Ecstasy date
December 12, (1878)
(Note: it is
unclear which martyr is visiting as there are several martyrs named
Julius. The visitor gives clues in that he died under an 'emperor'
during a persecution period, but not long before peace was
established. It is possible he died under Diocletian just before
Constantine came to power.)
“I
am St. Julius, Martyr for the cause of God, for supporting the
infallibility of the Church of God ... I was arrested, shackled and
tortured … But the threats and torture have not shaken my faith and
my courage. I was thrown into a dark cell, loaded with heavy chains
for three mornings. I was flogged. My whole body was dripping with
blood, torn. When interrogated again, I answered the Emperor: "I
want to die a Christian in the Catholic Faith." I was then tied
to a huge iron post which contained hot coals. I was burned on the
kidneys. I was then sawed into pieces. They broke my arms, my feet.
Finally, my body was sawed in half and thrown into a cauldron of
boiling oil. That is how my martyrdom ended. I gave my soul to God in
the most cruel torments, but with the greatest and the sweetest joy …
It
was not much later, when peace was restored, that the bodies of
martyrs received burial. God kept
our flesh intact. (i.e. were incorrupt.)
Now,
a word on behalf of Our Lord.
Our
Adorable Lord, from Heaven, communicates to us the divine graces. He
makes us heirs and heiresses. Today, as before, the Lord pours
abundant blessings on earth. The reapers are the least numerous!
Blessed is he who reaps the blessings of the Lord! The true servant
of the Lord is never cast down, never disturbed. There is in him
superhuman strength, communicated by God's grace …
Do
not fear the wrath of men. They have many words, they seem very
strong, but soon comes a breath
of heaven upon them, they are as low as the reed! The power of God
shows proud man that his voice is nothing! …
Let
the world make a calvary for you, but never allow it to help you
mount there!
(I.e.
as the saint explains below, don't let the world after persecuting
give help, comfort, or aid, we must take up the cross and declare we
suffer all according to God's Will and for His glory, not the
world's.)
When
the throne (i.e the cross) will be prepared for you, go up quietly with the Lord's
help, with the help of Mary, your Guardian Angels, your patron
saints, your Brothers and Sisters of Heaven. Do not ask those in this
world to help you! When you come to the place of Calvary, tell the
world and those who led you there: "We want to be slain here by
the Will and the Hand of the Lord. Go away, you who have raised the
mountain and planted this calvary, let us meditate in silence the
humiliations of a suffering God! ..."
You
are all engaged in a great battle. Equip yourself with powerful
weapons. Here is one for you: It is the weapon of the Holy Will of
God, holy submission to the Holy Will of God ... The world shouts
"Death to Christians! Death to your Faith! Death to Pastors!
Death to the subjects of the Cross! Death to the Spirit!" But
the Cross triumphs, it is the death of hell, it is the Weapon that is
resistant to all! Courage! ...”
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