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"He was bishop of Scythopolis, and a zealous assertor of the Catholic faith against the errors of Eutyches. Theodosius, an ignorant Eutychian monk, and a man of a most tyrannical temper, perverted many among the monks themselves, and obliged Juvenal, bishop of Jerusalem, to withdraw. He then unjustly possessed himself of that important see, and in a cruel persecution which he raised, filled Jerusalem with blood. Then, at the head of a band of soldiers, he carried desolation over the country. Many however had the courage to stand their ground; but no one resisted him with greater zeal and resolution than St. Severinus, and his recompense was the crown of martyrdom. The furious soldiers seized him, dragged him out of the city, and put him to death.

"RETIREMENT.-God has oftentimes selected from the retirement and silence of the cloister the eminent men whom He would place in the Church as a shining light. In retirement it is that the soul collects and concentrates its strength; there it gets attempered, like true steel in the water. Eucherius, of an illustrious family of Orleans, and nephew of Savarius, the bishop of that town, lived retired for some years in the abbey of Jumièges, which he was edifying by his virtues and never meant to quit, when the inhabitants of Orleans came to draw him, despite all opposition on his side, from his retreat, in order that he might replace his uncle. Their calculations were well founded, for they gained a pastor according to God's own heart. Charles Martel, who was fond of lavishing upon his warriors the property of the Church, found Eucherius wanting in compliance, for the bishop regarded it as the patrimony of the poor. He was driven into exile, and dragged from town to town by the satellites of Charles. The persecution lasted for six years, and Eucherius died, in 793, worn but with fatigue and suffering, though in nowise wroth nor failing in courage, after having borne the episcopal charge for twenty-two years."

MORAL REFLECTION. - Nothing softens the soul and weakens piety so much as frivolous indulgence. God has revealed what high store He sets by "Retirement," in these words: "I will lead her into solitude, and I will speak to her heart."-(Osea ii. 14.) Pictorial Half Hour with the Saints by Rev. Fr. Auguste Lecanu

Martyr of Sainte Blandine in Lyon, France c. 162–177 AD

Many Martyrs:

Balthasar Beschey: A Hermit at Prayer

"In the fifth century many holy hermits who lived in the deserts of Palestine, separated from the world, and from all conversation besides that of God, were murdered by the Saracens, and by their cruelty made so many sacrifices to God. Is it not strange that these, who had renounced all the goods of this life, should not have been more exempt from its evils? But such is the order of Providence, that while the wicked are often punished here for their iniquities, the just too have their scourges, either for the trial of their fidelity, or to render their crown more glorious. If these come to be your portion, be not dejected, nor too positive in concluding them to be the effect of God's anger, since there are scourges of mercy, as well as of justice. Accept them with a peaceable mind, using our best and continued endeavours to moderate all fears and impatience, and suppressing those thoughts which too curiously search into the counsels of God. Leave it to Him to order as He knows best; with an assurance that it is in your power to turn them to your advantage. If you are in sin, let them be a motive to amendment: if you can discover no disorder in your life, look on Christ and His martyrs, and learn from them how you are to suffer.

Bow down before the sovereign Lord of all, in acknowledgment of His mercy to these His servants: who being nothing of themselves but vessels of weakness, were by His grace so raised above nature, as to triumph over all the cruelty that the enraged enemies of their faith could practise against them. Acknowledge this privilege of grace, which was such a blessing to these holy hermits, to have been his gift. By Him they were so perfected in faith, as to despise this world with all that was inviting in it. They rejoiced in torments, and met the terrors of death with comfort. Study their example, and you cannot fail of turning all to your good." The Catholic Year by Rev. John Gother

Pray for all pastors of Christ's Church, that they may inherit the spirit of this holy prelate. Pray for him in particular, under whose care you are. And since there is no living in this world without suffering, remember to embrace those sufferings with joy, which are the consequence of a faithful discharge of your duty. Follow innocence and justice: for however they may be prejudicial to your temporal concerns, yet never think yourself a loser, as long as there is an everlasting blessing attending them. What if men judge and speak ill of you? Be contented that God is the witness of your fidelity. It is much better to suffer for justice, than to rejoice in the fruit of iniquity. That is the Gospel rule which you profess; the other is the way of the world, which you are obliged to renounce. Pray for grace, that you may be faithful in what you have undertaken. Pray for all Christians, that they may renounce what is corrupt, and be true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whatever sacrifices it may require of them." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

St. Theodulus,

MARTYR, A.D. 309.

"THEODULUS was an old man of eminent virtue and wisdom, who enjoyed one of the most honourable posts in the household of Firmilian, the governor of Palestine, and had several sons. His personal merit gained him the love of all who knew him; and the governor had a particular esteem for him. This holy man had seen the invincible courage and patience of the martyrs who were put to death by his master's order, and believed in Christ. Going to the prisons, he made use of the example of the martyrs whom he had seen, to encourage the other confessors, and prepare them for the like battles. Firmilian, vexed at this conduct of an old favourite servant, sent for him, reproached him strongly with ingratitude, and without hearing his defence, condemned him to be crucified. Theodulus received the sentence with joy, and went with transports to a death which was speedily to unite him to his Saviour, and in which he was thought worthy to bear a near resemblance to him. He suffered a glorious martyrdom, rejoicing in the honour that was done him, and praising God for those charitable offices, which had brought him to this happy end.

It is often so ordered by Providence, that the best undertakings fall with an unexpected weight on those who engage in them; and that Christians, by doing good to others, draw great inconveniencies upon themselves. The apprehension of such consequences discourages many from executing very pious designs, and their being once disappointed, makes them shrink from the most commendable undertakings. But this is nothing better than impatience and cowardice, disguised under the name of discretion, and therefore not to be consulted. The better rule is to embrace the present occasion offered for doing good; and then to depend so much on the divine conduct, as to leave the consequences to Providence. If all succeed well, bless God for it; and if otherwise, embrace the inconvenience. If this be done with submission and patience, your disappointment will be no loss. Thus you may come to be called a fool by the world; but it is a folly more valuable than the wisdom of those who are too cautious in doing good." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

Saint Remigius baptizes Clovis I, by the Master of Saint Gilles, c. 1500

"EVANGELICAL MEEKNESS: St. Vedast had the glory of leading, by means of his devout exhortations, King Clovis to the saving waters of baptism. He accompanied the haughty prince while on his way to Rheims to join St. Remigius. Vedast at that time was practicing the hermetical life in a solitary spot near Toul. Having afterwards been raised to the see of Arras, he converted a multitude of unbelievers, and erected in different parts of his diocese a great number of new churches. His gentleness, affability, and modesty won all hearts. The poor regarded him as their father, and never entreated him in vain ; the rich looked upon him as their friend, as one who held their persons in esteem, and did not condemn the legitimate enjoyment of their worldly possessions; the unbelievers regarded him as a very oracle, and the Christians as a saint. After having exercised for forty years this ministry of charity, conciliation, and apostolic labours, frequently illustrated by miracles, he died on the 6th February, 540.

MORAL REFLECTION.-It is but a little matter to convince the mind, if the heart be not won over; to demonstrate the truths of religion does not suffice - it is of more account to cause it to be loved. Let us adopt, then, as our guiding-line of conduct the counsel of St. Paul: "To become all things to all men, to gain all to Christ."-(1 Cor. ix. 22.) Pictorial Half hour with the Saints, by Rev. Fr. Auguste Lecanu

"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