ST. MARCELLUS was priest under pope Marcellinus. whom he succeeded in
308, after that see had been vacant for three years and a half. An
epitaph written on him by pope Damasus, who also mentions himself in it,
says, that by enforcing the canons of holy penance, he drew upon himself
the contradictions and persecutions of many tepid and refractory
Christians, and that for his severity against a certain apostate, he was
banished by the tyrant Maxentius.[1] He died in 310, having sat one
year, seven months, and twenty days. Anastatius writes, that Lucina, a
devout widow of one Pinianus, who lodged St. Marcellus when he lived in
Rome, after his death converted her house into a church, which she
called by his name. His false acts relate, that among his other
sufferings, he was condemned by the tyrant to keep cattle in this place.
He is styled a martyr in the sacramentaries of Gelasius I. and St.
Gregory, and in the Martyrologies ascribed to St. Jerom and Bede, which,
with the rest of the Western calendars, mention his feast on the
sixteenth of January. His body lies under the high altar in the ancient
church, which bears his name, and gives title to a cardinal in Rome; but
certain portions of his relics are honored at Cluni, Namur, Mons, &c.
* * * * *
God is most wonderful in the whole economy of his holy providence over
his elect: his power and wisdom are exalted infinitely above the
understanding {159} of creatures, and we are obliged to cry out, "Who
can search his ways?"[2] We have not penetration to discover all the
causes and ends of exterior things which we see or feel. How much less
can we understand this in secret and interior things, which fall not
under our senses? "Remember that thou knowest not his work. Behold he is
a great God, surpassing our understanding."[3] How does he make every
thing serve his purposes for the sanctification of his servants! By how
many ways does he conduct them to eternal glory! Some he sanctifies on
thrones; others in cottages; others in retired cells and deserts; others
in the various functions of an apostolic life, and in the government of
his church. And how wonderfully does he ordain and direct all human
events to their spiritual advancement, both in prosperity and in
adversity! In their persecutions and trials, especially, we shall
discover at the last day, when the secrets of his providence will be
manifested to us, the tenderness of his infinite love, the depth of his
unsearchable wisdom, and the extent of his omnipotent power. In all his
appointments let us adore these his attributes, earnestly imploring his
grace, that according to the designs of his mercy, we may make every
thing, especially all afflictions, serve for the exercise and
improvement of our virtue.
Footnotes:
1. Damasus, carm. 26.
2. Job xxxvi, 23.
3. Ib.