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 exacting. How do  you  act  in  this  regard? Do you shun  the  company  of  the  wicked? A proverb says: "Tell  me  in  whose  company  you  are  found, and  I  will  tell  you  who  you  are." Bad company insensibly undermines  faith  and  morals,  overcomes the  fear  of  evil  and  the  aversion  to  it  and weakens the  will. "He that  loveth  danger  shall perish  in  it"  (Ecclus.  iii.  27).

As soon  as  St.  Pantaleon  came  to  a  sense  of  his apostasy, he  repented  and  returned  to  the  practice of  the  Faith. He did  this  despite  the  knowledge that  he  thereby  incurred  hatred  and  persecution. The true  Christian  will  ever  follow  the dictates of  conscience  and  please  God,  whether he thereby  incur  the  displeasure  of  men  or  not. If, to  please  men,  we  become  remiss  in  the  service of God,  we  show  that  we  fear  and  love  Him  less than men. What a  lamentable  folly! Of whom have we  to  expect  greater  benefits  or  to  fear greater evils — from  God  or  man? Do not  act thus unwisely;  rather  imitate  St.  Pantaleon,  and live for  God  and  His  service.

lmighty God,  grant  us  through  the  intercession of  Thy  blessed  martyr  Pantaleon to be  delivered  and  preserved  from  all  ills  of  the body, and  from  evil  thoughts  and  influences  in spirit. Through Christ  our  Lord. Amen.