The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-04-28

camel's hoof. The jews, it is SAID, used
ont of respect to touch the hem OF his gar
ment. He was indeed a living PROOF os hls
own words, "The wisdom that ls from
above first indeed is chaste, then peacea
BILE, m Oldest, full of mercy aud good truits'
Maya.
ct. ATHANAsIUs, BISHOP.
Athanasius was born in Egypt towards
the end of the third century, and was
from his youth pious, learned, aud deeply
versed in the sacred writings, as oehtted
one whom God had chosen to be the cham
pion and defender of His Church against the
Aran heresy. Though only deacon, ne
was chosen by his bishop to go with him
to the Council of Nicea, A.. d. 325, and
attracted the attention of all by the learn
ing and ability with which he defended
the Faith. A few months later he became
Patriarch of Alexandria,. and for forty Blk
| years he bore, often we'll nigh alone, the
whole brunt of the Arian assault. he
stood unmeved against four Roman empe,
| rors; was banished five times; was the
butt of every insult, calumny and wrong
the Arians could devise, and lived in CON
stsnt peril of death. Though firm as ada
mant in defense of the Faith, he was
meek and humble, pleasant and winning In
converse, beloved by his flock, unwearied
in labors, in prayer, in mortihcatio5s, os ana mo
in zeal for souls. In the year 373 his
stormy life closed in peace, rather that his
people would have it 30 than that his enc
mics were weary of prosecuting him. he
left to the Church the whole and ancient
Faith, defended and explained in writings
rich in thought and learning, clear, Keen,
and stately in expression. he Is honoreo
as one of the greatest of the Doctors OF the
Church.
On the refusal of the Saint to restore
Arius to Catholic communion, the emperor
ordered the Patriarch of Constantinople to
do so. The wretched heresiarch took an
oath that he had always believed as the
Church believes and the patriarch, after
vainly using every effort to move the en-
peror, had recourse to fasting and prayer,
that God would avert from the Church the
frightful sacrilege. The day came for the
solemn entrance of Arius into the great
Church of Sancta Sophia. Tho hereslarch
and his party set out glad and in triumph.
But before he reached the church death
smote him swiftly and aSfHlly, and the
J dreaded sacrilege was averted.
Mays
ST. CATHARINE OF BOLOGNA.
Catharine, the daughter of a noble 1taliar
a family, was placed when only eleven at the
r court of Margaret, Princess d'Este at Fer
rara. She soon wearied of the splendor
, around her, and retired at the age of four
teen to serve God in religion. After som'
years she made her profession as daugh
ter of st. Glare, and was sent to found 1
convent of the Order at Bologna. She wa
tried by many false apparitions and terri
u BILE temptations, but che overcame then
" all by perseVering obedience, and Go'
: made known to her the illusions of tn
= devil, and consoled her by heavenly Wis
II ions She gained from these trials saiu
9 tary fear OF the majesty of God. "A dee
IL conviction of her own nothipgness mad
. her court contempt and seek the mos
10 painful occupations in the convent. Sh
~ ,npoiiArpn haraelf the of all the ain
d of her neighbors. This humility cre'
u Jesus into her soul, to enkindle therein tn
u consuming fire of love. She had grea
20 devotion to st Thomas of Canterbury, wh
VI appeared to her. She saw aiso in vlslo
9I other eaints, with our Lady and our Lor
o4 Himself, who bade her mark the wore
u they were singing. "Et gloria ejus in
10 yidebitur." This prophecy was verehe
~ ~ in the extraordinary preservation of hi
AA body, which remains incorrupt to this da,
u sitting in her habit, and miraculously sul
o. ported. Her holy death took place in 46
ne One Christmas eve Catharine passed Il
TO night in Church. She recited one tho
'le sand "Hail Maries" with great fervor
g honor of the Mother of God. In reward
oy her humble alteration of His Incarnatio
ha h Jesus appeared to her at midnight IN d
ne Mothers arms. This kind Mother ga
ny her Divine Child to Catharine and allow
a9 her to caress Him. Although her hes
on was overhowing with the joy OF that hot
D. Catharine spoke not of her vision, un
l., her secret was betrayed to her Sisters,
ue the brilliant color of that spot upon b
ssu. gu. pale face where che had received the
lp lor Of the Divine Infant, q spot marked no
e sne after lapse of 400 years, by the brigh
na ia' tint of her incorrupt flesh.
inc May4
)us ST. MONICA.
ity Monica, the mother of st. Augusti
re- was born in 332. After a girlhood of 8
ous gular innocence and piety, che was Civ
ay- in marriage to Patritius, pagan. She
by once devoted herself to his conversi
dly PRAYING for him always, and winning
reverence and love by the holiness of
life and her affectionate forbearance.
was rewarded by seeing him baptized
year before his death. When her son
Sci gustine went astray in faith and mann
to her prayers and tears were incessant.
aid, going to Italy be could for time Tree n
cd. | salf from hiR mothers uncertainties,