CAPG's Blog 

St. George

"He is the ancient patron of this nation (England). Pray therefore this day for your country: recommend it earnestly to the divine protection. Beg all blessings upon it, both temporal and spiritual; and let your petitions be multiplied in proportion to the many evils to which it is subject.

St. George was a martyr. Pray for all those who suffer for their faith, that they may be strengthened from above. Pray for all others under whatever kind of trouble, that God would give them patience, and be their comfort.

Authentic history furnishes us with very few particulars relating to this martyr, besides his being a soldier in Cappadocia, and being put to death under Dioclesian for the Christian faith. But the extraordinary devotion of all Christendom to this saint, is an authentic proof how glorious his triumph and name have always been in the Church. According to the best accounts, he was born in Cappadocia, of noble Christian parents. After the death of his father, he went with his mother into Palestine. Having embraced the profession of a soldier, he was made a tribune, or colonel in the army. For his courage and conduct, he was soon preferred to higher stations by the Emperor Dioclesian. When that Prince waged war against the Christian religion, St. George laid aside the marks of his dignity, threw up his commission and posts of honour, and complained to the emperor himself of his severities and cruel edicts. He was immediately cast into prison, and tried, first by promises, and afterwards by the rack, and tortured with great cruelty; but nothing could shake his constancy. The next day he was led through the city and beheaded. St. George is usually painted on horseback, and tilting at a dragon under his feet; but this representation is no more than an emblematical figure, purporting that by his faith and Christian fortitude he conquered the Devil, who is called the dragon in the Apocalypse. The general opinion of his courage in his military profession, and great constancy in his suffering for justice and truth, has been a motive to our forefathers to choose St. George for the patron of this nation. They hoped by his charity to obtain of God a plentiful benediction in all public affairs, and success to their arms. The same considerations may be motives to us this day to enquire into ourselves, and see how much we want his charitable assistance, in order to obtain those so necessary qualifications, which rendered him so eminent to the Christian world, his courage and constancy. Without these, we can neither do what we are commanded, nor suffer what Providence has ordained for us. One that  was a soldier is a proper patron for Christians. For, whatever their sex or condition be, they are soldiers of Christ, their whole life is a warfare upon earth, they have many battles to fight, they are to meet very powerful enemies in the field; and without great courage and perseverance, they can never hope for victory. 

Courage is necessary in the discharge of our common duties; because of the great opposition we meet with, from the general corruption of those with whom we live and converse. Custom and practice have given such authority to sinful liberty and neglect, that a compliance seems expected from all: and those who refuse to go along with the stream, must look to be charged with pride, singularity, and bigotry. Now while this seems to concern our reputation, those who have not courage to bear the stroke, surrender and yield; and by joining in what they disapprove, show that it is fear that carries them on; and that they would be virtuous, if they were but bold enough to be so. This fear puts numbers upon complying with all the extravagances of fashion and the age: and though sensible how disagreeable, and even opposite many of these are to the spirit of the gospel, yet awed by what the world will say, they choose to follow what they condemn, and become children of the world, because they dare not be the disciples of Christ.

Thus is courage always necessary for a Christian; and without it, he cannot either live or die well. And it being the gift of God, it ought to have a part in our prayers this day, that so every one may hope to obtain such a degree of it, as his state requires. Grant it therefore, O God: leave us not to ourselves, but mercifully assist us by thy grace, that following the example of thy saints, we may with courage and resolution persevere to the end." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother