SS. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancratius
by VP
Posted on Monday May 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
" SS. Nerues and Achilleus held distinguished places in the service of St. Flavia Domitilla; and were baptized with her, and with her banished by the Emperor Domitian into a small island. Having, under many torments, with great constancy, protested that they would never sacrifice to idols, they were afterwards beheaded. St. Domitilla having suffered great extremities in a long confinement under Trajan, was burnt with two other companions in her chamber, which the judge commanded to be set on fire. St. Pancratius or Pancras, at the age of fourteen, having been baptized by the bishop of Rome, and accused for his faith in Christ, with a manly courage refusing to sacrifice to idols, was put to death under Dioclesian.
See how persons of both sexes, of all ages and conditions, teach you to suffer, and shew you the way to a crown. If in patience they possess their souls and God, is not impatience the way
to lose both? While then you honour these martyrs, renounce not their
example. Pray for constancy and patience under all trials. There is no
need of the hand of the executioner: for in every trouble which befals you, you are called to the exercise of these virtues. Take care then not to be provoked and moved to passion: let not ordinary accidents put you into disorder. The steadiness of a Christian spirit demands this of you.
And under greater troubles, use all endeavours to keep up your spirits.
Pray, read, advise, and see that you lay not your heart open to your
enemy, by indulging in melancholy. Resolve rather to struggle with all
difficulties. Remember that you are in the field of battle;
a place not to sit down in and mourn, but to fight. Fight then with
courage; arm yourself with faith and hope in God. God is looking on, heaven is waiting to crown the conquerors with bliss; and everlasting rest is to be the recompense of those, who with patience go through these temporal evils." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Ss. Philip and James, apostles
by VP
Posted on Sunday May 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Paolo Veronese: Saints Philip and James the Less
"They were apostles of our Lord: pray for all who succeed in that function, that by their zealous labours, the whole world may be enlightened, and brought to the knowledge and love of God.
They both laid down their lives for Christ, confirming their doctrine with their blood. St. Philip was crucified; St. James suffered a manifold martyrdom, in being first stoned, then thrown down from a pinnacle of the temple, and lastly, being yet alive, and praying for his persecutors, had his brains dashed out with a club. Pray for all those who are under any kind of persecution for truth or justice, that they may persevere to the end with the patience, constancy, and charity of these apostles.
On this (...) day of the month, while you profess to honour these apostles, resolve to live in the practice of the doctrine which they preached, by renouncing the corrupt customs of the world, and taking the Gospel for your rule. Examine the method of your life, and compare it with this rule; beg grace to reform whatever you find amiss, and let the blood of these martyrs inform you, how much you ought to suffer in this cause. He that has not patience under the unavoidable mortifications of a virtuous life, is not yet disposed to give his life for Christ. Learn to put yourself in this disposition from these holy apostles, in the lessons which they give you.
In these holy men, leaving all to follow Christ, and thus becoming His apostles, we have a lesson, that we cannot be followers of Christ,
but by leaving something for Him. They left all; and we are to be in a
preparation for leaving all, whenever He pleases to call us to it. But
can this be reasonably expected, unless by proportionate steps we
endeavour to bring our souls to this holy disposition? We are therefore,
first, to leave all that is sinful: because a state of sin is a rebellion against God, and an aversion of the heart wholly from Him; and it is therefore inconsistent with the very lowest degree of a follower of Christ. They must be blind and mad, who in this state flatter themselves with the thoughts of being
prepared to leave all for Him. Secondly, we are to leave all that is
evidently dangerous: because living in voluntary dangers, is a state
either of presumption or neglect, in rashly expecting God's grace, or being too little concerned for that divine assistance; both which are great dispositions for leaving God, but not of leaving all for Him. Thirdly, we are to leave whatever draws our hearts away from God, and fixes them with immoderate affection on creatures; because all such affections diminish the love of God,
by which alone we are prevailed upon to forsake all for Him. Therefore
such as desire in good earnest to put their souls in the true disposition of Christ's disciples, are very jealous of everything
that is prejudicial to that love which they ought to have for Him. So
that in whatever degree their state obliges them to make use of creatures, in the same
proportion is their care to preserve their hearts from excessive
affection for what they use. They avoid all attachment to grandeur and
state, while their circumstances oblige them to it; they love not riches
while they possess them. And so of all other things, which please the appetite, court the fancy, and are too apt insensibly to engage the heart,
and draw it from its more substantial good. So that, however they are
circumstanced, as to outward possessions, they are ever solicitous to
preserve interior poverty, which is the poverty of spirit, one of the best titles to eternal riches, and the best character of a true disciple. This is the only expedient, by which those who live in plenty and honour, can pretend to the spirit of the Gospel. For if amidst all their greatness, there be not poverty of spirit, it is plain that as they possess and use the world, so they enjoy and love the world: and this is not the spirit of Christ, but contrary to all that he has taught. Leaving therefore all, either in reality or in spirit, is indispensably necessary for all those, who undertake in earnest to follow Christ." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Mamertus
by VP
Posted on Sunday May 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
An engraving of Saint Mamertus from an 1878 book, Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints
PUBLIC PRAYER. Public prayer is the remedy for public calamities, even as private prayer is for individual evils. Towards the middle of the fifth century, Gaul was the victim of multiplied woes, civil wars, epidemics, inundations, earthquakes and conflagrations. All nature was in throes, and seemed awaiting still greater disasters; wild beasts, quitting their forest haunts, roamed at large in the midst of the thronging cities; every event was converted into dread forebodings, and the inhabitants generally were out of heart and sunk in discouragement. The church of Vienne then possessed a holy bishop who was the model, the hope, and object of love to all his flock. He directed that solemn supplications, not then usually resorted to, should be instituted in order to revive the courage of the faithful and turn aside the wrath of Heaven; he further ordered fasting and prayer to be combined. God, who had already favoured him with miracles, gave heed to these supplications, and the calamities ceased. Hence originated the "Rogation days, which were afterwards adopted by the Church at large. St. Mamertus, their founder, died in 477.
MORAL REFLECTION.-There is no instance of public
prayer having remained without result. "All that you ask in my name
shall be given unto you," has Jesus Christ promised.—(John xvi. 23.) Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints, Abbe Lecanu
Saint Damien of Molokai, Priest, Apostle of the Afflicted
by VP
Posted on Saturday May 10, 2025 at 11:48AM in Saints
- Quote: "The Blessed Sacrament is indeed the stimulus for us all, for me as it should be for you, to forsake all worldly ambitions. Without the constant presence of our Divine Master upon the altar in my poor chapels, I never could have persevered casting my lot with the afflicted of Molokai; the foreseen consequence of which begins now to appear on my skin, and is felt thoughout the body. Holy Communion being the daily bread of a priest, I feel myself happy, well pleased, and resigned in the rather exceptional circumstances in which it has pleased Divine Providence to put me."
"Father Damien was the first white worker to live permanently at Kalawo,
arriving on Molokai with nothing but his breviary. While awaiting lumber
to build a house, he lived under a pandanus tree by the side of St. Philomena chapel. During the day he immersed himself in work necessary
for the improvement of the colony. His immediate concern of course, the
reason for his placement there, was attending to the people's spiritual
needs. This he accomplished by visiting them in their huts and
administering the Sacraments at their deathbed.
Damien realized that before future efforts could be made to improve the
lot of these luckless people, a firm spiritual foundation had to be
laid. Both Catholics and non-Catholics were welcome at Mass. Knowing the
Hawaiian love of ceremony, he conducted elaborate religious services.
Sunday High Mass became the highlight of the week. The nuns in Honolulu
sent red soutanes and lace surplices for the altar and choir boys.
Damien revived interest in music and singing. Membership in the choir
became a great honor for both children and adults, and choir practice
frequently took place in the evenings under the trees. A band was
organized, whose primitive instruments were soon replaced with better
ones from Honolulu. Many religious processions and fiestas were
instituted, the biggest event of the year being on the feast day or
Corpus Christi. This celebration was prepared for weeks in advance.
Flowers were gathered and woven into wreaths, and on the feast day,
while Damien carried the Blessed Sacrament through the village, children
strewed petals along the way and other parishioners joined in hymns.
Damien conducted religious services with as much pomp and sacred music
as possible, and by his earnest and constant preaching endeavored to win
more souls to God. At the same time, he was continually at the service
of all the unfortunate inmates, whatever their religion, in a variety of
ways." St. Philomena Catholic Church (Father Damien's Church)
Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Molokai, Hawaii 1985 page 16.
- "Were it not for the constant presence of our Divine Master in our humble chapel, I would not have found it possible to persevere in sharing the lot of the afflicted in Molokai... The Eucharist is the bread that gives strenght... It is at once the most eloquent proof of His Love and the most powerful means of fostering His love in us. He gives Himself every day so that our hearts as burning coals may set afire the hearts of the faithful"
Prayer:
Saint Damien, brother on the journey, happy and generous missionary, who loved the Gospel more than your life, who for love of Jesus left your family, your homeland, your security, your dreams, teach us to give our lives with a joy like yours, to be in solidarity with the outcasts of the world, to celebrate and contemplate the Eucharist as the source of our commitment. Help us to love to the very end and, in the strength of the Spirit, to persevere in compassion for the poor and forgotten so that we might be good disciples of Jesus and Mary. Amen (Diocese of Honolulu)
St. Antoninus, Bishop and Confessor, A.D. 1459.
by VP
Posted on Saturday May 10, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was born at Florence; and at the age of sixteen entered the order of St. Dominic. His great care was to be always employed; and therefore allowing only so much time to sleep as was necessary to recruit nature, he divided all the rest among prayer, reading, and writing. This his Christian industry was accompanied with the constant exercises of humility and mortification. Being thus distinguished by his great virtue and learning, he was called forth by the apostolic see, and obliged to undertake charge of the church of Florence. In this dignity, his table, dress, and furniture shewed a perfect spirit of poverty and simplicity. In the midst of his exterior affairs, he always preserved the same serenity of countenance, and the same peace of mind, and seemed always recollected in God. Having satisfied all the duties of a good pastor, by his wonderful zeal and charity, he died in the year 1459.
Pray for all the bishops in God's Church, that the example of this saint may be their rule. Pray for all ecclesiastics, that having undertaken a laborious charge, they may not seek rest and ease. Consider your own circumstances, and endeavour that the devil may never find you idle. Give not more time to sleep than is reasonable; and let not your inclinations be consulted, to know when it is time to rise. This seems to be a point inconsiderable, and yet very much depends upon it. For by this one may easily guess at the management of your whole life; the industry or sloth of this first act generally going through all the actions of the day. Avoid as far as is consistent with your state, all idle meetings, and dissipating company. These are the first steps to many evils. There may be pretexts enough to carry you to them; but is it not a reflection on men of sense and abilities to stand in need of such helps? How many other ways might they be better employed or diverted, would they consult better advisers than sloth and inclination? And if there happens to be some mortification in it, who can pretend to a Christian life without mortification? Pray for the grace of God and his Holy Spirit, that these may be your guides both in business and recreation." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer:
"Pray, O holy Pontiff, for the descendants of them that were faithless to the promise sealed on the very altar on which your hands so often offered up the Sacrifice of unity and peace. Disciple of the great Dominic, inheritor of his burning zeal, protect the holy order which he founded and of which you are so bright an ornament. Show that you still love it. Give it increase and procure for its children the holiness that once worked such loveliness and fruit in the Church.
Holy Pontiff, be mindful of the faithful who implore your intercession at this period of the Year. Your eloquent lips announced the Pasch, so many years, to the people of Florence, and urged them to share in the Resurrection of our Divine Head. The same Pasch, the immortal Pasch, has shone once more upon us. We are still celebrating it. Oh pray that its fruits may be lasting in us, and that our Risen Jesus, who has given us Life, may, by His grace, preserve it in our souls for all eternity." Dom Prosper GuérangerSt. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop and Confessor, Doctor of the Church, A.D. 389.
by VP
Posted on Friday May 09, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was born in Cappadocia; and his parents gave him the strongest impressions of piety in his tender age. His chief study from his infancy, was to know God by the help of pious books. While he studied at Athens he formed a strict and holy friendship with the great St. Basil. They were to each other a mutual spur to all good; and by a holy emulation, neither of them would be outdone by the other in fasting, prayer, or the exercise of any virtue. Eminent for his great virtue and learning, St. Gregory was made bishop of Nazianzum; and afterwards called to the charge of the church of Constantinople. There, by his zealous labours having freed that people from Arianism, and other prevailing errors of that time, instead of meeting with peace to reward his charity, he found himself in the midst of many adversaries, such as discontent and envy had raised up against him. Wherefore, observing that upon his account the peace of the Eastern Church was disturbed, for the preventing greater mischiefs he returned to Nazianzum: and having committed the care of that flock to the hand of a faithful pastor, he ended his days in the retirement of a monastic life, in the year 389.
Pray for all the prelates and pastors of Christ's Church; that with the zeal of this holy man they may be watchful in all the concerns of their flock, for the encouragement of virtue and truth, and suppressing of whatever is contrary to the gospel. Pray for yourself, that being assisted by the divine grace, you may be faithful in your charge, whatever it be. And be not surprised, if, when wholly taken up with the obligations of your state, you meet with opposition. This is to be expected from the envy of some, or the weakness or indiscretion of others. The world is either so foolish, or wicked, as to give better quarter to those who do ill, than to the zealous and upright Christian: but he ought rather to rejoice than be discouraged. Learn in the midst of clamours to go on unconcerned, without engaging in contention; and never yield, but when required by a more public good." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint John of Berverley, Archbishop of York, Confessor 721
by VP
Posted on Wednesday May 07, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was a disciple of St. Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, and of the holy abbot Adrian; under whom he made great progress in learning and sanctity. Afterwards, in the famous abbey of St. Hilda at Whitby, he exercised himself in reading the divine Scriptures, and in other works of religion and piety. Thus he was fitted for the ecclesiastical state, and was promoted to the bishopric of Hexham. This see he resigned to St. Wilfrid, but was some time after appointed archbishop of York. His life was in all things most worthy of a bishop; and how great his merit was in the sight of God, who searches the heart, might easily be gathered from the many miracles he wrought. Having, by his great age become unable to govern his bishopric, he ordained St. Wilfrid the younger, bishop, and retired to the monastery of Beverley, which he had founded. He had been bishop thirty-three years, when he departed to our Lord, on the 7th of May, 721.
Pray for your country, that God would please to stretch forth his hand of mercy over it, enlighten it with His Holy Spirit, and replenish it with heavenly blessings; that forsaking the ways of iniquity, it may be zealous for all justice and truth.
On the day of this prelate, you must adore the judgments of God, which have fallen so heavily on your country, in punishment of its abuse of the blessing of true faith; and not only adore, but fear them. For since you see those, who were once in the communion of God's Holy Church, now become miserable, because they hardened their hearts in the abuse of the divine mercies, have you not reason to tremble under the apprehension of the like guilt? It is the misfortune of the greater part of those, who receive the greatest blessings, to offend God more than others, in the abuse of whatever they have received. If this be your case, you are indeed unhappy, and will for ever be so, if you do not reform." Source: The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John Gother
St. Stanislas, Bishop and Martyr, A.D. 1079.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday May 07, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Martyr Polish Bishop of Cracow of the XI century. Image of the Anjou legendarium of the Kings of Hungary (XIV century)
"He was bishop of Cracovia in Poland, watchful in all his pastoral duties, and particularly remarkable for his extraordinary charity to the poor. He zealously reproved the vicious life of his king, who not bearing this effect of his charity, first endeavoured to ruin his reputation, by accusing him of injustice in a general assembly of the nation; and afterwards upon being disappointed in this, murdered him with his own hand at the altar, where the holy prelate fell a sacrifice to charity and truth.
Pray for all bishops in Christ's Church; that like this prelate, they may faithfully discharge all pastoral duties; that with christian zeal they may labour to suppress all scandals, and not be awed by any authority into a connivance at vice.
The wickedness of great ones carries with it the strongest
infection; and though there be danger in standing against it, yet it is
a danger which is most honourable. Having justice and duty on its side, it cannot be declined by pastors, but by their being false to their charge, and forfeiting the trust
which they have undertaken. See how far this falls within your
province. To condemn vice is not an usurpation in any Christian. With
regard to inferiors or equals, you have generally courage enough to assert your own right: shew as much in the cause of Christ
and His Gospel. If you are called bold and presumptuous, there is no
blemish in such censures: it is better to be thus reputed by men, than
to venture being condemned by Almighty God for cowardice and
uncharitable silence. Pray for patience in all reproaches and false
accusations. You may not meet with such as endanger your life; but you
cannot escape those, which though in a lower degree, yet lessen that
reputation, which you would willingly have with men. Learn rather to
slight, than be disturbed at these. Be not solicitous to make
unnecessary vindications; but with content offer so much of yourself a sacrifice to God. You have but a poor stock of humility and patience, if you cannot bear these trials without throwing all into disorder." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. John before the Latin Gate, A.D. 95.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday May 06, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"This feast is in memory of that day when St. John the Apostle was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil, by order of the cruel Emperor Domitian. St. John, who was the only one of the apostles then living, was apprehended at Ephesus, and sent prisoner to Rome, in the year 95. He was ordered by the tyrant to be cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. The holy apostle, no doubt, rejoiced at this barbarous sentence, and exulted at the thought of soon rejoining his beloved Lord and Master. But God accepted his good will, and conferred on him the merit of martyrdom, but suspended the operation of the fire, so that the apostle was miraculously preserved, and came forth not only unhurt, but even more lively and vigorous. The emperor attributed his wonderful escape to magic; and contented himself with banishing the holy apostle into the small island of Patmos. The year following, Domitian was assassinated; and St. John returned to Ephesus. This glorious triumph of St. John happened outside of the gate of Rome which led to Latium, and was on that account called the Latin Gate.
Adore the goodness of God, in the wonderful preservation of his servants under these trials. Beg for the assistance of the same hand in all your troubles. Consider how great is your daily want; and let the fervour of your petitions be proportioned to your necessity. You are not to expect miracles for your deliverance: the ordinary help which God offers to all who duly seek it, is sufficient, if you neglect it not. Learn therefore from this great apostle how to suffer. Labour to keep up your spirits under all oppression; for impatience and immoderate grief are unbecoming a Christian. Sink down no farther under any weight than true humility carries you. Endeavour to suppress all other grief, but for your sins. If you can follow this method, sickness may waste your body, malice may injure your reputation, and misfortunes your estate; but your soul will be purified in this, and arise more lively and vigorous from its oppressions." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
THE ADVANTAGE OF SUFFERINGS. -Nature shrinks from suffering, but faith teaches us that since the reign of sin, suffering enters into the scheme of salvation, and thus becomes, in the order of grace, the health-giving flood wherein the sinner is purified. This it is which God has perhaps wished to make us take to heart in the miracle wrought in the person of St. John on the day of his martyrdom, before the Latin gate what was intended to bring death brought to him life, by curing all his wounds. St. John had reached a venerable old age; Domitian caused him to be transferred from Ephesus to Rome, loaded with fetters; he had him inhumanly scourged, so that his limbs were all lacerated, and then ordered him to be cast into a caldron of boiling oil. But far from succumbing therein, the seething liquid became a balm whereby to cure his wounds, and he issued forth stronger than before. The sight of this miracle effected the conversion of many; the tyrant himself was struck with wonder and banished him to the island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the Apocalypse. This happened in the year of Christ 95.
MORAL REFLECTION. -If nature revolt within us against suffering, let us call to mind those words of the Divine Master: "Thou knowest not now wherefore, but thou shalt know hereafter."-(John xiii. 7.) Pictorial Half hours with the Saints by Abbe LeCanu
Saint Pius V, Pope and Confessor, A.D. 1572
by VP
Posted on Monday May 05, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Tridentine Latin Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh NC
"On July 14, 1570, the Pope published the reformed missal by the Bull Quo primum, still printed at its beginning. The Bull commands that this missal alone be used wherever the Roman
rite is followed. No one, of whatever rank he be, shall use any other.
"All rites from other missals, however old, hitherto observed, being in
future left out and entirely abandoned, Mass shall be sung or said
according to the rite, manner and standard which is given in this
missal; nor in celebrating Mass shall anyone dare to add or recite other
ceremonies οι prayers than those that are contained herein." That made
an end of the mediæval derived rites. But the Pope made
one important exception. The Bull allowed any rite to be kept that
could show a prescription of at least two centuries. This rule saved
some modified uses. A few dioceses, as Lyons, kept and still keep their
local forms; so also some religious orders, notably the Dominicans,
Carmelites and Carthusians. What is much more important is that the
exception saved what was left of really independent rites at Milan and
Toledo" The Mass: A Study of the Roman Liturgy By Adrian Fortescue 1914
- Papal Bull: Horrendum illud scelus ( August 30, 1568) Saint Pius V
"That horrible crime, on
account of which corrupt and obscene cities were destroyed by fire
through divine condemnation, causes us most bitter sorrow and shocks our
mind, impelling us to repress such a crime with the greatest possible
zeal. Quite opportunely the Fifth Lateran Council [1512-1517] issued this
decree: "Let any member of the clergy caught in that vice against
nature, given that the wrath of God falls over the sons of perfidy, be
removed from the clerical order or forced to do penance in a monastery"
(chap. 4, X, V, 31).
So that the contagion of such a grave offense may not advance with
greater audacity by taking advantage of impunity, which is the greatest
incitement to sin, and so as to more severely punish the clerics who are
guilty of this nefarious crime and who are not frightened by the death
of their souls, we determine that they should be handed over to the
severity of the secular authority, which enforces civil law.
Therefore, wishing to pursue with greater rigor than we have exerted
since the beginning of our pontificate, we establish that any priest or
member of the clergy, either secular or regular, who commits such an
execrable crime, by force of the present law be deprived of every
clerical privilege, of every post, dignity and ecclesiastical benefit,
and having been degraded by an ecclesiastical judge, let him be
immediately delivered to the secular authority to be put to death, as
mandated by law as the fitting punishment for laymen who have sunk into
this abyss."
