Page:HalfHoursWithTheSaints.djvu/90

 Many, it  is  true,  may  rejoice  at  the  celebration  of  this feast; but  I  am  much  afraid  that  it  is  less  on  account  of the  feast,  than  through  vanity.

2em

Sermon on Canticles.

, Bishop  of  Alexandria,  was  born  in  that  city  about the year  296,  and  died  A.D.  373. Forty-six years  of  his  official  life  he spent  in  banishment  in  defending  the  Nicene  Creed.

The best  edition  of  his  life  and  writings  is  that  by  Montfaucon, 3 vols,  folio. Paris, 1698.]

The Son  of  God  has  taken  upon  Himself  our  poverty and miseries,  in  order  that  we  may  participate  in  His riches. His sufferings  will  one  day  render  us  impassible, and His  death  will  make  us  immortal.

We should  find  our  joy  in  His  tears,  our  resurrection  in His  tomb,  our  sanctification  in  His  baptism,  in  accordance with what  He  says  in  the  Gospel:  "  I  sanctify  myself  in order  that  they  also  may  be  sanctified  in  truth."

There is  not  a  phase  in  the  life  of  our  Saviour,  which does not  refer  to  Calvary. The Good  Master  was  born in the  stable  only  to  die  on  the  Cross;  His  life,  which  I should  study  continually,  would  show  me  all  the  riches of His  love;  I  should  see  therein  all  the  profound  mysteries of  His  incarnation  and  redemption;  I  should  discover what I  have  cost;  I  should  appreciate  the  beauty  and  goodness of  Jesus,  and  I  shall  then  cry  out,  "  O  happy  fault which  has  procured  us  such  a  Redeemer!" O felix  culpa, qua  tantum  ac  talem  meruit  habere  salvatorem.

1em

[ was  born  in  the  year  1505,  in  the  city  of Grenada,  Spain. He took  the  habit  of  St. Dominic, and  by  his  writings proved  himself  to  be  one  of  the  most  illustrious  of  his  order.

This saintly  religious  died  in  the  year  1588. His writings  have  been constantly quoted  by  St.  Charles  Borromeo,  in  his  instructions  to  his