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"A nobleman in Africa, who, in the persecution of the Vandals was apprehended, and most cruelly tortured. But no sooner had the jailers bound him with cords, than they broke of themselves, as the martyr lifted up his eyes to heaven; and this happened several times. And though they afterwards hung him up by one foot with his head downwards for a considerable time, the saint was no more affected by this torment than if he had been all the while upon a soft bed. He seemed, however, so desirous of martyrdom, that the malice of his enemies reprieved him from the sentence of death pronounced against him, that he might be deprived of the glory of dying a martyr. He was therefore sent to work in the mines; and afterwards for more public ignominy, to keep cows in a place near Carthage, where he was exposed to the eyes of all. But this was no confusion to him, who knew how to glory in being dishonoured by men, for the interest of truth, and of God.

Learn from this holy man the spirit of Christianity, which is not to be pleased with the esteem of men, but rather in being despised by them. It is pride and self-love that make us solicitous to please, and give disquiet upon the apprehension of contempt. And according to the degree of this solicitude and disquiet, may be taken the truest measures of a prevailing pride, and of self-love not subdued. Let this be your daily observation; and accordingly use daily endeavours for overcoming that which must be overcome. For until you have gained this point, of placing your satisfaction in doing your duty, whether it pleases others or displeases; and can think yourself happy in those accidents which bring abjection with them, and disesteem, which are justly due to your unworthiness and state of sin, you have not the spirit of the Gospel, nor that humility which Christ has taught you. Pray therefore, and labour every day to obtain it. Pray that like this saint, you may consider it your true glory to be dishonoured before man in the sacred cause of God and religion." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians. ( Raccolta, 1935)

Virgin most powerful, loving helper of the Christian people, how great thanks do we not owe thee for the assistance thou didst give our fathers, who, when they were threatened by the Turkish infidels, invoked thy maternal help by the devout recitation of thy Rosary! From heaven thou didst see their deadly peril; thou didst hear their voices imploring thy compassion; and their humble prayers, enjoined by the great Pope, Saint Pius the Fifth, were acceptable unto thee, and thou camest quickly to deliver them. Grant, dear Mother, that in like manner the prolonged sighs of the holy Bride of Christ in these our days may come to thy throne and engage thy pity; do thou, moved anew to compassion for her, rise once again to deliver her from the many foes who encompass her on every side.

Even now from the four quarters of the earth there arises to thy throne that lovéd prayer, to win thy mercy in these troublous times even as of old. Unhappily our sins hinder, or at least retard, its effect. Wherefore, dear Mother, obtain for us true sorrow for our sins and a firm resolution to face death itself rather than return to our former iniquities; we are sore distressed that, through our fault, thy help, of which we stand in such extreme need, should be denied or come too late.Rise, then, O Mary, incline thyself to hear the prayers of the whole Catholic world, and beat flat to the ground the pride of those wretched men, who in their insolence blaspheme Almighty God and would destroy His Church, against which, according to the infallible words of Christ, the gates of hell shall never prevail. Let it be seen once more that when thou dost arise to protect the Church, her victory is sure. Amen. SC Ind 1891; SP Ap 1935