Saints celebrated on the 31st of May
SAINT PASCHASIUS, DEACON
This holy deacon of the Roman Church died in the year 520. Pope Saint Gregory (dial. IV. 40) wrote the following concerning Paschasius: When I was still young and in a secular position, I often heard from older and more knowledgeable people that Paschasius, a deacon of this apostolic see, of whom we still have excellent and illuminating books about the Holy Spirit, was a man of admirable holiness, who gave much alms, honoured the poor, and despised himself.
But in the quarrel that arose between the electors of Symmachus and Laurentius, he gave his vote to Laurentius, and, since the agreement of all had conquered him, Paschasius still maintained that he would have preferred Laurentius to win the vote until the end of his life. This he did despite the authority of the Church, according to the judgment of the bishops, having decided.
When Paschasius died - which happened still during the pontificate of St Symmachus - a possessed man who touched the dalmatica laid over Paschasius' bier was instantly healed.
After a long time, Bishop Germanus of Capua, who had to use the warm baths in Naples by order of the physicians, saw, on stepping into the bath - of all people - this Paschasius, who had died, standing there and visibly suffering tremendously from the heat.
Startled, Germanus asked what this great man was doing here, and received the answer: I am banished to this place of punishment for no other reason than because I maintained the side of Laurentius against Symmachus. But I beg you, plead for me to the Lord. You shall recognise that you have been heard if you return here and no longer meet me here.
Germanus now went to prayer and when he visited the thermal baths again a few days later, he did not see Paschasius again.
Because Paschasius had sinned not from malice, but out of error and ignorance, he could be cleansed from sin after death.
However, it is to be believed that he obtained so much from his plentiful alms that pardon was granted to him even when he could no longer make up for his sin. When asked how it is that Paschasius was able to work miracles like a saint after his death, while in reality he was in the place of penance [purgatory], the holy Church teacher (l. c. 41) added: In this matter the providence of almighty God must be recognised in its manifold effectiveness. Through his judicial pronouncement it happened that Paschasius received punishment for his sin for a time, but still worked wonders through his body before the eyes of the people, since they knew what good works he had done prior to his death.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875)
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Paschasius 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.
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