Saint Scholastica
by VP
Posted on Monday February 10, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Mort de Sainte-Scholastique - 1730 painting, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, Altorf, Saint-Cyriaque abbey church
"A holy virgin, sister of St. Benedict; "who," as St. Gregory says, was chosen from her cradle to be a victim holy and agreeable to God." She lived for some years in the world; but in such manner as if it had been a solitude, shutting her heart and eyes to all its charms, and not letting the considerable inheritance which fell to her, by her brother's forsaking the world, make any change in the method of her life, or in the design she had of going into retirement. Wherefore she soon followed her brother, choosing a place near his monastery, where she lived in the practice of a general self-denial, even so as never to see her brother but once a-year. As she was not allowed to enter his monastery, he went out with some of his monks to meet her, at a house at some small distance. They spent these visits in the praises of God, and in spiritual conferences. The last time that they met, St. Scholastica begged her brother towards evening to delay his return till the next day, that they might discourse during the night of the happiness of heaven. St. Benedict desired her not to insist on such a request, as he could not pass a night out of his monastery. His holy sister prayed to God very earnestly; and her prayer was scarcely ended, when there came such a storm of thunder, lightning, and rain, that St. Benedict and his companions were obliged to remain in the house. He complained to her, saying, "God forgive you, sister, what have you done?" She answered: "I asked a favour of you, and you refused it me: I asked it of Almighty God, and He has granted it." They accordingly passed the night in pious conferences, and the next morning they parted, to meet no more in this world. St. Scholastica died three days afterwards.
Pray for all religious, that the spirit of this saint may be preserved among them; that having retired from the world, they may not find pretexts to keep up still a commerce with it. Pray for all who are amidst the dangers of the world, that they may be watchful and mindful that religious duties must be the exercise of all who think in earnest of gaining heaven." A Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer for Spiritual Fathers
Most gracious Heavenly Father, we thank
Thee for thou faithful priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood
and example of fidelity, self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the
faith of your people. May our spiritual fathers be guided by the
example of St. John Vianney. Give them valiant faith in the face of
confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and
steadfast love for Thee, for their families, and for all Thou people
throughout the world.
May the light of Thy Truth shine through
their lives and their good works. Assist all spiritual fathers, that
through Thy Grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge
and understanding of Thy Truth. May they generously impart this
knowledge to those who rely on them, Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Source: Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests: Curé of Ars St. John Marie Vianney, a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ's flock.
Frequenting the Sacraments
by VP
Posted on Sunday February 09, 2025 at 12:00AM in Sunday Sermons
Confessional, Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Toulouse
"Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts."—Col. 3. 13.
"FREQUENT Confession and Holy Communion are, my dear brethren, the food which we need to take with us in climbing the mountain of heaven. If we try to get along without them, we shall faint by the way. Do not imagine, then, that confession is only a means of getting rid of mortal sin; do not think for a moment of putting off confession till you have fallen into a mortal sin, or, perhaps, into quite a number of them.
For though we are not required by any positive law to go to confession unless we have fallen into mortal sin, still we are required to keep out of mortal sin, and we cannot do this without going to confession before we have fallen into it. So it comes to the same thing; we really are obliged, for the honor of God and the care of our own souls, to go to confession when we have nothing but venial sin on our conscience, and to go quite often too. Confession and Holy Communion may be compared, not only to food, but to medicine; and to a medicine such as people would take in a place, for instance, where the fever and ague, or some other disease, is prevalent, not to cure themselves of the disease, but to keep from taking it. For we all are in a place where the terrible disease of sin prevails; and we ought to go to confession often, so as not to take it.
But some good people do not seem to understand this at all; and there is a remark, common enough, and which I suppose you may have heard made about this matter of frequent confession. It is this: "I don't see what these people have to tell who go to confession so often." One who makes such a remark as that cannot, it would seem, have any idea of the reason why people are urged to frequent Sacraments at all. He would stay away from confession, for his part, till he "did something,”—that is, fell into some mortal sin. For such a one, if when the time came for his Easter duty, he had by good luck fallen into no mortal sin, the only course would be, one would think, to do something on purpose, so as to have something to tell. He does not understand that these people who go to confession often are not supposed to have any grave burden on their consciences.
Of course they will be likely to have venial faults, which, though the Easter penitent might not think them matters for absolution, really are so. And by the help of the Sacraments they may be overcoming these faults. But a good enough reason for their going to confession once a month, or even oftener, would be simply to avoid grievous sins; on the principle that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
They go so often, also, in order to get light, as well as strength, to avoid sin; to know beforehand what they ought to do. You may think that they ought to have sense enough to tell for themselves without bothering the priest about it; but if I am not mistaken, many who think so will find, if they look back a little, that there were some occasions when they did not know exactly which course to take, and had to go very much at hazard. Perhaps they asked about it afterwards, and perhaps they forgot all about it. But why not ask about these matters beforehand? For, after all, though you can read, there are some things rather special to yourself and your own circumstances that you cannot get from books. It is good to have a guide sometimes, who has more thorough knowledge than you, to show you the way; to point the road up the mountain which you have to climb.
You consult a lawyer, or a doctor, about your temporal matters; why not consult a priest about spiritual matters, in the place where he waits to help you so far as he can, and where the Holy Ghost also will help him to help you? For Almighty God has commissioned the priest specially to guide the faithful in spiritual matters, as you know; and he can often show others the way where he cannot well find it for himself.
But even if the priest does not help you much, our Lord Himself will, in the Sacraments which He has provided. He will guide and direct you by means of them,
if you will only come to Him in them. That is one great reason why He
is there. I hope I have now said enough, my dear brethren, to give you
some idea of the necessity of approaching the Sacraments frequently, if you really have a purpose of amendment, and a desire to save your soul. Too much could not be said. Think of the matter
seriously, and you will see this necessity more and more, and will
seriously purpose to go often and regularly to confession and Holy
Communion." Five-minute Sermons for Low Masses on All Sundays of the Year by the Paulist Fathers, 5th Sunday after Epiphany
St. Cyril of Alexandria, (412-444)
by VP
Posted on Sunday February 09, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
All hail to thee, Mary, Mother of God, Virgin Mary!
Our Lady and Child, Saint John Baptist Catholic Church, Front Royal VA
"466.The Nestorian heresy regarded Christ as a human person joined to the divine person of God's Son. Opposing this heresy, St. Cyril of Alexandria and the third ecumenical council, at Ephesus in 431, confessed "that the Word, uniting to himself in his person the flesh animated by a rational soul, became man."(89) Christ's humanity has no other subject than the divine person of the Son of God, who assumed it and made it his own, from his conception. For this reason the Council of Ephesus proclaimed in 431 that Mary truly became the Mother of God by the human conception of the Son of God in her womb: "Mother of God, not that the nature of the Word or his divinity received the beginning of its existence from the holy Virgin, but that, since the holy body, animated by a rational soul, which the Word of God united to himself according to the hypostasis, was born from her, the Word is said to be born according to the flesh."(90)" Catechism of the Catholic Church
St. Cyril of Alexandria before the Fathers of the Council of Ephesus:
"Hail thou bearer of light, incorruptible vessel!
Hail Mary! At once Virgin, Mother, and Handmaid.
Virgin because of Him who is born of thy virginity;
Mother because of Him whom thou didst bear upon thy breast and whom thou has nourished with thy milk;
Handmaid because of Him who has taken to Himself the position of a slave.
Hail Mary! Temple in which God has been received, the great holiness of which the prophet David proclaimed when he said: Thy temple is holy and wonderful in thy justice (Ps. Lxiv.60)
Hail Mary! The jewel of the earth; Hail Mary! Incorruptible dove; Hail Mary, Inextinguishable lamp, for of thee is born the Sun of Justice; Hail Mary! Dwelling-place of Him whom no other dwelling can contain; thou, in whom was contained the only Son of God, the God-word; thou, who with neither toil nor sowing hast made the undying ear of corn to flourish; Hail Mary! Mother of God, of whom the prophets have foretold, and through whom the shepherds gave glory to God at the manger, singing with the angels that moving hymn, Glory to God on high in heaven: peace on earth among men of goodwill; Hail Mary! Mother of God, because of whom the choirs of angels sing, the archangels exult and chant hymns which make us tremble."
Source: Christian Spirituality, Volume 1 Newman Press, 1922 - Asceticism page 240
Saint John of Matha, priest and confessor (1169-1213)
by VP
Posted on Saturday February 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Mass of St. John of Matha, Priest by Juan Carreño De Miranda
"The order of Trinitarians was instituted by this saint, for the redemption of captives, in the year 1198. Pray for all the religious of this holy order, that they may faithfully comply with the spirit of this servant of God. Pray for all those unhappy Christians, who are in slavery amongst infidels; where being exposed to great dangers, through the want of all spiritual help, they stand in need of your charity. Pray for all that are in prison, that God would be their comfort, preserve them from the usual contagion of those places of confinement, and give them grace to sanctify their sufferings. See that you have no hand in making any so unhappy, through passion, malice, revenge, or hardheartedness.
Pray for all that are slaves to sin; that by the power of divine grace, they may use violence to themselves, and break their chains. And let it be your constant care never to be the occasion of drawing any into this state of misery. Ill example and all corrupt discourse must therefore be carefully avoided. For it is by these encouragements that the piety of many
is overthrown; and you communicate your poison to others, which they
too often carry with them to their grave. And however in this case you
pretend to repent, yet by what possible means can you make reparation for the injury
which you have done? How will you prevent their condemnation from being
yours too? It is a very perplexing case; and it ought to make
Christians much more cautious than they are, and not so easy in laying
snares before their brethren, for making them as great slaves as
themselves. Lament the general corruption of Christians in this point, whose common meetings and conversation are but too often the assemblies of Satan,
and schools for propagating iniquity. Lament and beg for mercy; and if
you are any way concerned, pray for grace, and resolve upon amendment.
If you have helped to draw any into slavery, you must labour for their
redemption; and be as courageous in this, as you have been forward in
bringing on the mischief." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer:
O Glorious St. John of Matha, who, inflamed with an intense love of God and a tender compassion for thy neighbor, hast been chosen by Divine Providence to establish the illustrious Order of the Most Holy Trinity, and spent thus in glorifying this august mystery and redeeming the unfortunate Christians from slavery, graciously obtain for us that we may ourselves also employ our lives in glorifying the Blessed Trinity and doing good to our neighbor by the works of Christian charity, that we may at last deserve to enjoy in heaven the beatific vision of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Pope Leo XIII 1897, New Raccolta 1903
St. Romuald, Abbot and Confessor, A.D. 1027.
by VP
Posted on Friday February 07, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Alessandro Magnasco: Three Camaldolese Monks in Ecstatic Prayer
St. Romuald, looking upon himself as unworthy of the many conveniences which he found in the monastery, resolved upon a life of yet greater austerity, and therefore retired into a desert; where in rigorous fasting on bread and water, almost perpetual silence and prayer, he lived to the age of upwards of seventy years, being there the founder of the hermits of Camaldoli, though not without great difficulties and opposition. He died in his monastery, in the year 1027. Pray for this spirit of penance;
and though you are not commanded to follow his example, yet consider
whether it be not a just reproach to your niceness and self-love; who, though under the same obligation of punishing your sins, industriously avoid every thing that mortifies, and are so far from condemning yourself to voluntary chastisements, that by dispensations or contrivance, you elude all the pious designs of the Church, even in those mortifications, which she prescribes for your cure. Consider this seriously, and pray for grace to amend." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother.
"A young nobleman addicted to impurity, being exasperated at the saint's severe remonstrances, had the impudence to accuse him of a scandalous crime. The monks, by a surprising levity, believed the calumny, enjoined him a most severe penance, forbid him to say Mass, and excommunicated him. He bore all with patience and in silence, as if really he had been guilty, and refrained from going to the altar for six months. In the seventh month he was admonished by God to obey no longer so unjust and irregular a sentence pronounced without any authority and without grounds. He accordingly said Mass again, and with such raptures of devotion, as obliged him to continue long absorbed in ecstasy." (...)
"He never would admit of the least thing to give a savor to the herbs or meal- gruel on which he supported himself. If any thing was brought him better dressed, he, for the greater self-denial, applied it to his nostrils, and said: "O gluttony, gluttony, thou shalt never taste this; perpetual war is declared against thee."
If we not called to practice the extraordinary austerities of many saints, we cannot but confess that we lie under an indispensable necessity of leading mortified lives, both in order to fulfill our obligation of doing penance, and to subdue our passions and keep our senses and interior faculties under due command.
The appetites of the body are only to be reduced by universal temperance, and assiduous mortification and watchfulness over all the senses.
The interior powers of the soul must be restrained, as the imagination, memory, and understanding: their proneness to distraction, and the itching curiosity of the mind, must be curbed, and their repugnance to attend to spiritual things corrected by habits of recollection, holy meditation, and prayer.
Above all, the will must be rendered supple and pliant by frequent self-denial, which must reach and keep in subjection all its most trifling sallies and inclinations. If any of these, how insignificant soever they may seem, are not restrained and vanquished, they will prove sufficient often to disturb the quiet of the mind, and betray one into considerable inconveniencies, faults, and follies. Great weaknesses are sometimes fed by temptations which seem almost of too little moment to deserve notice. And though these infirmities should not arise to any great height, they always fetter the soul, and are an absolute impediment to her progress toward perfection." Source: The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, Volumes 1-3 By Alban Butler
Prayer for the Abused and Unjustly Accused
O Holy Family of Nazareth, community of
love of Jesus, They cried out, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said
to them, "I find no guilt in Him. Take Him yourselves and crucify Him."
(John 19)
Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, falsely and maliciously accused by the
mob, have mercy on us. Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, handed over to death
by cowardly authority, have mercy on us. Jesus Christ, Sun of Justice,
vindicated by your Resurrection, grant us justice.
Father of
Truth, send the light of your Holy Spirit into the darkness of every
false accusation and unjust condemnation. Give strength to the innocent
to stand firmly in truth, as you gave to Jesus, in the face of torture
and death. Give courage to church and civil authorities to grant justice
and due process to the innocent, in the face of the mob. Father of
Mercy, deliver your innocent ones from evil; grant them speedy justice
and vindication, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Victim and Savior.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on all innocent victims: the abused and the falsely accused.
Follow with Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Source: CAPG
Saint Titus, Bishop and Confessor
by VP
Posted on Thursday February 06, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
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
#2 Acts of Adoration Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for all the offenses committed against Him by mankind
by VP
Posted on Thursday February 06, 2025 at 12:00AM in Thursday Reparation
2. O Jesus, true Sun, that enlightens the Church, and raises into a flame the hearts of thy servants! We adore Thee; And to repair the sloth, indifference and tepidity of so many religious persons, who, though favored with the aspect of so burning a luminary, remain cold, insensible, and inanimate, we offer up to Thee all the inflamed desires of the Seraphim. Eternal praise and thanksgiving be to the Most Holy and Most Divine Sacrament.
O Queen of heaven and earth, hope of mankind, who adores thy Divine
Son incessantly! We entreat thee, that, since we have the honor to be of
the number of thy children, thou would interest thyself in our behalf
and make satisfaction for us, and in our name, to our Eternal Judge, by
rendering to Him the duties which we ourselves are incapable of
performing. Amen
Saint Agatha, Virgin Martyr
by VP
Posted on Wednesday February 05, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer To Saint Agatha:
Dear
St. Agatha, glorious virgin and martyr, you suffered yourself to be
reviled and buffeted, to be tortured by rack, fire, and sword in a most
ignominious and painful manner; and by this fortitude and heroism you
merited to be consoled and gladdened in the midst of your dreadful
torments by the sight of your guardian angel and the prince of the
apostles: obtain for me, I pray, by your merits and by your intercession
with Jesus Christ, your divine Spouse, that I may suffer joyfully every
temporal loss, rather than prove unfaithful to my Lord and my God, to
Whom I have promised everlasting fealty, both at Baptism and at my first
Holy Communion. Ask for me the grace of perseverance, that I may with
thee enjoy the beatific vision and praise God forevermore.
"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
Saint Andrew Corsini (1302- 1373) Carmelite Bishop and Confessor
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 04, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
San Andrew Corsini in preghiera - Guido Reni (1630-1635)
"In his youth, notwithstanding a pious education under the care of his parents, he ran into great disorders; and had no regard to the good instruction and example, which had been given him. All parents ought to remember, that though giving good education be their duty, and the most assured way to a virtuous life, still it is no security against vice. But then there is this comfort, that their children's sins are none of theirs, not being occasioned through their fault. Whereas those parents who have been wanting in this duty, cannot see their children unhappy, but they must condemn themselves: and having reason to fear all this misfortune to be the consequence of their neglect, they cannot reckon themselves innocent, as long as they see their children guilty. Nor can they find true peace, till by prayers, tears, and endeavors, they have either persuaded them to reform, or have reason to hope that God will accept of their endeavors in expiation of their former neglect.
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
"Great sorrow oppressed the heart of the princess Corsini, a widow, when she witnessed the daily increasing immorality of her young son Andrew. How often had she begged him to abandon his dissolute life! "Do tear yourself away," she would frequently say, "from those young men who ruin you. You bring disgrace upon our whole house, and shorten the days of my life."
But what did it effect? Moved, one moment, by his mother's entreaties he would forget his good resolution in the next. On one occasion, after Andrew had stayed away from home several nights in succession, his mother ordered all the family to put on mourning, and she herself hastened to the church of the Carmelites, there to relieve her soul by most earnest prayer. When she was leaving the church she met Andrew, who upon seeing her exclaimed: "What! You are in mourning? Who has died in the family? " The mother answered: "This is not the place to tell you." When they reached home, she said:"You seem not to know for whom me mourn, Andrew! Is it not for yourself? Yes, indeed, you are dead to us - we mourn for you, and for ourselves! The first part of my dream which I had before your birth, has been verified! I saw a wolf; but the wolf became a lamb at the threshold of the Carmelite convent. But it seems that the latter part of my dream is not to become true, although I have so often offered you to Mary, our most blessed Mother." Whilst thus speaking she wept bitterly. His mother's words, and the mournful appearance of the whole house cut Andrew to the heart. "Mother," he cried out, "The wolf I was, the lamb I will become." And he went to the Carmelite convent, performed severe penances, conquered the most violent temptations, advanced rapidly upon the path of virtue, and was in after-years made bishop of Fiesoli in Italy. He is the St. Andrew of Corsini whose feast the Church celebrates on the 4th of February. By what circuitous routes Andrew at last attained the end destined for him by Almighty God!
Save yourself such by-ways, O Youth! You are not preparing for a happy future, if you misuse, or neglect the present. Lead a pure life, adorn your heart with virtues; then you may hope that God will give you a future field of useful and honorable actions."
The Pearl among the Virtues, Fr. Peter A. Von Doss 1877
Prayer
Hear, O holy Pontiff, our prayer: we are sinners and would learn from you how we are to return to the God we have offended. His mercy was poured out upon you. Obtain the same for us. Have pity on Christians throughout the world, for the grace of repentance is now being offered to all. Pray for us that we may be filled with the spirit of compunction. We have sinned. We sue for pardon. Intercession like yours can win it for us. From wolves, change us into lambs. Strengthen us against our enemies. Get us an increase of the virtue of humility which you had in such perfection, and intercede for us with our Lord that He may crown our efforts with perseverance, as He did yours, that thus we may be enabled to unite with you in singing forever the praises of our Redeemer.
Source: Don Prosper Gueranger
Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, A.D. 316.
by VP
Posted on Monday February 03, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Blaise, Brittany, France
"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
"When St. Blase arrived at the city and was presented to the governor, he was commanded to sacrifice to the immortal gods. The saint answered: "What a title for your demons, who can bring only evil on their worshipers! There is only One Immortal God, and Him do I adore." Agricolaus, infuriated at this answer, caused the saint to undergo a scourging so prolonged and cruel that it was thought the saint could not possibly survive it; but having endured this torture with placid courage, he was sent to prison, where he continued to work miracles so extraordinary that the governor ordered him to be again lacerated with iron hooks." Source: Victories of the Martyrs: Or, The Lives of the Most Celebrated Martyrs of the Church, Saint Alphonse de Liguori
"The iron combs, hooks, racks, swords, and scaffolds, which were purpled with the blood of the martyrs, are eternal proofs of their invincible courage and constancy in the divine service. But are they not at the same time subjects of our condemnation and confusion? How weak are our resolutions! How base our pusillanimity and cowardice in the pursuit of virtue! We have daily renewed our most sacred baptismal engagements, and our purposes of faithfully serving God; these we have often repeated at the feet of God's ministers, and in presence of his holy altars, and we have often begun our conversion with great fervor. Yet these fair blossoms were always nipped in the bud; for want of constancy we soon fell back into our former sloth and disorders, adding to our other prevarications that of base infidelity. Instead of encountering gibbets and wild beasts, we were scared at the sight of the least difficulty, or we had not the courage to make the least sacrifice of our passions, or to repulse the weakest and most contemptible assaults of the world. Its example, or that dangerous company from which we had not resolution to separate ourselves, carried us away; and we had not the courage to withstand those very maxims which we ourselves condemn in the moments of our serious reflections as contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. Perhaps we often flew back for fear of shadows, and out of apprehensions frequently imaginary, lest we should forfeit some temporal advantage, some useful or agreeable friend. Perhaps we were overcome by the difficulties which arose barely from ourselves, and wanted resolution to deny our senses, to subdue our passions, to renounce dangerous occasions, or to enter upon a penitential life. Blinded by self-love, have we not sheltered our dastardly pusillanimity under the cloak of pretended necessity, or even virtue?"Source: St. Blaise (The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, Volume 1 , Alban Butler p 46)
Prayer:
"O glorious Saint Blaise, who by thy martyrdom didst leave to the Church a precious witness to the faith, obtain of us the grace to preserve within ourselves this divine gift, and to defend, without human respect, both by word and example, the truth of that same faith, which is so wickedly attacked and slandered in these our times. Thou who didst miraculously restore a little child when it was at the point of death by reason of an affliction of the throat, grant us thy mighty protection in like misfortunes; and, above all, obtain for us the grace of Christian mortification together with a faithful observance of the precepts of the Church, which may keep us from offending Almighty God. Amen."
Source: Dom Gueranger