CAPG's Blog 

 The Hermit, Gerrit Dou  (1613–1675)

"He was born in Italy, and having been piously educated, he resolved upon forsaking the world. For this he made choice of a desert mountain covered with woods, where, with the boughs of trees, he made a shelter against the injury of the weather, and there lived in the practice of great austerities of watching, praying, and fasting to the age of fourscore, when God called him to a better life.

If you have forsaken the world, let your life manifest the choice you have made. Retirement has many advantages, but no security. If you are not faithful to what you profess, you will meet with many temptations, and may find at last a deeper hell than others who had not such opportunities for gaining a better life. If you are in the world, walk with fear, because you are in danger. Many things will offer, seemingly innocent, which yet will take off your heart from God. If you admire what others have renounced that they might save their souls, you must either conclude them to have been rash, or that you are obliged to be very cautious how you go on. You must endeavor to separate your heart from the world: otherwise this will separate your heart from God; and how then will it ever come to the possession of him?

 This saint retired into a desert, where, free from the distractions of the world, he might attend with greater application to the concerns of eternity. Lament the many dissipations of mind, to which you have voluntarily exposed yourself. Resolve to withdraw from whatever is dangerous, unprofitable, or not becoming your state. Pray for constancy amidst all unavoidable distractions: remember God and eternity in the midst of your business. Learn to be a hermit in the world, by taking off your affections from all that you possess. You are one day to leave all; practice something of this every day. It is a difficult work, and is best done by degrees. Pray for all those who have the charge of governing a community, that they may follow the example of this saint." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

St. Meletius of Antioch

"THIS saint was of one of the best families of Lesser Armenia. In his youth he made fasting and mortification his choice, in the midst of every thing that could flatter his senses. His conduct was uniform and irreproachable; and the sweetness and affability of his temper gained him the confidence and esteem both of the Catholics and Arians. He was promoted to the see of Antioch in the time of the Emperor Constantius; when, by the tumults of the Arians, the Eastern Church was in confusion. The Arians however, prevailed with the emperor to banish him into Lesser Armenia. The Emperor Julian having allowed the banished bishops to go back to their churches, St. Meletius returned to Antioch about the the end of the year 362; but the generous freedom with which he opposed idolatry, provoked that emperor to banish him a second time. But Jovian soon after succeeding that unhappy prince, St. Meletius returned to Antioch. The next emperor, Valens, banished him a third time; but he was restored a third time by his successor, the Emperor Gratian.

He governed his flock with remarkable exemplarity, and the opinion of his sanctity among his people was very great. He submitted to the orders of Providence with wonderful resignation, and at length died at Constantinople, being called there to the first general Council assembled in that city, in the year 881.

Give thanks for the zeal and virtue of the primitive bishops. It was by them that Christianity was preserved; and you owe it to their sufferings that you are now a Christian. Pray for the pastors of the Church. Good pastors are a great blessing, and bad ones are as great a judgment. It is the sins of the people that draw this upon them: see that you have no part in provoking these public scourges. Imitate the holy life of St. Meletius. Though continually opposed and persecuted, by his great meekness and patience he had converted the various trials he had gone through into occasions of virtue, and had exceedingly endeared himself to all who had the happiness of his acquaintance." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

Prayer for Holiness in Priests

Grant, O Lord, that every hand laid upon Thee at the altar may be a friendly hand, whose touch is tender and consoling as Josephʼs was; That the lips which form so many sacred words may never be profaned by frivolous or unworthy speech;That priests may guard, even in the noisy streets of the city, the impress of their noble functions, the bright token that they have but lately come down from Thy holy mountain; And in their garments the fragrance of the altar, that everyone may find them living memorials of Thee, accessible to all, yet more than other men.

Grant that they may contract from the Mass of today a hunger and thirst for the Mass of the morrow, that the sacred anticipation be their last thought at night and Thy tender summons their first awareness in the morning;That Thy priests, filled with Thee and Thy good gifts may give largely to the rest of men who look to Thee. Amen

Mort de Sainte-Scholastique - 1730 painting, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, Altorf, Saint-Cyriaque abbey church

"A holy virgin, sister of St. Benedict; "who," as St. Gregory says, was chosen from her cradle to be a victim holy and agreeable to God." She lived for some years in the world; but in such manner as if it had been a solitude, shutting her heart and eyes to all its charms, and not letting the considerable inheritance which fell to her, by her brother's forsaking the world, make any change in the method of her life, or in the design she had of going into retirement. Wherefore she soon followed her brother, choosing a place near his monastery, where she lived in the practice of a general self-denial, even so as never to see her brother but once a-year. As she was not allowed to enter his monastery, he went out with some of his monks to meet her, at a house at some small distance. They spent these visits in the praises of God, and in spiritual conferences. The last time that they met, St. Scholastica begged her brother towards evening to delay his return till the next day, that they might discourse during the night of the happiness of heaven. St. Benedict desired her not to insist on such a request, as he could not pass a night out of his monastery. His holy sister prayed to God very earnestly; and her prayer was scarcely ended, when there came such a storm of thunder, lightning, and rain, that St. Benedict and his companions were obliged to remain in the house. He complained to her, saying, "God forgive you, sister, what have you done?" She answered: "I asked a favour of you, and you refused it me: I asked it of Almighty God, and He has granted it." They accordingly passed the night in pious conferences, and the next morning they parted, to meet no more in this world. St. Scholastica died three days afterwards.

St. Scholastica Priory

Prayer for Spiritual Fathers

Most gracious Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for thou faithful priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood and example of fidelity, self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the faith of your people. May our spiritual fathers be guided by the example of St. John Vianney. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for Thee, for their families, and for all Thou people throughout the world.

May the light of Thy Truth shine through their lives and their good works. Assist all spiritual fathers, that through Thy Grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge and understanding of Thy Truth. May they generously impart this knowledge to those who rely on them, Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Source: Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests: Curé of Ars St. John Marie Vianney, a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ's flock.

"The order of Trinitarians was instituted by this saint, for the redemption of captives, in the year 1198. Pray for all the religious of this holy order, that they may faithfully comply with the spirit of this servant of God. Pray for all those unhappy Christians, who are in slavery amongst infidels; where being exposed to great dangers, through the want of all spiritual help, they stand in need of your charity. Pray for all that are in prison, that God would be their comfort, preserve them from the usual contagion of those places of confinement, and give them grace to sanctify their sufferings. See that you have no hand in making any so unhappy, through passion, malice, revenge, or hardheartedness.

Pray for all that are slaves to sin; that by the power of divine grace, they may use violence to themselves, and break their chains. And let it be your constant care never to be the occasion of drawing any into this state of misery. Ill example and all corrupt discourse must therefore be carefully avoided. For it is by these encouragements that the piety of many is overthrown; and you communicate your poison to others, which they too often carry with them to their grave. And however in this case you pretend to repent, yet by what possible means can you make reparation for the injury which you have done? How will you prevent their condemnation from being yours too? It is a very perplexing case; and it ought to make Christians much more cautious than they are, and not so easy in laying snares before their brethren, for making them as great slaves as themselves. Lament the general corruption of Christians in this point, whose common meetings and conversation are but too often the assemblies of Satan, and schools for propagating iniquity. Lament and beg for mercy; and if you are any way concerned, pray for grace, and resolve upon amendment. If you have helped to draw any into slavery, you must labour for their redemption; and be as courageous in this, as you have been forward in bringing on the mischief." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

"A SERVANT of God, who after some few years spent in the common disorders of the world, at the age of twenty being touched with the sense of his offences, entered into a religious house, with a design of employing forty days in bewailing his past sins, and suing for mercy. But these forty days he lengthened into three years of extraordinary penance and sanctity. Learn hence not to despair either of yourself or others; for years of sin may be succeeded by a life of virtue. The grace of God is sufficient. Endeavour sincerely to obtain this for yourself; and cease not to importune heaven in behalf of those who seem even past recovery. But then learn what kind of repentance is the proper remedy for habitual sin. It is easy for a Christian in this case to conceive a sensible dislike of his evil ways. He as easily acknowledges his guilt, and resolves upon amendment. But how easily too does he fall back again for want of taking a due method for the cure of those passions, which being strongly rooted in him, are the cause of his relapses and cannot be overcome in a moment?

St. Romuald, looking upon himself as unworthy of the many conveniences which he found in the monastery, resolved upon a life of yet greater austerity, and therefore retired into a desert; where in rigorous fasting on bread and water, almost perpetual silence and prayer, he lived to the age of upwards of seventy years, being there the founder of the hermits of Camaldoli, though not without great difficulties and opposition. He died in his monastery, in the year 1027. Pray for this spirit of penance; and though you are not commanded to follow his example, yet consider whether it be not a just reproach to your niceness and self-love; who, though under the same obligation of punishing your sins, industriously avoid every thing that mortifies, and are so far from condemning yourself to voluntary chastisements, that by dispensations or contrivance, you elude all the pious designs of the Church, even in those mortifications, which she prescribes for your cure. Consider this seriously, and pray for grace to amend." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother.

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

"She was a virgin of Sicily, of a rich and illustrious family; who being solicited by all arts to comply with the wicked desires of the governor, resolutely withstood them all, choosing rather the humility and contempt of the Gospel, than the great offers of honor and riches that were made her. Pray for all that are exposed to the like temptations; great grace is necessary to stand against them. Your charity cannot be better employed, than to beg in behalf of those who are under these trials. Resolve likewise for yourself and those under your care, that worldly advantages shall never turn the balance in whatever choice you are to make. It is hence that many ruin themselves and their children; while considering only what is likely to make them great or rich, they have so little regard for what is to make them good and happy, that they greatly expose this to the hazard, so that they can but secure the other. All these want the faith of those eternal goods which directed this holy virgin in her choice: they want that sincere love of God which moved her to run the hazard of all that is worldly, for satisfying her duty, and securing God to herself. Pray that you may always follow her example.

St Agatha, being not to be wrought upon by promises, is tried by cruelty. She is accused of being a Christian; and because she will not worship and sacrifice to idols, is cast into prison, put on the rack, has her breast cut off, and is broiled on the fire. Having gone through all these torments, at length giving up her soul to God, she finished a happy martyrdom in the year 251. Pray for this constancy of spirit under all trials. Be ashamed to be so much outdone by a tender virgin, and pray for her patience. Pray for all those who, wanting courage, are ready to sink under the weight of their troubles, that God would be their support, and send them comfort that they may never lose their hope in Him. Pray for all those who are now in their last agony, that they may surrender their souls into the hands of God, with the holy dispositions of this glorious saint." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

God having afterwards touched his heart, he renounced all his former ways, and entering into a religious state, became an example of great piety. After some years, he was chosen bishop of Fesulæ; in which charge he laboured to satisfy all its obligations, and by a life of extraordinary charity and mortification, gave encouragement to all virtues. He died in 1373. Let no sinners be discouraged, but raise their hopes in God, who offers His grace to all; and upon a sincere conversion, never fails to change vessels of weakness into vessels of honor. He has mercy to forgive the greatest offences, and no crime is so provoking as a distrust of His goodness. Make then an act of hope for yourself, with entire confidence in your God; and pray for all those dejected souls, whose immoderate fears keep them at a distance from Him. That is a good fear which makes us humble, and more fervent in prayer, upon the knowledge of our infirmity and unworthiness; but this fear is abused when it discourages us in our duty, and hinders our progress. Pray for all that are thus indiscreet; and resolve that your fear shall never extinguish your hope." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother