Meditation and Prayers in front of the Relic of
Blessed Richard Whiting. Prayer for the end of the Pandemic. The Monastery of Our Lady Saint Mary of Glastonbury.
This Article is reprinted from 2020.
Taken from A CHAPLAIN ABROAD
Available on YouTube
Thursday, 24 April 2025
“Schindler’s List”. Composed By: John Williams. Played By: NL Orchestra. Simone Lamsma (Violin) And Davida Scheffers (Cor Anglais). “Lest We Forget”.
Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Train tracks leading to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Nazi Germany's largest Concentration Camp, near Oświęcim, Poland.
Photo Credit: Dinos Michail—iStock Editorial/Getty Images
Illustration: BRITANNICA
“Schindler’s List”.
Composed By: John Williams.
Played By: NL Orchestra.
Simone Lamsma (Violin).
Davida Scheffers (Cor Anglais).
Available on YouTube
The Entrance Gate to Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
The wording above The Gate means: “Work Sets You Free”.
Photograph: Michael Sohn/AP.
Illustration: THE GUARDIAN
The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.
It consisted of:
Auschwitz I, the main Camp (Stammlager) in Oświęcim;
Auschwitz II-Birkenau, a Concentration and Extermination Camp with Gas Chambers;
Auschwitz III-Monowitz, a Labour Camp for the Chemical Conglomerate, IG Farben;
and dozens of Sub-Camps.[3]
The Camps became a major site of the Nazis’ Final Solution to The Jewish Question.
After Germany sparked World War II by invading Poland in September 1939, the Schutzstaffel (SS) converted Auschwitz I, an Army Barracks, into a Prisoner-of-War Camp for Polish Political Prisoners.[4]
Construction of Auschwitz II began the following month, and, from 1942 until Late-1944, Freight Trains delivered Jews from all over German-occupied Europe to its Gas Chambers.
Of the 1.3 million people sent to Auschwitz, 1.1 million died. The Death Toll includes 960,000 Jews (865,000 of whom were Gassed on arrival), 74,000 ethnic Poles, 21,000 Roma, 15,000 Soviet Prisoners of War, and up to 15,000 other Europeans.[5]
Those not Gassed, died of Starvation, Exhaustion, Disease, Individual Executions, or Beatings. Others were killed during Medical Experiments.
Only 789 staff (no more than fifteen per cent) ever stood trial;[6] several were Executed, including Camp Commandant Rudolf Höss. The Allies’ failure to act on early reports of atrocities by bombing the Camp or its Railways remains controversial.
As the Soviet Red Army approached Auschwitz in January 1945, toward the end of the War, the SS sent most of the Camp’s population West on a Death March to Camps inside Germany and Austria.
Soviet Troops entered The Camp on 27 January 1945, a day Commemorated since 2005 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In the decades after the War, survivors, such as Primo Levi, Viktor Frankl, and Elie Wiesel, wrote Memoirs of their experiences, and the Camp became a dominant symbol of The Holocaust.
In 1947, Poland Founded The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum on the site of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II, and, in 1979, Auschwitz was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
As the Soviet Red Army approached Auschwitz in January 1945, toward the end of the War, the SS sent most of the Camp’s population West on a Death March to Camps inside Germany and Austria.
Soviet Troops entered The Camp on 27 January 1945, a day Commemorated since 2005 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In the decades after the War, survivors, such as Primo Levi, Viktor Frankl, and Elie Wiesel, wrote Memoirs of their experiences, and the Camp became a dominant symbol of The Holocaust.
In 1947, Poland Founded The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum on the site of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II, and, in 1979, Auschwitz was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
“Schindler’s List” is a 1993 American epic historical drama film, directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian.
It is based on the 1982 historical fiction novel “Schindler's Ark”, by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally.
The film follows Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who, together with his wife, Emilie Schindler, saved more than a thousand, mostly Polish-Jewish, refugees from The Holocaust, by employing them in his factories during World War II.
It stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as SS officer Amon Göth and Ben Kingsley as Schindler’s Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern.
It is based on the 1982 historical fiction novel “Schindler's Ark”, by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally.
Schindler sees a girl in Red
during the Liquidation of the Kraków Ghetto.
The Red Coat is one of the few instances of colour
used in this predominantly Black and White film.
This File: 18 September 2020.
User: 0m9Ep
(Wikipedia)
It stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as SS officer Amon Göth and Ben Kingsley as Schindler’s Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern.
Lay Movement Launches International Campaign For “Total Freedom Of The Traditional Liturgy”.
Illustration: EP.
This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at,
EDWARD PENTIN
Being a Catholic in 2024 is no easy endeavour. The West is undergoing a massive de-Christianisation, so much so that Catholicism appears to be vanishing from the public sphere.
EDWARD PENTIN
Being a Catholic in 2024 is no easy endeavour. The West is undergoing a massive de-Christianisation, so much so that Catholicism appears to be vanishing from the public sphere.
Elsewhere, the number of Christians being persecuted for their Faith is on the rise. What’s more, The Church has been struck by an internal crisis that manifests itself in a decline in Religious practice, a downswing in Priestly and Religious vocations, a decrease in Sacramental practice, and even a growing dissension between Priests, Bishops and Cardinals which, until very recently, was utterly unthinkable.
Yet, among all the things that can contribute to the internal revival of The Church and to the renewal of her missionary zeal, there is, above all, the worthy and reverent Celebration of her Liturgy, which can be greatly fostered thanks to the example and the presence of the Traditional Roman Liturgy.
Despite all the attempts that have been made to suppress it, especially during the present Pontificate, it lives on, continuing to spread and to sanctify the Christian people who are Blessed to be able to benefit from it.
It bears abundant fruits of piety, as well as an increase of vocations and of conversions. It attracts young people and is the fount of many flourishing works, especially in schools, and is accompanied by a solid catechesis.
No-one can deny that it is a vector for the preservation and transmission of The Faith and Religious practice in the midst of a waning of Religious belief and a dwindling number of believers.
This Mass, due to its venerable antiquity, can boast of having sanctified countless Souls over the Centuries. Among other vital forces still active in The Church, this form of Liturgical life stands out because of the stability given to it by an uninterrupted “Lex Orandi”.
Certainly, some places of Worship have been granted, or rather tolerated, where this Liturgy can be Celebrated, but too often what has been given by one hand is taken back by the other, without, however, ever managing to make it vanish.
Since the massive decline during the period immediately following the Second Vatican Council, every attempt has been made on numerous occasions to revive Religious practice, to increase the number of Priestly and Religious vocations, and to preserve The Faith of the Christian people.
Certainly, some places of Worship have been granted, or rather tolerated, where this Liturgy can be Celebrated, but too often what has been given by one hand is taken back by the other, without, however, ever managing to make it vanish.
Since the massive decline during the period immediately following the Second Vatican Council, every attempt has been made on numerous occasions to revive Religious practice, to increase the number of Priestly and Religious vocations, and to preserve The Faith of the Christian people.
Everything, except letting the people experience the Traditional Liturgy, by giving the Tridentine Liturgy a fair chance. Today, however, common sense urgently demands that all the vital forces in The Church be allowed to live and prosper, and in particular the one which enjoys a Right dating back to over a millennium.
Let there be no mistake: The present appeal is not a petition to obtain a new tolerance as in 1984 and 1988, nor even a restoration of the status granted in 2007 by the Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum”, which, recognising in principle a Right, has in fact been reduced to a regime of meagrely-granted permissions.
As Lay People, it is not for us to pass judgement on the Second Vatican Council, its continuity or discontinuity with the previous teaching of The Church, the merits, or not, of the reforms that resulted from it, and so on.
Let there be no mistake: The present appeal is not a petition to obtain a new tolerance as in 1984 and 1988, nor even a restoration of the status granted in 2007 by the Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum”, which, recognising in principle a Right, has in fact been reduced to a regime of meagrely-granted permissions.
As Lay People, it is not for us to pass judgement on the Second Vatican Council, its continuity or discontinuity with the previous teaching of The Church, the merits, or not, of the reforms that resulted from it, and so on.
On the other hand, it is necessary to defend and transmit the means that Providence has employed to enable a growing number of Catholics to preserve The Faith, to grow in it, or to discover it.
The Traditional Liturgy plays an essential role in this process, thanks to its transcendence, its beauty, its timelessness and its doctrinal certainty.
For this reason, we simply ask, for the sake of the true freedom of the children of God in The Church, that the full freedom of the Traditional Liturgy, with the free use of all its Liturgical Books, be granted, so that, without hindrance, in the Latin Rite, all The Faithful may benefit from it and all Clerics may Celebrate it.
Jean-Pierre Maugendre, Managing Director of Renaissance Catholique, Paris, France.
22 April 2024.
For this reason, we simply ask, for the sake of the true freedom of the children of God in The Church, that the full freedom of the Traditional Liturgy, with the free use of all its Liturgical Books, be granted, so that, without hindrance, in the Latin Rite, all The Faithful may benefit from it and all Clerics may Celebrate it.
Jean-Pierre Maugendre, Managing Director of Renaissance Catholique, Paris, France.
22 April 2024.
This appeal is not a petition to be signed, but a message to be disseminated, possibly to be taken up again in any form that may seem appropriate, and to be brought and explained to the Cardinals, Bishops, and Prelates, of The Universal Church.
Si Renaissance catholique a l’initiative de cette campagne, c’est uniquement pour se faire l’interprète d’un large désir en ce sens qui se manifeste dans l’ensemble du monde catholique. Cette campagne n’est pas la sienne, mais celle de tous ceux qui y participeront, la relayeront, l’amplifieront, chacun à leur manière.
Renaissance Catholique is a Paris-based movement of Lay People working to re-establish the social reign of Christ.
Saint Fidelis Of Sigmaringen. Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 24 April. Red Vestments.
unless otherwise stated.
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen.
Martyr.
Feast Day 24 April.
Double.
Red Vestments.
English: Wall painting of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Church of Saint Venantius, Pfärrenbach, Horgenzell, Germany.
Deutsch: Filialkirche St. Venantius, Pfärrenbach,
Gemeinde Horgenzell Wandmalerei im
Kirchenschiff: Hl. Fidelis von Sigmaringen.
Photo: 2006.
Source: Own work.
Author: Photo: Andreas Praefcke
(Wikimedia Commons)
Saint Fidelis was born at Sigmaringen, Swabia (or, Suabia), Germany, in 1577. He was at first a Magistrate and took so much interest in the Poor that he was called “the Advocate of the Poor”. He entered the Seraphic Order of Saint Francis, intimately united to God in continual Prayer and work. He asked, and obtained from Him, to shed his blood for The Catholic Faith.
He was sent to the Country of the Grisons, where Protestant Soldiers, fearing his influence, stabbed him to death at Sévis in 1622 (Collect).
This Holy Martyr, who, in The Paschal Cycle, takes his place among the attendants of The Risen Lord, shares with Him the felicity of The Sons of God (Epistle).
The Gospel of The Martyr’s Mass in Paschaltide is, like the Gospels after Easter, a passage from the last discourse pronounced by The Master on the eve of His Death.
On the symbolical vine, which is Jesus, there are two sorts of branches which receive different treatment. Those without fruit are cut off and thrown into the fire. Those that bear fruit are, on the contrary, “carefully pruned, in order that they may produce still more”. That is why Saint Fidelis was persecuted and put to death.
Let us obtain by the merits of this Saint to be, like him, “so confirmed in Faith and Charity that we may be Faithful in God’s service unto death” (Collect).
Mass: Protexisti.
Easter Thursday. The Station Is At The Basilica Of The Twelve Apostles. White Vestments.
The Apse.
Basilica of The Twelve Apostles.
Photo: August 2012.
Source: Own work.
Author: Luc
(Wikimedia Commons)
Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
Easter Thursday.
Station at the Basilica of The Twelve Apostles.
Indulgence of 30 Years and 30 Quarantines.
Semi-Double.
White Vestments.
unless otherwise stated.
Easter Thursday.
Station at the Basilica of The Twelve Apostles.
Indulgence of 30 Years and 30 Quarantines.
Semi-Double.
White Vestments.
The Gospel tells of the appearance of Jesus to Magdalen, who was the first to inform The Apostles of the disappearance of Our Lord's Body, and who, after seeing The Risen Christ, was deputed by Him to proclaim to them The Double Mystery of The Resurrection and The Ascension.
The Epistle tells of one of the first seven Deacons, called Philip. [This Deacon must not be confused with Saint Philip, the Apostle.] He Baptises a heathen eunuch, who, in a transport of joy, Preaches everywhere the Gospel of Jesus.
The Baroque Ceiling.
Basilica Church of The Twelve Apostles.
Photo: August 2005.
Source:
Author: Anthony Majanlahti
(Wikimedia Commons)
Basilica of The Twelve Apostles.
Photo: January 2006.
Source: Own work.
Author: Lalupa
(Wikimedia Commons)
This is what The Church has done for The Catechumens, "who have just been born again in The Font of Baptism" (Collect). "God hath made the tongues of those infants eloquent" (Introit), and, by their Faith and their good actions (Collect), they sing The Triumph of Jesus over death (Alleluia) and over their own Souls (Communion).
Let us remember that, by Baptism, we have become united in one and the same Faith to The Risen Christ (Collect), Whose Father is now Our Father.
Mass: Victrícem manum.
Sequence: Victimæ pascháli laudes.
Preface: For Easter.
Communicantes: For Easter.
Hanc igitur: For Easter.
Basilica Santi Apostoli.
Photo: July 2007.
Source: Own work.
Author: SteO153
(Wikimedia Commons)
Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Paschal Time. Wednesday In Easter Week.
Text from “The Liturgical Year”.
By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.Volume 7.
Paschal Time.
Book 1.
“Hæc dies quam fecit Dominus:
Exsultemus et lætemur in ea”.
“This is the day which The Lord hath made:
Let us be glad and rejoice therein”.
The Hebrew word “Pasch” signifies passage, and we explained yesterday how this great day first became Sacred by reason of The Lord’s Passover.
But there is another meaning which attaches to the word, as we learn from the early Fathers and the Jewish Rabbins.
The Pasch is, moreover, the passage of the Israelites from Egypt to The Promised Land. These three great facts really happened on one and the same night:
The banquet of the lamb;
The death of the first-born of the Egyptians;
The departure from Egypt.
Let us, today, consider how this third figure is a further development of our Easter mystery.
The day of Israel’s setting forth from Egypt for its pre-destined Country of The Promised Land is the most important in its whole history; but, both the departure itself, and the circumstances that attended it, were types of future realities to be fulfilled in the Christian Pasch.
The people of God were delivered from an idolatrous and tyrannical Country: In our Pasch, they, who are now our neophytes, have courageously emancipated themselves from the slavish sway of Satan, and have solemnly renounced the pomps and works of this haughty Pharoah.
On their road to The Promised Land, the Israelites had to pass through a sea of water; their doing so was a necessity, both for their protection against Pharoah’s army, which was pursuing them, and for their entrance into the land of milk and honey.
Our neophytes, too, after renouncing the tyrant who had enslaved them, had to go through that same saving element of water, in order to escape their fierce enemies; it carried them safe into the land of their hopes, and stood as a rampart to defend them against invasion.
By the goodness of God, that water, which is an obstacle to man’s pursuing his way, was turned into an ally for Israel’s march; the laws it had from nature were suspended, and it became the saviour of God’s people.
In like manner, the Sacred font, which, as The Church told us on the Feast of The Epiphany, is made an instrument of Divine Grace, has become the refuge and fortress of our happy neophytes; their passing through its waters has put them out of reach of the tyrant’s grasp.
Having reached the opposite shore, the Israelites see Pharaoh and his army, their shields and their chariots, buried in the sea. When our neophytes looked at the holy font, from which they had risen to the life of grace, they rejoiced to see the tomb where their sins, enemies worse than Pharaoh and his minions, lay buried for ever.
Then did the Israelites march cheerfully on towards the land that God had promised to give them. During the journey, they will have God as their teacher and law-giver; they will have their thirst quenched by fountains springing up from a rock in the desert; they will be fed on manna sent each day from Heaven.
Our neophytes, too, will run on unfettered to the heavenly country, their Promised Land. They will go through the desert of this world, uninjured by its miseries and dangers, for the Divine Law-Giver will teach them, not amidst thunder and lightning, as He did when He gave His law to the Israelites, but with persuasive words of gentlest love, spoken with that sweet manner which set on fire the hearts of the two disciples of Emmaus.
Springs of water shall refresh them at every turn, yea, of that living water which Jesus, a few weeks back, told the Samaritan woman should be given to them that adore Him in spirit and in truth. And, lastly, a Heavenly Manna shall be their food, strengthening and delighting them, a Manna far better than that of old, for it will give them immortality.
So that our Pasch means all this: It is a passing through water to the Land of Promise, but with a reality and truth which the Israelites had only under the veil of types, sublime indeed and Divine, but mere types.
Let us then our Passover from the death of Original Sin to the Life of Grace, by Holy Baptism, be a great Feast Day with us. This may not be the anniversary of our Baptism; it matters not; let us fervently celebrate our “exodus” from the Egypt of the World into the Christian Church; let us, with glad and grateful hearts, renew our Baptismal Vows, which made our God so liberal in His gifts to us; let us renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his pomps.
The Apostle of the Gentiles [Editor: Saint Paul] tells us of another mystery of the waters of Baptism; it gives completion to all we have been saying, and equally forms part of our Pasch. He teaches us that we were hidden beneath this water, as was Christ in His tomb; and that we then died, and were buried, together with Him.
It was the death of our life of sin; that we might live to God, we had to die to sin. When we think of the holy font where we were regenerated, let us call it the tomb, wherein we buried the “Old Man”, who was to have no resurrection.
Baptism by immersion, which was the ancient mode of administering the Sacrament, and is still used in some Countries, was expressive of this spiritual burial: The neophyte was made to disappear beneath the water; he was dead to his former life, as our buried Jesus was to His mortal life.
But, as Our Redeemer did not remain in the tomb, but rose again to a new life, so, likewise, says the Apostle, they who are Baptised, rise again with Him when they come from the font; they bear on them the pledges of immortality and glory, and are the true and living members of that Head, Who dieth now no more. Here again is our Pasch, our passage from death to life.
At Rome, the Station is in the Basilica of Saint Laurence-outside-the-Walls. It is looked upon as the most important of the many Churches built by Rome in honour of her favourite Martyr, whose body lies under The High Altar..
Hither were the neophytes led, today, that they might learn from the example of so brave and generous a soldier of Christ, how courageous they should be in confessing their Faith, and how faithful in living up to their Baptismal vows.
For several centuries, the reception of Baptism was a preparation for Martyrdom; but, at all times, it is an enlisting in the service of Christ, which we cannot leave without incurring the guilt and penalty of traitors.
MASS.
The Introit is composed of those words, which The Son of God will speak to His Elect, at The Last Judgement, when calling them into His Kingdom.
The Church applies them to the neophytes, and thus raises up their thoughts to that eternal happiness, the remembrance of which supported the Martyrs in their sufferings.
INTROIT.
Venite, benedicti Patris mei;
Percipite regnum, alleluia;
Quod vobis paratum est ab origine mundi.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Psalm.
Cantate Domino canticum novum:
Cantate Domino omnis terra.
Versicle.
Gloria Patri . . .
Venite . . .
INTROIT.
Come, ye blessed of My Father,
possess the Kingdom, Alleluia,
which hath been prepared for you
from the beginning of the World.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Psalm.
Sing to the Lord a new song:
Sing to the Lord all the Earth.
Versicle.
Glory be . . .
Come, ye blessed of . . .
Easter Wednesday. The Station Is At The Basilica Of Saint Laurence-Without-The-Walls. White Vestments.
English: Papal Basilica of Saint Laurence-without-the-Walls.
Italiano: Basilica Papale di San Lorenzo fuori-le-Mura.
Photo: February 2005.
Source: Own work.
Author: User:Panairjdde
(Wikimedia Commons)
Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
Easter Wednesday.
Station at Saint Laurence-without-the-Walls.
Indulgence of 30 Years and 30 Quarantines.
Semi-Double.
White Vestments.
[The spelling of this Saint's name can be either Laurence or Lawrence.]
unless otherwise stated.
Easter Wednesday.
Station at Saint Laurence-without-the-Walls.
Indulgence of 30 Years and 30 Quarantines.
Semi-Double.
White Vestments.
[The spelling of this Saint's name can be either Laurence or Lawrence.]
The Lenten Station is at Saint Laurence-without-the-Walls. The Church puts before her New-Born Children, as a model, the illustrious Roman Deacon, to whom this Basilica is Dedicated.
Like Saint Paul, yesterday, Saint Peter tells us that The Prophets foretold the Death of Jesus and that The Apostles were witnesses of His Resurrection (Epistle). The Alleluia further reminds us that "The Lord hath appeared to Peter"; while the Gospel shows us Saint Peter directing the fishing operations of his companions, in expectation of the hour, now fast approaching, when he will direct their labours as fishers of men. More devoted to Jesus than the others, he cast himself into the sea to rejoin Him, and it was he who drew to land the net, full of one hundred and fifty-three big fishes.
The Cloisters.
San Lorenzo fuori-le-mura
(Saint Laurence-without-the-Walls).
Artist: Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (1783–1853).
Date: 1824.
Current location: Art Institute of Chicago,
(Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection).
Photo: April 2007.
Source: Own work.
Author: user:Rlbberlin
(Wikimedia Commons)
According to The Fathers, these fishes, brought by Peter to The Feet of The Risen Christ, represented the Neophytes, for The Catechumens were born to Supernatural Life in The Font of Baptism. Called by God to receive His Kingdom (Introit), they eat The Bread of Angels, The Bread of Heaven (Offertory, Secret), which transforms them into New Creatures (Postcommunion), the "Agni Novelli" or "New-Born Lambs".
[The "Agnus Dei", or figures of The Lamb of God, stamped on the wax which remains from The Paschal Candle of the previous year, were formerly Blessed by the Pope on this day. Cherished in a spirit of Reverence and Faith, they are a protection against sickness and danger.]
Let us Celebrate these Festivities of The Resurrection of Our Lord in a Spirit of Holy Rejoicing, a foretaste of the joy we shall experience at The Eternal Pasch (Collect).
Mass: Veníte, benedícti.
Sequence: Victimæ paschali laudes.
Creed: Is said.
Preface: For Easter.
Commemoration: For Easter.
Hanc igitur: For Easter.
Tuesday, 22 April 2025
Saint Soter And Saint Caius. Popes And Martyrs. Feast Day 22 April. White Vestments.
Text from “The Liturgical Year”.
By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Volume 8.
Paschal Time.
Book II.
The Palms of two Martyred Popes are intertwined with Grace this day of the Calendar. Saint Soter suffered for Christ in the 2nd-Century A.D., and Saint Caius in the 3rd-Century A.D.
A hundred years separate them and yet we have the same energy of Faith, the same jealous fidelity to keep intact the “depositum” left by Christ to His Church.
What human society ever existed that produced heroes for Century after Century ? The Society, however, which was Founded by Christ — in other words, The Church — is based on that Traditional devotedness which consists in laying down one’s life for the Faith.
And, if so, we may be sure that the spirit of Martyrdom would show itself in them that were the Heads and Fathers of this Society.
The first thirty successors of Saint Peter paid dearly for the honour of the Supreme Pontificate; they were Martyrs. How grand the throne of Our Risen Jesus, surrounded as it is by all these Kings clad in their triumphant Scarlet Robes !
Saint Soter was the immediate successor of Saint Anicetus, whose Feast we kept on 17 April. Time has effaced the details of his life. Eusebius, however, gives us a fragment of a Letter written by Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, wherein thanks are expressed to the Pontiff for the Alms he sent to the Faithful of that Church, during a famine.
An Apostolic Letter was sent with these Alms; and Saint Dionysius tells us that it was read in the assemblies of the Faithful, together with the one addressed to the same Church, in the preceding Century, by Saint Clement.
The Roman Pontiffs have ever united Charity to their fidelity in preserving pure the deposit of our Faith.
With regard to Saint Caius, he suffered death in the terrible persecution under Diocletian; and little more than a mere mention of his name is given in the annals of Christian Rome.
We cannot, therefore, be surprised at the brevity wherewith the Liturgy speaks of these two Martyred Popes. We read with great interest the Lessons given in our Breviaries.
Saint Soter was born at Fondi, in Campania. He passed a Decree, forbidding Virgins consecrated to God to touch the Sacred Vessels and Palls, or to exercise the Office of Thurifer in The Church.
He also decreed that, on Maundy Thursday, the Body of Christ should be received by all, excepting those who were forbidden to do so by reason of some grievous sin.
His Pontificate lasted three years, eleven months, and eighteen days. He was crowned with Martyrdom under the reign of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and was buried in the cemetery which was afterwards called the Cemetery of Callixtus.
In the month of December, according to the custom observed by his predecessors, he Ordained eighteen Priests, nine Deacons, and eleven Bishops, for divers places.
Saint Caius was a native of Dalmatia, and a relation of the Emperor Diocletian. he decreed that the following Ecclesiastical Orders or honours should precede the Ordination of a Bishop: Door-Keeper; Lector; Exorcist; Acolyte; Sub-Deacon; Deacon; Priest.
He concealed himself for some time in a cave, in order to escape the cruelty exercised against the Christians by Diocletian. But, after eight years, he, together with his brother, Gabinus, received the Crown of Martyrdom.
He governed The Church twelve years, four months, and five days. He Ordained in the month of December twenty-five Priests, eight Deacons, and five Bishops.
He was buried in the Cemetery of Callixtus, on the 10th of the Kalends of May (22 April). Pope Urban VIII revived his memory in Rome, restored his Church, which was in ruins, and honoured it with a Title, a Station, and the Relics of the Saint, himself.
O, holy Pontiffs ! You are of the number of those who went through “the great tribulation”, and “passed through fire and water”, to the eternal shores of Heaven.
The thought of Jesus’ victory over death gave you courage: You remembered how His Passion was followed by a glorious Resurrection. By imitating Him, in laying down your lives for your sheep, you have taught us how we also should think no sacrifice too great to be made for our Faith.
Obtain for us this heroic courage. Baptism has numbered us among the soldiers of Christ: Confirmation has given us the Spirit of Fortitude; we must then be ready for battle.
It may be that, even in our own times, a persecution may rage against The Church; at all events, we have to fight against ourselves, the Spirit of the World, and Satan; support us by your Prayers.
You were once the Fathers of the Christian people; you are still animated with the pastoral Charity which then filled your hearts. Protect us, and make us loyal to the God, Whose cause was so dear to you when here on Earth.
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