St. Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus converted and became a saint.
St. Longinus is the centurion who pierced the side of Our Lord Jesus while He was hanging on the Cross. St. Longinus, who was nearly blind, was healed when some of the blood and water from Jesus fell into his eyes. It was then he exclaimed, “Indeed, this was the Son of God!” [Mark 15:39].
St. Longinus then converted, Left the army, took instruction from the apostles, and became a monk in Cappadocia. There he was arrested for his faith, his teeth forced out and tongue cut off. However, St. Longinus miraculously continued to speak clearly and managed to destroy several idols in the presence of the governor.
The governor, who was made blind by the demons that came from the idols, had his sight restored when St. Longinus was being beheaded because his blood came in contact with the governors’ eyes.
His Lance is contained in one of the four pillars over the altar in the Basilica.
St. Longinus, Pray for us!
PRAYER TO THE WOUND IN THE SACRED SIDE
Act of Contrition (traditional)
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
TO THE WOUND IN THE SACRED SIDE
Holy wound in the side of my Jesus! I adore
thee. My Jesus, I compassionate thee in the cruel
insults which thou didst suffer. I thank thee for the
love whereby thou didst let them cleave thy breast
and heart, that so the last drops of blood and water
might issue forth, and my redemption overflow.
I offer to the eternal Father this outrage, and the love
of thy most holy humanity, that into that most loving
heart, eager and ready to receive the greatest sinners,
my poor soul may enter once for all, and never
more depart.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father…
Holy mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
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Very well written. He is the Alpha of all Christian converts. His story tempts me to believe that our conversion is by compulsion. When we impale Christ, He compels us to conversion. St. Longinus impaled Him to the death. He compelled St. Longinus to the death. What a love story!