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Holy Apostle Titus of Crete;Kosovo, XIV century. Patriarch's Furnace. Church of St. Nikolay

"We are to celebrate today, the Feast of a holy Bishop of the Apostolic Age - a Disciple of the Apostle St. Paul. Little is known of his life; but, by addressing to him one of his inspired Epistles, the Apostle of the Gentiles has immortalised his memory. Wheresoever the Faith of Christ has been or shall be preached, Titus' name has been venerated by the Faithful; and as long as the world lasts, the holy Church will read to her children this Epistle, which was written, indeed, to a simple Bishop of the Isle of Crete, but was dictated by the Holy Ghost, and therefore destined to be a part of those Sacred Scriptures, which contain the word of God. Counsels and directions given in this admirable Letter, were the rule of the holy Bishop, for whom St. Paul entertained a very strong affection. St. Titus had the honour of establishing the Christian Religion in that famous Island, which was one of the strong-holds of Paganism. He survived his master, who was put to death by Nero. Like St. John, he sweetly slept in Christ at a very advanced age, respected and loved by the Church he had founded. As we have already observed, his life left but few traces behind it; but these few are sufficient to prove him to have been one of those wonderful men, whom God chose as the directors of his infant Church,

Favoured Disciple of the great Apostle! the holy Church has decreed that one of the days of the ecclesiastical year should be spent in celebrating thy virtues, and presenting thee our prayers. Look down with love upon the Faithful who glorify the Holy Spirit that gave thee thy rich graces. Thou didst discharge thy Pastoral duties with untiring zeal. Every quality enumerated in the Epistle addressed to thee by St. Paul, as required in a Bishop, was possessed by thee; and thou shinest in the crown of Jesus, the Prince of Pastors, as one of the brightest of its gems. Forget not the Church militant, of which thou wast one of the first guides. Eighteen hundred years have passed away since thou wast taken from her. During this long period, she has had sufferings and trials without end; but she has triumphed over every obstacle, and she continues her glorious path, saving souls and offering them to her heavenly Spouse; and this will she persevere doing, until her Jesus comes to stop the course of time, and open the gates of eternity. Meanwhile, O glorious Saint! she counts on the aid of thy prayers, in the great work of the salvation of souls. Ask of Jesus, that he send us Pastors like unto thee. Pray for that Island, which thou didst convert to the true faith, but which is now buried in the darkness of infidelity and schism. Pray, too, for the Greek Church, that it may regain its ancient glory by union with the See of Peter." The Liturgical Year: Christmas, 3d edition. 1904 By Prosper Guéranger

Homilies on the Epistles of St. Paul to Titus Saint John Chrysostom

"She was a virgin of Sicily, of a rich and illustrious family; who being solicited by all arts to comply with the wicked desires of the governor, resolutely withstood them all, choosing rather the humility and contempt of the Gospel, than the great offers of honor and riches that were made her. Pray for all that are exposed to the like temptations; great grace is necessary to stand against them. Your charity cannot be better employed, than to beg in behalf of those who are under these trials. Resolve likewise for yourself and those under your care, that worldly advantages shall never turn the balance in whatever choice you are to make. It is hence that many ruin themselves and their children; while considering only what is likely to make them great or rich, they have so little regard for what is to make them good and happy, that they greatly expose this to the hazard, so that they can but secure the other. All these want the faith of those eternal goods which directed this holy virgin in her choice: they want that sincere love of God which moved her to run the hazard of all that is worldly, for satisfying her duty, and securing God to herself. Pray that you may always follow her example.

St Agatha, being not to be wrought upon by promises, is tried by cruelty. She is accused of being a Christian; and because she will not worship and sacrifice to idols, is cast into prison, put on the rack, has her breast cut off, and is broiled on the fire. Having gone through all these torments, at length giving up her soul to God, she finished a happy martyrdom in the year 251. Pray for this constancy of spirit under all trials. Be ashamed to be so much outdone by a tender virgin, and pray for her patience. Pray for all those who, wanting courage, are ready to sink under the weight of their troubles, that God would be their support, and send them comfort that they may never lose their hope in Him. Pray for all those who are now in their last agony, that they may surrender their souls into the hands of God, with the holy dispositions of this glorious saint." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

God having afterwards touched his heart, he renounced all his former ways, and entering into a religious state, became an example of great piety. After some years, he was chosen bishop of Fesulæ; in which charge he laboured to satisfy all its obligations, and by a life of extraordinary charity and mortification, gave encouragement to all virtues. He died in 1373. Let no sinners be discouraged, but raise their hopes in God, who offers His grace to all; and upon a sincere conversion, never fails to change vessels of weakness into vessels of honor. He has mercy to forgive the greatest offences, and no crime is so provoking as a distrust of His goodness. Make then an act of hope for yourself, with entire confidence in your God; and pray for all those dejected souls, whose immoderate fears keep them at a distance from Him. That is a good fear which makes us humble, and more fervent in prayer, upon the knowledge of our infirmity and unworthiness; but this fear is abused when it discourages us in our duty, and hinders our progress. Pray for all that are thus indiscreet; and resolve that your fear shall never extinguish your hope." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"He was bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, in the primitive times, when prelacy was the recompense of virtue, and almost a certain way to martyrdom. The business of his life was the care of his flock; in which he laboured with wonderful zeal for discharging his own conscience, and supporting theirs, amidst the dangers of those difficult times. Pray that this may be the spirit of all the prelates and pastors in Christ's Church; and make your address to God in behalf of that people, who having preserved Christianity, are yet unhappily separated from the Church. Pray for unity and peace among Christians; and all schisms being healed, they may be all of one spirit and one mind.

The persecution being very severe, though he earnestly desired to suffer for Christ, yet he retired into a cave, that he might, in that shelter, be capable of giving some assistance to his people. But, being discovered, he was seized by Agricolaus, president under Dioclesian: and after many torments, put to death by the sword. Pray for patience under all trials, both for yourself and others. Pray that you may learn the true practice of retiring in time of persecution and danger: and remember that the persecution of friends is many times much greater than that of enemies. You are oftener in danger from flattery, than from the sword. While the one threatens your body, and the other your soul, consider whether in this there be not the greater obligation of withdrawing. Pray then for this grace, that you may be ever upon the watch, in observing the many snares and occasions of sin, into which your most familiar acquaintance are apt to draw you. Happy are you, if you choose rather to lie hid, than expose yourself to danger. In this you may disoblige friends, and provoke their raillery; but you will certainly please God, and draw down plenty of heavenly blessings on your head: and is not this the more Christian part? The courage and constancy of the martyrs condemn your weak resolutions, your pusillanimity and cowardice in the pursuit of virtue. But now at least begin your conversion with great fervour." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"He was the third bishop of Antioch after St. Peter and Evodius, and governed that Church above forty years with apostolic zeal and piety, which has rendered him eminent to all succeeding ages. Pray for all bishops of Christ's Church, that his spirit may be revived in them. Pray for the people of that city and diocese, now subject to the tyranny and errors of the Turks, that they may once more be the object of his mercy.

"PRAY for all pastors in God's Church, that with zeal and diligence they may discharge their duties; and that the salvation of souls and performing the will of God, may urge them to sacrifice themselves wholly to his service, and to the good of their flock.

Pray that they may all instruct their flocks by word and example, and first practise the Gospel which they preach. Pray for all pastors, that they may inherit the true spirit of the apostles: that they may betray no weakness in seeking or loving the things of this world; but that while others pursue what is temporal, they may say with sincerity: "The Lord is our portion";  that they may, with a watchful eye superintend their charge, not permitting those to eat the fruits of vineyard, who refuse to work in it; nor allowing those to wear the shepherd's garb, who are truly wolves, continually devouring the flock by their disorders and scandalous lives. O God! have regard to thy fold, and deliver it from these destroying evils.

It being an exasperated prince, who disturbed the peace of the Church, and was the occasion of the sacrilegious murder of St. Thomas of Canterbury, pray on this day for all Christian kings and princes, that God would be their guide in all things, and make them the protectors of His holy Church.

{St. Thomas having been archbishop of Canterbury, we ought on this festival to offer up our prayers to God in behalf of our country (England), that he would be its protector, and visit it with his heavenly blessings. Beg of him to be no longer angry with this nation, but to remember his ancient mercies; and for the sake of so many of his holy servants who here have been faithful to him, to show now compassion to us, and let his former mercies be renewed, and let not his anger endure for ever. Pray to St. Thomas now glorious in heaven, to intercede for his unhappy country, and procure its conversion from vice and error.}" The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"This saint lived at Constantinople in the time of St. John Chrysostom. Her husband having been dead some time, the Emperor Theodosius proposed to her to marry Elpidius, his own near relation: to whom she answered, that God having taken away her husband, because she was not fit for the duties of the married state, she was resolved no more to engage in it. She was true to her resolution; and employed both her money and time in the relief of widows, orphans, and the sick. Her austerities were great, her habit mean, her humility edifying, her tears continual: and that nothing might be wanting to consummate her virtue, she was persecuted by the Emperor Arcadius, for espousing the cause of oppressed innocence in the person of her pastor, St. John Chrysostom. For this, being forced into banishment, she found her way by a happy death, to a better country which she had long desired.

Make use of this example as your state requires. There are difficulties in all conditions, and that of marriage cannot properly be Christian, without the self-denials of the cloister. If humility and charity helped her to heaven, will not prodigality and vanity shut you out from it? Take not your measures from the world, but from the Gospel; and then say who has given you power so much to dispense with it. Follow the Gospel, if you hope to come to the promises of the Gospel. The saints all studied to husband every moment to the best advantage, knowing that life is very short, and that the night is coming on apace when no man can work. Let no moments be spent merely to pass away time. Diversions and corporal exercise ought to be used with moderation, only as much as may seem requisite for bodily health and the vigour of the mind. Every one is bound to apply himself to some serious employment. This, and his necessary recreations, must be referred to God, sanctified by a holy intention, and seasoned by humility, patience, prayer, and other virtues. Thus will our lives be an uninterrupted sacrifice of divine praise and love." The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church  by Rev. Fr. John GOTHER

"He was a bishop: pray for all the bishops in God's Church. Who knows, but if the faithful constantly joined in presenting their most earnest petitions to Almighty God, as often as the festivals of holy prelates return throughout the year, he might bless the Church with a succession of holy pastors, who by word and example might be as so many lights to the faithful, to conduct them to a happy eternity?

St. Eusebius was bishop of Vercelli, and a powerful opponent of the Arian heresy, which at that time desolated the Church, under the protection of the Emperor Constantius By this emperor, he was sent into banishment for defending the Nicene Creed, and refusing to subscribe to the condemnation of St. Athanasius. The holy man suffered much in his exile from hunger, thirst, scourging, and various kinds of cruel treatment; but he had learned to undervalue his own life for the cause of Christ, and he cheerfully abandoned his body to his persecutors. Neither torments, nor enticements, could ever move him to consent to the enemies of his faith.

On the death of Constantius, he was permitted to return to his see, and came to Alexandria to concert measures with St. Athanasius for applying proper remedies to the evils of the Church. He afterwards travelled over the East, and through Illyricum, confirming in the faith those that were wavering, and bringing back many that were gone astray. St. Jerom places his death in 371; and he is styled a martyr, and honoured as such in the offices of the Church.

Pray for patience in all sufferings for yourself, and others who are under any trials. If you honour a martyr, suffer something this day with more than ordinary meekness. Consider how often you are in a passion, how easily you are disquieted, how inconsiderable a thing provokes you, how ordinary temptations overcome you. Are these the steps of a martyr? Is this according to the Gospel? Blush then, and be confounded at your weakness: pray for new strength, and beseech this holy martyr to pray for you."

"This saint was born near Avila in Spain. From his tender years, he showed great devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and was preserved from many dangers through her intercession. He had so great a love of suffering, that he slept on a hollow board and wore a rough hair shirt, besides practising severe fasts, and almost incredible mortifications. His constant prayer was to be allowed to suffer, and be despised for his Savour's sake. He embraced the reformed Order of barefooted Carmelites; and his example and exhortations inspired the religious with a perfect spirit of solitude, humility, and mortification. Almighty God, to purify his heart, allowed him to pass through most severe trials of spiritual dryness and desolation: but, after some time, rays of light, comfort and divine sweetness scattered these mists, and filled his soul with heavenly delights. This comfort was succeeded by other trials of various kinds, which this holy servant of God endured with invincible constancy, always rejoicing when he shared the cross of his Redeemer. It had always been his prayer that he might die in humiliation and contempt; and his prayer was granted. He died at Ubeda in the year 1591, being forty-nine years old.

The spirit of Christianity is the spirit of the cross. To attain to the pure love of God we must live and die in the spirit of the cross. Our divine Redeemer merited the graces, which we receive, by suffering for us: and it is by suffering with Him, that we are best prepared for His graces. This all the saints assure us by their own example. But in the divine love, they found a recompense, which amply repaid them for all their sufferings.

Impatience and dejection make ill impressions on all who witness these infirmities. Be careful to prevent them, and by your good example in your sufferings, endeavour to teach others how to suffer. Be watchful in suppressing the first motions of fretfulness and impatience, and pray for the true spirit of a Christian." The Catholic Year, Fr. John Gother