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Our Patroness / Church History |
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To contact us: |
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Phone: 630.393.2400 |
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Copyright 2009, Diocese of Joliet, All Rights Reserved |
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St. Irene Catholic Community of Faith |
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Our Parish Patroness Saint Irene Who is St. Irene? Irene means “Peace”. This is why our parish logo is the “Dove of Peace”. The dove carries an olive branch, a symbol of peace. After the flood, Noah set a dove forth to discover if the flood had subsided. From the ark, this dove continually returned with an olive branch in its mouth. God’s covenant with his people was renewed after the flood. Around 304 AD, Irene and her sisters Agape and Chionia were brought before the governor of Macedonia, Dulcitius, on a charge of their refusal to eat meat which had been sacrificed to the gods. When asked why they refused, they replied that this strange new idea of theirs came “from Our Lord Jesus Christ”. Dulcitius had also learned that Irene had kept Christian books in her possession, instead of giving them up as the law required. When brought to the governor, Irene stated that they had fled with the books to the mountains. She would not implicate others saying that she alone knew where the books were hidden. When released she hid the books and so was arrested, stripped and placed naked in a brothel. None would touch her, so was once again to conform to the Law. She refused and was sentenced to death. Like her sisters, who refused once again to eat defiled meat, she was ordered to be burned to death. The books and the Sacred Scriptures were confiscated and also burned. Those other women were also charged. One, who was pregnant, was reprimanded for being pregnant. A man was also charged. The record does not show the fate of these four Christians. Her Feast Day is April 3, the day she found peace in Christ. |
