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Holy Apostle Titus of Crete;Kosovo, XIV century. Patriarch's Furnace. Church of St. Nikolay

"We are to celebrate today, the Feast of a holy Bishop of the Apostolic Age - a Disciple of the Apostle St. Paul. Little is known of his life; but, by addressing to him one of his inspired Epistles, the Apostle of the Gentiles has immortalised his memory. Wheresoever the Faith of Christ has been or shall be preached, Titus' name has been venerated by the Faithful; and as long as the world lasts, the holy Church will read to her children this Epistle, which was written, indeed, to a simple Bishop of the Isle of Crete, but was dictated by the Holy Ghost, and therefore destined to be a part of those Sacred Scriptures, which contain the word of God. Counsels and directions given in this admirable Letter, were the rule of the holy Bishop, for whom St. Paul entertained a very strong affection. St. Titus had the honour of establishing the Christian Religion in that famous Island, which was one of the strong-holds of Paganism. He survived his master, who was put to death by Nero. Like St. John, he sweetly slept in Christ at a very advanced age, respected and loved by the Church he had founded. As we have already observed, his life left but few traces behind it; but these few are sufficient to prove him to have been one of those wonderful men, whom God chose as the directors of his infant Church,

Favoured Disciple of the great Apostle! the holy Church has decreed that one of the days of the ecclesiastical year should be spent in celebrating thy virtues, and presenting thee our prayers. Look down with love upon the Faithful who glorify the Holy Spirit that gave thee thy rich graces. Thou didst discharge thy Pastoral duties with untiring zeal. Every quality enumerated in the Epistle addressed to thee by St. Paul, as required in a Bishop, was possessed by thee; and thou shinest in the crown of Jesus, the Prince of Pastors, as one of the brightest of its gems. Forget not the Church militant, of which thou wast one of the first guides. Eighteen hundred years have passed away since thou wast taken from her. During this long period, she has had sufferings and trials without end; but she has triumphed over every obstacle, and she continues her glorious path, saving souls and offering them to her heavenly Spouse; and this will she persevere doing, until her Jesus comes to stop the course of time, and open the gates of eternity. Meanwhile, O glorious Saint! she counts on the aid of thy prayers, in the great work of the salvation of souls. Ask of Jesus, that he send us Pastors like unto thee. Pray for that Island, which thou didst convert to the true faith, but which is now buried in the darkness of infidelity and schism. Pray, too, for the Greek Church, that it may regain its ancient glory by union with the See of Peter." The Liturgical Year: Christmas, 3d edition. 1904 By Prosper Guéranger

Homilies on the Epistles of St. Paul to Titus Saint John Chrysostom

Saint Remigius baptizes Clovis I, by the Master of Saint Gilles, c. 1500

"EVANGELICAL MEEKNESS: St. Vedast had the glory of leading, by means of his devout exhortations, King Clovis to the saving waters of baptism. He accompanied the haughty prince while on his way to Rheims to join St. Remigius. Vedast at that time was practicing the hermetical life in a solitary spot near Toul. Having afterwards been raised to the see of Arras, he converted a multitude of unbelievers, and erected in different parts of his diocese a great number of new churches. His gentleness, affability, and modesty won all hearts. The poor regarded him as their father, and never entreated him in vain ; the rich looked upon him as their friend, as one who held their persons in esteem, and did not condemn the legitimate enjoyment of their worldly possessions; the unbelievers regarded him as a very oracle, and the Christians as a saint. After having exercised for forty years this ministry of charity, conciliation, and apostolic labours, frequently illustrated by miracles, he died on the 6th February, 540.

MORAL REFLECTION.-It is but a little matter to convince the mind, if the heart be not won over; to demonstrate the truths of religion does not suffice - it is of more account to cause it to be loved. Let us adopt, then, as our guiding-line of conduct the counsel of St. Paul: "To become all things to all men, to gain all to Christ."-(1 Cor. ix. 22.) Pictorial Half hour with the Saints, by Rev. Fr. Auguste Lecanu