Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 33, 23 August 1923, Page 3

Friends at Court

CLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR. August 26, Sunday.—Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. ~ 27, Monday.—St. Joseph Calasanctius, Confessor. ~ 28, Tuesday.—St. Augustine, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor. „ 29, Wednesday. Beheading of St. John the Baptist. ~ 30, Thursday.—St. Rose of Lima, Virgin. ~ 31, Friday.—St. Raymund Nonnatus, Confessor. September 1, Saturday.St. Giles, Abbot. St. Joseph Calasanctius, Confessor. St. Joseph was born in the Kingdom of Aragon, in Spain. From his youth, and especially after • becoming a priest, he felt a great attraction for the instruction of children. Having gone to Rome, he devoted himself almost ■entirely to his work. He died in 1648, in his 92nd year, :after having founded a religious congregation, which had for its special object the education of the young, but particularly of the poorer classes. St. Augustine, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor. St. Augustine was born in Algeria in 354. In spite of the watchful care of his mother, St. Monica, he gave himself up in his youth to many excesses. When he was 33 years of age, the prayers of his pious mother at length obtained for him the grace of a complete conversion. During the remainder of his life he endeavored to undo the evil which his teaching and example had wrought. He composed, in defence of the Faith, a- long series of treatises, which have rendered his name illustrious throughout the world as one of the most profound, ingenious, and prolific writers that have adorned the Church of God. During the 35 years he governed the See of Hippo, he was the. centre of ecclesiastical life in Africa, and the Church's mightiest champion against heresy. St. Rose of Lima, Virgin. Lima, in South America, was the birthplace of St. Rose, who, in a life embracing only 31 years, gave a signal example of profound humility, patience, and suffering, voluntary mortification, and an ardent love of God. During a long and painful illness'her constant prayer was "Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Thy love in my heart." She died in 1617. St. Raymund Nonnatus, Confessor. According to the rule laid down by Christ, that Christian proves himself His most faithful disciple, and gives the surest proof of his love of God, who most perfectly loves his neighbor for God's sake. Judged by this test of true sanctity St. Raymund should rank high amongst the saints. Born in Spain in 1204, he gave not only all his property, but his liberty, and even exposed himself to the most cruel torments, and risked his very life, in order to promote the spiritual welfare and secure the release of Christians held in captivity by the Moors. After a. life wholly spent in the service of his neighbors, he died near Barcelona, in 1240. <*X*X*X*X~P Grains of Gold THE MISSIONARY. One passing glance of sadnessthat is all — And soon the billows high Bear his stout heart from country, friends and home; He gladly goes in answer to the callTranscending earthly tie — Of his loved Lord, and souls that bid him come. Nor recks he mem'ries dear, nor does he pause— Oh! never such a thought— In doubt to hesitate and count the cost; Exiled, he wills to be in such a cause, That souls so dearly-bought \ With love intense not to death be lost. With love intense may not to death be lost. Dear Lord! accept my health, my friends, my life ■ The honor is so great '. To work with Thee, and win Thy heart's desire* I ask no other grace, nor in the strife , For vict'ry soon or late;'" Thy holy will alone my thoughts inspire. 1 —J. O'H.