that all thy saints may everywhere assist us, and gladden us by their intercession, that while we celebrate their merits, we may experience their patronage. Grant us peace in our time, and cast away all iniquity out of thy Church. Prosper the way, the wills, and the actions of us and of all thy servants, to the attainment of thy salvation. Requite our benefactors with endless blessings, and give eternal rest to all the faithful departed. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ON THE DUE OBSERVANCE OF THE FESTIVALS OF THE SAINTS.
From St. Bernard.
There are three things to he attentively considered with regard to the festivals of the saints: first, the saints assistance; secondly, his example; thirdly, our own shame. His assistance, because, if powerful on earth, he is still more powerful before the face of the Lord his God; for if he compassionated sinners, and prayed for them while he lived here, he prays the Father now for us so much the more fully, in proportion to the truer knowledge which he has of our miseries; for that happy home has not lessened, but enlarged, his charity. For though he can suffer no more, he can still have mercy, which is all the more tender now that his existence is passed before the fountain of mercy itself. His example, too, should be considered; because, as long as he was seen upon earth, and conversed with men, he swerved neither to the right nor to the left, but kept the royal road, till he came to Him who says, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Remark the humility of his works and the authority of his words, and you will see how brightly he shone among men, both by word and example, and what footsteps he left behind him for us to walk in without going astray.
But we should reflect even more earnestly upon our own shame; because he was a man like us, framed with the same passions, and out of the same clay as ourselves. How is it then thought not only difficult but impossible to do the works that he did, and to follow in his footsteps f Brethren, let these words make vs ashamed and tremble together, that possibly this shame may bring us glory, this fear give birth in us to grace.
These are they who have gone before us, whose progress
