January 26 — Saint Paula, Widow

The noble and pious Widow, who left all the pompa of Rome, and bade adieu to her children, to lead a life of retirement in Bethlehem, comes before us to-day, as one of the Saints that have a special right to be near the Crib of the Infant Jesus. She was, during her life, irresistibly attracted to it, as to something far richer, in her eyes, than all the palaces of kings. There did she find her Qod, who had rendered himself poor for our sakes, and whose poverty she, in the days of her opulence, used to console by relieving the wants of the indigent It was through her zeal, that several Monasteries were founded in the neighbourhood of the holy Cave, where the Word made Flesh first appeared to men. She spent her days in prayer, in works of penance and charity, and in the meditation of the Holy Scriptures, which she studied under the guidance of the great St. Jerome. It is a sight worthy of our admiration to behold these christian ladies and virgins filled with the sublime spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, whilst everything around them was corrupted by the grossest sensualism of pagan Rome. We find them retiring either to the aeserts of Egypt, there to study the virtues of the Monks and hermits, or to the Holy Land, there to venerate the scenes of our Lord's life. Paula is one of the foremost of these noble christian women; and it is with extreme regret, that we are obliged to omit the account of her pilgrimage, given with so much spirit and unction by St Jerome, in letters addressed to the illustrious virgin Eustochium, the daughter of St. Paula. We must umit ourselves to the following quotation, in which the Holy Doctor describes the arrival at Bethlehem.

" Having divided among the poor and her attendants what little money she had still remaining, " Paula left Jerusalem and proceeded to Bethlehem. " After pacing a short visit to the tomb of Rachel, "which lies on the right hand of the road, sho " arrived at the City she so much longed to see, and " she entered into the Grotto of our Lord. As soon " as she beheld the sacred spot wherein our Lady "sought shelter, and saw the stable where the ox " knew hia owner, and the ass his Master's crib, she "told me, with much emotion, that she saw, with " the eyes of her faith, the Infknt wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and weeping in the manger: the "Magi adoring, the Star brightly shining over the " Stable, the Virgin-Mother, Joseph eager to render " her his service, the Shepherds arriving at midnight, "the Innocents massacred, Herod enraged, and " Joseph and Mary fleeing into Egypt. Tears of joy " trickled down her cheeks, and she exclaimed : " ' Hail, 0 Bethlehem ! house of bread, wherein was "'born the Bread that came down from heaven! " 4 Hail, O Ephrata I fertile land, whose fruit is our " ' very God. It is of thee, that the Prophet Micheas "'spoke, when he said: Bethlehem, Ephrata! thow " ' art not the least of the thousand cities of Judu, " 'for out of thee shall come He, that is to be the " ' Ruler in Israel, and his going forth is from the " ' beginning, from the days of eternity} Yes, it "'was in thee that was born the Prince, who was " ' begotten before the day-star, and whose birth in " ' the bosom of the Father was before all ages. I, a

• Is. i. 3. » Mich. v. 2, quoted by St. Matt. ii. 6.

" ' poor wretched sinner, even I have been permitted " 1 to kiss the Crib, wherein the Infant Saviour shed " ' his first tears ; I have been permitted to pray in "'that Cave, wherein the Virgin-Mother brought " 4 forth our Lord. Here, henceforth, will I rest, for " ' this is the country of our Master. Here will I dwell, "'for our Lord chose it for his own dwelling-place." '

We will now give the Lessons, read in the Proper of the Churches of Spain. They are mainly drawn up from the words of St. Jerome.

Paula, a Roman Lady, of a most noble Senatorial family, but still more noble by the holiness of her life, was married to Toxotius, of an equal noble race, and bore him live children. After her husband's death, she devoted her whole self to the service of God, and distributed her great wealth to the poor of Christ, but with so much charity, that she would go through the city in search of them, and (as St. Jerome relates of her) would count herself a loser, if any poor needy person were fed by any other than herself. This her zeal for the poor continued till her death, and she would sometimes say, that she longed to die as a poor mendicant, and to be buried in a borrowed winding-sheet. Certain dis- 6ensi6ns having arisen between some of the Churches, under the pontificate of St. Damasus, several Bishops, both of the East and West, came to Home. Paula gave hospitality to St Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamina. in Cyprus. She, also, loaded Paulinus of An-

Paula matrona Romana e nobilissimorum Senatorum gen ere, sed vitae sanctitate multo nobilior, mortuo Toxotio paris nobilitatis viro, cui quinque liberos ediderat, totam se ad Dominnm convertit, et copiosas coepit divitias in Christi pauperes tanto affectu erogare, ut eos tota urbe perquireret, et damnum putaret (ut de ea sanctus Hieronynms scribit), si quisquam debilis, et esuriens cibo sustentaretur alterius : quo in biuJio usque ad mortem perseverans, dicebat internum, se id voti habere, ut mendicans moreretur, et in suo f unere aliena sindoue involveretur. Cum autem ob quasdam Ecclesiarum dissensiones, Orientis et Occidentis Episcopi Rom am, sancto Damaso Pontifice, convenissent, sanctum Epiphanium, Salamina Cypri Episcopum,hospitio excepit, et Paulinum Antiochiaa omnibus charitatis officiis colere studuit; quorum accensa virtu ti bus, patriam deserere et ad eremum pergere gestiebat. Quare Urbis f requentiam et ora laudantium fugere festinans, et parvulam Bethlehem Rom®

?raeferre volens, tandem ad ortum Romanum navigatura descendit, fratre, propin quia, ac liberis persequentibus, et piam matrem materna charitate retinere cupientibus. Ilia vero,quamvis viscera ejus dolore torquerentur, siccos ad coelum tendebat oculos, etpietatem in Alios pietate in Deum superans, nesciebat se matrem, ut Christi probaret ancillam.

Navi igitur conscensa cum Eustochia filia, quad propositi et navigations ejus comes erat, alis fidei sumptis, Hierosolymam, et sancta loca incredibili ardore videre cupiebat. Quare, cum Cyprum primum, deinde Seleuciam appulisset, in Syriam et Pahestinam venit, cujus cuncta sacra monumenta tanto studio, ac pietate circumivit, ut nisi ad reliqua festinaret, a primis non posset abduci. Denique Bethlehem substitit mansura perpetuo ; ubi structis quatuor monasteriis, uno tioch with every sort of kindness. Their virtues made such an impression upon her, that she determined upon leaving her country, and spending the rest of her days in the desert. She therefore, without delay, fled from the noise and bustle of the City, and from the flattery of admirers : and preferring the humble Bethlehem, to Rome, she set out for Porto, and there embarked for Palestine. Her brother, relatives, and children, did their utmost to dissuade her from her resolution, and made use of every argument that could weigh with a mother's heart. But she, whilst feeling all the keenness of sorrow, raised her tearless eyes to heaven, and conquered by her love for God, the love that would have kept her with her children. She was a mother : but she was also the handmaid of Christ, and that was before all else.

Having, therefore, embarked, accompanied by her daughter Eustochium, who had imitated her in her holy purpose, she set sail, longing, with all the ardour of faith and love, to visit Jerusalem and the Holy Places. After touching at Cyprus, and Seiucia, she landed at Syria and Palestine, visiting each hallowed spot with so much joy and devotion, that nothing less than the resolution of seeing the others could have torn her from it. Having, at length, reached Bethlehem, there she remained, and built four Monasteries;

JAN. 26. ST. P one for men, over which St Jerome presided, and the three others for women. The remainder of her life was spent in Bethlehem, in the exercises of the most admirable sanctity. Humility was her favourite virtue. Iter meekness was extraordinary, as also was her love for the poor. She was calumniated by certain envious tongues, and was tried by numerous crosses; but she bore all with invincible patience and forbearance. She was slow to speak, and swift to hear. She knew the Sacred Scriptures by heart, for she was most assiduous in reading both the Old and New Testament She applied herself to the study of Hebrew, which she so perfectly mastered, that she used to sing the Psalms in that language, and spoke it as though it had been her native tonjrue. She slept on a haircloth thrown on the floor, and even such sleep as this was interrupted by such long and frequent prayers, that it seemed as though her nights were prayer rather than sleep. Even whensufifering the most violent fever, she would not allow herself anything that could make her bed less comfortless. Her abstinence was so great, that it bordered on imprudence. She added to the weakness of her frame by severe fasting and hard work. Excepting the Feast-days, she would scarcely allow herself a drop of oil with her food. No argument could induce her to take wine as a means for re- lULA, widow. 445 virorum, quod sanctus Hieronymus gubernaturus suscepit, aliis virginum, reliquum vita iter admirabili sanctitate confecit Hutnilitatis virtus in ea maxima enituit: nihil ea clementius: nihil erga humiles blandius fuit. Invidorum calumnias, et saecuii varias tentationes sum ma patientia et mansuetudine toleravit. Tarda erat ad b-

Suendum, et velox ad auiendum. Sanctas Scriptures tenebat memoriter, et Vetus ac Novum Testanientum assidue perlegebat Hebraeatn linguam discere voluit, et consecuti est ita, ut psalm os hebraice caneret, et ilium, quasi nativum, pereonaret Super durissimam huraum, stratis ciliciolis, quiescebat, si tamen quies dicenda est, quae jugibus pene oration i bus dies noctesque jungebat. Mollia. etiam in gravissima febre, lectuli strata non habuit Tantae autem continentiae fuit, ut prope mensuram excederet, et debilitatem corporis nimiis jejuniis, ac la bore contraheret : exceptisque diebus festis, vix oleum in cibo caperet. Neque adduci ullo moao potuit, ut ad vires corporis reficiendas vino uteretur. JBgrotantes miris obscquiU ac ministeriis confovebat: cumque aliis languentibus large praeberet omnia, si quando ipsa aegrotasset, sibi non indulgebat : et in eo inaequalis videbatur, quod in aliifl clementiam, in 86 duritiam commutabat

Tandem cam in gravissimam valetudinem incidisae t, ac mortem ad ease sentiret, et frigente alia parte corporis, aoimaa tepor in solo pec tore palpitaret, quasi ad saos pergeret, alienosque desereret, lllos veraiculos usque ad expirationem anim® repetebat: Domine, dilezi decorem domus tu», et locum habitationis glori® tu® ; et, Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine virtutum; concupiscit et deficit anima mea in atria Domini: digitoque crucis signum in labiis imprimens, aanctiasimam animam Deo reddidit, septimo KalendasFebruarii, ®tatis sua anno quinquaz esimo sexto. Translataque Episcoporum manibus in Ecclesiam Speluncae, tot a ad funus ejus Palsestinarum urbium turba concurrents, monachorum, virginum, vid a arum et pauperum, qui ad exemplum Dorcadis, Testes ab ea prasbitas ostendebant: triduo post subter Ecclesiam juxta Speeom Domini condita est storing her to strength. It would be difficult to describe the tender care wherewith she nursed the sick ; she lavished upon them whatever she had, whilst to herself, when in sickness, she allowed no indulgence; so that she had two measures ; one of commiseration for others, and one of severity towards herself.

At length, she fell into a dangerous sickness, and saw that her death was approaching. A chill was over her whole body, her heart alone retaining a spark of life. Then, as though she were going to her home, and was leaving a place of banishment, she ceased not, until she breathed forth her soul, to repeat these verses of the Psalm : "O Lord ! 44 1 have loved the beauty of thy 44 house, and the place where 44 thy glory dwelleth. How 44 lovely are thy tabernacles, O 44 Lord of Hosts 1 My soul "longeth and fainteth for the "courts of the Lord.* Signing her lips with the sign of the cross, she yielded her most holy soul to her God, on the seventh of the Calends of February (January 26th), in the fifty-sixth year of her ace. Her remains were carried by Bishops iuto the Church of the Holy Cave. From all the towns of Palestine, there came to her funeral a multitude of monks, virgins, widows, aad poor, who, as at the death of Dorcas, showed the garments she had given them. On the third day, she was buried under the Church, close to the Grotto of our Lord.

JAN. 26. ST. PAULA, WIDOW.

Thou didst love the Crib of thy Lord, O generoushearted Paula! Thou didst prefer the humble Grotto of Bethlehem to all the riches of Rome ; and Jesus, to reward thy love and the sacrifice thou didst make for him, has united thee to himself for eternity. May we learn, from thy example, to go in search of the Infant Jesus, and to relish the mysteries of his divine Birth. May we break down every obstacle, whensoever he calls us to himself May he mercifully teach us to acknowledge the rights he has acquired over us by the sacrifices he made for our sakes, and be, thereby, disposed to give him whatsoever he may ask at our hands. May thy eagerness to sacrifice the strongest affections of thy heart, in order that thou mightest be united to him alone, animate us to moderate and regulate ours. May thy prayers help us to keep our nearts faithful to Him who made them, and ready, at all times, to follow him in the path to which he may call ua May we stand on our guard against that spirit of the world, which is ever seeking to enter into a compact with Christianity, and by calling into question tne counsels of our Lord, to deny even the obligation of all men to obey his Precepts. May the light of the Holy Ghost shine upon us, and the love of Jesus inflame our hearts ; then shall we understand the conduct of the Saints. Their examples may, indeed, make us feel ashamed at our weakness, but they will also bring light to our soul, and will encourage us to fulfil those duties which God puts upon us, nor will self-love be able to cheat us into tepidity.

Pray for the Church of Syria, which thou didst sanctify by thy virtues. May she return to unity of aries of the Holy Land, desecrated more by the presence and the sacrileges of heretics, than by the

Eillages of the Pagans. May Jerusalem be liberated y thy prayers, and Bethlehem be saved from insult; over the sanctu- may the Sacrifice, which taketh away the sins of the world, no longer be offered by unworthy and schismatical Priests on the very spot where our Emmanuel example, visit the Holy Places, where were achieved the Mysteries of our Redemption. Excite throughout Christendom a love of the Holy Land, which our fathers won from the infidels by their arms; and may we be inflamed in the love of Jesus, by following devoutly the Stations he marked for us in his sacred Passion. was born. Protect

JAN. 27. ST. JOHN CHBYSOSTOH.

44»

January 27. SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM,

BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

Before our Emmanuel came upon this our earth, men were as sheep without a shepherd; the flock was scattered, and the human race was hastening on to perdition. Jesus would, therefore, not only be the Lamb that was to be slain for our sins; he made himself, moreover, a Shepherd, that so he might bring us all back to the divine fold. But, as he had to leave us when he ascended into heaven, he has provided for the wants of his sheep, by providing us with a succession of Pastors, who should, in his name, feed the flock, even to the end of the world. Now, instruction, which is the light of life, is what the flock of Christ needs above all other things; and therefore our Emmanuel required that the Pastors of his Church should also be Doctors of sacred science. The Pastor owes two things to his people ; namely, the Word of God, and the Sacraments. He is under the obligation of dispensing, personally, and unceasingly, this twofold nourishment to his flock, and of laying down his very life, if needed, in the fulfilment of a duty, on which rests the whole work of the world's salvation.

But, since the disciple is not above his Master, the Pastors and Doctors of the christian people, if they are faithful in the discharge of their duties, are sure to be hated by the enemies of God ; for they cannot

(2)

2a spread the Kingdom of Christ, without, at the same tune, taking from the power of Satan. Hence it is, that the history of tne Church is filled with the persecutions endured by her Pastors and Doctors, who continued the ministry of zeal and charity begun by Christ upon the earth. These contests have been threefold, and gave occasion to three admirable victories.

The Pastors and Doctors of the Church have had to struggle with Paganism, which sought, by inflicting tortures and death, to oppose the preaching of the law of Christ. It was this sort of persecution which gave the Church such Saints as those whom we celebrate during this Season of Christmas — Poly* carp, Ignatius, Fabian, Marcellus, Hyginus, and Telesphorus.

When the era of Persecution was over, the Pastors and Doctors of the christian people had to engage with enemies of another kind Kings and Princes became children of the Church, and then sought to make her their own slave. They imagined that it would serve their political interests to interfere with the liberty of the Word of God, which, like the light of the sun, was intended to be carried, without hindrance, throughout the whole earth. They usurped the priestly power, as did the Pagan Caesars, and presumed to set limits to the administration of those sources of life, which become corrupt as soon as they are touched by a profane hand This usurpation gave rise to an incessant contest between the temporal and spiritual powers, and produced a second class of Martyrs. God has glorified his Church during this long period of struggle, and has given her, from time to time, a brave defender of ecclesiastical Liberty. We have met two of these champions of the Word and the holy ministry, during our Christmastide — Thomas of Canterbury, and Hilary of Poitiers.

JAN. 27. ST. JOHN CHRTSOSTOM.

But there is a third sort of battle in which the Pastors ^nd Doctors of the flock of Christ have bad to fight — it is the battle with the world and its vices. It began when Christianity began, and will continue to the day of Judgment. It was their courage in this battle, that made so many saintly Prelates be hated for the name of Jesus Christ. Neither their charity, nor their services to mankind, nor their humility, nor their meekness, protected them from ingratitude, spleen, calumny, and persecution. And, what was their offence ? They had been faithful in their dutv of preaching the doctrines of their Divine Master, of encouraging virtue, and of chiding the sins of men. The amiable Francis of Sales was as much disliked and even hated by bad men, as was John Chrysostom himself, whose triumph gladdens the Church to-day, and who stands near the Crib of his Lord, as one of the most illustrious Martyrs of pastoral duty courageously discharged.

Fervent in the service of his Saviour, even to the observance of the divine Counsels, (for he had embraced the monastic life,) this golden-mouthed Preacher made no other use of his wonderful gift of eloquence than that of urging men to the observance of the virtues taught in the Gospel, and of reproving every vice. Satan sought to have his revenge against our Saint, by raising him many enemies. Among these, were an Empress, whose vanities and sins he had rebuked ; men in power, whose wickedness he had held up to notice; women of influence, who would have him preach a morality more in accordance with their own depravity; a Bishop of Alexandria, and certain Prelates of the Court, who were jealous of his virtues, and still more so of his reputation. He is exceedingly loved by his people — but, neither that nor his great virtues protect nim from persecutioa He whose eloquence had enraptured the people of Antioch, and won for him the enthusiastic admira- tion of the citizens of Constantinople, was deposed in a council convened for the purpose, his name was ordered to be cancelled from the diptychs of the Altar, notwithstanding the energetic protest of the Roman Pontiff ; and, at length, he was condemned to exile, and died on the way, worn out by the hardships and fatigues he had to go through. feut, this Pastor, this Doctor, was not vanquished. He said, in the midst of all his persecutions, Wo is unto me if I preach not the Gospel I1 He made use, too, of those other words of the great Apostle : The word of Ood is not bound.* The Church triumphed in him ; she was more glorified and more consoled by the unflinching courage of Chrysostom, who was led into captivity for having preached the Gospel ofChrist, than she haa been by the success achieved by his eloquence, an eloquence which Libanius was heard to covet for his pagan Orators. Let us hearken to the thrilling words of Chrysostom, which he addressed to the Faithful immediately before his last) banishment. He had been sent into exile once before ; but a terrific earthquake happening immediately after his departure, and which was looked upon as sent by heaven to punish the authors of so crying an injustice — the Empress herself went, with tears in her eyes, to ask the Emperor to recall him. Accordingly, he was permitted to return. Shortly after, fresh occasions were sought for, and John is again sentenced to exile. He receives the intimation with all the calmness of a Saint, who knows that the whole Church is on his side. Let us study this glorious model of a Bishop trained in the school of our Jesus, who is, as the Apostle calls him, the Sliepherd and Bishop of our souls?

" Many are the waves, and threatening are the ■ storms, which surround me ; but I fear them not ;

I. Cor. ix. 10. » II. Tim. u. 9. • I. St P«t. ii.25.

• for I am standing on the Rock. Let the sea roar ; " it cannot wash away the Rock : Let the billows

• mount as they will ; they cannot sink the bark of "our Lord Jesus Christ. And tell me, what would " you have me fear ? Death ? To me, to live is " Christ ; and to die, is gain. Exile 1 The earth

• is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.* Confiscation

• of my goods ? We brought nothing into this world ; " and, certainly, we can carry nothing out} No — "the evils of this world are contemptible, and its "goods deserve but to be laughed at. I fear not " poverty, I desire not riches ; I neither fear to die, "nor wish to live, save for your advantage sake. " Tour interest alone induces me to speak of these

• things, and to ask of you, by the love you bear me, " to take courage.

" For, no one can separate us ; no human power "can part what God has united It is said of "husband and wife: Wherefore, a man shall leave " father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; " and they shall be two in one flesh :* There- "fore, what Ood hath joined together, let no man "put asunder. Thou canst not, O man, dissolve "the nuptial tie — how hopest thou to divide the " Church of God ? It is she whom thou attackest, " because thou canst not reach him whom thou fain "wouldst strike. Thou makest me more glorious, " and thou but was test thy strength in warring against

• me, for it is hard for thee to hick against the sharp " goad* Thou canst not blunt its point, and thou u makest thine own foot bleed, just as the billows^ " when they dash against the rock, fall back mere " empty froth.

" Believe me, O man, there is no power like the " power of the Church. Cease thy battling, lest thou

1 Phil. i. 21. • I. Tim. vi 7. • St. Matth. xix. 6.

• Ps. xxiii. 1. • Gen. ii. 24. • Acts, ix. 6.

• lose thy strength; wage not war with heaven. When "it is with man thou warrest, thou mayest win, or " lose ; but when thy fighting is against the Church, " it is impossible thou shouldst conquer, for God is " above ail in strength. Do we provoke the Lord to mjealousy Are we stronger than he t 1 God founded, " God gave firmness : who shall be so bold as to at- " tempt to pull down ? Knowest thou not his power?

• He looketh upon the earth, and makeih it tremble ; " he gives his order, and that which trembled is made

• firm again. If he made firm the City after an earth-

• quake had shaken it, how much more could he not

• give firmness to the Church ? The Church is stronger " than heaven itself: Heaven and earth shall pass, " but my words shall not pass} What words t Thou

• art Peter; and upon this Rock will I build my " Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail " against it}

" If thou wilt not believe his word, believe facts.

• How many tyrants have sought to crush the Church? " They had their gridirons, and fiery furnaces, and " wild beasts, and swords — and all failed. Where are " those enemies now ? Buried and forgotten. And " the Church ? Brighter than the sun. All they had " is now past ; but Tver riches are immortal If the "Christians conquered, when they were but few "in number; canst thou hope to vanquish them, " now that the whole earth is filled with the holy " religion ? Heaven and earth shall pass, but my " words shall not pass. Wonder not at it ; for the " Church is dearer unto God, than the very heavens. " He took flesh not from heaven, but from his Church " on earth ; and heaven is for the Church, not the " Church for heaven.

" Be not troubled at what has happened. I ask " this favour of you — be firm in your faith. Have

» I. Cor. x. 22. • St. Matth. xxir. 35.

» Ps. ciii. 32. * Ibul. xvi. 18.

" you not observed, that, when Peter was walking on

• the waters, and began to fear, he was in danger of " sinking, not because the sea was rough, but because " his faith was weak ? Have I been raised to this

• dignity by human intrigue? Was it man that " brought me to it, or can man now depose me ? t

• say not this from arrogance or boasting; God forbid!

• I say it from the desire of calming your trouble.

"The devil no sooner saw that your City was

• tranquillised, than he plotted how he might dis- " turb the Church. Thou wicked and most impious " spirit ! thou couldst not throw down the walls of a "City; and thinkest thou thou canst make the " Church fall ? Does the Church consist of walls ? " The Church consists of the multitude of the Faith- "fuL Look at her pillars, and see how solid they " are, fastened, not by iron, but by faith. Not only " is the great multitude itself more vehement than " fire, but even one single Christian would conquer "thee. Hast thou forgotten the wounds thou re- ** ceivedst from the Martyrs ? Oftentimes the com-

• batant was a tender maiden ; delicate as a flower, "yet firmer than a rock. Thou didst mangle her " flesh, but her faith was proof against all thy tof- " turea Her blood fell as nature felt the wounds, " but her faith fell not ; her body was torn, but her "manly soul flinched not; what was material was "spoilt, what was spiritual was untouched. Thou "couldst not vanquish one woman; and yet thou "hopest to vanquish a whole people? Hast thou " not heard these words of the Lord : Where there " are two or three gathered together in my name, " there am I in the midst of them? And thinkest " thou, he will not be in the midst of a numerous " people, united together by the ties of charity ?

" I have his pledge, and on that I trust, not on my

1 St. Mattb. xviii. 20.

" own strength. I have his written promise. That " is my staff, and my guarantee, and mv tranquil u port What matters it to me if the whole world be " upset — have I not his written word ? have I not his " letters? There is my rampart and there my defence. " What letters 1 Jam with you all days, even to the u consummation of the world} Christ is with me —

• of whom shall I be afraid ? Though stormy billows " should rise up against me, though the sea should " open to swallow me, though the wrath of kings u should be enkindled against me— I will heed them no more, than if they were so many spider's webs. "Had not my love for you kept me, I would have u started this very day on my exile, for this is my u constant prayer : '0 Lord! thy will be done;* I " ' will do thy will ; not what such or such an one "'may will, but what thaw wiliest/ This is my €l tower of strength, this is my firm rock, this is my

• trusty staff If God will that I go, I will go. If

• he will me to remain here, I will give him thanks. " Yea, whithersoever he wills me to go, I will bless m his holy name."'

What humility and courage in this saintly minister of Christ ! What a consolation for the Church when Qod sends her men like this I He has given four to the Eastern Church : Athanasius, Gregory of Nazianzum, Basil, and Chrysostom. In spite of the immense dangers to which faith was exposed during the age in which they lived, these four Holy Doctors, by their sanctity, learning, and courage, kept it alive among the people. Athanasius and Gregory appear to us in that period of the Ecclesiastical Year, when the Church is radiant with her Easter joy, and celebrates the Resurrection of her Divine Spouse. Basil's feast gladdens us in the season of rentecost, when the Church is filled with the gifts of the

1 8*. Mattb, xxviii. 20. » Ibid. vL 10. 3 homily before h>$ exile.

Holy Ghost. Chrysostom comes ac Ghristmastide, and adds to the joy of the dear Mystery of Bethlehem. Let us, the favoured children of the Latin Church, which alone has preserved the primitive faith, because Peter is with her — let us honour these four faithful guardians of Tradition : let us, to-day,

Eay the homage of our devotion to Chrysostom, the )octor of the universal Church, the conqueror of the world, the dauntless Pastor, the successor of the Martyrs, the Preacher by excellence, the admirer of St. Paul, and the fervent imitator of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Roman Church, in the Lessons of to-day's Office, thus speaks the praises of our Saint.

John, surnamed Chrysostom on account of Lis golden eloquence, was born at Antioch. Having cone through the study of tne law and the profane sciences, he applied himself, with extraordinary application and success, to the study of the Sacred Scriptures. Having been admitted to holy orders, and made a Priest of the Church at Antioch, he was appointed Bishop of Constantinople, after the death of Nectarius, by the express wish of the Emperor Arcadius. No sooner had he entered upon the pastoral charge, than he began to inveigh against the licentious lives led by the rich. This his courageous preaching procured him many enemies. He likewise gave great offence to the Empress Eudoxia, because he had reproved her for having appropriated to herself the money belonging to a widow,

Joannes Antiochenus,

Sropter aureum eloquenti» umen cognomento Chrysostomus, a forensibus et ssBCularibus studiis ad divinas Litteras summa cum ingenii et industries laude se contulit. Itaque sacris initiatus, ac Presbyter Antiochenae Ecclesiae factus, mortuo Nectario, Arcadii Imperatoris opera, invitus Constantinopolitanae Ecclesiae prseficitur: quo suscepto pastorali munere, do-

Eravatos mores, et nobiorum hominum vivendl licentiam vehementius obiurgare coepit. Qua ex libertate magnam multorum subiit invidiam. Apud Eudoxiam etiam, quod earn propter Callitropae vidua pecuniam, et alter ius v id use agrum reprehend isset, graviter offeudit.

Quare aliquot Episcoporura acto Chalcedone conventu, quo ipse vocatus ire noluitj quod neo legitimum concilium, nec publicum esse diceret, nitente in primis ipsa contra Chrysostomum Eudoxia, ejicitur in exilium : sed paulo post propter ejus deeidenum, seditione populi facta, admirabili civitatis plausu ab exilio revocatur. Verum cum perditos mores increpare non desisteret, et ad argenteamEudoxiae statnam in foro Sancta Sophias ludos fieri prohiberet : con* spiratione inimicorum Episcoporum iterum exufare cogitur, viduis et egentibus communis parentis ejectionem lugentibus. In exilio Chrysostoinum incredibile est et quanta mala perpeasus sit, et quam multos ad Jesu Christi fidem couverterit

Verum dum Concilio Rom» habito, decreto Innocentii Primi Pontifices restituitur, a militibus, qui eum custodiebant, mirisin itinere malis et calamitatibus afficitur. Cumque per Armeniam duceretur, sanctus Basiliscus Martyr, in cujus templo antea oraverat, noctu sic eum affatus est: Joannes f rater crastinus name, Callitropa, and for haying taken possession of some land which was the property of another widow.

At the instigation, therefore, of Eudoxia, several Bishops met together at Chalcedon. Chrysostom was cited to appear, which he refused to do, because it was not a Council either lawfully or publicly convened. Whereupon, he was sent into exile. He had not been gone long, before the people rose in sedition on account of the Saint's banishment, and he was recalled, to the immense joy of the whole city. But, his continuing to inveigh against the scandals which existed, and his forbidding the games held before the silver statue of Eudoxia, which was set up in the space opposite Sancta Sophia, were urged by certain Bishops, enemies of the Saint, as motives for a second banishment The widows and the poor of the City bewailed his departure as that of a father. It is incredible how much Chrysostom had to suffer in this exile, and how many he converted to the Christian Faith.

At the very time that Pope Innocent the First, in a Council held at Home, was issuing a decree, ordering that Chrysostom should be set at liberty — he was being treated by the soldiers, who were taking him into exile, with unheard of harshness and cruelty. Whilst

Eassinff through Armenia, the oly Martyr Basiliscus, in whose Church he had offered up a prayer, thus spoke to him during the night : " Brother M J obn 1 we shall be united to* M gether to-morrow." Whereupon, on the following morning, Chrysostom received the s&cranrent of the Eucharist, and, signing himself with the sign of the cross, he breathed forth his soul to his God, on the eighteenth of the Calends of October (September 14th). A fearful nail-storm happened at Constantinople after the Saint's death, and, four days after, the Empress died. Theodosius, the Son of Arcadius, had theSaint'B body brought to Constantinople, with all due honour, where, amidst a large concourse of people, it was buried on the sixth of the Calends of February (January 27th). Theodosius, whilst devoutly venerating the Saint's relics, interceded for his parents, that they might be lorffiven. The body was, at a later period, translated to Rome, and placed in the Vatican Basilica. All men agree in admiring the unction and eloquence of his sermons, which are very numerous, as indeed of all his other writings. He is al so admirable in his interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures, which he explains in their genuine sense. It has always been thought that he was aided, in his writings and sermons, by St Paul the Apostle, to whom he entertained an extraordinary devotion.

The Greek Church, in her Menaaa, honours the dies nos loco conjunget.

Snare postridie, sumpto ucharisti® Sacramento, aequo crucis signo muniens, animam Deo reddidit decimo octavo kalendas Octobris. Quo mortuo, horribilis grando Constantinopoli cecidit, et quatriduo Augusta cessit e vita. Hjus corpus insigni pompa et hominum multituaine celebratum, Theodosius Arcadii alius Constantinopolim portandum, et honorifice sepeliendum curavit sexto kalendas Februarii; cujus etiam re liquias veneratus, parentum suorum veniam petiit : quod deinde Romam translatum, in Basilica Vaticana conditumest Multitudinem, pietatem, ac splendorem con* cionum, c®terorumque ejus scriptorum, interpretandi etiam rationem, et inh®rentem sententi© sacrorum Librorum explanationem, omnes admirantur, dignumque existimant, cui Paulus Apostolus, quern ille mirifice col u it, scribenti et prodicanti multa dictasse videatur. memory of her great Doctor with an enthusiasm which even her liturgy has seldom surpassed. We extract the following stanzas.

DIE XIII. N0VEMBRI8.

Tubam auream, divine flans organum, doctrinarum mare inexhaustuni, Ecclesise firmamentum, men tern coelestem, sapientiae abyse urn, craterem deauratum, diffundentem ilumina dogmatum melliflua, irrigantia creationem, meloditer hymnificemus.

Sidua inocciduum, radiis illuminans dogmatum o nine subsolare, poenitentia praeconem, spongiam auratissimam humiditatem terribilis despdtationis aufere ntem, et rorificantem cor peccatis consumptum, Joannem digne Chrysologum honoremua.

Angelus terrenus et coo* lestis homo, lyra bene loquens et multisonans, virtutum thesaurus, immobilis lapis, fidelium forma Martyrum semulus, contubernalis sanctorum Angelorum, Apostolorum commensalis, in hymnis maguificetur Chrysostomus.

Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis, sancte rater, Joannes Chrysostome ; nam unxit te Deus sacerdotem populi sui, pascere gregem suum in sanctitate et justitia. Ideo cinctus gladio potentis, garrulitatem hsereseon amputasti, et nunc ne cesses de-

Let us sweetly hymn the praises of Chrysostom, the golden trumpet, the divinely sounding organ, the exhaustless sea of doctrine, the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind, the abyss of wisdom, the gilded vase, that pours forth the honeyed streams of dogma, which refresh the world.

Let us worthily honour J ohn the Chrysologus, the unsetting star, that illumines with the rays of doctrine all nations under the sun ; the preacher of penance, the golden sponge that takes away the clammy sweats of sad despair, and with refreshing dew revives the sin- worn heart.

Let Chrysostom be extolled in our hymns : he is the angel of earth and the man of heaven, a sweet and many-tuned harp, a treasury of virtues, an immoveable rock, a model of the Faithful, an imitator of Martyrs, a companion of the holy Angels, an associate of the Apostles.

Grace is poured forth upon thy lips, 0 holy Father, John Chrysostom 1 for the Lord hath, anointed thee priest of his

Eeople, to feed the flock in oliness and justice. Therefore, armed with the sword of strength, thou didst cut short the prattling of heresies : oh 1 cease not now, to pray that precari nt pacificetur raun- the world may be in peace, dus, et saiventur animsa and our souls be saved. nostras.

Aureis verbis tuis Eccletamquam auro mundo gaudens exclamat : Satiata sum tuis auriferis pascuis, et auriparibus ac mellauratis fluenex actione in contemcon- plationem educor, per tuas et Chriato, spiritali Sponso, unior, imcum eo. Ideo et nos congregati in tui memoriam clamamus : Ne fatigeris deprecari pro nobis ad sal vananimas nostras,

The Church, enriched with the pure gold of thy words, O sia, Chrysostom 1 cries out to thee, circumornata, JoannesChryon this thy feast: "I am sostome, festive M nourished by thy golden 44 pastures, and by the streams 44 of thy rich honeyed words, 44 By thy exhortations, I am tis ; "led from action unto 44 templation, and am united exhortationes, 44 to Christ, the Spouse of mjr 44 soul, that I may reign with perans 44 him." We, too, that are assembled to celebrate thy memory, ory ont unto thee: Cease not to pray for us, that das our souls may be saved.

It was meet that the Queen Decebat Reginam urbium of Cities should glory in her de Joanne gloriari tamquam pontiff John, for he is her de ornatu regali et de aurea crown, and the golden tram- tuba, circumsonante per pet, that makes the whole omnem terrain salutaria earth re-echo with the doc- dogmata, et omnes convo- trines of salvation, and sum- cante ad concentum canti- mons all men to keep choir in coram divinorum, ad quern

God's praise. We, also, cry clamamus: Chrysologe et out to nim : 0 Chrysologus I Chrysostome, Christum de-

O Chrysostom ! beseech our precare salvari animas nos-

Lord that he give us salvation, tras. orphanorum pater, injuste patientium magnum auxilium, pauperam esurientium cibus, peccatorum erectio, animarum solertissime medice, theologi© excel&ss accurainter- tio, explanatio Scripturapreter rum, Sancti Spiritus lex theoria et nis ; Christum exora animabus nostris magnam misericordiam.

Rejoice, O thou father of Gaude, th e orphans, that unjustly suffer the great banishment I O treasury of the poor — food larjitio, of the hungry — converter of einners — most skilled physician of souls — accurate teacher of sublime theology — of the Scriptures— living law of the Holy Spirit — practicissima, theory and practice of hea- praxis sapientiaa celsitudivenly wisdom !— Oh 1 pray for mitus to our Lord, that he show tere unto us his great mercy.

Thou art a most brilliant Sol splendid issime, ter- ram verbis illustrans f actus es, sidus fulgidissimum, lampas prasclara, fax per mare mnndanam hyeme agitates evocans ad portnm salutis tranquillissimum, in oharitate : auridice Chrysostome, legate animarnm nostrarum.

In tuo pastoratu, injnsta perpessus es, Pater sancte, participans tribulationibus amaris exiliisque, in quibua dignatns es beato fine, tn qui, sicut athleta generosus, artificioaum inimicum su-

Serasti : ideo victorias diaemate te Christns coronavit, Joannes Chrysostome, legate precum nostrarum. sun, enlightening the earth by thy words— a most bright star — a shining lamp — a beacon, by thy charity, that calls into the tranquil haven of salvation them that are lost on the wintry stormy sea of this world — O golden-mouthed Chrysostom, thou advocate of our souls !

O holy Father 1 thou didst suffer most unjustly in the discharge of thy pastoral office, and wast made to drink of bitter tribulation and exile, wherein thou didst receive a blessed death, for, as a courageous soldier, thou didst overcome the crafty enemy. Therefore, O Chrysostom ! ambassador of our prayers! thou didst receive from Christ the crown of victory.

What a crown is thine, O Chrysostom ! Oh ! how glorious is thy name in the Church of both heaven and earth ! Thou didst preach the gospel in truth, thou didst fight the battle of thy Lord with courage, thou didst suffer for the cause of justice, and thou didst give up thy life in defence of the liberty of Gods word. The applause of men did not make thee less stern in claiming the rights of God, and the

S'ft of apostolic eloquence, wherewith the Holy host had enriched thee, was but a feeble image of the divine fire which burned within thy heart, and which made thee love the Word Incarnate, Christ Jesus our Lord, more than thine own glory, or happiness, or life. Thou wast calumniated by wicked men ; thy name was erased from the tablets of the holy altar; and, like thy divine Master, thou wast condemned as a criminal, and deposed from the episcopal throna But, as well might men strive to eclipse the sun, as efface thy loved name from the memory of the christian world. Rome defended thee, and has ever honoured thy admirable virtues, just as she now venerates thy sacred Relics, which repose near the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles. She and all her children throughout the world consider thee as one of the most faithful dispensers of divine Truth.

Recompense the devotion we have for thee, O Chrysostom ! by watching over us from heaven ; instruct us, convert us, make us earnest christians. Like thy beloved master, St. Paul, thou didst care for no knowledge save that which would make thee know Christ Jesus — but, is it not in Christ Jesus that are hidden all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom ? Teach us to know this dear Saviour, who has come down to us with all his infinite perfections ; teach us to know his spirit ; tell us how we may please and imitate him; ask him to receive the offering of our faithful love. In one thing we resemble thee, great Saint ! — we are exiles ; but, alas ! we are so often tempted to love our exile as though it were our home. Oh ! detach us from this earth and its vanities. May we long to be united with thee, (as thou wast united with the holy Martyi Basiliscus,) in order that we may be with our Jesua

Faithful Pastor ! pray for our Pastors ; obtain for them thine own spirit, and pray that their flocks may be docile to their teachings. Bless the Preachers of Gods word, that so they may preach, not themselves, but Jesus Christ. Ask our Lord to give them that christian eloquence which comes from the study of the Sacred Volume, and from Prayer ; that thus, the Faithful may be allured to virtue by the charm of an unearthly language, and may give glory to God. Protect the Roman Pontiff, whose predecessor was thy sole defender ; — may he ever be the protector of the Bishops of the Church, who are persecuted for justice sake. Fray for thy Church of Constantinople, which has forgotten thy faith and thy virtues. May she be raised from the degradation, in which she has been so longed enslaved. May Jesus, the Eternal Wisdom, be appeased by thy prayers, and be mindful of his Church of Sancta Sophia, and purify it from profanation, and restore that altar whereon he was offered in sacrifice for so many ages. Show, too, thy love for the Western Church, which has ever revered and loved thee. Hasten the fall of the heresies which have so long laid waste large portions of her inheritance ; dispel the dark clouds of incredulity, and obtain for us all, by thy powerful intercession, a lively faith and the fervent practice of every virtue.