Post #6459

At these words the prefect of the city, named Calpurnius, exclaimed: “You, oh prince, are seduced by a false doctrine! This deceiver has blown your mind. And how will we leave the religion of our ancestors, which we have received since the cradle, to embrace such a vile and unknown sect?”. The seditious reply of the prefect made Claudius fear a rebellion against him, and a foolish fear took possession of the soul that a short time before had seen the grace that stimulated him to convert; sacrificing his salvation to such vile human respect, he stifled all his feelings and handed Valentine to the prefect, telling him: "Listen to him with patience, and if you don't recognize that his doctrine is right, judge him according to the laws of the empire." Then Calpurnius handed over Valentine to Asterius, the judge, to start a trial, with the promise that if he won and managed to humiliate the priest he would be rewarded with gold and silver. Asterius, who had witnessed the truths announced by Valentine, since that opportunity presented itself to him, wanted to have the pleasure of speaking to him personally and attempting all possible tricks to make the venerable priest's faith shake. He therefore made him entertain at his house and the Saint entered it, raising his eyes and hands to heaven, knelt down and began to pray: "My Lord Jesus Christ, Creator and Redeemer of mankind, who are the true light and rest of we miserable pilgrims, with the light of Your faith enlighten the minds of those who live in this house, so that they may know you, Oh Lord, who together with the Father and the Holy Spirit live for ever and ever ”. Asterius, hearing this prayer, said: “I admire that, being you esteemed man of such good sense, you consider your Christ as true light. Oh if you only knew what compassion I feel in seeing you lying in such errors!”. “I am wrong! - the Saint exclaimed - Know, Asterius, that the more I am in error, that indeed nothing is truer than this truth, that is, that my Jesus, and Savior of the world, Who deigned to become man for us, let Him be the true light, which illuminates whoever comes into the world”. “If this is true - continued Asterius, almost laughing - I want to give it a try. I have a daughter, dearly loved, who has been blind for many years: if you arrange for your Christ to restore her lost sight, I promise you to become a Christian with my whole family”. “Come on then - answered the Saint - let her come to my presence!”. The father requested to take his daughter and Valentine, as soon as he saw her, whining and shedding tears, raised his eyes to heaven made the sign of the Cross over the eyes of the girl, and said: "My Lord Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, that you have restored sight to a man born blind, and want the salvation of all men, deign to hear the prayer of this poor sinner, and heal this poor girl. You who are the true light, and the Lord of all principles, I invoke You so that not mine but Your eternal will be fulfilled" and so saying he placed his hands over the eyes of the girl, continuing:" Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten this your creature, because You alone are the true light”. He did not even finish the prayer, which the girl immediately recovered her sight. At this miracle, Asterius threw himself at the Saint's feet, and prayed to him for Jesus Christ, who had enlightened his daughter, to order him what he should do to save his own soul. Then Valentine replied: "If you believe from the heart, you must do what I tell you: break all the idols into a thousand pieces, fast, receive Baptism and you will be saved". After three days of intense catechism and instruction in holy doctrine, Valentine baptized Asterius with his whole family on Sunday, and called Bishop Callixtus, he had them confirmed, in all 44 people. Thirty days spent all together giving praise to the Lord, and establishing themselves more and more in the embraced faith.