Course 3, Chapter 42

Christianity preserved and propagated. — General Council of Vienne. — St. Elizabeth, St. John Nepomucen. — Conversion of a portion of Tartary. — Conversion of Lithuania. — Fourteenth Century continued.

1. What general council was held in the fourteenth century?

The general council held in the fourteenth century was that of Vienne, in Dauphiny; it is the fifteenth oecumenical council. In it the church displayed her solicitude for society, by condemning the heretics who disturbed it; by reforming morals, and encouraging the sciences. During this time holiness shone brilliantly on the throne in the person of St. Elizabeth.

2. Who was St." Elizabeth?

St. Elizabeth was queen of Portugal. This pious princess divided so admirably her time, that shewas able to attend to her pious devotions without neglecting the obligations of her station.

3. What were her occupations?

Her favorite occupation was to make up linen and ornaments for the church; to find out and succor the unhappy and those who were strangers; and especially those among the poor whose former condition rendered it painful for them to be known. Her angelic mildness gained over the heart of her husband, whom she had the happiness to bring back to God.

4. WThat was her life after the death of her husband?

After the death of her husband, her life shono forth in so many heroic virtues that she became a living witness to the sanctity of the Catholic Church; to which the death of many martyrs bore a still moro glorious testimony.

5. Who were these martyrs?

324 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

A. These martyrs were three young Lithuanian noblemen, named Anthony, John, and Eustachius, born in idolatry; but who, being converted, preferred to Buffer death rather than eat meat on a day forbidden by the church. There was another martyr still more celebrated.

6. Who was he?

He was St. John Nepomucen, canon of Prague, who died a martyr to the secrecy of confession.

7. Did the blood of the martyrs produce new Christians?

Yes; a part of Tartary or northern China, Bul garia, and Lithuania were converted to the faith and consoled the church for the losses sustained by heresy and the great western schism.