Saint Rigobert, Archbishop of Rheims
by VP
Posted on Sunday January 04, 2026 at 12:50AM in Saints
Saint Ribogert was born of illustrious parents, and in his youth entered the monastic life. The modesty of his life, his piety, and the simplicity of his manners, caused him to be nominated Archbishop of Rheims, which was his native town, on the death of Archbishop Reolus, during the old age of whom the Church of Rheims had lapsed into a very bad state. Piety had languished, Vice predominated, and both the clerics and the people seemed to be running wild when Rigobert was raised to the See. But he, by exhorting, by correcting, and by punishing the people, succeeded in bringing them to better manners.
Gaul was at this time governed by Pepin, for whom the Saint always showed great respect. One day, when King Pepin came to hunt in a wood near Rheims, the Archbishop sent him a present, and the King, turning to 'his friends, praised him to them, and then requested to ask what he would, and it should be given him. The Archbishop, with great modesty, asked only for the gift of a house in which he might exercise the cure of souls, and incite them to good works. The King was vexed that he had not asked for more, and told him he would give him with the house as much land as he could walk round while the King was at dinner. Rigobert accordingly walked round the land, and wherever his feet trod fresh grass was always afterwards to be seen, which was never injured, by summer's -heat or winter's storms.
But ; after the death of Pepin, Charles Martel, his son, treated the good Archbishop; who had baptized him, very badly, because when a great contest arose between Charles and a certain lord about the position of Mayor of the Palace, and they both went to the different towns to solicit votes, Rigobert. would not allow Charles to enter Rheims. Charles was furious, and after he had gained his cause, he drove the Archbishop from his See.
It happened one day that as Saint Rigobert was walking with his boy, he met a courtier of Charles Martel, who gave him a goose as a present. The boy took it in his arms to carry it home, but it escaped and flew away; The Archbishop laughed, but before he reached his house, the bird Hew back into the arms of the boy, Saint Rigobert, however, would not allow it to be killed. Saint Rigobert died in the year 773, and many miracles were wrought at his tomb.
Source: Saints of the order of St. Benedict
St. Titus
by VP
Posted on Sunday January 04, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
GOOD EXAMPLE. -St. Titus, the disciple of St. Paul, and one of the first-fruits of the great Apostle's victories, accompanied him through his evangelical wanderings, sharing with him his toils and perils. He was present with him at the first General Council, held in Jerusalem in the fifty-first year of the Christian era, and followed his master to Ephesus, whence the Apostle sent him to Corinth, towards the end of the year 56, to appease the discord and the troubles which afflicted the bosom of the infant Church. From Corinth St. Titus went to rejoin St. Paul at Troad, a town in Macedonia; he accompanied St. Paul to Rome, returning with him, subsequently, to the East. Then it was, in the year 63, that the great Apostle placed him as bishop, in Crete. Titus did not, however, remain constantly there; for we find him, later on, at Nicopolis and in Dalmatia, ever intent upon spreading a knowledge of the Gospel. It is, however, believed that he returned to his diocese after the martyrdom of St. Paul, remained there for the rest of his days, and died at a very advanced age.
MORAL REFLECTION. -If it be not vouchsafed to us to fashion our lives on the apostolic model of St. Titus, let us at least endeavour to reduce to practice the counsel given him by the great Apostle: "In all things show yourself an example of good works; in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity."-(Titus ii. 7.) Pictorial half hours with the saints by Abbe Auguste François Lecanu
St. Genevieve, Patron of Paris, France
by VP
Posted on Saturday January 03, 2026 at 03:00AM in Saints
"IN RETURN FOR EVIL, DO GOOD. -Genevieve was born about 422, at a village in the environs of Paris, called Nanterre. St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre, passing near the spot while Genevieve was as yet a child, discerning her in the midst of the pressing crowd, asked her whether she desired to dedicate herself to God's service, and with his own hands invested her with the insignia of the religious life. The youthful virgin made such rapid progress in piety, that the inhabitants of the country grew accustomed to regard her as a saint. But later on, their homage was converted into scoffing, and they treated her most evident virtues as hypocrisy. St. Germain once more came to her aid, and publicly demonstrated the reality of her virtues. At a subsequent period, Genevieve herself afforded the highest proofs thereof by twice saving Paris: on the first occasion by her prayers, when Attila, king of the Huns, at the head of an armed host, was threatening its destruction, and again, by providing the citizens with food, when Merovée, king of the Francs, was besieging it. Genevieve died in 512, and is invoked by Paris as its patron saint.
MORAL REFLECTION. -Never to allow oneself to be
discouraged by the ingratitude and injustice of men; persecution is the
crucible wherein the gold of virtue is refined. "All that will live
godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution."-(2 Tim. iii. 12.)" Pictorial half hours with the saints By Abbe Auguste François Lecanu 1865
Saint Sylvester, Pope and Confessor, A.D. 335
by VP
Posted on Wednesday December 31, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
"ST. SYLVESTER was bishop of Rome: pray for his present successor, that inheriting his virtues, he may with a like fidelity take care of his flock.
It was in his time that the Church, after three hundred years of persecution, was restored to peace, by the command of the Emperor Constantine the Great; who destroyed the temples of the idols, ordered churches to be everywhere built to the living God. Pray for the peace of the Church, and the propagation of its faith among heathens and unbelievers; that idolatry being destroyed, the name of God may be sanctified in all nations of the earth.
It was under him that Arius was condemned by the Fathers assembled at the General Council of Nicaea, for denying the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. These holy Fathers declared what had been received from the apostles, that the Son was consubstantial with the Father, and God equal with Him. Pray against the like errors of this unbelieving age, in which, under the Christian name, are promoted all the blasphemies of Arius and Socinus. Pray that God would make their abettors sensible of their errors, and preserve all Christians from their poison.
If Christ be God, honour and obedience are due to His law and where these are not, there is not that faith which God requires. Yet this is the faith in which too many Christians rest. The desire of satisfying their own passions excludes self-denial; courting the world leaves no place for humility, and the love of ease prevents them from stooping to the labours of the Gospel. These are the errors which call upon all to pray that God would revive the primitive spirit; whereby all may labour to manifest in themselves the life of Christ.
Pray for yourself, that as with this day we end the year, so you may put an end to all your former method, in which you have regarded the world and yourselves more than God. Ask pardon for all your past ingratitude, and beg now grace, that with the year may end all its disorders." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer to St. Silvester: "Supreme Pastor of the Church of Christ, you lend to
the beauty of the holy Octave of Christmas the lustre of your glorious
merits. There you worthily represent the countless choir of Confessors,
for you steered the barque of Peter after the three hundred years’
tempest, leading her with watchful love in her first hours of calm. The
pontifical Diadem reflecting Heaven in its gems sits on your venerable
brow. The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are in your hands. You opened it
for the admission of the Gentiles who embraced the faith of Christ. You
shut it against the Arians in that august Council of Nicaea where you
presided by your Legates, and to which you gave authority, by confirming
it with your apostolic approbation. The furious storms will again soon
rage against the Church, and the angry billows of heresy will beat
against her. You will then be in the bosom of God but together with
Saint Peter you will keep guard over the purity of the Faith of Rome.
You will support Julius. You will rescue Liberius and Athanasius, aided
by your prayers, will find a shelter within the walls of Rome. Under
your peaceful reign Christian Rome receives the reward of her
long-endured persecution. She is acknowledged as Queen of Christendom,
and her empire becomes the sole empire that is universal. The son of
your pastoral zeal, Constantine, leaves the city of Romulus which has
now become the City of Peter. The Imperial majesty would be eclipsed by
that greater one of the Vicar of Christ. He makes Byzantium his capital,
leaving Rome to be that of the Pontiff-King. The temples of the false
gods become ruins, and make room for the Christian Basilicas in which are
enshrined the Relics of the Apostles and Martyrs. In a word, the Church
has triumphed over the Prince of this world, and the victory is
typified by the destruction of that Dragon which infected the air by its
poisonous breath.
Honored with all these wonderful
prerogatives, saintly Vicar of Christ, forget not the Christian people
which was once your flock. It asks you, on this your Feast, to make it
known and love the mystery of the birth of Jesus. By the sublime Symbol
which embodies the Faith of Nicaea and which you confirmed and
promulgated throughout the whole Church, you have taught us to
acknowledge this sweet Infant as God of God, Light of Light, begotten
not made, consubstantial to the Father. You bid us to come and adore
this little child as He by whom all things were made. Holy Confessor of
Christ, I vouchsafe to present us to Him, as the Martyrs have done, whose
Feasts have filled up the days since His Nativity. Pray to Him for us
that our desires for true virtue may be fulfilled, that we may persevere
in his Holy love, that we may conquer the world and our passions, and
at length, that we may obtain the crown of justice which is to be the
reward of our Confessing Him before men, and is the only object of our
ambition.
Pontiff of Peace, from the abode of rest where you
now dwell, look down on the Church of God, surrounded as she is by
implacable enemies, and beseech Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to hasten
her triumph. Cast your eye on that Rome, which is so dear to you and
which is so faithful in her love of you. Protect and direct her Pontiff.
May she triumph over the wiles of political intrigue, the violence of
tyranny, the craft of heretics, the perfidy of schismatics, the apathy
of worldlings, and the cowardice of her own children. May she be
honored, loved and obeyed. May the sublime dignity of the Priesthood be
recognized. May the spiritual power enjoy freedom of action. May the
civil authority work hand and hand with the Church. May the Kingdom of
God now come and be received throughout the whole world, and may there
be but one Fold and one Shepherd.
Still watch, O holy
Sylvester, over the sacred treasure of the Faith, which you defended
when on Earth, against every danger. May its light put out the vapors of
man’s proud dreams, those false and daring doctrines which mislead
countless souls. May every mortal bow down his understanding to the
obedience of faith in the divine Mysteries, without which all human
wisdom is but folly. May Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Mary, be King,
by His Church, over the minds and hearts of all men. Pray for Byzantium
that was once called the New Rome, but which so soon became the capital
of heresies and the scene of everything that could degrade a Christian
country. Pray that the days of her deep humiliation may be shortened;
that she may again see herself united with Rome; that she may honor
Christ and his Vicar; that she may obey, and by her obedience be saved.
May the people, misled and debased by her influence and rule, recover
their dignity as men, which can only subsist when men have faith, or be
regained by a return to the faith.
And lastly, O Conqueror of
Satan, keep this hellish monster in the prison to which you drove him.
Confound his pride and his schemes. Let him no longer seduce the people
of God’s Earth, but may all the children of the Church, according to the
word of Peter, your predecessor, resist him by the strength of their
faith."
St. Sabinus and companions, Martyrs, A.D, 304.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday December 30, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
"St. Sabinus was bishop of Spoletum, and in the persecution of Maximian was seized by Venustianus, president of the city, and for breaking an image of Jupiter, which he was commanded to adore, had his hands immediately cut off, and then was cast into prison, where he was supported by the charity of a pious widow. His two deacons, Marcellus and Exuperantius, were scourged, beaten with clubs, and torn with iron nails or broad tenter hooks, under which torments they both expired. Venustianus, being afterwards miraculously healed of a violent distemper in his eyes, by the holy bishop, became a Christian; and being baptized with his wife and children, they were soon after put to death by the emperor's order, and Sabinus beaten with staves till he expired.
Thus are you encouraged to suffer in the service of your God. If you have not the persecutor to threaten you with the sword,
you have an enemy at least, who offers you idols to adore. He offers
many; and while you express your abhorrence against some, is there not
any one to which you are more favourable? To adore only one, is enough to be an
idolater. What if it be company, drink, or money? What if a sensual friend, the courted world, or our own admired self? There may be idolatry enough in any one of these; and it is too likely to be so with you, if, like this prelate, you do not violence to the idol, or to yourself, if not by breaking, at least by separation. See what it cost him: think not of escaping, if you expect to do so without pain or trouble: you will never be a conqueror, if you are afraid of hurting yourself. How powerfully do the martyrs
cry out to us by their example, exhorting us to despise a false and
wicked world! A soul can find no rest in creatures. How long then shall
we suffer ourselves to be seduced by them? Let the light of heaven, and the truths of the gospel shine upon us, and the illusions of the world and our senses will disappear." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
St. Thomas of Canterbury, B.M. A.D. 1170.
by VP
Posted on Monday December 29, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
"St. Thomas was archbishop of Canterbury. Pray for all bishops of Christ's Church, that they may have a true zeal and piety answerable to their charge.
He was forced into banishment, where he lived a great example of all virtue. Neither could the sufferings of his relations, or any considerations of flesh and blood, move him to yield in the least point of his duty for their relief. Pray that you may make the like good use of all kinds of suffering. Pray for constancy in all your duties, and that no human respects may ever prevail on you to do an injury to your conscience.
As a good shepherd, St. Thomas gave his life for his sheep, being barbarously murdered in his own cathedral at vespers. Pray that all prelates and pastors may largely partake of this apostolic spirit, in giving their study and care, their labours and whole lives for their flock: that living in a perpetual renunciation of private interest, satisfaction, and ease, for the good of their flock, they may be thus prepared for the same to surrender their lives.
The principal occasion of this prelate's sufferings, was the opposition which he made to King Henry II. by refusing to subscribe to laws which he judged injurious to the Church; and which he could not approve without betraying the trust reposed in him, as supreme pastor of the Church in this kingdom. This drew upon him the anger of his king: and foreseeing the mischiefs which were likely to ensue, he chose a voluntary banishment, and retired. He esteemed it more becoming his character to expose himself to all the hazards and inconveniences of such a retirement, and his king's displeasure, than comply with what was unjust. His constancy, resolution, and courage are to be admired; and leave an instruction, not only to pastors, but to all others, of whatever degree, to enter into the serious consideration of whatever charge they undertake. That being convinced of its obligations, they may be faithful in the discharge of them, without ever letting either the apprehension of the displeasure of others, or the consideration of their own ease or interest, prevail on them to be false to their trust. This is the duty of justice; and whatever a Christian suffers on this score, is suffering for justice sake, such as the Gospel enjoins, and encourages with the promise of an everlasting reward.
Here then every Christian has the opportunity, without the cruelty of a tyrant or persecutor, of living and dying a martyr: and it is the want of this courage and fidelity which cuts so many off from all hopes of a crown. And though such as are in the highest posts have the more difficult trials, yet trials are not wanting in every degree, which are still difficult. For there is no condition of human life, which has not certain rules and limits for its direction, such as duty and justice prescribe, and which entitle the observers to the character of just.
Princes have these rules in regard to their people; popes, bishops,
priests, and religious, have them with reference to their charge; so
have all magistrates, and all in office; so have husbands and wives,
parents and children, masters and servants, buyers and sellers; in fine, there is no state of life that is not subject to them. Now though these rules admit of a great latitude, according to circumstances; yet common sense and experience are generally a sufficient light to every one's conscience, to shew that there are frequent temptations to offend against these rules, sometimes by not coming up to them, and at other times by transgressing or going beyond them. In all this, the corruptions of our nature and of the world act their part, and are ever seeking to prevail on human weakness, to have more regard to them, than to the rules prescribed. Here is then the trial of all Christians, as lasting as their lives: here is the opportunity of suffering for justice; here is the dependence which they have on God for His grace, whereby they are to be enabled to suffer on this account.." The Catholic Year by Rev. John Gother
Holy Innocents, Martyrs
by VP
Posted on Sunday December 28, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
The Massacre of the Innocents Angelo Visconti (1829–1861)
These were the first victims of Jesus Christ. Offer yourself a sacrifice to Him, who was born to become a sacrifice for you. If your life be not in danger from the cruelty of enemies, be your own spiritual executioner, by dying to all that is contrary to the law of God. Thus will you become the victim of Christ; and this you are to pray for this day.
In these Holy Innocents, you see the fury of their enemies become the means of making them eternally happy. Pray that you may make this good use of whatever you suffer and remember that suffering, joined with innocence, is the way of the Gospel and of Christ, and such as leads to glory.
These children were cut off in the state of innocence. A day proper for all parents to pray for their children, that God would preserve them in their innocence, and rather take them out of this world, in that state of security, than permit them to grow up, if He foresees that they will take to evil ways, and be rebels against Him.
In these first victims of Christ, who were murdered by Herod, the Church honours persecuted and oppressed innocence, gives thanks for their glory, and teaches all the faithful that whatever malice God permits the wicked to exercise against the just, it is for the good of those who suffer it. So that to wonder at the sufferings of the innocent, is the effect of very weak reasoning, such as does not understand the conduct of Almighty God. For very often there is no other reason why He permits them to suffer than because they are innocent. This consideration ought to moderate in Christians all excesses of grief and disquiet, when they are under any kind of affliction. For as the malice of persecutors has been the advantage of the martyrs, who, if they had suffered less, would have been less glorious; so every occasion of trouble, if submitted to with patience, may be as the seed of glory. It may not be the scourge of anger, but the mercy of a loving father, designing by such steps to exercise and perfect His children, for obtaining an eternal rest. This is a lesson which these suffering innocents give to all Christians; and an encouragement to wait with patience under all the appointments of God, in hopes of the recompense which he has promised.
But these murdered
innocents give a more particular instruction to all parents; that while
they detest this barbarous fact in Herod, they would be careful to
secure their children against his cruelty, to which they are too often
exposed, not from the hand of Herod,
but by their proving Herods to their own children, and letting them
fall a sacrifice, not to their cruelty, but to their unnatural
carelessness and neglect. And this is often occasioned by the excessive fondness of parents, who ever humouring their children, lose by degrees their authority over them, and make them insensible of any duty commanded. And from this guilt none of those parents can be exempt, who observing any passion or ill
custom in their children, take no care to correct it. Neither can they
be excused who are so indulgent as to favour them in all their humours
and desires, who will see no fault in them themselves, and even shew
displeasure at those who would do this friendly part to them. For all
this is a mistaken love, and a real cruelty; being the direct
way to bring children to pride, obstinacy, passion, and self-love,
which when grown up with them, must cost them infinite labour to
overcome; and if not overcome, will prove their ruin. Parents thus indiscreetly fond of their children, are almost in as great danger of being Herods to them, as those who are in the other extreme of wholly neglecting them. Wherefore, as the obligation of parents is so great, and their task so difficult, they ought on this day particularly to beg the assistance of God for their help and direction, and also to make this the subject of their daily prayers, that as many as they bring into this world, they may likewise bring forth to salvation." The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church By Rev.John GOTHER 1861
Prayer of Parents for their Children:
O Heavenly Father, I commend my children unto Thee. Be Thou their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is wanting in me, through frailty or negligence. Strengthen them to overcome the corruptions of the world, to resist the solicitations of evil, whether from within or without; and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy. Pour Thy grace into their hearts, and confirm and multiply in them the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and so, faithfully serving Thee here, may come to rejoice before Thee hereafter; through the merits of the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth. Amen. The Garden of the Soul [by Bishop Challoner]. A Manual of Devotion 1874
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
by VP
Posted on Saturday December 27, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
Last Supper, Juan de Juanes
"Saint John having been the most beloved disciple of Jesus, and having loved to repose on the bosom of his divine Master; we may well study on this his festival, how to regulate our love of creatures, so that we may never be separated by them from the love of our Creator and Redeemer. Though we have permitted us in this life, the use of creatures; though they are allowed in their due degree and the being pleased with them cannot be separated from that use which is permitted; yet to love them is dangerous, and exposes the soul to the hazard of resting on them instead of on Christ. It is, therefore, a nice point to use and enjoy creatures and the goods of this life, and yet not to love them; at least, not so as to prejudice that love and rest which we ought to have in Christ. Yet thus it ought to be, because we are not to transgress the eternal decrees of God; who having given all creatures for our use and convenience, allows us not to give our hearts to them, but has reserved these for himself.
There is no less difficulty on the other side, as to things that displease us. For though we are here in this life exposed to variety of necessities; though we see ourselves destitute of all human comfort; though we suffer loss of goods and friends; though we see the world armed against us; though there be a succession of evils attending our whole lives; yet it is not allowed us, under the oppression of the most weighty afflictions, to lose our comfort and rest in Christ, but in His breast we are ever to repose. Those are the conditions for obtaining the love of Jesus, hard enough to our corrupt nature, and yet not to be dispensed with.
While all pretend to this love, how few are solicitous to put themselves in the dispositions of being capable of it? Only those, who keep that guard upon their hearts, as not to admit of any such excess, in things that either please or displease them, as to let love or fear, content or trouble, take them from the sacred breast of their Redeemer. And now, if the breasts of all were to be this day laid open, is it not to be feared that there would be very few, whose hearts would be found thus resting in Jesus? We are placed in this world for the gaining a better; we have the use of creatures allowed us, and we too often let these so occupy our hearts, as to leave but little place for the love of our eternal good. We pervert them into the occasions of sin, and make them instruments of our exclusion from the sight of God.
It is the remedy of this abuse that we are to pray for this day, that no concern for what is created, may take place of our Creator. God must be the principal object of our love: other things are to be loved only for Him, or in Him. Whenever any affection, though of things
most innocent and lawful, arises to that degree, as to take off our
concern from God and his commandments, all such love is injurious to our
greater interest, and we cannot truly say that we rest in Christ. God
likewise is to be the principal object of our fear and whenever we indulge our trouble so far, as to remove all fear of losing God, all such trouble is immoderate and sinful; and cannot be permitted, but by forsaking the resting-place of this apostle. How very apprehensive then ought Christians to be of these growing passions; for playing with them is jesting with eternity. To pray for the love of Jesus, and not to labour in cutting off the occasions of these
passions, is to run from Jesus, and yet pray that they may come to Him.
Teach us then, O blessed Redeemer, so to regulate all our affections,
that neither the love of what we possess, nor the trouble for what we want, may ever arise to such excess, as to separate us from thee." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Stephen, The First Martyr.
by VP
Posted on Friday December 26, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
"He was the first of the deacons chosen by the apostles; and the Scripture says that he was full of faith and the Holy Ghost. Pray that all those who are chosen to any ministry in the Church may be men of this character, and blessed with these gifts, for on this depends the good of the Church, and of innumerable souls.
A supernatural wisdom, and the Spirit of God, directed St. Stephen in all his disputes with the enemies of his faith. Pray for the same heavenly assistance, both for yourself and all others, as often as charity to your neighbour and duty to truth shall oblige to the like engagements: and remember that patience and moderation best become the advocates of truth.
He bore with the malice of his adversaries with a wonderful courage: pray that this may be a pattern to you and all others, when called to any part of these trials.
St. Stephen prayed for his enemies who stoned him. Pray and endeavour that the like charity may ever accompany you, and all others, under the most severe provocations. Be constant in practicing it in ordinary trials; this is the surest way of not failing in greater.
St. Stephen having been chosen by the apostles one of the first deacons, his diligence and fidelity to his charge were edifying to the faithful. His power in working great wonders and miracles rendered him eminent to all people, so that he became the instrument of great conversions; the number of disciples multiplying very considerably in Jerusalem, and a great number of the Jewish priests becoming obedient to the faith. This zeal of his, thus happy in so plentiful a harvest of souls, gave disturbance to the enemies of his faith; and exciting their envy, led them to unwarrantable resolutions of obliging him to silence by their false reasoning; and if this should prove ineffectual, of accomplishing their designs by false accusations and malice. Here is a consoling example of a disciple's zeal, and one as terrible of blind and obstinate passion.
Whoever undertakes to be Christ's disciple, must expect opposition. Happy they, who by their zealous labours, or edifying regularity in themselves and their families, give occasion to adversaries to be jealous of them, and put them upon malicious contrivances to lessen their fame to the world, to prevent the fruit of their good example. Such as these are the sweet odour of Christ. Their piety, labours, and justice ascend like incense before him. They are blessed in what they do, and more blessed still in what they suffer; being in both true followers of their Master, whose character is comprised in these few words, of doing good to all, and suffering evil from all with patience.
St. Stephen being brought by false accusations before the tribunal, with great courage and liberty of spirit, gave an account of his faith: but neither the evidence of miracles nor reason could satisfy those, who thirsted not for truth, but for his blood. Therefore seeing themselves disappointed, they hurry him with violence out of Jerusalem, and there discharge their malice against him, by stoning him to death. And as, a little before his execution, he had the comfort of seeing Heaven open before him, and Jesus standing at the right hand of his Father; so now he gives proof of being his disciple, by praying for those who stoned him. They had malice in their hearts; and he, perfect charity in his: they threw stones and death at him; he sent up prayers to heaven for them: he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge, and so expired.
This was the wonderful charity of this first martyr. It is this, for which the Church prays on this festival, and it ought to be the subject of every one's prayer in particular. Bow down, therefore, before your God this day: acknowledge all your past transgressions in the breach of charity;
and leave not your prayers, till you have obtained a new spirit, by
which you may ever live in peace with all, forgiving all injuries, as
you desire to be forgiven. Beg this spirit of Jesus, and beseech this martyr to join with you, for obtaining what you ask on this day, on which he set you so great an example." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Servulus, Confessor, A.D. 590.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday December 23, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
"He was a poor man in Rome, who from his infancy was afflicted with the palsy, and was never able to stand, sit upright, lift his hand to his mouth, or turn himself from one side to another. His mother and brother carried him every day to the porch of St. Clement's church at Rome, where he subsisted by the charitable alms of those that passed by. The charity of this beggar was very remarkable, in his distributing every day to other poor persons, whatever he received above what satisfied the necessities of the day. He only saved so much as served to purchase a copy of the Holy Scriptures; in which, though ignorant of other things, he was well instructed, by requesting such as came to visit him to read to him. The sufferings and humiliation of his condition were a means, of which he made an excellent use for the sanctification of his own soul, by the constant exercise of humility, patience, meekness, resignation, and penance. He consecrated his time by assiduously singing humns of praise and thanksgiving to God; and his continual pains were so far from dejecting or distracting him, that they proved a most pressing motive for raising his mind to God with greater ardour
Having lived many years in this method, and in the practice of cheerful patience, St. Servulus perceived his end to draw near. In his last moments, he desired the poor and pilgrims, who had often shared his charity, to sing sacred hymns and psalms by him. Whilst he joined his voice with theirs, he on a sudden eried out: "Silence! Do you not hear the sweet melody and praises which resound in the heavens ?" Soon after he had spoken these words, he expired; and God attested his sanctity by filling the room with a sweet odour, which continued till he was buried.
Learn the great advantage that may be made of sickness, pain, and poverty. By the good use of these,
this saint made his way to heaven: and will not he rise in judgment
against you for your impatience in lesser trials, and the ill use of your
time, health and money? See how much with your plenty and health, you
are behind him who had neither; and hasten to atone for your past ill
management." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
