Reformed Evangelical Synod of America

Posts Tagged ‘hearts’

Januarius, the bishop of Naples, died in 305 during the Diocletian persecution. He was imprisoned while visiting incarcerated deacons at the sulphur mines of Puteoli. After many tortures, including being thrown to lions in the town’s Amphitheater, he was beheaded at Solfatara, along with his companions, including the deacon Festus, the lector Sossus, and his friends Proculus, Acuitus, and Euticius.

COLLECT
Almighty and everlasting God, you planted in the hearts of Januarius and his companions a burden for those imprisoned on account of your Son’s holy name. Grant us a deep awareness of the suffering of our brothers and sisters who are in chains on account of their faith, and, if it be your blessed will, lead us to engage in works which may encourage them in their suffering – even when such works may require us to sacrifice our freedom or our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Augustine is one of the most celebrated theologians and leaders of the Western Church. Born in North Africa in 364, his mother tried unsuccessfully to raise her son in the faith. As a young adult, Augustine moved to Carthage where he lived with a woman and fathered a son. In 384, he travelled to Milan in Italy, having accepted an appointment as a teacher of philosophy. There, the prayers of his mother were answered, and after dialoging with the city’s bishop, Ambrose, he was baptized in the year 387. In the year 391, while visiting the city of Hippo, he was asked to serve as the pastor of the local Christian community. He remained there for the rest of his life, living in community with the clergy under a strict rule. His monastic rule has been adopted by numerous religious orders over the years.

COLLECT
Lord God, you are the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you. Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.