St. Celestine of Alexandria to Marie Julie – The Crucified Christ Alone Gives Strength to the Christian – A Warning to Pastors (Priests / Bishops)
(Note: This
saint is not Pope St. Celestine I, as this visitor mentions they were
martyred under the 'great persecution' and an 'emperor' ordered his
torture and execution. I am able
to find only one mention of a St. Celestine who was an early martyr
of the Church. Apparently, he was martyred with Saturninus, Neopolus
and Germanus, but no details remain of his death. Saturninus was
martyred in Alexandra under Diocletian in 304 AD, although the Roman
Martyrology states Satuninus died in Rome. If this Celestine was the
same that died with Saturninus, he died the same year and shares the
same Feast Day, May 2.
“Catholic
Online” states that St. Saturninus “ … was put to death at
Alexandria, Egypt, during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian.
With him died the otherwise unknown Neopolus, Germanus, and
Celestine.”
Hence,
it appears St. Celestine is indeed the martyr of Alexandria
confirming his existence to Marie-Julie: is this a sign not to
discredit an early forgotten saint simply because they are 'unknown'
or declared to be 'legendary'? )
::::::::::
St.
Celestine: “I am Saint Celeste
(Celestine), Martyr. My name is known, but not in your country,
(i.e., not in France). I suffered for the glory of Our Lord in the
time of great persecution, the days when heaven was collecting so
many souls that our Bridegroom crowned ... They wanted me to deny God
or they (would) put me to death. I preferred to give my life and
guard the Grace of my Christian soul. When they saw that I remained
adamant, the Emperor ordered his servants to tie my hands behind my
back, and I received three shots in the heart by lancets. I
persevered in my refusal. I was covered with heavy chains and they
tied me on a rack. They covered my body with worms, they made them
enter through openings in my flesh. Then my body was locked in a kind
of iron shirt, spiked, which tore me. I was then thrown into a mud
flat and then my body was thrown about the place and trampled so it
no longer (looked) human. With a large number of martyrs, I was
thrown into a river. (When) the calm and peace were restored, we
received burial at the hands of Christians who had escaped the hands
of the cruel emperor.
Now,
a word on behalf of Our Lord.
Dear
brothers and sisters, if the Christian faithful did not have before
their eyes the Divine Crucified, it would be painful to face the
cruelty of men. The Crucified God is the Book that preaches the faith
and courage of the Christian soul. You will not find any strength, or
hope outside of this Divine Model. This is where the knowledge of
your souls, your minds, your thoughts lie. Lock yourself in the
Doctrine of the God-Man, meditate in silence the size of its truths,
and there you will feel the courage to face anything, peril, pain and
death ...
And
you, Pastors, you must first climb the holy mountain where the
sacrifice is accomplished in the sacrifice which is also a martyrdom.
Be sure that the Lord will soon bring out the rigour of His promises
because everything is at its height. (i.e. the chastisements.)
Today, evil wins. It (evil) has entered the City (Paris)
and the Lord is abandoned ... Do you know who holds back the Justice
of the Lord? It is your prayers, it is the sacrifices and dedication
of those who, through love, share the suffering of each other. These
are the (followers) of the Lord! It is the smallest number! This is
the blessed herd!
The
temples of the Lord are regarded with a fierce eye by most of the
inhabitants of this land. The souls of the Pastors horrify them and
this thought bubbles inside them: "I hope to lay hands on you
and tear away your power!" Do not be afraid! The Mercy of the
Lord is upon you!”
SOURCE
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