Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 5 June 1913, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR June 8, Sunday. Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. ~, 9, Monday. — St. Columba, Abbot. „ 10, Tuesday. — St. Margaret,* Widow. ~ 11, Wednesday. — St. Barnabas, Apostle. ~ 12, Thursday.—St. Leo 111., Pope and Confessor. ~ 13, Friday.— St. Anthony of Padua, Confessor. ~ 14, Saturday. — St. Basil, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor.

St. Columba, Abbot.

This great monk and missionary was born in the north of Ireland in 521. Having been trained in piety and knowledge by St. Finian, he was advanced to the priesthood. After laboring for some years in his native country, St. Columba proceeded to Scotland, where he converted to the faith the northern Piets. He built in the island of lona a great monastery, which was for many years the centre of learning in Scotland. St. Columba died in 597, after having founded and given a rule of life to upwards of a hundred monasteries in Ireland and Scotland.

St. Margaret, Widow.

St. Margaret was a grandniece of St. Edward the Confessor, King of England. Having fled into Scotland after the Norman conquest, she married Malcolm, king of that country, in 1070, being then twenty-four years of age. She used the great influence which her extraordinary sanctity gave her over the mind of her husband to render him one of the most virtuous kings that have adorned the Scottish throne. Her piety and prudence achieved an equally happy result in the education of her children. St. Margaret died in 1093. Her remains were laid at first in the church of Dumferline, near Edinburgh, but at the time of the so-called Reformation they were removed to Spain, where Philip 11. built a splendid chapel for their reception.

GRAINS OF gold

HYMN TO MARY. What shall we bring thee, sweet Mother of Jesus? What shall we place on thy dear altar-shrine ? Flowers the fairest our bright earth can offer. See, dearest Mother, already are thine !

Lilies that breathe of the heart’s pure intention, Roses that tell of our love, have been laid; Lips can not utter and hearts can not summon Else that would please thee, blest Mother and Maid.

Hear, then, O Mary, our voices repeating All thy rare glory the ages have told! Fresh from our hearts springs the glorious greeting, Breathed from the lips of the Angel of old:

Hail, full of grace, gentle Mother of Jesus! Hail, full of grace; for our Lord is with thee Purest and best of the maids of creation, Chosen the Saviour’s dear Mother to be !

Bless all thy children, O beautiful Mother; Guide us and guard us till death comes; and then Show us thy glory in heaven, sweet MotherShow us the face of our Saviour. Amen !

—Ave Maria. Life - is too short for mean anxieties. Dare to be true. Nothing can need a lie. Man s fortunes are according to his pains. Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt. Words often speak what we would be, deeds what we are.

Ho!y study and holy living are the weft and the woof of the tapestry of life. day.^Witdthorrt! 9 ° the PrCSS “ USt be a preCCpt *°-