Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 12 October 1911, Page 2003

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR October 15, Sunday.—Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. The Purity of the Blessed * Virgin Mary. ~ 16, Monday.—St. Gall, Abbot, ~ 17, Tuesday.—St. Hedwiges, Widow. ~ 18, Wednesday.—St. Luke, Evangelist. ~ 19, Thursday. —St. Peter of Alcantara, Confessor. ~ 20, Friday. —St. John Can tins, Confessor. ~ 21, Saturday. —St. Victor 111., Pope and Confessor. , St. Luke, Evangelist. St. Luke was a native of Antioch, capital of Syria, and was by profession a physician. He was probably one of the first converts to Christianity in Antioch. He wrote his Gospel mainly for the use of the Greeks converted by St. Paul, and, consequently, he did not purpose proving, like St. Matthew, who wrote for the Jews, that Christ was the promised Messias, but preferred rather to bring into prominence the facts which show that He was the Saviour of the world, and that He had died for all—Jews and Gentiles. St. Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles. He is believed to have been martyred in Greece, but the date of his death is uncertain. St. Peter of Alcantara, Confessor. St. Peter was born at Alcantara, a town in Spain. While still a mere youth he entered the Order of St. Francis. His life in the Order was a perfect example of humility, meekness, obedience, and almost incredible austerity. He died in 1563, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. St. John Cantius, Confessor. St. John was born at Kenti, in Poland. Ordained priest, he exhibited the most ardent zeal for souls, and a boundless charityin a word, all the virtues of a good pastor. Severe to himself, he was ever indulgent to others, who were sure to find in him a generous friend in all their necessities. He died in 1473, being then seventy years of age. GRAINS OF GOLD MY CRUCIFIX. O blessed Sign of Pardon! as I look Upon these outstretched arms, these mangled feet, My heart is broken that no pains I took To give Him what His heart did so entreat. * Thy love !’ is pleaded in that last loud cry; ‘ Thy love!’ as drops of blood and water fell; ‘ Thy love!’ 0 that great longing made Him die In agony, the mock of earth and hell! And I have turned away from His sweet gaze, And I have closed my ears to His last word ! Ungrateful, I have walked in other ways Than those He trod, and other voices heard. But, heart of mine, it shall be so no more; This Sign of Pardon now my lip doth press, My life and love shall be, and weeping o’er; His opened Heart shall be my blessedness. •Sacred Heart Review. Be careful not to give way to gloomy sadness. What good does it do? Sorrows will come; you can’t keep them away, but you may be able to make their stay short. A good Catholic has every reason to be cheerful. Religion is not a yoke of terror; she is all love and confidence to her children. Holy Writ is a treasure of priceless value. In reading the Holy Scripture afflicted souls find consolation ; tempted souls secure a sure weapon against sin; wearied souls and disgusted find a delicious suavity; darkened souls receive light; cold and tepid souls get fire which warms; and all souls find a sweet repose. Take up and read.