MAY 13 — ST. JOHN THE SILENT, Hermit
ST. JOHN, surnamed the Silent, was born of a very wealthy family living at Nicopolis, in Armenia, in the latter part of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth century. He devoted his wealth to building a monastery, and also a church which was dedicated to the Blessed Mother of God.
(continued)
ST. JOHN, surnamed the Silent, was born of a very wealthy family living at Nicopolis, in Armenia, in the latter part of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth century. He devoted his wealth to building a monastery, and also a church which was dedicated to the Blessed Mother of God.
(continued)
2 of 2
MAY 13 — ST. JOHN THE SILENT, Hermit
Having retired into the former, he was drawn thence at the age of twenty-eight and made bishop of Colonia, but after discharging faithfully the duties of that office for nine years he again withdrew from the world, first to a secluded spot as a solitary, and later to the monastery of St.Sabas. St.John gave himself up entirely to a life of contemplation. His rule was never to speak except in cases of necessity, and then to speak with such discretion that no word might be either wrong or useless. He died about the year 560.
—— ✿ ——
Thus let me live unseen, unknown,
Thus, unlamented, let me die;
Steal from this world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
~ ALEXANDER POPE
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To guard not only against wrong, but useless words.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. John the Silent, ora pro nobis.
MAY 13 — ST. JOHN THE SILENT, Hermit
Having retired into the former, he was drawn thence at the age of twenty-eight and made bishop of Colonia, but after discharging faithfully the duties of that office for nine years he again withdrew from the world, first to a secluded spot as a solitary, and later to the monastery of St.Sabas. St.John gave himself up entirely to a life of contemplation. His rule was never to speak except in cases of necessity, and then to speak with such discretion that no word might be either wrong or useless. He died about the year 560.
—— ✿ ——
Thus let me live unseen, unknown,
Thus, unlamented, let me die;
Steal from this world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
~ ALEXANDER POPE
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To guard not only against wrong, but useless words.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. John the Silent, ora pro nobis.
THE ASCENSION
The mystery which the Church honors on this day is at the same time that of the triumph of Jesus Christ and the hallowed hope of His disciples. The Saviour, after having accomplished His mission on earth, ascends to heaven to put His manhood in possession of the glory due to it, and to prepare for us an abiding place.
(continued)
The mystery which the Church honors on this day is at the same time that of the triumph of Jesus Christ and the hallowed hope of His disciples. The Saviour, after having accomplished His mission on earth, ascends to heaven to put His manhood in possession of the glory due to it, and to prepare for us an abiding place.
(continued)
2 of 2
THE ASCENSION
He ascends thither as our King, Liberator, Chief, and Mediator. Our King, because He has purchased us at the cost of His blood; our Liberator, because He has conquered death and sin, and has ransomed us from the thraldom of Satan; our Chief, because He wishes that we should follow in His footsteps, and that we should be where He is, even as He has Himself declared; our Mediator, because we can have access to the Father only through Him. He ascends thither as our High Priest, in order to offer unceasingly to God the blood which He has shed for us in His character of man, and to obtain for us through the merits of His sacrifice the remission of our sins.
Let us, then, by means of faith, follow Him in His ascension to heaven, and abide there henceforth in heart and spirit. Let us remember that heaven is wholly ours, as our inheritance; and amid the temptations and miseries of this life, let us think often of this home of peace, of glory, and bliss eternal.
We must not flatter ourselves, however, that, without earnest efforts on our part, we shall have any share in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. There are many mansions in the house of our heavenly Father, but there are not many roads leading thither. Jesus Christ has traced out for us the way of humiliation and suffering, and it is the only one that conducts to eternal peace. If the hardships of the journey and the sight of our own weakness strike us with dread, we should gather energy by leaning on the promises of the God-Man. He will be with us even unto the end, and if we love Him,
all will become easy.
REFLECTION. — Let us cherish hope : "Christ being come, a High Priest of the good things to come, hath entered into the holy of holies, by His own blood having obtained eternal redemption."
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
THE ASCENSION
He ascends thither as our King, Liberator, Chief, and Mediator. Our King, because He has purchased us at the cost of His blood; our Liberator, because He has conquered death and sin, and has ransomed us from the thraldom of Satan; our Chief, because He wishes that we should follow in His footsteps, and that we should be where He is, even as He has Himself declared; our Mediator, because we can have access to the Father only through Him. He ascends thither as our High Priest, in order to offer unceasingly to God the blood which He has shed for us in His character of man, and to obtain for us through the merits of His sacrifice the remission of our sins.
Let us, then, by means of faith, follow Him in His ascension to heaven, and abide there henceforth in heart and spirit. Let us remember that heaven is wholly ours, as our inheritance; and amid the temptations and miseries of this life, let us think often of this home of peace, of glory, and bliss eternal.
We must not flatter ourselves, however, that, without earnest efforts on our part, we shall have any share in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. There are many mansions in the house of our heavenly Father, but there are not many roads leading thither. Jesus Christ has traced out for us the way of humiliation and suffering, and it is the only one that conducts to eternal peace. If the hardships of the journey and the sight of our own weakness strike us with dread, we should gather energy by leaning on the promises of the God-Man. He will be with us even unto the end, and if we love Him,
all will become easy.
REFLECTION. — Let us cherish hope : "Christ being come, a High Priest of the good things to come, hath entered into the holy of holies, by His own blood having obtained eternal redemption."
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
MAY 14 — ST. PACHOMIUS, ABBOT
IN the beginning of the fourth century, great levies of troops were made throughout Egypt for the service of the Roman emperor. Among the recruits was Pachomius, a young heathen, then in his twenty-first year. On his way down the Nile he passed a village, whose inhabitants gave him food and money. Marvelling at this kindness, Pachomius was told they were Christians, and hoped for a reward in the life to come. He then prayed God to show him the truth, and promised to devote his life to His service.
(continued)
IN the beginning of the fourth century, great levies of troops were made throughout Egypt for the service of the Roman emperor. Among the recruits was Pachomius, a young heathen, then in his twenty-first year. On his way down the Nile he passed a village, whose inhabitants gave him food and money. Marvelling at this kindness, Pachomius was told they were Christians, and hoped for a reward in the life to come. He then prayed God to show him the truth, and promised to devote his life to His service.
(continued)
2 of 2
MAY 14 — ST. PACHOMIUS, ABBOT
On being discharged, he returned to a Christian village in Egypt, where he was instructed and baptized. Instead of going home, he sought Palemon, an aged solitary, to learn from him a perfect life, and, with great joy embraced the most severe. austerities. Their food was bread and water, once a day in summer, and once in two days in winter; sometimes they added herbs, but mixed ashes with them. They only slept one hour each night, and this short repose Pachomius took sitting upright without support. Three times God revealed to him that he was to found a religious order at Tabenna; and an angel gave him a rule of life. Trusting in God, he built a monastery, although he had no disciples; but vast multitudes soon flocked to him, and he trained them in perfect detachment from creatures and from self. One day a monk, by dint of great exertions, contrived to make two mats instead of the one which was the usual daily task, and set them both out in front of his cell, that Pachomius might see how diligent he had been. But the Saint, perceiving the vainglory which had prompted the act, said, "This brother has taken a great deal of pains from morning till night to give his work to the devil." Then, to cure him of his delusion, Pachomius imposed on him as a penance to keep his cell for five months and to taste no food but bread and water. His visions and miracles were innumerable, and he read all hearts. His holy death occurred in 348.
REFLECTION. — "To live in great simplicity," said St. Pachomius, "and in a wise ignorance, is exceeding wise."
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
St. Pachomius, pray for us.
MAY 14 — ST. PACHOMIUS, ABBOT
On being discharged, he returned to a Christian village in Egypt, where he was instructed and baptized. Instead of going home, he sought Palemon, an aged solitary, to learn from him a perfect life, and, with great joy embraced the most severe. austerities. Their food was bread and water, once a day in summer, and once in two days in winter; sometimes they added herbs, but mixed ashes with them. They only slept one hour each night, and this short repose Pachomius took sitting upright without support. Three times God revealed to him that he was to found a religious order at Tabenna; and an angel gave him a rule of life. Trusting in God, he built a monastery, although he had no disciples; but vast multitudes soon flocked to him, and he trained them in perfect detachment from creatures and from self. One day a monk, by dint of great exertions, contrived to make two mats instead of the one which was the usual daily task, and set them both out in front of his cell, that Pachomius might see how diligent he had been. But the Saint, perceiving the vainglory which had prompted the act, said, "This brother has taken a great deal of pains from morning till night to give his work to the devil." Then, to cure him of his delusion, Pachomius imposed on him as a penance to keep his cell for five months and to taste no food but bread and water. His visions and miracles were innumerable, and he read all hearts. His holy death occurred in 348.
REFLECTION. — "To live in great simplicity," said St. Pachomius, "and in a wise ignorance, is exceeding wise."
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
St. Pachomius, pray for us.
2 of 2
MAY 14 — ST. PACOMIUS, Hermit
The young man was a pagan, but the family on whom he was billeted during his service in the town, treated him with the most hospitable courtesy and consideration; and Pacomius, on inquiring the reason, discovered that his hosts were Christians. So charmed was he with their daily life that he himself embraced the true faith; and having placed himself under the guidance of a holy old man named Palemon, he entered upon the career of a hermit, and helped to lay the foundation of those monasteries of the Thebaid which were afterwards to become so famous. St. Pacomius died in 348.
—— ✿ ——
Oh, what a glory doth this world put on
For him who with a fervent heart goes forth
Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks
On duties well performed and days well spent!
~ HENRY W. LONGFELLOW
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To preach to others by good example rather than by words.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. Pacomius, ora pro nobis.
MAY 14 — ST. PACOMIUS, Hermit
The young man was a pagan, but the family on whom he was billeted during his service in the town, treated him with the most hospitable courtesy and consideration; and Pacomius, on inquiring the reason, discovered that his hosts were Christians. So charmed was he with their daily life that he himself embraced the true faith; and having placed himself under the guidance of a holy old man named Palemon, he entered upon the career of a hermit, and helped to lay the foundation of those monasteries of the Thebaid which were afterwards to become so famous. St. Pacomius died in 348.
—— ✿ ——
Oh, what a glory doth this world put on
For him who with a fervent heart goes forth
Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks
On duties well performed and days well spent!
~ HENRY W. LONGFELLOW
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To preach to others by good example rather than by words.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. Pacomius, ora pro nobis.
MAY 15 — SS. PETER AND DIONYSIA
IN the Decian persecution, the blood of the Christians flowed at Lampsacus, a city of Asia Minor. St. Peter was the first who was led before the proconsul and condemned to die for the name of Christ. Young though he was, he went joyfully to his torments. He was bound to a wheel by iron chains, and his bones were broken, but he raised his eyes to heaven with a smiling countenance and said, "I give Thee thanks, O Lord Jesus Christ, because Thou hast given me patience, and made me victorious over the tyrant." The proconsul saw how little suffering availed, and ordered the martyr to be beheaded.
(continued)
IN the Decian persecution, the blood of the Christians flowed at Lampsacus, a city of Asia Minor. St. Peter was the first who was led before the proconsul and condemned to die for the name of Christ. Young though he was, he went joyfully to his torments. He was bound to a wheel by iron chains, and his bones were broken, but he raised his eyes to heaven with a smiling countenance and said, "I give Thee thanks, O Lord Jesus Christ, because Thou hast given me patience, and made me victorious over the tyrant." The proconsul saw how little suffering availed, and ordered the martyr to be beheaded.
(continued)
2 of 2
MAY 15 — SS. PETER AND DIONYSIA
But a little later, in the same city, the virgin Dionysia showed a like eagerness to suffer. St. Dionysia gained the crown which an apostate lost, and his history may teach us that those who lose Christ rather than suffer with Him, lose all. With the strength that was left he cried out, "I never was a Christian. I sacrifice to the gods." Therefore he was taken down, and he offered sacrifice. But he was possessed by the devil, whom he had chosen for his master. He fell to the earth in a fit, bit out his tongue, and so expired. He escaped a little pain, and instead he went to the endless torments of hell, and forfeited eternal rest. "O wretched man!" Dionysia cried, "why have you feared a little suffering and chosen eternal pain instead?" She was seized and led away to horrible outrage, but her angel guardian appeared by her side and protected the spouse of Christ. Escaping from prison, she still burned with the desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. She threw herself upon the bodies of the martyrs, saying, "I would fain die with you on earth, that I may live with you in
heaven." And Christ, who is the crown of virgins and the strength of martyrs, gave her the desire of her heart.
REFLECTION. — The martyrs were even like us, with natures which shrank from suffering. They were patient under it because they looked to the eternal recompense, and endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
Sts. Peter and Dionysia, pray for us.
MAY 15 — SS. PETER AND DIONYSIA
But a little later, in the same city, the virgin Dionysia showed a like eagerness to suffer. St. Dionysia gained the crown which an apostate lost, and his history may teach us that those who lose Christ rather than suffer with Him, lose all. With the strength that was left he cried out, "I never was a Christian. I sacrifice to the gods." Therefore he was taken down, and he offered sacrifice. But he was possessed by the devil, whom he had chosen for his master. He fell to the earth in a fit, bit out his tongue, and so expired. He escaped a little pain, and instead he went to the endless torments of hell, and forfeited eternal rest. "O wretched man!" Dionysia cried, "why have you feared a little suffering and chosen eternal pain instead?" She was seized and led away to horrible outrage, but her angel guardian appeared by her side and protected the spouse of Christ. Escaping from prison, she still burned with the desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. She threw herself upon the bodies of the martyrs, saying, "I would fain die with you on earth, that I may live with you in
heaven." And Christ, who is the crown of virgins and the strength of martyrs, gave her the desire of her heart.
REFLECTION. — The martyrs were even like us, with natures which shrank from suffering. They were patient under it because they looked to the eternal recompense, and endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
Sts. Peter and Dionysia, pray for us.
2 of 2
MAY 15 — ST. PETER LAMPSACUS, Martyr
The proconsul ordered him to burn incense in honor of the goddess Venus. The brave young confessor refused with horror, and boldly condemned the vices which were attributed to that goddess by her worshippers. He exclaimed, ‘'I despise a woman of bad life, and I honor only the One God, my Lord Jesus Christ, the God made man for the expiation of the sins of the world!” The courageous youth was then most cruelly racked and tortured; but the proconsul, seeing his joyful perseverance in suffering for the name of Christ, ordered him to be beheaded.
—— ✿ ——
And I think how a pure spirit gazing on thee
Must long for the moment, the joyous, the free,
When the soul disembodied from nature shall spring,
Unfettered, at once to her Maker and King.
~ GERALD GRIFFIN
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To shun like a plague all that savors of impurity in art and literature.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. Peter Lampascus, ora pro nobis.
MAY 15 — ST. PETER LAMPSACUS, Martyr
The proconsul ordered him to burn incense in honor of the goddess Venus. The brave young confessor refused with horror, and boldly condemned the vices which were attributed to that goddess by her worshippers. He exclaimed, ‘'I despise a woman of bad life, and I honor only the One God, my Lord Jesus Christ, the God made man for the expiation of the sins of the world!” The courageous youth was then most cruelly racked and tortured; but the proconsul, seeing his joyful perseverance in suffering for the name of Christ, ordered him to be beheaded.
—— ✿ ——
And I think how a pure spirit gazing on thee
Must long for the moment, the joyous, the free,
When the soul disembodied from nature shall spring,
Unfettered, at once to her Maker and King.
~ GERALD GRIFFIN
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To shun like a plague all that savors of impurity in art and literature.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. Peter Lampascus, ora pro nobis.
MAY 16 — ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN
ST. JOHN was born, in answer to prayer, a.d. 1330, of poor parents, at Nepomuc in Bohemia. In gratitude they consecrated him to God; and his holy life as a priest led to his appointment as chaplain to the court of the Emperor Wenceslas, where he converted numbers by his preaching and example.
(continued)
ST. JOHN was born, in answer to prayer, a.d. 1330, of poor parents, at Nepomuc in Bohemia. In gratitude they consecrated him to God; and his holy life as a priest led to his appointment as chaplain to the court of the Emperor Wenceslas, where he converted numbers by his preaching and example.
(continued)
2 of 2
MAY 16 — ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN
Amongst those who sought his advice was the empress, who suffered much from her husband's unfounded jealousy. St. John taught her to bear her cross with joy; but her piety only incensed the emperor, and he tried to extort her confessions from the Saint. He threw St. John into a dungeon, but gained nothing; then, inviting him to his palace, he promised him riches if he would yield, and threatened death if he refused. The Saint was silent. He was racked and burnt with torches; but no words, save Jesus and Mary, fell from his lips. At last set free, he spent his time in preaching, and preparing for the death he knew to be at hand. On Ascension-eve, May 16th, Wenceslas, after a final and fruitless attempt to move his constancy, ordered him to be cast into the river, and that night the martyr's hands and feet were bound, and he was thrown from the bridge of Prague. As he died, a heavenly light shining on the water discovered the body, which was buried with the honors due to a Saint. A few years later, Wenceslas was deposed by his own subjects, and died an impenitent and miserable death. In 1618, the Calvinist and Hussite soldiers of the Protestant Elector Frederick tried repeatedly to demolish the shrine of St. John at Prague. Each attempt was miraculously frustrated; and once the persons engaged in the sacrilege, among whom was an Englishman, were killed on the spot. In 1620, the imperial troops recovered the town by a victory which was ascribed to the Saint's intercession, as he was seen on the eve of the battle, radiant with glory, guarding the cathedral. When his shrine was opened, three hundred and thirty years after his decease, the flesh had disappeared, and one member alone remained incorrupt, the tongue; thus still, in silence, giving glory to God.
REFLECTION. — St. John, who by his invincible sacramental silence won his crown, teaches us to prefer torture and death to offending the Creator with our tongue. How many times each day do we forfeit grace and strength by sins of speech!
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
St. John Nepomucen, pray for us.
MAY 16 — ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN
Amongst those who sought his advice was the empress, who suffered much from her husband's unfounded jealousy. St. John taught her to bear her cross with joy; but her piety only incensed the emperor, and he tried to extort her confessions from the Saint. He threw St. John into a dungeon, but gained nothing; then, inviting him to his palace, he promised him riches if he would yield, and threatened death if he refused. The Saint was silent. He was racked and burnt with torches; but no words, save Jesus and Mary, fell from his lips. At last set free, he spent his time in preaching, and preparing for the death he knew to be at hand. On Ascension-eve, May 16th, Wenceslas, after a final and fruitless attempt to move his constancy, ordered him to be cast into the river, and that night the martyr's hands and feet were bound, and he was thrown from the bridge of Prague. As he died, a heavenly light shining on the water discovered the body, which was buried with the honors due to a Saint. A few years later, Wenceslas was deposed by his own subjects, and died an impenitent and miserable death. In 1618, the Calvinist and Hussite soldiers of the Protestant Elector Frederick tried repeatedly to demolish the shrine of St. John at Prague. Each attempt was miraculously frustrated; and once the persons engaged in the sacrilege, among whom was an Englishman, were killed on the spot. In 1620, the imperial troops recovered the town by a victory which was ascribed to the Saint's intercession, as he was seen on the eve of the battle, radiant with glory, guarding the cathedral. When his shrine was opened, three hundred and thirty years after his decease, the flesh had disappeared, and one member alone remained incorrupt, the tongue; thus still, in silence, giving glory to God.
REFLECTION. — St. John, who by his invincible sacramental silence won his crown, teaches us to prefer torture and death to offending the Creator with our tongue. How many times each day do we forfeit grace and strength by sins of speech!
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
St. John Nepomucen, pray for us.
MAY 16 — ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN, Martyr
ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN was born in Bohemia about 1330, and his life was famously preserved in his infaney. He early dedicated hineelf to God and the Blessed Virgin, and became a priest. He preached with such signal success among the students of the town of Prague that the emperor Wenceslas sent for him, and after hearing him preach made him his almoner.
(continued)
ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN was born in Bohemia about 1330, and his life was famously preserved in his infaney. He early dedicated hineelf to God and the Blessed Virgin, and became a priest. He preached with such signal success among the students of the town of Prague that the emperor Wenceslas sent for him, and after hearing him preach made him his almoner.
(continued)
2 of 2
MAY 16 — ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN, Martyr
The empress and many of the nobility then beyan to have recourse to the holy man for confession and spiritual direction. Wenceslas, being jealously suspicious of the past life of his pious consert, commanded St. John to reveal to him the confessions of the empress. St. John firmly refused to betray his sacred trust, and Wenceslas subjected the noble priest to a protracted torture, and caused him at last to be throwe into the Moldau. The sacred body was discovered by the celestial light which surrounded it, wae withdrawn from the water, and fittingly interred. This occurred in 1383.
—— ✿ ——
. . . . The falling eve grows bright.
And the strong spirit, wading through its blood,
Casts off its chains, and kneels in light, — with God.
~ HON. IGNATIUS DONNELLY
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To thank God for the sacred secrecy af the confessional.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. John Nepomucen, ora pro nobis.
MAY 16 — ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN, Martyr
The empress and many of the nobility then beyan to have recourse to the holy man for confession and spiritual direction. Wenceslas, being jealously suspicious of the past life of his pious consert, commanded St. John to reveal to him the confessions of the empress. St. John firmly refused to betray his sacred trust, and Wenceslas subjected the noble priest to a protracted torture, and caused him at last to be throwe into the Moldau. The sacred body was discovered by the celestial light which surrounded it, wae withdrawn from the water, and fittingly interred. This occurred in 1383.
—— ✿ ——
. . . . The falling eve grows bright.
And the strong spirit, wading through its blood,
Casts off its chains, and kneels in light, — with God.
~ HON. IGNATIUS DONNELLY
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To thank God for the sacred secrecy af the confessional.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. John Nepomucen, ora pro nobis.
MAY 17 — ST. PASCHAL BAYLON
FROM a child Paschal seems to have been marked out for the service of God; and amidst his daily labors he found time to instruct and evangelize the rude herdsmen who kept their flocks on the hills of Aragon. At the age of twenty-four he entered the Franciscan Order, in which, however, he remained, from humility, a simple lay-brother, and occupied himself, by preference, with the roughest and most servile tasks. He was distinguished by an ardent love and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He would spend hours on his knees before the tabernacle — often he was raised from the ground in the fervor of his prayer — and there, from the very and eternal Truth, he drew such stores of wisdom that, unlettered as he was, he was counted by all a master in theology and spiritual science.
(continued)
FROM a child Paschal seems to have been marked out for the service of God; and amidst his daily labors he found time to instruct and evangelize the rude herdsmen who kept their flocks on the hills of Aragon. At the age of twenty-four he entered the Franciscan Order, in which, however, he remained, from humility, a simple lay-brother, and occupied himself, by preference, with the roughest and most servile tasks. He was distinguished by an ardent love and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He would spend hours on his knees before the tabernacle — often he was raised from the ground in the fervor of his prayer — and there, from the very and eternal Truth, he drew such stores of wisdom that, unlettered as he was, he was counted by all a master in theology and spiritual science.
(continued)
2 of 2
MAY 17 — ST. PASCHAL BAYLON
Shortly after his profession, he was called to Paris on business connected with his Order. The journey was full of peril, owing to the hostility of the Huguenots, who were numerous at the time in the south of France; and on four separate occasions Paschal was in imminent danger of death at the hands of the heretics. But it was not God's will that His servant should obtain the crown of martyrdom which, though judging himself all unworthy of it, he so earnestly desired, and he returned in safety to his convent, where he died in the odor of sanctity, May 15th, 1592. As Paschal was watching his sheep on the mountain-side, he heard the consecration bell ring out from a church in the valley below, where the villagers were assembled for Mass. The Saint fell on his knees, when suddenly there stood before him an angel of God, bearing in his hands the Sacred Host, and offering it for his adoration. Learn from this how pleasing to Jesus Christ are those who honor Him in this great mystery of His love; and how to them especially this promise is fulfilled: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come unto you." John xiv. 18.
REFLECTION. — St. Paschal teaches us, never to suffer a day to pass without visiting Jesus in the narrow chamber where He, whom the heaven itself cannot contain, abides day and night for our sake.
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
St. Paschal Baylon, pray for us.
MAY 17 — ST. PASCHAL BAYLON
Shortly after his profession, he was called to Paris on business connected with his Order. The journey was full of peril, owing to the hostility of the Huguenots, who were numerous at the time in the south of France; and on four separate occasions Paschal was in imminent danger of death at the hands of the heretics. But it was not God's will that His servant should obtain the crown of martyrdom which, though judging himself all unworthy of it, he so earnestly desired, and he returned in safety to his convent, where he died in the odor of sanctity, May 15th, 1592. As Paschal was watching his sheep on the mountain-side, he heard the consecration bell ring out from a church in the valley below, where the villagers were assembled for Mass. The Saint fell on his knees, when suddenly there stood before him an angel of God, bearing in his hands the Sacred Host, and offering it for his adoration. Learn from this how pleasing to Jesus Christ are those who honor Him in this great mystery of His love; and how to them especially this promise is fulfilled: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come unto you." John xiv. 18.
REFLECTION. — St. Paschal teaches us, never to suffer a day to pass without visiting Jesus in the narrow chamber where He, whom the heaven itself cannot contain, abides day and night for our sake.
~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1878)
St. Paschal Baylon, pray for us.
2 of 2
MAY 17 — ST. TROPESIUS, Martyr
He is one of those of whom the Apostle speaks when he says: ‘‘The saints salute you, and chiefly those of the household of Cesar.” At the first persecution under his brutal emperor, however, Tropesius was denounced on account of his faith. He was bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged; then tied to the wheel of a chariot, and finally thrown to the wild beasts of the arena. The lions refused to touch him, and, as he still lived after all his terrible torments, the holy confessor was beheaded by order of the tribune Satellicus.
—— ✿ ——
The weary strife, the beating of the bars,
The torn limbs trailing ‘neath the triumph-cars,
The mockery and the moan—
What boots it all to him whose path lies where
Some conquering day his sou! shall mount the air
Up to a golden throne?
~ ANON
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To revere the memory of the early martyrs, and to imitate thetr zeal.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. Tropesius, ora pro nobis.
MAY 17 — ST. TROPESIUS, Martyr
He is one of those of whom the Apostle speaks when he says: ‘‘The saints salute you, and chiefly those of the household of Cesar.” At the first persecution under his brutal emperor, however, Tropesius was denounced on account of his faith. He was bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged; then tied to the wheel of a chariot, and finally thrown to the wild beasts of the arena. The lions refused to touch him, and, as he still lived after all his terrible torments, the holy confessor was beheaded by order of the tribune Satellicus.
—— ✿ ——
The weary strife, the beating of the bars,
The torn limbs trailing ‘neath the triumph-cars,
The mockery and the moan—
What boots it all to him whose path lies where
Some conquering day his sou! shall mount the air
Up to a golden throne?
~ ANON
—— ✿ ——
Favorite Practice
To revere the memory of the early martyrs, and to imitate thetr zeal.
~ Short Lives of the Saints (1884)
St. Tropesius, ora pro nobis.