Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 31 March 1921, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR. April 3, Sunday.—Low Sunday. ~ 4, Monday.—Annunciation, of Virgin Mary. ~ 5, Tuesday.—St. Vincent Ferrer-, Confessor. ~ 6, Wednesday.Of the Feria. ~ 7, Thursday,—Of the Feria. ~ 8, Friday.-Of the Feria. ~ 9, Saturday. of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this festival the Church celebrates the Mystery of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The institution of this feast dates back to the first centuries of Christianity. St. Athanasius mentions it in one of his sermons. For a long time they commenced the civil year with the Feast of the Annunciation. The custom of commencing the year on January 1 was introduced in France in 1564, in Scotland in 1579, in England in 1752. St. Vincent Ferrer, Confessor. St. Vincent was born at Valentia, in Spain. The austerity of his life, the gift of eloquence which he possessed in a remarkable degree, and the miracles which signalised his labors rendered his preaching most effective. Wherever he went the people were aroused, and the most hardened sinners sought to be reconciled with God. His labors were not confined to his native country. He traversed Italy and France, and at the invitation of Henry IV. visited Ireland, England, and Scotland. He died in Brittany, in the 63rd year of his age, A.D. 1419. GRAINS OF GOLD THE ANNUNCIATION. A Hymn of the Primitive Church (Uaec ilia solemnis dies.) This is the day, the solemn day,, Which God appointed to convey Such news as made our sorrows cease, Glad news of mercy and of peace. Our parents’ guilt, our parents’ fall, To certain death consigned us all: From certain death mankind to save, His only Son Jehovah gave. • Yes ! He who was th’ Eternal’s Son Ere time had yet its course begun, Our life of pain and weakness bore, Nor did the Virgin’s womb abhor. He took on Him our mortal state, That He might bear the sinner’s fate That so l?is blood, in ransom given, Might take away the wrath of Heaven. Yes! .He, the infinite great God, > ; In human flesh a while abode: That we might high in glory dwell, He came as our Immanuel. * Redeemer of the world, to Thee All praise and glory rendered be ; And to the Father, King of Heaven, ■ And Holy Ghost, all praise be given. —Translated by the Rev. J. Chandler, in Ave Maria.

REFLECTIONS. Anticipate the wants of others without waiting till you are asked. True charity teaches us how they may stand in need. , V - V If your doubts' do not : prevail so, as to make us leave off praying, our prayers will prevail so far as to make us leave off doubting.—Hickman. -