St. Dorothy was a young and beautiful girl who lived in the city of Caesarea. Both her father and mother died for the Faith. They left her a great deal of money, and Dorothy used it to help the poor people and prisoners. Everyone knew her and loved her for her modesty and piety. She was so beautiful and holy that many young men wanted to marry her. But she has given herself to God alone. So they called her, “The Bride of Christ.”
When Dorothy herself was put in prison for the Faith, the wicked governor sent two young girls named Crista and Callista to persuade her to deny Jesus. There girls had been Christians once. They had given up their Faith when the governor made them many promises and gave them gifts. But these girls could not change Dorothy. It was she who made them cry for their sin and encouraged them to die bravely for Jesus.
Furious, the governor tortured Dorothy, but she would not worship the gods of Rome. “I cannot worship them or the Emperors either,” she said. “I worship only the true God, the Creator of Heaven and earth.” At last, the governor gave up. The saint was getting the best of him, with her wise answers. So he condemned her to death by beheading.
When Dorothy was on her way to be beheaded, a young pagan made fun of her Faith. “Send me some roses and apples from the garden where you are going after you die,” he shouted. Then he laughed cruelly. But St. Dorothy promised that she would. As soon as she died, a child appeared to that pagan carrying three roses and three apples! Where could they have come from? It was not the season for apples and roses! The amazed man realized that the child was an angel come from God and that the flowers and fruit were sent from Heaven. He was converted right then. Soon afterwards, he, too, have his life for God.
Today let us pray especially for someone who is far away from God, so that he will return to our Heavenly Father.
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