Mariano Salvador Maella: Saint Leocadia before the Praetor

DOCILITY OF VIRTUE.-The practice of the highest virtues is really difficult to those only who are animated with the worldly spirit. Any one who is trained to well-doing accomplishes it without effort, but the transition from evil to good is more arduous, because the habits already contracted, and the sentiments long cherished, oppose a formidable barrier. Leocadia was living at Toledo in the practice of all Christian virtues, and had grown accustomed thereto from her childhood. Far from aspiring after the advantages and prospects of the world, she only longed for martyrdom; her soul was inflamed with ardour in reading the lives of the saints, and she piously envied above all the combats and goodly reward which fell to St. Eulalia. God lent a favourable ear to her yearnings; she was brought before the governor Dacian during the course of Diocletian's persecution, cast into chains, tortured with horrible atrocity, and finally thrown into prison, where she expired from her sufferings. Thus does death itself become sweet to any one that knows how to desire it aright.

MORAL REFLECTION.- "By thy commandments I have had understanding; how sweet are thy words to my palate! more than honey to my mouth."-(Psa. cxix. 103.) Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Fr. Auguste Lecanu

St. Ambrose by Gerard Seghers  (1591–1651)

"ST. AMBROSE was the most admirable model of invincible courage and constancy in resisting evil, and discharging his duty, since the days of the apostles. His father was a supreme magistrate of the empire; and the saint's birth happened about the year 340. Whilst he was a child, and lay asleep in one of the courts of his father's palace, a swarm of bees flew about his cradle, and some of them crept in and out of his mouth, and at last they mounted up into the air quite out of sight. This was looked upon as a presage of his future greatness and eloquence.

His life was the practice of abstinence, mortification, and extraordinary charity in relieving the distressed. Follow his example, as far as your circumstances permit. Pray against all immoderate love of yourself, and seeking your own ease: and begin to fear that a sensual method of indulging and pleasing yourself will not lead you to that crown, which our forefathers gained only by self-denials.

St. Nicholas was chosen by a particular direction of heaven, archbishop of Myra, a city of Lycia in Asia. In that charge, he was a light shining to men, in all piety, liberality, hospitality, and the care of his flock. Pray that all who are raised to that dignity may be prepared by his virtues, and may be the choice of heaven. Pray for all bishops now in God's Church, and in particular for that Prelate, to whose flock you belong, that they may be every way faithful to their charge, and that their zeal and charity may be answerable to their dignity.

St. Nicholas died at Myra in the year 342, and was buried in his own cathedral. This saint is esteemed the patron of children, because he was from his infancy a model of innocence and virtue; and to form that tender age to piety was always his first care and delight. To impress on the minds of children perfect sentiments of devotion, religion, and virtue, is of the utmost importance. But instruction must be enforced by example. Precepts and exhortations lose their force, when contradicted by bad example. Pray that all parents and instructors may do as well as teach, and that children may be docile and virtuous." The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John Gother

Prayer to St. Nicholas: O God , who by innumerable miracles hast honored blessed Nicholas , the bishop grant , we beseech thee , that , by his merits and prayers , we may be delivered from the flames of hell . Through our Lord Jesus Christ... (1 Pater, 1 Ave) The Glories of Jesus with Prayers at Mass by Rev. Fr. Vincent HUBY, SJ 1835

Saint Nicetius

CATHOLICISM AND HERESY.-St. Nicetius, bishop of Trèves, one of the most distinguished prelates of Gaul, as well on account of his virtues as for his eloquence, zeal, and untiring labours, thus wrote to Queen Clodosinde, the wife of Alboin, king of the Lombards, who was an upholder of Arianism: "To procure the conversion of Alboin, do what your ancestress, Clothilde, accomplished for the conversion of Clovis. And if the king hesitates as to the truth, let him send to the church of St. Martin of Tours; there his envoys will behold the blind restored to sight, the deaf to hearing, the dumb receiving the power of speech, and lepers their speedy cure. What wonders have not you yourself witnessed at the tombs of the holy bishops, Medard and Remigius ? My tongue could not recount all the miracles of the bishops Germain, Hilary, and Lupus. Is anything similar to be met with in the churches of the Arians? No; for the spirit of darkness cannot work miracles." Such, in reality, is the distinguishing characteristic between the true religion and heresy; the latter is utterly sterile. St. Nicetius died full of days and good works, about the year 566.

MORAL REFLECTION.-"If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch," says the Saviour, "and shall wither."(John xv. 6.) Pictorial half hours with the saints by Rev. Fr. Auguste François Lecanu

Saint Barbara

PARENTS ACCORDING ΤΟ THE ORDER OF NATURE.- Those parents who seek to corrupt either the faith or morals of their children are guilty of a heinous crime. Such there are, even in the bosom of Christianity. Let us cite one example, however, borrowed from paganism and from another period. St. Barbara, a young virgin of Nicomedia, had been brought up secretly in the Christian religion. It was not possible, however, that her father, a headstrong supporter of the superstitions of paganism, should remain ignorant of the fact. On learning it, he broke out into a violent rage, and then, being unable to move his daughter either by tears or threats, he shut her up in a tower, and kept her in prison there. Finding that he gained nothing by such treatment, of his own accord he denounced her to the judges during the persecution of Maximinus. To the application of burning coals to her body, the cutting off of her breasts, to the rack, and the dislocation of her limbs, the Christian virgin bravely submitted. She was beheaded in the year 255 or 256. The acts of her martyrdom are not well known, but she is held in universal veneration.

MORAL REFLECTION. -The Saviour has foretold it: "You shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, but in your patience you shall possess your souls."-(Luke xxi. 16.) Pictorial half hours with the saints by Rev. Fr. Auguste François Lecanu

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.

St. Bibiana by 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

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

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.

ST. SATURNINUS, MARTYR: UNDER the Emperor Maximian, having suffered a long imprisonment and many torments, both of racks and fire, he was at length beheaded for his faith in Christ. Give thanks for his victory: pray for all who at this time suffer for justice or faith; and while you have before you the example of those who have given their lives for Christ, fail not to shew some more than usual patience in whatever you have to suffer this day. It can be no advantage to you to honour the martyrs, if you receive your trials with the impatience of unbelievers. To have the faith of a Christian, and suffer as one who believes not, cannot be the way to a crown. Put your souls, therefore, in a good disposition, whether for present troubles, or whatever are to come. Pray for patience, submission, and courage; they are the gifts of God; and as he has granted them to others, so the like mercy is open to you, if you persevere in asking with a firm hope in God; if you do not despair, because of your own weakness, nor expect to go through your sufferings without trouble. While you honour the memory of a martyr, suffer something as a martyr." The Catholic Year by Fr John Gother