November 23 — Saint Clement

had retained their style and manner. These are visible in his two Letters to virgins, which are mentioned by St. Epiphanius and St. Jerome, and were found in the eighteenth century translated into Syriao, in a reminded us yesterday, the principle of chastity being vowed to God was, from the very beginning, one of the bases of Christianity, and one of the most effectual means for the transformation of the world. Christ himself had praised the superior merit of this saorifice ; and St. Paul, comparing the two states of life, taught that the virgin is wholly taken up with our Lord, while the married woman, whatever her dignity, is divided. 2 Clement had to develop this doctrine, and he did so in these two letters. Anticipating those great doctors of Christian virginity, St. Athanasius, St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustin, he developed the teachings of St. Peter and St. Paul on this important subjeot. " He. or she," he says, " who aspires to this higher "life, must lead like the Angels an existence all " divine and heavenly. The virgin cuts herself off " from the allurements of the senses ; not only does " she renounce the right to their even lawful use, but " she aspires to that hope which God, who oan never " deceive, encourages by his promise, and which far " surpasses the natural hope of posterity. In return " for her generous sacrifice, her portion in heaven is " the very happiness of the Angels."

Thus spoke the disciple chosen by St. Peter to set his hand to the task of renovating Rome. It needed no less than this strong doctrine, in order to combat

(H. xxx, 15), gt f Jerome,(contra Joviuian. I, 12), 3 1 Cor, vii.

1 Although modern critics have questioned the authenticity of the text believed by others to be that of St. Clement to virgins, the fact that the holy Pope wrote in favour of virginity still remains, upheld by the concordant testimonies^ of St. Epiphanius and manuscript brought from Aleppo. 1 the depraved manners of the Empire. Had Christianity been satisfied with inviting men to honour, as the Philosophers had done, its efforts would have been to no purpose. Stoicism, by exciting great pride, could bring some men even to despise death ; but it was utterly powerless against sensuality, which we must own to have been the strongest auxiliary to the tyranny of the Caesars. The ideal of chastity, thrown into the midst of that dissolute sooiety, could alone arrest the ignominious torrent that threatened to submerge all human dignity. Happily for the world, Christian morality sucoeeded in gaining ground ; and, its maxims being followed up by striking examples, it at length forced itself upon the public notice. Eoman corruption was amazed to hear of virginity being held in honour and practised by a great many followers of the new religion ; and that at a time when the greatest privileges and the most terrible chastisements could scarcely keep to their duty the six vestals, upon whose fidelity depended the honour and the safety of the city. Vespasian and Titus were aware of the infringements upon their primary duty committed by these guardians of the Palladium ; but they considered that the low level at which morals then stood, forbade them to inflict the ancient penalties upon these traitresses.

The time, however, was at hand, when the emperors, the senate, and all Borne, were to learn from the first Apology of St. Justin the marvels of purity concealed within that Babylon of iniquity. " Among "us, in this city," said the Apologist, "there are " many men and women who have reached the age " of sixty or seventy years ; brought up from infancy " under the law of Christ, they have persevered to " this day in the state of virginity ; and there is not " a country where I could not point out many such." Atbenagorus, in a memorial presented a few years later to Marcus Aurelius, was able to say in like manner : " You will find among us a multitude of "persons, both men and women, who have passed " their life up to old age in the state of virginity, " having no ambition but to unite themselves more " intimately to God."

Clement was predestined to the glory of martyrdom; he was banished to the Chersonesus on the Black Sea. The Acts, which relate the details of his sufferings, are of very great antiquity ; we shall not here enter into discussions concerning them. They tell us how Clement found in the peninsula a considerable number of Christians already transported there, and employed in working the rich and abundant marble quarries. The joy of these Christians on seeing Clement is easily conceived ; his zeal in propagating the faith in this far-off country, and the success of his apostolate, are no matter for surprise. The miracle of a fountain springing from the rock at Clement's word, to quench the thirst of the Confessors, is a fact analogous to hundreds of others related in the most authentic Acts of the Saints. Lastly, the apparition of the mysterious Lamb upon the mountain, marking with his foot the spot whence the water was to flow, carries back the mind to the earliest Christian mosaics, on which may still be seen the symbol of the lamb standing on a green hillock. 1

In the ninth century St. Cyril, apostle of the Slavs, discovered near Cherson the preoious remains of the martyr-pontiff. Clement was brought back to Rome ; and the great church which had hitherto, according to St. Jerome, preserved the memory of his name 2 , henceforth possessed a still richer treasure. The very memory, however, was of great value for science no

• Dom Gubranoeb., uH tupra, 2 Hieron. J)e viris illustrjbus, xy T less than for piety : on the testimony of ancient traditions, this church was built on the site of St. Clement's old home in the region of Monte Ocelio, which we know from other sources to have been the quarter preferred by the Eoman aristocracy of the period. Modern archeological investigations have discovered beneath the apse of the primitive basilica, and forming a sort of underground Confession or crypt, the rooms of a private dwelling, the style and ornaments of which are of the Flavian period. 1

It is time to read the liturgical account of the great Pope of the first century.

Clemens Bomanus, Faustini filiu, de regione Coelii montis, discipuhis beati Petri, cujus meminit Paulus scribens ad Philippenses : Etiam rogo et te germane compar, adjuva illas quae mecum laboraverunt in Evangelio, cum Clemente et crateris adjutoribus meis, quorum nomina sunt in libro vitfiB. Hie septem Urbis regiones divisit septem Notariis, singulas singulis attribuens, qui passiones Martyrum et res ab eis gestae diligentissime conquisitaslitterismandarent. Multa soripsit et ipse accurate et salutariter, quibus christianam religionem illustravit.

Cum autem doctrina ac vitee sanctitate multos ad Christi fidem converteret, a Trajano imperatore relega-

Clement was a Eoman by birth, son of Faustinus who dwelt in the region of Monte Coelio. JHe was a disciple of blessed Peter; and is mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians, in these words: I entreat thee also, my sincere companion, help those women who have laboured with me in the Gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life. He divided Rome into seven regions, appointing a notary for each, who was to ascertain and record with the greatest care the acts and sufferings of the martyrs. He wrote many useful and learned works, such as did honour to the christian name.

He converted many to the faith of Christ by his learning and holiness of life, and was on that account banished by

1 Mullooly, St. Clement and his basilica ; De Rossi, Bullet. 1863, 1870 etc. tus est trans mare Ponticnm in solitudine urbis Chersonse, in qua duo millia Christian orum repent, qui ab eodem Trajano condemnati fuerant. Qui cum in eruendis et secandis marmoribus aquae penuria laborarent, Clemens facta oratione, in vicinum collem ascendit, in cujus jugo vidit Agnum dextero pede fontem aquae dulcis, qui inde scatebat, attingentem; ubi omne sitim expleverunt : eoque miraculo multi inndeles ad Cbristi fidem conversi, Clementis etiam sanctitatem venerari coeperunt.

Quibus concitatu Trajanus, misit illuc, qui Clementem, alligata ad ejus collum anchora, in profundum dejicerent. Quod cum factum esset, Christianis ad littus orantibus, mare ad tria milliaria recesait : eoque illi accedentes, sediculam marmoream in templi formam, et intus arcam lapideam, ubi Martyris corpus conditum erat, et juxta illud anchoram, qua mersus fuerat, invenerunt. Quo miraculo incolae permoti, Christi fidem susceperunt. Ejus corpus postea Romam, Nicolao primo Pontifice translatum, in ecclesia ipsius sancti Clementis conditum est. Ecclesia etiam in eo insul® loco, unde divinitus fons manarat, eju6dem nomine dedicata est. Vixit in pontificatu annos novem, the emperor Trajan to tbe desert of Cherson beyond the Black Sea. Here he found two thousand Christians, likewise banished by Trajan, who were employed in quarrying marble. Seeing them suffering from want of water, Clement betook himself to prayer, and then ascended a neighbouring hill, on the summit of which he saw a Lamb, pointing out with his right foot a spring of sweet water. At this source they all quenched their thirst ; and many infidels were converted by the miracle, and began to revere Clement as a Saint.

On hearing this Trajan was enraged, and sent officers with orders to cast Clement' into the sea with an anchor tied to his neck. After the execution of this sentence, as the Christians were praying on the shore, the sea began to recede for the distance of three miles ; on approaching they found a small building of marble, in the form of a temple, wherein lay the martyr's body in a stone coffin, and beside it the anchor with which he had been drowned. The inhabitants of the country were so astounded at the miracle, that they were led to embrace the Christian faith. The holy body was afterwards translated to Borne, under Pope Nicholas I. and deposited in the church of St. Clement. A church was also built and dedicated in his honour, on that spot in ^the

TTMH AFTER PENTECOST. menses sex, dies sex. Fecit island where the miraculous ordinationes duae mense decembri, quibus creavit os, episcopos per diversa loca quindecim. fountain had sprung up. He pres- held the pontificate nine years, byteros decern, diaconos du- six months, and six days. In two ordinations in the month of December, he made ten priests, two deacons, and fifteen bishops for divers places.

The proper Antiphons of St. Clement's Office form a graceful collection, bearing evident signs of antiquity.

ANTIPHONS.

Oremus omnes ad Dominum Jesum Christum, ut Confessoribus suis fontis venam aperiat.

Orante sancto Clemen te, apparuit ei Agnus Dei.

Non meis meritis ad vos me misit Dominus, vestris coronis participem fieri.

Vidi supra montem Agnum stantem, de sub cujus pede fons vivus emanat.

De sub cujus pede fons vivus emanat, fluminis impetus lsetineat civitatem Dei.

Omnes gentes per gyrum crediderunt Christo Domino.

Cum iter ad mare cepisset, populus voce magna clamabat: Domine Jesu Christe, salva ilium : et Clemens cum lacrymis dicebat : Suscipe Pater spiritum meum.

Dedisti Domine habitacu^

Let us all beseech our Lord Jesus Christ to discover a source of water to his confessors.

While holy Clement was praying, the Lajnb of God appeared to him.

Not through any merits of mine hath the Lord sent me to you to share your crowns.

I saw upon the mountain the Lamb standing, from beneath whose feet sprang up a fount of living waters.

From beneath his feet sprang up a fount of living waters : the stream of the river maketh glad the city of God.

All the surrounding nations believed in Christ the Lord.

As he approached the sea, the people cried with a loud voice : Lord Jesus Christ, save him ; and Clement weeping said : Father, receive my spirit.

Thou hast given, 0 Jjord, lum Martyri tuo dementi in mari, in modum templi marmorei, angelicis manibus praeparatum, iter prsebens populo terrae, ut enarrent mirabilia tua. to thy martyr Clement, a dwelling-place in the sea, a marble temple built by the hands of Angels; and thou openest a way thither for the people of the earth, that they may tell thy wonderful works.

We take the following beautiful formulae from the Leonian Sacramentary.

PRAYER.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui in omnium Sanctorum tuorum es virtute mirabilis : da nobis in beati Clementis annua solemnitate laetari, qui Filii tui Martyr et Pontifex, quod ministerio gessit, testimonio comprobavit, et quod praedicavit ore, firmavit exemplo. Per Dominum.

0 Almighty, eternal God, who art wonderful in the virtue of all thy Saints, grant us to rejoice in the annual solemnity of blessed Clement, who, being the Martyr and Pontiff of thy Son, justified his ministry by his words, and corroborated his teaching by his example. Through our Lord.

PREFACE.

Vere dignum Sancti Clementis Martyris tui Natalitia celebrantes, qui cognationem reliquit et patriam; et post odorem tui nominis terras mariaque transmitter, abnegansque semetipsum, crucem peregrinationis assumpsit, ut te per Apoetolorum tuorum vestigia sequeretur. Cui tu, Domine, . . . beatissimi Petri mox tradito diseipulo, . . . deinde Magistri sui Yicarium per ordinem subrogan- $o, Romanae TJrbis, cujus

It is truly right that we should give thee thanks, while celebrating the birthday of holy Clement thy Martyr, who abandoned his people and his country, and drawn by the sweet odour of thy name passed over lands and seas ; denying himself, he took up tne cross of these wanderings, that he might follow thee in the footsteps of thine Apostles. He was first a disciple of blessed Peter, and afterwards his vicar and successor; and tihus didst thou, 0 Lord, ap»

propter te despexerat dignitatem, tenere constituis Principatum, proque transitoria claritate, ooelesti facis honore conspicuum. Postremo Martyrii gloria sublimatum, pro temporalibus gestis aeternam provehis gloiy ad coronam. Per. point him to rule that city of Borne, whose dignities he had despised for thy sake, and instead of transitory honours thou didst ennoble him with heavenly dignity. Finally thou didst raise him to the of martyrdom, and reward his temporal labours with an eternal crown.

The Lord saith : My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth : and thy gifts shall be accepted upon my altar. 1 Thus does the Church open the chants of the great Sacrifice in thy honour, 0 holy Pontiff ! It was indeed a joy and a supreme consolation to her, to experience that after the departure of the Apostles, the word did not fail ; for of all the gifts left her by her divine Spouse at his Ascension into heaven, this was the most indispensable. In thy writings, the word continued to traverse the world, authoritative and respected, directing, pacifying, sanctifying the people, as fully and as surely as in the days of the Apostles or of our Lord himself. Clear and manifest, thanks to thee, was the proof that Jesus, acoording to his promise, remains with his disciples till the end of the world. Be thou blessed for having thus, in the earliest times, consoled our Mother the Church.

Thou didst understand, 0 Clement, that the great apostolic work, the diffusion of the Gospel among all nations, was not to be interrupted by the departure of the first labourers. Thou didst cause death and darkness to retreat farther and farther. All nations owe thee a deep debt of gratitude ; but especially the French : for thou didst send thy messengers to Paris and its sister cities, crying in thy

1 Introit of the feast, from Isaias.

NOV. 23. SAINT CLBM&NT. name : Rise thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead ; and Christ shall enlighten thee. 1

But the labours of an apostolate attacked in every land by the prince of this world, and the cares of universal government, did not exhaust the zeal that fired thy apostolic soul. Be thou blessed for having reserved thy special teaching and solicitude for the best-loved portion of our Lord's flock, for them that follow the Lamb on the mountain, where thou didst see him, and whithersoever he goeth. Through thy prayers, may the imitators of Flavia Domitilla increase in number and still more in merit. May every Christian learn from the lesson of thy life, that the nobility of this world is nothing compared with that whioh is won by the love of Christ. May the world, and its capital, onoe given to God by the Apostles and the .Roman patrioians, become once more his undisputed kingdom.

On the 10 th July we honoured St. Felicitas, mother of the Martyrs, giving a second and heavenly birth to her seven sons. But her own recompense was delayed for four long months. The Church has inscribed her name on the sacred diptychs ; let us, then, again offer her our prayers and praises on this day, whereon the sword at length fulfilled her desires, and in justification of her name, restored her to her sons in eternal felicity.

ANT1PHON.

Ant. Date ei de fructu Ant. manuum suarum, et portis opera ejus.

Give her of the fruit lau- of her hands, and let her dent earn in works praise her in the gates,

1 Eph. y. 14. t. Diffusa est gratia in y. Grace is spread abroad labiis tuis. in thy lips, ft. Propterea benedixit te ft. Therefore hath God

Deus in aeternum. blessed thee for ever.

PRAYER.

Prsesta, qusesumus omni- Grant we beseech thee, O potens Deus ; ut, beatas Fe- Almighty God, that celebra- licitatis Martyris tuse. so- ting the solemnity of blessed lemnia recensentes, meritis Felicitas thy Martyr, we may ipsius protegamur et preci- be protected by her merits and bus. rer Dominum. prayers. Through our Lord.

November 24. SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS.

CONFESSOR.

Let us go with the Church to Mount Carmel, and offer our grateful homage to John of the Cross, who, following in the footsteps of Teresa of Jesus, opened a safe way to souls seeking God.

The growing disinclination of the people for social prayer was threatening the irreparable destruction of piety, when in the sixteenth century the divine goodness raised up Saints, whose teaching and holiness responded to the needs of the new times. Dootrine does not change: the asceticism and mystioism of that age transmitted to the succeeding centuries the echo of those that had gone before. But their explanations were given in a more didaotic way and analysed more narrowly; their methods aimed at obviating the risk of illusion, to which souls were exposed by their isolated devotion. It is but just to recognize that under the ever fruitful aotion of the Holy Ghost, the psychology of supernatural states became more extended and more precise.

The early Christians, praying with the Churoh, living daily and hourly the life of her Liturgy, kept her stamp upon them in their personal relations with God. Thus it came about that, under the persevering and transforming influence of the Churoh, and participating in the graoes of light and union, and in all the blessings of that one Beloved so pleasing to the Spouse, they assimilated her sanctity to themselves, without any further trouble but to follow their Mother with docility, and suffer themselves to be carried seourely in her arms. Thus they applied to themselves the words of our Lord : Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. We need not be surprised that there was not then, as now, the frequent and assiduous assistance of a particular director for each soul. Special guides are not so necessary to the members of a caravan or of an army : it is isolated travellers that stand in need of them ; and even with these special guides, they can never have the same security as those who follow the caravan or the army.

This was understood, in the course of the last few centuries, by the men of God who, taking their inspiration from the many different aptitudes of souls, became the leaders of schools, one it is true in aim, but differing in the methods they adopted for counteracting the dangers of individualism. In this oampaign of restoration and salvation, where the worst enemy of all was illusion under a thousand forms, with its subtle roots and its endless wiles, John of the Cross was the living image of the Word of God, more piercing than any two-edged sword, reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow ; for he read, with unfailing glance, the very thoughts and intentions of hearts. Let us listen to his words. Though he belongs to modern times, he is evidently a son of the ancients.

" The soul," he says, " is to attain to a certain " sense, to a certain divine knowledge, most generous " and full of sweetness, of all human and divine " things which do not fall within the oommon-sense " and natural perceptions of the soul j it views them