Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 10 November 1921, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR. November 13, Sunday.—Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost. „ 14, Monday.—St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr. ~ 15, Tuesday.—St. Gertrude, Virgin. ~ 16, Wednesday.Of the Feria. „ 17, Thursday.—St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, Bishop and Confessor. ~ 18, Friday. Dedication of the Basilicas of SS. Peter and Paul. ~ 19, Saturday.St. Elizabeth, Widow. s? St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr. St. Josaphat, a native of Poland, displayed, while still in his boyhood, such piety and fraternal charity as to excite the admiration of all who knew him. After having been for ,some years a monk of the Order of St. Basil, he was raised to the dignity of Archbishop. The zeal and success with which he preserved his flock from heresy and schism drew upon him the hatred of some sectarians, who compassed his death in 1623. St. Gertrude, Virgin. St. Gertrude was for many years Superioress of a community of Benedictine Nuns in Saxony. By fasting, perfect conformity to the rule of her Order, constant denial of her own will, and frequent meditation on the Passion of Our Blessed Redeemer, she endeavored to check the growth of any inordinate affection, and unite all the powers of the soul in a pure and intense love of God. She died in 1292, after having enriched the Church with writings which are of incalculable utility to all who aim at spiritual perfection. Dedication of the Basilicas of SS. Peter and Paul. These two basilicas are situated in Rome, the one on the Vatican Hill, the other on the road which leads to the mouth of the Tiber. They are famous throughout the world for size, richness, and magnificence of decoration; but the most precious treasures which they contain arc the relics of the two great Apostles—St. Peter, the Vicar of Christ; and St. Paul, the zealous missionary of the infant Church.

GRAINS OF GOLD DIVINE IMPORTUNITY. And do you wish me to possess Your heart and dwell therein? Dear child, how can I when you've barred And bolted it with sin? \ Lo. I have stood and humbly knocked In patience year by year Upon the portals of your heart, But you would .never hear. I've waited at your threshold, sad, Nor left it night or day; Ah, had my love been less intense, I would have gone away. Year in, year out, 'twas all the same: For Me you had no part; The sinful world had gained complete Possession, of your heart. But now at last that fickle men Have turned their backs on you, Upon your knees in shame you kneel! And ask Me what to do. Dear child, My love grows never cold To-day, as oft before, I stand and knock entreatingly Upon your bolted door. Oh, haste and swing it open wide j To One who loves you well; For in your chastened, contrite heart I long to come and dwell. -o—Chester A. Burns, S.J , in The Messenger.