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Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth {2}

What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone
--Thomas à Kempis--Imitation of Christ Book 1, Ch. 1


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January 11th - Sts. Ethenea and Fidelmia VV (AC)
(also known as Ethna and Fedelma) 

Died 433. The story is told that one summer day the little daughters of King Laoghaire of Connaught, Ethna and Fedelma, who were barely out of childhood and full of fun, went for their daily bath in a private place near the palace, a place to which no one ever came so early in the morning. But this special day they were surprised to hear voices and see tents encamped on the grassy slope near the pool.
There was a drone of a strange language and every now and again a sweet voice broke into song and mingled with that of the birds in the nearby woods and the murmuring of the river. Saint Patrick and his companions, who had arrived during the night with a message for the King of Connaught, were praying the Divine Office in Latin. Finally, each group spied the other.

The older princess asked, "Who are you, and where do you come from?"

Patrick hesitated, then said: "We have more important things to tell you than just our names and where we're from. We know who the one true God is whom you should adore. . . ."

The girls were delighted, rather than annoyed. In a flash something seemed to light up inside them, to make a blinding white blaze in their hearts and minds. They knew at once that this was real, real news and that it was true. It all happened instantaneously. Then they asked a whole torrent of questions:

"Who is God?" "Where does He live?" "Will He live forever?" and on and on as excited young people do.

Patrick answered each question quickly and simply. He, too, was delighted: the light that blazed up in the girls was in the man, too, and the three lights together made a tremendous glow. Everyone else stood listening raptly, feeling lucky to be witnesses to the saintly man and the sweet girls—and the Holy Spirit in their midst.

"Oh, tell us how to find the good God. Teach us more about the kind Jesus, who died upon the Cross. Tell us more, more, more," the princesses urged. But there was no need for more; the two had already received the gift of the Spirit of Truth. 

Patrick led them to their bathing pool, where he baptized them. For a short time thereafter, Ethna and Fedelma were very quiet for they were in deep prayer. Meanwhile, Patrick prepared to say Mass. Then the princesses began again, "I want to see Jesus Christ now," said Ethna.

"And so do I," echoed Fedelma. "I want to be with Him in His home forever."

Patrick, moved by this loving longing, very gently explained that they would not be able to see God until after their death. They were still young, so it would be a long time before they could see Him as He is. If they lived good Christian lives, then they would be able to go to God for always and great joys would replace the present sorrows. The girls pondered this as Patrick began the Mass.

As Mass went on everyone was still, but the river and woods seemed to sing God's praises. Then the youngest man rang a little bell and all bowed their heads. Jesus Christ was with them in the grassy knoll in the king's park. Soon the bell rang again. Patrick beckoned the princesses forward and gave them Holy Communion.

For a little while the girls looked so happy and so beautiful that they were like angels. And then, we are told, they died. They longed so much to be with Jesus that they died of longing. Saint Patrick was exceedingly happy to have met such quick and whole-hearted belief (Benedictines, Curtayne). 


Saint Quote:
If we have obtained the grace of God, none shall prevail against us, but we shall be stronger than all who oppose us.
-- Saint John Chrysostom 

Bible Quote:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance against such there is no law."  (Gal 5:22 )


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Troparion of Ss Ethenia and Fidelmia Tone 5

O daughters of King Laoghaire and first-fruits of Patrick's mission
/ most pious Ethenia and Fidelmia,
/ you were blessed to receive the
monastic veil from Ireland's Enlightener.
/ Weeping and lamenting we call upon your charity
/ Pray to Christ our God
/ that He will raise up a new Patrick in our day,
/ that we may be led into the Way of Salvation.


Kontakion of Ss Ethenia and Fidelmia Tone 4

Having been tonsured, 
O most pure and righteous virgins Ethenia and Fidelmia,
/ you were found worthy to tarry in this vale of tears
/ and to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, just once,
/ before going to your eternal reward.
/ We chant your praises and implore Christ our God
/ that, in the day of Judgment,
/ He will not find us wanting.


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Canticle –Ephesians 1:3-10
God our Savior

Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him
before the world began
to be holy
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood,
we have been redeemed,
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous
is God’s favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
–as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.