CAPG's Blog 

"St. Thomas was archbishop of Canterbury. Pray for all bishops of Christ's Church, that they may have a true zeal and piety answerable to their charge.

He was forced into banishment, where he lived a great example of all virtue. Neither could the sufferings of his relations, or any considerations of flesh and blood, move him to yield in the least point of his duty for their relief. Pray that you may make the like good use of all kinds of suffering. Pray for constancy in all your duties, and that no human respects may ever prevail on you to do an injury to your conscience.

As a good shepherd, St. Thomas gave his life for his sheep, being barbarously murdered in his own cathedral at vespers. Pray that all prelates and pastors may largely partake of this apostolic spirit, in giving their study and care, their labours and whole lives for their flock: that living in a perpetual renunciation of private interest, satisfaction, and ease, for the good of their flock, they may be thus prepared for the same to surrender their lives.

These were the first victims of Jesus Christ. Offer yourself a sacrifice to Him, who was born to become a sacrifice for you. If your life be not in danger from the cruelty of enemies, be your own spiritual executioner, by dying to all that is contrary to the law of God. Thus will you become the victim of Christ; and this you are to pray for this day.

In these Holy Innocents, you see the fury of their enemies become the means of making them eternally happy. Pray that you may make this good use of whatever you suffer and remember that suffering, joined with innocence, is the way of the Gospel and of Christ, and such as leads to glory.

These children were cut off in the state of innocence. A day proper for all parents to pray for their children, that God would preserve them in their innocence, and rather take them out of this world, in that state of security, than permit them to grow up, if He foresees that they will take to evil ways, and be rebels against Him.

In these first victims of Christ, who were murdered by Herod, the Church honours persecuted and oppressed innocence, gives thanks for their glory, and teaches all the faithful that whatever malice God permits the wicked to exercise against the just, it is for the good of those who suffer it. So that to wonder at the sufferings of the innocent, is the effect of very weak reasoning, such as does not understand the conduct of Almighty God. For very often there is no other reason why He permits them to suffer than because they are innocent. This consideration ought to moderate in Christians all excesses of grief and disquiet, when they are under any kind of affliction. For as the malice of persecutors has been the advantage of the martyrs, who, if they had suffered less, would have been less glorious; so every occasion of trouble, if submitted to with patience, may be as the seed of glory. It may not be the scourge of anger, but the mercy of a loving father, designing by such steps to exercise and perfect His children, for obtaining an eternal rest. This is a lesson which these suffering innocents give to all Christians; and an encouragement to wait with patience under all the appointments of God, in hopes of the recompense which he has promised.

Last Supper, Juan de Juanes 

"Saint John having been the most beloved disciple of Jesus, and having loved to repose on the bosom of his divine Master; we may well study on this his festival, how to regulate our love of creatures, so that we may never be separated by them from the love of our Creator and Redeemer. Though we have permitted us in this life, the use of creatures; though they are allowed in their due degree and the being pleased with them cannot be separated from that use which is permitted; yet to love them is dangerous, and exposes the soul to the hazard of resting on them instead of on Christ. It is, therefore, a nice point to use and enjoy creatures and the goods of this life, and yet not to love them; at least, not so as to prejudice that love and rest which we ought to have in Christ. Yet thus it ought to be, because we are not to transgress the eternal decrees of God; who having given all creatures for our use and convenience, allows us not to give our hearts to them, but has reserved these for himself.

There is no less difficulty on the other side, as to things that displease us. For though we are here in this life exposed to variety of necessities; though we see ourselves destitute of all human comfort; though we suffer loss of goods and friends; though we see the world armed against us; though there be a succession of evils attending our whole lives; yet it is not allowed us, under the oppression of the most weighty afflictions, to lose our comfort and rest in Christ, but in His breast we are ever to repose. Those are the conditions for obtaining the love of Jesus, hard enough to our corrupt nature, and yet not to be dispensed with.

A supernatural wisdom, and the Spirit of God, directed St. Stephen in all his disputes with the enemies of his faith. Pray for the same heavenly assistance, both for yourself and all others, as often as charity to your neighbour and duty to truth shall oblige to the like engagements: and remember that patience and moderation best become the advocates of truth.

He bore with the malice of his adversaries with a wonderful courage: pray that this may be a pattern to you and all others, when called to any part of these trials.

St. Stephen prayed for his enemies who stoned him. Pray and endeavour that the like charity may ever accompany you, and all others, under the most severe provocations. Be constant in practicing it in ordinary trials; this is the surest way of not failing in greater.

St. Stephen having been chosen by the apostles one of the first deacons, his diligence and fidelity to his charge were edifying to the faithful. His power in working great wonders and miracles rendered him eminent to all people, so that he became the instrument of great conversions; the number of disciples multiplying very considerably in Jerusalem, and a great number of the Jewish priests becoming obedient to the faith. This zeal of his, thus happy in so plentiful a harvest of souls, gave disturbance to the enemies of his faith; and exciting their envy, led them to unwarrantable resolutions of obliging him to silence by their false reasoning; and if this should prove ineffectual, of accomplishing their designs by false accusations and malice. Here is a consoling example of a disciple's zeal, and one as terrible of blind and obstinate passion.

Whoever undertakes to be Christ's disciple, must expect opposition. Happy they, who by their zealous labours, or edifying regularity in themselves and their families, give occasion to adversaries to be jealous of them, and put them upon malicious contrivances to lessen their fame to the world, to prevent the fruit of their good example. Such as these are the sweet odour of Christ. Their piety, labours, and justice ascend like incense before him. They are blessed in what they do, and more blessed still in what they suffer; being in both true followers of their Master, whose character is comprised in these few words, of doing good to all, and suffering evil from all with patience.

"He was a poor man in Rome, who from his infancy was afflicted with the palsy, and was never able to stand, sit upright, lift his hand to his mouth, or turn himself from one side to another. His mother and brother carried him every day to the porch of St. Clement's church at Rome, where he subsisted by the charitable alms of those that passed by. The charity of this beggar was very remarkable, in his distributing every day to other poor persons, whatever he received above what satisfied the necessities of the day. He only saved so much as served to purchase a copy of the Holy Scriptures; in which, though ignorant of other things, he was well instructed, by requesting such as came to visit him to read to him. The sufferings and humiliation of his condition were a means, of which he made an excellent use for the sanctification of his own soul, by the constant exercise of humility, patience, meekness, resignation, and penance. He consecrated his time by assiduously singing humns of praise and thanksgiving to God; and his continual pains were so far from dejecting or distracting him, that they proved a most pressing motive for raising his mind to God with greater ardour

Having lived many years in this method, and in the practice of cheerful patience, St. Servulus perceived his end to draw near. In his last moments, he desired the poor and pilgrims, who had often shared his charity, to sing sacred hymns and psalms by him. Whilst he joined his voice with theirs, he on a sudden eried out: "Silence! Do you not hear the sweet melody and praises which resound in the heavens ?" Soon after he had spoken these words, he expired; and God attested his sanctity by filling the room with a sweet odour, which continued till he was buried.

Learn the great advantage that may be made of sickness, pain, and poverty. By the good use of these, this saint made his way to heaven: and will not he rise in judgment against you for your impatience in lesser trials, and the ill use of your time, health and money? See how much with your plenty and health, you are behind him who had neither; and hasten to atone for your past ill management." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

"Saint Thomas was an apostle of Jesus Christ: pray for all the pastors of God's Church, who succeed in his holy functions. He propagated the gospel among the barbarous nations of the East: pray for all those people who are relapsed into idolatry, that God would be pleased to visit them. Pray for constancy for yourself.

St. Thomas was incredulous in the point of Christ's resurrection: pray for all unbelievers, who are obstinate in their errors; and for all who, through weakness or temptation, are disturbed with doubts in faith. He was a martyr: pray for constancy and patience for all that suffer for justice and truth: pray for all those who are visited with any affliction, whether temporal or spiritual.

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

"This saint lived at Constantinople in the time of St. John Chrysostom. Her husband having been dead some time, the Emperor Theodosius proposed to her to marry Elpidius, his own near relation: to whom she answered, that God having taken away her husband, because she was not fit for the duties of the married state, she was resolved no more to engage in it. She was true to her resolution; and employed both her money and time in the relief of widows, orphans, and the sick. Her austerities were great, her habit mean, her humility edifying, her tears continual: and that nothing might be wanting to consummate her virtue, she was persecuted by the Emperor Arcadius, for espousing the cause of oppressed innocence in the person of her pastor, St. John Chrysostom. For this, being forced into banishment, she found her way by a happy death, to a better country which she had long desired.

Make use of this example as your state requires. There are difficulties in all conditions, and that of marriage cannot properly be Christian, without the self-denials of the cloister. If humility and charity helped her to heaven, will not prodigality and vanity shut you out from it? Take not your measures from the world, but from the Gospel; and then say who has given you power so much to dispense with it. Follow the Gospel, if you hope to come to the promises of the Gospel. The saints all studied to husband every moment to the best advantage, knowing that life is very short, and that the night is coming on apace when no man can work. Let no moments be spent merely to pass away time. Diversions and corporal exercise ought to be used with moderation, only as much as may seem requisite for bodily health and the vigour of the mind. Every one is bound to apply himself to some serious employment. This, and his necessary recreations, must be referred to God, sanctified by a holy intention, and seasoned by humility, patience, prayer, and other virtues. Thus will our lives be an uninterrupted sacrifice of divine praise and love." The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church  by Rev. Fr. John GOTHER

The Virgin Mary in Glory with Archangel Gabriel, and Saints Eusebius of Vercelli (seated), Saint Sebastian, and Saint Roch, Sebastiano Ricci.

"He was a bishop: pray for all the bishops in God's Church. Who knows, but if the faithful constantly joined in presenting their most earnest petitions to Almighty God, as often as the festivals of holy prelates return throughout the year, he might bless the Church with a succession of holy pastors, who by word and example might be as so many lights to the faithful, to conduct them to a happy eternity?

St. Eusebius was bishop of Vercelli, and a powerful opponent of the Arian heresy, which at that time desolated the Church, under the protection of the Emperor Constantius By this emperor, he was sent into banishment for defending the Nicene Creed, and refusing to subscribe to the condemnation of St. Athanasius. The holy man suffered much in his exile from hunger, thirst, scourging, and various kinds of cruel treatment; but he had learned to undervalue his own life for the cause of Christ, and he cheerfully abandoned his body to his persecutors. Neither torments, nor enticements, could ever move him to consent to the enemies of his faith.

On the death of Constantius, he was permitted to return to his see, and came to Alexandria to concert measures with St. Athanasius for applying proper remedies to the evils of the Church. He afterwards travelled over the East, and through Illyricum, confirming in the faith those that were wavering, and bringing back many that were gone astray. St. Jerom places his death in 371; and he is styled a martyr, and honoured as such in the offices of the Church.

Pray for patience in all sufferings for yourself, and others who are under any trials. If you honour a martyr, suffer something this day with more than ordinary meekness. Consider how often you are in a passion, how easily you are disquieted, how inconsiderable a thing provokes you, how ordinary temptations overcome you. Are these the steps of a martyr? Is this according to the Gospel? Blush then, and be confounded at your weakness: pray for new strength, and beseech this holy martyr to pray for you."

"This saint was born near Avila in Spain. From his tender years, he showed great devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and was preserved from many dangers through her intercession. He had so great a love of suffering, that he slept on a hollow board and wore a rough hair shirt, besides practising severe fasts, and almost incredible mortifications. His constant prayer was to be allowed to suffer, and be despised for his Savour's sake. He embraced the reformed Order of barefooted Carmelites; and his example and exhortations inspired the religious with a perfect spirit of solitude, humility, and mortification. Almighty God, to purify his heart, allowed him to pass through most severe trials of spiritual dryness and desolation: but, after some time, rays of light, comfort and divine sweetness scattered these mists, and filled his soul with heavenly delights. This comfort was succeeded by other trials of various kinds, which this holy servant of God endured with invincible constancy, always rejoicing when he shared the cross of his Redeemer. It had always been his prayer that he might die in humiliation and contempt; and his prayer was granted. He died at Ubeda in the year 1591, being forty-nine years old.

The spirit of Christianity is the spirit of the cross. To attain to the pure love of God we must live and die in the spirit of the cross. Our divine Redeemer merited the graces, which we receive, by suffering for us: and it is by suffering with Him, that we are best prepared for His graces. This all the saints assure us by their own example. But in the divine love, they found a recompense, which amply repaid them for all their sufferings.

Impatience and dejection make ill impressions on all who witness these infirmities. Be careful to prevent them, and by your good example in your sufferings, endeavour to teach others how to suffer. Be watchful in suppressing the first motions of fretfulness and impatience, and pray for the true spirit of a Christian." The Catholic Year, Fr. John Gother