November (end of the year)
From Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year.
Let us go in spirit to Rome, and direct our steps towards the ancient church on the Coelian Hill, which bears the name of the Four crowned Martyrs. There are few Saints whose Acts have been more disparaged “by a superficial criticism ignorant of archeological science,” such as that of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. But now "the history and traditions relating to the august monument on the Coelian have been restored to honour by learned men and antiquaries, whom no one could accuse of superstition, or of a blind credulity with regard to mediaeval legends.[1] Such is the unanswerable decision of the Commandant de Rossi. Let us, then, with the holy Liturgy, offer our homage and prayers to the titular Saints of this venerable church, who once held offices of trust in the empire; and let us not forget those other Martyrs, the five sculptors, who like the former preferred death to infidelity, and now share the glory of their tomb.
Prayer
Praesta, quaesummus omnipotens Deus: ut, qui gloriosos Martyres fortes in sua confessione cognovimus, pios apud te in nostra intercessione sentiamus. Per Dominum.
Grant we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we who know thy glorious Martyrs to have been strong in their confession of thee, may experience their compassion by their interceding for us with thee. Through our Lord.
[1] De Rossi. Bullet: 1879.
From Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year.
IN the fourth century of our era, the cessation of persecution seemed to give the world a foretaste of its future entrance into eternal peace. “Glory to the Almighty! Glory to the Redeemer of our souls!” wrote Eusebius at the opening of the tenth and last book of his History. Himself a witness of the triumph, he describes the admirable spectacle everywhere displayed by the dedication of the new sanctuaries. In city after city the Bishops assembled, and crowds flocked together. From nation to nation, the good-will of mutual charity, of common faith, and of recollected joy, so harmonized all hearts, that the unity of Christ's body was clearly manifested in these multitudes animated by the same inspiration of the Holy Ghost. It was the fulfilment of the ancient prophecies: the living city of the living God, where all, whatever their age or sex, praise together the Author of all good things. How solemn were then the rites of the Church! The complete perfection therein displayed by the Pontiffs, the enthusiasm of the psalmody, the inspired readings, the celebration of the ineffable Mysteries, formed a divine pageantry.[1]
Constantine had placed the imperial treasure at the disposal of the Bishops; and he himself stimulated their zeal for what he called in his edicts the work of the churches.[2] Rome, the place of his victory by the Cross, the capital of the now Christian world, was the first to benefit by the prince's munificence. In a series of dedications, to the glory of the holy Apostles and Martyrs, Sylvester, the Pontiff of peace, took possession of the eternal city in the name of the true God.
Today is the birthday of the mother and mistress of churches, called “of our Saviour, Aula Dei (God's palace), the golden Basilica;” it is a new Sinai,[3] whence the apostolic oracles and so many Councils have made known to the world the law of salvation. No wonder this feast is celebrated by the whole world.
Although the Popes for centuries have ceased to dwell in the Lateran palace, the Basilica still holds the first rank. It is as true now, as it was in the time of St. Peter Damian, to say that “as our Saviour is the Head of the elect, so the church which bears his name is the head of all churches; those of St. Peter and St. Paul, on its right and left, are the two arms with which this sovereign and universal church embraces the whole earth, saving all those who desire salvation, cherishing and protecting them in its maternal bosom.”[4] And St. Peter Damian applied conjointly to our Saviour and his Basilica the words of the prophet Zacharias; Behold a Alan, the Orient is his name: and under him shall he spring up, and shall build a temple to the Lord. Yea, he shall build a temple to the Lord: and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit, and rule upon his throne: and he shall be a priest upon his throne.[5]
It is still at the Lateran Basilica that the Roman Pontiffs take official possession of their See. There each year, in the name of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, the episcopal functions are performed, viz: the blessing of the Holy Oils on Maundy Thursday, and on Holy Saturday the blessing of the Font, solemn Baptism and Confirmation, and the general Ordination. Could the great poet of the age of triumph, Prudentius, return to life in these our days, he might still say: “The Roman people hasten in eager crowds to the Lateran, whence they return marked with the sacred sign, with the royal chrism. And are we yet to doubt that Rome is consecrated " to thee, O Christ!”[6]
Ritus quos in consecrandis ecclesiis et altaribus Romana servat Ecclesia, beatus Silvester Papa primus instituit. Nam etsi jam ab Apostolorum tempore loca fuerunt Deo dicata, quae ab quibusdam Oratoria, ab aliss Ecclesiae dicebantur, ubi collectae fiebant per unam sabbati, et christianus populus arare, Dei verbum audire, et Eucharistiam sumere solitus erat: non tamen illa adeo solemni ritu consecrabantur, nec in eis adhus in titulum erectum erat altare, quod chrismate delibutum, Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui altare, hostia et sacerdos noster est, figuram exprimeret.
Sed ubi Constatntinus imperator per baptismi sacramentum sanitatem salutemque consecutus est, tum primum lege ab eo lata concessum est toto orbe terrarum, Christiani, ut eccelesias aedificarent: quos ille non solum edicto, sed etiam exemplo ad sacram aedificationem est chortatus. Name et in suo Lateranensi palatio ecclesian Salvatori dedicavit, et ei continentem basilicam nomine sancti Joannis Baptiste condidit, eo loco quo ipse, baptizatus a sancto Silvestro, a lepra mundatus est: quam idem Pontifex consecravit quinto idus novemtris: cujus consecrationis memoria celebratur hodierno dis, quo primum Romae publice ecclesia consecrata est, et imago Salvatoris in pariete depicta populo roman apparuit.
Quod si beatus Silvester postea in consecratione altaris Principis Apostolorum decrevit, ut deinceps nisi ex lapide altaria non aedificarentur, tamen, basilecae Lateranensis altare fuit e ligno erectum: quod mirum non est. nam cum a sancto Petro usque ad Silvestrum, propter persecutiones, Pontifices certo loco consistere non possent: quocumque eas necessitas compuliset, sive in cryptas, sive in coemeteria, sive in aedes piorum, super illo altari ligneo ad arcae similitudinem cancavo, sacra faciebant. Quo altari sanctus Silvester, reddita Ecclesiae pace, honoris causa Principis Apostolorum, qui in illo sacrificasse dicitur, et relinquorum Pontificum, qui usque ad id tempus ad mysteria conficienda eo usi fuerant, in Lateranensi prima ecclesia collocato, sancivit ne quisquam in eo, praeter Romanum Pontificem, Missam deinceps celebraret. Eamdem ecclesiam incendiis, vastationibus, terrae insuper motibus disjectam eversamque, ac secula Summorum Pontificum cura reparatam, nova postmodum molitione restitutam, Benedictus decimus tertius Pontifex Maximus Ordinis Praedicatorum, die vigesima octava aprilis anni millesimi septingentesimi vigesimi sexti, ritu solemni consecravit, ejusque celebritatis memoriam hac die recolendam statuit. Quod autem Pius nonus perficiendum censuerat, Leo decimus tertius, cellam maximam, vetustate fatiscentem, ingenti molitione producendam laxandamque curavit, vetus musivum multis jam antea partibus instauratum, ad antiquum exemplar restitui et in novam absidem, opere cultuque magnifico exornatam, transferri, aulam transversam laqueari et contignatione refectia expoliri jussit, anno millesimo octingentesimo octuagesimo quart, sacrario, aede canonicorum perpetuaque ad Baptisterium Constantinianum porticu adjectia.
The rites observed by the Roman Church in consecrating churches and altars were instituted by the blessed Pope Sylvester. For although from apostolic times churches were dedicated to God, and called by some oratories, by others churches; and in them the Christian people assembled on the first day of the week, and were wont there to pray, to hear the word of God, and to receive the Holy Eucharis ; yet hitherto they were never so solemnly consecrated, nor was an altar erected in them, anointed with chrism, to represent and signify our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our altar, our victim, and our priest.
But when the emperor Constantine had received health of body and soul by the Sacrament of Baptism, he promulgated a law to the whole world, allowing the Christians to build churches; and he encouraged them in this work by his own example as well as by this edict. Thus, in his Lateran palace he dedicated a church to our Saviour; and founded the adjoining baptistery in honour of St. John Baptist, on the very spot where he himself had been baptized by St. Sylvester and cleansed from his leprosy. The Pontiff consecrated it on the fifth of the Ides of November; and we celebrate the memory thereof on this same day, whereon for the first time a church was publicly dedicated in Rome, and there appeared before the eyes of the Roman people an image of our Saviour depicted on the wall.
Although later on, when consecrating the altar of the Prince of the Apostles, blessed Sylvester decreed that thenceforward all altars should be built of stone yet the altar of the Lateran Basilica was of wood. This however is not surprising. For, from the time of St. Peter down to Sylvester, persecution prevented the Pontiffs from having any fixed abode; so that they offered the holy Sacrifice either in crypts or cemeteries, or in the houses of the faithful, as necessity compelled them, upon the said wooden altar, which was hollow like a chest. When peace was granted to the Church, Sylvester placed this altar in the first church, the Lateran; and in honour of the Prince of the Apostles, who is said to have offered the holy Sacrifice upon it, and of the other Pontiffs who had used it up to that time, he decreed that no one should celebrate Mass upon it except the Roman Pontiff. This church having been injured and half ruined in consequence of fires, hostile invasions, and earthquakes, was several times repaired by the care of the Popes. After a new restoration Pope Benedict XIII. a Dominican, solemnly consecrated it, on the twenty-eighth day of April in the year 1726, and ordered the commemoration thereof to be celebrated on this present day. The great works undertaken by Pius IX., have been happily completed by Leo XIII., to wit : the principal apse, which was threatening to fall through age, has been very much enlarged; the ancient mosaic, already partially restored at different times, has been reconstructed on the old model, and transferred to the new apse, which is handsomely and richly decorated; the roof and woodwork of the transepts have been renewed and ornamented. Moreover a sacristy and a house for the Canons have been added, as well as a portico connecting these buildings with Constantine's baptistery. The whole work was completed in the year 1884.
So many details might seem superfluous to the profane. But, just as the Pope is to all of us our first and our own Pastor, so his church of the Lateran is our own church; whatever concerns it cannot, or at least should not, be a matter of indifference to the faithful. Let us take our inspirations regarding it from the following beautiful formulae, given us by the Roman Pontifical in the dedication ceremony. To no church could they be better applied than to this.
Antiphons And Responsories
℟. Fundata est domus Domini super verticem montium, et exaltata est super omnes colles, et venient ad eam omnes gentes. * Et dicent: Gloria tibi, Domine.
V. Venientes autem venient cum exaultatione, portantes manipulos suos. * Et dicent.
℟. Tu Domine universorum, qui nullam habes in digentiam, voluisti templum tuum fieri in nobis. * Conserva domum istam immaculatum in aeternum, Domine.
V. Tu elegisti, Domine, domum istam ad invocandum nomen tuum in ea, ut esset domus orationis, et obsecrationis populo tuo. * Conserva.
Ant. Pax aeterna ab Eterno huic domui. Pax perennis, Verbum Patris, sit pax huic domui. Pacem pius Consolator huic praestet domui.
Ant. O quam metuendus est locus iste: vere non est hic aluid, nisi domus Dei, et porta coeli.
Ant. Haec est domus Domini firmiter aedificata: bene fundata est supra firmam petram.
Ant. Vidit Jacob scalam, summitas ejus coelos tangebat, et descendentes Angelos, et dixit: Vere locus iste sanctus est.
℟. Haec est Jerusalem civitas illa magna coelestis, ornata tamquam sponsa Agni. * Quoniam tabernaculum facta est. Alleluia.
V. Portae ejus non claudentur per diem, nox enim non erit in ea. * Quiniam.
℟. Plateae tuae, Jerusalem, sternentur auro mundo, Alleluia, et cantabitur in te canticum laetitiae, Alleluia. * Et per omnes vicos tuos dicetur ab universis, Alleluia, Alleluia.
V. Luce spendida fulgebis: et omnes fines terrae adorabunt te. * Et per omnes.
Ant. Circumdate Sion, et complectimini eam, narrate in turribus ejus.
V. Magnus Dominus et laudabilis nimis, in civitate Dei nostri, in monte sancto ejus.
℟. Induit te Dominus tunica jucunditatis, et imposuit tibi coronam. * Et ornavit te ornamentis sanctis.
V. Luce spendida fulgebis, et omnes fines terrae adorabunt coram te. * Et ornavit te.
V. Nationes ex longinquo ad te venient, et munera deferentes adorabunt Dominum; et terram tuam in sanctificatione habebunt, et nomen magnum invocabunt in te. * Et ornavit.
V. Benedicti erunt, qui to aedificaverunt; tu autem laetaberis in filiis tuis, guoniam omnes benedicentur et congregabuntur ad Dominum. * Et ornavit te.
℟. The house of the Lord is founded upon the summit of mountains, and raised up above all hills, and all nations shall come to her. * And they shall say: Glory be to thee, O Lord.
V. Coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves. *And they shall say:
℟. Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast no need, hast willed that this thy temple should be in the midst of us. * Preserve this house spotless forever, O Lord.
V. Thou, O Lord, hast chosen this house, that thy name may be invoked in it; that it may be a house of prayer and supplication for thy people. * Preserve.
Ant. Peace eternal from the Eternal be to this house! May the unending Peace, the Word of the Father, be peace to this house! Peace may the loving Consoler grant unto this house!
Ant. Oh how awful is this place: truly it is nought else but the house of God, and the gate of heaven.
Ant. This is the house of the Lord, strongly built: it is firmly founded on the solid rock.
Ant. Jacob beheld a ladder, the top whereof touched the heavens; and Angels coming down; and he said: Truly this place is holy.
℟. This is Jerusalem, the great and heavenly city, adorned as the Bride of the Lamb. *For she has become the true tabernacle. Alleluia.
V. Her gates shall not be closed by day, and there shall be no night in her. * For she has become.
℟. Thy streets, O Jerusalem, shall be paved with pure gold, Alleluia, and there shall be sung in thee the canticle of joy, Alleluia. * And all along thy streets every one shall say: Alleluia, Alleluia.
V. Thou shalt shine with a glorious light; and all the ends of the earth shall worship thee. * And all along.
Ant. Surround Sion and encompass her, tell ye her wonders in her towers.
V. Great is the Lord and exceedingly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
℟. The Lord hath clad thee with a garment of joy, and hath set a crown on thy head. * And he hath adorned thee with holy ornaments.
V. Thou shalt shine with a glorious light, and all the ends of the earth shall worship before thee. * And he hath adorned.
V. Nations from afar shall come to thee, and bringing gifts shall adore the Lord; and they shall esteem thy land as holy, and shall call upon the great name in thee. * And he hath adorned.
V. Blessed shall they be that build thee up ; but thou shalt rejoice in thy children, because they shall be all blessed, and shall be gathered together to the Lord. * and he hath adorned.
Prayer
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui per Filium tuum, angularem scilicet lapidem, duos ex diverso venientes, ex circumcisione et praeputio parietes, duosque greges ovium sub uno eodemque pastore unisit; da famulis tuis per haec nostrae devotionis officia, indissolubile vinculum charitatis, ut nulla divisione mentium, nullaque perversitatis varietate sequestrentur, quos sub unius regimine pastrois unus grex continent, uniusque te custode ovilis septa concludunt. Per Dominum.
O Almighty, eternal God, who through thy Son, the Corner-stone, hast joined the two walls coming from opposite directions, to wit, from the circumcision and the uncircumcision, and hast united the two flocks of sheep under the one same pastor; give to thy servants, through these functions of our devotion, the indissoluble bond of charity, so that no division of opinions, no sort of perverse disagreement, may separate those, who are all one flock under the guidance of one shepherd, and are enclosed in one fold under thy protection Through the same Lord.
[1] Euseb. Hist. eccl. x. 1-4.
[2] Ibid. De vita Constantini, ii, 45, 46.
[3] Inscriptio vetus olim in apside majori.
[4] Petr. Dam. Epist. Lib ii. 1.
[5] Zach. Vi. 12, 13.
[6] Prudent. Lib. i. contra Symmachum.
From Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year.
On this day is commemorated the great martyr Theodore of Amasea, a conscript soldier, who was burnt alive. His praises have been celebrated by St. Gregory of Nyssa; he is honoured in Rome at the foot of the Palatine, and had three churches dedicated to his name in Constantinople. Let us say with the Latin Church:
Prayer
Deus, qui nos beati Theodori Martyris tui confessione gloriosa circumdas et protegia: praesta nobis ex ejus imitatione proficere, et oratione fulciri. Per Dominum.
O God, who dost encompass and protect us by the glorious confession of blessed Theodore thy Martyr; grant us by his example to improve, and by his prayer to be supported. Through our Lord.
From Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year.
IN the sixteenth century, in reply to the reproach of exhaustion hurled against the Church, the Holy Ghost raised from her soil an abundant harvest of sanctity. Andrew was one of his most worthy cooperators in the work of holy reformation and supernatural renaissance, which then took place. Eternal Wisdom had as usual suffered Satan to go before, for his own greater shame, cloaking his evil works under the grand names of renaissance and reform.
It was nine years since St. Cajetan had departed this world, leaving it strengthened by his labours and all embalmed with the fragrance of his virtues; the former Bishop of Theate, his companion and collaborator in founding the first Regular Clerks, was now governing the Church under the name of Paul IV.; when in 1556 God bestowed upon the Theatines, in the person of our Saint, an heir to the supernatural gifts, the heroic sanctity, and the zeal for the sanctuary, that had characterized their father. Andrew was the friend and support of the great Bishop of Milan, St. Charles Borromeo, whose glory in heaven he went to share on this day. His pious writings are still used in the Church. He himself formed some admirable disciples, such as Laurence Scupoli, author of the well-known work so prized by the Bishop of Geneva, the Spiritual Combat.[1]
Nothing need be added to the following history of his life.
Andreas Avellinus, dictus antea Lancellottus, apud Castrum Novum Lucaniae pagum natus, inter ipsa infantiae primordia, futurae sanctitatis non obscura praebuit indicia. Adoloscens ad litteras addiscendas paterna e domo egressus, lubricam illius aetatis semitam intr bonarum artium tudia ita peregit, ut sapientiae initium, quod est timor Domini, ob oculos potissimum habere numquam praetermiserit. Cum egregia proinde forma eximum castitatis studium conjunxit, quo impudicas saepe mulierum insidias elusit, interdum etiam apertam vim propulsavit. Cleriali militiae jampridem adscriptus, Neapolim se contulit, ut legalibus disciplinis vacaret, ibique jurisprudentiae lauream adeptus, atque interea ad sacerdotalem dignitatem evectus, causarum patrocinia in foro dumtaxat ecclesiastico, proque privatis quibusdam personis, juxta sacrorum canonum sanctiones agere ceopit. Verum cum aliquando inter causam agendam leve ei mendacium excidisset, mox vero fortuita sacrarum Scripturarum lectione in illa verba incidisset: Os, quod mentitur, occidit animam; tento ejus culpae dolore ac poenitentia correptus est, ut statim ab ejusmodi vitae instituto sibi recendeum esse duxerit. Itaque, abdicatis forensibus curis, se totum divino cultui sacrisque ministeriis mancipavit. Cumque ecclesiasticae virtutis exemplis emineret, sanctimonialum regimini a tunc exsistente archiepiscopo Neapolitano praefectus fuit. Quo in munere cum pravorum hominum odia subiisset, primo quidem intentatae sibi necis periculum declinavit; mox vero per sicarium tribus in facie acceptia vulneribus, injuriae atrocitatem aequo animo pertulit. Tum perfectia vitae desiderio flagrans, ut inter Clericos regulares adscriberetur, suppliciter postulavit, votique compos factus, ob ingentem, quo aestuabat, crucis amorem, ut sibi Andreae nomen imponeretur, precibus impetravit.
Arctioria itaque vitae curriculum alacri studio ingressus, in eas maxime virtutis exercitationes incubuit, ad quas sese arduis etiam emissis votia obstrinxit, altero scillicet suae impsius voluntati jugiter obsistendi, altero vero in via christianae perfectionis semper ulterius progrediendi. Regularis disciplinae cultor assidus, et in ea promovenda, cum aliis praeesset, studiosissimus fuit. Quidquid ab instituti sui officii et regulae praescripto supererat temporis, orationi et animarum saluti tribuebat. In confessionibus excipiendis mira ejus pietas et prudentia enituit: vicos et oppids Neapoli finitima evangelicia ministeriis magno cum animarum lucro frequens lustrabat. Quam ardentem erga proximos sancti viri caritatem signis etiam Dominus illustravi. Cum enim intempesta nocte ab audita aegri confessione domum rediret, ac pluviae ventorumque via praelucentem facem exstinxisset, non solum ipse cum sociis inter efusissemos imbres nihil madefactus est; verum etiam, inusitato splendore e suo corpore mirabiiter emicante, sociis inter densissimas tenebras iter monstravit. Abstinentia et patientia, nec non abjections atqu, nec non abjectione atque odio sui summopere praestitit. Necem fratis filio illatam imperturbato animo tulit, ac suos ab omni ulciscendi cupidatate compescuit, imo etiam pro interfectoribus opem et misericordiam judicum imploravit.
Pluribus in locis Clericorum regularium Ordinem propagavit, eorumque demicilia Mediolani et Placentiae instituit. Illius operam sanctus Carolus Borromaeus, et Paulus de Aretio Clericus regularis, Cardinales, quibus erat acceptissimus, in pastoralis muneris curis adhibuerunt. Deiparam Virginem singulari amore et cultu prosequibatur. Angelorum colloquio perfrui meruit, quos, cum divinas laudes persolveret, e regione concinentes se audisee testatus est. denique post heroica virtutum exempla, prophetiae quoque dono illustris, quo et secreta cordium, et absentia, et futura prospexit, annis gravis et laboris fractis ad aram celebraturus in verbis illis tertio repetitis: Introibo ad altare Dei, repentino apoplexiae morbo correptus est; mox sacramentis rite munitus, placidissime inter suos animam efflavit. Ejus corpos Neapoli in ecclesia sancti Pauli ad haec usque tempora eo frequentissimo populi concursu colitur, quo fuit elatum. Illum deniue insignibus in vita et post mortem miraculis clarum Clemens Undecimus Pontifex Maximus solemni ritu sanctorum catalogo adscripsit.
Andrew Avellino, formerly called Lancelot, was born at Castro Nuovo in Lucania ; and, while still an infant, gave evident signs of future holiness. He left his father's house to study the liberal arts; in the pursuit of which he passed so blamelessly through the slippery age of youth, as ever to keep before his eyes the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. Of a comely appearance, he was so great a lover of holy purity that he was able to escape snares laid for his chastity by shameless women, and even to repel open attacks. After being made a cleric, he went to Naples to study law, and there took his degree. Meanwhile he was promoted to the priesthood; after which he began to plead, but only in the ecclesiastical court and for private individuals, in accordance with the prescriptions of Canon Law. Once, however, when pleading a cause, a slight untruth escaped him; and happening soon after, in reading the Holy Scripture, to come upon these words: The mouth that belieth killeth the soul, he conceived so great a sorrow and repentance for his fault, that he determined at once to abandon that kind of life. He therefore left the bar, and devoted himself entirely to the divine service and the sacred ministry. As he was eminent in priestly virtues, the Archbishop of Naples confided to him the direction of certain nuns. In discharging this office he incurred the hatred of some evil men, who attempted his life. He escaped their first assault; but soon afterwards one of the assassins gave him three wounds in the face : an injury which he bore unmoved. Desirous of a more perfect life, he humbly begged to be admitted among the Regular Clerks; and on obtaining his request, he asked to be called by the name of Andrew, on account of his ardent love of the Cross.
He earnestly devoted himself to the stricter manner of life he had embraced, and to the practice of the virtues, going so far as to bind himself thereto by two most difficult vows, viz; never to do his own will, and ever to advance in Christian perfection. He had the greatest respect for religious discipline, and zealously promoted it when he was superior. Whatever time remained over after the discharge of his duties and the prescriptions of the rule, he devoted to prayer and the salvation of souls. He was noted for his piety and prudence in hearing Confessions. He frequently visited the towns and villages near Naples, exercising the apostolic ministry with profit to souls. Our Lord was pleased to show by miracles how great was this holy man's love of his neighbour. As he was once returning home late at night from hearing a sick man's confession, a violent storm of wind and rain put out the light that was carried before him; but neither he nor his companions were wet by the pouring rain; and moreover a wonderful light shining from his body enabled them to find their way through the darkness. His abstinence and patience were extraordinary, as also his humility and hatred of self. He bore the assassination of his nephew with unruffled tranquility, withheld his family from seeking revenge, and even implored the judges to grant mercy and protection to the murderers.
He propagated the Order of the Regular Clerks in many places, and founded houses for them in Milan and Piacenza. The Cardinals Charles Borromeo and Paul of Arezzo a Regular Clerk, bore him great affection, and availed themselves of his assistance in the discharge of their pastoral office. The Virgin Mother of God he honoured with a very special love and worship. He was permitted to converse with the Angels; and affirmed that when saying the Divine Office, he heard them singing with him as if in Choir. At length, after giving heroic examples of virtue, and becoming illustrious for his gift of prophecy, whereby he knew the secrets of hearts, and distant and future events, he was worn out with old age and broken down with labours. As he was at the foot of the Altar about to say Mass, he thrice repeated the words: I will go in to the altar of God, and fell down struck with apoplexy. After being strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church, he peacefully expired in the midst of his brethren. His body was buried at Naples in the church of St. Paul, and is honoured even to this day by as great a concourse of people as attended the interment. Finally, as he had been illustrious for miracles both in life and after death, he was solemnly enrolled among the Saints by Pope Clement XI.
How sweet and yet how strong were the ways of Eternal Wisdom in thy regard, O blessed Andrew, when a slight fault into which thou wast surprised became the starting-point of thy splendid sanctity! The mouth that belieth, killeth the soul. Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure ye destruction by the works of your hands.[2] Thou didst read these words of divine Wisdom and fully understand them. The aim of life then appeared to thee very different, in the light of the vows thou wast inspired to make, ever to turn away from thyself and ever to draw nearer to the Sovereign Good. With holy Church in her Collect, we glorify our Lord for having disposed such admirable ascensions in thy heart. This daily progress led thee on from virtue to virtue, till thou dolt now behold the God of gods in Sion. Thy heart and thy flesh rejoiced in the living God; thy soul, absorbed in the love of his hallowed courts, fainted at the thought thereof. No wonder it was at the foot of God's altar that thy life failed thee, and thou didst enter on the passage to his blessed home. With what joy thou wast welcomed into the eternal choirs, by those who had been on earth thy angelic associates in the divine praise!
Be not unmindful of the world's homage. Deign to respond to the confidence of Naples and Sicily, which commend themselves to thy powerful patronage. Bless the pious family of Regular Clerks Theatines, in union with St. Cajetan thy father and theirs. Obtain for us all a share in the blessings so largely bestowed on thee. May the vain pleasures found in the tabernacles of sinners never seduce us; but may we prefer the humility of God's house to all worldly pomp. If, like thee, we love truth and mercy, our Lord will give to us, as he gave to thee, grace and glory. Calling to mind the circumstances of thy blessed end, Christians honour thee as a protector against sudden and unprovided death: be our guardian at that last moment; let the innocence of our life, or at least our repentance, prepare for us a happy exit; and may we, like thee, breathe out our last sigh in hope and love.[3]
[1] It is clear and very practical. Yes, my daughter, the Spiritual Combat is a great book, and a book dear to me. I have carried it in my pocket for at least eighteen years, and I never read it without profit. S. Francis de Sales, Spiritual Letters.
[2] Wisd. i. 11, 12.
[3] Cf. Ps. lxxxiii.
From Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year.
Rome invites us to-day to honour with her a group of martyrs, the protectors and the treasure of her great hospital of the Holy Ghost, where they rest under the high altar. The church of St. Augustine, close to the ancient stational church of St. Tryphon, also possesses a portion of the latter's precious remains.
Prayer
Fac nos, quaesummus Domine, sanctorum Martyrum tuorum Tryphonis, Respicii et Nyphyae semper festa sectari: quorum suffragiis protectionis tue dona sentiamus. Per Dominum.
Grant us we beseech thee, O Lord, to keep the festival of thy holy martyrs, Tryphon, Respicius and Nymphs; by whose suffrages may we experience the gifts of thy protection. Through our Lord.