Welcome to the traditional Catholic daily devotional.

Today's Monday, February 17th, 2025, a faria, a fourth-class feast with a color of violet.

In this episode, the meditation, the dignity of the divine maternity, a preview of the sermon, the vice of sloth,

today's news from the church, the last days of the Rosa

mystical medical mission, and today's thought from Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. But first the

collect of today's Mass, O Lord, we beseech thee, graciously hear the prayers of thy people,

that we who are justly punished for our sins may be mercifully delivered for the glory of thy name.

Let's go back to the year 447, when Flavian was elected patriarch of Constantinople.

It should have been an honor, but it quickly became a battle. In those days, the emperor held great

sway over the church affairs, which was not seen as something unseemly.

There was no separation of church and state.

And so along comes the Emperor's favorite person, Cressapheus, demanding a bribe.

Flavian refused.

Then came a far greater threat, a monk named Utiquis, who denied that Christ had two

natures, both divine and human. Flavian condemned the heresy, but Utakis had powerful friends.

So, in 449, only two years into his new patriarchate, an illegitimate council was called in Ephesus,

later known as the Robber Council.

It wasn't a gathering of bishops. It was a complete takeover. Soldiers filled the hall.

Threats hung in the air, and Flavian's voice was silenced. When he appealed to the Pope, the fury of

his enemies exploded. Diascorus, the patriarch of Alexandria, struck him down.

The elderly Flavian was beaten and kicked until he could barely stand.

Then exiled and wounded, he died three days later.

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