CAPG's Blog 

"He was a zealous, holy anchoret, who being informed of the cruel persecution of the Christians at Alexandria, under Maximin, left his solitude to visit and encourage those who suffered. He was apprehended by the persecutors at Antinous in Egypt, and cast into prison. Many heathens came to insult and affront him while in chains; and among others one Philemon, a musician, very famous, and admired by the people. He treated the martyr as an impious person, and a seducer, and one who deserved the public hatred. To his insults the saint only answered: "My son, may God have mercy on thee, and not lay these reproaches to thy charge." This his meekness wrought so powerfully on Philemon, that he forthwith professed himself a Christian. Both were brought before the judge, who after making them suffer all kinds of torments, condemned them to be burnt alive. When the fire was kindled about them, Apollonius prayed thus: "Lord, deliver not to beasts the souls who confess thee; but manifest thy power." At that instant, a cloud of dew encompassed the martyrs, and put out the fire. The judge and people cried out at this miracle: "The God of the Christians is the great and only God." The prefect of Egypt being informed of it, caused the judge and the two confessors to be brought to Alexandria loaded with irons. During the journey, Apollonius, by his instructions, prevailed so far upon those who conducted him, that they presented themselves also to the prefect with their prisoners, and confessed themselves likewise Christians. The prefect ordered them all to be thrown into the sea, about the year 311.

See here the force of patience and meekness. These are the arms which the Gospel puts into your hand. Fight with these, if you have enemies to overcome; for they are more powerful than passion and violence. To be more expert, practice daily in ordinary occasions. Do not accustom yourself to anger or peevish expressions of resentment: be not noisy and loud, but with a generous meekness stand your ground. Thus in your patience you will possess your own soul, and gain your enemies." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"The example of the holy women, who went to visit the sepulchre of our Lord, furnishes us with some excellent instructions for this time. They make a provision of perfumes: they rise early to carry them to the sepulchre; they think not of the inconvenience of going alone, and having none in their company capable of rolling the stone away for them. This difficulty occurs to them upon the way; yet they are not discouraged, but pursue their journey with a hope in Providence. Thus they go on, following the impetuous notions of a sincere heart, without regard to any of those precautions which human prudence might have suggested. And what is their success? They find the stone removed from the mouth of the sepulchre, they are assured of Christ's being risen from the dead, by two angels who appeared to them; and are ordered to give notice of it to the apostles. Thus have they the first news of the Resurrection; and by commission from heaven are made apostles of it to the apostles themselves.

Now, if we consider this disposition of their minds, it is plain that they had not a lively faith of Christ's Resurrection, nor in those words by which He foretold it, because they thought Him dead; but it being the trouble at Christ's death which made them incapable of reflecting or thinking of anything else, and they following the dictates of a sincere love, in resolving to express the honour which they had for Him in the best manner they could, Christ distinguishes between the effects of human weakness in them, and the sincerity of their love, in bearing with the one, and rewarding the other.

A like good effect will those Christians find, who with a like sincerity seek their Lord. If they are sensible of their wants, and with true desires of amendment, vigorously undertake whatever appears to them pleasing to their God, such a disposition cannot fail of meeting with blessings from His hand, who cannot withstand the endeavours of a fervent and single heart, but will show them mercy, in bearing with their infirmities, in removing their difficulties, in perfecting their faith, and in giving light to their darkness." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother