The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-02
June 4.
June4.
ST. FRANCIS CARACCIoLO.

Francis was born in the kingdom of Ma
pies, of the princely family of Caracciolo.
In childhood he Stunned all amusements,
recited the rosary regularly, and loved to
visit the Blessed Sacrament and to dis
tribute his food to the poor. An attack of
ieprosy taught him the vileness of the hu /.
man body and the vanity of the world.
Almost miraculously cured, he renounced
his home to study for the priesthood in
Naples, where he spent his leisure hours
In the prisons, or visiting the Blessed Sa-
crament in unfrequented churches. God
called him, when only twenty-five, to found
an Order of Clerks Regular, whose rule
was that each day one father tasted on
bread and water, another took the discip
line, third wore hair shirt, while they
always watched by turns in perpetual
alteration before the Blessed Sacrament.
They took the usual vows, adding fourth
not TO desire dignities; and their motto
was, cad majorem Resnrgentis glorism.n -
To establish his Order, Francis undertook
many journeys through Italy and Spain,
on foot and without money, content with
the shelter ard crusts given him in charity,
Being elected general he redoubled his
austerities, and devoted seven hours daily
to meditation on the Passion, besides pass
ing most of the night praying before the
Blessed Sacrament. He died of fever, aged
forty-four, on the eve of Corpus Christi,
!60S, saying, :Let US go, let us go to
heaven !"
Francis was commonly called the Preach
er of Divine Love. = But it was before the
Blessed Sacrament that his ardent devotion
was most clearly perceptible. In presence
of his Divine Lord, bis face usually emitted
brilliant rays of light; and he often batbed
the ground with bis tears when he prayed,
according to his custom, PROSTATE on his
face before the tabernacle, and constantly
repeating, as one devoured by internal
fire, "Tbe zeal of thy house bath eaten me
up" When his body was opened after
death, his heart was found as it were burnt
up, and these words imprinted around it ::
"Zelus domus Tra comedit me.n
June 5. o..
ST. BoNIFACE, BISHOP, MARTYR.
st. Boniface was born at Creditor in
Devonshire, in the year 6O5. Some mis-.
sionaries staying at his fathers house
spoke to him of heavenly things, and in
spired him with a wish to devote himself,
as they die, to God. He entered the,mon-
astery of Exminster, anj was there trained
for his apostolic work. His first attempt
to convert the pagsns of Holland having
failed, he went to Rome to obtain the Pope's
blessing on his mission, and returned with
authority to preach to the German tribes.
1t was Glow and dangerous task to bend
to the gentle yoke of Christ these naughty
and warlke barbarians. His own life was
in constant peril, while his flock was often
.S0ucS0 W SVJecG poverty Dy the wander
ing robber bands. Yet his courage never
tagged. He began with Bavaria and
Thuringia, next visited Friealand, then
passed on to Hesse and Saxony, everywhere
destroying the idol temples and raising
churches on their sites. He was now re-.
called to Rome, consecrated bishop by the
Pope. and returned to extend and organize
the rising German Church. With diiigent
care he reformed abuses among the existing
clergy, and established Eeligious houses
throughout the land. at length, feeling
his infirmities increase, and fearful Of
losing his MARTYRS crown, BOniface ap-
pointed successor to hismon astery3 and
set out to convert a fresh pagan tribe.
Their swords finished his life Of sacrifce.
! and sent him to bis reward.
While St. Boniface was waiting to ad-
minister Confirmation to some newly-bap-
tized Christians, troop of pagans arrived
armed with swords and spears. His at
tendants would have opposed them, but
the saint said to his followers, ,'My chill
oren cease your resistance; the long
expected day has come at last. Scripture
iorolde US to resist evil. Let us put our
hope in God; He will save our souls. !"
scarcely had he ceased speaking when the