St. Francis Xavier, Apostle of the Indies, Confessor, a.d. 1552.
by VP
Posted on Monday December 02, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
Saint Francis Xavier
"AMONG those who have laboured most successfully in the conversion of nations in these latter ages, is St. Francis Xavier. He prepared himself by extraordinary application to prayer and mortification, and thus obtained of God that great spirit with which he undertook and discharged with so wonderful success the mission of the East. When John III., king of Portugal, had requested of Pope Paul III. some labourers for the East, of the Society of Jesus, then recently established, St. Francis Xavier was commissioned by the Pope to proceed upon the important work, with the powers of Apostolic Nuncio. On his arrival in the East Indies, he at once acquired by divine inspiration the knowledge of the most difficult languages of those nations, to whom he came to preach. He travelled over numerous provinces, always on foot, and often barefoot. He carried the faith of Christ into Japan, and six other countries. He converted many hundreds of thousands to Christ in the East Indies, and baptised several kings. The Almighty was pleased to confirm this his ardent zeal and courage in diffusing the gospel, by the multitude and splendour of the miracles which he was enabled to perform; among which were four dead persons restored to life. He was also favoured with the gift of prophecy, and foretold many things far distant as to time and place. Worn out at length with labours, and full of merits, the saint died in the island of Sancian on the 2nd of December, 1552.Pray for all who are preparing to become labourers in our Lord's vineyard, that they may obtain a spirit and zeal like those of St. Francis Xavier. Pray for those nations whom this saint enlightened, but who are now returned to darkness, that the light of faith may again shine upon them. Pray for all who labour in the care of souls; and that you yourselves be faithful to your own duties." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Bibiana, V. M. A.D. 363.
by VP
Posted on Sunday December 01, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
.jpg!Large.jpg "St. Bibiana, 1626 - Gian Lorenzo Bernini")
"She was a virgin: pray for all under the profession of virginity. She was a martyr, and her father, mother, and sister, were all martyrs. Pray for your parents and relations, that God would perfect them in faith and charity.
St. Bibiana, and her sister Demetria, after the death of their holy parents, were stripped of all they had in the world, and suffered much from poverty for five months; but spent that time in their own house in fasting and prayer. The governor of Rome had flattered himself that hunger and want would force them to renounce their faith; but seeing himself mistaken, he gave orders that St. Bibiana should be put into the hands of a wicked woman, who was extremely artful, and undertook to bring her to another way of thinking; but Bibiana, making prayer her shield, remained invincible. The judge, enraged at the courage and perseverance of a tender virgin, at length passed sentence of death upon her, and ordered her to be tied to a pillar, and whipped with scourges loaded with leaden plummets, till she expired. The saint underwent this punishment cheerfully, and died under the hands of the executioner.
Pray for a like fidelity and patience under all trials, that neither convenience nor any worldly advantage may ever prevail upon you to transgress your duty; but that you may be proof against all flatteries, and choose all evils before that of sin. The only affair of a Christian in this world is to seek God, to attain to the possession of his grace and love, and in all this perfectly to do his will. In this consists all his joy and happiness. By this disposition of heart, he is raised above all created things, and united to the eternal and unchangeable object of his felicity." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
2. The Divine Decree (Meditations for Advent)
by VP
Posted on Sunday December 01, 2024 at 11:00PM in Advent Sermons
"1. What brought Christ down from heaven? It was man's sin. From all eternity the Blessed Trinity, looking forward to the fall of man, had decreed that the Eternal Word should clothe Himself with human flesh, and should be born into the world in order to repair the evil that man had wrought. Thus God in His mercy provides a remedy for all the sins and follies of men even before they are committed. We do the harm, and God undoes it. Has He not often thus averted from me the consequences due to my evil deeds?
2. In what garb was the Son of God to clothe Himself when He became Man? in one that should give us some idea of the evil He came to undo. He, the Eternal Son, coequal with the Father, took the form of a servant, was born of a despised race, of humble parents, in poverty, and humility, and contempt. All this should impress on us how sin has deserved all these and every other evil imaginable besides. If these were the results of sin on the spotless Lamb of God, what must they be on sinful, feeble man?
3. The divine decree did not stop at this first coming of the Son of God. there is to be a second advent, one in which He will appear in human form indeed, yet now no longer in lowliness and humiliation, but clothed with all the brightness and glory which His divine nature can impart to His sacred humanity. In this second coming He is to come and receive the reward that He has earned for His human nature, and for all those who had faithfully served Him. He is to come and reign. He is to crush all His enemies under His feet. Look forward to that glorious day, and pray that you may share the glory of the Son of God."
Meditations for Advent . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891 Digitized by google
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)
Prayer to the Holy Infant for priests
Jesus, Divine Infant, I bless and thank
Thy most loving Heart for the institution of the priesthood. Priests
are sent by Thee as Thou were sent by the Father. To them Thou entrusted
the treasures of Thy doctrine, of Thy Law, of Thy Grace, and souls
themselves.
Grant me the grace to love them, to listen to them,
and to let myself be guided by them in Thy ways. Jesus, send good
laborers into Thy harvest. May priests be the salt that purifies and
preserves; may they be the light of the world; may they be the city
placed on the mountain. May they all be formed after Thy own Heart. And
in heaven may they be surrounded by a joyous throng of those they
shepherded on earth. Amen.
Glory Be (three times).
Infant Jesus, make me love Thee more and more!
St. Eligius, Bishop and Confessor A.D. 659.
by VP
Posted on Saturday November 30, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
"He was brought up to a working trade: but being mindful that he was to work for heaven, as well as for bread, his great care was to join the exercises of religious duties to his trade, as of prayer, fasting, watching, and alms-deeds; and as often as circumstances would permit, he had some good book open before him. Learn to sanctify your labours by his example. If you are of the number of those who work for a livelihood, endeavour to be faithful in what you have undertaken. And this, not only in regard of your neighbour, by carefully avoiding what is fraudulent, or may be to his prejudice, through your neglect; but likewise to God and your own soul, by a watchful care against all the suggestions of a covetous, worldly, or solicitous temper; that so you neither rob him of his honour, nor deprive yourself of what is necessary for your salvation. What will your gain profit you, if you lose your soul?
If your employment be in works of charity, or in such business as your state requires, lose not the advantage of what you do, but daily offer to God your labours. Mix them with thoughts of heaven, that your industry may be serviceable for the next life, as well as this.
The piety of St. Eligius became so remarkable, that he was called forth to the ecclesiastical state, and consecrated bishop; and having fulfilled all the duties of his charge
with wonderful zeal, made a happy end in the year 659.
Pray for all bishops in God's Church, that they may follow so great an example. It being the first day of the month, forget not to begin it so, that if it should be your last, it may be to you the beginning of a happy eternity." The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Prayer for the Bishops:
O Jesus, Prince of Pastors, Shepherd and
Bishop of our souls, give our bishops ................ all those
virtues, which they need for their sanctification! May they watch over
themselves and the entire flock, with which the Holy Spirit has
entrusted them! Fill their hearts with Thine own Spirit! Give them
faith, charity, wisdom and strength! Send them faithful co-laborers in
the great work of saving and guiding souls! Make them shepherds after
Thine own heart, living only for their holy office, fearing nobody but
Thee, and hoping for nothing but Thee, in order that when Thou shalt
come, to judge shepherds and flocks, they may obtain the unfading reward
of eternal life! Amen
Imprimatur: Most Rev. Vincent S. Waters, D.D. Raleigh, N.C. March 25, 1956
I. What Advent is. (Advent Meditations)
by VP
Posted on Saturday November 30, 2024 at 11:00PM in Advent Sermons
Advent is a season of penance set apart by the Church to prepare us for the festival of Christmas. It is her desire that on that day, our dear Savior should be born anew in our souls, by an increase of grace, and by the formation of our life upon His example. In order to this the Christian should watch, pray, and do penance. He should suffer no day to pass without grieving for his sins, and imploring the grace of Him who alone can deliver him from them." St. Vincent's Manual : Containing A Selection Of Prayers And Devotional Exercises : Originally Prepared For The Use Of The Sisters Of Charity In The United States Of America.
"1. Advent is the season when we are taught to look forward both to the first coming of our Lord into the world at Christmas-time, and also to His second coming at the end of time to judge the living and the dead. His first coming was to seek and to save that which was lost. His second coming will be to gather His elect into the celestial paradise, and to trample all His enemies under His feet. Shall I on that day be regarded by Him as a friend or as an enemy? Is my present life one of devotion to Him and union with Him, or one of selfishness, pride, impatience of the yoke of Christ?
2. Of all the miracles in the world never was there one to be compared to His coming on earth in the form of a man. It was a miracle so entirely above and beyond our reason that unless we knew it by faith to be a fact we should be inclined to pronounce it impossible. That the infinite God should take the form of a creature! that the Eternal Word should be clad in a body formed of the dust of the earth! that He should of His own accord leave the highest heaven for a life of suffering and a death of agony! Nothing but the power of God could work such a wonder as this.
3. Yet we know that it is a fact. "For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven." He yearned after us with a divine love. Willingly, joyfully, almost eagerly He stripped Himself of all His glory. "He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death." Who after this can refuse to believe that He loved us and still loves us fondly, tenderly? Who can refuse to love Him in return, and to show this love by a loyal obedience to all that He asks of us?"
Meditations for Advent . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891 Digitized by google
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)
Prayer to the Holy Infant for priests
Jesus, Divine Infant, I bless and thank
Thy most loving Heart for the institution of the priesthood. Priests
are sent by Thee as Thou were sent by the Father. To them Thou entrusted
the treasures of Thy doctrine, of Thy Law, of Thy Grace, and souls
themselves.
Grant me the grace to love them, to listen to them,
and to let myself be guided by them in Thy ways. Jesus, send good
laborers into Thy harvest. May priests be the salt that purifies and
preserves; may they be the light of the world; may they be the city
placed on the mountain. May they all be formed after Thy own Heart. And
in heaven may they be surrounded by a joyous throng of those they
shepherded on earth. Amen.
Glory Be (three times).
Infant Jesus, make me love Thee more and more!
Month of December
by VP
Posted on Saturday November 30, 2024 at 11:00PM in Tradition
Devotion for the Month of December: the Immaculate Conception
Prayer of St. Bernard: THROUGH thee, O ever blessed Virgin, may it be
allowed to us to approach thy Son. Through thee, O Fountain of Grace,
Source of Life, and Mother of Salvation, may we be received by Him Who
was given to us by thee. May thy immaculate sanctity,
O most holy Virgin, hide from His eyes the stain of our corruption, and
may thy most profound humility obtain from God the pardon of our pride.
May thy boundless charity cover the multitude of our sins, and thy
glorious fruitfulness confer on us fruitfulness of merits. Mother,
Mediatrix, and Advocate, we beg of thee to reconcile us to thy Son, to
recommend us to thy Son, to represent us with thy Son. Oh, most blessed
Mother, by the favour which thou didst find with God, by the
prerogatives which thou didst merit, by the Lord of Mercy, to whom thou
didst give birth, we implore thee to prevail by thy prayers on Him, Who,
through thee, deigned to share our misery and weakness, so that He may
deign to make us sharers of His eternal happiness and glory to Whom,
together with the Father and Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, for
ever and ever. Amen. Novena for the Immaculate Conception, Fr. Louis Parodi, SJ 1915
Virtue for the month of September: Union
Qui manet in eharitate, in Deo manet, et Deus in eo — Whoabidethin charity, abideth in God, and God in him. — I John, iv : 16.
The object of all virtues is to bring us into union with God, in which alone is laid up all the happines that can be enjoyed in this world. Now, in what does ibis unioa properly consist ? In nothing save a perfect conformity and resemblance between our will and the will of God, so that these two wills are absolutely alike — there is nothing in one repugnant to the otber ; all that one wishes and loves, the other wishes and loves ; whatever pleases or displeases one, pleases or displeases the other. — St. John of the Cross.
First Sunday of Advent: The Redeemer
by VP
Posted on Saturday November 30, 2024 at 11:00PM in Sermons
Cornelis Schut III (1629–1685)
"Your redemption is at hand.”—St. Luke xxi. 28.
SOLEMN and sublime thoughts should lift up our hearts at the beginning of this holy time of Advent. The anniversary of the coming of our Redeemer is at hand; and gratitude for that blessed coming bids us raise up the eyes of our soul, and reverently peer into the mystery of God's goodness in decreeing that a Saviour should be born to save His people from their sins. From all eternity the Almighty had determined to create mankind. From all eternity He knew of the fall, of man's sinfulness and rebellion against Him, so that it would come to pass, as the Scripture says, "It repented Him that He had made man" (Gen. vi. 6). His justice was outraged; His mercy despised. And poor fallen man, what could become of him? He could not retrieve the past. He could not atone for his own misdeeds. Was there no salvation for the human race? A God was needed to make reparation and atonement for the outrages against a God! for the outrages of unbelief, of blasphemy, of hatred, of the impurities, and of all the evils that spring up from the depraved hearts of sinners. Then was the mystery of love declared that astounded heaven; that caused countless angels to rebel; for poor fallen man was to be more honoured than themselves. The second Person of the Blessed Trinity willingly offered Himself to come to the rescue of mankind. As God, He could not suffer, but a body and a soul united to the divine Person, and behold Emmanuel-God with us, our Redeemer! "Behold! I come," He said. A Man to suffer; a God to offer! The justice of the Almighty to be placated; His mercy to be thanked; His love to be requited! And the gates of heaven to be opened to repentant man. This is the tidings of great joy that Advent brings to the faithful.
But how little did the world understand of the divine mercy that was to come! True, God's chosen people knew that a Messias, a Saviour, had been promised. The prophets had spoken of Him. Devout men had longed for His coming and prayed that they might live to see it. But as time went on these holy aspirations faded, and in a very different and earthly way the children of Israel looked for their deliverer. A leader, a ruler to establish an earthly kingdom, a prince of peace was their expectation. Vague was their knowledge, and their yearnings were for something infinitely lower than what was to come. Not an earthly kingdom but a heavenly one was their Saviour to establish, not transient glory that would shortly perish, but immortality amidst indescribable splendour and happiness. He was to come not to rule merely, but to love mankind. He was to come, not to be inaccessible and seldom to be seen, but to be with them, one of them, whose delight was to be with the children of men.
Oh how blessed are we, who know so well this Saviour, "this most high God and our Redeemer "(Ps. lxxvii. 35). He that had been promised, came not only for the people of Israel, but for all mankind. He came to "save His people from their sins" (Matt. i. 21). Let us realize it more intimately. He came not simply to proclaim a universal pardon for all the multitude of the children of men. He came for me! To pardon me, to win my love, my loyalty: to recognize me as His child for whom He had opened the gates of heaven. And is this all? What could hope expect more than this? If He had brought us redemption once, would not this have been an infinitely bountiful mercy?
Let us bow down in humble confusion as we think of this! Forgiveness once; restored to our heavenly Father's favour once! An eternity of thankfulness would not suffice to pay for such a mercy. But what is the reality? Oh! the times and times that He has poured out upon our souls His "copious redemption." Our very sins bring out His mercy more and more. We are the children of the merciful goodness of God! Let us recall with grateful hearts the times without number that our redemption—our forgiveness—has been renewed. It is always at hand indeed. An act of sorrow; a humble owning of our sins; and He that came to redeem His people from their sins ratifies the words of absolution, and our sins are forgiven us once again. And our relapses, what do they mean? Do we not believe in our forgiveness? Do we despise it? Are we not trespassing on the Almighty's patience, tempting Him to repent that He made us?
Let us resolve that this rejection of God's pardon shall never occur again. But as this blessed anniversary of the coming of our Saviour approaches, let us prepare our hearts to receive Him and bid Him welcome. No wonder good people rejoice at holy Christmas-time ! It is not a mere memory of the redemption that came, but it is an actual redemption that comes again to the souls of men. How many anniversaries of His coming have we celebrated, and yet we are no better than we are! To so many in the world the message of Advent finds no admittance to their hearts. But to us it must not be so. We must prepare a home for Him, lest the first coming should be repeated: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not " (John i. 11). Short Sermons on the Epistles & Gospels of the Sundays of the Year by Rev. Fr. Francis Paulinus Hickey
Thirtieth Day: By a Good Intention to Make even our most Trivial Actions and Sufferings Meritorious, and Offer them for the Deliverance of the Holy Souls
by VP
Posted on Friday November 29, 2024 at 11:00PM in Meditations
As rational beings we should have a distinct object in view in all our actions. By performing even the most trivial act from the motive to please our dear Lord, and to do His holy Will, it may become meritorious. These acts must not be contrary to the Commandments of God and His holy Church, and the person performing them must be in the state of grace. People who are working from early in the morning till late at night can assist the suffering souls in an efficacious manner by offering their toil and fatigue in union with the merits of Jesus and Mary for the relief of the suffering souls. Sick persons, and those enduring mental sufferings, such as temptations, scruples, contempt, slander, unjust treatment; those who mourn for the loss of a near relative or a dear friend, ect., may make the same intention in regard to their particular suffering.
Prayer: My dear Redeemer, how many occasions have I lost of gaining merits by a good intention, and of thus assisting Thy holy spouses! Pardon my negligence and graciously assist me to turn every precious moment of time to advantage by a good intention, and to make up for the past. In union with Thy merits and those of Thy holy Mother Mary and all the saints I unite all my thoughts, words, deeds, and spiritual and bodily sufferings for the future, till may last breath, and offer them for the suffering souls. In return I beseech the holy souls to obtain for me, and all those for whom I am in duty and love bound to pray, spiritual and temporal favors, and abundant grace to lead a holy life and persevere to the end of their life. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Priests in Purgatory: My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine Agony in the Garden, in Thy Scourging and Crowning with thorns, in the Way to Calvary, in Thy Crucifixion and Death, have mercy on the souls of priests in Purgatory, especially those most forgotten and who have no one else to pray for them. I wish to remember all those priests who ministered to me, the priests my heart has never forgotten, and for those that I no longer recall due to my frailty of memory. Do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise.
Pope Saint Pius X and Saint John Vianney, pray for us and especially for our priests. Amen
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls who spent time uselessly, and were negligent in making and renewing the good intention.
Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!
Source: Manual of the Purgatorian Society, Redemptorist Fathers. 1907Father Doetterl extols Catholics (1938)
by VP
Posted on Friday November 29, 2024 at 11:00PM in From the Past
"Henderson's Catholic pastor, Rev. Leo Gerard Doetterl, yesterday in his church uttered a prayer, calling upon God for a most unusual favor. Father Doetterl's prayer, a copy of which was furnished by him follows:
" Dear Heavenly Father, I beg of you, in your love for the souls of there people of Henderson, arouse in the hearts of these dear people an interest in the serious business of knowing and cherishing that which constitutes right believing and right living. Give them a hunger for correct faith and for correct morals. Cure them of this Eastern North Carolina curse of religious indifference. Eighty percent of Henderson's people are neither Catholic nor Protestant church-goers. They are indifferentists. They frame their own faith they make expediency their only guide in morals. They do not even ask what it the holy will of God. As I see it, Christ may as well not have come upon earth that first Christmas night, as far as these people are concerned. They do not investigate which is the true Church; they show by their actions that they are not concerned whether there is a church actually founded by the Son of God. They do not care about His Sacraments.
My dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you once said, "I wish that thou wert hot or cold; but, because thou are neither hot not cold, I begin to vomit thee forth from my mouth." It is the only occasion, dear Jesus when you went so far, in your human discouragement, as to speak of vomiting. You were disgusted with cold and unfeeling religious indifference.
Dear Lord and God, those dear people, without Faith, and without fixed Morals, seem not to think about right and wrong until their own sons and daughters are in disgrace before the bar of civil justice. Teach these people to make the precious inheritance of right believing and of right living an important part of the home atmosphere, a chief duty on the part of parental training, and a central factor in their philosophy of life. If this is too much to ask, that Faith and Divine Love be suddenly returned them after long years of indifference, please, dear God, send us a few spirited bigots, strong bigots, who will utter publicly their hoary false charges against your holy church, that we may publicly answer them, that we may vindicate your holy church, that the virtuous element among the people here may clearly discover that the sweet voice of the Savior still rings with authority throughout the ancient church, and that your holy church still can furnish complete credentials, and can still bring perfect peace to those who are humble enough to pray and earnest enough to investigate. Take away from others that bondage of spirit but which they cling to a man-made sect which they themselves know is not thy church. Give them all at least the spirit of honest search and inquiry. The soul and core of the religious spirit is the desire to do the will of our Maker. Give them all this restless desire, until they have learned the truth which will make them free, the truth which you have forever bequeathed to your one authorized agency on earth, the changeless and indestructible church of Rome. Amen." August 1, 1938 Henderson Daily Dispatch
Saint Andrew, Apostle and Martyr
by VP
Posted on Friday November 29, 2024 at 11:00PM in Saints
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)
"The Feast of St. Andrew has
been kept since the fourth century on November 30. St. Andrew was both
and Apostle and a Martyr. The collect tells us that he was called to
govern and teach the Church; and the Epistle and the Gospel deal with
the Vocation of him who was the first among the Apostles to know Jesus
Christ. When he was called he immediately left his nets to become a
fisher of men, and "his sound hath gone forth into all the earth to
preach the gospel of peace." After the coming of the Holy Ghost he
preached in Palestine, and then taught in Scythia, Epirus and Thrace.
"But
all have not obeyed the Gospel" (Epistle), and Saint Andrew ere long
became the Apostle of the Cross. The priests of Achaia describe his
martyrdom at Patras. He died on that special form of cross which has
ever since been called after him, and "the Lord received his sacrifice
in the odor of sweetness" (Alleluia). His body, having been fist taken
to Constantinople, was in 1210 moved to the Cathedral at Amalfi, in the
kingdom of Naples. In 1462, his head was placed by Pius II. in the
basilica of St. Peter, his brother. His name is inscribed in the Canon
of the Mass. Let us, with Saint Andrew, follow Christ even to the
Cross." Daily Missal with Vespers for Sundays & Feasts
"ST. ANDREW was an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Pray for all who succeed to his sublime functions. Pray for all bishops and pastors, that they may be quickened with the spirit and zeal of the apostles, for the good of the Church, and of the flocks entrusted to their charge.
St. Andrew was a martyr, and died upon a cross. Pray for all under crosses and afflictions. Beseech Almighty God to give them the patience of this apostle, that in their patience they may possess their souls, and reap the fruit of the cross in lasting consolations.
St Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, and disciple of St. John Baptist, had no sooner heård from St. John, that Christ was the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, than he followed him; and informing his brother of the treasure which he had found, conducted him likewise to Christ. An excellent step to the apostleship, and proper means to become a true disciple. Christ came to seek that which was lost, and those who enter his school, must not come without this charity. All stand in need of his help; and there is no better way of securing this, than by helping others, and communicating to them what light we have, for their instruction. For Christ being in all his members, in this we do service not only to them, but to him, and oblige him to protect us, and more plentifully to pour forth his blessings upon us, for our perpetual establishment in all good.
Those who act thus, have reason to rejoice on this festival, and raise their hopes to a lively confidence in the assistance of heaven: since God, who is infinite in charity, cannot deny his grace to those who, being made after his own likeness, endeavour daily to perfect this image by the sincere imitation of his charity. It were to be wished that all Christians would petition this day for the increase of this charity: that as they profess themselves members of Christ, they would give this solid proof of it, by concurring with their Head, as far as their circumstances permit, in giving life to the world.
This is what Christ has undertaken; and all who are truly incorporated in him, will, to the utmost of their power, contribute to carrying on his work. The wickedness of the world, and the general corruption of Christians, afford too frequent opportunities of practising this charity. Whoever makes one of any company, must too often observe the want of it, in the common abuses of profaning God's holy name, of hurtful, uncharitable, and loose discourses, and excesses which are inconsistent with the humility, modesty, and temperance of the gospel. And how have these evils so far gained ground, but because Christians have not courage to shew their dislike of what is evil, but rather weakly comply than reprove what they know deserves it? They have found Christ themselves, but dare not, with this apostle, inform their friends
where he is; but by joining with them in their infirmities or disorders,
help to confirm them in their darkness. This weakness must be renounced
this day; that while we honour this apostle, we may imitate his
virtues, his charity, zeal, and courage; and endeavour to render these
so fashionable, that it may become friendly and familiar among
Christians to put one another in mind of their faults, for bringing them nearer to Christ, and to heaven." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
