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"The example of the holy women, who went to visit the sepulchre of our Lord, furnishes us with some excellent instructions for this time. They make a provision of perfumes: they rise early to carry them to the sepulchre; they think not of the inconvenience of going alone, and having none in their company capable of rolling the stone away for them. This difficulty occurs to them upon the way; yet they are not discouraged, but pursue their journey with a hope in Providence. Thus they go on, following the impetuous notions of a sincere heart, without regard to any of those precautions which human prudence might have suggested. And what is their success? They find the stone removed from the mouth of the sepulchre, they are assured of Christ's being risen from the dead, by two angels who appeared to them; and are ordered to give notice of it to the apostles. Thus have they the first news of the Resurrection; and by commission from heaven are made apostles of it to the apostles themselves.

Now, if we consider this disposition of their minds, it is plain that they had not a lively faith of Christ's Resurrection, nor in those words by which He foretold it, because they thought Him dead; but it being the trouble at Christ's death which made them incapable of reflecting or thinking of anything else, and they following the dictates of a sincere love, in resolving to express the honour which they had for Him in the best manner they could, Christ distinguishes between the effects of human weakness in them, and the sincerity of their love, in bearing with the one, and rewarding the other.

A like good effect will those Christians find, who with a like sincerity seek their Lord. If they are sensible of their wants, and with true desires of amendment, vigorously undertake whatever appears to them pleasing to their God, such a disposition cannot fail of meeting with blessings from His hand, who cannot withstand the endeavours of a fervent and single heart, but will show them mercy, in bearing with their infirmities, in removing their difficulties, in perfecting their faith, and in giving light to their darkness." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"From his youth, this saint was eminent for singular gifts both of nature and grace. His modesty, meekness, chastity, and other virtues, charmed all who had the happiness of his acquaintance. He received the Blessed Sacrament very frequently: in every town where he came, he visited the hospitals and churches; and passed several hours upon his knees before the Blessed Sacrament. He gave to the poor sometimes the very clothes off his back.

For some time he practiced the law as a counselor at Colmar, with great reputation, but still greater virtue. He abstained from all invective, detraction, and whatever might affect the reputation of any adversary. He conceived a disgust, however, for a profession, which was to many an occasion of sin; and determined to enter among the Capuchin friars. He first received holy orders, and having said his first mass in their convent at Fribourg, he consecrated himself to God by taking the habit. From that moment, humiliations, mortification, and implicit obedience were his delight. In regard to dress and furniture, he always chose that for his own use, which was the least valuable and convenient. His life was a continued prayer and recollection; and at his devotions he seemed rather like an angel than a man.

When he had finished his course of divinity, St. Fidelis was employed in preaching and hearing confessions. He reformed many by his zealous labors, and converted several Calvinists. When a pestilential fever infected the Austrian army, he exercised wonderful charity in assisting the sick and dying. He also exerted himself indefatigably in composing differences between neighbors, and relieving those who were in distress. He was most devout to the Blessed Virgin, and regularly recited the holy rosary. By her prayers and those of other saints, he begged that he might shed his blood in the defense of the Catholic faith. His prayer was granted. For the Calvinists were so incensed against him, for his pious labors to convert them, that they murdered him in the year 1622, the forty-fifth of his age.

Pray for all who are engaged in the holy ministry, and laboring for the conversion of souls. To contribute to the conversion of a sinner, is something more excellent than to raise the dead to life. The soul, which from the death of sin is raised to the life of grace, passes from slavery to the devil, to the dignity and privileges of a child of God. By this divine adoption, she is rescued out of the abyss of infinite misery, and exalted to the most sublime state of glory and happiness, in which all the treasures of grace and of heaven are her portion for ever." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

The three women on the tomb of Christ, by Irma Martin,  1843

"As the angel said to the holy women, who were looking for Christ among the dead: He is risen, He is not here; so the state of every Christian at this time ought to be such, that as to all wilful and affected sin, it may with truth be said of him: "He is risen, he is not here". The past time ought to suffice for sin: and now as to what remains, all ought to live to the will of God. This is what St. Paul says to the Corinthians: "You have been sinners, but now you are washed, now you are sanctified, now you are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. You have been darkness; but now you are light in our Lord: walk therefore as children of the light." This is the fruit of Christ's Passion, which ought to be found in every Christian. This it is which the present solemnity of the Resurrection demands of every one in particular; and wherever this is not, those who have it not are not the children of God, nor have they any part in Christ. And the Resurrection of our Lord, which is a day of joy to repenting sinners, what must it be to such as obstinately or carelessly abide in sin, but a day of reproach and confusion, even a beginning of that confusion, which, if not timely prevented, will be eternal?

For where the mercies of a Redeemer do not raise up from the grave of sin, what can be expected, but to lie buried in sin for ever?

Wherefore, it being a common interest to escape this confusion, it is plain that it can be no other way effected, than by rising with Christ from sin, and beginning the life of the new man. And because the weight of our corruption is a general hindrance to this work, and the occasion of its being unfinished, though often begun; it is our present duty to consider of the means proper for carrying it on. And since this was the time of our Saviour's beginning a new life, beg of Him to give a new life to all who believe in Him, that they may begin such a method, as may give them well-grounded hopes of rising with Him to a life immortal." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

St. George

"He is the ancient patron of this nation (England). Pray therefore this day for your country: recommend it earnestly to the divine protection. Beg all blessings upon it, both temporal and spiritual; and let your petitions be multiplied in proportion to the many evils to which it is subject. Thus is courage always necessary for a Christian; and without it, he cannot either live or die well. And it being the gift of God, it ought to have a part in our prayers this day, that so every one may hope to obtain such a degree of it, as his state requires. Grant it therefore, O God: leave us not to ourselves, but mercifully assist us by thy grace, that following the example of thy saints, we may with courage and resolution persevere to the end." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

Sandro Botticelli: The Resurrected Christ

"The Resurrection of Christ is the accomplishment of Man's redemption. He died for our sins; He rose again, that we might be clothed with new justice, such as might establish us in a life of virtue, and preserve us from the danger of our own corruption. This mystery is the confirmation of our faith; that we shall one day rise from the dead to a life immortal; a life to which sin and death can have no access. The yearly celebration of it is to revive this faith in us, and to put us in mind of obtaining such an establishment in virtue against all sinful relapses, as may be a preparation for that unchangeable state hereafter. For this end the Church calls upon us to arise with Christ; and that as Christ, dying once, died no more, for that death had now no power over Him, so we ought to rise from sin, and sin no more. We are taught moreover, that we ought to renounce all ungodliness and worldly desires, and live soberly, justly, and piously, in expectation of the coming of our Lord; that we ought to seek the things that are above, and not the things on earth; and that thus only can we duly celebrate this festival, and hope to rise with Christ in the resurrection of the just.

The solemnity is great, and our obligation also is great not to be satisfied by dissolute joy or plentiful tables, for thus the heathens honoured their gods; but by putting on the new man, and living as the children of light, sanctified by the Blood of Christ. Christ was crucified that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be the servants of sin. This was the end of Christ's sufferings, and it ought to be our great concern that this effect be found in us. For to go on now in sin, if it be not a reproach to Christ's Passion, is an argument at least of our having no part in it. And what state can there be more miserable, than for a Christian to be found still a captive to sin, after Christ has given His Blood to redeem him from it, and establish him in the liberty of the sons of God?" The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

Martyrdom of Pope Caius

" Saint Soter was raised to the papacy, upon the death of St. Anicetus in 173. By the sweetness of his discourses, he comforted all persons with the tenderness of a father, and assisted the indigent with liberal alms, especially those who suffered for the faith. He liberally extended his charities, according to the custom of his predecessors, to remote churches, particularly to that of Corinth, to which he addressed an excellent letter, which was read for edification on Sundays at their assemblies to celebrate the divine mysteries, together with the letter of St. Clement, pope. St. Soter vigorously opposed the heresy of Montanus, and governed the Church to the year 177, when he was put to death for the Christian faith, under Marcus Aurelius.

St. Caius succeeded St. Eutychian in the apostolic see, in the year 283. The Church then enjoyed a calm, but was soon after disturbed by a tumultuous persecution for two years, on the death of Carinus. St. Caius encouraged St. Sebastian and the other martyrs and confessors. However, to preserve himself for his flock, he withdrew for a time to avoid the fury of the storm. Having sat twelve years, he died on the 21st of April, 296; his great sufferings having obtained him the title of martyr.

Pray for the present bishop of the holy see of Rome, and for all bishops and pastors of Christ's Church; that whether in peace or persecution, they may ever bear testimony to the truth. Their lives are powerful persuasives to virtue, if they live up to their character: and to licentiousness, if they give countenance to it. If they are unfaithful, let not this make you question the truth of what you profess. Your faith is built on the truth of God, and the promises of Christ: and however individuals may fail, these can never fail. Let the ill conduct therefore of others make you fear and tremble, and humbly distrust yourself, but not God's power, His goodness, or His truth. Learn the value of crosses and sufferings. Those Christian heroes, of whom the world was not worthy, all suffered, and were persecuted in many ways. These crosses ensured to them their greatest crowns" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

Jesus appears to his disciples after he has risen. 1873

"They being troubled and affrighted, imagined that they saw a spirit. This was the first effect of Christ's manifesting Himself to His apostles, after His rising from the dead. He presented Himself in the midst of them; but such was their difficulty of believing, that they could not persuade themselves that it was any more than an apparition. This their incredulity was necessary for establishing the faith of this mystery; since they required most convincing proofs to persuade them to believe it. This therefore was so ordered by Providence, in all the witnesses of this truth. The women that carried perfumes to His sepulchre, went with a persuasion of His being dead. The two disciples going to Emmaus, seemed disappointed in the hopes which they had once had of His Resurrection. The apostles, though prepared by the information which they had received, were not hasty in believing it. St. Thomas positively declared his disbelief, and that he would not believe, but upon evidence of seeing. Now though this was a weakness in all, yet it was permitted for our greater assurance. For had they shewn an over-credulity, their testimony might have been questioned, in a mystery so difficult. When however they give their lives in testimony of the truth, this renders them witnesses above all exception.

It is our duty therefore, to give hearty thanks to our Redeemer, for setting this fundamental article of our religion in so eminent a degree of certainty, that it equals and surpasses that of all other things in the world. For, the Resurrection of Christ being proved, all other articles are proved by it. If Jesus Christ is risen, then the whole Gospel is to be believed; then the Church is to be believed, which is promised in the Gospel; in fine, the whole Christian religion is to be believed, because it is all linked to the truth of the Resurrection.

The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road (Les pèlerins d'Emmaüs en chemin) - James Tissot

"They discoursed together of the things that had happened. The subject of this Gospel is a relation of Christ's appearing on the day of his Resurrection, to two of His disciples, as they were going to Emmaus. They had not yet a faith of Christ being risen. We hoped, said they, that it was He who was to redeem Israel: but now they seemed to fear a disappointment. However, such was their love for their Master, that they could speak of nothing but of Him. This is the subject of their discourse by the way; and while they thus entertain each other, Christ joins Himself to their company, though as yet unknown, and soon after opens their eyes to see the unreasonableness of their own fears, and to know Him.

"Saint Anselm was born in Piedmont, and reclaimed from the disorders of his youth by the piety of the famous Lanfranc. By his advice, and that of the archbishop of Rouen, he became a religious, and made such advancement in all virtue, that he was soon chosen prior, and then abbot. He was all to all, by courtesy and charity, that he might find occasions of giving every one some suitable instructions to promote their salvation. Going afterwards to England to consult Lanfranc, then archbishop of Canterbury, his virtue so much recommended him to King William II., that after the death of Lanfranc, he obliged him to fill up that vacancy. His zeal however raised up so many enemies against him, and brought upon him so severe a persecution from the king, that he was forced to leave the kingdom. After three years, the king being dead, St. Anselm returned, but met with fresh opposition from the new king, Henry I. Amidst his troubles and public distractions, he often retired to his devotions, and watched long in them during the night. Leaving England to consult Pope Paschal II., he was forbidden by the king to return, unless he would comply with his unjust demands. Soon after, the king himself invited him to return; and he was received with great joy by the whole kingdom. But he survived only three years; and happily expired, laid on sackcloth and ashes, at Canterbury, in the year 1109, in the seventy-sixth of his age.

Let his eminent virtues arm you against despair in regard of those, whose disorderly youth gives you little hopes of good. God often shows his power in their conversion, and makes of them vessels of honour. Upon the same grounds despair not of yourself, whatever your present weakness be; but still continue on your endeavours for amendment, under the conduct of a director, whose prudence, piety, and patience may support you under the delays of your obstinate evil. Zeal is not only commendable, but necessary, amidst the general corruptions of the world; but if it gives up at the displeasure of men, it is not the zeal of the Gospel. He must have courage to suffer for justice and truth, who undertakes their cause." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

(...) "Rescue me, O Lord my God, and snatch me out of the hands of my enemies; for they too are Thine, they are the subjects of Thy almighty power; and they hate nothing of good works in me except what Thou hast given me. There is nothing in me that they hate, but only that I love Thee. And they scheme with all their endeavours, with all their might, with all their craft, to prevent my loving Thee, glorifying Thee, and ever seeking Thee. Therefore let not the enemies of Thy glory be too strong for me; but let them be the more confounded as they see that I, bent on praising Thee and glorifying Thee, am seeking with all best endeavours that peace and glory of Thine, which they are intent upon diminishing."

A Prayer to Christ for my Enemies. By Saint Anselm