http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Nicholas.html

St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra
by Father Francis Xavier Weninger, 1876

 
St. Nicholas, whom the Almighty honored with numberless miracles, was born at Patara, in Lycia, of rich and pious parents, who having lived a long time without issue, at last, after many prayers, were rejoiced by the Lord with a son. It was a remarkable fact that Nicholas, when an infant, on Wednesdays and Fridays, refused to take nourishment from his mother's breast until nightfall; and this custom of partaking of no food on those days, he observed as long as he lived. When sent to school, he carefully avoided all interaction young men, and still more with the other sex. He shunned all occasions of evil, chastised his body by watching, fasting, wearing a penitential girdle, and read only such books as aided him to acquire virtue and knowledge. In this manner he preserved his innocence inviolate through all dangers. Having made great progress in virtue and knowledge, he was ordained priest by the bishop of Myra, who was his God-father. As he felt himself obliged by the sacredness of his station to strive to attain greater virtue, he redoubled his austerities, his fervor in prayer, and his zeal in doing good. The rich inheritance which came into his possession after the death of his parents, was employed only to relieve and comfort the needy.

 Among these were three young virgins whom their father, impoverished by misfortune, had advised to maintain themselves at the cost of their virtue, as he saw no means to provide for them. St. Nicholas, having heard this, went, during the night and threw into the father's room, through the window, as much money as was necessary to give one of the three maidens a marriage dower. The same was done, after a lapse of some time, for the second and the third; and, by this noble work of charity, the father and the daughters were saved from temporal and eternal ruin. After some time, by order of the bishop of Myra, Nicholas was charged with the care of a monastery, and performed this task with great prudence and care.

Meanwhile, his heart was filled with the desire to visit the Holy Land, and to pass the remainder of his life in solitude. The day on which he set sail he prophesied to the sailors that they would soon encounter a severe storm. The sailors, thinking they were better skilled in such matters, laughed at him, but the issue showed that the Saint was right; for so terrific a storm arose that all on board thought themselves lost. Hence they begged the Saint, as God had revealed to him the danger, to implore Him to turn it from them. Hardly had the holy man begun to pray when the winds abated and the storm ceased. Similar miracles the holy man performed frequently; hence he is honored and invoked as a special patron of sailors. In Palestine he visited the holy places with great devotion, and made the resolution to remain there in some retired spot, where he might serve the Almighty undisturbed. But, by divine admonition, he returned to his monastery, where he did not remain long, as God inspired him to go to Myra, the capital of Lycia.


The bishops of that country had just assembled at Myra, to elect a successor to the late bishop, and while they were praying to be guided by heaven in their choice, God revealed to one of them that they should choose him who, on the following morning, should first enter the church, and whose name was Nicholas. St. Nicholas, knowing nothing of what had passed, was the first who entered the church the next morning. A bishop who had been appointed to be there, having asked his name, took him by the hand and led him to the assembled prelates, who informed him of the divine will and consecrated him bishop in spite of the tears he shed and the objections he offered.

Nicholas considering that so high an office required high virtues, endeavored to lead a still more perfect life than before. He practised severe penance, partook daily of one meal only, and never touched meat; took his short rest on the bare floor, gave all the time left to him from the administration of his functions to prayer, daily said holy Mass, at which he often shed many tears; visited the prisoners, the sick, and the poor of the city, among whom he divided almost all his income; preached on all Sundays and Holydays, and frequently visited the churches and parishes of his diocese, providing all with able priests and a sufficient income. In one word, he did all that could be expected of a bishop, who perfectly fulfilled his sacred duties. At that period there were still many pagans in Myra, besides an idolatrous temple, and the emperor sent his officers to exterminate Christianity and restore the pagan worship. On this occasion our holy bishop showed his generous seal. He went through all the streets and into all the houses exhorting the Christians to remain faithful to Christ, without fearing for himself either danger, persecution or death. He was seized, dragged out of the city, and cast into a dungeon, where he remained until Constantine the Great ascended the throne. The holy bishop experienced the greatest joy when this emperor gave orders to demolish the idolatrous temples and to build churches in their places. He himself assisted at the work and rested not until all pagan temples had disappeared from his diocese. Some time later an opportunity presented itself to him to fight against the Arian heresy, which he condemned in the Council of Nice.

The many and great miracles that he performed and the fame of his holiness gave him great consideration. Eustathius, an avaricious officer, had condemned to death three innocent citizens, living not far from Myra, in order that he might take possession of their property. No sooner had St. Nicholas been informed of this than he hastened to the place, where he found the three men already in the hands of the executioner. The Saint ran towards him and took the sword from him; he then reproved the wicked judge with severe words, and thus freed the innocent persons, amid the great rejoicings of the people.

Still more remarkable is the following: Constantine, the emperor, had condemned three of his most renowned generals to death, on false accusations. These, having heard much of the holiness of the Bishop of Myra, called on God to come to their aid for the sake of His servant. In the night before the day on which the sentence on the three prisoners was to be executed, Constantine saw St. Nicholas standing before him, threatening him with divine vengeance if he did not immediately recall the sentence against the innocent men. In the same manner the Saint appeared to the unjust accuser. Both, greatly frightened, set the prisoners free, and sent them with many rich gifts to St. Nicholas, to thank him for having thus protected them.






Almost at the same time the Saint appeared to some sailors who were in great danger of being wrecked, and had invoked him. They saw him at the helm, guiding the ship safely to land. When they expressed their gratitude to him, he said: "My children, give honor to God; I am but a poor sinner." Taking them aside, he said that their sins, which he named to them, had been the cause of the danger they experienced, admonished them to repent, and then dismissed them. On account of this and numberless other miracles, the holy bishop was called the Thaumaturgus, or Wonder-worker of his age. All his biographers unite in saying that he raised many dead to life. Among these were three children who had been-cruelly murdered and cast into a tub; and this miracle is frequently represented by artists in their pictures of the Saint.

Although St. Nicholas was gifted with such high graces, and administered his episcopal functions so well, he yet feared that he did not do enough, and frequently prayed to God to release him from this burden. A voice from heaven, however, encouraged him, saying: "Fear not, Nicholas, I will recompense thy faithful services." God also revealed to him the day and hour of his death, and the Saint, rejoicing soon to see the Lord, received with great devotion, the holy Sacraments, and after a short sickness ended his holy life.







In his last moments he saw heaven open, and a great multitude of angels came to accompany his soul to heaven. His last prayer was the Psalm, "In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped." When he came to the words, "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit," he calmly expired. From his body emanated a miraculous oil, which restored the health of many sick. This oil is still flowing at Bari, in Apulia, where the holy body is enshrined, and is yearly visited by many devout pilgrims.



PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS.

 I. St. Nicholas was very generous to the poor, but endeavored to hide his good deeds as much as possible, from men. Hence, in the darkness of night, he threw money into the house of the poor father of three daughters who stood so greatly in need of being protected. By thus acting, he obeyed the words of Christ, who said: "Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them; otherwise you shall not have a reward from your Father who is in heaven." And again: "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth (Matth. vi)." If you do good to the poor, or perform other pious works, never do it with the desire to earn human praise; but let your motive be holy. Do not boast of the good deeds you have performed. The vain honor which you seek robs you of the reward that you would have received from God. "Those who seek their reward on this earth," says St. Ambrose, "lay nothing by for the next life; and as they have already received their reward here, they cannot expect one in the other world."

 II. God revealed to St. Nicholas the time of his death. You have no such revelation, and probably never will have it. It must be sufficient that God has revealed to us all, that we all must die. The time and the manner of your death God has concealed from you, for the reason that you should be always prepared to die. "The last day has been concealed from us," says St. Augustine, "that we may live well every day." "Watch ye therefore," says Christ, "for ye know not when the Lord of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight (Mark, xiii.)". Happy is he whom death finds prepared. This Our Saviour says, in the following words: "Blessed is that servant, whom when his Lord shall come, he shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, he will set him over all he possesseth (Luke, xii.)". To this end, it is very useful to think frequently of death, as this thought will urge us to prepare ourselves for it in time, and to be constantly prepared. "It is quite certain," says St. Bernard, "that you will die; but you know not when, how and where! As, therefore, death waits for you everywhere, if you wish to act wisely, be ready everywhere for him." St. Gregory writes: "We ought to have the hour of our death continually before us and always think of the words of Christ: 'Watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour.'"








 

Introit from the Mass of St. Nicholas


The Lord made to him a covenant of peace and made him a prince, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him forever. O Lord, remember David and all his meekness. (Ps. cxxxi.) Glory be to the Father, &c.




Prayer of the Church


O God, who by innumerable miracles hast honoured blessed Nicholas the Bishop: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and intercession we may be delivered from eternal flames.



 PRAYER: I thank Thee, my divine Saviour, for all the gifts and graces which Thou hast given me, and I am grieved from my heart, that I have so illused and neglected them. Be merciful to me, and give me the grace to use my talents, as did St. Nicholas, with all energy for Thy honor and my own salvation, so that Thou mayest say to me on the Day of Judgment: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Nicholas.html

Instructions for the Feast of St. Nicholas

by Leonard Goffine, 1871


St. Nicholas, this great servant of God, whom St. Peter Damian calls the one chosen of God from his mother's bosom, the ward of sanctity in childhood, the beauty of the young men, the honor of the old, the splendor of the priests, and the light of the bishops, was born at Patara in Lycia in 280, or rather was then presented by God, in answer to their prayers, to his pious childless parents. Even as an infant he would abstain on Wednesdays and Fridays (the fastdays of that time) from his mother's milk, and during his whole life continued to fast on these days. He passed through his childhood free from all levity, and in such innocence and piety, that he could serve every one as a pattern of sanctity. The early death of his parents left him the heir to great wealth, whuch he distributed to the poor, that is, to those who were ashamed to beg, and gave the most to those whose poverty most endangered their salvation. This is illustrated in the fallowing story:

A certain man of noble birth had three daughters, but his poverty did not permit him to give them in marriage, and to obtain money he was willing to expose them to a life of infamy. St. Nicholas had scarcely heard of this, then he went in the stillness of night, and threw money enough into the nobleman's house to suffice for a dowry for one of his daughters. This he twice repeated, and the three maidens were married to three virtuous men. So brilliant a light of virtue was well worthy of being placed in an elevated setting. The bishop's seat at Myra was vacant, and God revealed to the priests assembled for the election, that that one was to be made bishop who the next morning would be the first in Church. This proved to be Nicholas who, notwithstanding his refusal to accept, was consecrated bishop. But the elevated position which he accepted only from obedience to God, but made him the more humble, charitable, and perfect in all virtue. God honored him with the gift of miracles, so that he was called the man of miracles, and to test his patience, permitted him to be persecuted for his faith; he was exiled, was put in chains and thrown into prison, until the Church received peace. Then he attacked with all energy the heresy of Arius wHo denied, that Christ is God, and, at last, exhausted by his untiring labors for the salvation of souls and adorned with the light of the most beautiful virtues, he died in 327, after a short and not severe illness, saying the words; "Lord, my soul has hoped in Thee; receive it into Thy hands!"

In the year 1087 his relics were brought by some merchants to Bari, in the kingdom of Naples, and were honored by the Lord by the most conspicuous miracles. St. Nicholas is generally represented in the robes of a bishop, with mitre and crosier, a Bible and three golden apples in his left hand. The Bible is to signify his zeal to keep the doctrines of Christ unstained, and the three golden apples the three maidens whom he rescued from infamy, as well as the many works of mercy he performed up to the time of his death.

The Introit of the Mass reads: The Lord made to him a covenant of peace and made him a prince, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him forever, O Lord, remember David and all his meekness, (Ps. cxxxi). Glory be to the Father,

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. O God, who by innumerable miracles hast honoured blessed Nicholas the Bishop: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and intercession we may be delivered from eternal flames. Through etc.

EPISTLE. (Hebr. xiii. 7 - 17) Brethern: Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ yesterday and to-day: and the same for ever. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats: which have not profited those that walk in them. We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Holies by the high-priest for sin are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore to Him without the camp, bearing His reproach, for we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to His name. And do not forget to do good and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favour is obtained. Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch, as being to render an account of your souls.

EXPLANATION. The apostle here admonishes the Hebrews, that is, Jєωs, who although converted to Christianity, had still the idea, that Judaism must be connected with Christianity, that they must honor their spiritual directors, and imitate their virtues, their living faith, which led them to a blessed and glorious end. He exhorts them to keep watch against strange and false doctrines, for Christ, that is, His doctrine, remains unchanged. He teaches them especially not to think too much of sacrifices and different sorts of food, which were ordered by the Jєωιѕн law, for these cannot strengthen the heart, cannot justify and sanctify us, this can be done only by the grace of the gospel: the use of the Sacraments, the blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Of this, indeed, the Jєωs who serve the tabernacle, that is, those who observe the Old Law, are not allowed to partake, because the Law forbids them also to partake of the annual propitiatory sacrifice which was burnt outside the gates of the city of Jerusalem. This propitiatory sacrifice was a type of Jesus who, laden with ignominy by the Jєωs, also sacrificed Himself outside the gates of the city on the cross. If, therefore, they wish to have part in the sacrifice of Jesus, and partake of it, they must leave the camp, that is, give up the Old Law, cling with a strong faith to Jesus, and bear with the reproach cast on Him. If they suffer-with Him, it lasts not long, for we are here without an abiding place, seeking heaven. Through Christ, that is, by acknowledging Him as the real Redeemer, they should at all times bring to God the sacrifice of praise and connect this sacrifice with deeds of mercy which are especially agreeable to God. They should faithfully obey their superiors, or pastors, because these pastors are concerned for their soul's salvation and are accountable for them.

As the Jєωs had no share in the sacrifice of Christ, because they kept to the Old Law, so also you will have no share in it, so long as you keep with the world. Fly from the world and keep with Christ, as so often exhorted by the spiritual superiors to whom you owe faithful obedience.

GOSPEL. (Matt. xxv. 14 - 23.) At that time: Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talente coming, brought other five talents saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents; behold, I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou bast been faithful over a few things, I will pace thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredest two talents to me: behold, I have gained other two, His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.


Who is he who went into a far country?

This is Christ who by His ascension into heaven, has gone away from earth, and will come again at the judgment.

What is to be understood by the talents?

A talent in our money amounts to about four thousand dollars; but here the talents are a figure of the threefold gifts of God. In the first part are the gifts of nature: a keen intellect, a ready wit, a good memory, science and skill, as also health, strength, and beauty; the second part comprises the gifts of grace, that is, inward inspiration and enlightenment, faith, hope, charity, and other virtues; the third the gift of miracles, the apostolate and pastorship, the power of discerning spirits, of prophecy, of healing, of tongues, &c.

How does God distribute these talents?

God distributes His gifts variously, by virtue of His unlimited power, as Lord of all. To one He gives much, to another little. If one receives much, he must not become prodigal, if little, not fainthearted, but work with that which he has received, according to his ability, for the honor of God, the good of his neighbor, and the salvation of his own soul. More than this God does not require, but He certainly exacts more from him who has received much than from him who has received little.

Who are meant by those who with fiv talents gained five, and with two talents gained two?

Those who have worked scrupulously with the gifts which God has given them. They deserve equal praise, and are received with equal joy by the householder, and equally rewarded for their fidelity. God does not judge by the extent of the merits, but his merciful eye regards our good will, obedience, diligence, and the obstacles under which we labored.

Who are understood by the servant who buried his talent in the earth?

Those who, whether of high or humble position, make no use of God's gifts, and will, therefore, be deprived of them at the Last Day and cast into hell.

Why says the Lord: Enter then into the joy of thy Lord?

Because Uod rejoices at inon's salvation, and because His faithful servants will find eternal joy in beholding and possessing Him in heaven.



PRAYER. I thank Thee, my divine Saviour, for all the gifts and graces which Thou hast given me, and I am grieved from my heart, that I have so illused and neglected them. Be merciful to me, and give me the grace to use my talents, as did St. Nicholas, with all energy for Thy honor and my own salvation, so that Thou mayest say to me on the Day of Judgment: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.












 http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Nicholas.html

Prayer of the Church


O God, who by innumerable miracles hast honoured blessed Nicholas the Bishop: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and intercession we may be delivered from eternal flames.



 PRAYER: I thank Thee, my divine Saviour, for all the gifts and graces which Thou hast given me, and I am grieved from my heart, that I have so illused and neglected them. Be merciful to me, and give me the grace to use my talents, as did St. Nicholas, with all energy for Thy honor and my own salvation, so that Thou mayest say to me on the Day of Judgment: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.






Sequence from the Mass of St. Nicholas


The sick are restored to health by the miraculous oil.
They who are in danger of shipwreck are delivered
by Nicholas' prayers.
He raised from amongst the dead a corpse which lay on the road.
A Jєω asks for baptism, on witnessing the miraculous recovery of his money.
A vase that had sunk in the deep sea, and a child that was lost to his father, are both recovered.
Oh how great a saint did he appear by multiplying corn in a famine!
Let, then, this congregation sing the hymns of Nicholas' praise;
For all who pray to him with earnest hearts, will go back cured of their spiritual ailments. Amen.





Prayer to St. Nicholas by Dom Gueranger


Holy pontiff Nicholas, how great is thy glory in God's Church! Thou didst confess the name of Jesus before the proconsuls of the world's empire and suffer persecution for His name's sake; afterwards thou wast witness to the wonderful workings of God, when He restored peace to His Church; and a short time after this again, thou didst open thy lips, in the assembly of the three hundred and eighteen fathers, to confess with supreme authority the Divinity of our Saviour Jesus Christ, for whose sake so many millions of martyrs had already shed their blood. Receive the devout felicitations of the Christian people throughout the universe, who thrill with joy when they think of thy glorious merits. Help us by thy prayers during these days when we are preparing for the coming of Him, whom thou didst proclaim to be consubstantial with the Father. Vouchsafe to assist our faith and to obtain fresh fervour to our love. Thou now beholdest face to face that Word by whom all things were made and redeemed; beseech Him to permit our unworthiness to approach Him. Be thou our intercessor with Him. Thou hast taught us to know Him as the sovereign and eternal God; teach us also to love Him as the supreme benefactor of the children of Adam. It was from Him, O charitable pontiff, that thou didst learn that tender compassion for the sufferings of thy fellow-men, which made all thy miracles to be so many acts of kindness: cease not, now that thou art in the company of the angels, to have pity on us and to succour our miseries.

Stir up and increase the faith of mankind in the Saviour whom the Lord hath sent them. May this be one of the fruits of thy prayer, that the divine Word may be no longer unknown and forgotten in this world, which He has redeemed with His Blood. Ask for the pastors of the Church that spirit of charity, which shone so brilliantly in thee; that spirit which makes them like their divine Master, and wins them the hearts of their people.




A Garland for Good Children

Antiphon: Whosoever shall receive this child in My Name, receiveth Me; and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth Him that sent Me. For he that is the lesser among you all, he is the greater.



V. Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones.

 R. Praise the Lord, ye children, praise ye the Name of the Lord. Alleluia.

 Gentle Jesus, waiting for me in the veiled tent of the altar:
Here I am. Speak, Lord, Thy little friend hears Thee.

 Gentle Mary, whom Jesus gave to me as my Mother in Heaven:
I run to thee in confidence, with all my joys and troubles.

 Gentle Joseph, who didst guard so tenderly the little Jesus and my Mother:
Teach me to be thoughtful and kind at all times.

 Guardian Angel, wherever I go, whatever I do:
With my hand in thine, I shall not be afraid.

 All young Saints, who went to Heaven as Virgins and Confessors while you were still children like myself :
Please remember we are still on earth, and need your help.

 All you who were Martyrs for your faith when you
were no older than I am:
Help me at least to be patient, and to bear my cross, and to be a live Catholic.

 Ye Holy Innocents, who praised God not in
speech but by death,
Pray for us, and for all children. *


 Sweet St. Agnes of Rome, Patron Saint of maidens, *
 St. Radegund of Chelles, called Little Saint Bathildis, *
 SS. Urban and two whose names I can't pronounce, martyred with your Bishop, *
 St. Celsus, killed for Jesus with your mother, *
 SS. Modestus and Ammonius, in Egypt, *
 St. Eulalia, of Barcelona in Spain, *
 St. Eithneingen Balthe, little virgin saint of Ireland, *
 St. William of Norwich, Little St. Hugh of Lincoln, St. Simon of Trent, *
 St. Musa, dear child virgin, *
 St. Theodosia, martyred in Tyria, *
 St. Pancratius, beheaded at Rome, *
 St. Dymphna, Irish princess, martyred in Brabant, *
 St. Venantius, killed when you were fifteen, * SS. Claudius, Hypatius, Paul and Denis, beheaded at Constantinople, *
 St. Sanctes, killed by Arabs at Cordova, *
 St. Paulina, martyred with your parents, *
 St. Germana Cousin, dear young French shepherdess, *
 St. Eutropia, martyred in Syria when you were twelve years old, *
 St. Secunda, flung to the beasts in darkest Africa, *
 Blesseds Lewis, John and Peter, young Japanese martyrs, *
 St. Raineldes, virgin martyr in France, *
 SS. Justus and Pastor, schoolboy brothers, *
 St. Tarsicius, acolyte at Rome, first martyr-defender of the Most Blessed Sacrament, *
 St. Lucilla, slain with your father at Rome, *
 St. Emeric, holy young Prince of Hungary, after whom our country was named, *
 St. Basilissa, killed for Jesus when you were only nine, *
 St. Finsecha, dear virgin in Ireland, *
 St. Erotheides, little maidservant and martyr, *
 Blessed Imelda Lambertini, dear Patroness of First Communicants, *
 Remember us also, you good Saints who had just grown up when God called you to Heaven.

 St. Gemma Galgani, who loved Christ's Cross,
 Pray for all the boys and girls. **

 St. Jeanne d'Arc, warrior Maid of Orleans, **
 St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, His Little Flower, **
 St. Rose of Viterbo, white flower of St. Francis, **
 St. Stanislaus Kostka, Patron of our altar boys, **
 St. Aloysius, also a Patron of youths, **
 And of course we remember some older Saints also, such as you, good St. Nicholas, because you are Patron of schoolboys, **
 And you, St. Ursula, Patroness of schoolgirls, **
 And you, St. Maura the nurse, called Patroness of good children, **

 Maybe you others who were so holy and will perhaps be named saints, maybe you will pray for us too?

 Guy de Fontgalland, in Canada,
 Pray for us all. ***

 Little Nellie of Holy God, in Ireland, ***
 Dominic of Cuncolim, martyred in India, ***
 Venerable Nunzio Sulprizio, young blacksmith apprentice but with a very white soul, ***

 V. This is the charity of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not heavy.

 R. For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our Faith.


 
Dearest Jesus, I love Thee, Thou knowest that I truly love Thee with all my heart and soul; and I'm sorry whenever I have been naughty because Thou art so good and sin grieves Thee Whom I love. All the day and all the night Thou art here on the altar, longing for me. I believe it, I know it, for Thou hast said so, and Thou art God. Show me how to love Thee more and to grow up to serve Thee better. And please let the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph and all those young Saints I was talking to, keep on praying for me and for the other children. Good-bye now, sweet Jesus. Come, Angel Guardian; we're going back, you and I, all rested and happy, to play some more, or study, or maybe help at home. Amen.









http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/