Tag: stjovinus

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 February – ‘ … We really are first to receive a denarius … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 February – “Month of the Most Blessed Trinity” – the Commemoration of Sts Faustinus and Jovinus – 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 10:1-5, Matthew 20:1-16

“When evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last even to the first.’” – Matthew 20:8

REFLECTION – The last ones, receiving the generosity of the Master instead of troubles, are first to receive their reward, since all those, after the Lord’s coming, have become — through Baptism and the union with the Spirit — “sharers in God’s nature” and are called sons of God. For the prophets too have become sharers in the Spirit but not in the same way as the faithful, since the Holy Spirit is ,in some way, like a leaven for the souls of the faithful and changes the entire man to another condition of life. And so, we have become “participants in God’s nature” and openly we cry “Abba, Father.” The more ancient peoples did not receive the same grace. So Paul too says, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear but you received the Spirit of sonship.” The ancients then received a spirit of slavery without the honour of adoption. Since, therefore, we really are first to receive a denarius, we must, of necessity, be said to be honoured above the rest!” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Incarnation of the Church (Fragment 226).

PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us each year by the feast of Your holy Martyrs, Faustinus and Jovinus, graciously grant that, as we rejoice in their merits, we may be inspired by their example. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 15 February – Saints Faustinus and Jovinus (Died c 120) Martyrs

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 15 February – Saints Faustinus (Died c 120) Martyr, Priest and Jovinus Martyr Deacon, both Evangelisers, Preachers. Born at Brescia, Lombardy, Italy and the two brothers died together. They was thrown to the lions but the animals refused to touch them. Then beheaded in 120 at Brescia, Italy. Patronages – Brescia, City and Diocese and the City of Credera Rubbiano, Italy.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Brescia, in the time of the Emperor Hadrian, the birthday of the holy Martyrs Faustinus and Jovinus, who received the triumphant Crown of Martyrdom after many glorious combats for the Faith of Christ.”

Faustinus and Jovinus were born to the nobility in the 2nd century in Italy. They were zealous preachers in Brescia, Milan, Rome and Naples, during the persecution of Emperor Hadrian.

Julian, a heathen lord, apprehended them and the Emperor himself, passing through Brescia, when neither threats nor torments could shake their constancy, commanded them to be beheaded.

Both Saints Faustinus and Jovinus, are honoured as the chief Patrons of Brescia and their relics are located in the ancient Church bearing the names of both.

Brescia, the Capital of one of the Italian Provinces, can scarcely remember the names of those who were its governors or leading men, in the second century and yet, here are two of her citizens, whose names will be handed down, with veneration and love, to the end of the world and the whole of Christendom is filled with the praise of their glorious Martyrdom. Glory, then, to these sainted Brothers, whose example so eloquently preaches to us the great lesson of our Season,–fidelity in God’s service. (from the Liturgical Year, 1870).

The glorification of Sts Faustinus and Jovinus by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo