Saints' Discussion Forums

It is also besides St. Polycarp's day, St. Serenus's day..

You can see all the memorials here. (http://saints.sqpn.com/today-on-the-calendar/)

"Serenus abandoned his home and people to live as a hermit  in Sirmiun, Pannonia (modern Hungary) where he directed his thought to prayer, his labour to working a garden  of fruit and herbs.

One day he found a woman and her daughters walking in the garden around noon. He recommended they withdraw, and return in the cool of the evening, but the way he said it led her to believe he was simply chasing them out. The woman’s husband was an imperial guard, and he convinced Emperor Maximian to avenge this imagined insult. Serenus was arrested and brought to trial, but simply repeated what he had said, and was immediately acquitted. However, his demeanor led the judge to suspect that Serenus was a Christian, which was illegal. When questioned about it, Serenus admitted his faith. He was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods; he refused, and was sentenced to death."

- SQPN

It has pleased God to reserve me for this present time. It seemed awhile ago as if he rejected me as a stone unfit to enter his building, but he has the goodness to take me now to be placed in it; I am ready to suffer all things for his name, that I may have a part in his kingdom with his saints.

- Serenus at his trial

I love his story because his name and his nature are so fitting.  :)

I am always amazed at how eloquent, even a bit jocular, some of our martyrs are.  I wish I had one atom of their courage for Christ! :angelblue:

Oh yes, remember the one on the gridiron?

That reminds me of the joke about one woman.. she never thought she could be a saint, but she thought she might be able to be a martyr if they killed her quick!  :o :D

Yes, I do  remember the Gridiron Saint, that's who I had in mind under jocular!  Thank you for helping me remember!! :angelblue:

I actually laughed out loud about the "kill me Quick!"  My daughter (14) thinks you're funny - believe me it's quite a complement! :rotfl:

My grandmother and my aunt once were watching TV.. my aunt loves to tell this story..

There was this fellow who was a bad priest on there, and he said that Catholics didn't believe in purgatory anymore.

And my grandmother turned to my aunt and said in such a mournful voice: "No purgatory? But I was *counting* on purgatory!"  :-[  :D  ;D

Sarah Ann actually said "THAT is a good one"  and we both crack-up!  Thank you and God Bless you, for some much needed humor! :rotflblue:

You're welcome to you both. :) What a fine family you are!  ;D

I must thank my aunt Rita and relay the compliments!!