Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 9 October 1913, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT 'VEER’S CALENDAR October 12, Sunday. Twenty-second Sunday after ; : Pentecost. . ’ , ? ~ 13, Monday. St. Edward, King and Confessor. ~ 14, Tuesday.— St. Callistus, Pope and Martyr. ~ 15, Wednesday, —St. Theresa, Virgin. ~ 16, Thursday.St. Gall, Abbot. ~ 17, Friday. —St. Hedwige, Widow. ~ 18, Saturday. —St Luke, Evangelist. St, Gall, Abbot. St. Gall was one of a number of Irish monks who, towards the close of the sixth century, accompanied St. Columbanus. to the Continent. Having settled near Lake Constance, by his preaching, example, and miracles, he converted- :to the true faith so great a number of idolaters that he is justly regarded as the apostle of that territory. The abbey which he founded there became one of the most famous in Europe for the number of learned men it produced, and for its valuable and extensive library. St. Gall died about 646. One of the cantons of Switzerland is called by his name. St. Hedwige, Widow. This saint was aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and wife of Henry, Duke of Poland. She was remarkable for her charity to the sick and poor. She died in 1243. St. Luke, Evangelist. St. Luke was a native of Antioch, capital of Syria, and was by profession a physician. He was probably one of the first converts to Christianity in Antioch. He wrote his Gospel mainly for the use of the Greeks converted by St. Paul, and, consequently, he did not purpose proving, like St. Matthew, who wrote for the Jews, that Christ was the promised Messias, but preferred rather to bring into prominence the facts which show that He was the Saviour of the world, and that He had died for all Jews and Gentiles. St. Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles. He is believed to have been martyred in Greece, but the date of his death is uncertain. GRAINS OF GOLD THE BRETON MARINER’S PRAYER. On pathless waters deep and dark, Trembling, I launch my fragile barque ; So weak my hand, so strong the waves. So few the saved, so full the graves, So small my boat, so wide the sea, 0 God, my Father, keep Thou me! , 1 know not what shall safely guide Me o’er the foaming, treacherous tide ; Nor where the rocks and breakers lie. Nor which, is shore, nor which is sky ; So small my boat, so wide the sea, I dare nob sail except with Thee. Like famished beast the ocean raves, But Thou art mightier, than the waves And still my prayers to Thee ascend. And still Thy skies above me bend; Though small my boat and wide the sea, Safely I sail, O God, with Thee ! He who, when he has once knocked, is angry because he is not forthwith heard, is not a humble petitioner, but an imperious exactor. However long He may cause thee to wait, do thou patiently bide the Lord’s leisure. —St. Peter Chrysologus. Food and exercise have much to do with bodily vigor, and good literature has much to do with mental strength; but some people are foolish enough to suppose that they can believe what they please in religious matters and still be * as good as other people.’