8 JUNE – SAINT WILLIAM OF YORK (Bishop and Confessor)

William was born to Count Hubert and Emma, a sister of King Stephen. From his earliest years he was remarkable for great virtue. Growing in merit as he advanced in age, he was made Treasurer of York, in which office he so behaved as to be held by all the father of the needy in general. Nor indeed did he esteem anything a more precious treasure than to despoil himself of his wealth, that he might more easily minister to the wants of those labouring under poverty. After the death of Archbishop Turstan, William was was elected to succeed him, though some few of the Chapter dissented. But Saint Bernard, on the ground of this election being faulty according to the sacred Canons, appealed against him to the Apostolic See and William was deposed by Pope Eugenius III. William took this as an occasion to exercise humility and serve God with greater freedom. Fleeing worldly pomps, he withdrew into solitude where he could attend solely to his own salvation, undistracted by any care of exterior things. But, at last, his adversaries being dead, he was again with the full consent of all elected Archbishop, and was confirmed by Pope Anastasius. Having entered on his See he shortly afterwards became ill and died on the sixth of the Ides of June in 1154.

Dom Prosper Gueranger:

At the head of the holy Confessors admitted by the Church on the monumental page of her Martyrology for today is inscribed the illustrious name of William “At York, in England.” Thus runs the text of the Golden Book of Heaven’s nobility, “the memory of Saint William, Archbishop and Confessor, who, among other miracles wrought at his tomb, raised three dead persons to life, and was inscribed among the Saints by Honorius III.” The divine Spirit who adorns the Church with variety in the virtues of her sons (Psalms xliv. 10) reproduces in them the life of the Divine Spouse under multiplied aspects. Thus there is no situation in life that bears not with it some teaching drawn from the example given by our Lord and His saints under similar circumstances. However vast be the field of trial for the elect, here below, however multiplied and unexpected, sometimes, be the limits of endurance, or the circumstances; herein, as ever, does that word of Eternal Wisdom chime in: “Nothing is new under the sun, neither is any man able to say: ‘Behold this is new: for it has already gone before, in the ages that were before us’” (Apocalypse xix. 8).

The election of William to the metropolitan See of York was signalled by the apparition of a miraculous cross, a presage of what his life was to be. Verily the heaviest cross one can have to bear is that which originates on the part of the servants of God, from our own brethren, or from our own superiors, in the spiritual order of things. Now, this was the very cross that was not to be spared to William. For our instruction — especially for us who so easily believe that we have gone to the furthest limits of endurance in point of suffering — God permitted that, after the example of His divine Master, William should drink the chalice to the dregs and should become even to Saints a sign of contradiction and a rock of scandal (Luke ii. 34; Romans ix. 33).

Both to the more numerous portion of the flock, as well as to the better minded among them, the promotion of the Archbishop elect of York was indeed a cause of great joy, but thereby also diversely interested views among several had been crossed. In their simplicity some of the sheep gave ear to certain perfidious insinuations and whisperings. They were led to suppose that it would be a good deed if they strove to break the staff that guided them to wholesome pastures, and they allowed themselves to be so far worked on as to make formal and grave accusations against their Shepherd. Then, at last, most virtuous persons beguiled by the craftiness of the intriguers were to be seen espousing their cause, and putting at their service the very zeal with which the hearts of the former were really inflamed for the House of God. After hearing as above, from the lips of Holy Church in the Martyrology, her own judgement, glorious as it stands and without appeal, it is not without feelings of wonder and even of bewilderment that we read passages such as the following in letters written at the time: “To our well beloved Father and Lord, Innocent, by the grace of God, Sovereign Pontiff, Bernard of Clairvaux. The Archbishop of York has approached you, that man regarding whom we have so often already, written to your Holiness. A sorry cause indeed is his, as we have learned from such as are worthy of credit, from the sole of his foot to the top of his head, there is not a sound place in him. What can this man stripped of all justice have to seek at the hand of the Guardian of justice?”

Then recommending the accusers to the Pontiff, the Abbot of Clairvaux fears not to add: “If any one be of God, let him join himself to them! If the barren tree still occupy the ground, to whom must I attribute the fault, save to him to whom the hatchet belongs?” The Vicar of Christ, who can look at things from a higher level and can see more exactly than even saints can, having taken no step to prevent William’s consecration, Saint Bernard pens these words confidentially to the Abbot of Rievaulx in Yorkshire: “I have learnt what has become of this Archbishop, and my sorrow is extreme. We have laboured all we could against this common pest, and we have not obtained the desired measure. But, for all that, the fruit of our labour is none the less assured from Him who never suffers any good deed to pass unrewarded. What men have refused to us, I am confident we will obtain from the mercy of our Father who is in Heaven, and that we will yet see this cursed fig-tree rooted up.” Such grave mistakes as these can sometimes be made by saints. Cruel mistakes indeed they are, but very sanctifying for those saints on whom the blow falls. And though veritable persecutions, yet are they not without one sweet consolation for such saints as these, inasmuch as there has been no offence to God on either side.

Innocent II being dead, Bernard, convinced that the honour of the Church was at stake, repeated his supplications more urgently than ever to Pope Celestine II and the Roman Court: “The whole world is aware of the devil’s triumph,” he exclaimed, and with such fiery zeal, that we somewhat modify the strength of his expression: “The applause of the uncircumcised and the tears of the good, resound far and wide if such were to be the finale of this ignominious cause, why not have left it in its darksome nook? Could not this infamous man, the horror of England and the abomination of France, have been made bishop without Rome also witnessing the general infection to pervade as far as the very tombs of the Apostles...Well, be it so: this man has received sacrilegious consecration. But still more glorious will it be to precipitate Simon from mid-air, than to have prevented his mounting thus far. Otherwise, what will you do with the Faithful whose sense of religion makes them suppose that they cannot, with a safe conscience, receive the Sacraments from this leprous hand? Are they, then, to be forced by Rome to bend the knee to Baal?”

Rome, however, was slow in letting herself be convinced, and neither Celestine nor Lucius II who succeeded him was willing to find in the great services and justifiable ascendancy of the Abbot of Clairvaux a sufficient reason to pronounce a condemnation, the justice of which was far from being proved to their eyes. It was only under the pontificate of Eugenius III, his former disciple, that Saint Bernard by new and reiterated instances at last obtained the deposition of William and the substitution to the See of York of Henry Murdach, a Cistercian and Abbot of Fountains near Ripon. “All the time that his humiliation lasted,” writes John, Prior of Hexham, “William never let a murmur of complaint escape him. But with a silent heart and with his soul at peace, knew how to keep patience. He reclaimed not against his adversaries. Nay, further still, he would turn aside his ear and his very thought from those who judged them unfavourably. None of those who shared his disgrace showed themselves so continually given up as he to prayer and labour.” Five years afterwards, Eugenius III died, as also the Abbot of Clairvaux and Henry Murdach. The Canons of York once more elected William and he was re-instated in the plenitude of his metropolitan rights by Anastasius IV. But God had willed to affirm here below the justice alone of his cause: thirty days after his triumphal return to York he died, having only just solemnised the Festival of the Holy Trinity for whom he had suffered all.

* * * * *

O WILLIAM, you knew how to possess your soul! Under the assaults of contradiction you joined the aureola of sanctity to the glorious character of a Bishop. For well did you understand the two-fold duty incumbent on you from the day you were called by the suffrages of an illustrious Church to defend her here below under most difficult circumstances: on the one hand, not to refuse the perilous honour of upholding to the last the rights of that noble bride who proffered you her alliance: on the other, to show to your flock, by the example of your own submission, that even the best of causes can never be dispensed from that absolute obedience owed by sheep, just as much as by lambs, to the supreme Shepherd. He who searches the heart and the reins (Jeremias xvii. 10) knew how far the trial could go without either altering the admirable simplicity of your faith, or troubling, in consequence, the divine calm in which lay your strength. Yearning to raise you to the highest degree of glory, near to that Altar yonder in heaven, fain was He to assimilate you fully even here below to the eternal Pontiff, erstwhile misunderstood, denied and condemned by the very princes of His own people. Your refuge was in that maxim from the lips of this divine Head: “Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest to your souls” (Matthew xi. 29), and thus the yoke that would bear down such weak shoulders as ours, the burden beneath which the strongest of us might well indeed quail, far from daunting you, seemed fraught with such sweetness that your step became all the lighter for it, and from that hour you appeared not only to walk, but to run like a giant (Psalms xviii. 6) in the way of heroism in which Saints are formed.

Help us, William, to follow your steps at least afar off, in the paths of gentleness and energy. Teach us to count for little all personal injuries. Our Lord indeed probed the delicacy of your great soul when He permitted that to befall you which to us would have proved a very core of bitterness, namely, that your hottest adversaries really should be true saints, who in every measure they undertook against you, were wishful only for the honour and glory of the divine Master, yours and theirs alike. The mysterious oil that for so long flowed from your tomb was at once a sign of the ineffable meekness which earned for you that constant simplicity of your soul’s glance, and a touching testimony rendered by Heaven in favour of your pontifical unction, the legitimacy of which was so long contested. God grant that this sweet oil may ooze out once again! Spread it lovingly on so many wounded souls whom the injustice of men embitters and drives to desperation. Let it freely flow in your own Church of York, alien though she now be, to your exquisite submission to Rome and to her ancient traditions. O would that Albion might cast aside her winding-sheet at that blessed tomb of yours where the dead have often returned to life. In one word, may the whole Church receive from you this day increase of light and grace, to the honour and praise of the undivided and ever tranquil Trinity, to Whom was paid your last solemn homage here below.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Aix in France, St. Maximin, first bishop of that city, who is said to have been a disciple of Our Lord.

The same day, St. Calliopa, martyr, who, for the faith of Christ, had her breasts cut off, her flesh burned, was rolled on broken pottery, and being lastly decapitated, received the palm of martyrdom.

At Soissons in France, the birthday of St. Medard, bishop of Noyon, whose life and precious death are illustrated by glorious miracles.

At Rouen, St. Gildard, bishop, brother of St. Medard. They were born on the same day, consecrated bishops at the same time, and being taken away from this life also on the same day, they entered heaven together.

At Sens, St. Heraclius, bishop.

At Metz, St. Clodulphus, bishop.

In the Marches of Ancona, St. Severin, bishop of Stepternpeda.

In Sardinia, St. Sallustian, confessor.

At Camerino, St. Victorinus, confessor.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

11 MAY – THE HOLY APOSTLES PHILIP AND JAMES (Martyrs)

Today the Church honours the Apostles Philip and James. Before the establishment of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955, this feast was celebrated on the First of May. Their bodies repose in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles in Rome and their relics are regarded as one of the greatest treasures of the Eternal City. There is reason to believe that the First of May was the anniversary of their translation. For a long time the Church of Rome kept special feasts in honour of only Saints Peter and Paul, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Andrew (the brother of Peter).

Philip was born at Bethsaida, and was one of the twelve Apostles that were first called by Christ our Lord. It was from Philip that Nathanael learned that the Messiah had come who was promised in the Law. And by him also he was led to our Lord. We have a clear proof of the familiarity with which Philip was treated by Christ in the fact of the Gentiles addressing themselves to this Apostle when they wished to see the Saviour. Again, when our Lord was about to feed the multitude in the desert, he spoke to Philip and said: “Where can we buy bread that these may eat?” Having received the Holy Ghost, he went into Scythia, which was the country allotted to him in which to preach the Gospel. He converted almost its entire people to the Christian Faith. Having finally reached Hierapolis in Phrygia, he was crucified there for the name of Christ and then stoned to death on the Calends of May (May 1st). The Christians buried his body in the same place, but it was afterwards taken to Rome and, together with the body of the Apostle Saint James, was placed in the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles.

James, “the brother of our Lord,” was called “the Just.” From his childhood he never drank wine or strong drink. He abstained from flesh-meat. He never cut his hair or used oil to anoint his limbs, or took a bath. He was the only one permitted to enter the Holy of Holies. His garments were of linen. So assiduous was he in prayer that the skin of his knees was as hard as that of a camel. After Christ’s Ascension, the Apostles made him Bishop of Jerusalem, and it was to him that the Prince of the Apostles sent the news of his being delivered out of prison by an Angel. A dispute having arisen in the Council of Jerusalem concerning the Mosaic Law and circumcision, James sided with Peter and, in a speech which he made to the brethren, proved the vocation of the Gentiles, and said that the absent brethren were to be written to, and told not to impose the yoke of the Mosaic Law on the Gentiles.

It is of James that Saint Paul speaks in his Epistle to the Galatians when he says: “But other of the Apostles I saw none, saving James, the brother of the Lord.” Such was James’ holy life that people used to strive with each other to touch the hem of his garment. At the age of 96 years — of which he had spent 30 governing the Church of Jerusalem in the most saintly manner — as he was one day preaching with great courage Christ the Son of God, he was attacked by stones being thrown at him, after which he was taken to the highest part of the Temple and cast headlong down. His legs were broken by the fall, and as he was lying half dead upon the ground, he raised up his hands towards Heaven and thus prayed for his executioners: “Forgive them, O Lord! For they know not what they do.” While so praying, he received a blow on the head with a fuller’s club and gave up his soul to his God in the seventh year of Nero’s reign. He was buried near the Temple from which he had been thrown down. He wrote a Letter which is one of the seven Catholic Epistles.

Dom Prosper Gueranger:

Two of the favoured witnesses of our beloved Jesus’ Resurrection come before us on this day. Philip and James are here, bearing testimony to us that their Master is truly risen from the dead, that they have seen Him, that they have touched Him, that they have conversed with Him (1 John i. 1) during these forty days. And, that we may have no doubt as to the truth of their testimony, they hold in their hands the instruments of the martyrdom they underwent for asserting that Jesus, after having suffered death, came to life again and rose from the grave. Philip is leaning upon the cross to which he was fastened, as Jesus had been. James is holding the club with which he was struck dead.

Philip preached the Gospel in the two Phrygias, and his martyrdom took place at Hierapolis. He was married when he was called by our Saviour, and we learn from writers of the second century that he had three daughters, remarkable for their great piety, one of whom lived at Ephesus, where she was justly revered as one of the glories of that early Church. James is better known than Philip. He is called, in the sacred Scripture, Brother of the Lord (Galatians i. 19) on account of the close relationship that existed between his own mother and the Blessed Mother of Jesus. He claims our veneration during Paschal Time inasmuch as he was favoured with a special visit from our Risen Lord, as we learn from Saint Paul (1 Corinthians xv. 7). There can be no doubt, but what he had done something to deserve this mark of Jesus’ predilection. Saint Jerome and Saint Epiphanius tell us that our Saviour, when ascending into Heaven, recommended to Saint James’ care the Church of Jerusalem, and that he was accordingly appointed the first Bishop of that city.

The Christians of Jerusalem, in the fourth century, had possession of the Chair on which Saint James used to sit when he assisted at the assemblies of the faithful. Saint Epiphanius also tells us that the holy Apostle used to wear a lamina of gold on his forehead as the badge of his dignity. His garment was a tunic made of linen. He was held in such high repute for virtue that the people of Jerusalem called him “The Just,” and when the time of the siege came, instead of attributing the frightful punishment, they then endured to the deicide they or their fathers had committed, they would have it to be a consequence of the murder of James, who, when dying, prayed for his people. The admirable Epistle he has left us bears testimony to the gentleness and uprightness of his character. He there teaches us with an eloquence of an inspired writer, that works must go along with our Faith, if we would be Just with that Justice, which makes us like our Risen Lord.

* * * * *

Holy Apostles, you saw our Risen Jesus in all His glory. He said to you on the evening of that great Sunday: “Peace be to you!” He appeared to you during the forty days following, that He might make you certain of His Resurrection. Great indeed must have been your joy at seeing, once more, that dear Master who had admitted you into the number of His chosen Twelve, and His return made your love of Him more than ever fervent. We address ourselves to you as our special patrons during this holy Season, and most earnestly do we beseech you to teach us how to know and love the great mystery of our Lord’s Resurrection. May our hearts glow with Paschal joy, and may we never lose the New Life that our Jesus has now given us.

You, Philip, were all devoted to Him, even from the first day of his calling you. Scarcely had you come to know Him as the Messiah, than you announced the great tidings to your friend Nathanael. Jesus treated you with affectionate familiarity. When about to work the great miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, it was to you that He addressed Himself and said to you: “Where will we buy bread, that these may eat?” (John vi. 5) A few days before the Passion of your Divine Master, some of the Gentiles wished to see this great Prophet of whom they had heard such wonderful things, and it was to you they applied. How fervently did you not ask Him at the Last Supper to show you the Father! Your soul longed for the divine Light, and when the rays of the Holy Ghost had inflamed your spirit, nothing could daunt your courage. As a reward of your labours, Jesus gave you to share with Him the honours of the Cross. O holy Apostle, intercede for us that we may imitate your devotedness to Jesus and that, when He deigns to send us the Cross, we may reverence and love it.

We also honour your love of Jesus, O you that are called the Brother of the Lord, and on whose venerable features was stamped the likeness of this our Redeemer. If, like the rest of the Apostles, you abandoned Him in His Passion, your repentance was speedy and earnest, for you were the first after Peter to whom He appeared after His Resurrection. We affectionately congratulate you, James, for the honour thus conferred on you. In return, obtain for us that we may taste and see how sweet is our Risen Lord (Psalms xxxiii. 9). Your ambition was to give Him every possible proof of your gratitude, and the last testimony you bore in the faithless City to the Divinity of your dear Master (when the Jews took you to the top of the Temple), opened to you, by martyrdom, the way that was to unite you to Him for eternity. Pray for us, O you generous Apostle, that we also may confess His holy Name with the firmness becoming His disciples, and that we may ever be brave and loyal in proclaiming His rights as King over all creatures.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Rome, on the Via Salaria, the birthday of blessed Anthimus, priest, who, after having distinguished himself by his virtues and preaching, was precipitated into the river Tiber in the persecution of Diocletian. He was rescued by an angel and restored to his oratory. Being afterwards decapitated, he went victoriously to heaven.

The same day, St. Evelius, martyr, who belonged to the household of Nero. On seeing the martyrdom of St. Torpes, he believed in Christ and for Him was beheaded.

Also at Rome, the holy martyrs Maximus, Bassus and Fabius who were put to death on the Via Salaria in the time of Diocletian.

At Camerino, the holy martyrs Anastasius and his companions who were killed in the persecution of Decius under the governor Antiochus.

At Osimo, in the Marches of Ancona, the holy martyrs Sisinus, a deacon, Diocletius and Florentius, disciples of the priest St. Anthimus, who consummated their martyrdom under Diocletian by being overwhelmed with stones.

At Varennes, St. Gangulpus, martyr.

At Vienne, St. Mamertus, bishop, who, to avert an impending calamity, instituted in that city the three days’ Litanies immediately before the Ascension of Our Lord. This rite was afterwards received and approved by the Universal Church.

At Souvigny, the decease of St. Maieul, abbot of Cluny, whose life was distinguished for merits and holiness.

At San Severino, in the Marches of Ancona, St. Illuminatus, confessor.

At Grottaglia in the diocese of Taranto, St. Francis Girolamo, confessor, of the Society of Jesus, renowned for his zeal for the salvation of souls, and for his patience. He was canonised by Pope Gregory XVI. The day of his death is celebrated with great solemnity in the church of the professed house at Naples where his body rests.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

30 APRIL – SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA (Virgin and Doctor of the Church)

 

Catherine, a virgin of Siena, was born of pious parents. She asked for and obtained the Dominican habit, such as it is worn by the Sisters of Penance. Her abstinence was extraordinary and her manner of living most mortified. She was once known to have fasted without receiving anything but the Blessed Sacrament from Ash Wednesday to Ascension Day. She had very frequent contests with the wicked spirits who attacked her in various ways. She suffered much from fever and other bodily ailments. Her reputation for sanctity was so great that there were brought to her from all parts persons who were sick or tormented by the devil. She, in the name of Christ, healed such as were afflicted with malady or fever and drove the devils from the bodies of them that were possessed.

Being once at Pisa on a Sunday, and having received the Bread of Heaven, Catherine was rapt in an ecstasy. She saw our crucified Lord approaching to her. He was encircled with a great light, and from His five wounds there came rays which fell upon the five corresponding parts of Catherine’s body. Being aware of the favour bestowed on her, she besought our Lord that the stigmata might not be visible. The rays immediately changed from the colour of blood into one of gold, and passed, under the form of a bright light, to the hands, feet and heart of the Saint. So violent was the pain left by the wounds that it seemed to her as though she must soon have died, had not God diminished it. Thus our most loving Lord added favour to favour by permitting her to feel the smart of the wounds, and yet removing their appearance. The servant of God related what had happened to her to Raymund, her confessor. Hence, when the devotion of the faithful gave a representation of this miracle, they painted, on the pictures of Saint Catherine, bright rays coming from the five stigmata she had received.

Her learning was not acquired but infused. Theologians proposed to her the most difficult questions of divinity and received satisfactory answers. No one ever approached her who did not go away a better man. She reconciled many that were at deadly enmity with one another. She visited Pope Gregory XI who was then at Avignon in order to bring about the reconciliation of the Florentines who were under an interdict on account of their having formed a league against the Holy See. She told the Pontiff that there had been revealed to her the vow which he, Gregory, had made of going to Rome — a vow which was known to God alone. It was through her entreaty that the Pope began to plan measures for taking possession of his See of Rome, which he did soon after. Such was the esteem in which she was held by Gregory, and by Urban VI, his successor, that she was sent by them on several embassies. At length, after a life spent in the exercise of the sublimest virtues and after gaining great reputation on account of her prophecies and many miracles, she passed hence to her divine Spouse when she was about 33 years old. She was canonised by Pius II.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The Dominican Order which yesterday presented a rose to our Risen Jesus now offers Him a lily of surpassing beauty. Catherine of Siena follows Peter the Martyr: it is a co-incidence willed by Providence to give fresh beauty to this season of grandest Mysteries. Our Divine King deserves everything we can offer Him, and our hearts are never so eager to give Him every possible tribute of homage as during these last days of his sojourn among us. See how nature is all flower and fragrance at this loveliest of her seasons! The spiritual world harmonises with the visible and now yields her noblest and richest works in honour of her Lord, the author of Grace. How grand is the Saint whose feast comes gladdening us today! She is one of the most favoured of the holy Spouses of the Incarnate Word. She was His, wholly and unreservedly, almost from her very childhood. Though thus consecrated to Him by the vow of holy virginity, she had a mission given to her by divine Providence which required her living in the world. But God would have her to be one of the glories of the religious state. He therefore inspired her to join the Third Order of Saint Dominic. Accordingly, she wore the habit and fervently practised, during her whole life, the holy exercises of a Tertiary.

From the very commencement there was a something heavenly about this admirable servant of God which we fancy existing in an angel who had been sent from Heaven to live in a human body. Her longing after God gave one an idea of the vehemence with which the Blessed embrace the Sovereign Good on their first entrance into Heaven. In vain did the body threaten to impede the soaring of this earthly seraph. She subdued it by penance and made it obedient to the spirit. Her body seemed to be transformed so as to have no life of its own but only that of the soul. The Blessed Sacrament was frequently the only food she took for weeks together. So complete was her union with Christ that she received the impress of the sacred stigmata and, with them, the most excruciating pain.

And yet, in the midst of all these supernatural favours, Catherine felt the keenest interest in the necessities of others. Her zeal for their spiritual advantage was intense, while her compassion for them, in their corporal sufferings was that of a most loving mother. God had given her the gift of miracles, and she was lavish in using it for the benefit of her fellow-creatures. Sickness and death itself were obedient to her command, and the prodigies witnessed at the beginning of the Church were again wrought by the humble Saint of Siena.

Her communings with God began when she was quite a child, and her ecstasies were almost without interruption. She frequently saw our Risen Jesus who never left her without having honoured her, either with a great consolation, or with a heavy cross. A profound knowledge of the mysteries of our holy faith was another of the extraordinary graces bestowed on her. So eminent, indeed, was the heavenly wisdom granted her by God that she who had received no education used to dictate the most sublime writings in which she treats of spiritual things with a clearness and eloquence which human genius could never attain to, and with a certain indescribable unction which no reader can resist.

But God would not permit such a treasure as this to lie buried in a little town of Italy. The saints are the supports of the Church, and though their influence be generally hidden, yet, at times, it is open and visible, and men then learn what the instruments are which God uses for imparting blessings to a world that would seem to deserve little else besides chastisement. The great question at the close of the fourteenth century was the restoring to the Holy City the privilege of its having within its walls the Vicar of Christ who, for 60 years, had been absent from his See. One saintly soul, by merits and prayers, known to Heaven alone, might have brought about this happy event after which the whole Church was longing, but God would have it done by a visible agency and in the most public manner. In the name of the widowed Rome — in the name of her own and the Church’s Spouse — Catherine crossed the Alps and sought an interview with the Pontiff who had not so much as seen Rome. The Prophetess respectfully reminded him of his duty, and in proof of her mission being from God, she tells him of a secret which was known to himself alone. Gregory XI could no longer resist, and the Eternal City welcomed its Pastor and Father. But at the Pontiff’s death a frightful schism, the forerunner of greater evils to follow, broke out in the Church. Catherine, even to her last hour, was untiring in her endeavours to quell the storm. Having lived the same number of years as our Saviour had done, she breathed forth her most pure soul into the hands of her God, and went to continue in Heaven her ministry of intercession for the Church she had loved so much on Earth, and for souls redeemed in the precious Blood of her Divine Spouse.

Our Risen Jesus who took her to her eternal reward during the Season of Easter granted her, while she was living on Earth, a favour which we mention here as being appropriate to the mystery we are now celebrating. He, one day, appeared to her, having with Him His Blessed Mother. Mary Magdalene, she that announced the Resurrection to the Apostles, accompanied the Son and the Mother. Catherine’s heart was overpowered with emotion at this visit. After looking for some time upon Jesus and his holy Mother, her eyes rested on Magdalene whose happiness she both saw and envied. Jesus spoke these words to her: “My beloved! I give her to you to be your mother. Address yourself to her, henceforth, with all confidence. I give her special charge of you.” From that day forward Catherine had the most filial love for Magdalene, and called her by no other name than that of Mother.

* * * * *

Holy Church, filled as she now is with the joy of her Jesus’ Resurrection, addresses herself to you, O Catherine, who follows the Lamb wherever He goes (Apocalypse xiv. 4). Living in this exile where it is only at intervals that she enjoys His presence, she says to you: “Have you seen Him, whom my soul loves? (Canticles iii. 3). You are His Spouse, so is she. But there are no veils, no separation, for you: whereas, for her, the enjoyment is at rare and brief periods and, even so, there are clouds that dim the lovely Light. What a life was yours, O Catherine, uniting in itself the keenest compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and an intense happiness by the share He gave you of His glorified life. We might take you as our guide both to the mournful mysteries of Calvary, and to the glad splendours of the Resurrection. It is these second that we are now respectfully celebrating: oh speak to us of our Risen Jesus. Is it not He that gave you the nuptial ring with its matchless diamond set amid four precious gems? The bright rays which gleam from your stigmata tell us that when He espoused you to Himself, you saw Him all resplendent with the beauty of His glorious wounds.

Daughter of Magdalene, like her, you are a messenger of the Resurrection, and when your last Pasch comes — the Pasch of your thirty-third year — you go to Heaven, to keep it for eternity. O zealous lover of souls! love them more than ever, now that you are in the palace of the King, our God. We too are in the Pasch in the New Life. Intercede for us that the life of Jesus may never die within us but may go on, strengthening its power and growth, by our loving Him with an ardour like your own. Get us, great Saint, something of the filial devotedness you had for holy Mother Church, and which prompted you to do such glorious things! Her sorrows and her joys were yours, for there can be no love for Jesus where there is none for His Spouse. And is it not through her that He gives us all His gifts? Oh, yes, we too wish to love this Mother of ours. We will never be ashamed to own ourselves as her children! We will defend her against her enemies. We will do everything that lies in our power to win others to acknowledge, love and be devoted to her.

Our God used you as His instrument, O humble Virgin, for bringing back the Roman Pontiff to his See. You were stronger than the powers of this Earth which would fain have prolonged an absence disastrous to the Church. The relics of Peter in the Vatican, of Paul on the Ostian Way, of Lawrence and Sebastian, of Caecilia and Agnes, exulted in their glorious tombs when Gregory entered with triumph into the Holy City. It was through you, O Catherine, that a ruinous captivity of seventy years’ duration was brought, on that day, to a close, and that Rome recovered her glory and her life.

Pray for unhappy Italy, which was so dear to you, and which is so justly proud of its Saint of Siena. Impiety and heresy are now permitted to run wild through the land. The name of your Spouse is blasphemed. The people are taught to love error and to hate what they had hitherto venerated. The Church is insulted and robbed. Faith has long since been weakened, but now its very existence is imperilled. Intercede for your unfortunate country, dear Saint!Oh surely it is time to come to her assistance and rescue her from the hands of her enemies. Delay not, but calm the storm which seems to threaten a universal wreck!

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Lambesa in Numidia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Marian, lector, and James, deacon. The former, after having successfully endured vexations for the confession of Christ in the persecution of Decius, was again arrested with his illustrious companion, and both being subjected to severe and cruel torments during which they were twice miraculously comforted from heaven, finally fell by the sword with many others.

At Saintes, blessed Eutropius, bishop and martyr, who was consecrated bishop and sent to Gaul by St. Clement. After preaching for many years he had his skull crushed for bearing testimony to Christ and thus gained a victory by his death.

At Cordova, the holy martyrs Amator, priest, Peter, monk, and Lewis.

At Novara, the martyrdom of the holy priest Lawrence, and some boys, whom he was educating.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Aphrodisius, priest, and thirty others.

At Ephesus, St. Maximus, martyr, who was crowned in the persecution of Decius.

At Fermo in the Marches of Ancona, St. Sophia, virgin and martyr.

At Naples in Campania, St. Severus, bishop, who, among other prodigies, raised for a short time a dead man from the grave, in order to convict of falsehood the lying creditor of a widow and her children.

At Evorea in Epirus, St. Donatus, a bishop, who was eminent for sanctity in the time of the emperor Theodosius.

At London in England, St. Erconwald, a bishop celebrated for many miracles.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

29 APRIL – SAINT PETER (Martyr)

Peter was born at Verona of parents who were infected with the heresy of the Manichees. But he himself, almost from his very infancy, fought against heresies. When he was seven years old he was one day asked by an uncle, who was a heretic, what they taught him at the school he went to. He answered that they taught him the Symbol of the Christian Faith. His father and uncle did all they could, both by promises and threats, to shake the firmness of his faith, but all to no purpose. When old enough, he went to Bologna in order to prosecute his studies. While there he was called by the Holy Ghost to a life of perfection, and obeyed the call by entering into the Order of Saint Dominic. Great were his virtues as a religious man. So careful was he to keep both body and soul from whatever could sully their purity, that his conscience never accused him of committing a mortal sin.

He mortified his body by fasting and watching, and applied his mind to the contemplation of heavenly things. He laboured incessantly for the salvation of souls and was gifted with a special grace for refuting heretics. He was so earnest when preaching that people used to go in crowds to hear him and numerous were the conversions that ensued. The ardour of his faith was such that he wished he might die for it, and earnestly begged that favour from God. His death, which he foretold a short time before in one of his sermons, was inflicted on him by the heretics. While returning from Como to Milan in the discharge of the duties of the holy Inquisition, he was attacked by a wicked assassin who struck him twice on the head with a sword. The Symbol of Faith which he had confessed with manly courage when but a child, he now began to recite with his dying lips, and having received another wound in his side, he went to receive a martyr’s palm in Heaven in 1252. Numerous miracles attested his sanctity. He was canonised by Pope Innocent IV in 1253.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The hero deputed this day by the Church to greet our Risen Lord was so valiant in the Good Fight that martyrdom is part of his name. He is known as Peter the Martyr, so that we cannot speak of him without raising the echo of victory. He was put to death by heretics and is the grand tribute paid to our Redeemer by the thirteenth century. Never was there a triumph hailed with greater enthusiasm than this. The martyrdom of Saint Thomas of Canterbury excited the admiration of the faithful of the preceding century, for nothing was so dear to our forefathers as the Liberty of the Church. The martyrdom of Saint Peter was celebrated with a like intensity of praise and joy. Let us hearken to the fervid eloquence of the great Pontiff, Innocent IV, who thus begins the Bull of the martyr’s canonisation:

“The truth of the Christian Faith, manifested, as it has been, by great and frequent miracles, is now beautified by the new merit of a new Saint. Lo! a combatant of these our own times comes, bringing us new and great and triumphant signs. The voice of his blood shed (for Christ) is heard, and the fame of his martyrdom is trumpeted through the world. The land is not silent that sweats with his blood. The country that produced so noble warrior resounds with his praise. Yes, the very sword that did the deed of parricide proclaims his glory... Mother Church has great reason to rejoice, and abundant matter for gladness. She has cause to sing a new canticle to the Lord, and a hymn of fervent praise to her God: the Christian people has cause to give forth devout songs to its Creator. A sweet fruit, gathered in the garden of Faith, has been set upon the table of the Eternal King: a grape-bunch, taken from the vineyard of the Church, has filled the royal cup with new wine... The flourishing Order of Preachers has produced a red rose whose sweetness is most grateful to the King, and from the Church here on Earth there has been taken a stone which, after being cut and polished, has deserved a place of honour in the temple of Heaven.”

Such was the language wherewith the supreme Pontiff spoke of the new martyr, and the people responded by celebrating his feast with extraordinary devotion. It was kept as were the ancient festivals, that is, all servile work was forbidden upon it. The Churches served by the Fathers of the Dominican Order were crowded on his feast, and the faithful took little branches with them that they might be blessed in memory of the Triumph of Peter the Martyr. This custom is still observed, and the branches blessed by the Dominicans on this day are venerated as being a protection to the houses where they are kept.

How are we to account for all this fervent devotion of the people towards Saint Peter? It was because he died in defence of the Faith, and nothing was so dear to the Christians of those days as Faith. Peter had received the charge to take up all the heretics who, at that time, were causing great disturbance and scandal in the country round about Milan. They were called Cathari but in reality were Manicheans. Their teachings were detestable, and their lives of the most immoral kind. Peter fulfilled his duty with a firmness and equity which soon secured him the hatred of the heretics, and when he fell a victim to his holy courage a cry of admiration and gratitude was heard throughout Christendom. Nothing could be more devoid of truth than the accusations brought by the enemies of the Church and their indiscreet abettors, against the measures formerly decreed by the public law of Catholic nations, in order to foil the efforts made by evil-minded men to injure the true Faith. In those times no tribunal was so popular as that whose office it was to protect theFaith, and to put down all them that attacked it.

It was to the Order of Saint Dominic that this office was mainly entrusted, and well may they be proud of the honour of having so long held one so beneficial to the salvation of mankind. How many of its members have met with a glorious death in the exercise of their stern duty! Saint Peter is the first of the martyrs given by the Order for this holy cause: his name, however, heads a long list of others who were his brethren in religion, his successors in the defence of the Faith, and his followers to martyrdom. The coercive measures that were once, and successfully, used to defend the Faithful from heretical teachers have long since ceased to be used. But for us Catholics, our judge ent of them must surely be that of the Church. She bids us today honour as a martyr one of her Saints who was put to death while resisting the wolves that threatened the sheep of Christ’s fold. Should we not be guilty of disrespect to our Mother if we dared to condemn what she so highly approves? Far, then, be from us that cowardly truckling to the spirit of the age which would make us ashamed of the courageous efforts made by our forefathers for the preservation of the Faith! Far from us that childish readiness to believe the calumnies of Protestants against an institution which they naturally detest! Far from us that deplorable confusion of ideas which puts truth and error on an equality and, from the fact that error can have no rights, concludes that truth can claim none!

* * * * *

The victory was yours, Peter, and your zeal for the defence of holy Faith was rewarded. You ardently desired to shed your blood for the holiest of causes and by such a sacrifice to confirm the faithful of Christ in their religion. Our Lord satisfied your desire. He would even have your martyrdom be in the festive season of the Resurrection of our Divine Lamb that His glory might add lustre to the beauty of your holocaust. When the death-blow fell upon your venerable head and your generous blood was flowing from the wounds, you wrote on the ground the first words of the Creed for whose holy truth you were giving your life.

Protector of the Christian people, what other motive had you, in all your labours, but charity? What else but a desire to defend the weak from danger induced you not only to preach against error, but to drive its teachers from the flock? How many simple souls who were receiving divine truth from the teaching of the Church have been deceived by the lying sophistry of heretical doctrine, and have lost the Faith? Surely the Church would do her utmost to ward off such dangers from her children: she would do all she could to defend them from enemies who were bent on destroying the glorious inheritance which had been handed down to them by millions of martyrs! She knew the strange tendency that often exists in the heart of fallen man to love error, whereas Truth, though of itself unchanging, is not sure of its remaining firmly in the mind, unless it be defended by learning or by faith. As to learning, there are but few who possess it. And as to faith, error is ever conspiring against and, of course, with the appearance of truth. In the Christian Ages it would have been deemed not only criminal, but absurd, to grant to error the liberty which is due only to truth. And they that were in authority considered it a duty to keep the weak from danger by removing from them all occasions of a fall — just as the father of a family keeps his children from coming in contact with wicked companions who could easily impose on their inexperience and lead them to evil under the name of good.

Obtain for us, O holy Martyr, a keen appreciation of the precious gift of Faith — that element which keeps us in the way of salvation. May we zealously do everything that lies in our power to preserve it, both in ourselves and in them that are under our care. The love of this holy Faith has grown cold in so many hearts, and frequent intercourse with heretics or free-thinkers has made them think and speak of matters of Faith in a very loose way. Pray for them, O Peter, that they may recover that fearless love of the Truths of Religion which should be one of the chief traits of the Christian character. If they be living in a country where the modern system is introduced of treating all religions alike, that is, of giving equal rights to error and to truth, let them be all the more courageous in professing the truth and detesting the errors opposed to the truth. Pray for us, O holy Martyr, that there may be kindled within us an ardent love of that Faith without which, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews xi. 6). Pray that we may become all earnestness in this duty which is of vital importance to salvation, that thus our Faith may daily gain strength within us, till at length we will merit to see in Heaven what we have believed unhesitatingly on Earth.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Paphos in Cyprus, St. Tychicus, a disciple of the blessed Apostle St. Paul, who called him in his epistles most dear brother, faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord.

At Cirtha in Numidia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Agapius and Secundinus, bishops, who, after a long exile in that city, added to the glory of their priesthood the crown of martyrdom. They suffered in the persecution of Valerian during which the enraged Gentiles made every effort to shake the faith of the just. In their company suffered Æmilian, soldier, Tertulla and Antonia, consecrated virgins, and a woman with her twin children.

The same day, seven robbers, who, being converted to Christ by St. Jason, attained to eternal life by martyrdom.

At Brescia, St. Paulinus, bishop and confessor.

In the monastery of Cluny, the abbot St. Hugh.

In the monastery of Molesmes, St. Robert, first abbot of the Cistercians.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

28 APRIL – SAINT VITALIS (Martyr)

Vitalis was a soldier and the father of Saints Gervasius and Protasius. Coming one day into Ravenna in company with the judge Paulinus, there was being led to execution, for his having confessed the Christian faith, a certain Ursicinus, a physician. Vitalis observing that his courage was somewhat staggered by the tortures, cried out to him: “Ursicinus! You that are a physician, and cure other men, take heed lest you wound yourself with the dart of eternal death!” Encouraged by these words Ursicinus bravely suffered martyrdom. Whereupon, Paulinus was very angry and ordered Vitalis to be seized, tortured on the rack and then thrown into a deep pit where he was to be buried alive by stones being thrown upon him. This done, one of the priests of Apollo who had excited Paulinus against Vitalis was possessed by a devil and began shouting these words: “O Vitalis, Martyr of Christ, you burn me beyond endurance!” Mad with the inward burning, he threw himself into a river.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

There are few martyrs of the West whose names are more celebrated than those of Saints Gervasius and Protasius. The veneration in which they are held by the Roman Church has led her to honour the memory of their father who also won the palm under the persecution of Nero. She has chosen for his feast the glad Season of Easter. The account given by the Liturgy upon Saint Vitalis is short, but we can gather from the few circumstances related what fine characters these primitive Christians were who received the crown of martyrdom under the first of all the Persecutions, the one that numbers, among its choicest victims, the two Apostles Saints Peter and Paul.

* * * * *

Sin is the enemy of the soul. It throws her back again into that death from which Jesus had drawn her by His Resurrection. To preserve one of your brethren from this misery, you, Vitalis, bravely raised cry of zealous warning to him in the midst of his torments, and your words awakened him to self-possession and courage. Show this same fraternal charity to us. We are living with the Life of our Risen Jesus but the enemy is bent on robbing us of this life. He will seek to intimidate us. He will lay all manner of snares with which to deceive us. He will give us battle, and this untiringly. Pray then for us, holy Martyr, that we may be on our guard, and that the mystery of the Pasch may be fully accomplished within us, now and forever.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

St. Paul of the Cross, a man remarkable for innocence of life and the spirit of penance, and Founder of the Congregation of the Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Consumed with a burning love for Christ crucified, illustrious by his heavenly gifts and the working of miracles, and blessed with a perfect and finished virtue, he went to his repose in the Lord.

At Milan, the martyr St. Valeria who was the wife of St. Vitalis.

At Atinor, St. Mark, who being made bishop by the blessed Apostle St. Peter, was the first to preach the Gospel to the inhabitants of that region, and received the crown of martyrdom in the persecution of Domitian under the governor Maximus.

At Alexandria, the martyrdom of the virgin St. Theodora. For refusing to sacrifice to idols, she was led to a place of debauchery, but a Christian named Didymus, through the admirable Providence of God, delivered her by quickly exchanging garments with her. He was afterwards decapitated and crowned with her in the persecution of Diocletian under the governor Eustratius.

The same day, the saints Aphrodisius, Caralippus, Agapius and Eusebius, martyrs.

In Pannonia, St. Pollio, martyr, under the emperor Diocletian.

At Prusa in Bithynia, the holy martyrs Patritius, bishop, Acatius, Menander and Polyenus.

At Tarrazona in Spain, St. Prudentius, bishop and martyr.

At Pelino in Abruzzo, St. Pamphilus, bishop of Valva, illustrious by his charity towards the poor, and the gift of miracles. His body was buried at Solmona.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

28 APRIL – SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS (Confessor)

In 1725 Paolo Francesco Danei (1694–1775) visited Rome and obtained the permission of Pope Benedict XIII to form the Congregation of the Passion. In 1741 Pope Benedict XIV approved its rules and in 1769 Pope Clement XIV confirmed the rules and approved the Congregation, which is popularly known as the ‘Passionists’ and whose main object is “to keep alive forever in the hearts and minds of the faithful a memory of the Passion of our Lord.” Pope Clement XIV gave the Basilica of Saints Paul and John in Rome, and its adjacent house, to the Congregation. Paolo Francesco Danei, who was beatified in 1852 and was canonised in 1867, is known to the world as Saint Paul of the Cross.

The Passionists wear a black habit, with a belt of leather and Rosary beads around the waist. On their black cloak and on the left breast is a white heart, three nails, and the words JESU CHRISTI PASSIO crowned with a cross. The Congregation of the Passion is a mendicant order, which has no endowments or property, either in private or in common, other than their houses and the land attached to each. They depend on their labours and on the charity of Catholic people. Members take the usual three religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and the purpose of the order is the sanctification of its members, and the sanctification of others, to be achieved by practising and promoting devotion to the Passion of Our Lord.