December 29th - St. Trophimus of Arles

December 29th - St. Trophimus of Arles B (RM)

Died c. 280. Trophimus, the first bishop of Arles whose cathedral of St.
Trophime now honors his memory, is often confused with the Trophimus
mentioned by St. Paul. The bishop Trophimus was sent from Rome to Gaul about
240-260. Saint Gregory of Tours (died 594) testifies that Trophimus was one
of several bishops associated with Saint Sernin of Toulouse, who founded the
famous sees of France and with St. Denis.

The cultus of Trophimus is ancient. Writing to the bishops of Gaul in 417,
Pope Zozimus mentioned him as being sent by the papacy to preach and found
the church of Arles. His church contains a 3rd century crypt, which was
discovered in 1835.

Paul's disciple was a gentile convert from Ephesus who accompanied the
Apostle on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4) and to Jerusalem, where
his presence (as a gentile) in the Temple provoked violent protests against
Paul that almost resulted in his death (Acts 21:26-36). Paul mentions him
again in 2 Timothy 4:20, saying he "left Trophimus ill at Miletus."

Since the Synod of Arles in 452, the church of Provence has identified their
first bishop with St. Paul's disciple, but this is clearly an impossibility.
In essence, both are honored today because of the confusion (Benedictines,
Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer).

In art, St. Trophimus is a bishop carrying his eyes. The picture may show
(1) his eyes being put out, (2) him with lions, or (3) surrounded by the
Apostles. (He was identified with the Trophimus who was a disciple of St.
Paul.) He is the patron of children and invoked against drought
(Roeder).Canonized Pre-Congregation


Quote:
If you wish to arrive speedily at the summit of perfection, animate yourself
to the true love of shame, insults, and calumny. -St. Ingatius

Bible Quote
And then shall many be scandalized: and shall betray one another: and shall
hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall seduce many.
And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.
But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved. (Matt 24:10-13)


<><><><>
Reflection and Prayer from the Imitation of Christ

"Watch and pray" is the simple means which Jesus Christ prescribes to enable
a Christian to resist temptation, to avoid sin, and secure his salvation. To
speak little to creatures and much to God, to renounce useless and curious
conversations, to speak only what is good or necessary, is an excellent
method of becoming an interior man, of preserving purity of heart and peace
of conscience, and of becoming entirely united to God. A soul which gives
itself through the senses to creatures, and lives not an interior life, but
amuses itself with trifles, is not at all in a state to relish the things of
God, or to apply to prayer or recollection, which are so useful and so
necessary for salvation. Why, says St. Austin, dost thou, O dissipated and
wandering soul, seek content in created objects, in the goods and pleasures
of life? Seek within thyself, by recollection, the only true and sovereign
Good, who is there, and who alone can satisfy thy desires.

Prayer: Give me, O God, that spirit of interior recollection which will make
me attentive to Thy holy will and faithful to Thy graces. Grant that the
remembrance of Thine awful presence may remind me continually of Thy blessed
life and conversation, and effectually control me during my earthly
pilgrimage. I am weary, O God, of living an exile from Thy presence, and of
being so little affected by the consideration of Thy majesty as to do
nothing to please Thee. What can I find in Heaven or on earth that is
comparable to Thee? Thou art the God of my heart: grant I may be ever
sensible of Thy presence, and desire only the happiness of pleasing Thee, in
time, that Thou mayest be my portion for eternity. Amen.





.