Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1914, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR July 19, Sunday. — Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. ~ 20, Monday. —St. Anacletus, Pope and Martyr. ~ 21, Tuesday.—Blessed Eugene HI., Pope and Confessor. ~ 22, Wednesday.— St. Mary Magdalen, Penitent. ~ 23, Thursday. —St. Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr. ~ 24, Friday; —St. Alexius, Confessor. ~ 25, Saturday. — St. James, Apostle. St. Mary Magdalen, Penitent. Of the few who stood by the Cross of our Blessed Redeemer, one was Mary Magdalen, a woman who, previous to her conversion, had lived a worldly, if not sinful life. An old tradition states that after the Ascension she went to France, where she spent many years of solitude and austerity. She is held up to us by tlie Church as the model of a perfect penitent. St. Alexius, Confessor. St. Alexius was the son of a' rich and virtuous senator of Home. In order to completely detach himself from the riches and pleasures of the world, he left his home and country, and lived for many years the life of a hermit in the East. Returning to Rome, he shared, during tlie remainder of his life, as an unknown beggar, in the alms which were dispensed in his father's house. He lived in the fifth century, but the dates of his birth and death are both uncertain. St. James, Apostle. St. James was a brother of St. John the Evangelist, and a near relative of the Blessed Virgin. After Pentecost he preached to the Jews, who, having left Judea, had found homes in the neighboring countries. According to a very ancient tradition, he is said to have voyaged to Spain, which honors him as its principal patron. Coming to Jerusalem in 43, St. James was apprehended and beheaded by order of King Agrippa, who in order to acquire popularity among the Jews persecuted the Christians. THE MEASURE OF MARY’S WORTH. Gives God, think you, no measure of Her worth? It is the beauty of the morning skies, The fragrance from the roses of the earth, The tenderness of mothers’ lullabies, The magic melody of children’s mirth ; It is the dreaming in a maiden’s eyes, The glory of the woods at April’s birth, The spell of sweetness that around us lies ; It is the softness of a swallow’s breast, The kneeling at Her shrine in lowly prayer, The finding of the miracle of rest . That comes to those who ask His mercy there : •It is spring’s step upon the violet sod It is, at death, the gracious smile of God. — Ave Maria.

It costs more to revenge injuries than to bear them. Success is utter failure if achieved by the sacrifice of moral principles. Unity of doctrine is essential, and only one religion has this unity oN doctrine. A man who dares waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life. Did you ever notice how much easier it is for the average man to be poor than honest ? He who gives too much attention to the business of other people is surely neglecting his own. Every nation is just what the home life is, and the homes are just what religion makes them.