St. Ignatius of Antioch

Today the Church remembers and celebrates the life and ministry of a person who was born shortly after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Ignatius who served as Bishop of Antioch, and died on this day in the year 107.

 

Ignatius was born in Syria and eventually converted to Christianity.  Ignatius is well known for the 7 letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith.

 

The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. “The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ.”

 

Let us pray:  Almighty God, we praise you for your bishop and martyr Ignatius of Antioch, who offered himself as grain to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts that he might present to you the pure bread of sacrifice. Accept the willing tribute of our lives, and give us a share in the pure and spotless offering of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Trick-or-treat at St. Augustine.  Please bring candy for our annual trick-or-treat for the neighborhood on All Hallows Eve (Halloween) on 31 October 2014 from 6 PM to 9 PM.

 

All Saints Day will be celebrated Sunday, 2 November 2014.  Please send any additions or changes to the list of names to be read to Mary at mawolter1@aol.com.

 

We will continue with our Adult Christian Education series, Islam in Focus, on Sunday, 18 October at 11 AM.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Matt, the Putmans’ nephew and Godson.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550