St. Lucian – January 7th
St. Lucian was born in Syria. His rich pagan parents brought him up to worship their false gods. When he was twelve, however, he began to see that his religion was wrong, and after being instructed in the Christian faith, Lucian was baptized. He went away to a Christian school, even though he found it hard to leave home. There he studied Sacred Scripture and began to make mortifications, such as eating very little. Daily he grew closer to God. Lucian became a priest and a teacher of Sacred Scripture himself. When a persecution broke out, the Saint was captured and kept in prison for nine years. There he prepared himself to die for Jesus by reading the Holy Bible.
When brought before the emperor to be judged, Lucian took the opportunity to explain our holy religion to everyone. He suffered patiently, and when they asked him, “Where are you from? Who are your parents?” he only answered, “I am a Christian.” He was placed on the rack, and he still repeated these words. Then he was put to death and so he earned the martyr’s crown he had long desired.
Let us listen well to the sermons our pastor gives. Our faith will teach us what is right and give us the strength to do it-even when we find it hard.
