Saint Severinus of Noricum, 482
by VP
Posted on Wednesday January 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
DO PENANCE. -St. Severinus quitted the solitudes of the East, where he had been devoting himself to the exercises of the cœnobitic life, in order to evangelize the population of Norica, a province which comprised the greater part of Austria and the Tyrol. He at first encountered great resistance, but soon effected wonders of conversion, as well by reason of his humble and mortified life, as because he announced to his hearers the calamities wherewith the rebellious nations would be afflicted. "Do penance," exclaimed he: "sin is the cause of all the woes that God scatters upon the earth!" Before consenting to pray for those who were afflicted, and before releasing them from their infirmities, he required that they should do penance. His own life showed forth the constant example thereof. He foretold to Odoacer, king of the Herules, that he was to lay waste Italy, by way of punishment for its crimes; and the prophecy was amply verified. Hence kings and nations and rulers ended by holding him in singular veneration, regarding him as the envoy of Heaven. He yielded up his spirit on the 8th January, 482.
MORAL REFLECTION. -If not out of tenderness towards God, let us, at least from charity for ourselves, repair our past guilt, and avoid committing fresh offences; for, "As by one man sin entered into the world, so death passes by sin."-(Rom. v. 12.)
Their Journey
by VP
Posted on Wednesday January 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
"1. The journey of the Magi from their own country to Palestine, just because a star appeared in a certain quarter of the heavens, was very like a fool's errand. Was a mere floating tradition a sufficient ground for undertaking a long and costly journey ? Were not their duties at home of more importance, and had they not a greater claim than this strange apparition which tempted them away ? What is folly with man is often wisdom with God. How often have similar arguments been used to deter Protestants from making their submission to the Church, and to dissuade Catholics from consecrating themselves to God ! Perhaps I may sometimes have followed the dictates of mere worldly wisdom, neglecting supernatural grace.
2. The star led the Magi on till they arrived at Jerusalem, and then it disappeared. In the bustle of the city no star. In the palace of Herod no star. The busy hum of the crowd seems to be a hindrance to God's holy inspirations.
3. Did the Magi, under these circumstances, accept the situation and devote their time to the sights and wonders of the Holy City? No, nothing would satisfy them except the fulfillment of their mission. What a lesson to us who are so easily diverted by worldly things from seeking after God "
Meditations for Christmas . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891
