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"Two friends, who, as it is related by St. Gregory, entered into a desert of Italy; where they followed the example of the hermits of the East, in mortification and prayer, still united in one heart and one spirit. This was the more remarkable in them, because they were of very different tempers; the one being a man full of ardour and zeal for the salvation of others, and solicitous for glorifying God in the edification of his neighbour; the other being of a more mild and retired spirit, confining his thoughts to God and his own soul. One of them was afterwards chosen abbot of a monastery, and the other continued in his solitude: and as they had been examples of piety living, so they happily ended their days in the sixth century.

The lesson of this day is sufficiently difficult, that is, how to keep peace and a good correspondence with those who are disagreeable to you in temper and humour. And yet if you have not the practice of it, you are not yet come to the knowledge and life of charity. If then you cannot bear with the ways, words, and actions of such persons, but with inward contempt, expressions of dislike, peevish contradictions, impertinent disputes and quarrels; you must not think to justify yourself, by throwing the fault upon such provoking humours. For your being so easily provoked by them, is a certain sign that you are wanting in patience, discretion, and charity. These in any tolerable degree, would not permit you to be so easily moved, both for your own sake and for others. If you have any principles of charity or the gospel, they will teach you patience, and likewise to bear with others. Wherever there is but a moderate degree of prudence, it will oblige you to reflect, that as you yourselves are sometimes out of humour, and desire others to bear with you, so you ought to take your turn, and bear with others. Great allowances are to be made for all as to their particular way, or humour. You are not to expect every one to follow the rule which you judge best; but to preserve peace and charity by uniform patience and forbearance. Direct accordingly your prayers and endeavours." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother