St. Abraham, Hermit. A.D. 370
by VP
Posted on Saturday March 16, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"In his youth, his parents importuning him to marry, though he knew not how to contradict them, yet when the appointed time was come, he withdrew from them in disguise, and entering into a solitude, was so charmed with it, that no persuasions could oblige him to quit it. He spent his whole time in adoring and praising God, and imploring his mercy. He possessed no other goods but a cloak and a piece of sackcloth which he wore, and a little vessel out of which he both eat and drank. For fifty years he was never wearied with his austere penance, and holy exercises, and seemed to draw from them every day fresh vigour.
When he had lived thus many years, a neighbouring bishop, knowing his sanctity, importuned him from his cell to go and preach to a town, whose obstinacy in idolatry had rendered all the endeavours of the bishop fruitless. Being called to this combat, he preached to that people repentance and faith in Christ; and they seeing no hopes of being delivered from his importunity, resolved to stone him to death. Having done it, as they thought, he yet outlived that storm, and soon appeared repeating the same lesson to them, and they repeated their cruelty; and so a third time, when they left him for dead. But God miraculously preserving his life, he came again with a new zeal. Upon which, being touched from heaven, they received the faith of Christ, and were baptized. But he, returning to his solitude, after many years of great sanctity, there ended his days.
May not his persevering charity be an encouragement to all pastors, in their endeavours to reclaim the lost sheep? May it not be a direction to you, not to be too hasty in despairing of the amendment of those, who seem as yet deaf to all advice? Have then a true compassion for all in sin and error; let your charity to them be untired. Perseverance is a force upon heaven, and the most powerful persuasive upon the hearts of men. And if at last they hear you not, remember that your charity is not lost: it will be fruitful to you, if not to them." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
"The Conversion of Sinners: Abraham, the solitary, after having disposed of his vast property and distributed the proceeds to the poor, was living in a deep retreat near Edessa, in Mesopotamia, when the bishop of Edessa consecrated him as bishop, and invested him with the mission of converting the inhabitants of a neighboring town, who were still pagans. Abraham undertook this out of a spirit of obedience, and, God aiding, succeeded in the undertaking, but not without vast efforts, and not without having been thrice on the eve of martyrdom.
He then withdrew to
this beloved solitude, but was obliged to leave it once again. A niece
whom he tenderly love had abandoned her home, and given herself up to
evil courses. When, after two years' seeking and prayer, the pious
solitary had at length discovered her abode, he assumed a disguise, and
went to visit her. So soon as he made himself known she gave way, while
pouring out her sorrow, and, of her own accord, imposed on herself rude
austerities which were only to end with her life. St. Abraham died towards 370.
Moral reflection:
It is the duty of every Christian to labor for the conversion of
sinners, because all partake of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, says the
apostle St. Peter: "To declare His virtues, who hath called us out of
darkness into His marvelous light. " (1 Peter ii. 9.)" Source: Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Fr. Auguste François Lecanu
"O
that we realized the omnipotence of prayer! Every soul was created to
glorify God eternally; and it is in the power of every one to add by the
salvation of his neighbor to the glory of God. Let us make good of
this talent of prayer, lest our brother's blood be required of us at the
last. "I affectionately entreat you to pray assiduously for the
salvation of sinners, for whom I ask of you wrestlings and tearful
prayers, that I may satisfy My longing to show them grace and mercy." Revelation to St. Catherine of Siena" Source: Miniatures Lives of the Saints, for Every Day in the Year, 1883
Novena Prayer for the Return of Lapsed Catholics
O
Good Shepherd, you never cease to seek out the lost, to call home the
stray, to comfort the frightened, and to bind up the wounded. I ask you
to bring (mention names) back to the practice of the Faith, and to
remove all obstacles that prevent them from receiving your abundant
mercy, which flows sacramentally through the heart of your holy Church.
Prayers for the return of a lapsed Catholic should also be accompanied by sacrificial and secret acts of fasting and almsgiving done in their name.
