Ember Wednesday in Whitsun Week.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Tradition
"It may appear extraordinary, that in this great solemnity of joy and thanksgiving, the Church should oblige her children to fasting, humiliation, and penance. The reason is, that in this week bishops confer Holy Orders, ordaining priests, deacons, and other ministers of the Church. Being sensible how absolutely necessary the Holy Ghost is for them, in the discharge of their sacred functions, the Church summons the faithful to make their addresses to God in their behalf, in fasting and prayer; that so this spirit may be abundantly poured forth upon them, and they may thus be made worthy ministers of God's Church. This summons ought to be faithfully obeyed by all; inasmuch as this is a great concern of the whole body, of which they are members. Unhappy those, who on these days, when the Church obliges, never concern themselves about imploring the assistance of God's Holy Spirit for such as are presented for this important charge, but seek profanely their own amusement and satisfaction, when they should be making their application to God in the spirit of humility, for this public good. How ought we all then to pray this day, that none may be promoted to Holy Orders, but such as are called by Almighty God, and prepared by His special grace to be fit ministers in his Church. By the blood of His only Son, He has purchased to Himself a Church, for the glory of His name, and for instructing the whole world in His saving truths. Beg of Him therefore mercifully to secure it under His protection, and fulfil all His promises to it, that it may answer all those holy purposes, for which it was ordained. Pray to Him to be the pastor of all its pastors; and by the influence of His grace, so to direct and govern them, that they may be so many lights to the flock, and both by word and example, lead them in the way of salvation. And in a special manner recommend to His fatherly care, all, who at this time are promoted to Holy Orders throughout the Church." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Let us pray the Holy Spirit to enlighten our bishop in the choice of worthy candidates for the Holy Priesthood.
"On Ember days we pray and make sacrifices for ourselves, our families, the Church and the world." We should never let these seasons pass without adding prayer to our fasts, or it may be compensating fast by prayer. Our prayer should be for the clergy, not only those ordained, though for them especially; but for the Sovereign Pontiff, the cardinals, bishops, parochial clergy, missionaries and religious orders, seminarians; and for the grace of vocation to the priesthood.
Brief Meditations for Pentecost Ember Days
Today is Ember Wednesday of the Summer or Pentecost Embertide. These Ember Days fall during the week after Pentecost (the traditional octave of Pentecost), near the summer solstice. The three focal points for the Ember Days of this period of the year are:
1) to ask God to bless especially the wheat harvest,
2) to thank God for the season of summer, and
3) to ask for special graces for those being ordained as priests during this season.
- An excellent prayer for this purpose is the Litany of the Saints, in which so many bishops, priests, and levites are invoked; or the Rosary may be appropriately said, grouping those for whom we pray into five classes (Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, and Seminarians), corresponding to the five decades.
- Listen, Almighty God, we beseech Thee, to the prayers which Thy universal Church offers to Thee at this time, beseeching Thy blessing on those who are about to be admitted to Thy Holy Service of the Altar. Give Thy grace to all who are called to any office and administration amongst Thy clergy, and so replenish them with the truth of Thy doctrine, and indue them with innocence of life, that they may faithfully serve Thee, to the glory of Thy great name and the benefit of Thy Holy Church. Amen
- O God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite, we humbly thank Thee for the gifts thou hast bestowed upon us. Continue Thy mercy to us, and give us also so much of Thy temporal blessings as Thou knowest to be for our good. Grant that the fruits of the earth may, by Thy holy favor, increase and multiply. Defend them from all drought, frosts or tempests, or whatever else may be hurtful to them. It is from Thy hand only that we look for succor, and to Thee we have recourse in all our necessities. Amen. Source: St. John's Manual 1856, Archbishop of New York John J. Hugues
Source: Ember Days (Cure d'Ars Prayer Group)
St. Barnabas, APOSTLE.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was a disciple of Christ, and companion of St. Paul in his preaching and suffering. His first labour was in confirming the faithful at Antioch, where they were first called Christians; amongst whom he had great success, because he was esteemed, as the scripture says, a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost. Pray for all those, whose function obliges them to preach the gospel. The success of their labours depends very much on the disposition of the preachers.
When the Gentiles heard the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, they rejoiced, and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. It is a good sign to find satisfaction in hearing and reading what is good. If you experience anything of this, give thanks, and endeavour to improve it, by being as constant in the practice of it, as you can. But if you observe an aversion in yourself, or in those under your care, to hearing or reading what may be helpful to salvation, remember that it is an ill constitution which does not relish wholesome food, and great care must be taken for obtaining a more Christian temper. Such souls are very much indisposed for the eternal enjoyment of God, who take no delight in what belongs to him, or in the way that leads to him. There were Jews at Antioch, who contradicted and opposed the preaching of Barnabas: and he said to them: Seeing you reject the word of God, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life; behold we turn to the Gentiles. Christians must be careful not to make this their case, and not to reject God's word by having a dislike to what is good.
The Jews stirred up devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Devout people may be engaged in great sins by a false zeal. Pray to be secured against this misfortune. Provide against it by suspending your judgment in all matters of contention, and not easily believing any party. Call in God to your assistance, that no heat or passion may carry you against truth and justice" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Widow, A.D. 1093.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday June 10, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"She was grand-daughter of Edmund Ironside, and married to Malcolm, king of Scotland. By the most tender complaisance and condescending behaviour, she gained a great influence over her husband; but this she exerted only to make religion and justice reign, and to render her subjects happy. In the midst of the cares of a kingdom, St. Margaret always kept her heart disengaged from the love of the world, and recollected in God. The continual attention of her soul to him in all her actions, assiduous prayer, and the constant practice of self-denial, were the chief means by which she attained to this perfection. Her greatness was not in enjoying, but despising the greatness of this world. She was a Christian wife, in her respect and obedience to her husband; a Christian mother, in the holy education of her children, ever endeavouring by example, advice, and tears, to arm them against the false pleasures of the world, and to quicken in them the love of God. She was a Christian queen, in discouraging all injustice in her subjects, in her zeal for reforming abuses, in her great charity to the poor, and employing persons to seek out such as were in distress. For the government of her own soul, she desired her director at all times, with freedom to put her in mind of whatever he observed amiss either in her words or actions. In this method of sanctity she lived, and in the same she died, in the eleventh century.
Whatever your condition be, you have lessons for improvement in this holy queen. A soul zealous for heaven cannot be barren, but will make all circumstances serviceable to a better life. Do you make this use of your authority, of your riches, of your charge? By fidelity in these, you may advance by large steps towards heaven. The surest means for going right, is to desire some discreet friend to point out all your false steps, and freely put you in mind of all your errors. Such a request will show your sincerity and humility; and there is no danger of failure, where these have the guidance." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
SS. Primus and Felicianus, MARTYRS, A.D. 286.
by VP
Posted on Monday June 09, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THESE two martyrs were brothers, and lived in Rome many years, mutually encouraging each other in the practice of all good works. They seemed to possess nothing but for the poor, and often spent both nights and days with the confessors in their dungeons, or at the places of their torments and execution. Some they encouraged to perseverance; others who had fallen, they raised again; and they made themselves the servants of all in Christ, that all might attain to salvation through him. Though their zeal was most remarkable, they had escaped the dangers of many bloody persecutions, and were grown old in the heroic exercises of virtue, when it pleased God to crown their labours with a glorious martyrdom. The Pagans raised so great an outcry against them, that they were apprehended, and put in chains. They were inhumanly scourged, and then sent to a town twelve miles from Rome, to be further chastised. They were cruelly tortured, first together, afterwards separately. But the grace of God strengthened them, and they were at length both beheaded in the year 286, on the 9th of June.
Pray for all under persecution for their faith; that by patience and constancy they may give testimony of the truth. Pray for patience for yourself in all troubles. He that has overcome death and hell, could easily deliver us from the evils of this life: but it is more for his glory, and our advantage, to triumph over them by his grace, in suffering them with an humble and patient mind. Troubles and persecution separate the reprobate from Jesus Christ; but they are the means of uniting the elect more closely to him, by adoration, love, and fidelity. Let these be the exercises of your heart under all oppressions. Pray for all your kindred and relations, that they may be all united, as in one blood, so by faith and charity, and in the hopes of meeting in bliss. If any of them go astray, let them have your prayers. Look upon all persons with whom you live as your relations, and keep peace and holy charity with all." The Catholic Year by Fr. John GotherSunday for Priests
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Tradition
O Holy Spirit, Creator, be propitious to the Catholic Church; and by Thy heavenly power make it strong and secure against the attacks of its enemies; and renew in charity and grace the spirit of Thy servants, whom Thou has anointed, that they may glorify Thee and the Father and His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. amen.
Manual of prayers to the Holy Ghost by Very Rev. Fr. Felix of Jesus 1941
St. William, Arbishop of York, Confessor, A.D. 1154.
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THIS saint was of noble parentage, but the lustre of his virtues far exceeded that of his birth. These virtues, which as he grew up became more and more conspicuous in him, recommended him, after he had received holy orders, to be elected treasurer in the church of York. But the saint, who thought no treasure so valuable as that which is laid up in heaven by works of mercy to the poor, was ever solicitous to convey his wealth into their hands.
On the death of the archbishop of York, St. William was elected to that dignity; but another was preferred before him, through the opposition of the archdeacon Osbert, a turbulent and factious man. St. William patiently endured this repulse, and quietly withdrew to his uncle, the bishop of Winchester, with whom he remained seven years, leading a retired and mortified life, in much fasting, watching, and prayer. He abhorred the pomps of the world, and employed his time in bewailing his sins, and extinguishing the flames of divine justice by penitential tears. He lived in great silence, his behavior was full of calmness and tranquillity: no vain words or superfluous discourse interrupted his divine contemplation. He had ever before his eyes the memory of heaven and hell, and of the strict account to be given at the last day. He restrained his appetite within the bounds of necessity, and allowed nothing to sensuality: and if sometimes he was obliged to admit of visits, his conversation and very countenance were so graceful and amiable, as to appear to have more of an angel than of a man.
The see of York being again vacant, after seven years, St. William was again chosen archbishop. As he proceeded to York, he was received with incredible joy by his people. The great numbers who assembled on that occasion to see and welcome him, broke down the wooden bridge over the river Ouse, in the middle of the city, and many persons, of all ages, especially children, fell into the river. The saint, seeing this terrible accident, earnestly implored with tears the divine mercy, and made the sign of the cross over the river. Every one ascribed to his sanctity and prayers the miraculous preservation of the whole multitude, who all escaped out of the waters without hurt.
St. William formed many great projects for the good of his diocese; but within a few weeks he was seized with a fever, of which he died on the 8th of June,
1154. Pray for your country: and learn from this saint to love humility
and retirement rather than dignities and honours, as being most
favourable to the great end of our creation, the salvation of our precious souls." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Pentecost
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Sunday Sermons
O Holy Spirit, Creator, be propitious to the Catholic Church; and by Thy heavenly power make it strong and secure against the attacks of its enemies; and renew in charity and grace the spirit of Thy servants, whom Thou has anointed, that they may glorify Thee and the Father and His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. amen. Manual of prayers to the Holy Ghost by Very Rev. Fr. Felix of Jesus 1941
"Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid". Saint John xiv. 27.
Our Lord spoke these words to His apostles before His Passion, but they were not to have effect till after His ascension into heaven. It was not His will that they should have the courage and confidence to which He here exhorts them till that time which we celebrate today, when the Holy Ghost came upon them and fitted them for the great work to which they were appointed. Even while our Lord was with them after His resurrection, and still more after He had ascended and left them to themselves, they were anxious and fearful, not daring to call themselves His disciples or to risk anything for His sake. But when they received the Holy Ghost all this was changed. They confessed Christ openly; all their doubts and fears were gone; and "they rejoiced," as we read in the Acts, "that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. And they ceased not every day, in the temple and from house to house, to teach and preach Christ Jesus."
Now, we ought to imitate their conduct after Pentecost, and not that before. For we have not the excuse that they had before that time. We have received the Holy Ghost, as they did. He has not come on us visibly in fiery tongues, but He has come just as really and truly in the sacrament of confirmation which we have received. There is no reason for us to be troubled or afraid; when the Holy Ghost came into our hearts He brought courage and confidence with Him; He brought them to each one of us, as He did to the holy apostles.
And He gave this courage and confidence to each of us for the same reason as to them, because we have all to be apostles in our own way and degree. We have not all got to preach Christ publicly, as they did, but we have all got to speak a word for Him when the proper occasion comes. We have not all got to die for Christ, as they did, but we have got to suffer something for the sake of our faith in Him, and that quite often, too, it may be. We have a real duty in this matter; we shall be rewarded if we fulfill it, and punished if we do not. It was not for His apostles only but for each one of us that those words of His were meant: "Everyone that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven ; but he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven."
And yet how often must it be acknowledged, to our shame and disgrace, that Christians do deny their Lord and Master before men! I do not mean that they deny their faith, and say they are not Catholics when they are asked; this, thank God ! though it does happen, is not so very common. But is it not common enough to find young Catholic men and women with whom one might associate for years and never suspect them to be Catholics, and, in fact, be quite sure that they were not and this not merely because they do not parade their religion, but because they do not defend it when it is attacked; because they agree with, and even express, all sorts of infidel, heretical, false, and so-called liberal opinions, that they may not give offense; or even, perhaps, without any sort of need, but only to win favor for themselves by falling in with the fashion of those with whom they associate.
And how often, again, do Christians, even if they do stand up for their faith, cast contempt on it in the eyes of the world by acting and talking just as if it had no power over their lives, and was never meant to have any! They curse, and swear, and talk immodestly, just as those do who do not profess to believe in God and Christ, and even, perhaps, worse. Or if they do not go so far as this, they laugh at profanity and impurity, and make companions of those who are addicted to these vices; and this they do, not because they really wish to do or to sanction such things, but merely from a miserable weakness that prevents them from facing a little contempt and unpopularity. What would they do, if called on to shed their blood for Christ, who cannot bear even to be laughed at a little for being practical Catholics? They are like cowardly soldiers who run away from a battle at the first smoke from the enemy's guns.
You know what a shame it is for a soldier to be a coward. And now try to remember, dear Christians, especially on this holy day, that a Christian has got to be a soldier, and that if he is a coward he disgraces himself and his cause. The Holy Ghost is given to us in confirmation that we may not be weak and cowardly, but strong and perfect Christians, and true soldiers of Jesus Christ. If you have not yet received Him in this way make haste to do so; if you have, make use of the graces which He has given you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid; there is nothing to be afraid of, for God is on your side. Do not fear but rather count it a joy to suffer a little persecution for his name. " Five-minute Sermons for Low Masses on All Sundays of the Year, By Priests of the Congregation of St. Paul 1879
Divinum Illud Munus, Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on the Holy Ghost
by VP
Posted on Saturday June 07, 2025 at 12:00AM in Documents
"The Holy Ghost and the Church
5. The Church which, already conceived, came forth from the side of the second Adam in His sleep on the Cross, first showed herself before the eyes of men on the great day of Pentecost. On that day the Holy Ghost began to manifest His gifts in the mystic body of Christ, by that miraculous outpouring already foreseen by the prophet Joel (ii., 28-29), for the Paraclete "sat upon the apostles as though new spiritual crowns were placed upon their heads in tongues of fire" (S. Cyril Hier. Catech. 17). Then the apostles "descended from the mountain," as St. John Chrysostom writes, "not bearing in their hands tables of stone like Moses, but carrying the Spirit in their mind, and pouring forth the treasure and the fountain of doctrines and graces" (In Matt. Hom. L, 2 Cor. iii., 3). Thus was fully accomplished that last promise of Christ to His apostles of sending the Holy Ghost, who was to complete and, as it were, to seal the deposit of doctrine committed to them under His inspiration. "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now; but when He, the Spirit of Truth, shall come, He will teach you all truth" ( John xvi., 12-13). For He who is the Spirit of Truth, inasmuch as He proceedeth both from the Father, who is the eternally True, and from the Son, who is the substantial Truth, receiveth from each both His essence and the fullness of all truth. This truth He communicates to His Church, guarding her by His all powerful help from ever falling into error, and aiding her to foster daily more and more the germs of divine doctrine and to make them fruitful for the welfare of the peoples. And since the welfare of the peoples, for which the Church was established, absolutely requires that this office should be continued for all time, the Holy Ghost perpetually supplies life and strength to preserve and increase the Church. "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Paraclete, that He may abide with you for ever, the Spirit of Truth" (John xiv., 16, 17).
6. By Him the bishops are constituted, and by their ministry are multiplied not only the children, but also the fathers-that is to say, the priests-to rule and feed the Church by that Blood wherewith Christ has redeemed Her. "The Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops to rule the Church of God, which He bath purchased with His own Blood" (Acts xx., 28). And both bishops and priests, by the miraculous gift of the Spirit, have the power of absolving sins, according to those words of Christ to the Apostles: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them, and whose you shall retain they are retained" (John xx., 22, 23). That the Church is a divine institution is most clearly proved by the splendour and glory of those gifts and graces with which she is adorned, and whose author and giver is the Holy Ghost. Let it suffice to state that, as Christ is the Head of the Church, so is the Holy Ghost her soul. "What the soul is in our body, that is the Holy Ghost in Christ's body, the Church" (St. Aug., Serm. 187, de Temp.). This being so, no further and fuller "manifestation and revelation of the Divine Spirit" may be imagined or expected; for that which now takes place in the Church is the most perfect possible, and will last until that day when the Church herself, having passed through her militant career, shall be taken up into the joy of the saints triumphing in heaven. (...)
An Annual Novena Decreed
13. Wherefore, We decree and command that throughout the whole Catholic Church,this year and in every subsequent year, a Novena shall take place before Whit-Sunday, in all parish churches, and also, if the local Ordinaries think fit, in other churches and oratories. To all who take part in this Novena and duly pray for Our intention, We grant for each day an Indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines; moreover, a Plenary Indulgence on any one of the days of the Novena, or on Whit-Sunday itself, or on any day during the Octave; provided they shall have received the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, and devoutly prayed for Our intention. We will that those who are legitimately prevented from attending the Novena, or who are in places where the devotions cannot, in the judgment of the Ordinary, be conveniently carried out in church, shall equally enjoy the same benefits, provided they make the Novena privately and observe the other conditions. Moreover We are pleased to grant, in perpetuity, from the Treasury of the Church, that whosoever, daily during the Octave of Pentecost up to Trinity Sunday inclusive, offer again publicly or privately any prayers, according to their devotion, to the Holy Ghost, and satisfy the above conditions, shall a second time gain each of the same Indulgences. All these Indulgences We also permit to be applied to the suffrage of the souls in Purgatory."
Source: Divinum Illud Munus, Pope Leo XIII May 9, 1897
Priests' First Saturday
by VP
Posted on Saturday June 07, 2025 at 12:00AM in Tradition
Mary as Mother of Priests is in the Dominican Priory Church of the Holy Cross in Leicester. by Lawrence OP
"Listen to what our Holy Father, Pope Pius XI, says: " God in heaven and I on earth, we desire nothing more ardently than prayer and sacrifice for priests...Let us beg God that He may give holy priests! If we have this, all else will follow; but if this be wanting, all else will avail nothing." It was from this trend of thought that the idea of the Priest's Saturday" took its origin, which idea the Superior General of the Salvatorian Fathers placed before the Holy Father in special private audience on November 21, 1934. His Holiness was much pleased with the plan and said, in conclusion: "We heartily praise and bless the work....We repeat, the thing pleases Us, We praise and bless it heartily."
What is the plan?
The Priest's Saturday:
It is something quite simple and easy, yet immeasurable great in its results. You should make it a point to offer the Saturday after the First Friday of each month to your Savior, through the hands of Mary, the great mediatrix of all graces, for the sanctification of all the priests and students for the priesthood throughout the whole world. For this purpose you should give the Saturday wholly and entirely to Him, that is to say, Holy Mass, Holy Communion, all prayers, labors, sacrifices, joys and sorrows. Whatever you cannot do on this day (Holy Mass and Holy Communion) you ought to supply immediately on Sunday. So there is really nothing new for you to do. You merely offer up this Saturday (or even every Saturday or some other day) for the sanctification of priests. It is not a case of any sodality of fraternity or anything like that. Like the First Friday in honor of the Sacred Heart, the Priest's Saturday seeks to become something religiously observed by all the Catholics of the world.
(...) Concern about the holiness of priests is the concern of the Heart of the Divine Savior and of His blessed Mother. Therefore, you also should be sure to take part in this "apostolate to the apostles. " The Holy Father, all bishops, all priests, all students for the priesthood, and especially also your own pastor, earnestly beg of you thus to participate."
Source: Priest's Saturday Series, #2 Prayers and Devotions for Priest's Day. used with permission
Priests' First Saturday. Prayer:
Divine Savior, Jesus Christ, Who hast
entrusted the whole work of Thy redemption, the welfare and salvation of
the world, to priests as Thy representatives, through the hands of Thy
most holy Mother and for the sanctification of Thy priests and
candidates for the priesthood I offer Thee this present day wholly and
entirely, with all its prayers, works, sacrifices, joys, and sorrows.
Give truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love,
seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of our souls.
And thou, Mary, good Mother of priests, protect all priests in the
dangers of their holy vocation and, with the loving hand of a Mother,
also lead back to the Good Shepherd those poor priests who have become
unfaithful to their exalted vocation and have gone astray. Amen
In addition to the above make it a point also to recite frequently the following:
Divine Savior, Jesus Christ, Who Hast entrusted the weal and woes of
Thy Holy Church to priests, with all the fervor of my heart I recommend
to Thee the wants of my pastor and all priests. Enrich them more and
more with true priestly sanctity. Give them generous, all embracing,
apostolic hearts, full of love for Thee and for all Thy souls, so that
they, being themselves sanctified in Thee, may sanctify us who are
confided to their care, and may lead us safely to heaven. Bestow upon
them in rich abundance all Thy priestly graces!
Let them ever
give us a glowing example of love and fidelity towards Holy Mother
Church, towards the Pope, and bishops, and grant that by word and
example they may shine as models of every virtue.
Most loving
Jesus, bless all their priestly labors and sacrifices! Bless all their
prayers and words at the altar and in the confessional, in the pulpit,
and in school, in confraternities, and at the bedside of the sick!
Protect and preserve them in all dangers from within and from without.
Divine Savior, give to Thy Church priests who abound in true holiness!
Call many good boys and young men to the priestly and religious state!
Aid and sanctify all those who are to become Thy priests! And to the
souls of departed priests grant everlasting rest.
But to me
give a true spirit of faith and humble obedience, in order that in my
pastor I may ever behold the representative of God and willingly follow
all his teachings. Amen
St. Paul, Bishop of Constantinople, Martyr, A.D. 350.
by VP
Posted on Saturday June 07, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was bishop of Constantinople, a faithful friend of St. Athanasius, and companion in all his labours for the defence of the Catholic faith against the Arians, who greatly feared him. By their false accusations, he was unjustly deposed, and took shelter in the West, where he was graciously received by the Emperor Constans. After two years he was reinstated in his dignity at Constantinople; but was still furiously persecuted by the Arians, and banished by the Emperor Constantius. He came back however to Constantinople; but his situation continued very uneasy, always suffering from the power and malice of the Arians. At their instigation, the emperor again drove him from his see, and sent him into banishment, to which the saint cheerfully submitted. He was loaded with chains, and sent into Mesopotamia; whence he was carried to a town in Syria; and afterwards to a small town on the confines of Cappadocia, notorious for its bad air and unhealthy situation. Here he was confined in a close, dark place, and left to starve to death. After he had passed six days without food, he was, to the great disappointment of his enemies, found alive. Upon which they strangled him, and gave out that he died after a short sickness. His martyrdom happened in 350 or 351.
The constancy of this prelate in the time of so powerful opposition and general confusion is easily admired; but how far can you go in the imitation of it? When we see how easily Christians fall under dejection, whether upon the experience of their own weakness, when their victory does not answer the haste of their impatient desires, or from sickness or surprising troubles; when we see how small provocations cause differences among Christians; how passion follows upon every ordinary occasion, and that peace is broken for mere humour and trifles; we cannot but think that all have reason enough to be earnest in their prayers for obtaining greater steadiness of mind. Examine yourself: and if your circumstances demand not your prayers, offer them for your neighbours: this charity will be your own advantage." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer for Persecuted Priests
All Powerful and Eternal God, through
the merits of Your Son Jesus, and Through Your love for Him, I implore
You, have pity on the priests of the Holy Church. In spite of their
sublime dignity, they are fearful and weak, like all created beings. In
your infinite mercy, inflame their hearts with the fire of Divine Love.
For the sake of Jesus, Your Son, bestow grace on the priests and uphold
them. Do not let them fall into temptation and tarnish their noble
vocation.
O Jesus, we implore you. Look with pity on the priests of the Holy
Church: those who are serving You faithfully and proclaiming Your glory;
those who are persecuted for tending your flock; those who are
abandoned, weary and sorrowful: those who are lukewarm, confused and who
have denied their faith; those who are sick, dying, or in Purgatory.
Lord Jesus, we entreat You. Listen to our supplication, have pity and
console them.
O Jesus, we entrust to You the priests of the whole world: the priests
who baptized me, absolved my sins, offered Holy Mass and consecrated the
Eucharist to nourish my soul. We entrust to You the priests that
instructed me when I was ignorant, gave me strength in my weakness,
showed me the Way and the Truth and comforted me in my sorrow and
affliction. For all the blessings they obtained for me, I implore You to
support them in Your Loving Kindness.
O Jesus, shelter our priests in Your Sacred Heart. Let them take refuge
in Your mercy and love, in this life, and to the hour of death. Amen.
By his Eminence the late Ignatius Cardinal Kung, Bishop of Shanghai.
Published 7/16/1953 during the early years of persecution of the Roman
Catholic Church in China by its communist government. He was imprisoned
from 1955 to 1988.
