ST EMERIC, PRINCE AND CONFESSOR

ST EMERIC, PRINCE AND CONFESSOR - 4 NOVEMBER

SAINT EMERIC, PRINCE AND CONFESSOR

Saint Emeric (Emericus, Emmerich, Emmerik][born in 1007] was a son of St Stephen, King of Hungary. He was so devoted to prayer, that, from his early youth, he would rise from his bed, during night, and pass many hours in devotional exercises. He especially loved to repeat the Psalms, each of which he ended with an act of contrition.

HE ESPECIALLY LOVED TO PRAY THE PSALMS

Stephen, his holy father, was greatly comforted by this, and left nothing undone to increase his son’s piety and virtue.

The holy prince arrived at manhood without losing his early fervour; he frequently visited the Churches, and edified every one by his piety.

SUDDENLY THE CHURCH WAS ILLUMINATED BY A HEAVENLY LIGHT

One day, accompanied by one of his servants, he visited the church of St Gregory, at Vesprim [Veszprim], and while there, thought what sacrifice he could offer to the Almighty that would be most agreeable. Suddenly, the Church was illuminated by a heavenly light, and he heard a voice from above, saying: "Consecrate the purity of your soul and body to the Lord, and preserve it until your end." Emeric rejoiced greatly at hearing these words, and immediately obeyed them, by making to God a vow of perpetual chastity.

HE HAD NOT THE COURAGE TO REVEAL HIS VOW TO HIS FATHER

Meanwhile, his holy father, who knew nothing of this, had anxiously sought a virtuous spouse for his only son, and now desired that Emeric should marry her. The prince had not the courage to reveal his vow to his father, much less to refuse the proposed marriage.

Hence, trusting in God, he allowed the ceremonies to take place, but then made known his vow to his royal bride, and represented to her so clearly the value of angelical purity, that she willingly bound herself by the same vow.

HE BEGGED GOD FOR THE GRACE OF BEING EVER FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISE

The chaste prince, however, neglected not to beg of God, by fervent prayer, and constant chastisement of his body the grace of being ever faithful to his promise, against all the temptations of Satan. He kept it inviolate, and lived like a Saint. God, not willing that such virtue should remain long unrewarded, called him from this world by an early death.

HE SAW THE SOUL OF THE HOLY PRINCE ASCEND TO HEAVEN

St Emeric fell sick and prepared himself joyfully for departure. At the moment of his death [1031], the Archbishop who assisted him, saw the soul of the holy prince ascend to heaven, accompanied by angels, whom he had endeavoured to imitate in chastity. He was buried in Stuhlweissenburg; and God bestowed great favours upon those who, in their need, went to the tomb of the Saint for relief. [Saint Emeric is also commemorated on September 3.]

(From Fr Weninger's Lives of the Saints - 🎨 St Emeric is presented to the Blessed Virgin by his father, St Stephen)

➡️ More information about Saint Emeric

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

BL. LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR 16th century houses, painted by Auguste Mayer He was born in the bishopric of Durham, according to Raissius ; others say at Richmond, in Yorkshire. He was master of arts in one of our universities; but going abroad to Douay, in Flanders, was received into the English college there, 1576, and made priest in 1577; and the year following sent upon the mission. Where he had not been long before he again went abroad, and travelled to Rome, partly for devotion, and partly for further improvement in learning. Here he remained in the English college till 1580, when he returned into England, and was not long after apprehended: for I find by a printed diary of things transacted in the Tower of London from 1580 till 1585, that on the 5th of December, 1580, Luke Kirby, Thomas Cottam , and other priests, were brought to the Tower from other prisons; and that these two, on the 10th...

BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR Richard Newport, alias Smith , was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute. He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of thi...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog