St.
Felix of Dunwich gives a detailed account of his mission, then gives
a short message to the Friends of the Cross.
Ecstasy
September 23, 1878
“I
am St Felix, who worked to convert the English. I come to say a word
on behalf of Our Lord. ... I suffered all sorts of painful
accusations and black persecutions. I did not cast it off, I
continued my hard work. ... I continued my mission from Heaven. I was
often struck by the infidel souls who were far from God. I was
brought before the tribunal, but I did not waver.
After
winning a multitude of souls to God, I took some rest in the middle
of the English. I was cared for at their hands and their hearts
sympathized with my sufferings. It was in this great suffering, the
Lord opened to me the beauty of Heaven. It was on the cross that I
entered the sweet intimate conversation of God's secrets. To reward
me, the Lord sent me all kinds of sorrows. I was crucified in every
limb, privately, to work for the salvation of souls. Suddenly, our
Good Lord rendered the life of the members of my body dry. I could
still, for some years, work to convert the Great of England who had
remained obstinate in their refusal (to accept) the Faith. I went to
London where there were a great number of souls in the grip of hell.
I was stoned twice, I was insulted. But God in His loving power can
always do everything for His Glory. He supported me. In the midst of
these cruel persecutions, I was bruised, covered with wounds. In the
night, an angel came with a jar, closed my wounds and the next day, I
was completely and miraculously restored.
I
made a large number of conversions in London and they persevered. I
returned then to the middle of the English and I found their faith
strong and powerful. ... But I had still to suffer terrible assaults.
I was threatened with being put in prison by the guards. I was about
to stand trial because I was slanderously accused. But my innocence
before God was without blame. I was delivered by the voice of an
unknown young man. On the eve of trial, I saw him enter the cell
where I retired to pray and do penance. He said, "Now leave
England and go to the nearest town of France." This voice was
unknown to me, but its sweetness ravished my soul. I resisted. In the
deep of night, the same voice called me back and said, "Leave
quickly because they are ready to take you and lead you before your
accusers." Immediately, I followed the young man who took me to
that city that touches the edge of France (Dover), and there I spent
a month and a few days. The persecution had relaxed a little, but I
was still threatened.
I
returned to England. I armed myself with a huge cross of the old days
and I faced my judges and my detractors. I told them: "Here is
the victim, I put myself at your disposal, judge me, condemn me.
But, in judging me and condemning me, you condemn Him whom I bring
attached on the Cross." These words produced consternation on
their faces. I won the victory. I was then pressed to preach and I
was greatly inspired by Heaven. My judges and my accusers fell at my
feet. I converted them. Here is the reward of terrible persecution.
The Goodness of Heaven fell upon the poor accused victim, innocent
... Then I travelled through many countries, I have always suffered,
persecution still followed my steps.
Dear
Brothers and Friends of the Cross, we make joy from the bread of
bitterness since it is only by contempt that we a rendered into
glory. And it is not only by persecution that we are made the true
friends of God ... Let us be detached. Remain indifferent to what
they say about our person. It is in abandonment to the Divine Will
where we find a powerful force that recreates all in us.”
::::::::
Observation: judging from the account St. Felix gave his his difficult life and mission, 'abandonment' to the Divine Will does not mean sitting around doing 'nothing' and expecting God to do it all! As we see, 'abandonment' means accepting what comes freely and without murmuring, be it suffering, persecutions, hard work, etc., all accepted in a spirit of detachment, not letting human respect or our own wills and self-interest mar the work God puts before us.
::::::::
Observation: judging from the account St. Felix gave his his difficult life and mission, 'abandonment' to the Divine Will does not mean sitting around doing 'nothing' and expecting God to do it all! As we see, 'abandonment' means accepting what comes freely and without murmuring, be it suffering, persecutions, hard work, etc., all accepted in a spirit of detachment, not letting human respect or our own wills and self-interest mar the work God puts before us.
::::::::
Notes:
Saint Felix of Dunwich bishop and apostle of England, was originally
from Burgundy, hence is he also known as St. Felix of Burgundy. He
brought about the conversion of Sigebert, King of the East Angles,
when that prince was in exile, and later was summoned by Siegbert to
evangelize East Anglia. St. Felix undertook the mission with the
approval of St. Honorius of Canterbury, and placed his episcopal see
at Dunwich, now washed away by the sea. He preached with great
success in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, opening schools on
the French model. He died in the year 648. Feast Day March 8.
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