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"The name Gabriel signifies the strength of God, and well becomes the holy archangel, whose feast we celebrate this day; inasmuch as he was the chosen ambassador of God, in the greatest of mysteries, the Incarnation of His divine Son. He had been sent long before to the prophet Daniel, to announce to him the mysterious period of seventy weeks, which were to elapse from the going forth of the decree for rebuilding Jerusalem, to the coming of the world's Redeemer. Thus this holy archangel was sent early to announce the great mystery of the Incarnation.

Again we find St. Gabriel appearing to Zachary in the temple, to bring him the good tidings of the approaching birth of St. John the Baptist. He was the great precursor of the Messias; and St. Gabriel was sent to announce his nativity, on account of the intimate connexion between that event and the Incarnation of the Son of God.

But the greatest and most solemn embassy of the archangel Gabriel, was at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; when he was sent to declare the adorable counsels of God to her, and solicit her consent to become the mother of the incarnate Son of God. He was sent to the city of Nazareth, to the Blessed Virgin, to declare to her the joyful tidings that she was chosen to be the Mother of the Son of God, and to bring forth the long-expected and promised Messias. The heavenly messenger, entering her house, saluted her with great reverence, and said to her: "Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee." Having removed her trouble and surprise at this salutation, he told her of the great mystery to be performed in her, and that she should conceive, and bring forth the Son of God. Having delivered this message, and received her consent, he departed: and by the ineffable operation of the Holy Ghost, she conceived the Saviour of the world. The most exalted commission was here given to St. Gabriel; and he was sent to treat of the most important affair which the world had ever witnessed.

Beseech this holy archangel to obtain for you to be duly penetrated with these sacred mysteries, of which he was the august messenger from God to man. Pray that you may faithfully accomplish the will of God, and be at all times sweetly united to Him. Pray that you may ever walk in His holy presence, and lead the lives of angels on earth, that so you may be associated with those pure spirits hereafter." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

" Victorian had been made proconsul of Carthage by Huneric the Arian king of the Vandals, in the fifth century. The king, after he had published his cruel edicts against the Catholics, sent a message to him, promising the most obliging terms, to heap on him the greatest wealth and the highest honours, if he would renounce his faith. The proconsul generously answered: "Tell the king that I trust in Christ. If his majesty pleases, he may condemn me to the flames, or to wild beasts, or to any torments: but I shall never consent to renounce the Catholic Church." The tyrant became furious at this answer: nor can the tortures be imagined, which he caused the saint to endure. Victorian suffered them with joy, and amidst them finished his glorious martyrdom.

"She was a rich Roman lady. After the death of her husband, entering into a monastery, she was chosen abbess; and by her exemplary piety promoted all good. She had now sackcloth to succeed that rich attire, which she had worn in her conjugal state, and haircloth to take the place of her fine linen. The nights formerly wasted in entertainments, she now employs in prayer, and having been attended by many servants, she is now the servant of all. In this state of penance and humility, without any mixture of affectation, she lived till God called her to the possession of what she had sought. St. Jerome has recorded the virtues of this holy widow. He observes that in her austerities and good works, she carefully avoided all ostentation, lest she might receive her reward in this world, and not in the next. Now however she enjoys eternal rest for her short labour; she is received by choirs of angels, and cherished in Abraham's bosom.

The present season of Lent is a time of penance proper for following such an example. Look upon your sins, and see if justice does not demand it of you: there will be trouble in the practice; but this is one of those troubles, which will be turned into joy. Let this example be always before you. Take necessity for your rule, and keeping your eye upon it, come as near it as you can. Let it be before you at your table, in your clothing, sleeping, and diversions. You cannot depart many degrees from it, but with the danger of sin. To exceed in sleep is sloth and laziness; it has no great horror in its appearance, but is the forerunner of all evils. To exceed, or be nice in diet, is self-love and luxury; to exceed in dress, is pride and injustice, seeking honour for what deserves contempt. Think of this seriously, taking your measures not from the world, but from the Gospel; and you will soon find reason to retrench. Ask grace to follow the dictates of such reason. Look well to your own state; and as far as you see penance and forsaking any part of this world necessary for your amendment, resolve heartily upon undertaking it. Let no niceness or self-love link you to your sins, and hinder the effects of mercy. Who knows if you shall have another opportunity given you?" The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

This holy man was, after this, importuned by some religious to be their abbot. But they, not relishing the discipline in which he obliged them to live, resolved to remove.him by putting poison into his drink. But God was pleased to disappoint their malice, and deliver his servant by miracle; for, upon his making the sign of the cross over the glass, it fell in pieces. St. Benedict therefore took leave of them, and going into a desert, was soon followed by many holy men, and after having established a rule, which has since brought forth many great bishops and popes, and having wrought many miracles, he made a happy end in the year 543. Give God thanks for his favours to this his servant, and pray for all the religious of his order, that the example of their founder may be the rule of their lives, and that the discipline which he established may be exactly preserved among them." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"THE AVOIDANCE OF SIN.-We are here "to live in all purity," by which he means the avoiding not only of all grave sin, but of even those which are usually looked upon as mere trivial defects. Without this, bodily abstinence will be but little worth. Therefore, in these days of Lent, let the Monk repress the curiosity of his eyes; the itching of his ears to catch whatever news may be afloat; the volubility of his tongue in speech; the affection of his heart to cling to creatures. Let him look to his sluggishness in obedience, reluctance of will to submit, and rebellion of heart against the ordinances of rule.

THE DOING OF GOOD.—This is the time in which to devote himself more especially to his duty of prayer, and to banish from it all the defects which have been suffered to creep in. It must not be a sleepy, listless, inattentive, distracted prayer, but energetic, vigilant, absorbing the whole mind in the intensity of its fervour. By tearful prayer, St. Benedict does not mean that we should weep material tears, but that our tears should be the tears of the heart; a sorrow founded upon reason; not evanescent, but abiding in the fixed resolve never again to betray Jesus Christ. Besides giving himself up to prayer, the Monk must apply his mind to reading, in order to acquire that sound doctrine which will save him from error, and fill his mind with a store of learning profitable alike both to himself and to others. In prayer he speaks to God; but while reading, it is God Who speaks to him, and whispers into the ear of his heart the suggestions of the Holy Spirit, by Whose guidance he is led onward from one degree of perfection to another, till at last he stands upon the topmost round of the ladder which enables him to reach the gate of heaven." The Teaching of St. Benedict by Rev. Fr. Francis Cuthbert Doyle 1887

PRAYER OF SAINT BENEDICT

O Lord, I place myself in your hands and dedicate myself to you. I pledge myself to do your will in all things: To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength.

Not to kill. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness. To honor all persons. Not to do to another what I would not wish done to myself. To chastise the body. Not to seek after pleasures. To love fasting. To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick. To bury the dead. To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing. To hold myself aloof from worldly ways. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.

Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for revenge. Not to entertain deceit in the heart. Not to make a false peace. Not to forsake charity. Not to swear, lest I swear falsely. To speak the truth with heart and tongue. Not to return evil for evil. To do no injury: yea, even to bear patiently any injury done to me. To love my enemies. Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them. To bear persecution for justice's sake.

Not to be proud. Not to be given to intoxicating drink. Not to be an over-eater. Not to be lazy. Not to be slothful. Not to be a murmurer. Not to be a detractor. To put my trust in God.

To refer the good I see in myself to God. To refer any evil in myself to myself. To fear the Day of Judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with spiritual longing. To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep constant watch over my actions. To remember that God sees me everywhere. To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arises in my heart.

To guard my tongue against wicked speech. To avoid much speaking. To avoid idle talk. To read only what is good to read. To look at only what is good to see. To pray often. To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life. To obey my superiors in all things rightful. Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness.

To fulfill the commandments of God by good works. To love chastity. To hate no one. Not to be jealous or envious of anyone. Not to love strife. Not to love pride. To honor the aged. To pray for my enemies. To make peace after a quarrel, before the setting of the sun. Never to despair of your mercy, O God of Mercy. Amen.

"This saint was particularly devoted from his childhood to the love and service of God. While keeping sheep on the mountains of Northumberland, he saw one night a multitude of angels carrying up to heaven the soul of St. Aidan, bishop of Lindisfarne, which had just departed. This vision moved him to great compunction, and a strong desire of quitting the world. He soon after took the monastic habit in the monastery of Mailros. Here he applied himself continually to reading, working, watching, and praying; wholly abstaining from wine and all strong drink. After some time he was chosen prior; and afterwards prior of a larger monastery at Lindisfarne. He was a man of extraordinary patience, preserving a cheerful countenance under all adversities. He was a great lover of watching and praying, often passing nights together without sleep, employed in praying, singing psalms, and working.

Aspiring to a closer union with God, St. Cuthbert built himself a cell in the uninhabited island of Farne, intending to dedicate the remainder of his days to divine contemplation. But he was called from his solitude, and consecrated bishop of Lindisfarne. He adorned this dignity by every episcopal virtue, without changing his former method of life, being as sparing to himself as ever, whilst he was liberal to others, in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and exercising all other duties of his station. After governing the church of Lindisfarne for two years in a most saintly manner, he resigned his bishopric, and returned to his beloved cell in the island of Farne; and after two months he was seized with his last illness, and gave up his soul, intent on the divine praises, to take her flight to heavenly joys, on the 20th of March, 687.

Pray for your country, and all the pastors of it; that being watchful in the concerns of their flocks, and their own souls, they may live to edification, and do good to all. Imitate the spirit of prayer of St. Cuthbert, whose life was a continual prayer. Whatever he saw seemed to speak to him of God, and invite him to his holy love." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

• "So devout and zealous was he in his desire after heavenly things, that when saying Mass, he could never come to the conclusion thereof without a plentiful shedding of tears. When celebrating the mysteries of our Lord's Passion, he would, very appropriately, imitate the action that he was performing, ie. in contrition of heart he would sacrifice himself to the Lord; and he exhorted those present to "lift up their hears," and " to give thanks to the Lord," more by raising up his heart than his voice, and more by his groans then his singing."

A Prayer to Saint Cuthbert

Hail, father of thy country! Hail, man of renown! Hail, thou who often bestowest upon the miserable the comforts of health! Hail, lovely glory! Hail, great hope of thy servants! Farewell merit of our own! Do thou act, thou man of piety! To thee be praise! To thee let worthy honour, to thee let thanks be given, who frequently bestowest blessings upon me, undeserving though I be. Thou art my mighty help; often hast thou been my glory. Always dost thou cherish me with thy sweetly-flowing love. Oh from how many evils, from what enemies and dangers, my father, hast thou rescued me, and still nourishest thou me in prosperity! What worthy return can I make to thee, my father? Oh thou pious Bishop! Oh Father! Oh merciful Pastor! give me thy aid. As it pleases thee, O Father, and as thou knowest my wants, give help to thy petitioner. I pray thee to remember me, thou sweet friend of God.

"ST. PATRICK was born in Scotland. God manifested to him by divers visions, that he destined him for the great work of the conversion of Ireland. He forsook his family to serve strangers, and consecrated his soul to God, to carry his name to the end of the earth. He travelled over the whole of Ireland, without fearing any dangers; and such was the fruit of his preaching and sufferings, that he converted an infinite number of people. He fixed his metropolitan see at Armagh. He not only converted the whole country by his preaching and miracles, but also cultivated this vineyard with so fruitful a benediction and increase from heaven, as to render Ireland a most flourishing garden in the Church of God, and a country of saints. He performed his great work with such success, that the nation which he had found infidel, he lived to see wholly Christian; and after so plentiful a harvest, died amongst his people at Down in Ulster in the fifth century. From which time, the Irish people, amidst so many revolutions, have been ever constant to the faith received from this holy prelate, their apostle.

Pray for all those, who like this prelate, engage in the apostolic life; that the blessing of heaven may ever attend their labours in the conversion of souls from the darkness of vice and error, to the light of virtue and truth. Pray for that people of Ireland, who received their faith by the preaching of this saint; that God would give them patience under all calamities, and a Christian zeal for reforming all abuses, and living up to that truth which they have been taught.

When he had lived thus many years, a neighbouring bishop, knowing his sanctity, importuned him from his cell to go and preach to a town, whose obstinacy in idolatry had rendered all the endeavours of the bishop fruitless. Being called to this combat, he preached to that people repentance and faith in Christ; and they seeing no hopes of being delivered from his importunity, resolved to stone him to death. Having done it, as they thought, he yet outlived that storm, and soon appeared repeating the same lesson to them, and they repeated their cruelty; and so a third time, when they left him for dead. But God miraculously preserving his life, he came again with a new zeal. Upon which, being touched from heaven, they received the faith of Christ, and were baptized. But he, returning to his solitude, after many years of great sanctity, there ended his days.

May not his persevering charity be an encouragement to all pastors, in their endeavours to reclaim the lost sheep? May it not be a direction to you, not to be too hasty in despairing of the amendment of those, who seem as yet deaf to all advice? Have then a true compassion for all in sin and error; let your charity to them be untired. Perseverance is a force upon heaven, and the most powerful persuasive upon the hearts of men. And if at last they hear you not, remember that your charity is not lost: it will be fruitful to you, if not to them." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"The Conversion of Sinners: Abraham, the solitary, after having disposed of his vast property and distributed the proceeds to the poor, was living in a deep retreat near Edessa, in Mesopotamia, when the bishop of Edessa consecrated him as bishop, and invested him with the mission of converting the inhabitants of a neighboring town, who were still pagans. Abraham undertook this out of a spirit of obedience, and, God aiding, succeeded in the undertaking, but not without vast efforts, and not without having been thrice on the eve of martyrdom.

He then withdrew to this beloved solitude, but was obliged to leave it once again. A niece whom he tenderly love had abandoned her home, and given herself up to evil courses. When, after two years' seeking and prayer, the pious solitary had at length discovered her abode, he assumed a disguise, and went to visit her. So soon as he made himself known she gave way, while pouring out her sorrow, and, of her own accord, imposed on herself rude austerities which were only to end with her life. St. Abraham died towards 370.

Moral reflection: It is the duty of every Christian to labor for the conversion of sinners, because all partake of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, says the apostle St. Peter: "To declare His virtues, who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. " (1 Peter ii. 9.)" Source: Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Fr. Auguste François Lecanu

"O that we realized the omnipotence of prayer! Every soul was created to glorify God eternally; and it is in the power of every one to add by the salvation of his neighbor to the glory of God. Let us make good of this talent of prayer, lest our brother's blood be required of us at the last. "I affectionately entreat you to pray assiduously for the salvation of sinners, for whom I ask of you wrestlings and tearful prayers, that I may satisfy My longing to show them grace and mercy." Revelation to St. Catherine of Siena" Source: Miniatures Lives of the Saints, for Every Day in the Year, 1883

Novena Prayer for the Return of Lapsed Catholics

O Good Shepherd, you never cease to seek out the lost, to call home the stray, to comfort the frightened, and to bind up the wounded. I ask you to bring (mention names) back to the practice of the Faith, and to remove all obstacles that prevent them from receiving your abundant mercy, which flows sacramentally through the heart of your holy Church.

Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, their Guardian Angel(s), their Patron Saint(s) and the ever-prayerful St. Monica, may you pardon their sins and unshackle them from whatever hinders their freedom to come Home. For you, O Good Shepherd, loved us to the end and offered yourself to the Father for the salvation of all. Amen.

Prayers for the return of a lapsed Catholic should also be accompanied by sacrificial and secret acts of fasting and almsgiving done in their name.