Saint George was born in Palestine of Christian parents, towards the close of the third century. In early youth he chose a soldier's life, and soon obtained the favor of Diocletian, who advanced him to the grade of tribune. But when the emperor began to persecute the Christians, George rebuked him at once for his cruelty, sternly and openly, and announced his resignation. Having foreseen that the words he would say might bring about his death, he had first distributed his wealth and clothing to the poor.
Young man, Diocletian said to him, think of your future! I am a Christian, George replied, and nothing in this world is the object either of my ambition or my regret. Nothing can shake my faith. He was subjected to a long series of torments, and finally beheaded.
There was something so heartening in the defiant cheerfulness of the young soldier, that every Christian felt a personal share in this triumph of Christian fortitude. Devotion to Saint George is very ancient and widespread in the Church. A fourth-century church dedicated to him at Constantinople is believed to have been built by Constantine, and his name is invoked in the most ancient liturgies. In Europe, Malta, Barcelona, Valencia, Aragon, Genoa, and England have chosen him as their patron. Even beyond the circle of Christendom he was held in honor, and invading Saracens learned to exempt from desecration the image of the one they hailed as the White-horsed Knight.
Reflection. Saint Bruno wrote: What shall I say of fortitude, without which neither wisdom nor justice is of any value? Fortitude is not of the body, but is a constancy of soul; with it we are conquerors in righteousness, patiently bearing all adversities, and in prosperity are not puffed up. Fortitude is never conquered, or if conquered, is not fortitude.
Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894); Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 4
Other Saints of the Day:
Achilleus of Vienne
Adalbert III of Salzburg
Adalbert of Prague
Felix of Vienne
Fortunatus of Vienna
George
George of San Giorio
Gerard of Orchimont
Gerard of Toul
Giles of Assisi
Giles of Saumur
Giorgio di Suelli
Helen del Cavalanti
Ibar of Meath
Maria Gabriela Sagheddu
Marolus of Milan
Pusinna of Champagne
Teresa Maria of the Cross
—
Martyrs of Africa
saints.sqpn.com …More
Other Saints of the Day:
Achilleus of Vienne
Adalbert III of Salzburg
Adalbert of Prague
Felix of Vienne
Fortunatus of Vienna
George
George of San Giorio
Gerard of Orchimont
Gerard of Toul
Giles of Assisi
Giles of Saumur
Giorgio di Suelli
Helen del Cavalanti
Ibar of Meath
Maria Gabriela Sagheddu
Marolus of Milan
Pusinna of Champagne
Teresa Maria of the Cross
—
Martyrs of Africa
saints.sqpn.com/23-april/
Achilleus of Vienne
Adalbert III of Salzburg
Adalbert of Prague
Felix of Vienne
Fortunatus of Vienna
George
George of San Giorio
Gerard of Orchimont
Gerard of Toul
Giles of Assisi
Giles of Saumur
Giorgio di Suelli
Helen del Cavalanti
Ibar of Meath
Maria Gabriela Sagheddu
Marolus of Milan
Pusinna of Champagne
Teresa Maria of the Cross
—
Martyrs of Africa
saints.sqpn.com/23-april/