Course 3, Chapter 7: Christianity established. — Manners of the Christians

1. What did our fathers in the faith oppose to the shameful vices of the pagans?

To the shameful vices of the pagans they opposed angelic purity of life, a fact which even their enemies were forced to admit.

2. What virtue did they oppose to the excessive love of gold which engrossed the hearts of the pagan??

To the excessive love of gold among the pagans, our fathers opposed detachment from earthly things and voluntary poverty. Satisfied with the necessaries of life, they gave up the surplus to comfort and support the poor, the orphan and the widow, and looked

apon riches as an obstacle to the true liberty of the soul.

3. What did they oppose to all crimes in general?

To all the crimes of the pagans they opposed a life of prayer and holiness. They rose at day-li<rkt, their first act was the sign of the cross, and having dressed themselves with modesty, the whole family repaired to the room allotted for prayer, when the father said the prayers aloud.

4. In what manner did they pray?

They prayed on their knees, with the head uncovered, their eyes raised to heaven, their arms extended and their faces turned towards the east

5. Where did they go after prayers?

After prayers they went to the church to hear mass, at which they received communion every day — they left the church with mo lesty and returned to their houses or went to their work?

6. By what act did they commence their work?

They commenced their work with the sign of th'j cross; at nine o'clock they prayed again, and then continued their work till dinner, which they took at mid-day. Before fee ling their bodies, they gave food to their souls by reading some passages from the Holy Scriptures, they then blessed the food they were about to take. During their meals sacred hymns were sung, a practice also observed whilst at their work; after dinner they again read from the Bible and returned cheerfully to their labor.

7. What good works did they perform after dinner?

After dinner those who could do it, occupied themselves in different works of charity, such as visit ing the poor an;l those of the brerhren who were in prison for the faith. At three, they prayed again.

8. What did th «y do in the evening?

In the evening the family beinj assembled, the parents instructed their chiLlreii; th.>y then took supper, sang sacrel hymns, read the Scriptures and said

262 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

public prayers, after which each one retired to rest, having first made the sign of the cross on his r«d.

9. Did they pray during the night V

They rose at mid-night to pray. Such was the l?fe led by our fathers; by imitating them, we also would become saints and cause our religion to be respected by bad Christians, as they caused it to be respected by the pagans.