St. Leonard of Noblac, Limoges, Hermit and Abbot A.D. 559
by VP
Posted on Thursday November 06, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
THE BONDAGE OF SIN. - Leonard, one of the chief personages of the court of Clovis, and to whom this monarch had become sponsor in baptism, was so moved by the discourse and example of St. Remigius, that he relinquished the world in order to lead a more perfect life. The bishop of Rheims having trained Leonard in virtue, he became the apostle of such of the Franks as remained still pagans; but fearful lest he might be summoned to the court on account of his repute for sanctity, he withdrew secretly to the monastery of Micy, near Orleans, and subsequently to the solitude of Noblac, near Limoges. His charity not allowing him to remain inactive while there was so much good to be done, he undertook the work of comforting prisoners, making them understand that the captivity of sin, which they did not bemoan, was more terrible than any mere bodily constraint. He won over a great many of these unfortunate persons, which gained for him many disciples, in whose behoof he founded a new monastery. St. Leonard died towards the year 550.
MORAL REFLECTION.- "The wicked shall be taken with his own iniquities, and shall be held by the cords of his own sins."(Ργου. ν. 22.) Source: Pictorial Half hour with the Saints by Abbe Auguste Lecanu
ST. Leonard was born in France of noble parents; he was baptized by St. Remigius, Bishop of Rheims; Clovis, the first Christian King of France, was his god-father. Clovis offered him, at the proper age, a position of high honor, but Leonard had set his heart on something higher still. He was ordained a priest by Remigius, and passing through the provinces of the broad lands of France, preached of Christ the Crucified to the people, who for the most part worshiped idols. The miracles which he worked, added such force to his words, that thousands and thousands were converted to the faith. He was one day journeying through a thick forest in which the king and his queen were hunting, when the queen was suddenly taken ill. Help was urgently needed. At this very moment, through God's providence, Leonard came to the place where the queen was, and as soon as he saw the sad circumstances, threw himself on his knees in prayer, while the queen gave birth to a finely formed prince. Highly pleased the king, wished to reward Leonard in a princely manner for his prayers. The saint implored the king to give his gifts as alms to the poor; this the king promised, only insisting that Leonard should, at least, accept the forest as a present. But he would take only that part of it, in which the queen so unexpectedly found help, and where he could built huts for himself and his companions, together with a chapel to be dedicated to the Queen of heaven, Mary. The king soon bad one built for him, and thus was commenced the afterwards famous Monastery of St. Leonard at Noblac.
The miraculous power which God gave to the saint, drew the farmers of the neighborhood around him; they came to obtain help from him in all their necessities and no one ever left his presence unaided and unconsoled. The king granted him at times the favor to release prisoners, for whom Leonard had always the greatest compassion. Thus it often happened, that by the saint's aid poor prisoners found the beloved liberty. Others prayed, that God would help them to be released through the merits of His servant St. Leonard, and suddenly the chains fell from their hands and feet, the doors of the prisons opened of itself, and they were free. Many thus freed brought their bonds and chains to the saint, thanking him. But he surprised, humbled himself before God, and used the opportunity to give them touching admonitions to penance, that they might be also loosed from the bonds of sin. They who were sincerely converted and loved solitude, he received into his monastery.
Living in strict penance and in the continual practice of works in honor of God, Leonard reached an advanced age, and had the happiness of seeing the best fruits ripen from the seed which he had planted. Where idolatry, ignorance, coarseness, and horrible vices had their previously own way, there now reigned the pure law of the gospel. The Monastery of Noblac spread its blessings far around, and many who would have been lost in the world, found in it peace for their souls, and a happy death.
Leonard now weary of live, and longing to see the face of Christ, at last received this grace. God called him to Himself by a quiet death in the year 559.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. May the intercession, O Lord, of Thy blessed servant St. Leonard commend us to Thee, that those things which we cannot hope for through our own merits, we may obtain by his prayers. Through Christ...
Explanation of the Epistles and Gospels for the Sundays, Holidays By Rev. Leonard Goffiné
St. Bertilla, Abbess of Chelles. 692 A.D.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday November 05, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
PROGRESS IN VIRTUE. -Not to advance in virtue, as the masters of spiritual life affirm, is to go backward: this maxim is founded on the experience and example of the saints. Bertilla was already solidly grounded in piety when St. Owen, archbishop of Rouen, permitted her to consecrate herself to God in the monastery of Jouarre. She there became still more humble and detached from the promptings of her own will, and more edifying towards all with whom she held discourse; the abbess, consequently, intrusted her with important offices. So far was she from not realizing the general expectation, that she ever found fresh occasion, both from the functions intrusted to her and from her relations with the world, to advance in virtue. Having been summoned by the general voice to govern the convent of Chelles, founded by Queen Batholos, when that pious sovereign had retired there, these two holy women were seen with great emulation devoting themselves to the practice of good after the most perfect manner; and, according as the end of their lives approached, preparing themselves by manifold and holy practices of piety. Bertilla died towards the year 702.
MORAL REFLECTION. It is written that the saints raise themselves heavenward, proceeding from virtue to virtue, as by steps. (Psa. lxxxiii. 6.) Source: Pictorial Half Hour with the Saints by Abbe Auguste LeCanu
Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop and confession, A.D. 1584.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday November 04, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
Francesco Caccianiga: St Carlo Borromeo Tended by an Angel
Prayer to Saint Charles Borromeo:
O Glorious St. Charles! The father of the clergy, and the perfect model of holy prelates! Thou art that good pastor, who, like thy divine Master, didst give up thy life for thy flock, if not by death, at least by the numerous sacrifices of thy painful mission. Thy sanctified life on earth was a spur to the most fervent, thy exemplary penance was a reproach to the slothful, and thy indefatigable zeal was the support of the Church.
St. Charles, Father and Guide of the Clergy, pray for us
St. Charles, the light and support of the Church, pray for us.
"ST. CHARLES was born at Arona, near Milan, of a noble family. He was bred up in virtue and learning; and being designed for the Church, a great abbey was resigned into his hands, while he was yet a youth. But he remonstrated with his father, that its revenues ought not to be converted to his own use, as if it had been a patrimony; and it being left to his disposal, he distributed it all among the poor. He did the same afterwards with a sum of forty thousand crowns, and another time with twenty thousand, left him as legacies. At the age of three-and-twenty, he was made cardinal by his uncle, Pope Pius IV., and soon after, in consideration of his great wisdom and virtue, he was made archbishop of Milan. In this charge, he labored with all possible zeal to reform his clergy, according to the decrees of the Council of Trent, both by frequently visiting his diocese and founding seminaries; but above all by his own example in a laborious, charitable, and penitential life. When Milan was visited with the plague, he sold all his household goods, even to his bed, for the relief of the distressed. He went every where to comfort the sick, and administered to them the holy sacraments. His zeal in doing good to others raised him many enemies; and even some, whose disorders could not bear this charity, attempted to take away his life. But nothing ever discouraging him, he went on with a truly apostolic spirit, doing good to all, and severe only to himself. Having retired into a solitude, he there employed some time in rigorous fasting and other austerities, and in meditating on the Passion of Christ. But being seized with fever, he returned to Milan, and there gave up his happy soul into the hands of God, in the year 1584, leaving nothing but skin and bones. Give thanks to God for this great prelate, who seems to have been chosen for an example to the whole Church Let not this day pass, without taking some lesson from this saint, as to charity, penance, and solicitude, in every duty.
For more than eighty years Milan had been without a resident archbishop, and left to the government of a single Vicar, but too often a man of lax discipline, who have but a small portion of his time to the administration of the diocese. All this neglect, added to revolutions, wars, and other calamities of the times, had reduced the vineyard of the Lord to a deplorable condition. Not only was it barren of fruit, but the rank weeds of sin flourished in profusion for the chastisement of the wickedness of men. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction was almost entirely neglected, and in certain points was never exercised. (...) The lives and manners of the clergy were as scandalous as can be conceived, and gave the worst example, for their way of living was altogether worldly, and more sensual by far than that of laymen. They wore the secular dress, carried arms publicly, and lived for the most part in open and habitual concubinage, absenting themselves from their benefices, and neglecting all things appertaining to the service of God. The churches and sacred things were in consequence in a neglected and disgraceful state. So great was the ignorance of many who had cure of souls, that they did not know even the sacramental form of confession, nor that there were such things as reserved cases and censures. In some parts of the diocese ignorance had reached such a pitch that priests having cure of souls never went to confession, believing that they were not bound to do so, because they confessed others. Many other lamentable abuses were seen in the lives of the clergy, whose office was thus rendered contemptible, and little short of hateful, in the eyes of the laity, so that it had become a common saying, "If you want to go to hell, become a priest." Source: The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John Gother
"Even the regulars were not exempt from these disorders. From the bad
lives of both the secular and regular clergy, there sprang up among the
people countless errors, corruptions, and heresies. Numbers having
entirely lost all knowledge of God, abandoned, as a natural consequence,
the observance of His holy law. The sacraments, especially Confession
and Communion, were very lightly esteemed. Many persons neglected them
for ten and fifteen years, or even longer. There were to be found men of
ripe age who had never made a confession, and who did not even know the
meaning of it; whilst those persons who desired to keep up an
appearance of Christianity, approached the sacraments once a year from
custom rather than true devotion. A very small number were indeed yet to
be found, both among clergy and people, who were assiduous in attending
the sacred mysteries, whose Christian lives shone out in contrast to
those of the majority around them. So much ignorance of the things of
God prevailed, especially among the poor, that they had no knowledge of
the foundations and principles of the Catholic faith, and were unable to
say the Lord's Prayer or the Hail Mary. They did not know the Articles
of the Faith or the Precepts of the Church, and could scarcely make the
sign of the cross. Holy days were profaned by plays, dances, games,
banquetings, and other disorders, as also by servile works, and public
fairs and markets. It was as if Festivals had been ordained for the
express purpose of multiplying occasions of offending God. Holy places
were treated with the utmost irreverence. The business of the markets
was carried on in the churches even during the time of the Divine
Offices. Men laughed and talked loudly in the assembly of the faithful,
walking up and down, as though it were a public lounge. Worse still, in
some parts of the diocese banquets and balls were held in the churches;
while, at other times, they were used without any scruple for threshing
grain, and other profane purposes. Religion was brought so low that men,
in a state of semi-intoxication, would actually mock priests by
feigning a wish to go to confession. They would even show themselves in
the church with masks on, and, under pretense of making their offering,
would seize upon the offerings of others. The majority altogether
disregarded the observance of fasting days, especially during Lent, when
not only milk food, but even flesh meat, was eaten openly and without
scruple; and the bacchanalian orgies of the carnival were prolonged for
several days of the holy season, during which public feasts, dances, and
disorders without number were carried on. The public scandals of
adultery and of habitual concubinage were of continual occurrence,
together with thousands of others vices and corruptions too numerous to
mention. In like manner there was a neglect of discipline and strict
observance in convents, the nuns allowing themselves the greatest
liberty, coming in and going out at their pleasure, and admitting
seculars freely, there being no observance of enclosure. It were
needless and distressing to dwell at any length upon the public
entertainments, profane dances, and such like disorders of these
convents, together with grievous and deplorable scandals which resulted
therefrom.
Such was the miserable condition of the Church of
Milan before God blessed it with the presence of St. Charles. Often
would the saint weep bitterly when on his visits to his diocese he
witnessed with his own eyes these miseries. It was not, however, to be
wondered at that weeds had overrun the vineyard, which had been so long
deprived of a careful husbandman. Prelates and pastors may take
warning from the sufferings entailed on their flocks by non-residence.
Strict, indeed, will be the account they will have to render to God of
all the souls whom their neglect has buried in hell."Source: The life of st. Charles Borromeo by Fr. Giovanni Pietro Giussano
St. Hubert, A.D. 727
by VP
Posted on Monday November 03, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
Saint Hubert (Franz Mayer & Co., St. Patrick's Basilica, Ottawa, Canada)
GRACE TRIUMPHANT. - God only imparts grace to such as merit it; for none are ever deserving of grace, save those whom He has predestinated, with reference to His own wise ends. Grace proceeds from God, co-operation therewith comes from man; as may be seen in the case of St. Paul, St. Augustine, and St. Hubert. The latter, while still a pagan, with his mind intent on mere diversion, was pursuing a stag in the chase, when the animal was all at once seen bearing between its antlers a luminous cross. The hunter, throwing himself on his knees, declared himself a Christian; and, becoming by his great piety the admiration of the people, was elected to the bishopric of Maestricht, and, subsequently, to that of Liege. He laboured with indefatigable zeal to extirpate the remains of idolatry from his extensive diocese, whereof he may be considered the second apostle, as well as from the Ardennes. He preached with so much power and unction, that multitudes thronged to listen to his words, and were unable to resist being influenced to good. God rewarded his fervour and upheld his zeal by according him the gift of miracles. He died a holy death in 727.
MORAL REFLECTION. - What the Wise Man has said of Wisdom may be applied to Grace: "That it ordereth the means with gentleness, and attaineth its end with power.”—(Wisd. viii. 1.) Source: Pictorial half hour with the saints by Abbe leCanu
Saint Martin Porres, Confessor A.D. 1569-1639
by VP
Posted on Monday November 03, 2025 at 03:00AM in Saints
Saint Martin de Porres, Holy Name Cathedral Raleigh
"BLESSED MARTIN was a native of South America, Nov. 5 and was born at Lima, the capital of Peru, A.D. 1569. His father was a Spanish knight of noble birth, but his mother, though she belonged to one of the richest families of Panama, was of the despised coloured race. The child inherited her features and complexion, on which account his father conceived a dislike for him and turned him out of his house. From his tenderest years little Martin was distinguished for his spirit of piety and mortification. At the age of thirteen he already devoted part of the night to prayer and contemplation, gave away to the poor all the money that
Nov. 5 was bestowed upon him, and even deprived himself of his own food and clothing on their behalf. In order to be able to assist them more efficaciously, he studied medicine and surgery. He always exercised his art gratis, and God often rewarded his charity by marvellous and even miraculous cures.
When he was still young, Our Lady herself commanded him to enter the Dominican Order. In obedience to her will, he accordingly begged to be admitted into the Convent of the Holy Rosary in his native city. His birth, his talents, and above all, his reputation for sanctity, made the Fathers anxious to give him the habit of a choir religious, but he steadfastly refused even the lowly position of a lay brother, preferring to serve the Community in the yet humbler capacity of a Tertiary. Indeed, humility was ever his most distinguishing virtue, and he sincerely rejoiced when treated with scorn and contempt. He became the Infirmarian of the Convent, and, in fact, of all the poor of the city; and his charity specially displayed itself when a contagious disease struck down at the same time as many as sixty members of the Community. For months he allowed himself neither sleep nor food, his life being miraculously supported by Almighty God, for the sake of the sick whom he so charitably tended.
It was his duty to distribute daily to the poor the remains of the meals of the Community. When his stock of food was insufficient for the numbers who presented themselves, he would obtain its miraculous multiplication by his faithful and humble prayers, so that he had enough left for the poor who were ashamed to beg, to whom he sent relief by trusty messengers. His charity extended to every sort of human misery. Through the instrumentality of this humble religious, an immense orphanage was established in Lima, containing several hundred children of both sexes; Nov. 5 and to this were soon added other buildings to shelter foundlings, the sick poor, the aged, and penitents. In order that needy wayfarers might not be tempted to steal, he caused fruit-trees to be planted along the public roads to provide them with refreshment.
Even the dumb animals had their share in his compassionate tenderness, and seemed instinctively to know that he had constituted himself their physician and protector. When hurt or half-starved, they betook themselves to the Convent, where Blessed Martin always fed and nursed them; till at length his hospital for dogs, cats, and other suffering animals became so full, that he persuaded his sister to give them accommodation in her house, whither he went daily to feed them and dress their wounds. God gave His servant a wonderful power over these dumb creatures, so that they understood and obeyed him. He could not bear to see rats and mice destroyed, and would say: "If these poor little things were daily provided with food as we are, they would do no mischief." Then he commanded the creatures to withdraw to a remote part of the garden, whither he carried a supply of food for them every day; and their ravages in the Convent ceased. Even to the present time Blessed Martin continues to exercise his miraculous gifts with regard to the lower creation; he is constantly and efficaciously invoked to put a stop to the depredations of rats, mice, and other animals.
His burning love for his crucified Master, together with his zeal for souls and deep contrition of heart, found expression in the severest austerities. Thrice every night he afflicted his body with a terrible discipline, the third time receiving this penance at the hands of some of the Indian slaves attached to the service of the Convent; and to prolong the pain he would afterwards bathe the torn and wounded flesh with vinegar and salt, offering all these sufferings, after the example of his holy Patriarch, Saint Dominic, for his own sins, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the souls in Purgatory. He fasted almost the whole year round on bread and water, spent the greater part of the night in prayer, and took his scanty rest in the Chapter-Room, on the bier used for the burial of the dead. So rigid was his poverty that he possessed nothing but a rosary and a crucifix; he had not even a change of clothes. His obedience was simply miraculous. He seemed to divine what was required of him; and over and over again Superiors, coming to give him some order, found him already in the act of executing it.
Blessed Martin was united in close and holy friendship with a beatified lay brother of the Order, Blessed John Massias, then resident in the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalen in Lima. Blessed Martin's happy death took place on the 5th of November, A.D. 1639. His miracles, both during life and after death, were very numerous; he possessed in an eminent degree the gift of prophecy; he is known to have been frequently present at the same time in two places far remote from each other. Blessed Martin was beatified by Gregory XVI."
Prayer: O God, the exalter of the humble, who didst make Blessed Martin, Thy Confessor, to enter the heavenly kingdom, grant, through his merits and intercession, that we may so follow the example of his humility on earth as to deserve to be exalted with him in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
St. Serapion of Antioch, Bishop and Confessor.
by VP
Posted on Thursday October 30, 2025 at 05:00AM in Saints
"An eminent bishop of Antioch, of the second age. He was zealous in maintaining the doctrines received from the apostles,
and in opposing all those who taught contrary to what had been
delivered: so that no new opinion any where began to appear, but it
certainly found him an adversary. This his zeal, as Eusebius observes,
was very remarkable in his condemning a book recommended to the faithful under the title of St. Peter's Gospel; being a sacrilegious artifice made use of by some false zealots, for the more plausible recommendation of their errors. But such titles prevailed not with him, who regarded truth alone.
Be zealous for the truth; and fear not only apocryphal gospels, but likewise being imposed upon by the mistaken sense of such as are canonical. But let your zeal be not only in regard of faith, but likewise of such other practical truths, as have been taught by Christ and his apostles. Assert the necessity of taking up the cross of self-denial, of mortifying the flesh, of living by the spirit of Christ, that is, by the spirit of charity, humility and patience. For the faith of Christ will not carry any one to heaven, if there be not due endeavors to live according to the life of Christ. But those who will hazard all for the sake of Jesus, and to order their lives according to His life, will find all worldly comforts supplied in the possession of Him, and that in losing all, they have gained all. This is the doctrine of self-denial; this is the command of forsaking all for Christ's sake, and of loving nothing more than Him, which is so often inculcated in the Gospel, and laid down for the foundation of a Christian life. Whoever has not learned this, has not yet begun to be a true disciple. But how great grace is necessary for us in this state of our weakness, to follow these lessons of the Gospel. Beg then of God to help you in his mercy, and not to let His grace be wanting, by which you may not only purpose, but effectually walk in it all your lives." (The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John GOTHER)
Saint Narcissus, Bishop of Jerusalem
by VP
Posted on Wednesday October 29, 2025 at 01:00AM in Saints
"Perjury and its punishment.-St. Narcissus, who governed the Church of Jerusalem in 195, when we find him assisting at a council held in that town, was about eighty years old when elevated to the episcopacy. Notwithstanding the miracles that God vouchsafed to his piety, the venerable bishop was accused of an abominable crime by three impious men, who only resorted to this expedient for the purpose of shielding themselves from a better-founded accusation which he might have laid against them. They each swore with an imprecation. May I be burnt alive!" said one. May I be struck with leprosy!" said another. 'May my eyes never more behold the light of day!" added the third. The holy old man, rather than compromise them by seeking to justify himself, withdrew to a solitude where he might remain unknown. The evils which his accusers had invoked upon themselves speedily befell them; being then justified by God himself, he reappeared, and was more beloved than ever by his flock. He lived to the age of 116, but St. Alexander, in the capacity of coadjutor, helped him to discharge the pastoral functions.
MORAL REFLECTION.-"Let no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, for the Lord is the avenger of all such," says the great Apostle.-(1 Thess. iv. 6.)
Prayer for Persecuted Priests
All Powerful and Eternal God, through
the merits of Your Son Jesus, and Through Your love for Him, I implore
You, have pity on the priests of the Holy Church. In spite of their
sublime dignity, they are fearful and weak, like all created beings. In
your infinite mercy, inflame their hearts with the fire of Divine Love.
For the sake of Jesus, Your Son, bestow grace on the priests and uphold
them. Do not let them fall into temptation and tarnish their noble
vocation.
O Jesus, we implore you. Look with pity on the priests of the Holy
Church: those who are serving You faithfully and proclaiming Your glory;
those who are persecuted for tending your flock; those who are
abandoned, weary and sorrowful: those who are lukewarm, confused and who
have denied their faith; those who are sick, dying, or in Purgatory.
Lord Jesus, we entreat You. Listen to our supplication, have pity and
console them.
O Jesus, we entrust to You the priests of the whole world: the priests
who baptized me, absolved my sins, offered Holy Mass and consecrated the
Eucharist to nourish my soul. We entrust to You the priests that
instructed me when I was ignorant, gave me strength in my weakness,
showed me the Way and the Truth and comforted me in my sorrow and
affliction. For all the blessings they obtained for me, I implore You to
support them in Your Loving Kindness.
O Jesus, shelter our priests in Your Sacred Heart. Let them take refuge
in Your mercy and love, in this life, and to the hour of death. Amen.
By his Eminence the late Ignatius Cardinal Kung, Bishop of Shanghai.
Published 7/16/1953 during the early years of persecution of the Roman
Catholic Church in China by its communist government. He was imprisoned
from 1955 to 1988.
Ss. Simon and Jude, Apostles
by VP
Posted on Tuesday October 28, 2025 at 01:00AM in Saints
Saint Simon and Jude, El Greco. pd
"This day being the festival of the apostles of Jesus Christ; the first part of our devotion ought to be, to give most earnest thanks to Almighty God for his particular mercy in bringing us to the light of His Gospel, and calling us to be members of the Holy Catholic Church, by which we may be taught His truths, and be assisted with all those helps, which His infinite goodness has appointed for our salvation.
The second part of our devotion ought to be in humbly beseeching the Father of mercies to perfect the work which he has begun in us; not to leave us in our natural poverty, but so to strengthen us by a daily supply of grace, that we may live in the practice of the Gospel, and not be a dishonor to our profession, by joining a wicked life to a holy faith. What can be the fruit of our faith in Christ, if we are not solicitous to make his law the rule of our lives?
It having so pleased Almighty God, that the apostles, who were made choice of by Christ for preaching His Gospel to the world, should suffer death from the hands of unbelievers; we have in this, lessons very proper for our instruction. One is, that in whatever we undertake, we are to be solicitous in this point only, of being careful and faithful in the performance of what belongs to us; but as for the success or good effect of our endeavors, this we are to leave with all possible indifference to the appointment of the all-wise Disposer of all things; and stand prepared with equal submission, whether the effect be answerable to our wishes or not. For while we see apostles chosen by Christ himself, commissioned by Him, engaged in no less a work than the conversion of souls; and yet, after all their labors, falling a sacrifice, by the violence of those very errors which they were sent to reform; who is there that upon confidence of his cause can presume of success? No, there are no circumstances in which this presumption ought to be allowed.
When the undertaking
is good, success may be desired: but, since all our part is to
co-operate with Providence, and its counsels are wholly hidden from us,
we are only to join with our best endeavors, where the will of God seems to call for them; and if He permits a disappointment, even then to rejoice in the accomplishment of the Divine Will, and conclude that disappointment to have been ordained by Almighty God, as the means for His greater glory, and our good.
It was thus in the apostles;
in whose death God was as much glorified, as in their lives. What
construction then is to be put upon all that grief and uneasiness which
too often oppress us, and even incline us to repent of the good which we have done, when we see it attended with some ill consequence, and that our charity, or piety, turns to our loss? What is to be said of such grief, but that it is either the effect of pride, which sought itself more than God, and expected the glory of being made the instrument of good; or, that it is a want of faith, which having regard to what is present only, sinks under the present evil, and receives no comfort from the hope of what is yet to come? Now this not being apostolical, ought to be reformed on the day of apostles, and better principles settled; such as may ever put us upon doing good, because it is good; and because God, in present circumstances, seems to require it of us: and as for the effect, to wait upon Providence for whatever that may be. And this, with a mind prepared even to suffer for the good which we do; remembering that whatever we suffer, having done well, is suffering for justice sake, and that which has the promise of eternal
blessings to crown it.
Suffering brought upon our own heads, by our folly, extravagance and sin, has something very afflicting in it, even a sting that cannot easily be taken from it. But as for whatever we suffer in consequence of our having done well, this has so much of eternal comforts to sweeten it, that wherever there is not a want of faith, there can be no want of patience, since God has promised to be the reward exceeding great." Source: The Catholic Year; by Rev. Fr. John GOTHER
Saint Frementius, Bishop, Apostle of Ethiopia, 4th Century
by VP
Posted on Monday October 27, 2025 at 01:00AM in Saints
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"THE WAYS OF GOD.- God preordains all things with reference to His designs; this consoling truth is too often absent from our minds in times of affliction. Frumentius and Edesius had been brought to Abyssinia while still children, by one of their relatives who had business there, and, while resting under a leafy shade, intent on their studies, were carried off by some of the inhabitants. They grew up in the midst of this half-barbarous race, and were raised to the highest dignities. The king, when at the point of death, restored to them their liberty. Frumentius, on returning to Tyre, his native town, concerted plans with St. Athanasius for the conversion of Abyssinia. He was soon afterwards sent thither as bishop; the inhabitants, being accustomed to respect and obey him, yielded to his appeal with such perfect docility that before long the entire kingdom was Christianized. In vain did the emperor Constantius strive to harass it by seeking to introduce the errors of Arianism; new though they were in Christianity, they refused to listen to his missionaries or to deliver up their bishop. Abyssinia remained and continues to be Catholic. Frumentius died towards the end of the fourth century.
MORAL REFLECTION.-With reference to how many events may the Christian who reflects well exclaim, as in the above instance: "The finger of God is there!"-(Exod. viii. 19.) Source: Pictorial half hours with the saints by Rev. Fr Auguste François Lecanu
"In every age, from Christ down to this very time, some new nations have
been added to the fold of Christ, as the annals of the Church show; and
the apostasy of those that have forsaken the path of truth, has been
repaired by fresh acquisitions. This is the work of the Most High; the
wonderful effect of all-powerful grace. It is owing to the divine
blessing that the heavenly seed fructifies in the hearts of men, and it
is God who raises up, and animates with his spirit zealous successors of the apostles, whom he wouchsafes to make His instruments in this great work. We are indebted to his gratuitous mercy for the inestimable benefit of this light of faith. If we correspond not faithfully, with fear and trembling, to so great a grace, our punishment will be so much the more dreadful. " Source: The Lives of the Saints by Rev. Fr. Alban Butler.
Saint Evarisus, Pope and Martyr
by VP
Posted on Sunday October 26, 2025 at 01:00AM in Saints
"ST. EVARISTUS succeeded St. Anacletus in the see of Rome, in the reign of Trajan. He governed the Church nine years, and died in 112. As he is honored with the title of martyr, he was most probably put to death for his faith in Christ. He was buried near St. Peter's tomb on the Vatican.
Pray for the Pope and for all the pastors of the Church. Great grace supported them in the primitive times, when they were not acquainted with peace, but were on all sides encompassed with the terrors of death. No less grace is necessary now in time of peace; for the dangers of plenty and ease are as great as the terrors of persecution: and it is to be feared, that many more now forsake Christ and his Gospel, seduced by the snares of liberty and softness, than did formerly by the cruelty of torments. It is difficult to make a right use of troubles,
and more difficult not to abuse blessings.
Consider your own condition, examine your ways, and pray for grace to make a Christian use of your circumstances, whatever they be. Christ has declared his will in the Gospel: there He has published laws and rules, which he would have all his followers observe. If He requires all to live by His own spirit, in seeking before all things the kingdom of God, and the glory of His Father, and this by fasting, prayer, and self-denial, and daily endeavors for overcoming all that corruption, which their own nature, the devil and the world suggests to them; if Christ requires this of all His followers, they must either labor in doing what He commands, or conclude themselves to be none of His disciples. For it cannot be available to salvation, to call Christ Lord, if at the same time there be a contempt of His will, or a general neglect of His precepts. If Christ commands humility and poverty of spirit, His followers must not read pride in the place of it; nor think that living according to the dictates of pride will ever bring them to be pleasing in his sight, and to deserve the reward of humility." Source: The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church ..by Rev. Fr. John GOTHER
