Today's Pause+Pray encourages stillness and peace of mind. ✌️
August 2, 2024
Hello John,
Today's Saint of the Day tells the inspiring story of St. Eusebius, a courageous defender of the Church amidst great adversity. His unwavering faith and commitment to upholding the truth serve as a powerful example of resilience and steadfastness in the face of opposition. Despite enduring persecution and exile, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and continued to fight against the Arian heresy. His dedication to the Church and unwavering defense of St. Athanasius are a testament to his unyielding faith and courage.
Let us draw inspiration from the life of St. Eusebius as we face our own challenges, and may his story serve as a reminder of the strength that comes from remaining true to our beliefs.
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With prayers and blessings,
Fr. Dan Kroger, OFM Franciscan Media CEO and St. Anthony Messenger Publisher
Someone has said that if there had been no Arian heresy denying Christ’s divinity, it would be very difficult to write the lives of many early saints. Eusebius is another of the defenders of the Church during one of its most trying periods.
Born on the isle of Sardinia, he became a member of the Roman clergy, and is the first recorded bishop of Vercelli in Piedmont in northwest Italy. Eusebius was also the first to link the monastic life with that of the clergy, establishing a community of his diocesan clergy on the principle that the best way to sanctify his people was to have them see a clergy formed in solid virtue and living in community.
He was sent by Pope Liberius to persuade the emperor to call a council to settle Catholic-Arian troubles. When it was called at Milan, Eusebius went reluctantly, sensing that the Arian block would have its way, although the Catholics were more numerous. He refused to go along with the condemnation of Saint Athanasius; instead, he laid the Nicene Creed on the table and insisted that all sign it before taking up any other matter. The emperor put pressure on him, but Eusebius insisted on Athanasius’ innocence and reminded the emperor that secular force should not be used to influence Church decisions. At first the emperor threatened to kill him, but later sent him into exile in Palestine. There the Arians dragged him through the streets and shut him up in a little room, releasing him only after his four-day hunger strike. They resumed their harassment shortly after.
His exile continued in Asia Minor and Egypt, until the new emperor permitted him to be welcomed back to his see in Vercelli. Eusebius attended the Council of Alexandria with Athanasius and approved the leniency shown to bishops who had wavered. He also worked with Saint Hilary of Poitiers against the Arians.
Eusebius died peacefully in his own diocese at what was then considered an advanced age.
Reflection
Catholics in the U.S. have sometimes felt penalized by an unwarranted interpretation of the principle of separation of Church and state, especially in the matter of Catholic schools. Be that as it may, the Church is happily free today from the tremendous pressure put on it after it became an “established” Church under Constantine. We are happily rid of such things as a pope asking an emperor to call a Church council, Pope John I being sent by the emperor to negotiate in the East, or the pressure of kings on papal elections. The Church cannot be a prophet if it’s in someone’s pocket.
Francis wrote his immortal Canticle of the Creatures while in Clare’s care at San Damiano. The incredible power and poetry of this song has long fascinated all who read, study, or sing it. One word in that poem, written in Umbrian dialect, and written during a time of daily nursing by Clare, catches the eye. It is the word clarite. “Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful” (Canticle, 5).
This is the adjective for the stars. They are “clarite et pretiose et belle,”—clear, precious, beautiful. In the long dark time of his illness, was it Clare who was this “pretiose, belle, clarite” companion whose light helped him endure encroaching blindness and searing pain? She had been—and would remain—the North Star for all who wanted to follow his way.
Ilia Delio, OSF, shows how the Franciscan way can offer all Christians an intimate and wholehearted approach to prayer. Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God
“Do not worry” or “fear not” is a sentiment found often in scripture. Some of us can’t seem to help it though, can we? When that is the case, wisdom—which is a gift from the Lord—might urge us on to therapy or even medication. The Lord is gracious and his desire is for us to live peacefully and freely in his love, even if we need a little help along the way.
Pray
Lord, when we are overcome with anxiety, give us wisdom to know when it is a matter of trust or something more. Our minds, like our bodies, are gifts from you. However, sometimes we feel trapped in our thoughts, seemingly unable to heal the invisible hurts there. Please, open up doors for mental health services to all who need them. Give us the strength to fight the stigma of mental illness and build compassion and understanding in our communities. Amen.
Act
Make an appointment for therapy if you have silently been struggling with depression or anxiety. Or, if a friend, loved one, or coworker is dealing with mental health issues, make time to simply be present and listen to him/her. Sometimes that is just what that person needs in the moment.
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Bond Strong. Learn more here!
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