Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 9 March 1922, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR.

March 12, Sunday—Second Sunday of Lent. ~ 13, Monday.—Of the Feria. ~ 14, Tuesday.—Of the Feria. ~ 15, Wednesday.—Of the. Feria. Abstinence. „ 16, Thursday. the Feria. ~ 17, Friday.—St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor. ~ 18, Saturday.—St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor.

ST. PATRICK, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR. The nationality of St. Patrick is much disputed, some naming France, others Scotland, as the place of his birth. When but 16 years of age he was carried captive into Ireland, where he remained for six years, thus by a remarkable dispensation of Divine Providence becoming acquainted with the language and customs of the people whom he was afterwards to evangelise. Having escaped from captivity, his one desire was to return to Ireland, bringing with him the blessings of the true Faith to its pagan inhabitants. The desired mission was confided to him by Pope St. Celestine about 432. His labors were crowned with complete success. By his exertions Ireland has ever since not only kept the Faith pure at home, but has helped to propagate it in nearly every country in the world. St. Patrick died about 464, and was buried in Downpatrick. ST. CYRIL OP JERUSALEM. St. Cyril, a Father of the Church, was born at, or near, Jerusalem, about the year 315. He was ordained priest in 345 by Bishop Maximus, who also entrusted him with the charge of the Catechumens, and in his stead appointed him preacher to the people. In 350, Cyril succeeded Maximus in the See of Jerusalem, and was consecrated by Acacius of Caesarea. This Acacius, a bitter Arian, soon became a, severe enemy and persecutor of Cyril, and in 358, procured his deposition and exile from Jerusalem. Cyril was restored by the Council of Seleucia, in 359, but, at the instigation of Acacius, he as banished again, the next year by Constantins. On the accession of Julian, Cyril returned to Jerusalem. The Emperor Valens, in 377, again banished Cyril from his see, and only after 11 years was he allowed to return. In 381, he assisted at the Second General Council of Constantinople. He died in 386, after a troubled episcopate of 35 years, 16 of which were spent in exile. GRAINS OF GOLD WHAT SHALL I SAY? What shall I say to Thee, How shall I pray to Thee, Beauty so ancient and ever so new? Hastening I cry to Thee Kneeling I sigh to Thee, Long wert Thou veiled from my earth-dazzled view. Madly I fled from Thee, Hopelessly led from Thee E’en by the gifts of Thy mightiest love. Far did I roam from Thee; Then turning home to Thee, Where did I seek Thee? I sought Thee above. Sought Thee away from me, While Thou didst say to me, Call to me, cry to me, “Am I not here?” Light-flashes blinding me, Love fetters binding me, Told me the Monarch of Beauty was near. Oh ! Thou has bent to me; “Art Thou content with me?” So didst Thou plead with me, woo me, and I, Borne on swift wings to Thee, All my soul clings to Thee, Rest on Thee, lives in Thee, cleaving the sky. —ln Dublin Annals.