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Dosso Dossi, 1534

"These saints were brothers, and physicians, born in Arabia in the reign of Diocletian. Being Christians, and full of that holy temper of charity, in which the spirit of our divine religion consists, they practiced their profession with great assiduity and wonderful success; but never took any fee. The people bore them great love and respect, on account of their charity; and they took every opportunity which their profession gave them, to propagate the Christian faith. When the persecution of Diocletian began to rage; they were apprehended. Being commanded to sacrifice to idols, they professed their faith in Christ, and that sacrifice was to be offered to no other but the living God. Upon this, they were bound and thrown into the sea; but they came forth without hurt. Their deliverance was attributed to magic; and they were forthwith ordered to be burnt. The flames, however, did. not touch them; and after many cruel torments, they were at length beheaded, about the year 303.

Pray for all under whatever kind of persecution, oppression, or trouble. Courage and patience are as necessary as our daily food: without these supports, there is no preserving the Christian life. Pray for a large share of them, and a daily supply, both for yourself and others. Beg the divine assistance against all dangers of spiritual colds and heats; that no violence of passion or sensuality may overcome you; and that no sort of coldness or dryness in devotion may discourage you. There is danger from all extremes, and no security but from the blessing of God upon your diligence and good endeavors. Consider the great charity of these holy brothers; and resolve to imitate it as far as your circumstances will permit. There are not wanting objects that require your compassion and help; there is on every side poverty, sickness, and misery: to visit, comfort, and relieve those who suffer under these, is the greatest charity to them, and even to yourself, for by so doing, you shall not lose your reward." The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John GOTHER

"In you, O illustrious brethren, was fulfilled this saying of the Wise Man: “The skill of the physician will lift up his head, and in the sight of great men he will be praised” (Ecclesiasticus xxxviii. 3). The great ones, in whose sight you are exalted, are the princes of the heavenly hierarchies, witnessing today the homage paid to you by the Church Militant. The glory that surrounds your heads is the glory of God Himself, of that bountiful King who rewards your former disinterestedness by bestowing on you His own blessed life. In the bosom of divine love, your charity cannot wax cold. Help us, then, and heal the sick who confidently implore your assistance. Preserve the health of God’s children so that they may fulfill their obligations in the world, and may courageously bear the light yoke of the Church’s precepts. Bless those physicians who are faithful to their baptism, and who seek your aid, and increase the number of such. See how the study of medicine now so often leads astray into the paths of materialism and fatalism to the great detriment of science and humanity. It is false to assert that simple nature is the explanation of suffering and death, and unfortunate are those whose physicians regard them as mere flesh and blood. Even the pagan school took a loftier view than that, and it was surely a higher ideal that inspired you to exercise your art with such religious reverence. By the virtue of your glorious death, O witnesses to the Lord, obtain for our sickly society a return to the faith, to the remembrance of God, and to that piety which is profitable to all things and to all men, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Timothy iv. 8)." Dom Prosper Guéranger

"ST. CYPRIAN had been a magician, and was brought up in all the impious mysteries of idolatry, and the pretended sciences of judicial astrology and the black art. He tried every secret with which he was acquainted to conquer the virtuous resolution of a Christian virgin named Justina: but she defeated and put to flight the devils, by the sign of the cross. Suppliantly beseeching the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would succor a virgin in danger, she fortified herself with fasting, tears, and prayers. Cyprian finding all his arts ineffectual, and being informed that her faith in Christ made her proof against all such attempts, he upon this began to consider the power of Christianity as superior to that of the devil; and being instructed in the faith, he abandoned his former ways, and gave himself wholly to Christ. Upon this, being apprehended, together with Justina, they were first scourged, afterwards thrown into a cauldron of boiling pitch, and at length beheaded at Nicomedia.

Have compassion on those who follow unlawful ways, and pray for them. Had they the like degree of grace that you have, it may be that they would be more faithful in corresponding with it than you are. Adore your God, acknowledge your whole dependence to be on him, and leave all to the order of his providence.

In consequence, avoid all fortune-tellers and conjurors, as pretenders to an unlawful art. Never admit of charms, as not having their power from God. Renounce all superstitious observations, either of signs, or lucky and unlucky days. These are all the remains of ignorance and heathenism; and since they have nothing real in them, it is strange that Christians should be at all moved or disturbed by them. Had they a true faith in God and his divine providence, they would not imagine that their good or bad fortune depended on such accidents. Detest then all superstition as irreligious, as a breach of the first commandment, and betraying a want of faith and confidence in God. It is severely condemned by the holy Fathers; and if your faith be sincerely in God, do not contradict it by such unchristian folly."

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Maria de Mercede, fresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio (c. 1472)

"The religious Order of our Blessed Lady of Mercy for the redemption of captives, was projected by St. Peter Nolasco, in the thirteenth century, for a constant supply of men and means for carrying on so charitable an undertaking. The design met with great obstacles in its execution; but the Blessed Virgin, the true mother of mercy, appearing to St. Peter Nolasco, to James, king of Arragon, and to St. Raymund of Pennafort, in distinct visions on the same night, encouraged them to prosecute the holy scheme, under the assurance of her patronage and protection. St. Raymund was the spiritual director both of St. Peter and of the king, and a zealous promoter of this charitable work. The king declared himself the protector of the Order, and assigned them a large quarter of his own palace for their abode. When St. Raymund went to Rome, he obtained from Pope Gregory IX., in the year 1225, the confirmation of this Order, and of its rules and constitutions. Almighty God was pleased to extend this Order greatly through the Blessed Virgin Mary. It flourished by the influence of many holy men, distinguished for their piety and charity, who collected alms of the faithful, and applied them to redeem poor captives out of the hands of infidels, often even giving themselves up to procure liberty for others.

In order that due thanks may be given to God, and his Holy Mother for the great benefit of this holy institution, the holy see has appointed this festival to be observed throughout the Church, Comply with the order of the Church, in returning thanks to God, and his Holy Mother; and heartily pray his infinite Majesty to have compassion on all those unhappy Christians who are in captivity.

Remember likewise all those who are slaves to sin and the world; and though you can bring no relief to those wretched souls, who by death have consummated their slavery, and are past all redemption; still look upon them in their state of despair, and from the sight of their misery, learn to fear all that would lead to it." The Catholic Year by Fr. Gother

"Blessed be thou, O Mary, the honor and the joy of your people! On the day of your glorious Assumption you took possession of your queenly dignity for our sake, and the annals of the human race are a record of your merciful interventions. The captives whose chains you have broken, and whom you have set free from the degrading yoke of the Saracens, may be reckoned by millions. We are still rejoicing in the recollection of your dear birthday, and your smile is sufficient to dry our tears and chase away the clouds of grief. And yet, what sorrows there are still upon the Earth where you yourself drank such long draughts from the cup of suffering! Sorrows are sanctifying and beneficial to some, but there are other and unprofitable griefs springing from social injustice: the drudgery of the factory, or the tyranny of the strong over the weak, may be worse than slavery in Algiers or Tunis. You alone, O Mary, can break the inextricable chains in which the cunning prince of darkness entangles the dupes he has deceived by the high-sounding names of equality and liberty. Show yourself a Queen by coming to the rescue. The whole Earth, the entire human race, cries out to you, in the words of Mardochai: “Speak to the king for us, and deliver us from death!” (Esther xv. 3)." Dom Gueranger

Pope St. Linus

"ST. LINUS was bishop of Rome, and the immediate successor of St. Peter. He presided over the church twelve years; and having faithfully discharged all the duties of a good pastor, was put to death by the sword, about the year 68. Pray for the present bishop of that holy see, and for all the pastors of the Church, that they may be animated with the primitive spirit, and edify all by word and good example. Beg courage and patience for all that suffer and are in trouble. While you are going on in all the methods of softness and pleasing your

self, and read every day of so many servants of God renouncing this world and all its charms, laboring to overcome their interior corruption by generous mortifications, and rejoicing to suffer for Christ; ought not this to raise in your heart some more noble resolutions of being no longer a slave to vice, vanity, sloth, and self-love? Are not you born for a better world, as well as they? Do not you desire heaven for your inheritance? Why then are you indulging yourself in lazy sleep, while others are laboring for heaven? Why are you courting the world in all the methods of vanity, while others are seeking to be glorious in heaven, by renouncing these shadows? Why do you study your palate, spend your time in idleness, diversions, and intemperance? This is not the way to a happy eternity. Take then another way, and be ashamed to spend that upon a moment, which might be the purchase of what is eternal. The sufferings of the martyrs often call upon you to pray for courage and patience for yourself and all others in time of trouble. Learn something from such repeated examples. If you cannot so far understand the value of patient suffering, as to seek it; accept however of that part which God shall appoint for you. Be once in earnest, and prepare for embracing your present trial or submitting to the next that comes. What kind of Christian are you, if you are only then patient and in good humour, when you have nothing to try you?" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

"The grace of God that is given to you in Christ Jesus."I COR. i. 4.

1. Grace, life of our soul; security of salvation.

2. Signs that we are in the state of grace: the testimony of our conscience, that we have repented; fraternal charity; light illuminating our soul.

3. Preserve grace by humility and holy fear.

GRACE is the gift of God and the life of our soul. By it we participate in the divine nature. If we preserve our souls in the state of grace in life, we make certain of our everlasting reward and glory hereafter. Grace is given to us by God freely, lovingly, generously; our solicitude and daily endeavor must be to preserve it in our souls. But how few of us value it as we should! In the world how many do not believe in grace: reject it for a whim, a pleasure, an indulgence of their passions! And yet it is the all-important thing for each of us to preserve our soul in the state of grace. Yet can we know for sure whether we are in the state of grace?-for Scripture tells us that man knows not whether he be worthy of love or hatred-that is, whether he be in the favor and friendship of God, or whether sin has driven grace from his soul, and left it "poor and miserable and naked" in the sight of His heavenly Father.

True, we cannot know for certain; but there are signs, which guarantee us a moral certainty, sufficient for a solid hope to be built on it, that we are friends with God, and have grace within our souls. "The grace of God that is given to you in Christ Jesus." Let us examine these signs, these tests, to help us to be solicitous and earnest in treasuring this heavenly gift.

- He was called from the receipt of custom, to be an apostle. Beseech God to call you from all your evil ways, and to have mercy on all sinners.

He was the first who wrote the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that this may be written in your heart, to be the rule of your life. Pray for all who read it, that it may lead them into all truth.

Having preached the gospel in Ethiopia with great fruit, he was at length put to death by the enemies of his faith. Pray for all who succeed in his function, that they may be accompanied with the same spirit, and blessed with success in the good of souls.

On this day of a publican and oppressor of the poor becoming an apostle, all sinners have reason to hold up their heads, and hope for mercy from him, who publicly declares that he comes to call sinners to repentance. If you are but ready to obey his call, you have no reason to doubt of his part: for if he had no desire to receive you, he would never call upon you to return. But see that your return be like that of St. Matthew, by forsaking whatever evil you have been engaged in. Matthew, an apostle, is no more a publican; because that profession was unlawful, and not consistent with the spirit of Christ. Thus it ought to be with every sinner who thinks in earnest of following Christ. He is to examine into his profession, and the practice of his life; he is obliged to be sorry for whatever he observes contrary to the law of God, and humbly acknowledge it before a minister of Christ. And thus far common practice carries the Christian on without much difficulty; for he easily calls his sins to remembrance; he conceives some trouble upon this review, and though nature be something averse to Confession, yet it generally costs not much to overcome. But the principal point is yet to come; and that is, whether that sorrow and repentance, with which he has proceeded, has been so sincere, as to work a change in his heart, and separate him from that, which his conscience tells him, has before separated him from God. For if this be not the effect of his repentance and Confession, he has too just reason to fear that there was no sincerity in what he did.