Megabit 26 — April 04

Eupraxia, the Girl Who Gave Her Heart to Jesus

Eupraxia (say it: yoo-PRAX-ee-uh) was a little girl from a rich and important family in the city of Rome. When she was only nine years old, she traveled with her mother all the way to the land of Egypt.

In Egypt they stayed at a quiet house where women lived together to pray and love God. Women who give their whole lives to God this way are called nuns. They ate simple food and spent their days singing to God. Eupraxia loved it there so much that she did not want to leave. She told her mother, "I want to give my whole life to Jesus." Her mother was glad. She gave her things to people who were poor and stayed beside her daughter.

Later a king named Honorius wanted Eupraxia to leave and get married. She kindly said no, because she had already promised her heart to God. The king could hardly believe that such a young girl could be so wise and so brave.

Eupraxia loved to pray and sing, and she was gentle with everyone she met. Once she fell sick for many days, but God watched over her and made her well again. After that, He gave her a gift: when she prayed, sick people got better. She helped many, many people, and everyone loved her.

When Eupraxia was older, God gently called her home to heaven, where a place was waiting just for her. Her friends missed her, but they were glad too, because they knew she was safe and happy with the Lord she loved so much.

I have vowed myself to our Lord Jesus Christ.— Saint Eupraxia

Saint Perpeius and Saint Saraius

The Church also keeps two holy men in her heart today: Saint Perpeius and Saint Saraius. We do not have many stories about them, but their names are remembered with love. They were faithful friends of God, and we ask them to pray for us. Saraius is called "the man of God," because he gave the Lord his whole life.

The Day Jesus Washed Feet

On this day we remember something Jesus did that no one expected. Jesus is the King of everything, yet He knelt down like a servant and washed the dusty feet of His disciples, the close friends He had chosen to follow Him.

Back then, washing feet was a job for the lowest helper in the house. Jesus did it Himself, to show His friends how to love and serve one another. Then He asked them to do the same kind thing for each other.

Here is the lesson He gave us: the best way to be great is to be kind and to help others, just the way Jesus did.

Do ye also this for each other.— John 13:14

Remembering with Hope

On this day, long ago, one of Jesus' friends named Judas made a sad and wrong choice and turned away from Him. It happened just as God's prophets, the holy people He helped to see what was coming, had said it would, long before.

Even on a sad day, we hold on to hope. Jesus knew exactly what was happening, and He still chose love. Soon the best news of all would come: Jesus would rise again and open the way to heaven for us. God's love is always stronger than sadness, and He never stops loving us.