Course 3, Chapter 32

Christianity preserved and propagated. — St. Gerard, St. Odon, St. Adelaide. — Conversion of the Poles. — Tenth Century.

1. By whom was the reform of morals continued?

The reform of morals, commenced at Cluni, was continued in Belgium by St. Gerard. This young nobleman, engaged from his infancy in the career of arms, had preserved his soul in all its purity. One day whilst returning from a hunt he entered a solitary chapel to pray, and there resolved to quit the world.

2. Whither did he retire?

He retired to the abbey of St. Denis near Paris, where he was ordained priest, and sent back to Belgium to establish discipline.

3. Who reformed England?

St. Odon, and after him St. Dunstan, both of

whom were archbishops of Canterbury. Their efforts were crowned with great success, and, despite the wiles of the devil, religion every where triumphed.

4. Show this more clearly V

Whilst virtue was flourishing in the convents and among the clergy, God was pleased that it should shine brilliantly in the courts of kings. We behold during this period St. Wenceslas, duke of Bohemia, St. Edward, king of England, St. Matilda, queen of Germany, and St. Adelaide, empress, reforming by their example the people whom they governed.

5. What were the other triumphs of the church?

The other triumphs of the church were: 1st, the conversion of the Basques, a people inhabiting the frontiers of France and Spain: 2d, the conversion of the Poles, who owe the light of the gospel, in a great measure, to a pious princess, the wife of the duke of Poland.

6. What were the other consolations of the church?

The extraordinary virtues of St. Paul of Latra, an eastern anchorite, also consoled the church. During a long life he expiated the sins of the world by austerities similar to those practised by the most famous solitaries. His reputation spread throughout the whole Christian world, so that emperors, popes and bishops consulted him, being persuaded that God spoke by the mouth of this great saint.