The Most Pure Heart of Mary.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 34, 24 August 1905, Page 31

The Most Pure Heart of Mary.

God, having selected Mary to be the mother of His Incarnate Son, bestowed on her with a lavish hand the graces which were necessary to fit her for her exalted office. On various days throughout the year, some one or other of the principal events in the life of the Blessed Virgin, or of the privileges which she received from God, foiias the subject of our consideration. To-day we contemplate that interior perfection which made her heart a glowing furnace of divine love, and gave to her most trivial actions a spiritual excellence which none of the saints have equalled.

St. Augustine, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor. St. Augustine was born in Algeria in 354. In spite of the watchful care of his mother, St. Monica, he gave himself up in his youth to many excesses. When he was 33 years of age the prayers of nis pious mother at length obtained for him the grace of a complete con\ersion. During the remainder of his life he endeavored to undo the e\il which his teaching and example bad wrought. He composed in defence of the faith a long series of treatises, which have rendered his name illustrious throughout the world as one of the most profound, ingenious, and prolific writers that have adorned the Ohurch of G-od. During 35 years he governed the See of Ilinpo, in Africa, and showed himself endowed with all the virtues wnich form the character of a perfect Christian Bishop. He died in 430, at the age of 7G.

St. Fiacre, Confessor

St. Fiacro was an Irishman, who, having crossed over into France, lived for many years in a solitude not far from the city of Meaux. His life there was most austere— a continual exercise of prayer and heavenly contemplation, which he interrupted only to afford relief to the poor, or to attend to those who, led by the. fame of Ins sanctity, came to seek his ad\iee. After his death in (570, his tomb became famous for numerous miracles, and was resorted to by pilgrims from all parts of France.

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Confessor.

According to the rule laid down by Christ that ("hnsiian pro\es himself His most faithful disciple and gues thos-irest proof of his love of God, who most perfectly loves his neighbor for God's sake. Judged by this test of true sanctity, St. Raymond should rank high among) tine saints. Born in Spain in 1204, he gave not only his proipoity but all Bis liberty, and even exposed himself to the most cruel torments, and risked his very life in order to promote the spiritual welfare and accomplish thel redemption of Christians held in captivity by the Moots. After a life wholly spent in the service of his neighbor, he died near Barcelona in 1240

St. Louis, Confessor. St. Louis was King of France, and it may be truly said that country never enjoyed the blessing of a wiser or more virtiwis ruler, 'ihong-h his life in the midst of his coart was that of a perfect religious, he never neglected the affairs of Government, the public duties of his posi, tion, or the wants of his people. His alms deeds were unbounded, and one of his greatest pleasures was ministering to the sick in the public hospitals. St. Louis died in I^7o, at the age of 55.