CAPG's Blog 

TEMPTATIONS.-There are temptations which every one may avoid, and this is a positive duty; for "he who loves the danger shall perish therein," says the Holy Gospel. Some there are which no man can fly from, inasmuch as he bears them about him; neither the desert, nor the cloister, nor the solitary retreat shuts them out; fasting, prayer, and confidence in God are the only safeguards. St. Paul, the first hermit, St. Anthony, and St. Jerome, are cases in point. St. Paul, an anchorite of Bithynia, experienced temptations while on the arid rocks of Mount Latre, whither he had betaken himself. Although living merely on raw herbs, bitter acorns, and the water flowing near his grot, he had terrible conflicts to endure; but at length the spirit, or rather the power of grace, triumphed over the flesh. The outer world became aware of his virtues and admired him; he founded several retreats, or monasteries, for anchorites. Emperors, princes, pontiffs, and prelates sought the aid of his counsel and profited thereby, for holiness is a good counsellor. He died in 956.

MORAL REFLECTION.-"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it."-(1 Cor. x. 13.). Source: Half-hour Pictorial Saints by Abbe Auguste Le Canu

"ST. PAUL, an anchorite of Bithynia, had betaken himself to Mount Latre in order to lead a life of greater seclusion and more perfect union with God. Here he gave himself to prayer and penance, subsisting solely upon roots, herbs, and nuts, and drinking only of the stream which flowed near his cave. But his Divine Master, seeing the generosity of His servant's soul, sent him many terrible temptations and trials in the midst of the solitude. Distrusting himself completely, and relying confidently on the power of God, St. Paul made use of the weapons of prayer, mortification, and continual vigilance, and by them triumphed over all the snares of the arch-enemy. After this severe conflict he became the founder of several monasteries. His counsel was sought by pontiffs and prelates; and even the highest princes of the age addressed themselves to him for advice. He died in 956."