Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 18 September 1919, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR. Sept. 21, Sunday. —Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. ~ 22, Monday.— St. Thomas Villanova, Bishop and Confessor. „ 23, Tuesday. — St. Linus, Pope and Martyr. ~ 24, Wednesday. Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. „ 25, Thursday.—Of the Feria. „ 26/ Friday. — SS. Cyprian and Justina, Martyrs. „ 27, Saturday.SS. Cosmas and Damian-, Martyrs. St. Matthew, Apostle. . Before being called to follow Christ, St. Matthew was a tax-gatherer, and bore the name of Levi. After the Ascension he preached for some time in Judea, and under Divine inspiration wrote his Gospel to convince the Jews that Christ was the long-expected Messias. St. Matthew afterwards proceeded to the East, where he won the crown of martyrdom. SS. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs. These two saints were brothers, born in Arabia, and renowned for their skill in medicine. They were remarkable for their charity, and for the zeal with which they endeavored to propagate the Christian religion. They were both beheaded in the persecution of Diocletian, about the year 303. Our Lady of Mercy. In the thirteenth century, when the Mediterranean was swept by Moorish pirates, a religious Order was instituted under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the purpose of collecting aims for the relief and ransom of Christian captives, of visiting them in their captivity, and restoring them, when possible, to their friends and families. In memory of the institution of this admirable Order and of the tender compassion of the Blessed Virgin, to whom it owed its origin, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy was instituted. GRAINS OF GOLD FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MERCY. Mother of Mercy! divinely sweet That title of hope to man; Beneath thy mantle of light we meet. With heart-grown flowers of lovo to greet, Culled in our prayers’ sublime retreat; Great fruit of redemption’s plan, Marie — Great fruit of redemption’s plan ! Mother of Mercy ! aloud we cry; Look down on this scene of woe, And pity the dear ones lost that lie Soaked in their blood beneath the sky ; Take thou each parting prayer and sigh At mercy’s seat to glow, Marie — At mercy’s seat to glow. Mother of Mercy; benign and great, Stretch to us thy gracious hand, And lead us to paths the saints have pressed. Through pierced Door of thy Jesus’ Breast ; O Mother ! list to thy child’s behest. Thy word hath a Queen’s command, Marie— Thy word hath a Queen’s command. Mother of Mercy ! beneath the Cross, Ere Bis dying Eyes didst close, You held the chalice for contrite tears; You shared His cup for atoning years; And still you plead to the God who hears. As the rescued soul well knows, Marie — The chastened soul still knows. Mother of Mercy. Ho named you then, Ho fathomed your soul of love; _ : He gave you the children so dearly bought, With , all the treasures His Blood hath wrought, To guide them safe in.the ways He taught, Till the soul is crowned above, Marie — Is crowned at thy throne above. God has prohibited despair.—Mme. Swetchine. Love and practise virtue, with a holy fear of God, but a fear which comes from love. Thus you will accomplish with a sweet joy and a true devotedness the duties and the sacrifices imposed upon you by His service’ and the love of your neighbor. Mother M. of the Sacred Heart. ;