November 25 — Saint Sylvester. Abbot

God often brings the world to those who flee from it, as Sylvester Gozzolini among others experienced. In the thirteenth oentury,the world, all in admiration at the sanctity and the eloquence of the new Orders, seemed to have forgotten the monks and the desert. Ghod, who never forgets, led his elect silently into solitude, and the wilderness began again to rejoice and flourish like the lily ; strength was restored to the weak hands and feeble knees of the sons of the cloister. 1 The austerities of olden days and the fervour of prolonged prayer were revived at Monte Fano, and extended into sixty other monasteries ; the new religious family of the Sylvestrians was approved by Innocent IV. in 1247. Though originated seven centuries after St. Benedict, and distinguished from the elder families by its blue habit, it claims the Patriarch of Cassino for its legislator and father.

Let us read the life of St. Sylvester which was inserted in the Breviary by Pope Leo XIII.

Silvester, Auximi in Pi- Sylvester was born of a noceno nobiH [genere ortus, ble family at Oeimo in the

1 Is. xxxy. 1, 2, 3.

NOV. 26. SAINT SYLVESTER. statim pnerilem setatem litteris ac bonis moribus mirifice exornavit. Adolescens Bononiam ad studia jurisprudentise missus a patre, cum sacris litteris a Deo monitus dedisset operam, parentis incurrit indignationem, quam aequo animo toto decennio pertulit. Ob egregiam ejus virtutem a canonicis cathedralis Auximanse ecclesiae socius honoris electus est ; in quo munere populo orationibus, exemplo et concionibus opem tulit.

Inter funus nobilis cujusdam defuncti, in aperto tumulo formosi viri suique propinqui deforme cadaver conspiciens : Ego, inquit, sum, quod hie fuit; quod hie est, ego ero. Et mox, peracto funere, ilia sibi Domini sibi occurrente sententia : Qui vult venire post me, abneget semetipsum, et tollat crucem suam, et sequatur me, in solitudinem majoris perfectionis studio secessit, ioique vigiliis, orationibus jejuniisque deditus, crudas tantum herbas in cibum saepius adhibuit. Ut autem magis lateret homines, varias mutavit sedes ; ac demum pervenit ad montem Fanum, locum, quamvis prope Fabrianum, eo tamen tempore desertum, ibique in honorem sanctissimi Patris Benedicti templum erexit, congregatio-

Marches of Ancona, and in his boyhood was remarkable for his love of study and his good conduct. As a youth he was sent by his father to Bologna to study jurisprudence, but was admonished by God to devote himself to sacred learning. This incited his father to anger, which Sylvester patiently endured for ten years. On account of his remarkable virtue, the Canons of Osimo elected him an honorary member of their chapter, in which position he benefited the people by his prayers, his example, and his sermons.

While assisting at the funeral of a nobleman, his relative, who had been remarkably handsome, he looked into the open coffin, and seeing the corpse all deformed, said to himself : What this man was, I am now ; what he is now, I shall be hereafter. As soon as the funeral was over, reading these words of our Lord : If any one will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, he retired into solitude in order to attain greater perfection; there he gave himself up to watching, prayer and fasting, often eating nothing but raw herbs. The better to conceal himself from men he frequently changed his place of abode ; and at length settled at Monte Fano, which, though near to Fabriano, was at that time a desert. There he built a church in honour of the most nisque Silvestrinorum fundamenta jecit, sub regula et habitu in visione sibi ab eodem Sancto ostensis.

At invidens satanas variis terroribus illius monachos turbare nitebatur, noctu mona8terii januas hostiliter invadens. Sed vir Dei hostis impetum ita repressit, ut monachi in sancto institute magis confirmarentur, ac patris sanctitatem agnoscerent. Spiritu prophetise aliisque donis enituit. Quae ut semper profunda humilitate conservavit, ita contra se dsemonis invidiam concitavit, a quo prseceps actus per scalas oratorii, et prone interimendus, prsesentissimo Virginia beneficio incolumitati redditus est. Quod beneficium perpetua et singulari in illam pietate commendavit ad ultimum usque vitse spiritum, quern fere nonagenarius, sanctitate et miraculis clarus, Deo reddidit anno salutis millesimo ducentesimo sexagesimo septimo, sexto calendas decembris. Ejus Officium ac Missam Leo Decimus tertius Pontifex Maximus ad universam extendit Eccle- holy father Benedict, and founded the Congregation of Sylvestrians, under the rule and habit shown him by St. Benedict in vision.

Satan, roused to envy, strove in many ways to terrify his monks, making assaults by night at the monastery gates. But the man of God repressed the enemy's attack with such vigour, that the monks, recognizing their father's sanctity, were more and more confirmed in their holy purpose. Sylvester was remarkable for the spirit of prophecy and other gifts, which he guarded by deep humility. This so stirred up the devil's envy that he cast the saint headlong down the oratory stairs and well nigh killed him, but the blessed Virgin at once graciously restored him to health. In gratitude for this benefit, Sylvester showed her the tenderest unfailing piety to the end of his life. He died at the age of about ninety years, renowned for sanctity and miracles, on the sixth of the Kalends of December, in the year of salvation 1267. The Sovereign Pontiff Leo XIII. extended his Office and Mass to the universal Church.

Death, by revealing to thee, 0 Sylvester, the vanity of noble birth and beauty, opened to thee the path of life. The frivolous world, deceived by the mirage of false pleasures, cannot understand the Gospel, whioh defers beatitude to another life, and paves the way to it with renunciation, humility, and the cross. With the Church, we ask of our merciful God, in consideration of thy merits, the grace to despise, as thou didst, the fleeting joys of this world, that we may partake with thee of true and eternal happiness. Deign to support our petition with thine own supplication.

We beseech him who has glorified thee to bless and multiply thy sons, to sustain them and the whole monastic Order, and every religious family, under the sufferings of the present time. 0 holy Abbot, reward by new benefits the confidence of the Sovereign Pontiff, who in these sad days has extended thy cultus to the entire Church.

Peter, successor of St. Theonas in the See of Alexandria, was by his learning and holiness the glory of Egypt, and the light of the whole Church of God. Such was his courage under the terrible persecution raised by Maximian Galerius, that the example of his admirable patience strengthened a great many in Christian virtue. He was the first to cut off from the communion of the faithful, Arius, deacon of Alexandria, for favouring the schism of the Meletians. When Peter had been condemned to death by Maximian, the priests Achillas and Alexander came to him in prison to intercede for Arius ; but the bishop answered that during the night Jesus had appeared to him with his garment torn, and on his asking the cause, had replied : " Arius has rent my gar- "ment, which is the Church." He then foretold that they two would succeed him in turn in the episcopate, and forbade them ever to reoeive Arius to communion, for he knew that he was dead to God T

The truth of this prophecy was soon proved by the event. Peter was beheaded, and thus went to receive the crown of martyrdom on the sixth of the Kalends of December, in the twelfth year of his episoopate. 1

Let us offer our homage and prayers to the great bishop whom the Church thus commemorates to-day. For a long time he went by the name of Peter the Martyr>xxntU. in the thirteenth century another Peter martyr, himself illustrious among all, oame to claim the title, leaving his glorious brother to be known as St. Peter of Alexandria.

Ant. Istesanctus pro lege Ant. This Saint fought even

Dei sui certavit usque ad to death for the law of his God, mortem, et a verbis impi- and feared not the words of the orum non timuit : f undatus wicked ; for he was founded enim erat supra fir mam upon a firm rock, petram. y. Gloria et honore coro- p. Thou hast crowned him nasti eum Domine. with glory and honour, 0 Lord,

R. Et constituisti eum gt. And hast set him over super opera manuum tua- the works of thy hands.

Infirmitatem nostram re- Have regard to our weak- spice, omnipotens Deus : et ness, O Almighty God : and quiaponduBpropriseactionis since the weight of our own gravat, beati Petri Martyris deeds is grievous to us, may tui atque Pontificis, inter- the glorious intercession of cessio gloriosa nos protegat. blessed Peter, thy Martyr and

Per Dominum. Bishop, protect us. Through.

1 Legend of St. Peter of Alexandria in the Roman Breviary. rum.

PRAYER.

November 29.

VIGIL OF SAINT ANDREW. SAINT SATUKNINUS, MAETYE.

Christmas begins to glimmer on the horizon. The instructions of the moveable Cycle. Beginning with the twenty-seventh of this month, the present days belong in some years to the new Cycle, in others to the one which is ending.

The last Lesson from the Scripture of the Time 1 ends with the solemn declaration of the last of the Prophets, announcing the approach of a new era : From the rising of the sun even to the going down, my Name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my Name a clean oblation ! for my Name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts? And in to-day's Gospel we have St. John the Baptist echoing the words of Malachias, and joining the old and the new times together : Behold the Lamb of God! He points out to us the Messias close at hand.

Andrew, brother of Peter, and another of John's disciples, asked this Messias: Rabbi, where dwellest thou? Jesus answered: Come and see. And they

1 $§turday before the 1 st Sunday in Advent. * Malach. i, U, last Sunday after Pentecost has gi the olosin;

TIMB AFTER PENTECOST. went, continues the Evangelist, and saw where he abode, and they stayed with him that day. 1 Whereupon St. Augustine speaking in the name of the Cnureh on this Vigil, says : " Let us build him a " dwelling in our hearts, that he may come to us, " and teach us, and live with us." 2 Here is our Advent planned out for us.

Let us put that blessed season under the protection of the Apostle of the Gross, and also of the holy Martyr Saturninus, whom the Church has honoured on tins day from time immemorial.

PRAYER.

Qusesumus omnipotens Deus: ut beatus Andreas Apostolus, cujus prsevenimus festivitatem, tuum pro tival nobis imploret auxilium ; ut plore a no8tris reatibus absoluti, a cunctis etiam periculis eruamur. Per Dominum.

We beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the blessed Apostle Andrew, whose feswe anticipate, may imthy help for us ; that absolved from our sins, we may also be delivered from all dangers. Through our

Lord.

PRAYER.

Deus, qui nos beati Sa- 0 turnini Martyris tui concedis natalitio perfrui: ejus ed Saturninus nos tribue meritis adjuvari. Per Dominum.

God, who grantest us to rejoice in the festival of blessthy Martyr, grant us to be assisted by his merits. Through our Lord.

1 Gospel of the Vigil. 2 Homily on the Vigil. Aug. Tract, vii. in Johann.

November 30. SAINT ANDEEW.

APOSTLE.

This feast is destined each year to terminate with solemnity the cycle which is at its close, or to add lustre to the new one which has just begun. Ifc seems, indeed, fitting that the Christian year should begin and end with the cross, which has merited for us each of those years which it has pleased the divine goodness to grant us, and which is to appear, on the last da y, in the clouds of heaven, as the seal put on time.

We should remember that Saint Andrew is the Apostle of the Cross. To Peter, Jesus has given finnness of faith ; to John, warmth of love ; the mission of Andrew is to represent the Cross of his divine Master. Now it is by these three, faith, love, and the Cross, that the Church renders herself worthy of her Spouse. Everything she has or is, bears this threefold character. Hence it is that after the two Apostles just named, there is none who holds such a prominent place in the universal Liturgy as Saint Andrew.

But let us read the life of this glorious fisherman of the lake of Genesareth, who was afterwards to be the successor of Christ himself, and the companion of Peter, on the tree of the Cross. The Church has oompiled it from the ancient Acts of the Martyrdom of the holy Apostle, drawn up by the priests of the Church of Patrse, which was founded by the Saint. The authenticity of this venerable piece has been contested by Protestants, inasmuch as it makes mention of several things which would militate against them. Their sentiment has been adopted by several critics of the 17 th and 18 th centuries. On the other hand, these Acts have been received by a far greater number of Catholic writers of eminence; amongst whom may be mentioned the great Baronius, Labbe, Natalis Alexander, Gallandus, Lumper, Morcelli, etc. The Churches, too, of both East and West, which have inserted these Acts in their respective Offices of St. Andrew, are of some authority, as is also St. Bernard, who has made them the groundwork of his three admirable sermons on St. Andrew.

Andreas Apostolus, Beth- Andrew, the Apostle, born saidse natus, qui est Gali- at Bethsaida, a town of Gali- lseae vicus, frater Petri, dis- lee, was brother of Peter, and cipulus Joannis Baptist®, disciple of John the Baptist, quum eum de Christo dicen- Having heard his master say, tern audisset, Ecce Agnus speaking of Christ: Behold

Dei, secutus Jesum, fratrem the Lamb of God ! he followed quoque suum ad eumdem Jesus, and brought to him his perduxit. Quum postea una brother also. When, after- cum fratre piscaretur in ma- wards, he was fishing with his ri Galilaese, ambo a prseter- brother in the sea of Galilee, eunte Christo Domino ante they were both called, before alios Apostolos vocati illis any of the other Apostles, by verbis : Venite post me, fa- our Lord, who, passing by, ciam vos fieri piscatores ho- said to them : Come after me ; minum : nullam interponen- I will make you to be fishers tes moram, et relictis reti- of men. Without delay, they bus secuti sunt eum. Post left their nets and followed cujus Passionem et Besur- him. After the passion and rectionem Andreas cum in resurrection, Andrew went to

Scythiam Europae, quae ei spread the faith of Christ in Scy- provincia ad Christi fidem thia in Europe, which was the disseminandam obtigerat, province assigned to him ; then venisset, deinde Epirum ac he travelled through Epirus

Tbraciam peragrasset, doc- and Thrace, and by his teacl}-

NOT. 30. SAINT ANDRIW. trina et miraculis innumerabiles homines ad Christum convertit. Post Patras Achaia profectus, et in ea nrbe plurimis ad veritatem Evangelicam per,ductis, -ZEgeam Proconsulein, prsedicationi Evangelicse resistentem, liberrime increpavit quod qui judex hominum haberi vellet, Christum Deum omnium Judicem a dsemonibus elusus non agnosceret.

Tunc .ZEgeas iratus : Desine, inquit, Christum jactare, cui similia verba nihil profuerunt, quominus a Judseis cracifigeretur. Andream de Chnsto nihilominus libere prsedicantem, quod pro salute humani generis se crucifigendum obtulisset, impia oratione interpellat, ac demum hortatur, ut sibi consulens, diis velit immolare. Cui Andreas: Ego omnipotenti Deo, qui unus et verus est, immolo quotidie, non taurorum carnes, nec hircorum sanguiuem, sed immaculatum Agnum, in altari, cujus carnem posteaquam omnis populus credentium manducaverit, Agnus qui sacrificatusest, integer perseverat et vivus. Quamobrem ira accensus -ffigeas jubet eum in earcerem detrudi : unde populus Andream facile liberasset, nisi ipse sedasset multitudinem ; vehementius rogans, ne se ad optatissimam martyrii coronam pro- ing and miracles oonverted innumerable souls to Christ. Afterwards, having reached Patrse in Achaia, he persuaded many in that city to embrace the truth of the Gospel. Finding that the Proconsul JEgeas resisted the preaching of the Gospel, he most freely upbraided him for that he, who desired to be considered as a judge of men, should be so far deceived by devils as not to acknowledge Christ to be God, the Judge of all.

Then -ZEgeas being angry, said : Cease to boast of this Christ, whom such like words as these kept not from being crucified by the Jews. But finding that Andrew continued boldly preaching that Christ had offered himself to be crucified for the salvation of mankind, he interrupts him by an impious speech, and at length exhorts him to look to his own interest and sacrifice to the gods. Andrew answered him : I offer up every day to almighty God, who is one and true, not the flesh of oxen, nor the blood of goats, but the spotless Lamb upon the altar ; f of whose flesh the whole multitude of the faithful eat, and the Lamb that is sacrificed, remains whole and living. Whereupon -33geas being exceeding angry, orders him to be thrust into prison, whence the people would easily have freed Andrew, had he not himself appeased the multitude, begging of them, with most earnest entreaty, that they perantem impedirent,

Igitur paulo post in tribunal productum, cum -ZBgeas Crucis extollentem mysteria, sibique suam impietatem exprobrantem diutius ferre non posset, in cruoem tolli, et Christi mortem imitari jussit. Adductus Andreas ad locum martyrii, cum crucem vidisset longe, exclamare coepit : O bona Crux, quae decorem ex membri Domini suscepisti, diu desiderata, sollicite amata, sine intermissione qusesita, et aliquando cupienti animo praeparata: accipe me ab hominibus, et redde me magistro meo ; ut per te me recipiat, qui per te me redemit. Itaque cruci aflixus est : in qua biduum vivus pendens, et Christi fidem praedicare nunquam intermittens, ad eum migravit, cujus mortis similitudinem concupierat. Quae omnia Presbyteri et Diaconi Achaise qui ejus Passionem scripserunt, se ita ut commemorata sunt, audisse et vidisse testantur. Ejus ossa primum Constantio im-

Seratore Constantinopolim, einde Amalphim translata sunt. Caput, Pio Secundo Pontifi.ee, Bomam allatum, in Basilica sancti Petri collocatum est. would not keep him from the long-sought-for crown of martyrdom, to which he was hastening.

Not long after this, he was brought before the tribunal, where he began to extol the mystery of the Cross, and rebuke the judge for his impiety. -ZEgeas, no longer able to contain himself on hearing these words, ordered him to be hoisted on a cross, and eo to die like Christ. Andrew having been brought to the place of execution, seeing the Cross at some distance, began to cry out : 0 good Cross, made beautiful by the body of my Lord ! so long desired, so anxiously loved, so unceasingly sought after, and now at last reaay for my soul to enjoy ! take me from amidst men, and restore me to my Master, that by thee He may receive me, who by thee redeemed me. He was therefore fastened to the cross, on which he hung alive two days, preaching without cessation the faith of Christ: after which he passed to Him, whose death he had so coveted. The Priests and Deacons of Achaia, who wrote his Passion, attest that all the things which they have recorded were heard and seen by them. His relics were first translated to Constantinople, under the emperor Constantius, and afterwards to Amalfi. During the Pontificate of Pius II., the head was taken to Rome, and placed in the Basilica of St.

NOV. 30. SAINT ANDREW.

Nothing could be more expressive than the language used by holy Church in praise of the Apostle of the Cross. First, she employs the words of the Gospel, which record the circumstances of his vocation ; then, she selects the most touching passages from the Acts of his martyrdom, drawn up by the priests of PatreB ; and both are intermingled with appropriate sentiments of her own. Our first selection shall be from the Responsories of Matins.

Cum perambularet ft. When the Lord was Dominus juxta mare Gali- walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw Peter and Andrew casting nets into the sea, and he called them, saying: * Come after me, I will make you to be fishers of men. ^. For they were fishers, and he saith to them : * Come after me, I will make you to be fishers of men.

&. As soon as blessed Andrew heard the voice of the Lord calling him, leaving his nets, by the use and working of which he lived, * He followed him who gives the reward of eternal life. This is he who, for the love of Christ, hung upon a cross, and for his law endured a passion. * He followed Him who gives the reward of eternal life.

Andrew, the good Teacher, and the friend of God, is led to the cross; which, seeing afar off, he says : Hail, 0 Cross ! * Eeceive the disciple of Him who hung upon thee, Christ, my master, y. Hail, 0 Cross, which art consecrated by the body of Christ, and art adorned by his members as with pearls. * Eeceive the vidit Petrum et An dream retia mittentes in mare: et vocavit eos, dicens : * Venite post me, faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum. 1?. Erant enim piscatores, et ait illis : * Venite post me, faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum.

Mox ut vocem Domini praedicantis audivit beatus Andreas, relictis retibus, quorum usu actuque vivebat, * -ZEternse vitae secutus est praemia largientem. Hie est qui pro amore Christi pependit in cruce, et pro lege ejus sustinuit passionem. * JEternae vitae secutus est praemia largientem.

& . Doctor bonus, et amicus Dei Andreas ducitur ad crucem; quam a longe aspiciens dixit : Salve, Crux ! * Suscipe discipulum ejus, qui pependit in te magister meus Christus. Salve, Crux, cjuae in corpore Christi dedicata es ; et ex membris ejus tamquam margaritis ornata. Suscipe dis- cipulumejus qui pependit in te, magister meus Christus. ft. Yidens crucem Andreas exclamavit, dicens : 0 Crux admirabilis ! O Crux desiderabilis ! 0 Crux quae per totum mundum rutilas ! * Suscipe discipulum Christi, ac per te me recipiat, qui per te moriens me redemit. f. O bona Crux, quse decorem et pulchritudinem de membris JDomini suscepisti. * Suscipe discipulum Christi, ac per te me recipiat, qui per te moriens me redemit. ft. Oravit sanctus Andreas, dum respiceret in coelum, et voce magna clamavit et dixit: Tu es Deus meus, quern vidi : ne me patiaris ab impio judice deponi : * Quia virtutem sanctse Oucis agnovi. f. Tu es magister meus Christus, quern dilexi, quern cognovi, quern confessus sum : tantummodo in ista voce, exaudi me. * Quia virtutem sanctse Crucis agnovi. disciple of Him who hung upon thee, Christ, my master. ft. Andrew seeing the Cross, cried out, saying : O admirable Cross ! O desirable Cross ! 0 Cross which shinest throughout the whole world I * Beceive the disciple of Christ, and by thee may He receive me, who dying by thee redeemed me. y . O good Cross, which art made fair and beautiful by the body of the Lord. * Eeceive the disciple of Christ, and by thee may he receive me, who dying by thee redeemed me. ft. Saint Andrew prayed, as he looked up to heaven, and with a loud voice, cried out and said: Thou art my God, whom I have seen : suffer me not to be detached by the impious judge : * For I have learnt the power of the holy Cross, y. Thou art the Christ my master, whom I have loved, whom I have known, whom I have confessed : graciously hear me in this one prayer. * For I have learnt the power of the holy Cross.

ANTIPHONS.

Salve Crux pretiosa ! suscipe discinulum ejus, qui pependit in te, magister meus Christus.

Beatus Andreas orabat, dicens : Domine, Rex seternse glorise, suscipe me pendentem in patibulo.

Andreas Christi famulus dignus Dei Apostolus, germanus Petri, et in passione

Hail 0 precious Cross ! receive the disciple of Him, who hung upon thee, Christ my master.

The blessed Andrew prayed, saying : O Lord, King of eternal glory, receive me hanging on this gibbet.

Andrew, the servant of Christ, the worthy Apostle of God, the brother of Peter, and

NOV. 80. SAINT ANDREW. socius. his companion in the cross.

Maximilla Christo ama- Maximilla, a bilis, tulit corpus Apostoli, optimo loco cum aromatibus sepelivit. woman dear to Christ, took the body of the Apostle, and embalming it, buried it in a most honoured place.

Qui persequebantur juseos, Domine, in inferno, et in ligno Cruris dux justi fuisti.

Thou, O Lord, didst plunge turn, demersisti into hell them that persecuted thy just one, and wast his guide and helper on the wood of the cross.

In order to avoid a lengthy repetition, we refer our readers to the Advent Volume for the translation of the various liturgical pieces.

God grants us to meet thee, 0 blessed Andrew, at the threshold of the mystic Season of Advent, on which we are so soon to enter. When Jesus, our Messias, began his public life, thou hadst already become the obedient disciple of the Precursor, who preached his coming : thou wast among the first of them who received the Son of Mary as the Messias foretold in the law and the prophets. But thou couldst not keep the heavenly seoret from him who was so dear to thee ; to Peter, then, thou didst bear the good tidings, and didst lead him to Jesus.

0 blessed Apostle! we also are longing for the Messias, the Saviour of our souls ; since thou hast found him, lead us also unto him. We place under thy protection the holy period of expectation and preparation, which is to bring us to the day of our Saviour's Nativity, that divine mystery in which he will manifest himself to the world. Assist us to render ourselves worthy of seeing him on that great night. The baptism of penance prepared thee for reoeiving the grace of knowing the Word of life} pray for us that we may beoome truly penitent and may purify our hearts, during that holy time, and thus be able to behold him, who has said : Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see Ood.

Thou hast a special power of leading souls to Jesus, 0 glorious Saint! for even he, who was to be made the pastor of the whole flock, was presented to the Messias by thee. By calling thee to himself on this day, our Lord has given thee as the patron of Christians who, each year, seeking again that God in whom thou art now living, pray to thee to show them the way which leads to Jesus.

Thou teaohest us this way ; it is that of fidelity, of fidelity even to the Cross. In that way thou didst courageously walk : and because the Cross leads to Jesus Christ, thou didst passionately love the Cross. Pray for us, 0 holy Apostle! that we may begin to understand this love of the Cross; and that having understood it, we may put it in practice. Thy brother says to us in his Epistle : Christ having suffered in the flesh, be you also anned with the same thought. Thy feast, 0 blessed Andrew ! shows us thee as the living commentary of this doctrine. Because thy Master was crucified, thou wouldst also be cruoified. From the high throne to which thou hast been raised by the Cross, pray for us, that the Cross may be unto us the expiation of the sins which are upon us, the quenching of the passions which burn within us, and the means of uniting us by love to him, who, through love alone for us, was nailed to the Cross.