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Saints Donatien et Rogatien par P. Potet (1850) en la crypte de la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

BROTHERLY CONCORD. -Donatian and Rogatian belonged to one of the most illustrious families of Nantes (France). Donatian, the younger of the two, was the first converted to Christianity, and, after his conversion, which he did not cease publicly to avow, he solicited his friends and relatives to imitate his example. Rogatian, his elder brother, who loved him tenderly, allowed himself to be gained over. In this conjuncture was issued the edict of Diocletian, ordering the governors of provinces to persecute the Christians, in order to make them renounce their faith. Rogatian had not as yet received baptism, and the bishop was no longer at hand, either because he had sought a place of refuge, or possibly because the governor had thrown him into confinement. Rogatian proclaimed himself a Christian notwithstanding, in the hope that the pouring out of his blood might stand in stead of baptism. He followed his brother to prison, and with him manfully sustained the supreme trial of faith in the midst of cruel torments. They were stretched upon the rack, torn with pincers, pierced with swords, and finally beheaded. Their martyrdom was accomplished towards the year 303.

MORAL REFLECTION. -"Three things are pleasing unto God and mau," says the Sage,-" concord among brethren, the love of parents, and the union of husband and wife."-(Eccles. xxv. 1, 2.)

"On this day the Church honours the B. V. Mary, under the special title of the Help of Christians. The faithful have often experienced in wonderful ways the help of the holy Mother of God in defeating the enemies of religion. It was after the celebrated victory over the Turks in the battle of Lepanto, miraculously obtained through the intercession of the B. Virgin, that the pope, St. Pius V. ordered those words, Help of Christians, to be inserted in the Litany of Loretto.

But in more recent times, when Pope Pius VII. had been kept a close prisoner for upwards of five years, and deprived of all means of exercising his sublime commission to govern tho Church of God, he was suddenly and unexpectedly restored to his pontifical throne. And being soon after obliged to fly from new troubles, he was a second time happily restored, to the great joy of the whole Church. The holy pontiff always attributed these remarkable events to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose help he had himself continually invoked, and had particularly recommended the faithful to implore. Therefore to perpetuate the memory of these distinguished favours, and to keep alive a grateful sense of them in the minds of all the faithful, the same Pope Pius VII. appointed a feast to be kept on this day in honour of the ever Blessed Virgin Mother of God, under the particular title and character of the Help of Christians.

While you celebrate this festival with a grateful sense of the benefits received by the faithful in every age of the Church, through the patronage of the B. Virgin, fail not to cast yourselves with confidence at her sacred feet, and beg her favourable intercession for yourselves also. She wants neither the power nor the will to assist all by her patronage and intercession. She is full of kindness and mercy, full of mildness and compassion towards all. Through her the sick and infirm may obtain relief, and the sorrowful consolation. She will procure pardon for the penitent sinner, grace and perseverance for the just. All therefore may pray for her intercession, and hope to obtain help through her patronage. And more especially on this festival are all encouraged to honour the holy Mother of God, and fly to her patronage as the powerful Help of Christians." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother