St. Antony of Padua, Confessor and doctor, A.D. 1231.
by VP
Posted on Thursday June 13, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer: Saint Anthony, glory of the Church and hammer of heretics, pray for our Holy Father, our bishops, our priests, our Religious Orders, that, through their pious zeal and apostolic labors, infidels, heretics, and all those outside the true Church of Christ may be converted and, united in faith, give greater glory to God. Amen. Blessed Sacrament Book. Fr. Francis Xavier Lasance
St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests
- Chastity unites (the priest) to Jesus by a certain mysterious tie. "Although all the just are spouses of Christ," says St. Anthony of Padua, "yet virgins are his spouses in a far more special manner; for as husband and wife are one flesh, so are virgins one flesh with Christ, their Spouse." The Catholic Priesthood, by Rev. Fr. Michael Muller 1885
"He was born at Lisbon in Portugal; and having been piously educated, entered into a house of canon regulars. But seeing the bodies of five holy men, of the Order of St.Francis, brought from Morocco, where they had ben martyred for their faith, the desire of giving his life for Christ put him upon soliciting to be admitted into that Order, where being received, after a fitting preparation, he embarked for Morocco. But a violent sickness obliging him to return, he applied himself wholly to instructing the ignorant, reclaiming sinners, and giving light to those, who were engaged in error. Having thus laboured for some years, he retired into a solitude, and having there prepared his soul, by prayer and great mortification, for a better life, he was soon after seized with a violent distemper, of which he died in the year 1231. Almighty God was pleased to testify to the sanctity of this his servant, by many miracles, both in his life, and after his death.
Pray for the spirit of this saint, that it may be plentifully poured forth upon all those, whose function obliges them to seek the salvation of others. Beg it for yourself, that by prayer and good example you may encourage others to the love of virtue and truth. Pray that the example of the martyrs may raise in your soul a holy desire of suffering for Christ. If He calls you not to suffer from the hand of unbelievers, offer yourself to all those troubles which He has ordained for you in your state of life.
Such sufferings may be less glorious, but shall not lose their reward.
Your happiness is to be with God: desire to be with Him, and as you
advance in piety, let this desire increase. Your whole life ought to be a
preparation for death; and since this saint, after a life of so
extraordinary charity, thought fit to retire, so to purify his soul,
and make a more particular preparation for a happy death; consider if
spiritual retreats may not be proper for you; and whether withdrawing from the confusion of business
may not sometimes be seasonable. How many troublesome professions are
there, which almost require this to be done! Do your best to leave this
world, before the world leaves you. Set your house in order, for you shall die." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. John a Facundo, CONFESSOR, A.D. 1479.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 12, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"This saint lived in the strictest evangelical poverty and mortification, retired from the world; and learned by experience that pious reading, meditation, and prayer, afford a purer joy than all worldly pleasures can give. He took the religious habit among the hermits of St. Augustin in Salamanca. He so perfectly attained the spirit of his rule, that no one was more mortified, more obedient, more humble, or more disengaged from creatures than he appeared to be in all his actions. By his pathetic sermons and private exhortations, he introduced an entire reformation of manners throughout the city. By the spirit of meekness with which he was endued, he had a particular talent in reconciling enemies and appeasing dissensions. The high opinion which every one had of his sanctity, contributed to give the greatest weight to his words and example. Without any respect of persons, he reproved vice in the great, with a liberty which often drew upon him severe persecutions. St. John was favoured with a sight of Christ our Lord, when he was saying Mass, and learned heavenly secrets from the very fountain of the Divinity. He often was enabled to penetrate the secret recesses of men's hearts, and to foretel future events. He also raised to life his brother's daughter, who died at the age of seven years. At length, being visited with his last sickness,he foretold the day of his death, and happily slept in the Lord on the 11th of June, 1479.
The example of the saints teaches us that virtue can never thrive in a life of dissipation. Worldly conversation, which turns on vanity and trifling amusements, insensibly turns off the mind from virtue, and the vigour of the soul is thereby impaired, no less than the bodily constitution is by means destructive of its health. Every good Christian ought from time to time to retire from the world to be alone, and to have regular hours for pious reading and consideration. The divine wisdom says: I will lead her into the wilderness: and I will speak to her heart." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Bl. Guido of Cortona, Confessor Priest, Franciscan
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 12, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer: O God, who hast given to us blessed Guy, Thy confessor, to be an example of perfection in religious life, and a minister of evangelical preaching; grant, we beseech Thee, that through his intercession we may by good works set a bright example before our neighbours. Manual of the Third order of st. Francis of Assisi, Volume 2
"(Yet) it was chiefly in the country around Lake Thrasymene that Francis had worked that year. He had passed the whole of the great Lent in seclusion upon one of the islands in the lake-the Isola Maggiore; then he went forth to evangelize the neighbourhood.
So he came to Cortona and preached there. Now when the sermon was concluded a youth named Guy approached Francis and offered him a lodging in his house. He was a noble youth and very wealthy, but quite unspoiled by his possessions which he held as a trust for the poor; and always he gave to the poor whatever he did not need for his own frugal maintenance. Francis gladly accepted his proffered hospitality. That evening Guy waited upon Francis and his companion as upon most honoured guests; he washed their feet with reverence and himself served them at supper; and when the meal was over he begged that they would consider his goods as their own and whenever they were in want of habits or anything else allow him to supply their need. Francis was entirely won by the youth's open-handed generosity and his delicate courtesy; and when he and his companion were retiring to rest, he said: "My dear brother, this noble youth, who is so mindful of and grateful to God, and so loving and courteous towards his neighbours and the poor, would do well for our life and company. For know you, dear brother, that courtesy is one of the properties of God, who of His courtesy, gives His sun and rain to the just and the unjust: and courtesy is the sister of charity by which hatred is extinguished and love is cherished. And because I have seen so much divine virtue in this man, therefore gladly would I have him for a companion." And at that Francis began to pray that Guy might become one of the fraternity. Guy meanwhile felt a keen desire not merely to befriend his guests in their needs but to be one with them in their life, and shortly afterwards he came and cast himself on his knees before Francis, asking to be admitted into his company. So he distributed all his goods to the poor, and afterwards in the public church received the habit of Poverty.
Now some little distance from Cortona, at the foot of the high hill on which the city is built, and on the other side from the low ground which stretches out to Lake Thrasymene, there is a gurgling rivulet which comes from the mountains, passing down its rocky course through a deep ravine; and by the side of this rivulet there were then some rock caves.
Hither Francis and Guy now betook themselves, and made a narrow hermitage so near to the rivulet that its waters sprayed the walls of their caves. And there Guy made
his abode until his death many years later. He divided his days between
prayer and manual work, even when after a time he was ordained priest by obedience. Now and then he interrupted his life of contemplation and climbed the long hill and preached to the people of the city: but it was mostly by his life that he preached to them: and the Celle-the caves in which Guy and his companions lived—became a constant admonition to the citizens, of the life which is beyond this earth." Life of St. Francis by Father Cuthbert (O.S.F.C.)
St. Barnabas, APOSTLE.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday June 11, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was a disciple of Christ, and companion of St. Paul in his preaching and suffering. His first labour was in confirming the faithful at Antioch, where they were first called Christians; amongst whom he had great success, because he was esteemed, as the scripture says, a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost. Pray for all those, whose function obliges them to preach the gospel. The success of their labours depends very much on the disposition of the preachers.
When the Gentiles heard the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, they rejoiced, and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. It is a good sign to find satisfaction in hearing and reading what is good. If you experience anything of this, give thanks, and endeavour to improve it, by being as constant in the practice of it, as you can. But if you observe an aversion in yourself, or in those under your care, to hearing or reading what may be helpful to salvation, remember that it is an ill constitution which does not relish wholesome food, and great care must be taken for obtaining a more Christian temper. Such souls are very much indisposed for the eternal enjoyment of God, who take no delight in what belongs to him, or in the way that leads to him. There were Jews at Antioch, who contradicted and opposed the preaching of Barnabas: and he said to them: Seeing you reject the word of God, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life; behold we turn to the Gentiles. Christians must be careful not to make this their case, and not to reject God's word by having a dislike to what is good.
The Jews stirred up devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Devout people may be engaged in great sins by a false zeal. Pray to be secured against this misfortune. Provide against it by suspending your judgment in all matters of contention, and not easily believing any party. Call in God to your assistance, that no heat or passion may carry you against truth and justice" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Margaret, QUEEN OF SCOTLAND, WIDOW, A.D. 1093.
by VP
Posted on Monday June 10, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"She was grand-daughter of Edmund Ironside, and married to Malcolm, king of Scotland. By the most tender complaisance and condescending behaviour, she gained a great influence over her husband; but this she exerted only to make religion and justice reign, and to render her subjects happy. In the midst of the cares of a kingdom, St. Margaret always kept her heart disengaged from the love of the world, and recollected in God. The continual attention of her soul to him in all her actions, assiduous prayer, and the constant practice of self-denial, were the chief means by which she attained to this perfection. Her greatness was not in enjoying, but despising the greatness of this world. She was a Christian wife, in her respect and obedience to her husband; a Christian mother, in the holy education of her children, ever endeavouring by example, advice, and tears, to arm them against the false pleasures of the world, and to quicken in them the love of God. She was a Christian queen, in discouraging all injustice in her subjects, in her zeal for reforming abuses, in her great charity to the poor, and employing persons to seek out such as were in distress. For the government of her own soul, she desired her director at all times, with freedom to put her in mind of whatever he observed amiss either in her words or actions. In this method of sanctity she lived, and in the same she died, in the eleventh century.
Whatever your condition be, you have lessons for improvement in this holy queen. A soul zealous for heaven cannot be barren, but will make all circumstances serviceable to a better life. Do you make this use of your authority, of your riches, of your charge? By fidelity in these, you may advance by large steps towards heaven. The surest means for going right, is to desire some discreet friend to point out all your false steps, and freely put you in mind of all your errors. Such a request will show your sincerity and humility; and there is no danger of failure, where these have the guidance." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
SS. Primus and Felicianus, MARTYRS, A.D. 286.
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 09, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THESE two martyrs were brothers, and lived in Rome many years, mutually encouraging each other in the practice of all good works. They seemed to possess nothing but for the poor, and often spent both nights and days with the confessors in their dungeons, or at the places of their torments and execution. Some they encouraged to perseverance; others who had fallen, they raised again; and they made themselves the servants of all in Christ, that all might attain to salvation through him. Though their zeal was most remarkable, they had escaped the dangers of many bloody persecutions, and were grown old in the heroic exercises of virtue, when it pleased God to crown their labours with a glorious martyrdom. The Pagans raised so great an outcry against them, that they were apprehended, and put in chains. They were inhumanly scourged, and then sent to a town twelve miles from Rome, to be further chastised. They were cruelly tortured, first together, afterwards separately. But the grace of God strengthened them, and they were at length both beheaded in the year 286, on the 9th of June.
Pray for all under persecution for their faith; that by patience and constancy they may give testimony of the truth. Pray for patience for yourself in all troubles. He that has overcome death and hell, could easily deliver us from the evils of this life: but it is more for his glory, and our advantage, to triumph over them by his grace, in suffering them with an humble and patient mind. Troubles and persecution separate the reprobate from Jesus Christ; but they are the means of uniting the elect more closely to him, by adoration, love, and fidelity. Let these be the exercises of your heart under all oppressions. Pray for all your kindred and relations, that they may be all united, as in one blood, so by faith and charity, and in the hopes of meeting in bliss. If any of them go astray, let them have your prayers. Look upon all persons with whom you live as your relations, and keep peace and holy charity with all." The Catholic Year by Fr. John GotherSt. William, ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, CONFESSOR, A.D. 1154.
by VP
Posted on Saturday June 08, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THIS saint was of noble parentage, but the lustre of his virtues far exceeded that of his birth. These virtues, which as he grew up became more and more conspicuous in him, recommended him, after he had received holy orders, to be elected treasurer in the church of York. But the saint, who thought no treasure so valuable as that which is laid up in heaven by works of mercy to the poor, was ever solicitous to convey his wealth into their hands.
On the death of the archbishop of York, St. William was elected to that dignity; but another was preferred before him, through the opposition of the archdeacon Osbert, a turbulent and factious man. St. William patiently endured this repulse, and quietly withdrew to his uncle, the bishop of Winchester, with whom he remained seven years, leading a retired and mortified life, in much fasting, watching, and prayer. He abhorred the pomps of the world, and employed his time in bewailing his sins, and extinguishing the flames of divine justice by penitential tears. He lived in great silence, his behavior was full of calmness and tranquillity: no vain words or superfluous discourse interrupted his divine contemplation. He had ever before his eyes the memory of heaven and hell, and of the strict account to be given at the last day. He restrained his appetite within the bounds of necessity, and allowed nothing to sensuality: and if sometimes he was obliged to admit of visits, his conversation and very countenance were so graceful and amiable, as to appear to have more of an angel than of a man.
The see of York being again vacant, after seven years, St. William was again chosen archbishop. As he proceeded to York, he was received with incredible joy by his people. The great numbers who assembled on that occasion to see and welcome him, broke down the wooden bridge over the river Ouse, in the middle of the city, and many persons, of all ages, especially children, fell into the river. The saint, seeing this terrible accident, earnestly implored with tears the divine mercy, and made the sign of the cross over the river. Every one ascribed to his sanctity and prayers the miraculous preservation of the whole multitude, who all escaped out of the waters without hurt.
St. William formed many great projects for the good of his diocese; but within a few weeks he was seized with a fever, of which he died on the 8th of June,
1154. Pray for your country: and learn from this saint to love humility
and retirement rather than dignities and honours, as being most
favourable to the great end of our creation, the salvation of our precious souls." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Paul, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, MARTYR, A.D. 350.
by VP
Posted on Friday June 07, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was bishop of Constantinople, a faithful friend of St. Athanasius, and companion in all his labours for the defence of the Catholic faith against the Arians, who greatly feared him. By their false accusations, he was unjustly deposed, and took shelter in the West, where he was graciously received by the Emperor Constans. After two years he was reinstated in his dignity at Constantinople; but was still furiously persecuted by the Arians, and banished by the Emperor Constantius. He came back however to Constantinople; but his situation continued very uneasy, always suffering from the power and malice of the Arians. At their instigation, the emperor again drove him from his see, and sent him into banishment, to which the saint cheerfully submitted. He was loaded with chains, and sent into Mesopotamia; whence he was carried to a town in Syria; and afterwards to a small town on the confines of Cappadocia, notorious for its bad air and unhealthy situation. Here he was confined in a close, dark place, and left to starve to death. After he had passed six days without food, he was, to the great disappointment of his enemies, found alive. Upon which they strangled him, and gave out that he died after a short sickness. His martyrdom happened in 350 or 351.
The constancy of this prelate in the time of so powerful opposition and general confusion is easily admired; but how far can you go in the imitation of it? When we see how easily Christians fall under dejection, whether upon the experience of their own weakness, when their victory does not answer the haste of their impatient desires, or from sickness or surprising troubles; when we see how small provocations cause differences among Christians; how passion follows upon every ordinary occasion, and that peace is broken for mere humour and trifles; we cannot but think that all have reason enough to be earnest in their prayers for obtaining greater steadiness of mind. Examine yourself: and if your circumstances demand not your prayers, offer them for your neighbours: this charity will be your own advantage." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer for Persecuted Priests
All Powerful and Eternal God, through
the merits of Your Son Jesus, and Through Your love for Him, I implore
You, have pity on the priests of the Holy Church. In spite of their
sublime dignity, they are fearful and weak, like all created beings. In
your infinite mercy, inflame their hearts with the fire of Divine Love.
For the sake of Jesus, Your Son, bestow grace on the priests and uphold
them. Do not let them fall into temptation and tarnish their noble
vocation.
O Jesus, we implore you. Look with pity on the priests of the Holy
Church: those who are serving You faithfully and proclaiming Your glory;
those who are persecuted for tending your flock; those who are
abandoned, weary and sorrowful: those who are lukewarm, confused and who
have denied their faith; those who are sick, dying, or in Purgatory.
Lord Jesus, we entreat You. Listen to our supplication, have pity and
console them.
O Jesus, we entrust to You the priests of the whole world: the priests
who baptized me, absolved my sins, offered Holy Mass and consecrated the
Eucharist to nourish my soul. We entrust to You the priests that
instructed me when I was ignorant, gave me strength in my weakness,
showed me the Way and the Truth and comforted me in my sorrow and
affliction. For all the blessings they obtained for me, I implore You to
support them in Your Loving Kindness.
O Jesus, shelter our priests in Your Sacred Heart. Let them take refuge
in Your mercy and love, in this life, and to the hour of death. Amen.
By his Eminence the late Ignatius Cardinal Kung, Bishop of Shanghai.
Published 7/16/1953 during the early years of persecution of the Roman
Catholic Church in China by its communist government. He was imprisoned
from 1955 to 1988.
St. Norbert, ARCHBISHOP OF MAGDEBURG, CONFESSOR, A.D. 1134.
by VP
Posted on Thursday June 06, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Norbert overcoming the heretic Tanchelm by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640)
"O, Priest! You are not of yourself because you are of God. You are not of yourself because you are the servant and minister of Christ. You are not your own because you are the spouse of the Church. You are not of yourself because you are the mediator between God and man. You are not from yourself because you are nothing. What then are you? Nothing and everything. O Priest! Take care lest what was said to Christ on the cross be said to you: "He saved others, himself he cannot save!" -- St. Norbert
"He was born in the duchy of Cleves, and brought up in the court of the Emperor Henry IV. His excellent natural abilities made him acceptable to all, and engaged him in all the distractions and liberties of a court life. But the divine grace opening his eyes to see the vanity of those follies, to which, with so much satisfaction, he had abandoned himself, he at once renounced them all. Having applied himself to the study of virtue, he received holy orders, and sought no other comfort but in works of charity, in rigorous mortification and frequent prayer. After some time he founded the religious Order of the Premonstratenses, called also from their holy founder, Norbertines. When he had completed the establishment of his Order, he was obliged to quit his monastery, to be placed in a more exalted station, as archbishop of Magdeburg. There, having discharged all the duties of a good pastor, eminent in all virtue, he died in the year 1134. Pray for all the religious of his Order, that they may keep up the spirit of their founder. Pray for all who are engaged in the vanities and deceitful liberties of the world; that God would make them sensible how contrary such a life is to the life of Christ and His Gospel, and give them grace to overcome themselves and the world. Happy is that day to Christians, when touched with the sense of their
offences, they begin to lament their misery, and by necessary
self-denials to master those passions, which have carried them away from
their duty. Under such exercises nature will mourn; but it is that
mourning which has the promise of a
blessing, and will one day be turned into joy; at that day, when short
pleasures and sinful follies shall begin an unhappy eternity. Examine
yourself, see how your affections stand, resolve upon mortifying
whatever passion leads you to sin. Make choice of the better part, and let no present satisfactions make you hazard those which are eternal. Pray for all the bishops and pastors of Christ's Church, that they may be faithful in every part of their charge, and not seek themselves, but God's honour, and the good of their flock." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Boniface, Apostle of Germany, Bishop and Martyr, A.D. 755
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 05, 2024 at 12:24AM in Saints
"THIS saint was an Englishman, born in Devonshire. When but five years old, his chief delight was to hear holy men converse on God and heavenly things. He felt a strong desire to devote himself to God in a religious state, and made his profession in the monastery of Exeter. At thirty years of age he was promoted to the priesthood; and from that time was chiefly employed in preaching the word of God, and in the care of souls. He never ceased to bewail those nations, which lay benighted in the shades of idolatry. And having obtained of Pope Gregory II. an ample commission to preach the faith to the infidel nations of Germany, his labours in that country were blessed with the conversion of great numbers to the Christian faith. Going afterwards to Rome, by order of the pope, he was there consecrated bishop by his holiness, and returned to Germany, to continue his spiritual conquests. By the succeeding pope, he was made archbishop and legate of the apostolic see in Germany, and fixed his see at Mentz. In his old age, going to preach the Gospel in Friesland, he was there martyred with fifty-two companions, in the year 755. Those who were with the holy martyr wished to defend his life; but he would not suffer it, declaring that the day was come, for which he had long waited, which was to bring him to the eternal joys of the Lord.
Give thanks for the success of this
holy man, in carrying light to those who sat in darkness. Pray for all
those nations who know not God. Beseech Him to raise up some apostolic
spirits, who may preach His name among them, and teach them the way of salvation. Pray for those who labour in this function. Pray for all pastors, that being animated with this spirit of zeal, they may spend their lives in seeking the lost sheep. As many as are ignorant of the truth, know not their Christian duties, or live in a state of sin, are objects of this charity; and not only ecclesiastics, but the laity
also may contribute to their good. Resolve to do your part by good
example at least, if no more be in your power: let none be ignorant if
you can help it. This charity towards others may be your salvation; and
if you are wanting in it, especially to those under your care, their
ignorance will be the loss of your soul." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
The English Correspondance of St. Bonifac:
"Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. I preached the Kingdom of God," said he, “as I went about among you: that I might keep myself guiltless of the ruin of all men. For the apostle calls a priest of the Church overseer, the prophet calls him watchman, and the Saviour of the world calls him shepherd, and all agree that a teacher who is silent about the sins of the people is guilty through his silence of the blood of the lost souls.
Wherefore, a great and terrible necessity forces us to show, in accordance with the words of the apostle, an example to the faithful : that is, unless my judgment errs, the priest must live so justly that from the contrast with his deeds his words may not be idle, and that, while he lives prudently for himself from his own, he may not by his silence be condemned for another's sin; because for this purpose is one set over the church of Christ, that not only by living well he may instruct others through his example, but also that, by faithful preaching, he may set out before each man's eyes his sins, and show what punishment awaits the obstinate, what glory the obedient. Because according to the word of God to Ezekiel he, to whom the dispensation of the word is entrusted, may live justly, but yet, if he is ashamed or fears to rebuke those who live abandoned lives, together with all who perish through his silence, he likewise perishes. And what will it avail him not to be punished for his own sins, who is to be punished for another's? The silence of the priest, the Lord speaking to Ezekiel condemns terribly and calls the priest a watchman : and just as the watchman must from a loftier place see farther than all, so the priest ought to be raised higher on the elevation of his merits and to have the grace of greater wisdom, whereby he can instruct the rest of men. Therefore hear the word of my mouth,” said the divine voice, “ and thou wilt give them warning from me. that the priest is to declare what he has learned from divine reading, what God has given him by inspiration, not what human senses have discovered. “ Thou wilt give them warning from me,” said He, “ from me, not from thy self; thou wilt speak my words, and wilt not boast of them as thine own. “ From me,” said He, “thou wilt give them warning. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die ; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; " He means the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will be required at thine hand ” It is as though He said openly: If thou hast not warned him of his sins, and if thou hast not rebuked him, that he turn from his sins and live, both thee who didst not warn and him who through thy silence sinned, I will hand over to eternal flames.
Let us not, therefore, be so stony or iron of heart, that these words of the Lord do not alarm us. Let us not be so barren of faith, that we should not believe these words of the Lord ; but let us rouse up and exhort our brethren with the revered words of Saint Peter the apostle : “ Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour ; whom resist, stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” And let us admonish the bishops who are under our synod with the exhortation of Saint Paul the apostle, when he says to Timothy : “I charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing and his Kingdom : preach the word : be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine." is the time foretold by the apostle “ when they will not Let us, endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers ” and the rest. according to the word of the prophet, cry aloud with all our strength, we who announce peace on earth to men of good will. For he cries aloud with all his strength, whom neither fear nor shame hinders from preaching the word of life.
Let us strive, with the aid of the Lord, that we may not be among those false shepherds of the sheep, whom the prophet accuses, saying: Thus saith the Lord God: Woe be to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves ! Should not the shepherd feed the flock? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the flock The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them, and they were scattered because there is no shepherd, and they became meat to all the beasts of the field.” The woe of which the prophet speaks he has fixed for a curse : by the shepherds he signifies the bishops, by the flocks of the Lord, the faithful to be fed. But they feed themselves, because they strive not for the safety of the people, but for their own pleasure. The fat and the wool of the sheep of Christ they take with daily offerings and tithes from the faithful ; and care for the flock of Christ they put to one side.
They do not heal with spiritual counsel the man sick in sin ; they do not strengthen with priestly aid the man broken by many sufferings; they do not recall the erring one to the way of salvation; they do not seek out with pastoral solicitude the man lost through despair of forgiveness ; nor do they defend the afflicted against the violence of the powerful, who rage against them like wild beasts ; and so far from rebuking rich and powerful sinners, they do them honor.
So with threats the divine word smites the pride of such, saying: “Woe to the prophets of Israel !”And again : “ Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds ; and I will require my flock at their hands, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock ; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more.” What is this but to say: The shepherds who feed themselves and not the flock, I will thrust down from their high dignity, among the outcast and the accursed! At all this who will not tremble, unless it be one who believes not in the future ? Everything which God wished to have observed He has so clearly fixed and established with the authority of His name, that it would be easier to despise His words—and to say this is itself a sin-than to lie and declare that we did not understand things so clear and divine. When we hear : “ Thus saith the Lord,” who can believe that what God says will not be, unless it be one who believes not in God? With the thought of these things and things like unto them I am terrified, and “ fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror of my sins hath all but overwhelmed me; gladly should I have abandoned the helm of the Church once taken up, had I been able to do so or could I have found examples, either from the Fathers or the Holy Scriptures to approve such a course.
Wherefore, my beloved brother, since all these things are so, and truth can be sorely tried but neither conquered nor deceived, let our wearied minds take refuge in Him, who says, through the mouth of Solomon : « Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” And elsewhere : The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, a.id is safe.” Let us stand fast in justice, and prepare our souls against temptation, that we may have the support of God and may say him : “ Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations."' Let us put our trust in Him, who hath put the burden upon us. cannot carry ourselves, let us carry through Him who is Omnipotent, and says: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light Let us stand fast in battle in the day of the Lord because the “days of tribulation and hardship” have come upon us. Let us die, it God wills it, for the sacred laws of our fathers, that with them we may deserve to win an eternal heritage. Let us not be dumb dogs nor silent watchmen, nor hirelings who flee before the wolf, but zealous shepherds, watching over the flock of Christ, preaching the whole counsel of Christ, to high and low, to rich and poor, and to all ranks or ages, so far as God gives us strength, in season, out of season, as Saint Gregory has described it in his Pastoral Care."
