October 17 — Saint Peter of Alcantara

our Lord will teach us as soon as we have oourage. What great oourage must the holy man I speak of have reoeived from God, to keep up for forty-seven years the rigorous penanoe that all now know !

Of all his mortifications, that which cost him most at the beginning was the overcoming of sleep; to effect this he would remain oontinually on his knees, or else standing. The little repose he granted to nature he took sitting, with his head leaning against a piece of wood fixed to the wall; indeed, had he wished to lie down, he oould not have done so, for his oell was only four feet and a half in length. During the course of all these years, he never put his hood up, however burning the sun might be, or however heavy the rain. He never used shoes or stockings. He wore no other clothing than a single garment of rough, coarse cloth ; I found out, however, that for twenty years he wore a hair-shirt made on plates of tin, which he never took off. His habit was as narrow as it oould possibly be ; and over it he put a short oloak of the same material ; this he took off when it was verv cold, and left the door and small window of his cell open for a while ; then he shut them and put his cape on again, which he said was his manner of warming himself and giving bis body a little better temperature. He usually ate but once in three days ; and when I showed some surprise at this, he said it was quite easy when one was accustomed to it. His poverty was extreme; and such was his mortification, that, as he acknowledged to me, he had, when young, spent three years in a house of his Order without knowing any one of the religious exoept by the sound of his voioe.; for he had never lifted up his eyes ; so that, when called by the rule to any part of the house, he oould find his way only by following the other brethren. He observed the same custody of the eyes when on the roads. When I made his aoquaintanoe, his body was so emaciated that it seemed to be formed of the roots of trees.' 1

To this portrait of the Franoiscan reformer drawn by the reformer of Oarmel, the Church will add the history of his life. Three illustrious and worthy families now form the first Order of St. Francis, known as the Conventuals, the Observantines, and the Capuchins. A pious emulation for more and more strict reform, brought about in the Observance itself, a subdivision into the Observantines proper, the Reformed, the Disoaloed or Aloantarines, and the Recollets. This division, which was historical rather than constitutional, no longer exists ; for, on the feast of the patriarch of Assisi, October 4, 1897, the sovereign Pontiff Leo XIII thought fit to reunite the great family of the Observance, which is henoeforth known as the Order of Friars Minor. 2

Petrus, Alcantara in Hi- Peter was born of noble pa- spania nobilibus parentibus rents at Alcantara in Spain, and natus, a teneris annis futu- from his earliest years gave ro sanctitatis indicia pro- promise of his future sanctity, buit. Decimo sexto statis At the age of sixteen, he en- anno ordinem Minornm in- tered the Order of Friars Mi- gressus, se omnium virtu- nor, in which he became an turn exemplar exhibuit. Turn example of every virtue. He munus concionatoris ex obe- undertook by obedience the dientia exercens, innumeros office of preaching, and led a vitiis ad veram poeniten- numberless sinners to sincere tiam traduxit. Primaevum repentance. Desirous of bring- sancti Francisci institutum ing back the Franciscan Order exactissimerepararecupiens, to its original strictness, he ope divina fretus, et aposto- founded, by God's assistance lica munitus auctoritate, an- and with the approbation of gustissimumetpauperrimum the apostolic See, a very poor coenobium juxta Petrosum little convent at Pedroso. The

1 St. Teresa. Life, xxvii. xxx. 2 Constat, apost. Felicitate quadam. fandarit: quod vitas genus asperrimum, ibi f eliciter cobptum, per diversas Hiapaniao provincias, usque ad Indias mirifice propagatum fuit. Sanctae Teresiae, cujus probaverat spiritum, in promovenda Carmelitarum reformatione adjutor fuit. Ipsa autem a Deo edocta, quod Petri nomine nihil quisquam peteret, quin protinus exaudiretur, ejus precibus se commendare, et ipsum adhuc viventem sanctum appellare oonsuevit.

Principum obsequia, qui ipsum velut oraculum consulebant, gumma humilitate declinans, Carolo quinto imperatori a confessionibus esse recusavit. Paupertatis rigidissimus custos, una tunica, qua nulla deterior easet, contentus erat. Puritatem ita coluit, ut a f ratre, in extremo morbo sibi inserviente, nec leviter quidem tangi passus sit. Corpus suum perpetuis vigiliis, jejuniis, flagellis, frigore, nuditate, atque omni genere asperitatum in servitutem redegit, cum quo pactum inierat, ne ullam in hoc sasculo ei requiem praeberet. Caritas Dei et proximi in ejus corde diffusa tautum quandoque excitabat incendium, ut e cellaa angustiis in apertum campum prosi- Ure, aerisque refrigerio con- austere manner of life, which he was there the first to lead, was afterwards spread in a wonderful manner throughout Spain and even into the Indies. He assisted St. Teresa, whose spirit he approved, in carrying out the reform of Carmel. And she having learned from God that whoever asked anything in Peter's name would be immediately heard, was wont to recommend herself to his prayers, and to call him a saint, while he was still living.

Peter was consulted as an oracle by princes; but he avoided their honours with great humility, and refused to become confessor to the emperor Charles V. He was a most rigid observer of poverty, having but one tunic, and that the meanest possible. Such was his delicacy with regard to purity, that he would not allow the brother, who waited on him in his last illness, even lightly to touch him. By perpetual watching, fasting, disciplines, cold, and nakedness, and every kind of austerity, he brought his body into subjection; having made a compact with it, never to give it any rest in this world. The love of God and of his neighbour was shed abroad in his heart, and at times burned so ardently that he was obliged to escape from his narrow cell into the open, that the cold

TIME AFTER PENTECOST ceptum ardorem temperare oogeretur.

Gratia contemplations admirabilis in eo fuit, qua cum assidue spiritus reficeretur, interdum accidit, ut ab omni cibo et potu pluribus diebus abstinuerit. In aera frequenter sublatus, miro fulgore coruscare vibus est. Bapidos fluvios sicco pede trajecit. Fratres in extrema penuria, coelitus delata alimonia cibavit. Baculus ab ipso terrre defixus, mox in viridem ficulneam excrevit. Cum noctu iter ageret, densa nive cadente, dim tarn domum sine tecto ingressus est, eique nix in aere pendula pro tecto f uit, ne illius copia suffocaretur. Dono prophetias ac discretionis spirituum imbutum fuisse sancta Teresia testatur. Denique annum agens sexagesimum tertium, hora qua prsedixerat, migravit ad Dominum, mirabili visione, sanctorumque praesentia confortatus. Quern eodem momento in ccelum ferri beata Teresia procul distans vidit; cui postea apparens dixit: 0 felix poenitentia, quae tantam mihi promeruit gloriam! Post mortem vero plurimis miraculis claruit, et a Clemente nono sanctorum numero adscri- * ptusest. air might temper the heat that consumed him.

Admirable was his gift of contemplation. Sometimes, while his spirit was nourished in this heavenly manner, he would pass several days without food or drink. He was often raised in the air, and seen shining with wonderful brilliancy. He passed dry-shod over the most rapid rivers. When his brethren were absolutely destitute, he obtained for them food from heaven. He fixed his staff in the earth, and it suddenly became a flourishing fig-tree. One night when he was journeying in a heavy snow-storm, he entered a ruined house; but the snow, lest he should be suffocated by its dense flakes, hung in the air and formed a roof above him. He was endowed with the gifts of prophecy and discernment of spirits as St. Teresa testifies. At length, in his sixtythird year, he passed to our Lord at the hour he had foretold, fortified by a wonderful vision and the presence of the saints. St. Teresa, who was at a great distance, saw him at that same moment carried to heaven. He afterwards appeared to her, saying: 0 happy penance, which has won me such great glory! He was rendered famous after death by many miracles, and was enrolled among the saints by Clement IX.

'Suoh then is the end of that austere life, an eternity of glory ! >l And how sweet were thy last words: 'I rejoioed at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord.' 3 The time of reward had not yet oome for the body, with which thou hadst made an agreement to give it no truoe in this life, but to reserve its enjoyment for the next. But already the soul, on quitting it, had filled it with the light and the fragranoe of the other world ; signifying to all that, the first part of the oontraot having been faithfully adhered to, the second should be carried out in like manner. Whereas, given over for its false delights to horrible torments, the flesh of the sinner will for ever cry vengeance against the soul that caused its loss ; thy members, entering into the beatitude of thy happy soul, and completing its glory by their own splendour, will eternally declare now thy apparent harshness for a time was in reality wisdom and love.

Is it neocessary, indeed, to wait for the resurrection, in order to discover that the part thou didst to compare, not only unlawful pleasures, but even the permitted enjoyments of earth, with the holy delights of contemplation prepared, even in this world, for those who oan relish them? If they are to be purchased by mortification of the flesh, it is because the flesh and the spirit are ever striving for the mastery; but a generous soul loves the struggle, for the flesh is honoured by it, and through it esoapes a thousand dangers.

0 thou who, according to our Lord's promise, art never invoked in vain, if thou deign thyself to present our pra vers to Him ; obtain for us that relish for heavenly things, which oauses an aversion for

1 St. Teresa. Life, xxyii. 9 Pa. cxxL 1. choose is inoontestably the best P

TIME AJTTB& PENTECOST those of earth. It is the petition made by the whole Churoh, through thy merits, to the God who bestowed on thee the gift of such wonderful penanoe and sublime contemplation. 1 The great family of Friars Minor cherishes the treasure of thy teaching and example ; for the honour of thy holy Father Francis and the good of the Ohuroh, maintain in it the love of its austere traditions. Withdraw not thy preoious protection from the Oarmel of Teresa of Jesus ; nay, extend it to the whole religious state, especially in these days of trial. Mayst thou at length lead baok thy native Spain to the glorious heights, whenoe formerly she seemed to pour down floods of sanotity upon the world ; it is the condition of nations ennobled by a more sublime vooation, that they oannot deoline without the danger of falling below the level of those less favoured by the Most High.

October 20 SAINT JOHN CANTIUS

CONFESSOR

Kenty, the humble village of Silesia which witnessed the birth of St. John, owes its celebrity entirely to him. The oanonization of this holy priest, who in the fifteenth century had illustrated the university of Cracow by his virtues and soienoe, was the last hope of expiring Poland. It took plaoe in the year 1767. Two years earlier, it was at the request of this heroic nation that Clement XIII had issued the first decree sanctioning the celebration of the feast of the saored Heart. When enrolling i Collect of the feast

SAINT JOHN CANT1T78

John Oantiufl among the saints, the magnanimous Pontiff expressed in moving terms the gratitude of the Church towards that unfortunate people; and rendered to it, before shamefully forgetful Europe, a supreme homage. 1 Five years later Poland was dismembered.

Joannes in oppido Kenty Cracoviensis dioecesis, a quo Cantii cognomen duxit, Stanislao et Anna piis et honestis parentibus natus, morum suavitate, innocentia, gravitate, ab ipsa infantia spem fecit maxim® virtntis. In universitate Cracoviensi philosophise ac theologi® primum auditor, turn per omnes academisB gradus ascendendo professor ac doctor, sacra quam annis multis tradidit doctrina, mentes audientium non illustrabat modo, sed et ad omnem pietatem inflammabat, simul docens scilicet et faciens. Sacerdos factus, nihil de litterarum studio remittens, studium auxit Christianas perf ectionis. Utque passim offendi Deum maxime dolebat, sic eum sibi et populo placare oblato quotidie non sine multis lacrimis incruento sacrificio satagebat. Ilkusiensem parochiam annis aliquot egregie administravit; sed animarum periculo commotus postea dimisit, ac postulante

John was born at Kenty, a town in the diocese of Cracow ; and hence his surname Cantius. His parents were pious and honorable persons, by name Stanislaus and Anna. From his very infancy, his sweetness of disposition, innocence, and gravity, gave promise of very great virtue. He studied philosophy and theology at the university of Cracow, and taking all his degrees proceeded professor and doctor. He taught sacred science for many years, enlightening the minds of his pupils and enkindling in them the flame of piety, no less by his deeds than by his words. "When he was ordained priest, he relaxed nothing of his zeal for study, but increased his ardour for Christian perfection. Grieving exceedingly over the offences everywhere committed against God, he strove to make satisfaction on his own behalf and that of the people, by daily offering the unbloody Sacrifice with many tears. For several years he had charge of the parish of Ukusi, which he ad-

1 fulla oanoniwtumit,

TIME AFTER PENTECOST academia ad pristinum docendi officium rediit.

Quidquid temporis ab studio supererat, partim saluti proximorum, aacris prsesertim concionibus curandse, partim orationi dabat, in qua ccelestibus quandoque visionibus et colloquiis dignatus f ertur. Christi vero paasione sic afficiebatur, ut in ea contemplanda totas interdum noctes duceret insomnes, ejusque causa melius recolendse Hierosolymam peregrinatus sit: ubi et martyrii desiderio flagrans, Turcis ipsis Christum crucifixum praedicare non dubitavit. Quater etiam ad apostolorum limina pedes, atque viaria onustus sarcina Romam venit, turn ut Sedem apostolicam, cui maxime addictus fuit, honoraret, turn ut sui (sic enim aiebat) purgatorii poenas exposita Ulic quotidie peccatorum venia redimeret. Quo in itinere a latronibus olim spoliatus, et numquid haberet prseterea interrogatus, cum negasset, aureos deinde aliquot suo insutos pallio recordatus, fugientibus hos etiam clamans obtulit latronibus: qui viri sancti candorem simul, et largita- ministered in an exemplary manner ; but fearing the responsibility of the cure of souls, he resigned his post ; and, at the request of the university, resumed the professor's chair.

Whatever time remained over from his studies, he devoted partly to the good of his neighbour, especially by holy preaching ; partly to prayer, in which he is said to have been sometimes favoured with heavenly visions and communications. He was so affected by the Passion of Christ, that he would spend whole nights without sleep in the contemplation of it; and in order the better to cultivate this devotion, he undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. While there, in his eagerness for martyrdom he boldly preached Christ crucified even to the Turks. Four times he went to Rome on foot, and carrying his own baggage, to visit the threshold of the apostles; in order to honour the apostolic See to which he was earnestly devoted, and also (as he himself used to say), to save himself from purgatory by means of the indulgences there daily to be gained. On one of these journeys he was robbed by brigands. When asked by them whether he had anything more, he replied in the negative; but afterwards remembering that he had some gold pieces sewn in his cloak,

SAINT JOHN CANTIU8 tern admirati, etiam ablatos ultro reddidere. Aliense famaB ne quis detraheret, descriptis beati Augustini exemplo in pariete versiculis, se aique alios perpetuo voluit admonitos. Famelicos de Buo etiam obsonio satiabat: nudos autem non emptis modo, sed detractis quoque sibi vestibus et calceis operiebat, demisso ipso interim nsqne ad terram pallio, ne domum nudipedes redire videretur.

Brevis illi somnus, atque humi; vestis, quse nuditatem, cibus, qui mortem dumtaxat, arceret. Yirginalem pudicitiam, velut lilium inter spinas, aspero cilicio, flagellis atque jejuniis custodivit. Quin et per annos ante obitum triginta circiter et quinque ab esu carnium perpetuo abstinuit. Tandem dierum juxta ac meritorum plenus, cum vicinae, quam praesensit, morti se din diligenterque praeparasset, ne qua re amplius teneretur, si quid domi supererat, id omnino pauperibus distribuit. Turn Ecclesise sacramentis rite munitus, dissolvi jam cupiens, et esse he called back the robbers, who had taken to flight, and offered them the money. Astonished at the holy man's sincerity and generosity, they restored all they had taken from him. After St. Augustine's example, he had verses inscribed on the walls in his house, warning others, as well as himself, to respect the reputation of their neighbours. He fed the hungry from his own table; and clothed the naked not only with garments bought for the purpose, but even with his own clothes and shoes; on these occasions he would lower his cloak to the ground, so as not to be seen walking home barefoot.

He took very little sleep, and that on the ground. His clothing was only sufficient to cover him, and his food to keep him alive. He preserved his virginal purity, like a lily among thorns, by using a rough hair-shirt, disciplines, and fasting; and for about thirty-live years before his death, he abstained entirely from fleshmeat. At length, full of days and of merits, he prepared himself long and diligently for death, which he felt drawing near; and that nothing might be a hindrance to him, he distributed all that remained in his house to the poor. Then, strengthened with the Sacraments of the Church, and de-

TIME AFTER PSNTEC09T cum Christo, pridie Nativitatii ejus, in coelum evolavit, miraoulis ante et post mortem clarua. Mortuus ad proximam academies eccleaiam sanctfe AnnaB delatns est, ibique honorifice sepultns. Auctaque in dies populi veneratione ac freqnentia inter primarios PoloniflB ac Lithuania patronos religiosissime colitur. Novisque coruscans miraculis, a Clemente decimo tertio Pontifice maximo decimo septimo calendas Augusti, anno millesimo septingentesimo sexagesimo septimo, solemni ritu sanctorum fastis adscriptus est. siring to be with Christ, he passed to heaven on Christinas Eve. He worked many miracles both in life and after death. His body was carried to St. Anne's, the church of the university, and there honourably interred. The people's veneration for the saint, and the crowds visiting his tomb, increased daily; and he is honoured as one of the chief patrons of Poland and Lithuania. As new miracles continued to be wrought, Pope Clement XIII solemnly enrolled him among the saints, on the seventeenth of the Kalends of August, in the year 1767.

The Church is ever saying to thee, and we repeat it with the same unwavering hope: '0 thou, who didst never refuse assistance to any one, take in hand the cause of thy native kingdom ; it is the desire of the Poles, thy fellow-countrymen, it is the prayer of even foreigners.' 1 The treason of which thy unhappy fatherland was the viotim, has not oeased to press heavily upon disorganized Europe. How many other crushing weights have sinoe been thrown into the balance of our Lord's justice! 0 John, teach us at least not to add thereto our own personal faults. It is by following thee along the path of virtue, that we shall merit to obtain pardon from heaven, 2 and to hasten the hour of great atonements.

1 Hymn of Matins.

Collect.