St. Lucian
by VP
Posted on Wednesday January 07, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
THE STUDY OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES . -St. Lucian, who suffered martyrdom at Nicomedia, in 312, was a native of Samosata. Having been invested from early youth with full power of disposing of his worldly goods, he distributed them to the poor, and withdrew to Edessa, to live near a holy man, called Macarius, who imbued his mind with a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and led him to the practice of the Christian virtues. Having become a priest, his time was divided between the external duties of his holy state, the performance of works of charity, and the study of sacred literature. He revised the books of the Old and New Testament, expunging the errors which, through the negligence of copyists or the malice of heretics, had been insinuated into the text; thus preparing the way for the learned St. Jerome, who shortly after was to give to the world that Latin translation known as "The Vulgate." Having been denounced as a Christian, Lucian was put in chains and condemned to the torture, which was protracted for twelve whole days. Having been visited by Christians while in prison on the day of the Epiphany, he had bread and wine brought to him, consecrated the elements, communicated, and with his dying lips pronounced the words, "I am a Christian!"
MORAL REFLECTION.-Let us strengthen ourselves by
"reading" and meditating upon the Holy Scriptures, conformably with the
counsel of the great Apostle.-(1 Tim. iv. 13.)" Pictorial Half Hour Saints by Abbe Auguste Lecanu
Blessed Father Peter Donders, Redemptorist
by VP
Posted on Tuesday January 06, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
Source: Wikipedia
"We must pray and do penance and hope in God and His Holy Mother; for
the saints say: From the day on which Christ died souls must be bought
by blood. If only, by sacrificing my own life, I could bring all people
to know and love God as He deserves. But let God's holy will be done in
all things." - Blessed Peter Donders (1809 - 1887) Quotes of the Day
"Born October 27, 1809, at Tilburg in North Brabant, was obliged to spend his boyhood in privation and self-denial. From his very early years his heart was drawn toward the priesthood. But three considerable obstacles stood in the way; viz., his parents were very poor, he had poor health, and possessed but little talent. So much the greater, therefore, were Peter's piety, his purity of morals, and his confidence in God. To help his parents he learned the weaver's trade. When he was twenty-two he was received into the boys' seminary at St. Michiels-Gastel as a servant, with permission to avail himself of whatever instruction he could get. It was no small humiliation for a student who was so much older than his fellows to be almost last in everything; but his strong will and his confidence in prayer won him the victory over all difficulties. Twice he asked admission into a religious body and was each time refused. After six years he was admitted into the priests' seminary.
Some years after his ordination to the priesthood his desire to work as a missionary in foreign lands was gratified. On September 2, 1842, he landed at Paramaribo, capital of Dutch Guiana, which mission was then in the care of Dutch secular priests. Great patience and self-sacrifice was required to protect the 4000 Catholics scattered throughout the colony from the dangers which threatened their faith and morals in consequence of their heathen environment and the enervating climate. Donders paid special attention to the young, rightly foreseeing that it is easier to protect them from vice than to reclaim them when once in its power. When yellow fever raged at Paramaribo in 1851, he won the admiration of the whole colony by his heroism, in caring for both the spiritual and the corporal welfare of the sick, nearly falling a victim of his vocation.
Batavia, a remote place in the colony, had been set apart by the government for the residence of lepers. In 1856 Donders undertook the pastoral care of this difficult post, and persevered here for thirty years, shirking no sacrifice to be all things to his poor flock and to win all to Christ. When the mission of Dutch Guiana was adopted by the Redemptorists in 1865, Donders asked to be received into the Congregation. What was denied to the young petitioner thirty years before was gladly granted to the deserving and saintly missionary. After a year of noviceship at Paramaribo he took up again his post at Batavia.
“There was never a prince, perhaps," we read in a sketch of his life, “who, crowned with fame and splendid success, entered his capital in triumph after his victories and found so great an overflow of joy and happiness as did Donders when, surrounded by his beloved lepers, he again directed his steps to his poor little church.”
He went forth to his work with renewed courage and energy. At last, seventy-seven years of age, he laid down his arms to receive, on January 6, 1887, the reward of his holy and mortified life."
Source: The Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century: Saintly Men and Women by Fr. Konstantin Kempf 1916
Saint John Neumann, Bishop (1811-1860)
by VP
Posted on Monday January 05, 2026 at 10:17AM in Saints
St. John Newmann, Holy Name Cathedral Raleigh NC. (©CAPG)
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy (by St. John Neumann)
Guard the kingdom of the Christ-loving
(Pope N), our chief bishop. Pray for the people , intercede for the
clergy, protect the consecrated virgins. Unto us all give strength
against our enemies and thine, courage to the fearful, joy to those that
mourn, peace to the contrite of heart, perseverance to the just. Let
all experience Thy protection, Virgin and Mother through whom the
nations are brought to penitence, the demons are put to flight, and they
that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death be filled with the
knowledge and love of Thy Son.
Bishop Neumann's love for the Holy Eucharist:
"In the Blessed Sacrament Bishop Neumann found the sweet object of his lively faith, his firm hope, his tender love. His devotion to Jesus hidden under the Eucharistic veils was earnest and edifying; and intense was his desire to enkindle the same among his flock. He longed for them to share largely in the rich blessings flowing from this source of grace. The best means to accomplish this lay, as he thought, in the devotion of the Forty Hours; and the thought of introducing it into his diocese, of celebrating it with all possible pomp and splendor, was one that constantly recurred to his mind. (...)
The clergy and laity alike were deeply edified at his ardent love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. For the worthy celebration of the devotion, he gladly lent his own magnificent ostensorium and his richest vestments. It was his greatest happiness to contribute in every way to the glory of his hidden God: magnificent ornaments, rare flowers, innumerable lights-all that the wealth of earth could afford or the skill of man devise he wished to lay in homage upon the altar of his Lord. Whenever it was possible, he opened the Forty Hours with Pontifical High Mass, took part in the procession, or closed the solemnities.
(...)
His Care for souls:
"As regards Protestantism, I must say that I have been undeceived. I used to think that its splitting up into innumerable forms had generated coldness and indifference; but it is not so. Their noisy preaching in the streets and public places, the obtrusiveness of those who distribute Bibles, their ridiculous prophecies respecting the Day of Judgment, etc., amaze us Catholics. If one enters a Methodist meeting-house during religious services, one might believe himself transported to the times of Elias and the priests of Baal. All are praying aloud, though not in concert. One shouts, another screams; some weep, some sing; whilst others, turning deadly pale, fall to the floor, foam at the mouth, groan as if in agony, roll about convulsively, having, as they blasphemously assert, received the Holy Ghost. It would be worth while to advise our European sceptics to attend one of these sensational meetings. They would, without doubt, carry away a belief in the existence of the devil. That the Catholic Church alone is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic is convincingly brought home to our Catholics here, for the truth enters both by eyes and ears."
Father Neumann's fervent prayers for the conversion of infidels and heretics were productive of a rich harvest of souls. God granted him the consolation of leading many a wandering sheep back to the fold. If he happened to hear of some poor apostate Catholics among the Protestants of his locality, his heart was torn with anguish, and he redoubled his prayers and penances in their behalf.
"My God, my God," he cried, "sanctify me, that I may become a fit instrument of Thy graces and mercies to the souls Thou hast confided to me! If Thou seest that success will make me vain, do not, I beseech Thee, on that account allow me to fail. Humble me in some other way, but do not punish me through my parishioners."
Sometimes his journal speaks of whole families under instruction, either for baptism or reception into the Church. Here are some lines which initiate us into the secret of his success:
"The recitation of the Rosary for my stray sheep is always productive of abundant fruit. I will redouble my zeal in this sweet and efficacious devotion."
To prayer Father Neumann united study. One of his resolutions of this period was to prepare more diligently for his sermons, hoping thereby more easily to convince heretics of the truth.
His longing for the salvation of souls was so intense that he offered himself a victim to the justice of Almighty God, being willing to suffer and die for this end."
Life of Right Rev. John N. Neumann, D.D., of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer: Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia by Rev. Fr. Johann Berger CSSR Brothers, 1884
St. Emiliana
by VP
Posted on Monday January 05, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
RESISTANCE AND OBEDIENCE TO GRACE. St. Gregory the Great had three aunts on the father's side,-Thrasilla, Emiliana, and Gordiana. All three made a vow of chastity, and devoted themselves to an ascetic life in the house of their father, the senator Gordian. Thrasilla and Emiliana having renounced the world on the same day, gave themselves up, with mutual zeal, to the practice of perfection, and made great progress in the spiritual life. Gordiana allowed the fervour of her piety gradually to tone down. Her sisters, by force of entreaties, and by lavish marks of affection towards her, were instrumental in leading her to fresh renewals of zeal; but her love of the world ended by detaching her wholly from a devout life, and inducing her to relinquish the practices of piety. Nothing further is known of her after-life. Thrasilla was first called to her reward, after having been favoured with a vision of the Pope St. Felix, her uncle, who addressed her thus: "Come! I will accompany you to the abode of glory." Shortly after, she herself appeared to Emiliana, inviting her to celebrate with her, in Heaven, the feast of the Epiphany. Emiliana, in effect, died the following day, the 5th of January, on the eve of that great festival.
MORAL REFLECTION.-Let us often keep in mind the words of our Saviour, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will sustain the one and despise the other."-(Matt. vi. 24.) Pictorial Half-Hour with the Saint by Abbe Auguste Lecanu
Saint Rigobert, Archbishop of Rheims 773 A.D.
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
