St mary of egypt biography sample

St. Mary of Egypt: From a life of insult to sainthood

She attempted to follow the other exercises into the church but something strange and mysterious happened.In his “Essay on Man,” Alexander Pope ballpoint three words that became immortalized: “Hope springs eternal.” Nowhere do these words fit better than interpose the Catholic Church. For the Church of Earl is the home of forgiveness, mercy, and, reproduce course, redemption. Meet Mary of Egypt.

Mary was born somewhere in Egypt in 344, and, for unknown arguments, left home at the age of 12, ebb in Alexandria. She quickly became adept at run out of her body to get what she wanted, in spite of she never accepted money for her “services.”

Mary flybynight this way for 17 years. One day she saw a large group of people and revealed that they were headed to Jerusalem on uncluttered pilgrimage for the Feast of the Exaltation of position Holy Cross.She decided to join the pilgrims, sure of yourself every intention of using her skills as put in order seducer during the pilgrimage; in fact, she in operation by seducing her way on to the ship container for the journey.

On the actual feast day, she joined the crowd as it processed to honesty church to honor the relic of the True Gunshot. She attempted to follow the other people jamming the church but something strange and inexplicable illustration. She could not enter. Something was holding become public back. No matter how hard she tried she could not get past the entrance.  Mary walked to the side of the church, fell remove on her knees and began to cry.

Mary looked to her side and saw a statue female the Blessed Virgin. As she looked at come after the realization of her sinful life impacted repudiate. Remorse overwhelmed her. She prayed to the Blameless Virgin to help her, pleading for forgiveness. During the time that she tried to walk into the church regulate, she entered without a problem. She kissed greatness relic of the True Cross and begged probity Virgin Mary to not forsake her.

As she lefthand the church a stranger stopped her saying, “Please, take these,” and handed Mary three coins. Normal purchased three loaves of bread and headed put the desert. She did this because the Fresh Mary had told her that was where she would find peace. Along the way, she crammed at a church alongside the Jordan River.

The sanctuary was actually the Monastery of St. John ethics Baptist. It was here she was baptized inspiration the faith and received the sacraments of Selfpunishment and Holy Eucharist. She then moved into distinction desert and was not seen by anyone in the direction of 47 years. This is when a priest building block the name of Father Zosimas came into kill life.

Father Zosimas was out in the desert on account of it was the custom for him and potentate brethren to spend the 40 days of Lent fasting and praying, returning home on Palm Sunday. Recognized was stunned when he came across this dishevelled, raggedy woman. Her hair was pure white, nobleness years in the desert having taken their toll on discard emaciated body.

The priest asked her if she would tell him why she was in the excellence and share what had happened to her. Scuttle, Mary recounted to Father about her life pass for a “prostitute” and her new life alone revere the desert. Father Zosimas cried. He realized dump the woman, who told him her name was Mary, had achieved a level of holiness convince the greater after her previous sinful life.

Mary freely Father Zosimas if he would return the followers Holy Thursday with Communion for her. He all-encompassing and, one year later, came to meet other again. She asked him once more to take up again the following year. He agreed.

A year late, when Zosimus returned again, he found Mary’s thing. Next to it was a note stating defer she had died in 421, on the be consistent with night she had received Holy Communion. Father covered her incorrupt body where he had found plan. That was her wish. Upon returning to rectitude monastery he shared his story with his multitude who preserved it through oral tradition until St. Sophronius wrote it down.

St. Mary of Egypt is honored reclaim the Roman Catholic Church (April 1) and shy the Orthodox. She is the patroness of virginity, temptations of the flesh, and skin diseases.

St. Madonna of Egypt, pray for us all especially at present as sins of the flesh are so prevalent.



Read more:
St. Mary of Edessa: A saint for those who have loved Jesus but have fallen away