Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 6 May 1915, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR ■- . * -■ May 9, Sunday. Fifth Sunday after Easter. ~ .10, Monday.— St. Antoninus, Bishop and Confessor. Rogation Day. ~ 11, Tuesday.- Of the Feria. Rogation Day. ~ 12, Wednesday.—SS. Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs. Rogation Day. ~ 13, Thursday. —Feast of the Ascension of our Lord. Holy Day of Obligation. ~ 14, Friday.—Of the Octave. ~ 15, Saturday. —St. John Baptist de la Salle, Confessor. SS. Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs. These holy martyrs were attached to the service of St. Flavia Domitilla, and were banished with her to the island of Pontia by the Emperor Domitian. They were beheaded at Terracina in the reign of Trajan. Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. Christ risen from the dead remained forty days on earth, instructing His Apostles, and proving beyond all doubt the truth of His Resurrection. At the end of that time He ascended into Heaven from Mount Olivet, in full view of His Apostles. Thus He secured for His sacred humanity the happiness and glory which He had merited by His sufferings, and at the same time opened to us the gates of Heaven. From the time of the Apostles this event has been commemorated in the Church by a special feast. GRAINS OP GOLD. THE ELEVATION. At the peal of silvery bells, Hushed is the music—and every sound, Earth recedes—and Heaven dwells For a heartbeat, on all around. Awake, O Soul, and supplicate, Jesus of Nazareth passes by. Repent —implore— ere ’tis too late ; Lift up thy heart from earth to sky. Lift up thy heart with all its woes, Its dearest hopes, and every fear, Lay all at the feet of Him Who knows Each hidden trouble and contrite tear. In solemn silence —prostrate— adore The mystery of Faith, the Incarnate Word, Pray love and peace for evermore May bless us still, thro’ Christ our Lord. —The Missionary. Few of us find opportunity to do great things or to attain great perfection. We are so cumbered with cares ; we are sure the world will go smash if we let go for a minute, that we forget to strive after little things. The eye that is quick to see a fault, and the ear that loves to listen to criticism, and the tongue that bragsthese will be the signs of a praying soul when the rainbow comes to be the emblem of despair, and not before. —Father Faber. Cheerfulness is absolutely essential to the mind’s healthy action or the performance of its proper duties. It is an excellent working quality, imparting strength and elasticity to the character. It. not only lightens labor but the brightness it bestows on the disposition is reflected on all round. Kind words are the music of the world. They have a power, which seems to be beyond natural causes, as if they were some'angel’s song, which had lost its way, arid come on earth, and sang on undyingly, smiting the hearts of men with sweetest wounds, and putting for the while an angel’s nature into it. Father Faber.