Quote/s of the Day – 5 January – The Memorial of Saint Syncletica (c320-c400) Virgin, Anchorite, Mystic, Spiritual Guide, Abbess in the Sketic Desert?
“We hold to the Cross as our sail and so we can set a safe course.”
Some sisters asked St Syncletica: ‘What do we have to do to be saved?‘ She heaved a sigh, wept bitterly and then said:
“We all know what we must do to be saved but because of our negligence, we can lose our salvation. Above all and more and more, we should do everything we can to keep the commandment of the Lord – ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and your neighbour as yourself’ (Mt 22:37). So salvation lies in this double love.”
“Just as it is impossible for the grass to grow on the sand, so it is impossible for one who seeks pleasure and superficial conversation, to produce the heavenly fruit. For the Lord says: No-one can serve two masters (Mt 6:24).”
“The more progress the competitors make, the stronger the opponents they fight against …”
(Compiled by Abbot em. Dr Emmeram Kränkl OSB Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn – for the Katholische SonntagsZeitung).
Saint of the Day – 5 January –S aint Syncletica (c320-c400) Virgin, Anchorite, Mystic, Spiritual Guide, Abbess in the Sketic Desert? Name means: “the chosen one” (From the Greek). Syncletica was born around 320 in Alexandria in Egypt and died there of natural causes in around 400. Patronages – against bodily ills, against loss of parents, against temptations, of the ill, of single laywomen. Also known as – Sincletica.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “St Syncletica, whose noble deeds have been recorded by St Athanasius.”
According to tradition, Syncletica came from a rich and pious family and is reputed to have been very beautiful. From childhood, however, Syncletica was drawn to a life of holiness and piety. She rejected several marriage proposals for she wished to lead a virtuous life devoted to her heavenly Spouse alone.
After the death of her parents, she distributed her inheritance to the poor and with her younger blind sister, Syncletica abandoned the life of the City withdrawing into a cave as a Recluse. Her holy life soon gained the attention of locals and, gradually, many women joined her to live as her disciples in Christ, teaching them the ascetic way of life.
She was mystically gifted. At the end of their lives, the tempter asked God for permission to test them – just as he had done with Job. Syncletica was tormented by many sufferings but despite her old age, she remained steadfast in her faith and asceticism until she died at the age of 84.
About 40 sayings have been preserved of and about Syncletica. Her life story probably dates to the 5th Century.
We are exposed to many temptations in life. Syncletica advises how we should deal with them:
“The devil’s snares are common. If he cannot dissuade the soul through poverty, then he brings wealth as a lure. If he cannot do anything through disgrace, then he withholds praise and honour from her. If he has to accept defeat through health, he makes the body sick. If he cannot deceive with his desires, then he tries to bring about a change through unwanted efforts. He brings about certain very serious illnesses if he is allowed to, in order to darken the love of God in those who become faint-hearted. Then the body is worn out by the most violent fever and is harassed by unbearable thirst. If you, as a sinner, have to endure this, then remember the coming punishment and the eternal fire and the torments inflicted by the Judge and do not be discouraged because of the present. Rejoice that God has visited you, and have that sweet word on your tongue – God has chastened me but has not delivered me to death (Psalm 117:18). You were like iron but with fire you burnt away the rust but if you, as a righteous person, fall into sickness, you will progress from greatness to greaterness. You are gold but through fire you become even more proven.
An Angel has been appointed to you for the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7). Be happy! See who you have become like! For you were worthy of the lot of St Paul . … In such exercises let us form our souls. Because we see the enemy before our eyes!” (Compiled by Abbot em. Dr Emmeram Kränkl OSB Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn – for the Katholische SonntagsZeitung).
Fresco in the Chapel at St Thodosios’ Tomb in the Monastery of Agiou Theodosiou tou Neou near Agia Triada near Argos
Bl Alacrinus of Casamari St Apollinaris Syncletica St Cera of Kilkeary Bl Convoyon of Redon St Deogratias of Carthage (Died 457) Bishop St Dorotheus the Younger
St Kiara St Lomer of Corbion Bl Marcelina Darowska Bl Paula of Tuscany Bl Pietro Bonilli St Simeon Stylites St Syncletica (c320-c400) Virgin, Anchorite, Mystic St Talida of Antinoë
Martyrs of Africa – 14 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in Africa, date unknown, exact location unknown. We know nothing more than their names – Acutus, Anastasia, Candidus, Coelifloria, Felix, Honorius, Januaria, Jucundus, Lucianus, Marcus, Petrus, Secundus, Severus and Telesphorus.
Martyrs of Sais: A group of Christians Martyred for their faith but about whom no details have survived. They were Martyred by drowning near Sais, Egypt.
Martyrs of Upper Egypt: There were many Martyrs who suffered in the persecutions of Diocletian in the Thebaid region. Though we know these atrocities occurred, to the point that witnesses claim the torturers and executioners were exhausted by the work, we do not know the names of the saints and we honour them as a group. Many were beheaded and or burned alive in 303 in Upper Egypt.
AnaStpaul 
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