• St. Dymphna (690). Martyr, Patron or Patroness, Virgin. Patroness of mentally ill & epilepsy sufferers. (Historical)
• St. Isadore the Farmer (1130). Patron or Patroness. Patron of farmers and of Madrid. (Current, Historical)
• St. john Baptist de la Salle (1719). Founder or Foundress, Priest, Religious. Patron of teachers. (Traditional)

IN the Decian persecution, the blood of the Christians flowed at Lampsacus, a city of Asia Minor. St. Peter was the first who was led before the proconsul and condemned to die for the name of Christ. Young though he was, he went joyfully to his torments. He was bound to a wheel by iron chains, and his bones were broken, but he raised his eyes to heaven with a smiling countenance and said, “I give Thee thanks, O Lord Jesus Christ, because Thou hast given me patience, and made me victorious over the tyrant.” The proconsul saw how little suffering availed, and ordered the martyr to be beheaded. But a little later, in the same city, the virgin Dionysia showed a like eagerness to suffer St. Dionysia gained the crown which an apostate lost, and his history may teach us that those who lose Christ rather than suffer with Him, lose all. With the strength that was left he cried out, “I never was a Christian. I sacrifice to the gods.” Therefore he was taken down, and he offered sacrifice. But he was possessed by the devil, whom he had chosen for his master. He fell to the earth in a fit, bit out his tongue, and so expired. He escaped a little pain, and instead he went to the endless torments of hell, and forfeited eternal rest. “O wretched man!” Dionysia cried, “why have you feared a little suffering and chosen eternal pain instead?” She was seized and led away to horrible outrage, but her angel guardian appeared by her side and protected the spouse of Christ. Escaping from prison, she still burned with the desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. She threw herself upon the bodies of the martyrs, saying, “I would fain die with you on earth, that I may live with you in heaven.” And Christ, who is the crown of virgins and the strength of martyrs, gave her the desire of her heart.

REFLECTION: The martyrs were even like us, with natures which shrank from suffering. They were patient under it because they looked to the eternal recompense, and endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

WORD OF THE DAY

VOLUNTARIETY. Will power or the activity of the human will in desiring, choosing, or loving some real or apparent good. On our side, voluntariety is the response of the free will to God’s grace and the reason for supernatural merit when the action is morally good and performed in the state of grace. It is also the cause of sin when the will deliberately chooses to do something contrary to the known will of God. Degrees of voluntariety are one of the factors that determine the extent of merit for good actions, and the extent of guilt for sinful actions.

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

May, Month of the Immaculate Heart

Maria Magnificata. Short Meditations for May, the Month on Our Lady’s Life. 15th Day — Mary’s Purification.