Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 39, 28 September 1905, Page 31

Friends at Court

October 1, Sunday.— Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Feast of the Holy Rosary. 2, Monday.— Feast of the Guardian Angels. 3, Tuesday.— St. Adrian 111., Pope and Confessor. 4, Wednesday.— St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor. 5, Thursday.— St. Galla,* Widow. „ 6i, Friday.— St. Bruno, Confessor. „ 7, Saturday.— St. Mark, Pope and Confessor.

« GLEANINQS FOR NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR

Feast of the Holy Rosary.

On the first Sunday of October, 1571,. was fought the great battle of Lejpanto, which saved Europe from "the Turks, and gave a 'death-blow tot the Ottoman power. In memory of this victory, gained at the very moment when the faithful were reciting the rosary for the success of the Christian arms, Gregory XIII. ordered the present festival to be celebrated.

Feast of the Guardian Angels

One of the most consoling doctrines of the Catholic Church is the spiritual union which exists between mankind ami the angels who surround the throne of the Almighty. These glorious spirits with whom we hope hereafter to share the joys of Paradise, are appointed by God to be our protectors during our mortal life. Though not an article of faith, it has been the constant 'belief of the Church in all ages that Divine Provklence has assigned to each individual a special angel to bo his guide and guardian during his pilgrimage on earth. To this doctrine, which is confirmed by many passages of the Holy Scriptures, our Divine Lord alluded when He said : ' See that you 'despise not one of these little ones, for J say to you that these angels 1 in Heaven always, Bee the Face of My Father Who isi in Heaven.'

St. Adrian 111., Pope and Confessor

The pontificate of St. Adrian began in 884, and lasted little more Ihan a year. The incursion of the Saracens, who sacked the famous abbey of Monte Cassino, and extended their ravages to the very walls of Rome, reduced a great number of people to misery, and gave to the holy Pontiff an opportunity of exercising that unbourdeU charity which is tbe distinctive characteristic of the true followers of Christ.

St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor

St. Francis of Assisi, who was the founder of the Order of Franciscans, was born at Assisi, Umbria, in 1182. Ambitious for 'glory, he tried the profession of arms, then, touched by grace, he left his family, embraced absolute poverty, juvd founded in 1208 the Order of Mendicants. St. Francis was canonised by Pope Gregory IV in 1228.

St. Galla, Widow

St. 'Galla lived in Rome in the beginning of the 6th century. Haung lost her husband within a year after her marriage, she made over her property to the/poor, and gave himself up to a life of poverty "and austerity.

St. Bruno, Confessor

St. Bruno of Cologne was the founder of the Carthusian Order. With six companions, Bruno retired into the desert of Chartreuse, near Grenoble,. France, and laid the foundation of his new Order This was in 1086. Following the Benedictine Rule, the Carthusians were famed for the severity of their discipline. They lead a contemplative life, awi devote a portion of their time to mianual lalbor. Bruno was summoned to Rome by Pope Urban II , who had been his pupil. After founding two new convents in Calabria, he dice} in 1101. Guigo, the first Prior of the Chartreuse, made a compilation of the customs and statutes observed by the Carthusians. The Carthusian nuns originated about 123<\ ami, with some modifications, follow the rules ol the Carthusian monks.

St Mark, Pope and Confessor

St. Mark, who was elected Pope in 333, was a Roman "by birth. Tie published a decree conferring upon Win Bishop of Ostia the exclusive right to consecrate the Sovereign Pontiff.