Saint Thomas the Apostle
by VP
Posted on Friday December 20, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
It is not recorded in Scripture how St. Thomas was called to the apostleship; but the indispensable condition of an apostle being to leave all and follow Christ, it cannot be questioned that he did so. This was the perfection of their state, who were chosen to spread the Gospel throughout the world, and to carry the name of Christ before kings and princes. They were to renounce the earth, that they might be, without distractions, wholly attentive to the business of Heaven, and give evident proof of their having no other interest, but in Jesus Christ alone.
This apostle, having once undertaken to follow Christ, continued faithful to him; and gave sufficient evidence of his sincerity, when, apprehending His Master's life to be in danger by His going up to Jerusalem, and all the other apostles dissuading Him from it, he alone cried out: Let us also go, and die with Him. This was the test of a true disciple, not to think of leaving Christ when dangers threatened, but readily to offer himself to take part with his Master in all His sufferings. All the followers of Christ must endeavour to observe this rule. They are not only to be faithful in their duties to Him, when it is consistent with their interest, reputation, quiet, and spiritual comfort; for all this may be suspected; but they must likewise continue their fidelity, where they foresee that they are likely to be sufferers or losers by it. If a Christian tells the truth, when it is to his purpose, and defends himself by lies, when he apprehends that the truth will prove disadvantageous to him, is such a one a true disciple? or, can he say: Let us go and die with Christ, who is so unwilling to suffer anything for Him? If a Christian observes the rules of exact sobriety and discipline, when left to his own conduct, and yet joins with those who importune him to disorder and excess, rather than bear their raillery; -if, for fear of being pointed at, he follows a corrupt world, in all its prodigality, vanity, and luxury; if he would serve his neighbour, could it only be done without trouble; if his desires be to live virtuously and justly, but the apprehension of want puts him upon ways that are unjustifiable; if he would observe peace with his neighbours, but cannot bear their impertinent and disagreeable humours ;—if he would ask pardon for injuries done, but cannot submit to the humiliation, or to the thought of being reputed tame and poor-spirited; can such a man pretend to the character of Christ's disciple, who thus upon the prospect of any difficulty or uneasiness, abandons His cause, and so far forsakes Him. A Christian ought ever to be in a disposition of dying with Christ: it is part of this day's lesson. He is to follow Him even to death: what then, if he meets with the ordinary discouragements, which commonly work by raising fear or shame? If he cannot overcome these, how will he do it when they are accompanied with the terrors of racks and death? He that surrenders to a weak enemy, how can he hope to be victorious, when assaulted by a much greater force ?
Strive therefore daily to be constant in all your duties: accustom yourself to force your way upon meeting with opposition. Let no fear or shame prevail on you, to the omission of any duty have no regard to what the world will say of you. Look on difficulties, troubles, temptations, and disquiets, as part of your portion, and an exercise of this
life, to which God has called you. Be not therefore afraid to suffer
and then if God shall call you to greater trials, you may hope to say
still with this apostle: Let us go, and die with our suffering Lord." The Catholic Year; by Fr. John Gother
O Clavis David. (Advent Meditations)
by VP
Posted on Thursday December 19, 2024 at 11:00PM in Advent Sermons
"O
Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel ; Who openest and no
man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth ; come and deliver from
the prison-house the captive who sits in darkness and in the shadow of
death"
1. The key and the scepter are the symbols of supreme
authority ; they indicate the sway that the Savior is to hold over His
faithful people, and the right which He alone possesses of opening the
gate of heaven to the children of men, and of extending to them the
golden scepter of His mercy and forgiving love. To me, O Key of David,
unworthy though I am, open in Thy mercy the door of heaven ; stretch out
to me,all undeserving, the scepter of Thy favor and Thy love.
2.
Thou shuttest, O Lord, and no man opens. O shut not upon me the door
which will admit me to draw nigh to Thee! Shut not upon me the door of
Thy mercy and grace. Shut not the door which leads me into the inner
sanctuary of Thy love. Shut not the door of that fold wherein Thy
favorite children dwell in peace and happiness. Shut not, above all, the
door of paradise at my last hour.
3. Come then, O Lord, and
open to me now the door of my captivity. I am a captive to my own
self-will ; a captive to my want of charity ; a captive to my vanity and
love of display; a captive to my self-indulgence and dislike of
mortification ; a captive to a thousand faults of which I am scarcely
conscious. Come, O Lord, and set the captive free. I am weak, and cannot
break my chains unless I receive from Thee the necessary strength ;
come, O Lord Jesus, come quickly. "
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)
Glory Be (three times).
Infant Jesus, make me love Thee more and more.
Ember Friday Advent : Christ was crucified (Fast and abstinence)
by VP
Posted on Thursday December 19, 2024 at 11:00PM in Ember Days
Station of the Cross, Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh NC
Friday in Ember Week.
"This being an Ember-day,
fail not to pray for all the intentions of the Church in the institution
of these days. One important object of your prayers should be, to beg a
blessing upon all those who are at this time promoted to Holy Orders.
God has ordained His Church to be provided with pastors for the good of
the flock: beseech Him therefore to have mercy on all who at this time
receive Holy Orders. Beg of Him to give them a spirit answerable to
their function; that they may be a light to all those, who are to be under their charge. Pray to Him
to give them a zeal for the good of souls, that they may be ready to do
good to all, according to their necessities, and be prepared at all
times to give their life for their flock." The Catholic Year, Fr. John Gother
Prayer for our Bishop:
O Jesus, Prince of Pastors, Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, give our bishops ................ all those virtues, which they need for their sanctification! May they watch over themselves and the entire flock, with which the Holy Spirit has entrusted them! Fill their hearts with Thine own Spirit! Give them faith, charity, wisdom and strength! Send them faithful co-laborers in the great work of saving and guiding souls! Make them shepherds after Thine own heart, living only for their holy office, fearing nobody but Thee, and hoping for nothing but Thee, in order that when Thou shalt come, to judge shepherds and flocks, they may obtain the unfading reward of eternal life! Amen Imprimatur: Most Rev. Vincent S. Waters, D.D. Raleigh, N.C. March 25, 1956
"The violence of the enemy is always directed against those priests who
are most generous and most loyal.The more you are like your Divine
Model, your Savior and your God, the more certainly will you be the
target for the calumnies, the abuse and persecutions of the wicked." Revs. Jacques Nicolas et P. Millet, S.J. (Jesus Living in the Priest: Considerations on the greatness and Holiness of the Priesthood)
Way of the Cross for Priests ( Especially for those who are suffering persecution)
Vigil of St. Thomas, APOSTLE.
by VP
Posted on Thursday December 19, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
"KEEP this day of penance in such a manner as may be acceptable to God, in humiliation and self-denial. If you practice some penitential works, and yet find ways to court your appetite, commit excesses, and indulge yourself in all your usual liberties, will this be a good preparation for the blessings of heaven? Endeavour in this point to reform yourself and others.
Self-denial is absolutely necessary for a Christian life. This necessity arises from the corruption of our nature, which spreading itself through all the faculties of our soul and body, inclines them all, with a sort of violence, to evil; so that if they have the liberty of following their own inclination, they will all run into sin, and seek satisfaction in it. This corruption then obliges us to self-denial; because the will and law of God are holy and we cannot walk according to these, unless we check and suppress in us all those inclinations, which would carry us out of the way of this holiness, and lead us to evil. If we follow that which is just and good, we must of necessity stand against and resist that which binds us to sin.
This is declared by Christ Himself, who thus says to His disciples: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me". Here self-denial is expressly declared a necessary condition for becoming a disciple of Christ. This is to be practiced by keeping a strict watch upon all the faculties of the soul, and senses of the body; and bringing them into subjection to the will of God, as often as any motions or inclinations are perceived in them, contrary to the divine will. Hence a guard is to be set upon the inward and outward man: all is to be kept under government. The understanding, the will, the memory, the heart, the affections, the desires, the whole list of passions, the eyes, the ears, the tongue, the taste, the hands and feet, and the rest. No liberty is to be allowed to any of them, but in accordance with the divine will. Thus is a Christian to practice what he professes, that is, to be a follower of Christ." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Nemesion, Martyr, A.D. 250.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday December 18, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
"In the persecution of Decius, Nemesion, an Egyptian, was apprehended at Alexandria, and accused of theft, by certain enemies of his faith, whose malice suggested this way of destroying both his life and reputation. The servant of Christ easily cleared himself of that false charge; but his faith in Christ was then made his crime, and he was accused of being a Christian. Hereupon he was sent to the prefect of Egypt, and confessing his faith at his tribunal, he was ordered to be scourged, and tormented even more grievously than the thieves. After this he was condemned to be burnt with the most criminal among the robbers and other malefactors; whereby he had the honour and happiness more perfectly to imitate the death of our divine Redeemer.
False accusations are a
severe trial: therefore, let not your charity be wanting in praying for
those who are under it. And for yourself, consider this matter
seriously. Reproach, ignominy, and disgrace, were some of those evils, to which Christ Himself submitted; and being sanctified in His sacred person, may be to you a sanctification, if you receive them in the spirit of Jesus
Christ, that is, with His patience, charity, and meekness. It is
allowable, in such cases, to justify yourself with moderation and peace:
but if your plea be not received, then is the time to join yourself to Christ, and imitate His humility and silence in submitting to the scourge
which God is pleased to lay upon you. It may be just from His hand,
though not from those who appear against you. Let this be your rule, and
permit not every ordinary provocation of this kind to fill your mind with resentment and passion. This is a sure mark of pride, a certain proof that you have not yet learnt the maxims of the Cross, and are far from the humility of your Saviour, who delivered Himself up to him who judged him unjustly. It is unworthy of your Christian profession, and will be the loss of that advantage which God puts into your hands, when He sends you these trials. Pray then for the grace to bear them with humility and patience, prepare for their approach, and practise these virtues when the trial comes." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
O Radix Jesse. (Advent Meditations)
by VP
Posted on Wednesday December 18, 2024 at 11:00PM in Advent Sermons
“O
Root of Jesse, Who standest for a sign to the nations, before Whom
kings shall shut their mouth, of Whom the Gentiles shall entreat mercy ;
come to set us free, and no longer delay.”
1. The King Who is
to come is of the root of Jesse, since He is of David’s royal line. He
is the true David, Who laid low the spiritual Goliath, the prince of
darkness, who in pagan times defied the power of the living God. He is
above all the Man after God’s own heart, in that the one motive of His
heart was to carry out His Father’s will. If this is the motive power of
my life, then I too am of the root of Jesse, and in spite of failings
am a man after God’s own heart, just in proportion as this motive is
ever present to me.
2. Jesus is a sign to the nations; a sign of
contradiction to His enemies, but before Whom the most powerful will
have to shut their mouth in humble subjection; a sign to His friends,
the men of good-will in every clime and country, who will be drawn to
Him to offer their joyful homage at His feet, entreating of Him that
mercy which He is more ready to grant than they to ask. To me He is a
sign, either fondly loved, or neglected and treated as of no account.
3.
O Root of Jesse, O King and Savior, come and set us free ; free from
all that displeases Thee, free from the snares that entangle our feet,
free from our perverse attachment to our own will, free from the power
of the devil, free from our slowness in obeying Thy commands and holy
inspirations, free from all that hinders us in Thy service ; come and
say the word, and we shall be delivered. "
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)
Glory Be (three times).
Infant Jesus, make me love Thee more and more.
Ember Wednesday Advent: Christ is betrayed
by VP
Posted on Tuesday December 17, 2024 at 11:00PM in Meditations
Ember Wednesday in Advent.
"This being Ember-week, we
are required to humble ourselves in fasting and prayer, and to observe
these days according to the spirit of the Church. Beg a blessing on the
fruits of the earth, and pray for all those, who at this time are
promoted to Holy Orders, that they may be worthy ministers of the
Church. It is by God's blessing that the earth is fruitful for the
relief of our necessities. Beg of Him to be favourable to us at this
time, and give His wonted blessing to the earth, that whatever seed is
committed to it may bring forth its increase for our support and
comfort; and that finding the wonderful effects of God's goodness, we
may be mindful of the mercy, and give Him the glory." The Catholic Year, Father John Gother.
Prayer:
Divine Savior Jesus Christ, Thou are the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep. Oh, be in a very special way the Good Shepherd of those poor lost priests who are also appointed by Thee to be leaders of Thy people, but who have broken the oath of their holy ordination and have become unfaithful to their exalted calling. Bestow upon these poorest of the poor the very fullness of that pastoral solicitude with which Thou dost so faithfully seek the sheep that are lost! Touch their hearts with the irresistible ray of grace which emanates from Thine all-merciful love! Enlighten their minds and strengthen their wills, that they may turn away from all sin and error and come back to Thy holy altar and to Thy people. O most compassionate Savior! Remember that Thou didst once redeem the souls of Thine erring priests with Thy Precious Blood and in infinite preferential love didst impress upon them the indelible character of the priesthood. Put wholly to shame those miserable helpers of Satan who lay snares for the virtue of priests and endanger the holy ideal of the priesthood. Most graciously accept our prayers and sacrifices for poor priests who have gone astray and hear our earnest petition. Amen
St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests.
St. John-Mary Vianney, model of sacerdotal holiness, obtain for us holy priests.
St. Francis Xavier, patron of missionary priests, obtain for us holy priests.
St. Therese of the Child-Jesus and of the Holy Face, victim offered for the sanctification of priests, obtain for us holy priests.
Saints and Servants of God, obtain for us holy priests.
Imprimatur - Bishop John F. Null (April 18, 1948)
Litany to Obtain Holy Priests:
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Christ, hear us
Christ, Graciously hear us
God, Our Heavenly Father, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God, The Holy Ghost, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, Three Persons in one God, have mercy on us
Lord, obtain for us priests
Lord, obtain for us holy priests and make us docile to their teachings
Holy Mary, Queen of the Clergy, obtain for us holy priests
Saint Joseph, Patron of the Church, obtain for us holy priests
Saint Michael, splendor and protector of the Church militant, obtain for us holy priests
All you holy Saints and Archangels, obtain for us holy priests
All you holy Patriarchs and Prophets, obtain for us holy priests
All you holy Martyrs and Virgins, obtain for us holy priests
All you holy Bishops and Confessors, obtain for us holy priests
All you holy Priests and Doctors, obtain for us holy priests
All you holy Founders of religious orders, obtain for us holy priests
St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests
St. John-Mary Vianney, model of sacerdotal holiness, obtain for us holy priests
St. Francis Xavier, patron of missionary priests, obtain for us holy priests
St. Therese of the Child-Jesus and of the Holy Face, victim offered for
the sanctification of priests, obtain for us holy priests
Saints and Servants of God, obtain for us holy priests.
To celebrate with reverence the Holy Mysteries, obtain for us holy priests
To offer every day the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, obtain for us holy priests
To feed the people of God with the Bread of life, obtain for us holy priests
To promote the splendors of the Divine Worship, obtain for us holy priests
To regenerate souls through baptism, obtain for us holy priests
To instruct the faithful in the Holy Faith, obtain for us holy priests
To keep the faithful in the fear of the Lord, obtain for us holy priests
To announce to all the Word of God, obtain for us holy priests
To unmask and combat false doctrines, obtain for us holy priests
To fortify the Faith of those who doubt, obtain for us holy priests
To support and encourage those who fail, obtain for us holy priests
To raise up those who fall and to reconcile them to God, obtain for us holy priests
To bring back to God those who rejected Him, obtain for us holy priests
To protect christian morality, obtain for us holy priests
To fight with zeal the corruption of morality, obtain for us holy priests
To bless holy unions, obtain for us holy priests
To defend the honor and sanctity of marriage, obtain for us holy priests
To strengthen the happiness of our christian families, obtain for us holy priests
To fortify and console our sicks and those who suffer, obtain for us holy priests
To assist our dying ones, obtain for us holy priests
To lead our dead to eternal happiness, obtain for us holy priests
To pray and offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for our dead, obtain for us holy priests
To give glory to God, and to give grace and peace to souls of good will, obtain for us holy priests.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
The Lord chose for Himself priests so that they will offer Him a worthy thanksgiving.
Let us pray: God Almighty and merciful, favorably grant the prayers of
Your faithful and grant to those whom You have given the immense
generosity of your clemency, to be elevated to the service of the
heavenly mysteries, to become worthy ministers at Your sacred altars, so
that their teachings be confirmed by your sanctification, through Our
Lord Jesus-Christ, Amen.
Translated by CAPG (Litanies pour Obtenir de Saints Prêtres: Private Litany to obtain Holy Priests)
O Adonai. (Advent Meditations)
by VP
Posted on Tuesday December 17, 2024 at 11:00PM in Advent Sermons
“
O Lord, and Leader of the house of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in
a flame of fire in the bush, and didst give to him the law on Mount
Sinai, come to redeem us with Thy stretched out arm.”
1. The
Savior for Whom we look is also Our Lord (Adonai), the Leader and Chief
to whom we have sworn fealty. We speak of Him continually under the
familiar name of Our Lord, and each time we do so we reassert our
acknowledgment of the obligation to follow where He leads, and to be
subject to Him in all things. O happy followers of such a Leader! If we
tread in His footsteps, and obey His voice, He will set our feet in
green pastures, and lead us to the fountains of the water of life.
2.
The flame of fire in the burning bush was a figure of Jesus in Mary's
sacred womb. Holy indeed was the place where God was present, and whence
He promised to His people their deliverance from Egypt. So He still
speaks as if concealed in Mary’s womb, and reminds us that He has made
her holy with a holiness second only to His own; and when we draw nigh
to her we hear His voice announcing to us that He has heard our prayers
offered through her, and will come to deliver us from our enemies.
3.
What shall be our prayer to Him when He inspires us to make our request
with boldness at the throne of grace ? Come to redeem us with Thy
stretched-out arm. Come to deliver us from the effects of our past sins.
Come to deliver us from the attachment to some sin that still lurks
within us. Come to deliver us from all our countless negligences and
imperfections. Come with Thine arm stretched out to ward us from the
foe, O Lord and Lover of our souls. " Meditations # 22 for Advent . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)
Glory Be (three times).
Infant Jesus, make me love Thee more and more.
The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday December 17, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
"By the great mystery of the Incarnation, the Blessed Virgin Mary contracted the most intimate union with the eternal Son of God, whom she was privileged to conceive and bear in her womb. She was ever humble, and remained respectfully silent, without any boasting of the great things which God had accomplished within her. But what tongue can express the inward feelings and affections which filled the glowing heart of the most pure Mother of God? What light shone in her understanding, to penetrate the mysteries and the unfathomed goodness of God? What ardours of holy love inflamed her will? These affections increased in her soul, as the time drew nigh when she should give birth to the world's Redeemer. And this festival is appointed by the Church, to encourage us to contemplate the sentiments of the Blessed Virgin at this time; so that by endeavouring to acquire some share of her dispositions, we may be well prepared for the approaching festival of our Lord's Nativity.
Having had the great happiness to conceive our Blessed Saviour, the holy Virgin ardently desired to give Him birth. She knew that He was given for the salvation of all, and was anxious that a work so important should be begun upon the earth.
How often do you conceive God in your souls by holy desires and good
resolutions; but how rarely are these brought forth to any practical
result? Study in future to cherish holy resolutions and bring them to
maturity. The Blessed Virgin, knowing the decree of God, that Christ should be born of her,
earnestly desired His birth, that she might see Him, adore Him, and
minister to Him. Learn hence to give to your Saviour, not your
affections only, but your external homage and service; and minister to Him in the persons of the poor and of every neighbour. The Blessed Virgin prepared herself for the happy event which she expected, by inflamed acts of divine love and holy desire, and the perfect exercise of every virtue. Employ this day, and every day before the great festival of Christmas, in the like holy exercises; and beseech the Blessed Virgin to obtain for you grace to share in her holy dispositions." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Ember Days Winter (December 18, 20, 21)
by VP
Posted on Monday December 16, 2024 at 11:00PM in Prayers
Let us, therefore, revive Embers days!
Let us again pray, fast, and abstain for more faithful priests!
Wednesday (20th): the day Christ was betrayed (Fast and half-abstinence)
Friday (22nd): Christ was crucified (Fast and abstinence)
and Saturday (23rd): the day Christ was entombed. (Fast and half-abstinence)
"Many Christians, alas, scarcely know the purpose of the Ember days. They have been appointed in order that the faithful pray for good priests, and may supplement their prayers by fasting and good works. Good priests must be obtained through prayer. The greatest blessing for a parish is a good, zealous priest. Those who often pray for priests will draw God's blessing upon themselves, and will experience the assistance and blessing of the priest in the hour of death."Rev. Ferreol Girarday C.S.S.R
The observance of Ember days is a very old tradition, going back to the
Apostolic time and taking after the Roman Pagan customs that held
festivals on each seasons of the year. In 494, Pope Gelasius I used
the Ember Saturdays to confer ordination to the priesthood.
From
their origins, Ember days had a two fold purpose: to pray for the
laborers and for the fruits of the harvest. During these three days,
Catholics were thanking Our Blessed Lord "for the gifts of nature" asking
Him "to teach men to make use of them in moderation, assist the needy"
but most of all to pray for more good priests. Ember Days: Catholic Encyclopedia
In 1969, Pope Paul VI excluded the embers day from being mandatory
days of fast and abstinence and left their celebrations to the
discretion of the local bishops. Even though the US Bishops' Conference
has decided not to celebrate them, we may still choose to do so as a
personal devotion since its observance at home or small communities is
not discouraged:
"17. Vigils and Ember Days, as most now know, no
longer oblige to fast and abstinence. However, the liturgical renewal
and the deeper appreciation of the joy of the holy days of the
Christian year will, we hope, result in a renewed appreciation as to why
our forefathers spoke of "a fast before a feast." We impose no fast
before any feast-day, but we suggest that the devout will find greater
Christian joy in the feasts of the liturgical calendar if they freely
bind themselves, for their own motives and in their own spirit of
piety, to prepare for each Church festival by a day of particular
self-denial, penitential prayer and fasting."
Vigils and Ember Days (USCCB) 1966
"We should never let these seasons pass without adding prayer to our fasts, or it may be compensating fast by prayer. Our prayer should be for the clergy, not only those ordained, though for them especially; but for the Sovereign Pontiff, the cardinals, bishops, parochial clergy, missionaries and religious orders, seminarians; and for the grace of vocation to the priesthood. An excellent prayer for this purpose is the Litany of the Saints, in which so many bishops, priests, and Levites are invoked; or the Rosary may be appropriately said, grouping those for whom we pray into five classes, corresponding to the five decades." Publications of the Catholic Truth Society, (Volume 24)
"The fast of the Ember days has been instituted principally to obtain of God good, holy and zealous priests for His Church. On this point especially depend the honor and welfare of the Church and the salvation of mankind. History proves, beyond all doubt, that a careless and tepid clergy do greater injury to the Church and to the souls of men than a bitter and bloody persecution. Persecution, in its outcome, proves beneficial to the Church and sends heroic martyrs to heaven, but a clergy devoid of holiness and virtue is the scourge of souls and the disgrace of the Church." Rev. Ferreol Girarday C.S.S.R
