Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 7 December 1911, Page 2451

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOB NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR V December 10, Sunday.—Second Sunday in Advent. ~ 11, Monday. —St. Damasus 1,, Pope and Confessor. ~ 12, Tuesday. — St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr. ~ 13, Wednesday. —St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. ~ 14, Thursday. Translation of the Holy House of Loreto. ~ 15, Friday. — Octave of the Immaculate Conception. ~ 16, Saturday. — St. Francis Xavier, Confessor St.- Melchiades, Pope and Confessor. St. Melchiades was Pope from 311 to 314. Fie had the happiness of witnessing the triumph of Christianity which followed the accession of Constantine. His death was peaceful, but he is honored as a martyr on account of his previous sufferings in the persecutions. St. Francis Xavier, Confessor. The great Apostle of the Indies, the St. Paul of modern times, was born in Spain in 1506. Having gone to the University of Paris to complete his studies, his brilliant talents gained him an applause which, unfortunately, served as an incentive to vanity and ambition. Through the instrumentality of his countryman, St. Ignatius, he learned to seek a higher ideal, and to devote the exceptional gifts with which God had endowed him to the glory and honor of the Giver. Having been chosen by the Vicar of Christ to preach the Gospel to the nations of the Far East, he sailed for India in 1541. The zeal which he displayed for the propagation of the faith, the priva- , tions which he endured, the labors which marked his life in India and Japan are well-nigh incredible, and have no parallel except in the labors and journeyings { of the Apostle of the Gentiles. His mission was signalised by many miracles, and crowned with remarkable success. He died in 1552, when on the point of undertaking the conversion of China. St. Francis Xavier is honored as one of the patrons of Australia. GRAINS OF GOLD THE MASTER’S WAY. Not ours to know the reason why unanswered is our prayer, But ours to wait for God’s own time to lift the cross we bear; Not ours to know the reason why from loved ones we must part, § But ours to live in faith and hope, though bleeding be the heart; v Not ours to know the reason why this anguish, strife, and pain, But, ours to know a crown of thorns sweet graces for us gain; A cross, a bleeding heart and crownwhat greater gifts L are given r Be still, my heart, and murmur not; these are the Keys of Heaven. It’s ours to —aye, learn it well— is the Master’s way. They serve Him best who ask not why, who live but to obey. ’Tis ours to know the better part, whereby a crown is won; Then, loving God, I ask not why, ‘ Thy will, not mine * be done.’ Yea, Thy way, Lord; not mine, I pray. I give to Thee my will, And humbly ask Thy grace and aid, this better part to fill; - ~ -■-v - It was not always thus with me; I loved my way the best, But that is past. Thy way is mine; in it alone is rest.