Saint Nicephorus of Constantinople, 828
by VP
Posted on Thursday March 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Nikephoros I of Constantinople trampling on John VII of Constantinople. Miniature from Chludov Psalter.
"Integrity of the Faith: There are not in the Christian faith any articles which it is permissible to accept or reject according to one's own good pleasure; all are equally holy and equally true. Faith teaches that it is good to hold in reverence the images of the saints; and this article of belief, apparently to little importance, has been upheld by martyrs.
Nicephorus,
elected patriarch of Constantinople in 806, despite his opposition,
furnished us with a striking example. The emperor Nicephorus, who had
been instrumental in bringing about this election, was not mistaken in
the estimate he had made of his former secretary. On the emperor Leo the
Armenian succeeding to Nicephorus, he renewed the persecution in the
matter of images, but found on the part of the patriarch an amount of
resistance as unbending as it was determined. Unable to conquer him, he
banished him to a monastery, where the saintly old man spent fourteen
years, accounting himself happy to suffer this long disgrace for the
sake of religion. He there died in 828, after having composed several
works in defense of the faith. The Greeks celebrate his festival on the
2nd of June, and the Latin Church on the 13th of March.
Moral Reflection:
How shall we venture to cavil at the Faith, when St. Paul himself
proclaimed that he had received the apostleship not for the control of,
but for obedience to the faith? (Rom. i. 5)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Auguste Lecanu
- "Second Council of Nicaea, the Seventh Ecumenical Council, in 787. Among the canons that were issued during this council:
“We define that the holy icons, whether in color, mosaic, or some other material, should be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on the sacred vessels and liturgical vestments, on the walls, furnishings, and in houses and along the roads, namely the icons of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, that of our Lady the Theotokos, those of the venerable angels and those of all saintly people. The more frequently they are seen in representational art, the more are those who see them drawn to remember and long for those who serve as models, and to pay these images the tribute of salutation and respectful veneration (dulia). Certainly, this is not the full adoration [or real worship] (latria) in accordance with our faith, which is properly paid only to the divine nature… Further, people are drawn to honor these images with the offering of incense and lights, as was piously established by ancient custom. Indeed, the honor paid to the image is in effect transmitted to the prototype; he who venerates the image, venerates the person represented in that image.
“Therefore all those who dare to think or teach anything different, or who follow the accursed heretics in rejecting ecclesiastical traditions, or who devise innovations, or who spurn anything entrusted to the church (whether it be the Gospel or the figure of the cross or any example of representational art or any martyr’s holy relic), or who fabricate perverted and evil prejudices against cherishing any of the lawful traditions of the Catholic Church, or who secularize the sacred objects and saintly monasteries, we order that they be suspended if they are bishops or clerics, and excommunicated if they are monks or lay people.”
“What earlier generations held as
sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a
sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all
of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith
and prayer, and to give them their proper place.” Pope Benedict XVI
Source: Ugly Churches and Modern Day Iconoclasm
A Litany of Saints Who Suffered for the Sake of Holy Images (for private use)
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father, invisible and uncircumscribed, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Image of the Father, made flesh for man, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, sent under the form of a dove and tongues of flame, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Ye forty-two holy monks of Ephesus, tortured under Constantine Copronymus, pray for us.
St. Lazarus, monk, tortured under Theophilus as a painter of sacred images, pray for us.
St. Tharasius, bishop, recipient of a letter from Pope Adrian I in defense of holy images, pray for us.
St. Euthymius of Sardis, bishop, exiled by Michael and martyred under Theophilus, pray for us.
St. Theophanes, monk, imprisoned, then exiled by Leo the Armenian for venerating images, pray for us.
St. Nicephorus, bishop, exiled to the island of Prokonesis for reverencing holy images, pray for us.
St. Paul of Constantinople, burnt to death under Constantine Copronymus, pray for us.
St. Nicetas of Apollonia, bishop, driven into exile, pray for us.
St. John Damascene, apologist of icons, whose cut-off hand was restored by the Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Macarius, who under the Emperor Leo ended his life in exile, pray for us.
St. Nicetas of Medikion, abbot, who suffered much under Leo the Armenian, pray for us.
St. Plato, monk, who strove dauntlessly against the heretical breakers of holy images, pray for us.
St. George of Antioch, bishop, who died in exile for the veneration of holy images, pray for us.
St. Anthusa, virgin, beaten with scourges for the veneration of holy images and exiled, pray for us.
St. Emilian, bishop, who suffered at the hands of the Emperor Leo and died in exile, pray for us.
SS. Julian, Marcian, and eight others, slain with the sword for venerating an image of the Saviour, pray for us.
St. George Limniota, whose hands were cut off and whose head was set on fire, pray for us.
SS. Hypatius and Andrew, who suffered flaying, burning, and the cutting of your throats, pray for us.
St. Theophilus, cruelly scourged and driven into exile by Leo the Isaurian, pray for us.
St. Andrew of Crete, monk, scourged by Constantine Copronymus who cut off thy foot, pray for us.
St. Theodore of Studium, zealous fighter for the Catholic veneration of holy images, pray for us.
St. Gregory Decapolites, who suffered much for the veneration of holy images, pray for us.
SS. Theodore & Theophanes, brothers, beaten and sent into exile twice for the honor due to icons, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. There is no idol in Jacob, neither is there a simulacrum in Israel.
R. The Lord his God is with him, and the sound of the King’s victory is in him. (Num 23:21)
V. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
R. For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. (Col 1:15–16)
Let us pray. Almighty everlasting God, who dost not forbid us to carve or paint likenesses of Thy saints, in order that whenever we look at them with our bodily eyes we may call to mind their holy lives and resolve to follow in their footsteps: may it please Thee to bless us by images made in memory and honor of Thine only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to grant that all who in their presence pay devout homage to Thine only-begotten Son may by His merits and primacy obtain Thy grace in this life and everlasting glory in the life to come, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: A Litany of Saints Who Suffered for the Sake of Holy Images
St. Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Chruch, A.D. 604
by VP
Posted on Wednesday March 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"Having lived a monk for some time, eminent for sanctity, he was afterwards abbot; and upon the death of Pelagius, was chosen bishop of Rome. In this dignity he preserved a wonderful humility, was ever careful in regulating the clergy, in promoting the honour and worship of God, in relieving the poor, having a list of all that were in the city and neighboring villages, and never dining but with some of them at his table. Though he was of a very infirm constitution, he was very vigorous in the public concerns of his flock; and in his vacant hours either reading, writing, or dictating to others holy lessons, such as discover the great sanctity of this prelate, and serve for food to all pious souls. Pray that all his successors may inherit his spirit; and that his example may be a rule to all the prelates of Christ's church. Pray for his present Holiness, that God would direct and assist him in the whole discharge of his duty.
St. Gregory, before he became pope, was anxious to bring about the conversion of the English nation. Seeing certain youths of fine features exposed to sale for slaves in the market at Rome, and being informed that they came from England, where the people were still heathens, he fetched a deep sigh, and lamented that the devil should be master of so much beauty, and that so fine an exterior should have nothing of God's grace within. When he was advanced to the chair of St. Peter, moved with compassion for the English, he sent St. Augustin with some other religious into this country, in the year 596, by whose zealous labors it was converted to the Christian faith. St. Gregory is therefore styled by St. Bede, the Apostle of England. Give God thanks for the light of the gospel, thus brought into this nation. Pray that God would remove all obstinacy, prejudice, and blindness from deluded souls, and solicit in particular in behalf of those who sincerely seek him. Pray for all the pastors of this nation, that they may faithfully labor in seeking the lost sheep; and that God would give a blessing to their endeavors." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Prayer to Saint Gregory, Pope and Confessor: O invincible defender of Holy Church's
freedom, Saint Gregory of great Renown by that firmness thou didst show
in maintaining the Church's rights against all her enemies, stretch
forth from heaven thy mighty arm, we beseech thee, to comfort her and
defend her in the fearful battle she must ever wage with the powers of
darkness.
Do thou, in an especial manner, give strength in this
dread conflict to the venerable Pontiff who has fallen heir not only to
thy throne, but likewise to the fearlessness of thy mighty heart; obtain
for him the joy of beholding his holy endeavors crowned by the triumph
of the Church and the return of the lost sheep into the right path.
Grant,
finally, that all may understand how vain it is to strive against that
faith which has always conquered and is destined always to conquer:
"this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." This is the
prayer that we raise to thee with one accord; and we are confident,
that, after thou has heard our prayers on earth, thou wilt one day call
us to stand with thee in heaven, before the eternal High Priest, who
with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth world without
end. Amen.
St. Eulogius of Cordova
by VP
Posted on Tuesday March 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Martyrdom of Saint Eulogius of Cordova, at Cordova cathedral
"GOOD COUNSEL - Eulogius, born of one of the first families of Cordova, was directing the ecclesiastical school of that town, when a violent persecution broke out against the Christian religion on the part of the Moors, who then governed Spain. Eulogius, having been thrown into prison with a large number of Christians, composed during his captivity an "Exhortation to Martyrdom," which was of the greatest avail to the Church in strengthening the faith of the persecuted brethren. Having been restored to liberty on account of the distinguished rank of his family, he did not consult the promptings of human prudence, which would have urged him to surround himself henceforth with greater precautions; but, on the contrary, did not cease to inspire his co-religionists with a generous courage, exciting some to perseverance, and helping others to conquer the obstacles or surmount the dangers with which, out of a false compassion, their parents and friends surrounded them. He was at length remitted to prison, and merited, in his own behoof, that crown which he had been instrumental in procuring for so many others. St. Eulogius was beheaded in 859.
MORAL REFLECTION. No one should hide away the talent which he has received, nor put under a bushel the light intrusted to his safekeeping. "Having different gifts according to the grace that is given, let him teach, that can teach; let him exhort that exhorteth." -(Rom. xii. 6.)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saint by the Abbe Auguste Lecanu
Prayer for Holy Bishops:
Lord, according to Your promise that the
Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit
for such work.
The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard
by the fire of the Holy Ghost.
So, Good Lord, do now in like manner again with Thy Church Militant;
change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones;
set in Thy Church strong and mighty pillars, that may suffer and endure
great labors, watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat;
which also shall not hear the threatenings of princes, persecution,
neither death but always persuade and think with themselves to
suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments,
for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name. By this manner, good Lord,
the truth of Thy Gospel shall be preached throughout all the world.
Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise Thy mercy, show it indeed upon Thy
Church. Saint John Fisher (Sermon in 1508) from Saint John Fisher Forum
The Forty Martyrs of Sebace
by VP
Posted on Monday March 10, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
" They were forty soldiers, who being apprehended in the city of Sebaste, in Armenia, under the Emperor Licinius, for being Christians, after many torments were condemned to be exposed on the ice of a frozen pond, there to perish by degrees, though with the temptation of a warm bath near them, into which they might be admitted when renouncing their faith. They all held out, with courage, except one, who sinking under the torment, purchased relief with the denial of his faith. His place however was soon filled by their keeper, who declared himself a Christian. For while he was on duty,and observing the martyrs, he saw a vision of blessed spirits descending on them, and distributing rich presents and crowns to all of them except one, who was the unhappy one who had lost courage. The keeper was struck and converted by this, and throwing off his clothes, placed himself upon the ice amongst the holy martyrs. Thus he became one of the forty martyrs, Pray for a like courage under all difficulties. You often have trials, and as often want patience. When will you become a true soldier of Christ, and stand your ground when you are assaulted? Be ashamed of your own weakness and inconstancy; and for the future, let not every little trial overthrow your resolutions. Pray this day for new strength of mind, confess your infirmity, humble yourself before your Lord, and beseech him to assist you, that while you honour his martyrs, you may improve daily by their example.
Let the fall of that unhappy one fill you with fear of your own weakness, and distrust of yourself. What assurance have you that you love God more than he did? Can you shew greater proofs of your love than he did in the variety of his sufferings before his fall? And yet he falls at length: a jailor takes his place, suffers what the other could not, and carries away his crown. Humble yourself therefore under the hand of God. Pray that you may not be tempted above your strength: offer yourself to all trials, but with a confidence only in the divine
grace. And remember to despise no one: for it may be that those very
persons, whom you despise, will outdo you in suffering with
perseverance." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Prayer: "Valiant Soldiers of Christ who meet us, with your mysterious number, at this commencement of our Forty Days’ Fast, receive the homage of our devotion. Your memory is venerated throughout the whole Church, and your glory is great in Heaven. Though engaged in the service of an earthly prince, you were the Soldiers of the Eternal King: to Him were you faithful, and from Him did you receive your crown of eternal glory. We, also, are His soldiers. We are fighting for the kingdom of Heaven. Our enemies are many and powerful but, like you, we can conquer them if, like you, we use the arms which God has put in our hands. Faith in God’s word, hope in His assistance, and humility and prudence —with these we are sure of victory.
Pray for us, Holy Martyrs, that we may keep from all compromise with our enemies, for our defeat is certain if we try to serve two masters. During these Forty Days we must put our arms in order, repair our lost strength and renew our engagements. Come to our assistance and get us a share in your brave spirit.
A crown is also prepared for us: it is to be won on easier terms than yours, and yet we will lose it unless we keep up within us an esteem for our vocation. How many times, in our past lives, have we not forfeited that glorious crown? But God in His mercy has offered it to us again, and we are resolved on winning it. Oh, for the glory of our common Lord and Master, make intercession for us!" The Liturgical Year by Dom Gueranger.
Saint Dominic Savio
by VP
Posted on Sunday March 09, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
" The college boy of fifteen, Dominic Savio, attracts us with the charm of youth. In 1911 the Eucharistic Congress of Madrid sent a telegram to Pius X, begging him to hasten the beatification of Dominic Savio, who, because of receiving his First Holy Communion at the age of seven and his extraordinary devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament, merited recommendation as a pattern for children and was deemed worthy of the title "Child of the Holy Eucharist."
The life of this angelic boy proves how wisely Pius X acted in strengthening children early and often with the Bread of Life. His admirable teacher, Don Bosco, has himself written the wonderful life of Dominic. He was born on April 2, 1842, at Riva, near Turin, the son of a blacksmith, and was early introduced to all practices of piety by his parents. The seductive power of evil had no influence on him. On the contrary, he energetically repulsed others who gave him bad example. We can not but marvel at his precocious intelligence of heavenly things, an intelligence matured by divine grace. "He is indeed a boy of whom much may be expected," writes his spiritual guide. "May God open to him a career in which so precious a fruit may ripen." When the boy of seven was told that he was to receive Holy Communion the joy of his heart knew no bounds. From that time he was almost continually in the church to prepare himself worthily for the great day approaching. The seriousness of purpose which he showed on this occasion remained his guiding star during all his life. It was clear that so promising a boy must study and, seeing that his parents were wanting in the necessary means, the priest of the place enabled Dominic to attend an academy in the neighborhood of his native town. At twelve he went to the Oratory of the Venerable Don Bosco in the district of Valdocco, and from this institution he was sent to the college in Turin.
Don Bosco and Dominic Savio soon understood one another. A divinely inspired teacher and a pupil with an unspoiled and generous heart had met. Dominic soon laid hold of two ideas with all the fervor of his ardent soul, he would become a saint and, if possible, save his soul. With tenacious energy he strove for complete self-mastery. Like all saints he gave himself to works of supererogation in prayer and penance. Don Bosco had to curb his zeal. Among his companions in the Oratory and in the college the boy worked like a true apostle. He strove especially to foster among his associates devotion to the Immaculate Conception and the reception of the Sacraments. Such zealous persons are as a rule not liked by the young. But it was not so with Dominic. Not at all obtrusive, no disturber of youthful gaiety, he was a genuine boy, alive with a boy's nature. He did even more by example than by words, which showed to all how earnestly he was trying to be a saint. His youth was not without its difficulties, but they served only to strengthen the more his steadiness of character.
Dominic had reached
the sixth class in the college when he was stricken with a disease of
the lungs. Don Bosco, filled with anxiety, hoped that a change of air
might bring relief, and sent the boy to his parents at Mondonio, where
they were then living. But what Dominic had
long confidently foretold now came to pass. On the evening of March 9,
1857, he died in the arms of his sorrowing father. The news of his
death at first brought grief and mourning to his relatives, friends and
teachers, but this soon gave way to joyful conviction that a new
intercessor for them stood before the divine throne. Men soon began to
ask favors from Dominic and their prayers were not in vain." The Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century: Saintly Men and Women By Rev. Konstantin Kempf, S.J. 1916
Prayer:
Dear Saint Dominic, you spent your short life totally for love of Jesus and His Mother. Help youth today to realize the importance of God in their lives. You became a saint through fervent participation in the sacraments, enlighten parents and children to the importance of frequent confession and Holy Communion. At a young age you meditated on the sorrowful Passion of Our Lord. Obtain for us the grace of a fervent desire to suffer for love of Him.
We desperately need your intercession to protect today's children from the snares of the world. Watch over them and lead them on the narrow road to Heaven. Ask God to give us the grace to sanctify our daily duties by performing them perfectly out of love for Him. Remind us of the necessity of practicing virtue especially in times of trial.
Saint Dominic Savio, you who preserved your baptismal innocence of heart, pray for us.
Saint John of God, Confessor (1495-1550)
by VP
Posted on Friday March 07, 2025 at 11:00PM in Saints
St. John of God saving the Sick from a Fire at the Royal Hospital in 1549 by Manuel Gómez-Moreno González (1880)
Anxious to do what he could for the relief of the poor, he hired a house for a poor sick persons, whom he served and provided for, which was the foundation of the religious Order of Charity. Though his life was taken up in active works of charity, he accompanied these with perpetual prayer and incredible corporal austerities. His sincere humility appeared most admirable in all his actions. Humiliations seemed to be his delight: he courted them and underwent them with the greatest alacrity. Worn out at last by ten years' hard service in his hospital, he fell sick. He lay in his habit in his little cell, covered with a piece of an old coat instead of a blanket, and having under his head a basket in which he used to beg alms for his hospital, though in health his usual pillow was a stone. A rich lady by permission of the archbishop removed him to her own house, and waited upon him with her maids. The archbishop said mass in his room, and administered the last sacraments to him, promising to pay all his debts and provide for all his poor. The saint expired on his knees before the altar, on the 8th March, 1550, being 55 years old.
One sermon had perfectly converted one, who had been long enslaved to the world and his passions, and made him a saint. How comes it that so many sermons and pious books produce so little fruit in our souls? It is owing to our sloth and hardness of heart, that we receive God's word in vain, and to our condemnation. Listen to it henceforth with awe and respect, in interior solitude and peace; and carefully nourish it in your heart." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Prayer: "What a glorious life was thine, O John of God! It was one of charity, and of miracles wrought by charity. Like Vincent of Paul thou wast poor, and, in thy early life, a shepherd-boy like him; but the charity which filled thy heart gave thee a power to do what worldly influence and riches never can. Thy name and memory are dear to the Church; they deserve to be held in benediction by all mankind, for thou didst spend thy life in serving thy fellow-creatures, for God's sake. That motive gave thee a devotedness to the poor, which is an impossibility for those who befriend them from mere natural sympathy. Philanthropy may be generous, and its workings may be admirable for ingenuity and order; but it never can look upon the poor man as a sacred object, because it refuses to see God in him.
Pray for the men of this generation, that they may at length desist from perverting charity into a mere mechanism of relief. The poor are the representatives of Christ, for He Himself has willed that they be such; and if the world refuse to accept them in this their exalted character, if it deny their resemblance to our Redeemer, it may succeed in degrading the poor, but by this very degradation it will make them its enemies.
Thy predilection, O John of God, was for the sick; have pity, therefore, on our times, which are ambitious to eliminate the supernatural, and exclude God from the world by what is called secularization of society.
Pray for us, that we may see how evil a thing it is to have changed the Christian for the worldly spirit. Enkindle holy charity within our hearts, that during these days, when we are striving to draw down the mercy of God upon ourselves, we also may show mercy. May we, as thou didst, imitate the example of our Blessed Redeemer, who gave Himself to us His enemies, and deigned to adopt us as His brethren. Protect also the Order thou didst institute, which has inherited thy spirit; that it may prosper, and spread in every place the sweet odor of that charity, which is its very name." The Liturgical Year: Septuagesima (4th ed.) By Prosper Gueranger, Lucien Fromage · 1909
Saint Thomas of Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, Confessor a.d. 1274
by VP
Posted on Thursday March 06, 2025 at 11:00PM in Saints
Saint Thomas, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Columbus, Ohio
"In his younger years having taken the habit of the Dominicans, his relations seized upon him, and by all arts endeavoured to dissuade him from his pious design. But they prevailed nothing; and after a long confinement he made his escape, and returning to his monastery, finished what he had before begun. Pray for all those who resolve upon a religious state, that they may undertake it for the best motives of God's honor, and the securing their eternal salvation. Those parents are to blame, who oppose so good a work; but those are still more criminal, who force their children into a state to which they are not called.
St. Thomas, having applied to study, arrived at that eminent degree of learning, as to be called the Angelical Doctor. He began his studies always with prayer; and for expounding difficult places of Holy Scripture, he added fasting to prayer. Thus he ever acknowledged his learning not to have been the effect of his own labor, but the blessing of Heaven.
Follow this method as far as it falls within your sphere, and since
reading spiritual books is a duty common to all, begin this always with
prayer, that so through the blessing of Heaven you may receive benefit from what you read, to the improvement of your soul. Fail not to do this as often as you take the Holy Scripture to read; that so the Divine Spirit, which was the guide in writing it, may assist you in reading it, and secure you against the ill effects of ignorance, presumption, or rashness.
Pray for all universities, colleges, and places of learning, that they may follow the method of this saint, in taking God for their helper in studies, that they may advance in virtue as well as in learning. Many in their studies, take great pains to little purpose, often to draw from them the poison of vanity or error; or at least to drain their affections, and rather to nourish pride and other vices, than to promote true virtue. Sincere humility and simplicity of heart are essential for the sanctification of studies, and for the improvement of virtue by them." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
St. Felix of Burgundy, Bishop, Apostle of the East Angles, Confessor, a.d. 646
by VP
Posted on Wednesday March 05, 2025 at 11:00PM in Saints
St. Felix. from the reredos of the church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, UK
"Saint Felix was a native of Burgundy, who being for his virtue and merits advanced to the priestly dignity, flourished in sanctity and learning at the time when Sigebert, a prince of the East Angles, went over into that province. Becoming acquainted with St. Felix, he was convinced by him of the errors of Paganism, was baptised by St. Felix, and became a sincere and zealous Christian. Some time after, Sigebert was called home to succeed to the kingdom, and made it his first care to introduce the Christian religion into his provinces of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, and to establish it on a solid foundation. For this purpose he invited over from France his spiritual father, St. Felix; who without demur quitted his country, friends, and native home, to come and preach the faith of Christ to an uncivilised Pagan people. To proceed regularly in so great an undertaking, he addressed himself to Honorius, archbishop of Canterbury, by whom he was duly authorized and commissioned to preach to the East Angles. King Sigebert received him with great honor, and appointed him for his residence the place now called Dunwich in Suffolk, formerly a great town, but long ago swallowed up by the sea. St. Felix was consecrated bishop by St. Honorius, and undertook his apostolic charge with an ardent desire of the glory of God and the salvation of souls. He founded, with the help of the king, churches, monasteries, and schools; and brought over the whole kingdom to the true faith. St. Felix was bishop for seventeen years, and had during that time discharged the duties of a most zealous and vigilant pastor. At length he departed to our Lord in the year 646, and was buried in the church of Dunwich; but his relics were afterwards translated to the abbey of Ramsey.
Pray for your country.
Give God thanks for all those apostolic men, by whose labors God
brought so great a blessing to this nation; and beseech him to revive a
like spirit in all who succeed to their charge. Pray for the pastors of this nation, that God would animate them with true zeal for the good of their flock." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
St. Gerasimus, Anchoret, a.d. 475.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday March 04, 2025 at 11:00PM in Saints
"He was born in Lycia. He went into Palestine, and retiring into a desert near the Jordan, suffered much from the assaults of the devil, and by his snares was prevailed on to take part with heretics. But having heard of the eminent virtues of St. Euthymius, a holy abbot in Palestine, he went to him in his solitude; he was so moved with his discourse, that he returned to the faith of the Church. He grieved bitterly during his whole life for having gone astray, and this fault made him more humble, vigilant, and penitent than ever.
St. Gerasimus afterwards built a large laura with separate cells for seventy solitaries, and in the midst of it, a monastery for cenobites, that is, those who lived in community. Here he entered with those who joined him into a severe penance of poverty and humility, observing entire silence for five days in the week; and on them admitting no other food but bread, dates and water. They had no clothes but the habit which they wore, and no furniture but a mat for their bed, and a pitcher for the water which they drank. They employed themselves in manual labor, making baskets of palm branches.
The inhabitants of Jericho, full of astonishment and admiration at the rigorous lives of these holy men, resolved to provide something more for their support. But the greater part of them were grieved to have their solitude broken in upon by people of the world, and shunned all intercourse with them as full of danger. St. Gerasimus persevered in this edifying course of life till his happy death on the 5th of March, 475.
Let the example of those, who are above your imitation, excite in you a resolution of doing something to overcome yourself. If you make inclination and the world your rule, you forsake the Gospel,
which commands you to renounce both. You must deny yourself, if you
will be Christ's disciple. A remissness in observing discipline is the first step to the greatest
disorders. Niceness, self-love, and sloth, find reasons for dispensing
with it; but no favor must be shown to their arguments." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
St. Casimir, Prince of Poland, Confessor, a.d. 1483
by VP
Posted on Monday March 03, 2025 at 11:00PM in Saints
Saint Casimir by Agostino Masucci
(1691–1758)
"He was son of Casimir, king of Poland, who amidst all the softness of the court, lived with the austerity of the desert, in fasting and sackcloth, even in his youthful years. He was eminent for his charity in relieving the distressed, so as to be styled the father of the poor; and was very careful to avoid everything that could be prejudicial to chastity.
Pray for all those, who live amidst the dangers of the court; and in particular for princes, that, being God's vicegerents, they may encourage religion and virtue, and not permit that general depravity in persons attending them, by whose profaneness, irreligion, and luxury, their courts become the resemblance of hell, while the power of God is in the throne. Pray likewise for persons of quality of both sexes, that they may not employ their youthful years in vanities and dangerous follies, nor sully the honor of their birth with dishonourable practices, such as make them the worst of slaves, and render them contemptible both to God and man. The abuse of those blessings, with which they are encompassed above their neighbors, will be one day a very heavy charge; and it will be an aggravation of their hell to have all their imperiousness and pride trampled on by devils. The method of this saint in charity, piety, and penance is the only Christian honor; and this will raise all that follow it to the honor of saints. The ecclesiastical season of the year calls all now to it. See that you embrace it heartily; labor by an exact observance, to make some atonement for all past follies, and never remit your endeavors, till you have wrought a solid change in your soul." The Catholic Year by Rev. John Gother
For the Church and Civil Authorities by Archbishop Carroll:
We pray Thee, O almighty and Eternal
God, Who through Jesus Christ Hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to
preserve the works of Thy mercy; that thy Church, being spread through
the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession
of Thy name. We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow
with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life our Pope
Francis, the vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ in the government of His
Church; our own bishop ...; all the other bishops, prelates, and pastors
of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise
among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people
into the ways of salvation.
We pray Thee, O God of might,
wisdom, and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered,
laws are enacted, and judgments decreed, assist, with the Holy Spirit of
counsel and fortitude, the President of the United States, that his
administration may be
conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people,
over whom he presides, by
encouraging due respect for virtue and religion;
by faithful execution of the law in justice and
mercy; and by restraining vice
and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress,
and shine forth in all the
proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government;
so that they may tend to the preservation
of peace, the promotion of national happiness,
the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful
knowledge, and may
perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.
We pray for his Excellency the Governor of
this State, for the members of the Assembly,
for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who
are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled,
by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties
of their respective stations with honesty and
ability. We
recommend likewise to Thy unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow
citizens, throughout the
United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified
in the observance of Thy
most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace
which the world cannot give;
and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those
which are eternal.
Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy
servants departed who are gone
before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace:
the souls of our parents, relations, and friends;
of those who, when living, were members of this
congregation; and particularly of such as are lately deceased;
of all benefactors who, by their
donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the
decency of divine worship,
and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance.To these, O Lord, and to
all that rest in Christ, grant we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment,
light, and everlasting
peace, through the same Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
