Legends
BEFORE proceeding to relate the lives of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, we
deem it opportune to define the term usually applied to the narrative of
the lives of the saints.
The histories of the saints are called Legends. This word is derived
from the Latin, and signifies something that is to be read, a passage
the reading of which is prescribed. The legends of the saints are the
lives of the holy martyrs and confessors of the Faith. Some of them
occur in the Roman Breviary which the Catholic clergy is obliged to read
every day.
Joseph von Goerres, an illustrious champion of the Church during the
first half of the nineteenth century, writes as follows concerning
legends:
"The histories of the lives of the saints were gathered from the
earliest times. A collection of such histories is found in 'The Golden
Legend.' The Passionales, too, containing the life of a saint for every
day in the year, belong to this sort of literature. In Germany these
histories were at first translations from the Latin; later, they were
written in the native idiom, and, in style, were of a charming
simplicity. At that time, when the upper classes did not yet judge
themselves too highly cultivated to share in the Faith, and not too
privileged to join in the sentiments and affections of the people, and
were therefore more in harmony with the lower ranks of society, these
legends were in general circulation among all classes: among the wealthy
in manuscript, among the poor orally and in the form in which they had
become acquainted with them in church and elsewhere.
"In early times the science of criticism was unknown; therefore little
care was exercised in separating the poetic additions from the authentic
legends, especially as the Church had not yet spoken on the subject.
Faith was yet of that robust sort which is not affected by miraculous
occurrences. Nearly all Europe then still accepted the adage now current
only in Spain, 'It is better sometimes to believe what can not be
established as truth, than to lose a single truth by want of faith.' But
later the science of criticism came into its rights. The Church
established canonical rules, according to which a strict investigation
of all the facts submitted to her judgment was to be made, and rejected
everything that could not stand the most rigid examination.
[Illustration: Mary, the Mother of Sorrows]
"Then Art devoted itself to that legendary lore which the Church,
declaring it outside of her domain, permitted to be embellished at will.
Thus poetic legends were multiplied, their authors being more or less
convinced that the reader would be able to distinguish truth from
poetical embellishment. The common people continued to make little
distinction and did not permit criticism to influence their ancient
beliefs. They regarded these legends as they regard the pictures of the
saints; not as portraits of the persons depicted--for in the very next
church the same saint might be represented in a quite different manner--
but as illustrations, more or less apt, whose object was to attract the
attention by their artistic character and thus to draw the mind to the
contemplation of their original, and by it to God, and thereby serve the
purpose of edification."
If we are not devoid of all sentiments of piety, the history of the
combats and victories of the saints and martyrs, and the narrative of
the miracles wrought through their intercession before and after their
death, will always be a source of joy and consolation to us, and will
tend to animate us with similar fortitude and love of virtue.
The legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers are replete with the most
glorious examples of heroic firmness and invincible courage in the
profession of the Faith, which ought to incite us to imitate their
fidelity in the performance of the Christian and social duties. If they,
with the aid of God's grace, achieved such victories, why should not we,
by the same aid, be able to accomplish the little desired of us? God
rewarded His victorious champions with eternal bliss; the same crown is
prepared for us, if we but render ourselves worthy of it. God placed the
seal of miracles on the intrepid confession of His servants; and a mind
imbued with the spirit of faith sees nothing extraordinary therein,
because our divine Saviour Himself said, "Amen, amen I say to you, he
that believeth in Me, the works that I do, he also shall do, and greater
than these shall he do" (_John_ xiv. 12). In all the miraculous events
wrought in and by the saints appears only the victorious omnipotent
power of Jesus Christ, and the living faith in which His servants
operated in virtue of this power. To obliterate the miracles that appear
in the lives of the saints, or even to enfeeble their import by the
manner of relating them, would rob these legends of their intrinsic
value. If our age is no longer robust enough to acknowledge the effects
of divine omnipotence and grace, it does not follow that they must be
disavowed or denied.
The Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
I.
St. George, Martyr
LEGEND
ST. GEORGE is honored throughout Christendom as one of the most
illustrious martyrs of Jesus Christ. In the reign of the first Christian
emperors numerous churches were erected in his honor, and his tomb in
Palestine became a celebrated place of pilgrimage. But his history is
involved in great obscurity, as no early records of his life and
martyrdom are at present in existence. The following are the traditions
concerning him which have been handed down to us by the Greek
historians, and which are celebrated in verse by that illustrious saint
and poet of the eighth century, St. John Damascene.
St. George is said to have been born in Cappadocia of noble Christian
parents. After the death of his father, he traveled with his mother into
Palestine, of which she was a native. There she possessed a considerable
estate, which fell to him upon her death. Being strong and robust in
body, he embraced the profession of a soldier, and was made a tribune,
or colonel, in the army. His courage and fidelity attracted the
attention of Emperor Diocletian, who bestowed upon him marks of special
favor. When that prince declared war against the Christian religion, St.
George laid aside the signs of his rank, threw up his commission, and
rebuked the emperor for the severity of his bloody edicts. He was
immediately cast into prison, and alternate threats and promises were
employed to induce him to apostatize. As he continued firm, he was put
to the torture and tormented with great cruelty. "I despise your
promises," he said to the judge, "and do not fear your threats. The
emperor's power is of short duration, and his reign will soon end. It
were better for you, to acknowledge the true God and to seek His
kingdom." Thereupon a great block of stone was placed on the breast of
the brave young officer, and thus he was left in prison.
Next day he was bound upon a wheel set with sharp knives, and it was put
in motion to cut him to pieces. Whilst suffering this cruel torture, he
saw a heavenly vision, which consoled and encouraged him, saying,
"George, fear not; I am with thee." His patience and fortitude under the
torments inflicted on him so affected the numerous pagan spectators that
many of them were converted to the Faith and suffered martyrdom for it.
On the next day, April 23, 303, St. George was led through the city and
beheaded. This took place at Lydda, the city in which, as we read in the
Acts of the Apostles (ix.), St. Peter healed a man sick with the palsy.
St. George is usually represented as a knight tilting against a dragon;
but this is only emblematical of the glorious combat in which he
encountered and overthrew the devil, winning for himself thereby a
martyr's crown.
LESSON
WE TOO, like St. George, often have opportunity to confess our faith in
Christ. We confess it by patiently bearing adversity, by suppressing our
evil inclinations, by suffering injustice without retaliating evil for
evil, by using every opportunity of performing deeds of charity, by
devoting ourselves unremittingly to our daily duties, by carefully
guarding our tongue, etc. Examine yourself whether you have not often
denied your Faith, if not in words, through your works.
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who dost rejoice us by the merits and intercession of Thy blessed
martyr George; graciously grant that we, who through him implore Thee
for Thy bounty, may receive thereby the gift of Thy grace. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
II
St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr
LEGEND
ST. BLASE was born at Sebaste, Armenia. He became a physician, but at
the same time devoted himself zealously to the practice of his Christian
duties. His virtuous conduct gained for him the esteem of the Christian
clergy and people to such a degree, that he was elected bishop of his
native city. Henceforth he devoted himself to ward off the dangers of
soul from the faithful, as he had hitherto been intent on healing their
bodily ills. To all, he was a shining example of virtue.
During the reign of Emperor Licinius a cruel persecution of Christians
broke out. The persecutors directed their fury principally against the
bishops, well knowing that when the shepherd is stricken the flock is
dispersed. Listening to the entreaties of the faithful, and mindful of
the words of Our Lord, "When they shall persecute you in this city, flee
into another" (_Matt._ x. 23), St. Blase hid himself in a cave. But one
day the prefect Agricola instituted a chase, and his party discovered
the holy bishop and brought him before their master.
St. Blase remained steadfast in the Faith, and by its able confession
and defense attracted the attention of the attendants at his trial. The
cruel tyrant had him bound and tortured with iron combs. After suffering
these torments with great patience and meekness, the saint was cast into
prison. He was kept there a long time, because the prefect hoped to
exhaust his powers of endurance, and to bring him to sacrifice to the
idols. His jailer permitted the holy bishop to receive visitors in his
prison, and many sick and suffering availed themselves of this
privilege. He cured some of them and gave good advice to others.
One day a mother brought to him her boy, who, while eating, had
swallowed a fishbone, which remained in his throat, and, causing great
pain, threatened suffocation. St. Blase prayed and made the sign of the
cross over the boy, and behold, he was cured. For this reason the saint
is invoked in throat troubles.
At length the holy bishop was again brought before the judge and
commanded to sacrifice to the idols. But he said: "Thou art blind,
because thou art not illuminated by the true light. How can a man
sacrifice to idols, when he adores the true God alone? I do not fear thy
threats. Do with me according to thy pleasure. My body is in thy power,
but God alone has power over my soul. Thou seekest salvation with the
idols; I hope and trust to receive it from the only true and living God
whom I adore."
Then the prefect sentenced him to death. St. Blase was beheaded,
suffering death for the Faith February 3, 316.
LESSON
ST. BLASE gave us a glorious example of fortitude in the confession of
the Faith. According to the teaching of St. Paul, confession of the
Faith is necessary for our salvation. He says, "For if thou confess with
thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised
Him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart we believe
unto justice, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation"
(_Rom._ x. 9, 10). We are, therefore, not permitted to be silent, much
less to agree, when our Faith, and whatever is connected therewith, as
the sacraments, ceremonies, priests, etc., are ridiculed and reviled.
Parents especially must be most careful in speaking of these subjects
before their children and servants, and do so only with due reverence.
On the contrary, we must confess our Faith, and if necessary, defend it
against all attacks. Often one serious word will suffice to silence a
calumniator of the Faith and cause him to blush. We must confess our
Faith not only in the bosom of our family, but also in public. We must
let our fellow-men know that we are true Catholics, who adhere to our
Faith from conviction, without regard to what others say of us, or how
they judge us, remembering the words of Our Lord, "Every one, therefore,
that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my
Father who is in heaven" (_Matt._ x. 32).
It was remarked above that St. Blase is the patron invoked in throat
troubles. Therefore the Church, on his feast, February 3, gives a
special blessing, at which she prays over those receiving it: "By the
intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver thee from
all ills of the throat and from all other ills; in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." Do not neglect to
receive this blessing, if you have the opportunity. The blessings of the
Church are powerful and effective, for she is God's representative on
earth. Therefore her blessing is God's blessing, and is always
effective, except we ourselves place an obstacle in its way.
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who dost rejoice us through the memory of Thy blessed bishop and
martyr Blase: graciously grant us, that we, who honor his memory, may
experience his protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
III
St. Erasmus, Bishop and Martyr
LEGEND
THE pious historians of the early Christian times state, as a rule, only
what the saints did and suffered for the Faith, and how they died. They
deemed the martyrs' glorious combat and their victorious entrance into
heaven more instructive, and therefore more important, than a lengthy
description of their lives.
Hence we know little of the native place and the youth of St. Erasmus,
except that at the beginning of the fourth century of the Christian era
he was bishop of Antioch in Asia Minor, the city where the name of
"Christian" first came into use. When a long and cruel persecution broke
out under the Emperor Diocletian, St. Erasmus hid himself in the
mountains of the Libanon, and led there, for some years, an austere life
of penance and fasting. Finally he was discovered and dragged before the
judge.
At first, persuasions and kindness were employed to induce him to deny
the Faith, but when these efforts failed recourse was had to the most
cruel torments. He was scourged, and finally cast into a caldron filled
with boiling oil, sulphur, and pitch. In this seething mass God
preserved him from harm, and by this miracle many spectators were
converted to the Faith. Still more enraged thereat, the judge ordered
the holy bishop to be thrown into prison and kept there in chains till
he died of starvation. But God delivered him, as He had once delivered
St. Peter. One night an angel appeared to him and said: "Erasmus, follow
me! Thou shalt convert a great many." Thus far he had led numbers to the
Faith by suffering, now he was to convert multitudes as a missionary.
Delivered from prison by the power of God, he went forth into many lands
and preached the Faith. Mighty in word and deed, he wrought many
miracles and converted great numbers of heathens. At length he came to
Italy, where Emperor Maximin persecuted the Christians as fiercely as
did Diocletian in the East. As soon as Maximin heard of Erasmus and the
conversions effected by his preaching and miracles, he ordered the
slaughter of three hundred of the converts. Erasmus himself was most
cruelly tortured, but to no purpose. He remained firm. Then cast into
prison, he was again liberated by an angel.
At last the hour of deliverance came to this valiant and apostolic
confessor and martyr of Christ. He heard a heavenly voice, saying:
"Erasmus, come now to the heavenly city and rest in the place which God
has prepared for thee with the holy martyrs and prophets. Enjoy now the
fruit of thy labor. By thee I was honored in heaven and on earth."
Erasmus, looking toward heaven, saw a splendid crown, and the apostles
and prophets welcoming him. He bowed his head, saying: "Receive, O Lord,
the soul of thy servant!" and peacefully breathed forth his spirit on
June 2, 308.
LESSON
THE tortures which St. Erasmus suffered for the Faith seem almost
incredible, and the events related of him are truly wonderful. Martyrdom
and miracles illustrated the doctrine he preached; he converted
multitudes and gained the crown of heaven.
Perhaps you say that in our times there are no longer any martyrs, at
least not in civilized countries. Are you quite sure of it? St.
Augustine writes: "Peace also has its martyrs." It is certainly not easy
to suffer torments like the martyrs and to receive finally the
death-dealing blow of the sword. But is it not also a martyrdom to suffer
for years the pains of a lingering illness? Again, how difficult the
combat with the world, the flesh, and the powers of hell! How carefully
must we watch and pray to gain the victory! This is our martyrdom. Let us
imitate the example of the holy martyrs in bearing the trials and
sufferings of life, and we shall receive, as they did, the crown of
heaven.
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who dost give us joy through the memory of Thy holy martyrs,
graciously grant that we may be inflamed by their example, in whose
merits we rejoice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
IV
St. Pantaleon, Physician and Martyr
LEGEND
ST. PANTALEON was physician to Emperor Maximin and a Christian, but he
fell through a temptation which is sometimes more dangerous than the
most severe trials by the fiercest torments. This temptation was the bad
example of the impious, idolatrous courtiers with whom the young
physician associated. He was seduced by them and abandoned the Faith.
But the grace of God called him, and he obeyed.
Hermolaus, a zealous priest, by prudent exhortation awakened Pantaleon's
conscience to a sense of his guilt, and brought him back into the fold
of the Church. Henceforth he devoted himself ardently to the advancement
of the spiritual and temporal welfare of his fellow-citizens. First of
all he sought to convert his father, who was still a heathen, and had
the consolation to see him die a Christian. He divided the ample fortune
which he inherited amongst the poor and the sick. As a physician, he was
intent on healing his patients both by physical and by spiritual means.
Christians he confirmed in the practice and confession of the Faith, and
the heathens he sought to convert. Many suffering from incurable
diseases were restored to health by his prayer and the invocation of the
holy name of Jesus. His presence was everywhere fraught with blessings
and consolation.
St. Pantaleon yearned to prove his fidelity to the Faith by shedding his
blood for it, and the opportunity came to him when his heathen
associates in the healing art denounced him to the emperor as a zealous
propagator of Christianity. He was brought up before the emperor's
tribunal and ordered to sacrifice to the idols. He replied: "The God
whom I adore is Jesus Christ. He created heaven and earth, He raised the
dead to life, made the blind see and healed the sick, all through the
power of His word. Your idols are dead, they can not do anything. Order
a sick person to be brought here, one declared incurable. Your priests
shall invoke their idols for him and I shall call on the only true God,
and we shall see who is able to help him." The proposal was accepted. A
man sick with the palsy was brought, who could neither walk nor stand
without help. The heathen priests prayed for him, but in vain. Then
Pantaleon prayed, took the sick man by the hand, and said: "In the name
of Jesus, the Son of God, I command thee to rise and be well." And the
palsied man rose, restored to perfect health.
By this miracle a great number of those present were converted. But the
emperor and the idolatrous priests were all the more enraged. Maximin
now attempted to gain Pantaleon by blandishments and promises to deny
the Faith, but without success. Then he had recourse to threats, and as
they too availed nothing, he proceeded to have them put into execution.
The brave confessor of the Faith was tortured in every conceivable
manner. Finally he was nailed to a tree, and then beheaded. The priest
Hermolaus and the brothers Hermippos and Hermocrates suffered death with
him, in the year 308.
LESSON
HAPPY are they who, whatever may be their station or calling in life,
are intent on bringing those with whom they come into contact under the
influence of religion. But, alas, too many do just the reverse. They
permit themselves to be led astray by bad example, and set aside the
claims of the Church as too severe and exacting. How do you act in this
regard? Do you shun the company of the wicked? A proverb says: "Tell me
in whose company you are found, and I will tell you who you are." Bad
company insensibly undermines faith and morals, overcomes the fear of
evil and the aversion to it and weakens the will. "He that loveth danger
shall perish in it" (_Ecclus_. iii. 27).
As soon as St. Pantaleon came to a sense of his apostasy, he repented
and returned to the practice of the Faith. He did this despite the
knowledge that he thereby incurred hatred and persecution. The true
Christian will ever follow the dictates of conscience and please God,
whether he thereby incur the displeasure of men or not. If, to please
men, we become remiss in the service of God, we show that we fear and
love Him less than men. What a lamentable folly! Of whom have we to
expect greater benefits or to fear greater evils--from God or man? Do
not act thus unwisely; rather imitate St. Pantaleon, and live for God
and His service.
_Prayer of the church_
ALMIGHTY God, grant us through the intercession of Thy blessed martyr
Pantaleon to be delivered and preserved from all ills of the body, and
from evil thoughts and influences in spirit. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[Illustration: Our Lord in the Lap of His Blessed Mother]
V
St Vitus, Martyr
LEGEND
ST. VITUS belonged to a noble pagan family of Sicily, and was born about
the year 291, at Mazurra. His father, Hylas, placed him in early
childhood in charge of a Christian couple named Modestus and Crescentia,
who raised him in the Christian faith, and had him baptized. He grew in
years and in virtue, till, at the age of twelve, he was claimed by his
father, who, to his great anger, found him a fervent Christian.
Convinced, after many unsuccessful attempts, that stripes and other
chastisements would not induce him to renounce the Faith, his father
delivered the brave boy up to Valerian, the governor, who in vain
employed every artifice to shake his constancy. Finally he commanded
Vitus to be scourged, but when two soldiers were about to execute this
order their hands and those of Valerian were suddenly lamed. The
governor ascribed this to sorcery, yet he invoked Vitus' help, and
behold, when the Christian boy made the sign of the cross over the lamed
members, they were healed. Then Valerian sent him back to his father,
telling him to leave no means untried to induce his son to sacrifice to
the idols.
Hylas now tried blandishments, pleasures, and amusements to influence
the brave boy. He even sent a corrupt woman to tempt him, and for that
purpose locked them both together in one room. But Vitus, who had
remained firm amid tortures, resisted also the allurements of
sensuality. Closing his eyes, he knelt in prayer, and behold, an angel
appeared, filling the room with heavenly splendor, and stood at the
youth's side. Terrified, the woman fled. But even this miracle did not
change the obstinate father.
Finally Vitus escaped, and with Modestus and Crescentia fled to Italy.
They landed safe in Naples, and there proclaimed Christ wherever they
had an opportunity. Their fervor and many miracles which they wrought
attracted the attention of Emperor Diocletian to them. He ordered them
to be brought before his tribunal, which being done, he at first treated
them kindly, employing blandishments and making promises to induce them
to renounce Christ. When this had no effect, they were cruelly
tormented, but with no other result than confirming them in their
constancy. Enraged, the emperor condemned them to be thrown to the wild
beasts. But the lions and tigers forgot their ferocity and cowered at
their feet. Now Diocletian, whose fury knew no bounds, ordered them to
be cast into a caldron of molten lead and boiling pitch. They prayed, "O
God, deliver us through the power of Thy name!" and behold, they
remained unharmed. Then the emperor condemned them to the rack, on which
they expired, in the year 303.
LESSON
THE heroic spirit of martyrdom exhibited by St. Vitus was owing to the
early impressions of piety which he received through the teaching and
example of his virtuous foster-parents. The choice of teachers, nurses,
and servants who have the care of children is of the greatest importance
on account of the influence they exert on them. The pagan Romans were
most solicitous that no slave whose speech was not perfectly elegant and
graceful should have access to children. Shall a Christian be less
careful as to their virtue? It is a fatal mistake to imagine that
children are too young to be infected with the contagion of vice. No age
is more impressionable than childhood; no one observes more closely than
the young, and nothing is so easily acquired by them as a spirit of
vanity, pride, revenge, obstinacy, sloth, etc., and nothing is harder to
overcome. What a happiness for a child to be formed to virtue from
infancy, and to be instilled from a tender age with the spirit of piety,
simplicity, meekness, and mercy! Such a foundation being well laid, the
soul will easily, and sometimes without experiencing severe conflicts,
rise to the height of Christian perfection.
_Prayer of the Church_
WE BESEECH Thee, O Lord, to graciously grant us through the intercession
of Thy blessed martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia, that we may not
proudly exalt ourselves, but serve Thee in humility and simplicity, so
as to avoid evil and to do right for Thy sake. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
VI
St. Christophorus, Martyr
LEGEND
AN ANCIENT tradition concerning St. Christophorus relates: He was born
in the land of Canaan, and was named Reprobus, that is Reprobate, for he
was a barbarous heathen. In stature and strength he was a giant.
Thinking no one his like in bodily vigor, he resolved to go forth in
search of the mightiest master and serve him. In his wanderings, he met
with a king who was praised as the most valorous man on earth. To him he
offered his services and was accepted. The king was proud of his giant
and kept him near his person. One day a minstrel visited the king's
castle, and among the ballads he sung before the court was one on the
power of Satan. At the mention of this name the king blessed himself,
making the sign of the cross. Reprobus, wondering, asked him why he did
that. The king replied: "When I make this sign, Satan has no power over
me." Reprobus rejoined: "So thou fearest the power of Satan? Then he is
mightier than thou, and I shall seek and serve him."
Setting forth to seek Satan, he came into a wilderness. One dark night
he met a band of wild fellows riding through the forest. It was Satan
and his escort. Reprobus bravely accosted him, saying he wished to serve
him. He was accepted. But soon he was convinced that his new master was
not the mightiest on earth. For one day, whilst approaching a crucifix
by the wayside, Satan quickly took to flight, and Reprobus asked him for
the reason. Satan replied: "That is the image of my greatest enemy, who
conquered me on the cross. From him I always flee." When Reprobus heard
this, he left the devil, and went in search of Christ.
In his wanderings, he one day came to a hut hidden in the forest. At its
door sat a venerable old man. Reprobus addressed him, and in the course
of the conversation that ensued the old man told him that he was a
hermit, and had left the world to serve Christ, the Lord of heaven and
earth. "Thou art my man," cried Reprobus; "Christ is He whom I seek, for
He is the strongest and the mightiest. Tell me where I can find Him."
The hermit then began instructing the giant about God and the Redeemer,
and concluded by saying: "He who would serve Christ must offer himself
entirely to Him, and do and suffer everything for His sake. His reward
for this will be immense and will last forever." Reprobus now asked the
hermit to allow him to remain, and to continue to instruct him. The
hermit consented. When Reprobus was fully instructed, he baptized him.
After his baptism, a great change came over the giant. No longer proud
of his great size and strength, he became meek and humble, and asked the
hermit to assign to him some task by which he might serve God, his
master. "For," said he, "I can not pray and fast; therefore I must serve
God in some other way." The hermit led him to a broad and swift river
nearby, and said: "Here build thyself a hut, and when wanderers wish to
cross the river, carry them over for the love of Christ." For there was
no bridge across the river.
Henceforth, day and night, whenever he was called, Reprobus faithfully
performed the task assigned to him. One night he heard a child calling
to be carried across the river. Quickly he rose, placed the child on his
stout shoulder, took his staff and walked into the mighty current.
Arrived in midstream, the water rose higher and higher, and the child
became heavier and heavier. "O child," he cried, "how heavy thou art! It
seems I bear the weight of the world on my shoulder." And the child
replied, "Right thou art. Thou bearest not only the world, but the
Creator of heaven and earth. I am Jesus Christ, thy King and Lord, and
henceforth thou shalt be called Christophorus, that is, Christ-bearer.
Arrived on yonder shore, plant thy staff in the ground, and in token of
my power and might tomorrow it shall bear leaves and blossoms."
And the child disappeared. On reaching the other shore, Christophorus
stuck his staff into the ground, and behold, it budded forth leaves and
blossoms. Then, kneeling, he promised the Lord to serve Him ever
faithfully. He kept his promise, and thenceforth became a zealous
preacher of the Gospel, converting many to the Faith. On his missionary
peregrinations he came also to Lycia, where, after his first sermon,
eighteen thousand heathens requested baptism. When Emperor Decius heard
of this, he sent a company of four hundred soldiers to capture
Christophorus. To these he preached so convincingly, that they all asked
for baptism. Decius became enraged thereat and had him cast into prison.
There he first treated him with great kindness, and surrounded him with
every luxury to tempt him to sin, but in vain. Then he ordered him to be
tortured in the most cruel manner, until he should deny the Faith. He
was scourged, placed on plates of hot iron, boiling oil was poured over
and fire was lighted under him. When all these torments did not
accomplish their purpose, the soldiers were ordered to shoot him with
arrows. This, too, having no effect, he was beheaded, on July 25, 254.
Two great saints refer to the wonderful achievements of St.
Christophorus. St. Ambrose mentions that this saint converted
forty-eight thousand souls to Christ. St. Vincent Ferrer declares,
that when the plague devastated Valencia, its destructive course
was stayed through the intercession of St. Christophorus.
LESSON
THE legend of St. Christophorus conveys a wholesome truth. We ought all
to be Christ-bearers, by preserving in our hearts faith, hope, and
charity, and by receiving Our Lord worthily in holy communion. He alone
is worthy of our service. In the service that we owe to men, we ought to
serve God by doing His will. We can not divide our heart, for Our Lord
Himself says, "No man can serve two masters" (_Matt_. vi. 24). If you
serve the world, it deceives you, for it can not give you what it
promises. If you serve sin, Satan is your master. He, too, deceives his
servants, and leads them to perdition. Christ on the cross conquered
these two tyrants, and with His help you can also vanquish them.
Therefore, give yourself to Him with all your heart, and you shall find
peace in this world, and eternal bliss in the next. St. Augustine
learned this truth by sad experience, and therefore exclaims: "Thou hast
created us for Thee, O Lord, and our heart is restless till it rests in
Thee."
_Prayer of the church_
GRANT us, almighty God, that whilst we celebrate the memory of Thy
blessed martyr St. Christophorus, through his intercession the love of
Thy name may be increased in us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
VII
St. Dionysius, Bishop and Martyr
LEGEND
WHEN St. Paul the Apostle, in the year of Our Lord 51, came to Athens to
preach the Gospel, he was summoned to the Areopagus, the great council
which determined all religious matters. Among the members of this
illustrious assembly was Dionysius. His mind had already been prepared
to receive the good tidings of the Gospel by the miraculous darkness
which overspread the earth at the moment of Our Lord's death on the
cross. He was at that time at Heliopolis, in Egypt. On beholding the sun
obscured in the midst of its course, and this without apparent cause, he
is said to have exclaimed: "Either the God of nature is suffering, or
the world is about to be dissolved." When St. Paul preached before the
Areopagus in Athens, Dionysius easily recognized the truth and readily
embraced it.
The Apostle received him among his disciples, and appointed him bishop
of the infant Church of Athens. As such he devoted himself with great
zeal to the propagation of the Gospel. He made a journey to Jerusalem to
visit the places hallowed by the footsteps and sufferings of our
Redeemer, and there met the Apostles St. Peter and St. James, the
evangelist St. Luke, and other holy apostolic men. He also had the
happiness to see and converse with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was so
overwhelmed by her presence that he declared, that if he knew not Jesus
to be God, he would consider her divine.
The idolatrous priests of Athens were greatly alarmed at the many
conversions resulting from the eloquent preaching of Dionysius, and
instigated a revolt against him. The holy bishop left Athens, and, going
to Rome, visited the Pope, St. Clement. He sent him with some other holy
men to Gaul. Some of his companions remained to evangelize the cities in
the south, while Dionysius, with the priest Rusticus and the deacon
Eleutherius continued their journey northward as far as Lutetia, the
modern Paris, where the Gospel had not yet been announced. Here for many
years he and his companions labored with signal success, and finally
obtained the crown of martyrdom on Oct. 9, 119. Dionysius was beheaded
at the advanced age of 110 years.
The spot where the three martyrs Dionysius, Rusticus, and Eleutherius
suffered martyrdom, is the well-known hill of Montmartre. An ancient
tradition relates that St. Dionysius, after his head was severed from
his body, took it up with his own hands and carried it two thousand
paces to the place where, later, a church was built in his honor. The
bodies of the martyrs were thrown into the river Seine, but taken up and
honorably interred by a Christian lady named Catulla not far from the
place where they had been beheaded. The Christians soon built a chapel
on their tomb.
St. Dionysius was not only a great missionary and bishop, but also one
of the most illustrious writers of the early Church. Some of his works,
which are full of Catholic doctrine and Christian wisdom, are still
extant, and well worthy of a convert and disciple of St. Paul, whose
spirit they breathe.
LESSON
THE apostolic men like St. Dionysius, who converted so many to Christ,
were filled with His spirit, and acted and lived for Him alone. They
gave their lives to spread His religion, convinced that the welfare of
individuals and nations depends upon it.
On religion depends the security and stability of all government and of
society. Human laws are too weak to restrain those who disregard and
despise the law of God. Unless a man's conscience is enlightened by
religion and bound by its precepts, his passions will so far enslave
him, that the impulse of evil inclinations will prompt him to every
villainy of which he hopes to derive an advantage, if he can but
accomplish his purpose secretly and with impunity.
True religion, on the contrary, insures comfort, peace, and happiness
amid the sharpest trials, safety in death itself, and after death the
most glorious and eternal reward in God. How grateful, therefore, must
we be to the men who preached the true religion amid so many
difficulties, trials, and persecutions; and also to those who preach it
now, animated by the same spirit. And how carefully should we avoid all
persons, books, and periodicals that revile and calumniate our holy
Faith, and attempt its subversion!
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who didst confer on Thy blessed servant Dionysius the virtue of
fortitude in suffering, and didst join with him Rusticus and
Eleutherius, to announce Thy glory to the heathens, grant, we beseech
Thee, that following them, we may despise, for the love of Thee, the
pleasures of this world, and that we do not recoil from its adversities.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
VIII
St. Cyriacus, Deacon and Martyr
LEGEND
EMPEROR MAXIMIN in token of his gratitude to Diocletian, who had ceded
the western half of his empire to him, ordered the building of that
magnificent structure in Rome, whose ruins are still known as the "Baths
of Diocletian." The Christians imprisoned for the Faith were compelled
to labor under cruel overseers at this building. A zealous Christian
Roman, touched with pity at this moving spectacle, resolved to employ
his means in improving the condition of these poor victims of
persecution.
Among the deacons of the Roman Church at that time was one by the name
of Cyriacus, who was distinguished by his zeal in the performance of all
good works. Him, with two companions, Largus and Smaragdus, the pious
Roman selected for the execution of his plan. Cyriacus devoted himself
to the work with great ardor. One day, whilst visiting the laborers to
distribute food amongst them, he observed a decrepit old man, who was so
feeble that he was unable to perform his severe task. Filled with pity,
Cyriacus offered to take his place. The aged prisoner consenting, the
merciful deacon thenceforth worked hard at the building. But after some
time he was discovered, and cast into prison. There he again found
opportunity to exercise his zeal. Some blind men who had great
confidence in the power of his prayer, came to ask him for help in their
affliction, and he restored their sight. He and his companions spent
three years in prison, and during that time he healed many sick and
converted a great number of heathens from the darkness of paganism.
Then Emperor Diocletian's little daughter became possessed by an evil
spirit, and no one was able to deliver her from it. To the idolatrous
priests who were called, the evil spirit declared that he would leave
the girl only when commanded to do so by Cyriacus, the deacon. He was
hastily summoned, and prayed and made the sign of the cross over the
girl, and the evil spirit departed. The emperor loved his daughter,
therefore he was grateful to the holy deacon, and presented him with a
house, where he and his companions might serve their God unmolested by
their enemies.
About this time the daughter of the Persian King Sapor was attacked by a
similar malady, and when he heard what Cyriacus had done for
Diocletian's daughter, he wrote to the emperor, asking him to send the
Christian deacon. It was done, and Cyriacus, on foot, set out for
Persia. Arrived at his destination, he prayed over the girl and the evil
spirit left her. On hearing of this miracle, four hundred and twenty
heathens were converted to the Faith. These the saint instructed and
baptized, and then set out on his homeward journey.
Returned to Rome, he continued his life of prayer and good works. But
when Diocletian soon afterward left for the East, his co-emperor Maximin
seized the opportunity to give vent to his hatred for the Christians,
and renewed their persecution. One of the first victims was Cyriacus. He
was loaded with chains and brought before the judge, who first tried
blandishments and promises to induce him to renounce Christ and to
sacrifice to the idols, but in vain. Then the confessor of Christ was
stretched on the rack, his limbs torn from their sockets, and he was
beaten with clubs. His companions shared the same tortures. Finally,
when the emperor and the judge were convinced that nothing would shake
the constancy of the holy martyrs, they were beheaded. They gained the
crown of glory on March 16, 303.
LESSON
IN THE life of St. Cyriacus two virtues shine forth in a special manner;
his love of God and his charity toward his fellow-men. His love of God
impelled him to sacrifice all, even his life, for His sake, thereby
fulfilling the commandment: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy
whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind" (_Matt_.
xxii. 37). A greater love of God no man can have than giving his life
for Him.
St. Cyriacus also fulfilled the other commandment, of which Our Lord
declared, "And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself" (_Matt_. xxii. 39). He helped his fellow-Christians to bear
their burdens, relieved them in their sufferings, assisted and
encouraged them by word and deed, and edified them by his example. His
sole aim was to do good to all men, mindful of the words of the Royal
Prophet: "Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the
poor" (_Ps_. xl. 2). He was so imbued with the virtue of charity, that
he was disposed even to sacrifice his life for the relief and assistance
of others.
[Illustration: The Holy Women at the Tomb.]
How shall we justify our unfeeling hardness of heart, by which we seek
every trifling pretense to exempt us from the duty of aiding the
unfortunate? Remember the threat of the apostle, "Judgment without mercy
to him that hath not done mercy" (_James_ ii. 13).
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who rejoicest us by the remembrance of Thy blessed martyrs
Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, by
celebrating their memory, may imitate their fortitude in suffering.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
IX
St. Achatius, Martyr
LEGEND
OF THE saints named Achatius, that one is reckoned among the Holy
Helpers who, as a Roman soldier, died for Christ.
Achatius was a native of Cappadocia and as a youth joined the Roman army
during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, attaining the rank of captain. One
day, when leading his company against the enemy, he heard a voice saying
to him, "Call on the God of Christians!" He obeyed, was instructed, and
received Baptism. Filled with zeal, he henceforth sought to convert also
the pagan soldiers of the army. When the emperor heard of this, Achatius
was thrown into prison, then placed on the rack, bound to a post and
scourged, because he refused to offer sacrifice to the idols. When all
these tortures availed nothing, he was brought before the tribune
Bibianus.
Asked by him what was his name and country, Achatius replied, "My name
is Christian, because I am a follower of Christ; men call me Achatius.
My country is Cappadocia. There my parents lived; there I was converted
to the Christian faith, and was so inspired by the combats and
sufferings of the Christian martyrs that I am resolved to shed my blood
for Christ to attain heaven." Then Bibianus ordered him to be beaten
with leaden clubs, after which he was loaded with chains and returned to
the prison.
After Achatius had been in prison seven days, Bibianus was called to
Byzantium, and ordered all prisoners to be transported there. On the
journey Achatius suffered greatly, for his entire body was covered with
wounds, his chains were galling, the guards were cruel and the roads
were bad. He thought himself dying. Praying to God, a voice from the
clouds answered him, "Achatius, be firm!" The soldiers of the guard were
terrified and asked each other, "What is this? How can the clouds have a
voice?" Many prisoners were converted. Next day some of the converts saw
a number of men in shining armor speaking to Achatius, washing his
wounds and healing them, so that not even a scar remained.
Arrived in Byzantium the saint was again cast into prison, and after
seven days dragged before the judge. When neither promises nor the most
cruel torments shook the constancy of the brave confessor of the Faith,
the judge sent him to Flaccius, the proconsul of Thracia, who imprisoned
him for five days, and meanwhile read the records of his former trials.
Then he ordered him to be beheaded. Achatius suffered death for Christ
on May 8, 311.
LESSON
ACHATIUS manfully and without fear confessed the Faith amid persecutions
and sufferings. We, too, are often placed in circumstances where the
profession of our Faith and the practice of the virtues inculcated by it
cause us trials. But so deplorable are the effects of sensuality,
avarice, and ambition, and such is the laxity and spiritual callousness
of many Christians, that there is real cause for every one to be filled
with alarm for the safety of his soul. It is not the crowd we are to
follow, but the precepts of the Gospel. Therefore we ought to strive to
give a good example by our faithful compliance with the demands of
religion. For Our Lord Himself exhorts us: "So let your light shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father,
who is in heaven" (_Matt._ v. 16).
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who dost give us joy through the remembrance of Thy blessed
martyrs, Achatius and his companions; grant, we beseech Thee, that we
may be inflamed by the example of those for whose merits we rejoice.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
X
St. Eustachius, Martyr
LEGEND
AT THE beginning of the second century, during the reign of Emperor
Trajan, there lived in Rome a famous general by the name of Placidus,
who was distinguished among his fellow-citizens for his wealth and
military prowess. It happened one day, that while following the chase he
became separated from his companions, and was pursuing with eagerness a
stag of extraordinary size, when suddenly it turned toward him, and he
beheld raised aloft between its antlers the image of Jesus Christ
suspended on the cross. At the same time our blessed Saviour addressed
him in loving words, inviting him henceforth to follow Him by embracing
the Christian faith, and to make eternal life in future the object of
his pursuit.
Faithful to the grace which he had received, Placidus on his return home
communicated the heavenly vision to his wife Tatiana, who informed him
that she too had been favored with a heavenly apparition. Together they
went immediately to the Pope, related their experience, and after due
instruction received Baptism.
At the sacred font Placidus received the name of Eustachius, and his
wife was called Theopista, while his sons were baptized by the names of
Agapitus and Theopistus.
Upon returning to the spot where he first received the call, Eustachius
was favored with another communication from Our Lord, announcing to him
that he was destined to endure many and great afflictions for the sake
of Christ. It was not long before his faith and patience were put to a
severe trial. Stripped of all his possessions and forced to flee from
the fury of the persecution, he was reduced to extreme distress, and in
the course of his wanderings was by a series of calamitous events
separated from his wife and children, of whom he lost all trace. For
many years he dwelt in a remote spot, following the occupation of a farm
laborer, until he was found by the messengers of the emperor, who was
sadly in need of the skill of his former general, because a fierce war
had broken out, in which the Romans sustained severe losses.
Being again invested with the command of the imperial troops, Eustachius
set out for the seat of war, and achieved a decisive victory. In the
course of his march he had the happiness, by a singular providence of
God, to recover his wife and children, with whom he returned to Rome.
His entrance into the city was attended with great rejoicings, and many
were the congratulations which he received on his extraordinary good
fortune. But soon afterward a solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving to the
pagan deities was proclaimed, in which he was ordered by the emperor to
take a part. Upon his refusal, after every effort had been made to shake
his constancy, he was condemned to be exposed to the lions in the public
amphitheater along with his wife and children. Finally, as the savage
animals, laying aside their natural ferocity, refused to injure the
confessors of Christ, Eustachius and his family were by order of the
emperor enclosed in the body of an immense brazen bull, which was heated
by means of a great fire enkindled beneath. The last moments of these
heroic martyrs was spent in chanting the divine praises, in the midst of
which their happy souls passed to the enjoyment of everlasting bliss.
Their bodies, miraculously preserved uninjured, were buried with great
devotion by the faithful Christians, and were afterward transferred to a
magnificent church erected in their honor.
LESSON
HOW inspiring, to see a great man preferring justice, truth, and
religion to the favor of the mighty, readily quitting estate, friends,
country, and even sacrificing life, rather than consent to do violence
to his conscience; and to see him, at the same time, meek, humble,
patient in suffering, forgiving sincerely and loving his unjust and
treacherous persecutors! Passion and revenge often beget anger and
triumph over virtue and integrity. Ambition and the desire of wealth
may, for a time, urge men on to brave danger, but finally they reduce
them to the most abject slavery, and result in grievous crimes and
misery. Religion alone is the source of charity, magnanimity, and true
courage. It so enlightens the mind, as to place a man above the
vicissitudes of the world; it renders him steadfast and calm in
adversity, preserves him from error, teaches him to bear injustice and
calumny in a tranquil spirit, and gives him that ineffable peace and joy
which springs from the conviction that God's will is always most just
and holy and that He protects, aids, and rewards His servants.
Does religion exert this powerful influence on us? Do we show it in our
actions and conduct? Our courage and constancy must be apparent not only
when we encounter danger and opposition, but also when our evil
propensity urges us to yield to temptations that present sin to us in
the guise of pleasure.
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who dost permit us to celebrate the remembrance of Thy blessed
martyrs, Eustachius and companions, grant us, that we may enjoy their
company in eternal bliss. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
XI
St. Giles, Hermit and Abbot
LEGEND
ATHENS, in Greece, was the native city of St. Giles. He was of noble
parentage, and devoted himself from early youth to piety and learning.
After the death of his parents he distributed his rich inheritance to
the poor, and to escape the applause of men for his charity left his
country to bury himself in obscurity.
He sailed for France, and on his arrival there retired to a deserted
country near the mouth of the river Rhone. Later he made his abode near
the river Gard, and finally buried himself in a forest in the diocese of
Nimes. In this solitude he passed many years, living on wild herbs and
roots, with water for his drink. It is related that for some time a hind
came daily to be milked by him, thus furnishing him additional
sustenance. Here he lived, disengaged from earthly cares, conversing
only with God, and engaged in the contemplation of heavenly things.
One day the king instituted a great hunt in the forest where Giles
lived, and encountered the hind. Giving chase, the royal hunter was led
to the saint's hut, where the panting animal had sought refuge. The king
inquired who he was, and was greatly edified at the holiness of his
life. The fame of the saintly hermit now spread far and wide, and was
much increased by the many miracles wrought through his intercession.
The king tried to persuade him to leave his solitude, but prevailed upon
him only in so far, that Giles accepted several disciples and founded a
monastery in which the rule of St. Benedict was observed, and of which
he was chosen the abbot. He governed his community wisely and well, and
at the earnest solicitation of his monks was ordained priest.
The fame of St. Giles' sanctity induced the Frankish King, Charles
Martel to call him to his court to relieve him of a great trouble of
conscience. The saint made the journey, and told the king that he would
find relief and comfort only by the sincere confession of a sin which he
had hitherto concealed. The king followed his advice, found interior
peace and dismissed Giles with many tokens of gratitude. On his homeward
journey the saint raised the recently deceased son of a nobleman to
life.
After a short stay in his monastery St. Giles went to Rome, to obtain
from the Pope the confirmation of some privileges and the apostolic
blessing for his community. The Pope granted his wishes, and presented
him, besides, with two grand and beautifully carved doors of cedar wood
for his church.
St. Giles died at a ripe old age on September 1, 725. Many miracles were
wrought at his tomb.
LESSON
ST. GILES left his native country and retired into solitude to escape
the notice and applause of the world, and served God as a recluse. To
lead such a life, there must be a special call from God. It is not
suited to all, and even inconsistent with the duties of most men. But
all are capable of disengaging their affections from the inordinate
attachment to creatures, and of attaining to a pure and holy love of
God. By making the service of God the motive of their thoughts and
actions, they will sanctify their whole life.
In whatever conditions of life we may be placed, we have opportunities
of subduing our evil inclinations and mortifying ourselves by frequent
self-denials, of watching over our hearts and purifying our senses by
recollection and prayer. Thus each one, in his station of life, may
become a saint, by making his calling an exercise of virtue and his
every act a step higher to perfection and eternal glory.
_Prayer of the Church_
O LORD, we beseech Thee to let us find grace through the intercession of
thy blessed confessor Giles; that what we can not obtain through our
merits be given us through his intercession. Through Christ our Lord
Amen.
XII
St. Margaret, Virgin and Martyr
LEGEND
ST. MARGARET was the daughter of a pagan priest at Antioch. She lost her
mother in infancy and was placed in the care of a nurse in the country,
who was a Christian, and whose first care was to have her little charge
baptized and to give the child a Christian education. Margaret grew up a
modest, pious virgin, and when she returned to her father he was charmed
with the grace and virtue of his daughter. He regretted only one thing;
she took no part in the worship of the idols. When she told him the
reason he was greatly displeased, for she stated that she was a
Christian, and that nothing should separate her from the love of Christ.
Her father tried every means to change her mind, and when all his
endeavors failed became enraged and drove her forth from his house.
Margaret returned to her nurse and became her servant, doing all kinds
of menial work, and at the same time perfecting herself in virtue.
About this time Emperor Diocletian began to persecute the Christians.
One day Alybrius, the prefect of the city, saw Margaret, and fell in
love with her. He sent a messenger to ask her in marriage. The pious
virgin was filled with consternation at the proposal and replied to the
messenger: "I can not be espoused to your master, because I am the
spouse of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I am promised to Him, and to Him I wish
to belong." When the prefect heard this, he became furious with rage,
and gave orders to have the virgin brought to him by force. When she
appeared before him he thus addressed her: "What is your name and
condition?" She replied: "I am called Margaret, and belong to a noble
family. I adore Christ and serve Him." The prefect now advised her to
abandon the worship of a crucified God. Margaret asked him, "How do you
know that we worship a crucified God?" The prefect replied: "From the
books of the Christians." Margaret continued: "Why did you not read
further on? The books of the Christians would have told you that the
Crucified rose on the third day, and that He ascended into heaven. Is it
love of truth to believe in the abasement of Christ and to reject His
glorification, when both are related in the selfsame book?"
At this reproof the prefect became angry and ordered the tender virgin
to be cruelly scourged, placed on the rack, and torn with iron combs.
Then she was cast into prison. There Margaret fervently thanked God for
the victory she had achieved and implored His help for the combat yet in
store for her. Suddenly there appeared to her the arch-enemy of mankind
in the shape of a furious dragon, threatening to swallow her. The brave
virgin feared him not, but made the sign of the cross, and the monster
vanished. Then her desolate prison cell became suffused with heavenly
light, and her heart was filled with divine consolation. At the same
time her terrible wounds were suddenly healed, and not the least scar
was left.
Next day Margaret was again brought before the prefect. Surprised at her
complete recovery from the effects of his cruelty, he remarked that no
doubt it was due to the power of the pagan gods, and exhorted her to
show her gratitude to them by sacrificing to the idols. Margaret
maintained that she had been healed by the power of Christ alone and
declared that she despised the heathen gods. At this, the rage of
Alybrius knew no bounds. He ordered lighted torches to be applied to
Margaret's body, and then had her cast into icy water to intensify her
torture. But scarcely had this been done when a violent earthquake
occurred. Her bonds were severed and she rose unscathed from the water,
without a mark of the burns caused by the flaming torches. On witnessing
this miracle, a great number of spectators were converted to the Faith.
Finally the prefect ordered Margaret to be beheaded. Her glorious
martyrdom and death occurred about the year 275.
LESSON
THE history of the virgin martyr St. Margaret teaches us that we can and
ought to serve God even in youth. In the Old Law God commanded all the
first-born and the first-fruits to be offered to Him. "Thou shalt not
delay to pay thy tithes and first-fruits. Thou shalt give the first-born
of thy sons to Me" (_Ex._ xxii. 29).
Certainly our whole life ought to be dedicated to the service of God;
but from the above command we are to understand that God especially
desires our service during the early years of our life. They are our
first-fruits. St. Augustine calls the years of youth the blossoms, the
most beautiful flowers of life, and St. Thomas Aquinas writes: "What the
young give to God in their early years, they give of the bloom, of the
full vigor and beauty of life."
Youth is the age beset with countless temptations. Safety is found only
in the service of God, by obedience, humility, and docility. This is not
so difficult as it appears, and Our Lord Himself invites you to His
service, saying: "My son, give Me thy heart" (_Prov._ xxiii. 26), and,
"Taste and see that the Lord is sweet" (_Ps._ xxxiii. 9).
_Prayer of the Church_
WE BESEECH Thee, O Lord, grant us Thy favor through the intercession of
Thy blessed virgin and martyr Margaret, who pleased Thee by the merit of
her purity and by the confession of Thy might. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
XIII
St Catherine, Virgin and Martyr
LEGEND
ST. CATHERINE was a native of Alexandria, Egypt, a city then famous for
its schools of philosophy. She was a daughter of Costis, half-brother of
Constantine, and of Sabinella, queen of Egypt. Her wisdom and
acquirements were remarkable, the philosophy of Plato being her favorite
study. While Catherine was yet young her father died, leaving her
heiress to the kingdom. Her love of study and retirement displeased her
subjects, who desired her to marry, asserting that her gifts of noble
birth, wealth, beauty, and knowledge should be transmitted to her
children.
The princess replied that the husband whom she would wed must be even
more richly endowed than herself. His blood must be the noblest, his
rank must surpass her own, his beauty without comparison, his benignity
great enough to forgive all offences. The people of Alexandria were
disheartened, for they knew of no such prince; but Catherine remained
persistent in her determination to wed none other.
Now, it happened that a certain hermit who lived near Alexandria had a
vision in which he saw the Blessed Virgin, who sent him to tell
Catherine that her divine Son was the Spouse whom she desired. He alone
possessed all, and more, than the requirements she demanded. The holy
man gave Catherine a picture of Jesus and Mary; and when the princess
had gazed upon the face of Christ she loved Him so that she could think
of naught else, and the studies in which she had been wont to take
delight became distasteful to her.
[Illustration: The Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Blessed Virgin and
the Apostles.]
One night Catherine dreamed that she accompanied the hermit to a
sanctuary, whence angels came to meet her. She fell on her face before
them, but one of the angelic band bade her, "Rise dear sister Catherine,
for the King of glory delighteth to honor thee." She rose and followed
the angels to the presence of the queen of heaven, who was surrounded by
angels and saints and was beautiful beyond description. The queen
welcomed her and led her to her divine Son, Our Lord. But He turned from
her, saying: "She is not fair and beautiful enough for me."
Catherine awoke at these words and wept bitterly until morning. She then
sent for the hermit and inquired what would make her worthy of the
heavenly Bridegroom. The saintly recluse instructed her in the true
Faith and, with her mother, she was baptized. That night, in a dream,
the Blessed Virgin and her divine Son again appeared to her. Mary
presented her to Jesus, saying: "Behold, she has been regenerated in the
water of Baptism." Then Christ smiled on her and plighted His troth to
her by putting a ring on her finger. When she awoke the ring was still
there, and thenceforth Catherine despised all earthly things and longed
only for the hour when she should go to her heavenly Bridegroom.
After the death of Sabinella, Emperor Maximin came to Alexandria and
declared a persecution against the Christians. Catherine appeared in the
temple and held an argument with the tyrant, utterly confounding him.
The emperor ordained that fifty of the most learned men of the empire be
brought to dispute with her; but, sustained by the power of God,
Catherine not only vanquished them in argument, but converted them to
the true Faith. In his fury Maximin commanded that the new Christians be
burned; and Catherine comforted them, since they could not be baptized,
by telling them that their blood should be their baptism and the flames
their crown of glory.
The emperor then tried other means to overcome the virtue of the noble
princess; but, failing to do this, he ordered her to be cast into a
dungeon and starved to death. Twelve days later, when the dungeon was
opened, a bright light and fragrant perfume filled it, and Catherine,
who had been nourished by angels, came forth radiant and beautiful. On
seeing this miracle, the empress and many noble Alexandrians declared
themselves Christians, and suffered death at the command of the emperor.
Catherine was not spared, for Maximin made a further attempt to win her.
He offered to make her mistress of the world if she would but listen to
him, and when she still spurned his proposals, he ordered her to the
torture. She was bound to four spiked wheels which revolved in different
directions, that she might be torn into many pieces. But an angel
consumed the wheels by fire, and the fragments flying around killed the
executioners and many of the spectators. The tyrant then ordered her to
be scourged and beheaded. The sentence was carried into effect on
November 25, 307.
A pious legend, recognized by the Church, says that angels bore
Catherine's body to Mount Sinai, and buried it there.
LESSON
ST. CATHERINE, for her erudition and the spirit of piety by which she
sanctified it, was chosen the model and patroness of Christian
philosophers.
Learning, next to virtue, is the noblest quality and ornament of the
human mind. Profane science teaches many useful truths, but when
compared with the importance of the study of the science of the saints,
they are of value only inasmuch as when made subservient to the latter.
The study of the saints was to live in the spirit of Christ. This
science is taught by the Church, and acquired by listening to her
instructions, by pious reading and meditation.
Be intent on learning this science, and order your life according to its
rules. It is the "one thing necessary," for it is the foundation of all
wisdom and true happiness. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom" (_Ps._ cx. 10).
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who didst give the law to Moses on the summit of Mount Sinai, and
by the holy angels didst miraculously transfer there the body of blessed
Catherine, virgin and martyr; grant us, we beseech Thee, to come,
through her intercession, to the mountain which is Christ. Through the
same Christ our Lord. Amen.
XIV
St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr
LEGEND
NICOMEDIA, a city in Asia Minor, was St. Barbara's birthplace. Her
father Dioscurus was a pagan. Fearing that his only child might learn to
know and love the doctrines of Christianity, he shut her up in a tower,
apart from all intercourse with others. Nevertheless Barbara became a
Christian. She passed her time in study, and from her lonely tower she
used to watch the heavens in their wondrous beauty. She soon became
convinced that the "heavens were telling the glory of God," a God
greater than the idols she had been taught to worship. Her desire to
know that God was in itself a prayer which He answered in His own wise
way.
The fame of Origen, that famous Christian teacher in Alexandria, reached
even the remote tower, and Barbara sent a trusty servant with the
request that he would make known to her the truth. Origen sent her one
of his disciples, disguised as a physician, who instructed and baptized
her. She practised her new religion discreetly while waiting for a
favorable opportunity of acquainting her father with her conversion.
This opportunity came in a short time. Some workmen were sent by
Dioscurus to make another room in the tower, and when they had made two
windows she directed them to make a third. When her father saw this
additional window, he asked the reason for it. She replied, "Know, my
father, that the soul receives light through three windows, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and the three are one." The father became
so angry at this discovery of her having become a Christian, that he
would have killed his daughter with his sword, had she not fled to the
top of the tower. He followed her, and finally had her in his power.
First he wreaked his vengeance on her in blows, then clutching her by
the hair he dragged her away and thrust her into a hut to prevent her
escape. Next he tried every means to induce her to renounce her faith;
threats, severe punishments, and starvation had no effect on the
constancy of the Christian maiden.
Finding himself powerless to shake his daughter's constancy, Dioscurus
delivered her to the proconsul Marcian, who had her scourged and
tortured, but without causing her to deny the Faith. During her
sufferings, her father stood by, exulting in the torments of his child.
Next night, after she had been taken back to prison, Our Lord appeared
to her and healed her wounds. When Barbara appeared again before him,
Marcian was greatly astonished to find no trace of the cruelties that
had been perpetrated on her body. Again she resisted his importunities
to deny the Faith, and when he saw that all his efforts were in vain, he
pronounced the sentence of death. Barbara was to be beheaded. Her
unnatural father claimed the privilege to execute it with his own hands,
and with one blow severed his daughter's head from her body, on December
4, 237.
At the moment of the saint's death a great tempest arose and Dioscurus
was killed by lightning. Marcian, too, was overtaken by the same fate.
LESSON
SINCE early times St. Barbara is invoked as the patroness against
lightning and explosions, and is called upon by those who desire the
sacraments of the dying in their last illness, and many are the
instances of the efficacy of her intercession.
We all wish for a happy and blessed death. To attain it, we must make
the preparation for it the great object of our life; we must learn to
die to the world and to ourselves, and strive after perfection in
virtue. There is no greater comfort in adversity, no more powerful
incentive to withdrawing our affections from this world, than to
remember the blessing of a happy death. Well prepared, death may strike
us in any form whatsoever, and however suddenly, it will find us ready.
We can be guilty of no greater folly than to delay our preparation for
death, repentance, the reception of the sacraments, and the amendment of
our life, from day to day, from the time of health to the time of
illness, and in illness to the very last moments, thinking that even
then we can obtain pardon. St. Augustine observes: "It is very dangerous
to postpone the performance of a duty on which our whole eternity
depends to the most inconvenient time, the last hour." And St. Bernard
remarks: "In Holy Scripture we find one single instance of one who
received pardon at the last moment. He was the thief crucified with
Jesus. He is alone, that you despair not; he is alone, also, that you
sin not by presumption on God's mercy." If you, therefore, wish for a
happy death, prepare for it in time.
_Prayer of the Church_
O GOD, who among the wonders of Thy might didst grant the victory of
martyrdom also to the weaker sex, graciously grant us that we, by
recalling the memory of Thy blessed virgin and martyr Barbara, through
her example may be led to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.