FRIENDS AT COURT

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 52, 31 December 1924, Page 3

FRIENDS AT COURT

- Dec. 28, Sun. Feast of the Holy Innocents. "N „ 29, Mon.—St. Thomas of Canterbury,. Bishop and Martyr. „ 30, Tues.— Within the Octave (Preceding Sunday). „ 31, Wed.—St. Sylvester, Pope. Jan. 1, Thurs. —Circumcision of Our Lord. ■ls Holiday of Obligation. -<#S, 2 Frid.—Octave of St. Stephen. V„ 3, Sat.—Octave of St. John the Apostle. St. Thomas, Bishop and Martyr. St. Thomas a'Beckett was born in London in 1117. Having embraced the ecclesiastical state, and given proof of singular ability and fervent piety, he was soon called to occupy very important positions in the v Church. In 1157 -he was appointed Lord Chancellor of England by King Henry 11, and in 1162 was elected Archbishop of Canterbury. Though remarkable for humility mid meekness, he did not hesitate to boldly defend the rights of the Church against the unjust attacks of the English King. His ' firmness cost him his life. He was murdered in his Cathedral by four knights at, it is alleged, the instigation of the King, A.D. 1170.

GRAINS OF GOLD THROUGH THE NEW YEAR. Through the New Year, whose gate we enter now, Re near me, Son of God; v Teach me in lowliness to walk, where Thou, % Going before, hast trod, If my poor heart grow faint, and fear he nigh, And hope top art from me, Dear Heart of .Jesus, hear me up. till 1 Shall gain new strength from Thee. Worn in the travail of the past, sad years Sorely my soul was tried; Yet, when my gnei found no relief in tears, Thou, Christ, was at my side, Folding me in Thy breast, as a tired child, Thou soothedst me in my need; 0 blessed Saviour, merciful and );>ikl, I was Thy child indeed. New faith, new, hope, new strength, for the New Year — New service in Thy name; "Where'er my duty leadeth, fa'" or near, I go, with lofty aim. Yet, in humility, and striving still, Like my Lord sacrificed, Only to do my Heavenly Father s will Through Thee, through Thee, dear Christ. Frank Roe Batcheuv.oh.

>ro' . REFLECTIONS. Take my heart for I cannot give it-Thee; keep it for I cannot keep it for Thee.St. Augustine. I find nothing in this world that gives me pleasure, and this is the one thing that gives me supreme pleasure, that I find nothing V that pleases me. —St. Philip Neri.