February 4
Theophilus the Penitent
Bishop
Practical advice
Today, in the presence of God, prepare well for a conversation in which you must guide someone and also take care of the small details.
Biography
Saint Theophilus the Penitent The miracle of Theophilus is evoked in numerous medieval stained glass windows and great writers of the time told his story, such as Ruteboeuf and Roswita. The new bishop of Adana, Türkiye, had removed Theophilus from his position as treasurer of that church. As he was reduced to begging, he decided to call the devil to take revenge. He accepted the deal in exchange for signing a document in which he renounced the Lord and the Virgin. As soon as he had signed, Theophilus repented of his sin. For forty years, he fasted and prayed, begging Our Lady to bring him the document. Finally one Saturday morning when he woke up, Teófilo found the paper on his chest. The next morning, when the faithful were at mass, they saw their former treasurer arrive with the document in his hand. The bishop read it to the assembly and everyone gave thanks to God. From then on Theophilus lived virtuously. He died in a chapel dedicated to Our Lady where he used to pray.