ST SECUNDELLUS, DEACON - 1 AUGUST

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST

Saints celebrated on the 1st of August

WELCOME!

SAINT SECUNDELLUS, DEACON 

…One day included the life of Saint Secundellus, which I found had an interesting lesson for us. Saint Secundellus lived in the 6th century and was ordained a Deacon. He came to join Saint Friardus as a hermit on the island of Vindunitta along the Loire River of France. Both men lived in solitude, devoting themselves to prayer and simplicity of life.

THE DEVIL TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS ALREADY A SAINT AND GAVE HIM INSTRUCTIONS

The devil, however, came to deceive Saint Secundellus by pretending to be Jesus, flattering him and telling him that he was already a saint and that he needed to leave the island and perform works of miracles. Saint Secundellus did what the devil told him, thinking it was Jesus saying these things, and the devil empowered Saint Secundellus in these works.

HE HAD BEEN DELUDED BY THE DEVIL

Eventually Saint Secundellus returned to the island bragging to Saint Friardus that he had become a great healer. Saint Friardus, recognising that Jesus would not have led his friend to become so proud and worldly, discerned that it was the devil that had done this. Saint Friardus then warned Saint Secundellus that he had been deluded by the devil and instructed him to do penance. Saint Secundellus realised his error and threw himself at the feet of Saint Friardus, asking him for help and prayer.

WHEN HE ASKED THE DEVIL TO SHOW HIM THE CROSS, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE

As the two prayed together the devil appeared again, once more pretending to be Jesus. But when Saint Secundellus demanded that the devil show him his Cross, there was no response. Saint Secundellus then made the Sign of the Cross and the devil went away. Thereafter Saint Secundellus led a life of extraordinary sanctity.

"REMEMBER THE DEVIL DOES NOT SLEEP"

The devil tries many different ways to tempt us to move away from God. Saint Angela Merici wrote, ‘Remember that the devil does not sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.’ We must not be deluded and be on our guard. ‘The devil’s snare doesn’t catch you unless you’re already nibbling on the devil’s bait,’ wrote Saint Ambrose. We should always draw near to God as our protection.

Source: Spiritual Thought from Father Chris

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Secundellus may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.