Dec. 5, 2011 Monday: St. Sabas
St. Sabas
Sabas, born in 439, is one of the most famous monks of Palestine. His father was an officer in the army. When the officer had to go to Alexandria, Egypt, he left his young son with his brother-in-law. Since his aunt treated him badly, young Sabas ran away to another uncle. When an argument over his property arose between the two uncles, Sabas felt terrible. He liked to see people at peace. So he ran away to live in a monastery. His two uncles felt ashamed of themselves. They told Sabas to return home and they would give him all his property. But by this time, Sabas was too happy in the monastery. He did not want to leave.
When he was eighteen, Sabas went to Jerusalem. He wanted to learn to live alone with God. He was advised to live in another monastery for a while because he was still young. He obeyed and joyfully did all the hard work. He chopped wood for fires and carried heavy jugs of water. One day, St. Sabas was sent to Alexandria, Egypt, as the traveling companion of another monk. There he saw his father and mother! They tried their best to make him come home with them. They wanted him to enjoy the same honors his father had won. But Sabas was only interested in the honor that comes from doing the will of God. He did not even want to take the money they tried to give him. Finally he accepted three gold pieces. Then, when he got back to the monastery, he gave them to the abbot.
At last, he was able to spend four years completely alone, as he desired. But so many disciples came to him to learn to live the life of a monk that he had to start a new monastery for them. Before long, he was put in charge of all the monks in Palestine.
Sometimes Sabas was sent to the emperor on important Church affairs. Even then, he wore his poor cloth habit and kept to his hours of prayer. St. Sabas died in 532.
St. Sabas was a very prayerful person. He went out of his way to keep in touch with God. If we feel the noise of distractedness and anxiousness inside, we can say a prayer to St. Sabas. He’ll help us be peaceful and calm so that we can hear God’s voice.
- Daughters of St Paul
Sabas, born in 439, is one of the most famous monks of Palestine. His father was an officer in the army. When the officer had to go to Alexandria, Egypt, he left his young son with his brother-in-law. Since his aunt treated him badly, young Sabas ran away to another uncle. When an argument over his property arose between the two uncles, Sabas felt terrible. He liked to see people at peace. So he ran away to live in a monastery. His two uncles felt ashamed of themselves. They told Sabas to return home and they would give him all his property. But by this time, Sabas was too happy in the monastery. He did not want to leave.
When he was eighteen, Sabas went to Jerusalem. He wanted to learn to live alone with God. He was advised to live in another monastery for a while because he was still young. He obeyed and joyfully did all the hard work. He chopped wood for fires and carried heavy jugs of water. One day, St. Sabas was sent to Alexandria, Egypt, as the traveling companion of another monk. There he saw his father and mother! They tried their best to make him come home with them. They wanted him to enjoy the same honors his father had won. But Sabas was only interested in the honor that comes from doing the will of God. He did not even want to take the money they tried to give him. Finally he accepted three gold pieces. Then, when he got back to the monastery, he gave them to the abbot.
At last, he was able to spend four years completely alone, as he desired. But so many disciples came to him to learn to live the life of a monk that he had to start a new monastery for them. Before long, he was put in charge of all the monks in Palestine.
Sometimes Sabas was sent to the emperor on important Church affairs. Even then, he wore his poor cloth habit and kept to his hours of prayer. St. Sabas died in 532.
St. Sabas was a very prayerful person. He went out of his way to keep in touch with God. If we feel the noise of distractedness and anxiousness inside, we can say a prayer to St. Sabas. He’ll help us be peaceful and calm so that we can hear God’s voice.
- Daughters of St Paul
