Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 13 March 1919, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR i . i March 16, Sunday.—Second Sunday in Lent. „ 17, Monday. —St. Patrick, Bishop and Con- " ': r fessor. ; No fast or abstinence. ~ 18, Tuesday.St. Cyril, Bishop, Confessor, and ; Doctor. ~ 19, Wednesday.—St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 20, Thursday.— the Feria. ~ 21, Friday.St. Benedict, Abbot. ~ 22, Saturday.Of the Feria.

St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor. The nationality of St. Patrick is much disputed, some naming France, others Scotland, as the place of his birth. When but sixteen years of age, he was carried captive into Ireland, where he remained for six years, thus by a remarkable disposition of Divine Providence becoming acquainted with the language and customs of the people whom he was afterwards to evangelise. Having escaped from captivity, his one desire was to return to Ireland, bringing with him the blessings of the true faith to its pagan inhabitants. The desired mission was confided to him by Pope St. Celestine about 432. His labors were crowned with complete success. By his exertions Ireland has ever since not only kept the faith pure at home, but has helped to propagate it in nearly every country in the world. St. Patrick died about 464, and was buried in Downpatrick. St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph was chosen by God to watch over the infancy of Christ, to be a, protector of Mary's chastity, and to secure her from calumnies in the birth of her Divine Son. So great a dignity, such familiar intercourse with the Deity, required a sanctity far above the common. That St. Joseph possessed this, we know from the inspired Word of God. He is styled in the New Testament "a just man," one, namely, endowed with all the virtues. From the fact that no mention is made of him after the finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, we conclude that he must have died before the beginning of our Lord's public ministry. We cannot doubt that he was comforted and assisted in his last moments by Jesus and Mary. Hence his intercession is sought particularly to obtain the grace of a happy death.

GRAINS OP GOLD.

TO ST. PATRICK. Hail to thee, St. Patrick dear, Ireland's honor art thou here; Great thine apostolic name, Worldwide is thy Christlike fame ; But in heaven how bright and fair Shines thy crown of glory rare, Twined thy holy staff of gold With that leaf the Faith which told. Sweet St. Patrick, tender heart, Throned with Jesus as thou art, Thou wilt stoop at Erin's cry, Lean to her from out the sky ; Take her prayers, her tears, as gifts That her love to God uplifts ; Shield her with thy loving care, Be her Patron faithful e'er. Irish mothers comfort thou, Hearts that 'neath their sorrows bow ; Irish maidens cherished be In thy care so fatherly; Ireland's sons protect and guide, Hearts of gold so sorely tried; So shall all thy children meet, vuo u»y , a- aimer, round, thy feet!