SAINT OF THE DAY -- March 31 - Saint Stephen of Mar Saba
March 31
St. Stephen of Mar Saba(d. 794)
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A "do not disturb" sign helped today's saint find holiness and peace.
Stephen of Mar Saba was the nephew of St. John Damascene, who
introduced the young boy to monastic life beginning at age 10. When he
reached 24, Stephen served the community in a variety of ways,
including guest master. After some time he asked permission to live a
hermit's life. The answer from the abbot was yes and no: Stephen could
follow his preferred lifestyle during the week, but on weekends he was
to offer his skills as a counselor. Stephen placed a note on the door
of his cell: "Forgive me, Fathers, in the name of the Lord, but please
do not disturb me except on Saturdays and Sundays."
Despite his calling to prayer and quiet, Stephen displayed uncanny skills with people and was a valued spiritual guide.
His biographer and disciple wrote about Stephen: "Whatever help,
spiritual or material, he was asked to give, he gave. He received and
honored all with the same kindness. He possessed nothing and lacked
nothing. In total poverty he possessed all things."
Stephen died in 794.
Source: American Catholic Organization
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If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please know that my husband and I pray for you every single night.
If you need immediate assistance, dial 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Does your partner:
- humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
- treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
- ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
- blame you for his own abusive behavior?
- see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
threaten to take your children away or harm them?
threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
- act excessively jealous and possessive?
- control where you go or what you do?
- keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
- constantly check up on you?