Feast of SAINT EUPHROSYNE

Although no longer listed in the 2004 Roman Martyrology, the feast of Saint Euphrosyne was formerly included on the Roman Calendar for January 16th. Her feast is celebrated in the Greek Church on September 25th. She died around 470 AD.

PRAYER.

O GOD ! 
who hast, in a wonderful manner, 
moved the Virgin, Saint Euphrosyne, 
to the pursuit of holiness, 
and hast guided her constantly in the same; 
make us, through her merits and intercession, 
to burn with perfect charity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

LESSON IV.

The Virgin, Euphrosyne, was born in Alexandria, in the time of Theodosius the Younger. Her father, Paphnutius, was illustrious by birth and piety alike. When it seemed that no children were to be granted to him, he gave himself up to constant fasting, prayer, and to other pious works, and at length he deserved to receive, through the divine mercy, that which he had so earnestly desired. A daughter was born to him, and he gave her the name of Euphrosyne, by divine inspiration, for be seemed to foresee the great joy to which this pious child would give rise in heaven and on earth, by the holiness of her life. As it proved, she was no sooner born than she fulfilled the words of the Prophet, for she learned to bear the yoke of the Lord almost before she was out of the cradle. Even in her childhood there was nothing childish in her behavior, but from day to day she strove with more ardent longing to reach the heights of solid virtue, serving God day and night with pious simplicity. She had no taste for those pleasures which her giddy age too often pursues, but loved solitude rather, and avoided the company of children of her own age, save of them, perchance, in whom she found enkindled the divine love.

LESSON V.

Euphrosyne went joyfully onward in the path of virtue upon which she had entered; and full of the fervor of the Holy Ghost, she made a vow to Christ that she would have no lover save Him, but that she would cleave in chastity to Him whom she worshipped in spirit. Unhappily her father, who had indeed at heart the interests of his only daughter, but who still clung to the things of earth, began to think of giving her in marriage. He chose one amongst the many nobles who sought her hand, the marriage contract was drawn up, and the day of the wedding was fixed. What was the maiden to do, who, burning with the desire of preserving her virginity, found herself surrounded with pitfalls laid for her at home and abroad? If she longs to refuse, her respect for her father withholds her. If she thinks of flight, her sex forbids. To stay at home is unsafe, to go forth is unbecoming. Amid so many doubts the maiden took refuge in prayer, and placed the flower of her virginity under the care of Him whose Mother is a virgin, and whose Father knoweth not woman. The Bridegroom, faithful on His part, failed not His loyal spouse, for He inspired her to undertake a truly manly and noble course by which, under a strange guise, she might escape both the world and the devil.

LESSON VI.

She followed this divine inspiration; and as though longing, like the Patriarch, to be the first to receive the blessing, she laid aside the dress which would betray her virginity, and, clothing herself in the garb of a man, she hastened to a certain convent of monks. There, hiding her sex and her design under the name of Smaragdus, she earnestly implored to be received into the Brotherhood. She was accepted, and how great and how rapid was her progress in every virtue almost surpasses belief. No one was more chaste, no one more watchful than she. She applied herself, in the first place, to the practice of obedience, and in patience, sweetness, mercy, humility, and the other virtues she outshone the rest. Nevertheless, the old enemy of the human race could not bear to be outwitted by a maiden; and finding that he did but waste labor in his various attempts to oppose her pious undertaking, he conceived another plan. He repeatedly forced her great personal beauty upon the eyes of the Brethren, and led them at length to urge upon the Abbot that she should dwell in a cell apart from the rest, and live under the authority of one Brother. To this she consented willingly, and she passed thirty-eight years in this hiding-place, living for God alone, and for her own soul. She remained unknown to all until her father came to visit her, towards the end of her life. He knew nothing of this wonderful history, but God’s Providence so ordered his coming. She thereupon told him who she was, to his great wonder and amazement, and immediately after gave up her blessed soul to God.

Taken from the book “Saints of Carmel” (BOSTON: JOHN CASHMAN & CO., 1896).