o.

MAR - 8 1960

Sesus (Jl|iia "presenting the Sacred as a tol^en of salvation for the new (Jenturi?.

THE SKNTINKI.

JANUARY 1901.

The New York Foundation.

UNNY skies welcomed the long antici- pated event of the opening of the church of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament on December i2th last. The devotees of Saint Anne would scarcely have recog- nized their favorite sanctuary, so com- pletely had the generosity of Miss Leary tranformed the little church. Handsome stained glass windows replaced the old, draperies of crimson plush lent warmth and color to the scene, and the altar with its rich garniture, its lights and flowers and its brilliant background of golden rays was indeed a royal throne for Him who came in the name of the Lord. About 50 priests, representing the various Religious Orders and the centres of the Eucharistic League, were present.

The Right Rev. Bishop Brondel of Montana pontifi- cated, assisted by Rev. M. A. Taylor and Rev. Casgrain as Deacons of the Mass. Very Rev. L- Estevenon, Superior of the New York house of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, and Rev. Chasv A. Colton, pastor of St. Stephen's church, assisted the Most Rev. Archbischop Corrigan, who preached the sermon and officiated at the solemn Benediction which followed the Mass. The Most Rev. Archbishop prefaced his remarks by a delicate compliment to the generosity of Miss Leary,

4 THE SENTINEL

the Church of Christ as the}' kneel before the Eucharist while the sands of the iQth Century ebb away and the dawn of the 2oth shines in the East. May it be a century of promise and fulfilment ! May it be an era of prosperity in every material need of these times ! May Science and Art vie in highest perfection to satisfy the ever unsatisfied yearning of the heart of man for the beautiful and true ! May it solve all our national problems, and shine out forever as the Century of enlightenment in all things moral, religious and intellectual ! But may the new Century give us something more than all this. May it be an era of noble aims, of more exalted spiritual ideals ! May the 2Oth Century, that shall write the names of its heroes and conquerers among the stars, write higher still, in the very heavens, the names of its victors in the world of grace. All that we seels to-day of enlighten- ment and intellectual developement was sought after in greater or less degree, by the pagans of old. We develop our brains, our muscles, our talents, our artistic tastes, in a word, the physical man. But if the 2oth Century does not in like degree develop the faculties of the spiritual man, exalt its progress as we may, it will never crown the ages of the past and will but crumble into deeper ruin.

The Epiphany in Rome.

By E. McAuuFFE.

;ITH the recurrence of the joyful Christmas time come thronging recollections of Christmases in the Eternal City, when the Church was still free, and all pious customs were practiced and encouraged.

Then came Piiferari from their mountains, to sing the

praises of the Divine Child, and of his Immaculate

Mother, at every wayside shrine.

What a beautiful idea it was of those poor peasants ; to

make this annual pilgrimage from shrine to shrine, no

()I: THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 5

matter how long the journey. It was all foot travel aud the little alms that they received from the charitable was carefully hoarded for the poor families at home. Their coming was a delight to the Roman populace; every one loved the pifferari, and the poorest gave them an alms. But the present rulers of Italy have decided that they were beggars like the Last Minstrel of whom Scott sings :

' ' The bigots of the iron time

Have called his heavenless art a crime."

Their voices and their rustic pipes are heard no more ; it is a crime in that land for a poor creature to accept the charity of the well-disposed, unless he has a licence, and wears a tag just like our dogs, which shows that he pays a share of what he receives, in the form of a tax to the Government.

But the beauty and the holiness of the city of Peter remains, and will remain in spite of " the gates of hell."

A great Catholic writer has said : " Rome, indepen- dent of all associations, is doubtless the most splendid city in the world. Her churches, porticos, fountains, palaces, obelisks, and palmy villas, made her like some ideal city in the fancy of a poet."

He might have added her historic river with its bridges : could the world afford another Ponte St. Angelo, flanked on either side with Bernini's angels of the Pas- sion ? Her situation, in the midst of a plain, contig- uous to the sea, surrounded by a "flower besprinkled mead"; her climate in winter, with violets springing beneath your feet ; her hills, crowned with temples and gardens : what could be more lovely than the Palatine in April, covered with roses and lilacs in such profusion that all the children of Rome may gather them freely !

Let us glance at those hills, making as it were a spiri- tual pilgrimage from one to the other : on the Janiculutii is the church of Sf. Pietro in Moiiforio, built on the spot where St. Peter was crucified. In this church repose the ashes of the great Irish chieftains, St. Neil and St. Daniel, exiled under the cruel sway of Elizabeth. In St Onofrio, on the same hill, Tasso sleeps. On the Pinna n stand the noble buildings of the Church and convent of the Sacred

2 THE SENTINEL

stating that the present church, beautiful as it was, was to be only the temporary home of the work of Exposition and that a larger and more suitable church would soon be erected for it. Though this new church would be largely the gift of the same generous hand, all Catholics were warmly invited to assist in so worthy a cause. The Most Rev. Archbishop in his sermon, paid an eloquent and graceful tribute to the Blessed Sacrament, bringing forward most forcibly the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which is so inseparably con- nected with the altar and the priesthood that in ages past they who denied the Eucharistic Presence were forced to abolish also the altar and the very name of priest- He dwelt upon the holiness required from the priesthood, whose office is to consecrate and handle the Body of the Lord and adduced examples of the love of the saints of old for the Blessed Sacrament and the reverence of Pere Eymard and the simple Cure of Ars, whose vivid realiza- tion of the Presence of Our Lord so magnetically attached to It the love and veneration of his people. " He sees God, our priest sees God, " they would cry, and this silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament was aii eloquent sermon that converted them to lives of piety and devotion. The Most Rev. Archbishop commented, in conclusion, on the greatness of the favor possessed by New York in this sanctuary honored by the Perpetual Presence of our Lord, before whom would arise the incense of unceasing prayer and w'here priests and people would be one in adoring the divine King. Solemn Bene- diction followed the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the magnificent monstrance given by Miss Leary.

It was a most impressive moment, and one to be long remembered, this beginning of a great work, this Advent of the King, so identified in time with the memories of His mortal life, when in humblest guise He came to reign over the hearts of mankind and when the rich and great of the earth bowed the knee before Him and laid their gifts at His feet. The sanctuary was a scene of life and color as exquisite in harmonious contrast as some religious pageant in Rome itself. The brilliant hangings,

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 3

the rich gold of the vestments, the blended crimson and purple of the robes of Archbishop and Bishop, gleaming in and out of the sunshine ; the kneeling priests in their white surplices and picturesque religious habits, the fair faces of the little acolytes, softened by the shadowy clouds of incense, formed a vision to delight an artist's fancy. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given again in the afternoon, and a third Benediction at 9 p. m. closed this eventful day of religious solemnity.

Through the kindness of Miss Leary an elaborate breakfast was served by Delmonico in the Rectory of the church for the priests who were present at the morning ceremonies.

The altar given by Miss Leary is of white wood, richly and tastefully decorated in gold. With its back- ground of golden rays, and the magnificent crown and ermine mantle that complete the effect it is a most cre- ditable piece of ecclesiastical art. The altar and crown were made by Kloster and Son, of New York, and the ermine mantle was imported from Paris and furnished by the house of Biais Aine- When brilliantly lighted and decorated for festal celebrations this first throne of expo- sition in New York already vies in beauty with some of the older foundations of the Congregation. Our thanks and heartfelt appreciation of the musical programme are due to Rev. Fr. J. B. Young, S. J., Gaston M. Dethier and the choir of St. Francis Xavier's church.

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed daily from 5 a. m. to 9 p. m. in the church of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament. Benediction will be given daily at 4.30 and 8.30 p. in.

Wiser heads than ours will comment upon the theme of the opening century, orators will declaim upon it, preachers will draw thence a moral, writers will immor- talize it with graceful imagery and burning eloquence. Ours only may it be to mark it by our wishes and prayers for all those who the world over, show forth the unity of

8 THE SENTINEL

of the People's Eucharistic League will at the request of the Most Rev. Archbishop of New York, be adminis- tered as heretofore by the President and Central Com- mittee of the Eucharistic League and its business will be transacted as usual from the Central Office. The Cathe- dral will remain the Head Centre of the work and the most Rev. Archbishop Corrigan will continue to be its Superior General. All communications, therefore, in regard to the People's Eucharistic League will be as heretofore addressed to the President, of the People's Eucharistic League, 123 East 5oth St., New York.

THE SENTINEL OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

Our subscribers will find in the January number of the Sentinel many changes at once, but we trust they will pardon the want of an earlier notice of such changes which has been inevitable.

As the Sentinel is not only the organ of the Euchar- istic League but will later represent all Eucharistic works, it is but fitting that the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament should publish and circulate it, their success in publishing their French publications of a like nature being a warrant for the future of the Sentinel. The periodical will, however, be edited as usual by the Presi- dent of the People's Eucharistic League and will pre- serve its present literary staff. The Sentinel will be illustrated, enlarged and improved in every way as quickly as the profits from its circulation will allow. It has been found necessary to raise the price of subscription from fifty cents to one dollar a year, but we trust that our subscribers and friends will not regret the advance in price in view of the improvements contemplated. The Sentinel is at present with the exception of Emmanuel, the only publication in our country that is solely devoted to the interests of the Eucharist and must be made more worthy of the aim which will now become possible, of of becoming a compendium of all eucharistic information and furnishing devotional matter that will attract and please the critical taste of our people.

<>F THK HI.KSSKD SACRAMKNT 9

vSince it has beeu impossible to notify our subscribers personally of the advance in the price of the Sentinel we will give the benefit of the usual rate of subscription ( 50 cts. a year) to those who have already paid in ad- vance for the year 1901 and to those who renew their subscription before February ist. All new subscribers must pay the new rate of $i.ooiu advance. The Sen- tinel will be henceforth on sale at the church of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament. All business com- munications, subscriptions, changes of address, etc., after January ist, should be addressed "Sentinel of the Blessed Sacrament," 185 East y6th st.? New York. For Canada, the office will be, as before, at the community of the Blessed Sacrament, 320 Mount Royal Avenue, Montreal.

All personal correspondence with the editor, Miss E- Lummis, and literary matter for the Sentinel, will for convenience be addressed as usual to the Central Office of the People's Eucharistic League, 123 East 5oth st., New York.

RKV. .1. V. X. O'CONNOR, S. J.

SINCERITY WITH GOD.

'c pray and beseech you, in tlic Lord Jesus, that as you hare received from us ho7c you ought to ~^<alk, to please Cod, vou should 7<.>alk that yon inav abound the uion\ Thes- salonians, IV. I.

Let us consider what should be the attitude of Catholics towards the unfairness of modern prejudice in regard to Faith and modern thought.

I low often do the men of to-day excuse themselves from being- Catholics on the ground of enlightened reason ! They do not wish to be trammelled by formulas, cramped by dogmas, pinned down by creeds and beliefs, but would rather as they say follow the broad teachings of reason, as if this were what Christ taught.

2

6 THE SENTINEL

Heart : Sancta Trinita del Monti. The celebrated church and Monastery of the Capuchins are also on the Pincian, and the church and Monaster}7 of the Irish Franciscans, St. Isidore' s. On the Coelian are the churches of SS. John and Paul, and St. Gregory the great.

From the latter St. Augustine went forth to convert the Angles into Angels ! Alas, poorEnglaud, twice con- verted, twice fallen away, pray God that her third rescue is at hand, and that it may be lasting. On the Esquiline is the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, containing the boards which formed the manger in which our dear Lord was laid on the first Christmas night.

In the summit of the Capitoline is the well known Franciscan church of Santa Maria in Ara Cccli ; and here let us pause, and assist in spirit at the devotions for the feast of the Epiphany, which are very beautiful and quite unique. Near the entrance of the church, a rostrum is erected, in front of the chapel which holds \\\e prescfiw (crib) with the Santo Bambino . From this, during the time of Vespers, little children preach ! Never shall I forget my sensations on hearing this preaching for the first time.

The church is very large, and on entering we found ourselves in a dense crowd, seats \\*ere out of the question, we were thankful for standing room. Far away in the distance, we saw the altar lights, and the moving forms of the officiating priests ; the tones of the organ came to us mellowed by distance, — when, suddenly, in the midst of the crowd which hemmed us in arose the clear accents of a child's voice ; it might have been an angel's, so sweet it seemed, and so impressive to the hearers. The little sermon finished, the child was rapturously caught in the arms of its friends, and its place filled by another. Each told in different words " the sweet story of old" mingled with anecdotes and pious lessons. And so it went on, not in the least disturbing the functions at the high altar so far away.

This church is built on the spot where the Tiburtine sybil showed Caesar a vision of the blessed Virgin holding in her arms the divine infant ; telling him it was " The God who is to come." Caesar raised here an altar to that

or THK KLKSSKD SACRAMENT 7

God with the inscription ; " Ara primogeniti Dei." The church is reached by a magnificent flight of 124 steps, wide in proportion to their height. Every part of the edifice is of corresponding splendor: the floor is inlaid with precious marbles, among which are conspicuous the red, green and yellow of porphyry, verdeantica &&& gialla an- tica. In a small but beautiful chapel, repose the ashes of St. Helena, mother of Coustantine.

Two Special Announcements.

THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE'S EUCHARISTIC LEAGUE.

\g£

TO

E find it necessary at the outset of the year to notify the friends and associates of the Eucha- ristic League and the subscribers to the Sen- tinel of the Blessed Sacrament of our future plans with regard to both. Now that the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament are established in New York, much discussion is rife as to the effect their coming will have upon the Eucharistic League, and fears have been conceived that the devotion will lose its popular nature and by becoming localized fail of its effect in uniting priests and people in zealous accord. We hasten to announce that such fears are groundless.

The Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament are determined to cooperate fully with those having the matter in charge, and realize the importance of sustaining the devotion in the form that has been such an element of its success, desiring to give the people a voice in the conduct of the Association, which to win them, must be wholly adapted to the requirements of their nationality. The existence of a throne of Exposition and the assistance of the Fathers in spreading the devotion cannot but give a great impetus to all eticharistic works. But the affairs

10 THE SENTINEL

Similar to this high sounding platform of reason and round phrases, in a very unfair way and in the narrow platform of religious prejudice and narrow minded bigotry, Catholics are subject to a sort of social and religious torture. They are obliged to apologize, or the attempt is made to make them take an attitude of apology for every calumny or misrepresentation which unbelief, irreligion or religious hatred is pleased to place before them.

The position of a Catholic in face of all this, is a noble one. He has the truth, the truth of the Church of Christ and has no apology to make to anyone, neither to Protestantism nor to the press, nor to learning, nor to impertinence, nor to wealth or power. His attitude should be one of calm dignity in the presence of this unwarranted onset of small mindedness or ignorance of bigotry or of prejudice, even when put forward by non Catholics of social wealth or position, by men of literary notoriety, or by the per- sistent repetitions of a press, which if not uninformed is malicious enough to repeat again, and again, palpably false accusations against the Catholic Religion.

The whole world knows that the Catholics out- number every form of Christian religion. Yet no newspaper, or non-catholic statistician will ever present the fact without some qualifying remark. They will say that other churches do not count children as church members until of mature age, implying that this makes the difference in the numbers. They certainly do not count as Catholics, and if we take family for family the count will still be vastly in favor of the majority of Catholics. Catholics who cease to practise their religion may become infidels, but never sincere Protestants, a fact that is never insisted upon by non-catholics. Protestants become either Catholics or infidels, another fact that is quietly passed over.

These things, my brethren, I say to you with St. Paul, that as you have learned from the Church of Christ how you ought to walk to please God, so also in the Lord I pray and' beseech you that so you may walk, that you may abound the more.

In pondering over the things that might do you the most good, as a warning, and impressing upon you practically the spirit of your Faith, these things have come to me to say to you.

The attitude of Catholics in Social life.

The attitude to the sayings of the public press.

Attitude to the ideas in science, literature and fiction that touch upon religious questions.

There should be in every Catholic heart :

i. The consciousness of right in the possession of truth. I'n wavering faith and courage as in a fortress impregnable, protected by the right kind of guns.

"2. Do not accept the position of apology. Nineteen hundred years of ancestries, noble glorious coat of arms, heraldic devices, compared with which the heroes of the revolution and England's royalty, are babes of yesterday and parvenus. They are in the position of apology for legitimate origin in religion, and unsoiled escutcheon of loyalty to God.

<»F THE BLESSED SACRAMENT II

3. Admit no impertinent inquiry, the hand of history points with no unwavering finger as to who is who in the Aristocracy of Religion.

4. Show no human respect. With the record that you have as the children of the saints, with a Saint Louis and a Charlemagne, with St. Gregory and Augustine, a Chrysostum, a St. Thomas of Canterbury, a Sir Thomas Moore, with Dante and St. Thomas of Aquinas, a galaxy of wealth and power, of sanctity and learning, why turn aside from loyalty with it to please those whose reli- gious pedigree would but bring a sense of dishonor ?

5. As loyal Catholics be not over anxious to please the Protest- ant world, whether among your social acquaintances or not, either inside the church or on the outside. " He that is not with me, is against me," says Christ. How disloyal to the Faith of Christ and the teachings of His Church, wrould that man or woman be, who would wish the ceremonies of the Church so simple, so signi- ficant, so real, to conform in any way to the empty forms of an unreality ? Or who would in social life and conversation apologize away, or seek to excuse to Protestantism the teachings, the laws, the customs, the pious and holy observances of our divine reli- gion ?

Are they not trailing their banners in the dust, who, to please an uncatholic world, would explain away, and uncatholicize for social reasons the teachings of their faith?

Our Holy Father has said, " we believe the whole teaching of Christ, nothing excepted." And Christ said to His Apostles : " Go, teach them all things whatsoever I have taught unto you.''

6. We are to make an open acknowledgement of all we believe, and not to hide from the world, Protestant or infidel, anything that we believe, for we have nothing in which to fear, or of which to be ashamed, before the best or the worst, or the greatest of this world or of this day. And nothing is to be gained by conceal- ment, neither honor nor the gain of souls, who would rather show- honor by a fearless spirit.

7. As Catholics we profess openly and plainly, in spite of smile or jest, of jeer or sarcasm, our beliefs in the teachings of Christ Jesus, that there is an Eternal Hell for the punishment of the unjust, and an Eternal Heaven which is the reward only of Faith and of good works. Not for those, who say '' Lord ! Lord !" or choose what to believe, and do as they may choose, in defiance of Christ's law. We, as Catholics, love and honor and pray to the Blessed Virgin the Mother of God. We honor her next to God above every creature, and cannot honor her too much. And I re- peat, we pray to the Blessed Virgin, the Blessed Mother of God,, in spite of the ignorant outcry of Protestantism more malicious than ignorant, for they know full well we do not adore her as God, but love her dearly and honor her because God made her His own Mother, and made her so beautiful, so holy, so worthy of love and so powerful to intercede for us, and to obtain graces for us from Her Divine Son. And this in spite of the theory of one mediator, for Christ Himself in His Church, has taught us this love of her.

12 THK SENTINEL

8. We believe in the real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Not in an empty formula of the Lord's Supper, with the uncomforting, meaningless, and empty ceremony of taking a symbol for the reality of the Presence of Our Lord.

9. We believe, too, in the obligation and necessity and advan- tages of Confession, because Christ taught it, and did not teach us to confess our sins to God and be satisfied with that. And we believe in all the other Sacraments as valid as in the Catholic Church. And the one Sacrament that is valid in other churches is because it is the Catholic Sacrament, and cannot be changed, and involving the validity of the Sacrament Matrimony among Christians because of the validity of this Sacrament of Baptism.

Moreover, we believe in the obligation of the law of the Church in regard to assisting at Mass, fasting, with dispensation only by authority of the same law, the spirit of Penance, the Sacramentals, Holy Water, Blessed Candles, Ashes, etc., belief in miracles and all the teachings of the Church.

And what should be the answer of a Catholic, if there are some who say your religion is like ours ? It is yes, very like. Or with a profession of faith they are alike in some form, but not in rea- lity. The}- may be alike, because you have borrowed, or taken without permission, the ceremonies of the Catholic Church, but not her doctrines. The}- are as like as the wax figure to the living man, the imitation to the genuine, the paste to the glorious dia mond of Divine Truth.

Whatever Christ has taught is the belief of every true Catholic. If we look into the living reality of the Church to day, if we look to her origin, if we look to the place she has in history, has in influence upon the spirit of the world, in spite of the malice of Hell, in spite of the plots and plans of infidels and irreligious, in defiance of their schemes to destroy her existence, and to paralyze her influence. The very thought of her trials, persecution, her martyrdom, her pure teaching, in the midst of impious doctrines, the pure lives of so many of her children amid a sensuous ?nd sensual and perverse generation ; her thousands and millions of men and women, living lives apart from the world, consecrated to God by the vows of religion ; her millions upon millions of saints and blessed ones, who have fought the good fight and have been crowned with the seal of approval of God's hands by their beatification and canonization on the calendars of Saints.

All this, my brethren, fills the heart with enthusiasm, makes the pulse beat higher and faster, fills the mind and the soul with noble aspirations, and fires the will with holy ambition to be worthy of such a noble ancestry, of so royal a companionship, to walk as we should walk, to please God, and with /eal to be re- corded by life and by deed among the humblest of the followers of Christ in this legion of Blessed Ones.

A Christmas-tide Communion,

MARY SARSFIELD GILMORE.

Joseph. good Joseph, turn hither thy feet, Worn with the road, and unwelcoming street ! Humble my shelter ; yet service awaits Thee and thy virginal Spouse at my gates. Worth v I am not to welcome ye in, — Mine is a dwelling dishonored by sin. Knter it, nathless, reform to arouse. Joseph, good Joseph, lead hither thy Spouse !

Mar}-, fair Mary, beneath my poor roof, Put the remorse of thy sinner to proof, Weigh my repentance in balance of tears Brimming the cup of my prodigal years. Thou art a woman, — a Mother to be. — Lacking a cradle, O make one of me ! Crib in my bosom thy Babe und' filed. — Mary, fair Mary, bear hither thy Child !

Christ-Child, sweet Christ-Child, Hosanna to Thee ! I am unworthy Thy manger to be Vet Thou disdainest no soul that repents, Shriving its sins by Thy blest Sacraments. Nestle, then, Pure' One", Within my sad breast, Lulling my evil, and waking my best ! Chasten my soul with Thine infinite art, — Dear little Christ-Child, in crib of my heart.

Dear little Jesus, since such is Thy Name, Giftless to greet Thee, were surely my shame : Gold, myrrh, frankincense, accept, then, from me, — Faith, Hope and Charity shrined in the three ! Faith in Thy Godhead, altho' Thou art man, — Son of the Virgin exempt irom Sin's ban : Hope for Thy grace, my salvation to find; — Love Divine, first ; then, of all humankind !

14 THE SENTINEL

Praise, Adoration and Worship I add, Echoing anthems angelic and glad : — Fervent Thanksgiving for life, faith and all Favors Thy Providence daily lets fall : — Sorrow for sins of the reckless days done ; Purpose all future ill-doing to shun ; Prayer for Thy blessing on thoughts, words and deeds Lastly, Petition for Life's daily needs !

Dear little Christ-Child, my welcome is said. Now, in sweet silence, O pillow Thy Head, Cradle Thy Body, and shrine Thy white Soul Deep in my spirit, that hails Thee its goal ! Where Thou hast entered, Thou bidest for aye. Granting no sin bids Thy Pureness away. — Marj- and Joseph, ye Three must not part : — Dwell with the Christ-Child in home of mv heart !

Some Thoughts Which Silence Brought.

HOMO.

When God had created heaven and earth and darkness rested over the mighty deep, out of the infinite silence, came the infinite Voice : "Be light made ! " Omnipo- tence had spoken ; and instantly following His words, light existed. So the first record wrhich Holy Scripture gives us of the Speech of God, contains the sentence which by the Divine Will illuminated this earth and showed it to be "good."

This God, this Creator, this Father, who loves each one of us, endowed us, too, with the gift of speech, to enlight- .en us, to help us to console, to strengthen each other, and looks patiently down upon the perversion of his wonderful and precious bestowal, into a means of darkening our own souls, worrying the minds of others, weakening the mainstays of Christian friendship by casting out of it confidence and trust. What saints there might be in our midst but for the recklessness, falseness and cruelty of tongues !

(>!•• THE BLKSSED SACRAMENT 15

being the result of God's first recorded speech, the consideration of how much light follows our own exercise of the same faculty, ultimately brings forward the fact that must the decision be made between the two opposites of light and darkness, in our case the average would be humiliatingly high on the side of darkness. Has a character been blurred ever so little in its shining virtue, has a heart quivered in pain for a second of time, has truth hid its face under the black veil of falsehood but once, throught our wilful words, then has darkness gone forth from our lips, and God and His Angels have been sorry. To the soul who ponders, speech seems fre- quently difficult and dangerous, and silence, judicious, self -controlling silence, a vast part of the subject in the science of the Saints.

When injured, angry, neglected, possibly when suffer- ing some physical pain \vhich no one can help and which therefore gracefully or grumblingly must be borne, silence is the sure source of plentiful assistance from Our Heavenly Father. At times even a more contemptible temptation may encompass us. Some gay, vacious friend has been to see us, and has poured out laughingly all the little private matters of half-a-dozen families. No one knows how the knowledge was obtained, no one can be certain that the gossip is even half -true ; but it all made such a jolly good story, and if be sought-after for being so witty and conversational, why, there are no mortal sins concerned after all, and of course no harm intended, and really it is nice to be popular. The recipient of X's news, nine times out of ten rehearses the lively tale to the next person whom he encounters. And hoi)* silence shrinks away perhaps mortally wounded, for human tongues have a fatal proneness to exaggeration, and if in the first instance Mr. and Mrs. S- had a quarrel, in the second version, likely as not, it is rumored that they may ^/ parate a)id the bride go home to her mother !

People are extremely provoking — other people, of course, r.r ourselves — and one must -reprimand children, infe- riors, possibly even wives and husbands. Nothing is more necessary than correction in the proper manner. Now let us say the following sentence very slowly and

I 6 THE SKNTINKI,

deliberately together. No one should even reprimand anybody, with either words or manner which would ne- cessitate an Act of contrition before Holy Communion " That is only logical, practical and just — to Our Blessed Lord as well as to our weak souls. Whatever would be unfitting and unchristian before Holy Communion, is only rather more so affterward, If anger or indignation, no matter how reasonable, has dominated us to the extent of our losing self possession, then is the time to postpone speech until the dignity of self control is ours. Holy Silence is the shield which protects both our dependants and ourselves, and Holy Silence is very dear to the Hart of Jesus.

Every one has heard the story of the ignorant woman who announced to someone with whom she had quarreled : "I'm in a state of grace now, but just icait till I get out of -it /" Yet, the writer of these lines witnessed only last summer an instance of just such a feeling and practice.

It was a glorious morning among the hills, very early and cool, and a party of friends were walking the two miles to the village, for Mass. The world seemed to belong only to the birds, for the}7 were the only other living things to be seen and ht^d. Suddenly a bicycle shot past, then slackened and came back, the young rider wishing to bid the party, " Good morning." His greeting was heartily returned by all save one, a young girl who was his relation. After he had sped away again, some one asked lief, " but what ails you, Minnie ?" Her eyes flashing, the girl replied, " I can say anything nou\ because I'm going to Holy Communion. But he has taken my wheel, and jus. i wait till I get back ! ' '

When she did get back there was a sorry scene. Surely the silence before Mass was worse than useless, was a mockery and an insult to the Blessed Sacrament, when the intention already existed to let loose the eloquence of wrath an hour later. But the Eucharistic Jesus is silent and makes no complaint ; yet in His Real Presence upon the Altar are both silence and self-control infinitely repre- sented, for our strengthening and help under just such ordinary, trivial temptations as conquered the young girl and as are conquering many others ail over the world at this moment.

OF TIL}- 15I.KSSHD SACRAMKXT 17

If only we might learn in the silent church, kneeling close to the Tabernacle, ho\v many of our sins, how many of the occasions when we scandalize others, are due only to our lack of self-control and our unguarded speech ! He who rests in the Ciborium, so humbly, so reservedly, is a King, His state sustained by homage and prayer, His regal rights outraged by sin and neglect. When as Man He dwelt in the world, when as Saviour He was about to meet death by execution, His words were not many, and to Pilate's anxious, half-conscientious questioning before Barabbas was released ' ' He answered him never a word ' ' . In three hours upon the Cross, He spoke only seven times. Ah ! But He was God ! Yes. He was God, and He bade men ' ' be perfect even as your Heavenly Father is perfect ". They are the words, the command, of your King. Peremptory, unqualified ; yet softened and made •tender by the loving title given by the God of heaven and earth — Our " Heavenly Father ", He who " pities us," who bears us in his hands ", He who by the first words which he left to us, created light. As He is perfect, so must ye be perfect, scorning words of dark- ness, and bringing only light and joy unto men by the words which leave your lips. Learning above all the refraining, self-denying, noble silence, which spares, which soothes, which keeps >from sin, and which is 'always touchingly before you 4n the perpetual, silent, adorable Presence of Jesus within the Tabernacle.

The Martyrdom of St. Agnes.

( )\VN o'er the yellow Tibershone the golden breaking day : From u'er its proud hills, oyfrfby one, the shadows roll'd away : % ''*'• >JP And Rome's imperial banner* sway'd upon the mornin? breeze: --And high the glittering fountains played among the almond trees.

I 8 THE SENTINEL

Within the Forum's crowded space, the armed cohorts stand ; And many a dark and evil face is gleaming from their band ; And rude barbarian speech offends the tranquil morning air ; Her sons the torrid Afric sends in swarthy legions there.

There warriorsfrom the Dacian hills, and Scythia's wand'ring son : What eager crowd the forum fills ? What deed is to be done ? Whom lead they now, with clanging swords, into the open space ? Some tyrant fallen and abhorred, some traitor to his race ?

Above whose cloven helm shall flash those blades that gleaming shine Some fiery Gracchus, fierce and rash, some vanquished Catiline? As shakes a lovely star amid the black tempestuous night, So, in the sullen crowd, half hid, a maiden robed in white !

Yea, half a child, with folded hands, with waves of sunny hair, Before the gloomy Tribune stands, in tranquil beauty there. — •' Resign the Christian faith, abhorred ", the angry ruler said, " Or swift it falls, that sharp bright sword, that glitters o'er thy head"

" The earth is fair, and thou art young, and ghastly are the dead ; "Wouldst thou within this hall be flung, and mocked by every tread ? "Twas not as if in answering him. her silver}- accents rose, In music o'er the circle dim of angry scowling foes.

She said : — " From the faces that round me sway, Dark and fierce in the shining day ; Yea, from the edge of the gleaming sword I fly to thy bosom, O King and Lord ! Sound out, sound out on the golden morn. Trumpet and drum and barbarous horn, Hark, 'tis the music that summons me home ; O, early beloved, I come, I come ! Thou hast crowned my brow with a diadem bright, Thou hast robed me all fair in my bridal white ; Redeemer and King, I would go yet higher, I would travel to thee through waves of fire ! Yea, where through the Flavian arches broke The lions, spurning the idle yoke ; Trampling the sand for their waiting prey. Joyful I'd stand for thy love this day. Happier for them a bride of earth, Springing to thee from the crimson death !"

She bent her head, a glittering veil, as flashed the sword in air, Swept down the golden clusters pale of softly show'ring hair ; It swept along the forum's floor, and o'er her crimson'd vest, As gently out the Christians bore the maiden to her rest !

OF THK KLKSSKD SACKAMKNT 19

And from the forum pass'd the crowd in clusters, one by one ; With careless speech and laughter loud their morning's work was

done ;

As on through classic columns white the swart Numidians pass'd, Their figures in the fair sunlight a boding shadow cast.

The shadow of the days to come, the swift avenging days, When th\- proud towers, imperial Rome, shall crackle in the blaze, When o'er the Tiber's redden'd flow shall flash the mingled fight, The savage hordes with bended bow, the Roman's corselet bright !

When tall within the sculptured porch shall scowl the fiery Hun ; And the red glare of many a torch make pale the setting sun ; When in the shrines of cruel gods, beneath their frescoed roofs The Scythian's sable plumage nods, and clang his courser's hoofs !

But o'er the virgin's ashes fair, within her chapel shrine, In music plays the summer air, the golden evenings shine ; There, in this distant latter time, a thousand years away. The wand'ring sons of every cline revering kneel to pray.

The maiden lays with tender hand upon her altar fair, The flowers that bloom'd within her hand, the jewels from her hair, And prays St Agnes to entreat for her the gentle Lord, Low, kneeling at her fair young feet, who perished by the sword !

— Selected.

Items of Interests.

With the approval of the Most Rev. Archbishop Corrigan the gentlemen forming the Advisory Board of the Men's Branch of the Kucharistic League, have been formed into a council to represent the general interests of the work among our men, and will organ- ize that branch of the work as a permanent society for Nocturnal Adoration. Their aim is to encourage Nocturnal Adoration during the Forty Hours and on Holy Thursday in all centres of the Kucha ristic League, to call for volunteers for a general membership and to furnish adorers at need on these occasions to all pastors who find it difficult to obtain volunteers. Rev. Father Lavelle is the spiri- tual director of the Men's Advisory Board or Central Council, uxl ha^ selected the following officers to serve for one year : —

20 TIIK SENTINEL

President, Mr. J. Stantoii Floyd-Jones ; Vice-President, Mr. Martin G. McDonald ; Recording Secretary, Mr. Richard H. Clarke, Jr. ; Corresponding Secretary, Mr. R. R. Costello ; Treasurer, Mr. R. J. Doherty.

The People's Eucharistic League will hold its Fifth Annual Reunion at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Friday, January 25th, 1901. Tickets of admission may be obtained at the Local Centres as usual. The men will sit together in the middle aisle, on the Epistle side of the altar.

The Forty Hours devotion will take place at the church of the Epiphany, in second Avenue, between 2ist and 22nd sts., on Sunday, January 2oth, and at the church of St. Vincent de Paul, on Sunday, January 27th. Our associates are invited to attend.

Rev. M. J. Lavelle will hold a meeting of the Local Directors of the Eucharistic League at the Cathedral Rectory, n a. in., on Friday, January nth.

The Annual Council of Presidents and Vice Presidents will be held in the Cathedral Sacristy, on Tuesday, Jan. I5th, at n a. m.

The Nocturnal Adoration at Local Centres on Dec. 31 was most successful. The Cathedral, St. Ignatius, St. Stephens, St. Gabriel's and the Epiphany churches gave a record of from 150 to 500 men.

Prayers of our Associates are asked for the repose of the- soul of the late Rev. N. M. Reinhart, Pastor of the Association Centre.

The Children's Hour

Suffer the little ones to come unto Me, and forbid them not. for of Sne/i is the Kingdom of Heaven ! ''

has long been our desire to introduce the work of the Eucha- ristic League among the little lambs of Christ's fold, the chil- dren whom He so loves, and who, in their innocence and simplicity, come so near to the likeness of the Lamb of God in the littleness of His Eucharistic presence. To form bands of children in each centre of the Eucharistic League and to adapt the requirements of the devotion to the limitations of their age and ability will be a matter of the very near future and one that \vill readily commend itself to our local Director. We shall later hope to give the little ones their own particular share in the reunions of the Eucharistic League at the Cathedral. The Sen- tinel, also, will devote a few pages monthly to the children with the aim of interesting them and furnishing simple and attractive devotional matter that will develope their love for the Eucharist. The heart of the child naturally welcomes the beautiful, and the imaginations that are surfeited with the husks of fables and fairy tales will find nourishing food in the beautiful stories of the angels and saints of God and the golden legends of Christ's mortal life. With the glowing imagery of the Christmas gospels fresh in our minds and the tender remembrance of Him who chose to come first to us in the guise of childhood we enter upon our task.

The Rev. Henri Durand, of the Society of the Blessed Sacra- ment, who is so frequently called by his friends " The Apostle of Childhood," will inaugurate the work with a New Year's letter, the first of a series. We are glad to announce also that Miss Jose- phine Marie" will edit the Children's Department, and will welcome suggestions from our reverend Pastors and others, and any commu- nications from the little ones. (Kindly address "Children's Department," Sentinel of the Blessed Sacrament, 121; East St.. New York, i

22 THE SENTINEL

A Letter from Father Durand :

BRUSSELS, DEC. 2oth, 1900. Wishes for the New Year and the Ncic Century. MY DEAR LITTLE CHILDREN,

How well I kuow the delight of a child at getting a letter, a whole letter, all to himself, and a letter above all that conies from some friend ever so far away ! And so I am going to profit by this trait of childhood to cor- respond with you for your own good. It has often hap- pened that without leaving my desk, I have preached a sermon one or two hundred miles away, because the good priest who asked me to write a letter to the chil- dren of his parish had the happy idea of reading it aloud from the pulpit. I cannot tell you how pleased his little audience were at this new style of preaching, when he said to them : "Be very attentive, children, here is a letter written to you that comes all the way from Brus- sels !"

And now, since we have been urged to extend our apostolate among the children, I am going to try and make this simple means of gaining the children's hearts more popular, and instead of writing to the children of one family or one parish I am going to write to a thousand families and a thousand parishes at once.

But now I think I can hear some of the little ones, the very little ones, whispering together and asking how I can write to so many children at once.

Well, the babies do not yet know the wonders of the printing press, nor how by the circulation of our pious magazines such as the Little Messenger and the Sentinel, we can reproduce by tens of thousands a written page, so that one can write a letter to innumerable childish corres- pondents at once, and wish them all "a Happy New Year " at the same time. My letter is addressed to all cath- olic hildreu of course, but more especially to those who belong to our Eucharistic Associations, the Guard of Honor, the Eucharistic Crusade, and the Pages of the Eucharist. I must begin by saying once for all, that

<)I- THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 23

my correspondence is eucharistic, which means that my object in writing these letters to you is to teach you how to know and love more and more truly the Blessed Sacra- ment that contains the body and blood, soul and divi- nity of our Lord Jesus- Christ, who so dearly loved all men, but who had such a tender and particular love for the little children.

And now, dear little ones, what am I going to say to you ? It is not so easy to choose, indeed, when one thinks of so much to interest and attract you, the new year, the new century, and the month of the holy Child- hood ! And I can say only a few words more, after all.

Well, my dear children, with all my heart I wish you a very happy New Year, and good and a holy one too. That means that I wish you to be very docile, very obedient and very pious, and if you will be all that, the year that is beginning for you will surely be a good and holy one. But the year 1901 is a very special year, a great, an un- usual year,/^ it is the first year of a neiu Century. While I, far away in Brussels, am writing to you, we are still in the nineteenth century, but when you receive and read my letter we will have entered upon the 2oth, so you see I am obliged to wish you a happy new Century as well as a New Year ?

What am I saying ! A century is a hundred years ! Do I think you will all live so long as that ? Well, not quite. I wish you all a long life certainly, but above all, a holy life ; for if you live as good and fervent catholics for the many long years which I hope are before you all, and are good adorers of our Lord and proud of your religion, you will surely have a good century and a better one than the last. If you want to do this, dear children, you must love the divine Child Jesus very much and pray every day to Him who is always present in the Blessed Sacrament, and you must try to remain always children in innocence and simplicity.

Did you know that the month of January is consecrated to the honor of the Divine Infancy of the dear Saviour whose image you love to look at as it lies cradled in the little Christmas Crib ?

How you beg Mamma and Papa to take you to see the

24 THE SEXTIXEL

little Infant Jesus in the manger, in the churches where all is so beautiful at Christmas, when the Star of Beth- lehem shines, and the Kings and the shepherds are kneeling in adoration, a picture of what really happened so many centuries ago !

But when you kneel there to pray, never forget that we have a Bethlehem always, here upon earth, and that not far from the crib is the real Jesus, and the Lamp of the Sanctuary points out to you too the place where He dwells.

Where is He then ? Surely you all know. He is on the altar, in the Tabernacle, under the form of a little bread in the Blessed Sacrament. So, when you have seen the crib, do not fail to go from the crib to the altar, from the image of Jesus to Jesus Himself, and there pray to Him with confidence and beg Him to take pity on the wicked world which still persecutes Him. Dear little ones, your innocent prayers are so powerful with the Infant Jesus ! Pray for the conversion or overthrow of the modern Herods who renew again the massacre of the Innocents in preventing you from knowing and loving the divine Child, the Love and Life of your souls. Believe me, your little prayers can work wonders, and if people knew their power they would make use of them in begging you to pray for the settlement of the many moral and social questions that last their disturbing shadows on the dawn of the 2oth century, and bring God's sunshine to break through in an atmosphere of peace and concord.

And now, my dear children, I must say " Good bye " for the present, and give a you blessing from the depths of my heart.

Your devoted friend

HENRY DUKAND.

P. S. I beg from my dear little friends in the United States some very special prayers, that God may bless the new foundation of a house of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament in New York. And may the children of that city which has just b'een blessed with a Church of Perpe- tual Exposition learn to find in it a fountain of grace for their innocent souls.

OF THE HI.ESSEI) SACRAMENT 25

ehild'2 Petition.

She stole into the church alone With shy and timid grace, A little child with wondrous eyes. And smiling, dimpled face.

" I come to see you. dearest Lord, Sweet Jesus, are you here ? Ah, yes, the light is burning bright, I know that you are near.

" I'm glad that we are all alone, Because I want to bring A letter to your Sacred Heart To ask for everything.

'' Now, if some older people saw Me write this little letter' They'd take it, may be, from my hand And try to make it better.

" But no one saw me write it, Lord, I think it's written right ; And you won't mind if it's spelt wrong. Because it's clean and white.

': I'll drop it in your treasure box And kiss it so 't will speed Right up to Heaven to your heart To ask for all we need.

" And then to make it very sure I'll say a decade, too, To forward quick this little note I wrote, dear Lord, to you.

THE CHILD'S THANKSGIVING.

She comes again, the little child,

To visit Jesus here.

And sparkling bright her speaking eyes

Reflect her soul so clear.

26 THE SENTINEL

I come agaiii, dear Lord, you see, I hope that you won't care, Because I wrote another note Not like a reg'lar prayer.

I want to thank you, dearest God. Because you gave to me An answer to that other note I wrote one day to thee.

Now, when some one is good and kind And gives a gift to me, It's always right to smile and show That I can grateful be.

Please read the letter, dearest God, The words ain't grand and long ; It just says "thank you, Sacred Heart' I don't think that is wrong.

I want to be polite to you For all you've done for me, And in return, dear.Sacred Heart, I offer mine to thee.

" Come, let us adore Him. '

JOSEPHIXK MARI£.

" Come, let us adore Him ". The dear voices of tiny children chant the sweet words throughout the world. They see, in spirit, as they sing, the Stable-Cave and the Babe, wee like them, lying upon the straw.

The hymn telling of the Babe divine fills their little hearts with awe as they think how He made the trees, the sky, all the big earth, yet was so poor that though even " foxes have' holes and the birds of the air nests", He had not " whereon to lay His head. " If they had been at Bethlehem the}- think, the Blessed Virgin would not have had to seek shelter for her Babe with beasts.

They would, at least, have gone to the Stable Cave and tried to help their Infant King. The Shepherds must have been glad to bring their lambs to Him and the Wise Men their gleaming gifts. Yet, little children of to-day may have the same sweet privilege. Not indeed to the Manger-Crib may they go to adore Him, but at the Altar-Crib they may kneel each day. As the Angels told the

or THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 2J

lowly Shepherds of the birth of the Infant Redeemer and bade them seek Him in a manger, so the Guardian-Angels of children whisper to them the "glad tidings" that unto them is born a Saviour at each dawn, upon the altar, and that the}' must seek Him in the Host. More helpless and silent than in infancy, He wishes His priests to carry Him wherever they will, just as St. Joseph did long ago. Just as He would have held His wee divine trust out to the little children had they come to see Him in the Stable-Cave, His holy human Heart blesses them oh ! so sweetly, as they kneel before the white veil of the Host that hides His glory less they might be afraid. Since then He wants them so very much, little children should be glad to come to Him. Their homage is to Him sweetest frankincense, their love purest gold, and the effort it may sometimes be to seek Him in the Altar- Crib, myrrh, that proves to Him that like the Shepherds and the Kings they too, at any cost, will — " come, and adore Him '*.

THE THANKFUfc HEART.

By FRANCIS E. CROMPTON,

ght 1'V 1 . P IX'TTON. NK\V-YORK.

I

j;T was Miss Nancy's birthday. She was ten years old, and she had had a visitor of her own. And at Miss Nancy's age, to have a birthday is greatness ; but to have a particular and personal visitor, real and grown up (not to say elderly ), this is preferable to calling the king one's uncle. She had had birthday presents, but this may happen to any one, and had occurred before to Miss Nancy herself.

There was the Shetland pony from the squire, though to be sure this had been promised so long that it did not seem to have much real connection with the birthdav.

28 THE SENTINHI,

especially as you could not have it with you in the house ; and there was the prayer-book from Aunt Norreys, with a red back and a silver clasp. Miss Nancy gratefully acknowledged that everybody had been very kind to her, from Mrs. Plummett, who had made the birthday cake with her own hands, down to poor Bettie the under housemaid, who had presented an humble offering in the shape of a purple silk pincushion, stuffed with bran to an inconceivable extent of tightness, and bearing in pin-heads the straggling device, " My I,ov," which trifling error Miss Nancy, a delicate little person, both by nature and upbringing, would have blushed to observe, and the legend remained as unaltered as poor Betty's lov itself.

Even Trimmer, the stern, had given Miss Nancy a white and gold china poodle ; and although the white and gold poodle may be an uncommon animal in real life, he looked charming in china, sitting tastefully on a ground of blue, which is well known to be the color of true affection. Miss Nancy had, with the friendly aid of a chair, set him up on the tall chimney-piece, from which elevation he stared fixedly and unmeaningly down upon her ; and looking up at him in return, and thinking with remorse of all the pinafores she had torn, and all the shoes she had dirtied, and all the extra washings and brushings she had inconveniently required at irregular hours, Miss Nancy felt Trimmer's high-minded for- giveness to be more moving than language would fittingly express.

Arminel Anne Throgmortou was her name, — her Sunday name, as she was accustomed to think, having but rarely any other use for it than in the catechism of Sunday afternoon. Nancy was the name of dear daddy's giving and the name of every day, and Miss Throgmorton was commonly only " Miss Nancy. " She had, perhaps, at times wished that she had been endowed with a more ornamental and fashionable name ; but as one grand- mother had been Anne Norreys, and the other had been Arminel Throgmorton, Miss Nancy quite saw that it could not have been avoided.

vShe had had a holiday in honor of her birthday, and

OF T1IK ULKSSKD SACRAMKXT 29

Trimmer had even gone to the length of saying that she was going down to the village for an hour, and Miss Nancr might get out all her toys and take up the whole of the table if she liked. Not that Miss Nancy, though an only child, had any unmanageable number of toys ; for she did not live in this present degenerate day of pro- fusion in children's amusements, and the play tilings grown old in the service of two or three generations were considered an ample provision for any one. The very best doll in all the collection was only a venerable and dane- liiig lady, with a pink kid body, and a painted face, as ugly as might well be. Miss Nancy certainly valued her toys as toys used to be valued ; but they did not lie very near her heart. A game with them generally took the rather forlorn form of laying them out in a solemn row, sitting by them till tea time, and them silently replacing them in the cupboard. And even the pink kid lady, in her best yellow satin slip and real morocco shoes, had failed to satisfy Miss Nancy's soul to-day.

She knelt on the floor by the window-seat, so that she could rest her arms on the seat, and her chin on her hands, and look out at the prospect, which from this poiut of viewr did not embrace more than the upper branches of the great elm- trees, with the rooks swinging in their nodding tops in a high spring wind, for Miss Nancy's birthday fell early in the year. It was not an extensive prospect without, but it was more interesting to her than the one within, — the panelled walls and floor painted brown, the tiled fireplace and brass irons, the spindle-legged table with round leaves, the wooden- seated chairs, the cupboard where Miss Nancy's small possessions were kept, the dignified and indifferent gray cat on the hearth, and the tall, polished clock with the brass face, and brass balls at the corners, and the fingers that moved round in jerks, and works that groaned and whezeed for very age.

But now Miss Nancy had a visitor. To begin with, there was a knock at the door, and a man's footstep.

" You can come in, Bailey. It is only me," said Miss Nancy, well meaningly, however ungrammatically. The door opened, but Bailey seemed to stand still in a very

30 THK SENTINEL

unnatural manner, and Miss Nancy looked over her shoulder, to see no Bailey, but a living gentleman, rather an old gentleman, and quite a strange one. Miss Nancy scrambled to her feet with what would have been alarm if the old gentleman's appearance had hot disarmed suspi- cion. He was smiling very cheerfully, and holding out his hand to her.

" I am quite well, thank you," said Miss Nancy at random, being for the moment thrown into some con- fusion.

•' I am rejoiced to hear it," said the old gentleman. ' ' You do not know me, do you ? But I am the new rector."

" Trimmer is out," said Miss Nancy, doubtfully. " She has gone to the village. And Aunt Norreys has gone to St. Edmund's. And I do not know where daddy is."

" I have been walking with him," said the rector," and now I have come to see you."

" Me? "

" Yes, I have come to see you," repeated the rector, with a gravity that Miss Nancy could not but not but consider flattering to a degree.

" Because of my birthday ? " she said, feeling that at ten one begins to grow up.

" You see," said the rector, waiving the point, " I knew the squire many years ago, and now I should like to know his little daughter too. ' '

Miss Nancy politely assented. She scarcely knew exactly what you ought to do when you have a visitor of your own, but, guided by a general strong sense of manners, she dragged one of the hardest and slimmest of chairs by its forelegs from the wall, and invited the rector to sit down, which he did, bowing his thanks, and drawing one out for her, — by the back, as more con- venient to him than the low level of the legs. Miss Nr.ncy infinitely preferred kneeling on the floor, with her arms on the seat ; but this was, of course, not to be con- templated on such an occasion as the present, which demanded all the deportment of which a person was capable ; and having smoothed down her pinafore, she

OF THK HLKSSED SACRAMENT 31

sat upright with one toe ou the fioor, aud the other dangling at some distance from it, waiting, in obedience to an ancient maxim which bade her speak when she was spoken to. She liked looking at the rector. He was what she called an old gentleman, for on the shadowy side of sixty one can no longer hope to be called anything but elderly ; his hair was quite white, and he scorned to disguise that it had grown thin at the top years ago. He wore it longer than would now be strictly fashionable ; it hung on each side of his face in fleecy locks, — like the apostles in the painted windows in church, thought Miss Nancy. The rector's coat was in perfect harmony with his person, being old also, and far too long and ample in the skirt to have any pretensions to the mode. Miss Nancy liked him, nevertheless. He smiled at her, and he had a very pleasant smile.

" And what is your name, my little maid?" he asked.

" Arminel Anne Throgmorton," said Miss Nancy. " But daddy says Nancy."

1 I though it might have been something else," said the rector. " I though it might have been — Margaret."

"Oh, no ! " said Miss Nancy, earnestly. " Daddy would not like that. Once I said I liked Margaret better than Nancy, and he said ' Yes, but there was only one Margaret.' " For that had been the name of Miss Nan- cy's mother, and she was dead.

" Ah ! " said the rector. " Ah, to be sure."

" But I like Nancy better than Arminel. Because when Aunt Norreys says Arminel, generally I have been naughty," admitted Miss Nancy, with regret. " I do not like Throgmorton very much. You cannot think what a hard word it is to \vrite. I used to think it was a very hard word to spell. I suppose you know how to spell it?"

" Yes," replied the rector. " I used to write it long years ago, when I knew your father."

1 ' And did you know him rather well ? ' ' ' I knew him very \vell — only, you see, we have not met for many, many years. And now he has asked me to come ane live here."

' ' And shall you live here always ? ' '

32 THE SENTINEL

" I trust I shall, my little maid. I trust that you and I may be friends as long as we live. How old are you to- day ?"

" I am ten," replied Miss Nancy, with a ladylike endeavor not to show pride on that account.

" And I am more than six times ten. Do you think I shall be too old for you ? "

" Oh, no ! For if you are not too old for me, and I am not too little for you, we shall meet in the middle," said Miss Nancy, with much politeness, if with some obscurity. " There is not any one of great friends but daddy, and Aunt Norreys, and Trimmer, and a few of smaller ones."

" Then let us shake hands upon it," said the rector. Which Miss Nancy and he proceeded to do with mutual satisfaction, and the visit went on in the greatest har- mony. Indeed, Miss Nancy was by this time beginning to entertain distinct hopes of the rector remaining to take tea with her, when she would be enabled to serve him with slices innumerable from Mrs. Plummett's birthday cake, and many, many cups of tea — in Miss Nancy's eyes the patent of honorable years ; and this she though would be a birthday feast indeed.

But, unfortunately, just at the moment when in fancy she was liberally assisting the delighted rector to cake, for the fifth time he rose to go.

"Must you really and truly?" said Miss Nancy, seeing the designed banquet melting away into thin air.

'' Yes, I must go," said the rector. " My little maid, before I say good-by, let me offer you all I have to give." He was holding out his hand, and Miss Nancy thought it was to take hers ; but he laid it on her head.

" God bless you, my little maid ! " he said.

" And now," said the rector, at the door, <( I have come to see you, and so you must come to see me."

" In fair turns," said Miss Nancy, nodding her head.

" Exactly," said the rector, and bowed his fare- well.

( To he continued.}

Bather Peter- Julian. Eyn^ard

Founder of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.

SUGH IS MY LOVE !

After a painting of E. Collier.

THK SENTINEL

FEBRUARY 1901

*Bh>ine Raphael.*

jKsrs IN Tin-: BI.KSSKD SACRAMENT, OUR GUIDE IN THE PILGRIMAGE OF LIFE.

R. P. TESNIF.RE.

Translated by Miss E. LUMMIS.

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.

I. Meaning, in general, of the story of Tobias; typifying Jesus Christ under the form of Guide and Companion of man in his journey from earth to heaven. Character of the elder Tobias, his counsels and their application in our own day.

II. The reason of Tobias' intended journey : the End of the great Journey of Life. A guide is necessary, but a sure and certain guide.

III. Meeting of Raphael and Tobias. The meeting of Jesus with the soul at the outset of life, on the day of First Communion.

I

JHE Archangel Raphael, in the beautiful story of Tobias, is a type of Our L,ord Jesus Christ under one of His most tender and gracious aspects, that of Guide and Companion to man on the road of Life, the road that leads indeed to the heavenly country, but the length and danger of which calls imperatively for the assistance and protection of a celestial guide. The name of Raphael given to the angel, his words, his actions, all typify the Saviour, the First

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34 THE SENTINEL

Pilgrim, the pioneer traveller of earth, Who descended from Heaven to come to the aid of man. Having been his companion in mortal guise during His Human life, the divine Raphael accompanies him still under the form of the Blessed Sacrament, to point out to him the road to Heaven, to lessen the fatigue of the journey and to guard him from the perils of the way. And the loving and ten- der guidance of Jesus will never fail, but will endure until the end of time, until the last pilgrim in this valley of tears shall have crossed its boundaries of shadow and entered into the eternal Home. It is difficult to divide the story of Tobias into distinct parts. We will, therefore, relate it in detail, pausing at each important incident, where the radiant likeness of Jesus shines through the features of the Archangel. Such is indeed the intention of the heavenly messenger. "Thank God", he says, when Tobias falls at his feet overcome with gratitude ; " It is He to Whom praise is due. I am but His shadow and the instrument of His will, and thy praise, should rise to Him alone." Ipsum benedicite et cantate Hit.

Nevertheless, to impress upon our readers the com- parison between this mission of Raphael and the loving and tender mission of Jesus we bid them notice :

i st. The connection between the journey of Tobias, undertaken to secure an earthly treasure of which he is the rightful heir, and the Journey of Life, the end of which is the acquisition of the treasure of eternal felicity ;

2nd. How necessary it is for us, as it was for Tobias, to have a faithful guide, and how Jesus, far more truly than Raphael, is the Guide we need.

One must notice also, in the course of the story, how manifest it is that the graces accorded to Tobias by his celestial companion are far inferior to those we receive from Jesus in the course of our lives, if we abandon our- selves to His guidance and follow Him perseveringly to the end. The conclusion is evident, that if a guide on the journey of life is imperatively necessary, and if Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is above all others the most tender, most loving, most devoted, most powerful of guides, the Guide who sends us all other helpers, the Guide who can never be deceived Himself, nor lead us astray, the Guide

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 35

to whom one must perforce confide himself in the end, let us choose this divine Raphael without hesitation, let us keep close to His side, let us undertake nothing with- out consulting Him, let us carry on nothing without His concurrence, and give to Him with unbounded confidence and childlike trust the direction of our lives.

The character of the elder Tobias is a very wise and saintly one. Fidelity to the law of God, even in exile, charity carried to a heroic degree, patience in trial, are its notable features and form a combination of virtues that compels our admiration. One is specially impressed by his wisdom and care in the education of his only son, who bears his name and inherits his virtues. — The Scripture tells us of the early training of this dearly loved child, in a few words which parents of our own day might well la}' to heart. For above all learning and the graceful arts that would win for the child the admiration of friends and acquaintances and which we may be sure were not neglected, the father set the spiritual training of his little son. "From his childhood '," says Holy Scripture, " he learned to fear God and to keep from sin." Querti ab in- fantia tinier e Dominum docuit et abstinere ab omni peccato. One cannot read without emotion the wise counsels of this loving father, when feeble, blind and old, he deems himself about to part with his son forever. In the testa- ment of his wisdom and paternal love, are summed up the principles upon which he had formed the character of the child, now grown to early manhood and ready to face the dangers of the world for the first time.

" Listen to my words, my son, " he says to the young Tobias, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart. When God has taken my soul, do thou bury my body ; and thou shalt honor thy mother all the days of her life, being mindful of the perils she hath endured for thee. All the days of thy life have God in thy mind. Take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the command- ments of the Lord. Give alms according to thy ability, and turn not away thy face from the poor. Keep thyself pure in heart and suffer not pride to dominate thee in word or action. Ask counsel of the wise. Bless God at all times and beg Him to direct all thy ways and all thy

36 THE SENTINEL

counsels, and let thy undertakings abide in Him." What an admirable rule of life ! And these counsels are not given to a pious young girl ; it is for an ardent youth of about twenty years of age that the good old man traces this line of conduct. He wishes his sou to be a just and upright man, charitable to all, and humble in seeking advice of those who are capable of directing him. But above all, he wishes him to be a man of prayer, faithful to consult God in all things, to seek His light and His will in all undertakings and to dwell in Him habitually in spirit. This surely is not mysticism ! These principles have made of Tobias a model young man, who will be- come a pleasing and acceptable husband, an honored citi- zen ; the consolation of his parents and the glory of their name.

Would to God that all those to whom he has confided the responsibility of Christian paternity were animated by such sentiments as was this wise and saintly father of Tobias. How much sorrow would they spare them- selves in after years, and how many degenerate sons who are the curse of honored homes would become instead the consolation of their parents' old age !

From temporal motives alone it is to our interest to recommend our undertakings to God and to give Him an important part in the issues of our lives, The example of Tobias proves it, for the sequel shows how divine goodness miraculously assisted him by means of an angjl, when God might have come to his aid in many natural ways. He is indeed rich in mercy, and those who invoke Him faithfully and perseveringly and place all their con- fidence in Him may rest assured that the God Who so loved His own as to send them His Divine Son for the deliverance of their souls, will not disdain to provide for their temporal needs, and would rather send them an angel of light than leave them helpless in their distress.

II

The venerable father of Tobias had some years before loaned a large sum of money, amounting to ten talents of silver, to a kinsman named Gabelus, who dwelt in Rages,

oi- THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 37

a city of Media. He now desired to collect this money, which he relied upon as the future inheritance of his son.

But Rages was far distant. From Assyria to the centre of Media was a long and difficult journey. To send forth a young man, alone, on such an expedition, was scarcely prudent. A suitable travelling companion must be found for his son, who knew not indeed the road to the city where Gabelus dwelt. The young Tobias replied cheer- fully to his father's overtures on the subject. He readily acquiesced and would leave immediately if his father so desired. " Omiiia qucccumquc pr&cipisti mihi faciam, pater" Said Tobias the elder: " Go seek a companion for the journey, a guide, but a man of honor in word and deed, who will be faithful to thee in every emergency, and will seek thy interest as his own." Do we not already see the reality through the figure ? We, too, have credit in the bank of Heaven, a note signed by God Himself in holy baptism, that He will honor when we present it to Him. Heaven itself is the treasure that we must acquire if we would ensure our future happiness. But we must present the note, and however great was the dis- tance from Ninive to Rages, what, alas ! is it in compar- ison with our distance from Heaven! " Life is a jour- ney : " says Holy Writ, a pilgrimage indeed, in a land of exile, and the road is long and wearisome. It is the lot of all who sinned in Adam. We have lost the paternal her- itage and are far from our Father's house. ' Percgrina- mur a Douiino. Let us journey to the Lord, " says the apostle ; for though we see Him still by faith it is not the clear vision of His face, but rather a sort of twilight per- ception that makes us only realize how far away we are. Thus we journey to the land of Vision, having here no lasting dwelling, unfolding our tents for the night and folding them again at daybreak to travel on once more.

O wearisome journey ! We are heavy laden, our steps are encumbered with the weight we carry and we are prone to fall.

St Bernard understands it. Peregrinamur a Domino. ' To journey far from God, he says, is difficult enough, but we are laden with this body of sin, the weight of which fatigues and encumbers us unceasingly."

38 THE SENTINEL

But the road, — is it open ancleasy to travel ? Is there protection against robbers who infest the way? Is it guarded by barriers when the way is precipitous ? Is it always clearly defined, — is there but one road and may we never mistake it? " The way is narrow," Christ Him- self tells us, "and few there are who find it." It is long, very long, and full of dangers. What more ? " It is winding, rough and slippery," says Lactance ; — Ardua et clivosa. A false step and we are lost in some chasm, or dash our foot against a stone and fall, with bruised hands and feet. Sometimes great rocks bar our wa}^ or tangled thorns beset us.

And yet, however difficult, the journey must be under- taken. We must travel this rugged road. For only at the end, if we tread it bravely and perseveringly, will we obtain the payment of our heavenly inheritance. How natural is it that the soul, standing on the verge of this great wilderness without visible horizon, that we call Life, should cry out like the young Tobias : ' ' But I do not know the road that leads to Rages." !

Are there guides waiting to conduct us ? Aye, surely, many guides. We find them crowding about us as they crowd about the entrance to some difficult pass in the mountains. They are importunate. " Come here," " Come there " , " This way is the shortest", " This way is the best ". "I will charge you less than the others, take me " ! False guides, lying guides, self seek- ing guides ! The voice of the world, the voice of pride, the voice of pleasure. All seek to guide us, ' ' to guide only to deceive ", says St. Augustine. They are robbers and thieves who seek only our ruin.

Beware ! What is the warning of the Master ? ' ' All those who call themselves the shepherds of the sheep are not, but only wolves in sheep's clothing. And they seek the sheep only to kill and destroy them. If therefore, they say to you ; " Come here ", " Come there ", hear them not" . What must we do ? Seek a faithful guide. There must be one, surely ! Let us seek him, and that we may find, let us pray, and ask him of God. It was thus that the good Tobias advised his son. ' ' Submit thy desires, thy needs and thy undertakings to God, that they may begin by

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 39

Him and end in Him." This faithful guide is then Jesus, Jesus Himself, who walks before us and with us. Virum fidelem. "The Mail of good faith," who will take our interest to heart.

But as the figure, in every detail, abounds in beautiful comparisons, let us take up again the story of the Scrip- ture and ste how Tobias met the longed for guide, and how happy and successful was the journey made under his direction.

Ill

Tune egrcssus Tobias mvenit juvenem splendidum, stan- titm pru cinctiun , et quasi par atum ad ambulandum.

Scarcely has Tobias left his father's dwelling ere he encounters a youth in the strength and beauty of early manhood, whose clear and limpid glance, full of candor and sincerity, seems to impel his confidence at once. fuvenem splendidum. He stands waiting, with garments girt about him in the manner customary with travellers, from which Tobias infers that he is about to start on a journey. Oh ! if this young man \vere but going in the direction of Rages ! What security in his guidance and what happiness to travel in his company ! So muses Tobias, and with a beating heart, he greets him. Listen to the conversation of the two young men, so touching in its naive simplicity, and so impressive, when we know that the one who offers to serve this timid youth is one of the angels of God.

Ignorant of the fact that he was addressing a prince of the heavenly court, Tobias saluted and questioned him.

" Happy ignorance," says St. Augustine ; " and pleas- ing to the angel, who would remain unknown in order that his questioner might not be intimidated, else he would never have dared to ask of him a service ordinarily required of hirelings. " Good young man" said Tobias, " Whence art thou, and of what nation and family ? ' '

40 THE SENTINEL

"I am," replied the angel, " like thyself, a son of Israel, and thy countryman." A reply full of delicate con- descension, which permits Tobias to enquire further.

Did the angel speak truly? Yes, he was a son of Israel, because he had taken that form, and must to fulfill his mission, act in all things as a man. He is truly a son of Israel, the Great Prophet, the Lord Himself, Whom he knoweth well and in the glory of Whose Face he dwells forever. Later, when he is under the roof of the elder Tobias, he is more explicit, and gives his personal name. " I am Azarias, son of the great Ananias." " A son of the great Ananias," replies Tobias, " truly, thou art of distinguished birth. ' '

Azarias, then, is the name of this traveller, this celes- tial servitor. It is a name full of mysterious meaning, and indicates the future mission of the Archangel. Aza- rias means helper, defender, deputy from God : auxilium Dei, It indicates the happy one, the blest of God, the treasure, the enricher of God. Interpreters of the Scrip- ture find in it all these meanings. And when we remem- ber all that Raphael was to Tobias, we are forced to ex- claim : ' ' Thou art truly the protector and defender, the extraordinary benefactor of this youth, the joy and hap- piness of his family, o celestial Azarias, son of the great Ananias ! that is, the son of goodness and mere}' : Ana- nias, td est, gratia Dei,donum, miseratio Dei. Encouraged by the words of the angel, which accorded so well with his gracious expression, Tobias put to him the question which led to the meeting : " Dost thou know the way to Media"?

The angel replies: "Truly, I know it well. Not only do I know the common road but I know all the roads thereto. I have often trodden them." He seems to imply that his occupation is to travel along these roads, that he is a guide by trade. But this is not all. Before Tobias has even hinted at the object of his intended journey, the angel forestalls him. " Not only do I know Media and all the roads thereto, but I know Rages, and in Rages, Gabelus. I know him welLJieis my friend, my kinsman, I have abode with him.\>*f2^7&rajs/ apud (iabclum jratrem nostrum qui moratur

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 41

The young Tobias is amazed, delighted. He runs to tell this wonderful piece of news to his father. He brings in the youth, and the old man asks if he will undertake to conduct his son to Media. " I will give thee a just and generous recompense. ' ' The amiable guide consents with- out hesitation. " I will conduct him there and will bring him back to thee safely."

The necessary preparations are soon made ; not much is needed : a staff, a few articles of clothing, the scrip of a pilgrim, a few provisions. Tune paravit quce erant in via portanda.

They part with the kind old man. Tobias embraces his mother with tears, and the benediction of the father fol- lows them : "A pleasant journey, God be with you and may his holy angel accompany you !" How beautiful and striking in ever}7 circumstance of the touching story of old are the truths that shine through the narration as light through transparent crystal ! This young Tobias, who leaves the paternal roof for the first time, to go out into the world, is a figure of the child who emerges from the shelter of infantile innocence to live his own personal life. The exercise of reason, which about the age of seven years has been manifested by the judgments of cons- cience, and the just consideration of natural phenomena, shows him to be capable of serious resolutions. He is at 12 years of age, already a little man, and this he is made to realize, not to give him him a sense of importance, but that he may comprehend his personal responsibility towards God. Life for him has begun in earnest, he has started out on the great journey where, as we have seen, a guide is so indispensable. And this guide is forth- coming, — it is Jesus, Jesus, Who awaits the child at the threshold of his mature existence.

I recall your most cherished reminiscences.

Did you not see in the morning of your life, on the day of your First Communion, this beautiful young man, radiant with virtue, life and grace, fair as the morning and resplendent as the shining rays of the summer sun ! ' ' Juvenem splendidum ! When the Sacred Host of your First Communion was held up before your ravished eyes was It not radiant and glorious with celestial light? Oh,

4

42 THE SENTINEL

surely, for it was Jesus, the Son of God, the Splendor of the Father, Jesus the glory of His Face, Jesus the shining radiance of His immortal beauty.

It was Jesus, the Son of Mary, in His virginal love- liness, mild and gentle as the Lamb without spot. Around the Host of that blest day above all others, shone the nimbus of all the graces, the glories of the Babe of Bethlehem. Upon this happy day the angels sang together in Heaven and the choirs of holy ones upon earth reechoed their song. The joy of the officiating priest shone upon his countenance and the happy tears of your father and mother, the gladness of your little brothers and sisters, added new joy to your own heart, overflowing already. An atmosphere of heavenly peace seemed to surround you. All was happiness on that blest day, for you and yours, on earth and in heaven, and all joys seemed to concentrate in and radiate from the Sacred Host of your First Communion !

Juvenem splendidum \ Jesus is so beautiful to the first communicant that from this happy day date the majority of vocations. Vocation ! It is the spontaneous choice of the soul, the awakening of first love in the springtime of the heart. Jesus is so beautiful that in the glory of His Face all lesser beauty fades away, and grows dim, and our lips and our hearts are given to Him alone, to Him above all others. We are His alone and forever ! It is in the sun of the First Communion that nearly all the flow- ers of the apostolic life and the life of virginity begin to bloom, those rare and radiant flowers that delight the angels, the rose of apostolic charity and the lily of the priesthood and the religious life. It is in this holy fire that these links of love are forged. It is the day also from which dates our perseverance in the Christian life, and however long our life may be, perseverance looks back to the First Communion as the living Fountain from which it sprang. O happy day ! gloriously marked by the goodness of Jesus, imprinted with the seal of His love ! O heavenly morning, whose sun shall never set ! Thy sky may be covered with clouds, the night may fall, dark and terrible, the flood tide of passion and the slime of sin may overwhelm us and bury us for a time beneath

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 43

its raging waves, yet all is not lost. For there, at the close of life, lingers still upon its horizon a golden glow of hope, and there rises on its desolate shore a beacon of salvation. Turn the gaze of the most hardened sinner backward to the days of youth — to the aurora of the First Communion Day and the tears of penitence will rush forth and confidence and trust in God will fill his heart with saving grace.

( To be continued. )

Items of Interest.

In this month's number of the SENTINEL, appears the first number of a series of symbolical word pictures by Rev. Pere Tesniere, on the various types of the Blessed Sacrament' These articles which we hope to issue later in the form of booklets, are specially called to the attention of our readers and all Catholics. The first of the series is the " Divine Raphael ", a paraphrase of the story of Tobias, applied to the office of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist as the Guide of souls. This will be followed by a second on the " Holy Viaticum ".

The Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday, January 6th., the anniversary of the First Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament by Pere Eymard in their Mother House in Paris. The little church in y6th Street was bril- liant with lights and flowers. Rev. Father M. J. Lavelle preached an eloquent sermon which was followed by Benediction. The church was crowded and we notice a constantly increasing atten- dance at the Benediction on week days.

The Annual Council at the Cathedral, on January I5th, was well attended.

Rev. A. P. Doyle, of the Paulist Fathers, preached the sermon at the Annual Reunion of the People's Eucharistic League, on January 25th and the Rt. Rev. Bishop Farley officiated at the Solemn Benediction.

44

THE SENTINEL

Qrdiijatioi).

By a SISTER OF CHARITY.

II, II, ,11, II !•,,.,,,,

The final step has been taken,

The world cannot claim thee now ; Thou art bound to the Master's service

By a solemn and holy vow ; Tenderest ties are broken,

Never again to blend. — Here hath a new life opened,

Here must the old life end.

In the glory of youth and manhood

Low at God's -feet they lie ; Over them riseth the chorus,

Reaching the far-off sky — ' Oray or a pro nobis. ' '

Angels and saints look down — Pray for these brave young soldiers

Who seek the eternal crown.

Robed in the sacred vestments,

Touching with hallowed hands The chalice of benediction,

L,o ! the Anointed stands ; Kissing the pure white altar —

Henceforth his only bride — His mission to spread the story

Of Christ and Him crucified.

There with the summer sunshine

Tinting his robes of gold, Sitteth the newly made pastor,

Shepherd within the fold. Now he hath rest ; his labor

Of love and of grace is done- ( ' Thou art a priest forever ; ' '

The crown of thy life is won !

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 45

ROMAN

THE POPE.

E MCAULIFFE.

ALTHOUGH it is no\v February, and we are cel- ebrating another of Mary's sweet festivals; following her steps into the Temple with her divine Infant and her doves, we cannot detach our minds from the closing ceremonies of the Holy Year ! The sublimity of that midnight mass ! And the hour of adoration before the sacramental Presence ! What unmeasured gratitude should fill our hearts that we have the privilege of living under such a Pontiff ! True, he is in chains ; but un- mindful of the indignities heaped on himself, with unspar- ing hand he continues to pour out spiritual favors on his children.

Let us transport ourselves in spirit to his own city, and see the beloved Papa Leone among his people. My first visit to the Holy Father was at an audience for Italians, composed mostly of priests. Besides these, there were two French ladies, two American ladies and a Roman woman of the poorer class. When the Holy Father entered, we all rose and continued standing. He was seated in his large wheeled chair, which was pushed noiselessly by two servants in scarlet liveries, and followed by a group of cardinals and Monsignori. He stopped in front of each one, saying a few words, and giving his blessing. When he came to the Roman woman she commenced to tell him a long history of her domestic troubles, as composedly as if no one else was present : just as composedly the Head of the Church listened to her, without betraying the slightest impatience or annoyance ; even though, million- aires might be waiting, the poor woman should h ive con- sideration. And much comforted by his soothing words and counsels she seemed when the interview came to an end.

46 THE SENTINEL

Taking into account the relative positions of the actors in this little scene, it was (to use an Italian expression) stupendo !

The next to approach were the American ladies ; they knelt at his feet ; and evidently, fearful of boring him, seemed inclined to say as little as possible. But our dear Holy Father has the unusual gift of being able to throw himself heart and soul into whatever he has for the moment in hand ; and is quite free from that preoccupied air which the great so often assume.

Dropping his own beautiful language, he spoke to the Americans in French, asking many questions, and show- ing not only interest but affection for the American Church : he asked the elder lady about her family, hold- ing her hand in both of his ; and on hearing that the younger was her only child, and that it was at her in- stance that they came to Rome, solely to obtain for both his blessing, he leaned forward and placing his hand on the girl's head, said : " She shall have a special bless- ing. ' ' He then said a few words to a Cardinal who stood beside him, on which the latter presented to each of the ladies a silver medal enclosed in a handsome case bearing the Papal arms.

We do not sufficiently appreciate the life of abnegation and extraordinary self-repression the Holy Father leads. The following glimpse at his solitary hours I quote from a contemporary writer : fthe speakers are a Papal zouave and a friend who find themselves by accident in the Vatican gardens at a time when strangers are not admitted.)

" See," he continued, suddenly taking his companion's arm and forcing him to look down the long alley through the hedges. " There he is, the physician who has in his keeping the remedy for the disease of the soul which afflicts you, as well as for all other diseases. Do not show yourself. They must have forgotten our presence. But look, look ! Oh, what a meeting ! "

The person who had appeared thus suddenly in the melancholy and deserted garden, almost like a supernat- ural vision, so truly was his presence a living commentary on the old man's passionate discourse, was no other than

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 47

the Holy Father himself, on his way to the carriage in which he took his daily ride. Dorsenne, who did not know Leo XIII except from his portrait, saw an old man bent and broken in body, whose white cassock shone under his red mantle, and who leaned with one arm upon a prelate of the court, with the other upon one of his officers. Concealing himself as Montfanon had recom- mended in order to save the attendants from a reprimand, he was able to study at his leisure the fine profile of the Sovereign Pontiff, who stopped before a bank of roses to speak familiarly with a kneeling gardener. He saw that infinitely indulgent smile about the spiritual mouth. He saw the light in those eyes which seemed to justify by their radiance the lumen in ccelo applied to the successor of Pius IX by a celebrated prophecy. He saw the vener- able hand, - - that pale diaphanous hand, which lifts itself with such solemn majesty to give the Benediction — reach out toward a splendid yellow rose, and, the fingers disengaged from the white mitten, close over the flower without plucking it, as if unwilling to injure this frail one of God's creatures. The aged Pope breathed for a second the fragrance of the young rose, and then re- sumed his walk toward the carriage whose outline could be seen vaguely through the green oaks.

The black horses departed in a trot which one felt immediately was exceedingly rapid, and Dorsenne turn- ing toward Montfanon saw large tears on the old zouave's lashes, who, forgetting the rest of their conversation, said with a sigh: '• And that is the only pleasure for him who is the successor of the first apostle — to breathe the fragrance of his flowers and ride a few leagues as rapidly as his horses can go. They have laid out four wretched kilometres in a road which turns upon itself at the foot of the terrace where we were half an hour ago. And he goes, he goes, giving himself thus some part of the illu- sion of the great space which is forbidden him. I have seen many tragic sights in my life. I have passed a whole night wounded on a battle field, covered with snow, lying among the dead, brushed against by the wheels of the artillery of the victors, who passed by singing. Yet noth- ing has ever moved me as the promenade of this aged man,

48 THE SENTINEL

who has only this pittance of land in which he can move about freely, and yet who hss never uttered a complaint. There is one magnificent line which he wrote one day with his own hand under a portrait of himself sent to a missionary. It is from Tertullian. That line alone ex- plains his whole life : — Debitricem martyrii fidem"- (BouRGET.)

Unfortunately too many of our people when in Rome, associate with the enemies of God and the Church, which are to be found at the court of the usurper of the Quirin- al ; and it is unjust to the good people of Rome to im- agine that they share such sentiments. In every part of Italy there are faithful hearts, like the Monk met by Michael Angelo in the woods of Monte L,uca :

" The yearning of my heart, my sole desire, That like the sheaf of Joseph stands upright, While all the others bend and bow to it ; Is that with mortal eyes I may behold the Eternal City."

The catacombs, the convents and the churches ;

The ceremonies of the Holy Week

In all their pomp, or, at the Epiphany,

The feast of the Santissimo Bambino.

At Ara Creli."

" I would see the painting Of the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel."

I would hear Allegri's Miserere, Sung by the Papal Choir." (LONGFELLOW. )

Recently I received a letter from a friend in Sienna, a good holy priest, telling me that at length the desire of his life has been gratified : he had been to Rome, and done homage to the Vicar of Christ ! He writes : ' ' As I knelt at his feet, my tears burst forth, I checked them not, they were tears of joy ; and my heart was lifted up in gratitude to God for the inestimable favor vouchsafed me of seeing and hearing the Martyr Pope ! the greatest of the Popes !

The End of the Work0

(THE SOCIETY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT)

A short Meditation by PRRE EYMARD.

r is the end we seek in our Eucharistic Work?

It is to form with the help of Mary a Court of faithful and devoted souls to serve Jesus our King, present in the Blessed Sacrament, a court of souls consecrated to His service, ever ready to adore, praise and serve Him upon earth, in emulation of the service and honor ren- dered Him by the Court of Heaven.

How neglected, alas ! is Jesus in the Tabernacle ! How forsaken He is by those who should love and know Him there, by negligent Christians, even by those whom He looks upon as His friends !

How neglected is Jesus by worldlings, by those who calling themselves Catholics, give their hearts to the world rather than to Jesus, and alas ! how great is the number of those luke\varm souls ! Pleasure, amusement, visits, dinner parties, the theatre, business cares, fill up all their time and absorb all their affections.

Jesus is neglected even by pious people. It seems strange, but is it not so? how few, even of these, love Him for Himself alone ! How many come to Him only \vhen the world smiles upon them no longer, and when their company is no longer sought by their friends ? How few souls devote themselves to the Eucharist from love alone ! How many serve Jesus only as mercenaries and only as far as obligation and strict duty demand !

50 THE SENTINEL

And so Jesus is left alone, neglected by the greater part of mankind. Yet it is for us and for our needs that He remains Present upon His throne of love. Who corres- ponds to this love of Jesus ? Even the devils tremble and wonder at the ingratitude of man towards the Eucharist. Yet Jesus waits still in the Tabernacle, waits in lone- liness and longing for the souls to whom He can com- municate Himself and fulfil the end for which He instituted the Blessed Sacrament.

O my God, how much love on one side, and how much indifference on the other ! Yet what greater honor could there be than that of kneeling at the feet of Our Lord ! What greater happiness than that of knowing ourselves near to the Divine Person of Jesus ? Is it not Heaven begun ? If we had only the Eucharist as a recompense for all our sacrifices, would it not be already too much ?

THANKSGIVING.

The second end of the Work is to render perpetual thanks to Jesus for the love He has shown us in institut- ing the Blessed Sacrament.

i st. To render Him solemn thanksgiving, first of all for the sacrifices His love has entailed upon Him, in the Eucharist, the sacrifice of His glory, His majesty, His power, His liberty and even of His divine holiness, ex- posed to be despised, blasphemed and insulted by the most revolting sacrileges. He counted all the sacrifices beforehand, He weighed them on the balance, and love was weightier still.

2. Perpetual thanksgiving for the perpetual sacrifices of His sacramental state.

How many sacrifices have been comprised in this sac- ramental life of 1900 years ! What accumulated proofs of love ! What a chain of graces from the Cenacle to the present day ! Is it not just and right to thank and praise the goodness of our amiable Saviour ? We dare not be ungrateful towards our friends or to the world. Does not the child love its mother and the father who gave it life ? Should not the slave love its liberator, the malefactor love him who burst his prison doors and set him free?

3. Public thanksgiving. We must thank Jesus for

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 51

those who thank Him not. Are there not among them our relations, our friends, our brethren in nature and grace? Before receiving new gifts we must thank Jesus for those already received, this is only an act of justice. We must thank Him for His graces to the world, we must thank Him for the preservation and salvation of the world through the Eucharist.

Without the sun the world would be a barren waste, a mournful prison, the image of death. Without the Eucharist the Christian world would be an arid desert, a desolate tomb, the eve of the last judgment.

What a delightful fate, therefore, to pass our lives at the foot of the throne of the Lamb, and to cry out to Him perpetually with the Court of Heaven : ' ' Thou art worthy, O Jesus, to receive honor and benediction and glory and power, for ever and ever, amen."

REPARATION.

The third end of the work is Reparation.

i. Jesus is greatly offended in the Eucharist, by irrev- erence, committed even by Christians, by innumerable sacrileges, by blasphemy and insult.

In the past how many sacrilegious communions, where Christ was sold to the evil one ! And in our own day, how many bad Catholics betray their Master, wound His loving heart, and return His tenderness with abandon- ment ! God alone knows.

It is to repair these outrages that the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and its affiliated associations come to adore Jesus, more outraged in the Blessed Sacrament than in His Passion. More outraged, yes, because in the Eucharist He is more humiliated, — He is more silent, more patient still than in days of old, allowing Himself to be ill treated without complaint, crucified without glory, buried without honor. And hardly any one thinks of consoling Him, of wiping that Sacred Face, wet with tears and soiled with insults, as Veronica did in days gone by. Here then, is our duty. To weep, to suffer, to immo- late ourselves, in perpetual reparation to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

52 THE SENTINEL

2. At the sight of so many crimes against the Eucharist divine justice is ready to punish the guilty. The Heaven- ly Father indignant at the sight on His only Son, so tou- raged, so despised, so blasphemed, would avenge Him.

But the Eucharistic Soul demands mercy for sin- ners. She unites herself with Jesus, making herself one victim with Him in the Eucharist. She suffers and does penance in place of Jesus, Who can suffer no more, but Who gives her His wounds, His Precious Blood, His merits, His labors for the salvation of souls that she may touch the heart of the Heavenly Father and obtain from His goodness mercy for sinners. It is the Calvary of love. And provided Jesus is honored, the Heavenly Father glorified, what matters all sacrifices?

May I suffer, may I be crucified, that Jesus may reign. That is happiness enough for me.

SUPPLICATION.

Jesus in the Eucharist is our powerful advocate with His Heavenly Father, impetrating unceasingly the divine mercy in our favor, and ever continuing on the altar His state of victim to disarm the auger of God aroused against the guilty.

1 . For the Church and its pastors, that God may bless their zeal and augment their courage.

2. For peace and concord among Christian princes, that the Church may carry on its mission in peace and liberty to advance the reign of Christ and promote the sanctific- ation of souls.

3. For the conversion of unbelievers, alas ! so numer- ous ; that God may let His light shine upon them. For heretics, that they may return to the fold of the Church, for the conversion of the Jews to the true faith, that the earth may see the day when there will be but One Fold and One Shepherd, one only Lord, Jesus Christ our Savior, reigning as King in His divine Sacrament.

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 53

How St. Francis praised Poverty.

HAT wondrous servant and follower of Christ St Francis, desiring to conform himself to Christ in all things, who, as the Gospel tells us, sent out His disciples two by two into all those cities and towns whither He was to go ; therefore, following the example of Christ, he assembled together twelve companions and sent them forth into the world to preach two by two. And to set them an example of true obedience, he first began to practise that which he did afterwards preach. Hence having assigned to his com- panions the other parts of the world, he, taking Brother Maximus as his companion, set forth towards the prov- ince of France. And coming one day to a certain town and being very hungry, they begged their bread as they went according to the rule of their order, for the love of God ; and St. Francis went through one quarter of the town and Brother Maximus through another. But for as much as Saint Francis was a man mean and low of stat- ure, and hence was reputed a vile beggar by such as knew him not, he only begged a few scanty crusts and mouthfuls of dry bread, but to Brother Maximus, inas- much as he was great and well favored, were given good pieces and large, and an abundance of bread, yea, whole loaves. Having begged, they met together without the town to eat, at a place where there was a clear well, and beside it was a fair large stone upon which each spread forth the alms which he had begged. And St. Francis, seeing that the pieces of bread begged by Brother Max- imus were more and better and bigger than his own, rejoiced greatly, saying : " O Brother Maximus, we are not worthy of so great a treasure ! " and repeating these words many times, Brother Maximus replied : " Father, how can you talk of treasures, where there is such great poverty and such lack of all things needful? Here is

54 THE SENTINEL

neither napkin nor knife, neither board nor trencher, neither house nor table, neither man servant nor maid servant."

St. Francis said : "And this is that same which I repute as a great treasure, where nought is made ready b}^ human industry ; but all that is here is prepared by Divine Providence, as is plainly set forth in the bread which we have begged, in the table of fair stone, and in the well of clear water, and therefore, I would that we should pray to God that He teach us to love with all our heart the treasure of holy poverty which is so noble a thing and whose servant is God the L,ord." And having said these words, and having prayed, and having taken the bodily refection of those crusts of bread and of that water, they arose to journey into France.

II

THE SERMON ST FRANCIS AND BROTHER RUFUS PREACHED AT ASSISI.

Brother Rufus, through continual contemplation, grew to be so absorbed in God, that he became almost insen- sible, and but rarely spoke ; and withal he had not the grace, nor the valor, nor the eloquence to preach. Never- theless Saint Francis charged him upon a time that he should go to Assisi and should preach to the people even as the Lord should inspire him. To which Brother Rufus made answer : " Reverend Father, I beseech you, pardon me and send me not forth, inasmuch as you are well aware that I have no grace in preaching and am simple and unlearned." And then said St. Francis: "Foras- much as you have not obeyed promptly. I command you by your sacred vow of obedience that you go, clad only only in your breeches into Assisi, and enter there a church and preach to the people." Upon this command Brother Bufus laid off his raiment and went to Assisi, and entered into a church, and doing reverence to the altar, went up into the pulpit and began to preach, at which thing the men and boys began to laugh, and said : ' ' L,o ! one who doth penitence, lest he grow vain and proud." Meantime, St. Francis wondering on the ready obedience of Brother

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 55

Rufus, who was one of the noblest gentlemen of Assisi, and of the hard command which he had laid upon him, began to reproach himself, saying : ' ' Whence hast thou such presumption, son of Peter Bernardone, thou vile and petty fellow, that thou shouldst command Brother Rufus, who is one of the noblest gentlemen of Assisi, to go forth and preach to the people even as he were mad ! In God's name, go forth thou likewise, and prove for thyself even that thou hast commanded of others." And suddenly, in the ardor of his spirit, he also laid off his raiment and went forth to Assisi, and with him went Brother Leo, bearing his habit and that of Brother Rufus. And the men of Assisi, seeing them in like plight, scoffed at them, holding that they with Brother Rufus were made mad by much penitence. Saint Francis entered into the church where Brother Rufus was preaching these words : " Fly, my beloved, from the world and forsake sin ; covet not the goods of others if you would escape Hell ; follow God's commands, love God and your neighbor, if you would gain Heaven ; do penitence, if you would possess the Kingdom of Heaven." Then St. Francis went up into the pulpit, and began to preach so marvellously of the vanity of the world, of holy penitence, of voluntary poverty, and of the longing after the Celestial Kingdom and of the nakedness and scorn of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all they who heard his preaching, men and women in great multitudes, began to weep violently with admirable devotion and contrition ; and not only here, but throughout all Assisi, upon that day such floods of tears were shed for Christ's Passion, that nothing similar was ever seen. And the people being thus edified and consoled by the act of St. Francis and Brother Rufus, Saint Franc s clad again both Brother Rufus and himself ; and thus reclad they returned back to the convent of Portiuucula, praising and glorifying God, Who had given them grace to win the victory over self by their self-contempt, and to edify the flock of Christ Jesus by their good example, and to show what it is to des- pise the world. And that day so great was the devotion which the people felt for them, that he held himself blessed who could but touch the hem of their garments.

-T-lie Mge of tfa©

SONNET.

What a one, think ye, shall this century be —

O'ershadowed by the Eucharistic Cloud ?

With such a pledge and promise rich endowed,

May we not venture a fair prophecy ? —

The Church, resistless orb of massive truth,

Attracting home all wandering meteors ; —

A freshening air that social health restores

And gives old Christendom the glow of youth :

Legions who toil and fight, legions who pray,

Lovers of poverty, contempt and pain ; —

An age of Faith beyond historic boast ! —

Queries the world? the. Church shall answering say :

Erst by the Tree, now art thou spoiled again

By the annihilations of the Host.

ASPICIENS A LONGE — SONNET.

O Eucharistic Age, how fair thy morn Breaks on dark waters that in slumber heave With stormy memories, — on lands that we are O'er fields laid waste a shroud of briar and thorn ! If thy day dawn with so serene a grace, What then, when giant-like His course is run, The noonday of this Eucharistic Sun, E'en thro' the mystic cloud that veils His face ? Then shall the thorns and briars wondering say : What upstart growth is this that chokes us quite ? When from the earth, besprint with heavenly dew, Shall spring the hidden seed that rotting lay, And clothe the waste lands with a harvest white, Born of the Power that niaketh all things new.

O. P.

The Children's Hour.

TO THE LITTLE READERS OF THE "SENTINEL"

DEAR CHILDREN",

*OU cannot imagine how very happy I am to have -( so many new little friends. Our Lord loves chil- dren so much that ' ' THE SENTINEL ' ' would not be a true interpreter of the love of His Sacred Heart in the Host unless it had some pages especially devoted to them. If there is ever anything printed in them that puzzles you the least bit, I hope you will write me and I shall try to make it quite clear. If you have not yet learned to write a letter ask some one to do it for you but let the note be in your own words. I shall always be glad to answer questions, for I want to help all the little ones of Christ to know how dear to Him in the blessed Host is each one of them. He waits unseen upon the altar for children to come and adore Him with the angels, and He bids them come too, as well as their mothers and sisters.

Each month I shall tell you some tender thoughts which little children just like you have had about Jesus as He rests in the Sacred Species, and where not even the least of His little ones need be afraid to come to Him. Good bye, and may the Lord in the Tabernacle bless you.

JnsKi'iiiNK MAKIK. 123 E., soth St., N. V.

58 THE SENTINEL

The Baby's Bed=time Story.

HELEN MAY

' Tell me a story about Jesus, mother 1 "

' ' Yes, darling ; which one shall it be ? "

Toddles climbed up into her mother's lap, and kneeling there, looked very wise while she thought a moment be- fore making her choice.

" I think, mother, yes, I think I want to hear about the time Jesus was so tired, and still He said the children did not bother Him. "

Mother laughed a bit. 1 Why just that one, Toddles ? "

The little girl hid her face against her mother's shoul- der and did not answer at once.

4 ' Has some one been ' bothered ' with my little daughter to-day ? Some ' grown up ' ? "

Toddles turned a flushed, half -tearful face up at her mother and said, sighing from the debths of her baby- heart :

" Yes, mother ; I wont say who, 'cause you don't like tales. But some one was busy and tired, too, I suppose, and she wasn't like Jesus, mother; she said : "Don't bother me, now ; run away'."

Mother kissed the rosy cheek, and gently stroked the wilful hair back from Toddle's forehead.

" You are quite right, darling ; Jesus is never too busy for you, or for me, or for anyone in all the wide world. "

" Yes mother," nestling in her mother's arms ; " and please tell me all about that time the disciples wanted to send the children away. "

" Very well, little one. It was one day that Jesus had been preaching all day, telling people what was right and what was wrong, what pleased Him and what did not please Him, and He was weary. You know He had made the journey from Galilee to Judea, and crowds and crowds of people followed him. —

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 59

1 ' In the steam-cars, mother ? ' '

" Oh, no, dear ; there weren't any steam-cars till hun- dreds of years later. We must think they went on foot, and that had helped to tnr.ke Jesus tired, too. Just think — a very long distance up-hill and down-hill, and over rough roads, so that the way was tiresome and painful for the Sacred Feet. "

' Poor Jesus ! ' ' murmured the child, lovingly.

" Yes, poor Jesus ! And all because He loved us so much. "

11 Not more than you love me, mother ? " Toddle's eyes were wide.

" Yes — Even more than I love my little girl, although we cant imagine that, can we ? "

" No, mother. It must be an a\vful lot of love ? "

" So it is ; no one can ever measure it. Well — The great crowds of people had been pressing about Jesus, some lame, some sick, some blind, and all wanting to be cured and made well again, besides wanting to hear His words. It was quite late in the day that some mothers who had brought their children with them, out into the country, where Jesus was, tried to go near the Lord that He might place His Hands upon the little ones and give them His blessing. Now the disciples loved their Master, and seing His Face so pale-and-tired, they scolded the women and told them to go away. "

' But Jesus didn't let them ! " said Toddles, quickly.

" No, dear ; He knew the disciples only meant to spare Him because He was so weary, but He knew too that the mothers loved Him, and above all He knew that He Him- self loved the children dearly. So the Bible tells us He rebuked the disciples, which means that He made them feel that what they said and did displeased Him, and He commanded the mothers to bring the children to Him. "

" And what did He say, mother " ' He said : Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come unto Me : for the Kingdom of Heaven is for such ! "

" Then He meant they didn't bother Him at all? "

' ' Yes, darling ; and He took them into His arms and blessed them. And then the mothers were so happy and

60 THE SENTINEL

thankful, and went home with light hearts and full of love for Jesus who had been so kind to their little ones."

Toddles looked very serious.

' Yes, I see, mother. You love every one who loves me, don't you ? "

11 Of course, I do. "

1 ' And so those mothers had to love Jesus, 'cause He loved the children. Mother, would Jesus ever, ever, in all my life, tie too busy with big people, to listen to my little prayers ? "

" No, dear ; you see, even when He lived in this world as Man, and could be tired and worn as we can, He never was too busy for the children, and now that He is in Heaven, He can never be tired any more, nor suffer in any way. "

" I'm glad, mother ; and I'm so glad I wasn't in the world when dear Jesus had to suffer. Mother, can't I have another story ? ' '

" Not to-night , daughter. I hear nurse coming, now."

" Goodnight, mother dear. Will you tell me two, to- morrow ? ' '

A little boy six years old once asked why Our Lord did not go up to Heaven at night and come back to the altar in the morning when everyone would be awake. His kind little heart did not like to think that Jesus was alone in the Tabernacle so many hours. He had not yet learned that He loves us so very much that He likes to be in our midst even while we sleep.

LOVING WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH.

A little boy declared that he loved his mother " with all his strength." He was asked to explain what he meant by " with all his strength. He said : " Well, I'll tell you. You see we live on the fourth floor of this tenement, and there's no elevator, and the coal is kept down in the basement. Mother is dreadfully busy all the time, and she isn't very strong ; so I see to it that the coal hod is never empty. I lug the coal up four flights of stairs, all by myself. And it's a pretty big hod. It takes all my strength to get it up there. Now, isn't that loving my mother with all my strength?"

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 6 1

OR

THE THANKFUls HEART.

(Continued.')

Copyright by K. P. DUTTON, NEW- YORK.

" Good-by," said Miss Nancy, endeavoring to execute as perfect a courtesy as Aunt Norreys, — a sweet but delusive hope, to set a plain frock and pinafore against a full skirt of pearl-gray satin. And then the rector went, and Miss Nancy ;ook him to the head of the stairs, returning to put the chairs in their places, with the feeling that after this anything might be expected to happen, and it would be as well to be prepared for it. The pink kid lady was also restored to the cupboard, for if she had been a little insufficient before, she had now become quite impossible.

" I have been having a visitor," announced Miss Nancy, with quiet and settled satisfaction when Trimmer came in. " He came to see me. Only me."

' Who was it ? " demanded Trimmer, with cruel unbelief.

' He said he was the new rector, and I like him very much," said Miss Nancy. " He came to see me. Only me. And he said I must go and see him next, and I shall soon go."

But Trimmer, standing with her head in the cupboard, did not receive the full force of Miss Nancy's last obser- vation.

II

The squire was a very shy man. The Throgmortons of Forest Morton had always been slow to come forward in any respect, and the squire was additionally characterized

62 THE SENTINEL

by that passive acquiescence which often distinguishes an old and almost worn-out family. There was no older name in the county, and none that had been longer established in one spot than Throgmorton of Forest Morton ; but, at the same time, there was no old name less celebrated, and no house less interesting. The hall was almost as ugly as man could make it, having been rebuilt by the squire's grandfather in a style more to be remarked for solidity than beauty. A square house of dark-red brick, a roof almost flat disguised by a heavy stone balustrade, and rows of windows of praise- worthy equality ; in front, a paddock dotted with thorn -trees, and a straight drive between hurdles ; on one side of the house, the gardens, on the other, the only remnant of the older Hall, the group of great elms where the rooks lived. The squire was a silent man from personal habit, and shy, with an hereditary shyness that nothing had ever been able to overcome. The habit of silence — if habit it were — had doubtless grown upou him, but it had been a habit even when his wife was alive. Aunt Norreys had said to her at times : " But, my dear Margaret, does John Trogmorton never talk to you? " And when she came to think of it, the squire's wife had not been able to say that he did ; and yet there never could have been a more perfect understanding than that which existed between them.

But Miss Margaret had married him, and the most incomprehensible part of all was that she had never rued it. Perhaps she had found more in John Throgmorton than did the world in general, perhaps she even had found in him all she had need to seek on earth. She had married him, and had come to the Hall to be the light of the house for a brief half-dozen years, — and then died. So the squire and Miss Nancy were left alone, to walk through the fields, and drive down the lanes, and sit in the square pew at church, in forlorn companionship,— the big, silent squire, with his brown cheeks and bushy beard, and his little daughter, with her mother's dark eyes and refined moulding, but too much like the squire in feature to have any pretensions to beauty. The squire and Miss Nancy had learnt at this time to be a great deal

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 63

to each other, and indeed the latter had never felt that she required more company than dear daddy could give her ; but her view was necessarily a limited one, and as usually happens in such cases, to add to a loss which nothing in this world could ever repair to him, the poor squire found himself plunged into innumerable difficulties with his household. So Aunt Norreys came to the rescue, and remained for compassion's sake, and tranquillity returned to the Hall. With Aunt Norreys and the dove of peace came Trimmer, neither maid nor companion, and a person whose severe aspect involuntarily, if unreason- ably, suggested to the mind the old term, " waiting- woman." And Trimmer coming into contact with Miss Nancy's nursemaids found herself quite unable to agree with any one of them, and so differed materially with three in succession ; at which point, for the sake of a quiet life, which Aunt Norreys loved above everything, she was permitted to ascend undisputed to the throne of authority, whence she governed Miss Nancy with a wholesome if rather severe rule.

The only remnant of the lawless old days spent with daddy consisted in an occasional escape from Trimmer, and a flying excursion in his company. The squire, as Aunt Norreys was fain to admit, was an easy man to live with, but he still preserved this reprehensible habit of coaxing Miss Nancy to go out with him on every possible occasion. Perhaps, indeed, there was something about little Miss Nancy's society which dimly recalled to the squire that of her dead mother ; but whether it were so or not, he never said. Miss Nancy herself had a faint memory of her mother ; she thought at times that home had seemed more when she was quite little than it had ever done since, and she believed that it was because mother was there. But she died, and it was to be sup- posed that it made all the difference. Miss Nancy could remember that day, when, very early in the morning, Mrs. Plummett came and took her out of bed, and carried her, wrapped in a shawl, to mother's room, Miss Nancy bewildered and half asleep, and Mrs. Plummett with an awed look on her coufortable face.

Dear daddy sat very near to the bed, and Miss Nancy

64 THE SENTINEL

sat on his knee, and mother held both their hands between her failing fingers, but did not speak, for she was speechless then, and only half conscious. So Miss Nancy was laid down for a moment to receive mother's strange, faint kiss, and then Mrs. Plummett carried her away ; and Mrs. Throgmorton looked after her, and turned her dying eyes again to the squire.

And when day came, the nurse-maid said that mother was dead. But this Miss Nancy had not been able to fully comprehend, nor had she comprehended the strange silence and desolation of the days that followed. It was certainly not that vshe suffered then or afterwards an hour's neglect at the hands of any member of the household ; it was rather from feeling a lack of some- thing that she was sure she had had once, but had not then, and — alas, poor little Miss Nancy ! — never would have again in all her life, that she dimly understood that she had sustained a great misfortune.

And Miss Nancy had also a vague belief that it was after this that dear daddy began to be even more silent than ever he had been before.

( To be continued. )

THE HOLY MOTHER

After a painting of Sassoferrato.

O »< •

THK SHNTIXKI.

MARCH 1901

'Divine Raphael.

(Continued.)

Translated bv Miss E. LUMMIS.

R. P. TESNIERE.

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.

IV. The journey of Raphael and Tobias. They walk together. We must walk with Jesus.

V. The advantages of this companionship when we are faithful to it ; intinnie intercourse with Jesus, and deliverance from the dangers of the way.

UT had you questioned Him, this Jesus Whose beauty so won your heart, — had you said to Him: "Who art Thou?" He would have replied : " Ex Ji/iis Israel" I am a son of Israel. I am thy brother, I am like unto thee. I have taken a body and soul like unto thine. I too have a mother, I hnve friends and breth- ren. I have suffered and died, as thou must. I am a son of Israel, thy friend, thy coun- tryman." " But thine own name " ? " EgoSumAzaiias, Ancniice Ma%ni Filius." " I am Azarias, thy guard and protector, the strength and holiness of God, His very essence. Adjutorium Dei. I am Azarias, the treasure of God. possessing in mvself the riches of His Glory and power and wisdom and holiness." Dives Thesaurus Dei.

All rights reserved.

66 THE SENTINEL

Ego Sum Azatias- " I am Azarias, the uncreated hap- piness, the essential Beatitude of God, the created happi- ness of saints and angels for time and eternity, the joy, the consolation, the object of the divine complacency of My Father " ! Beatitude Dei!

Lastly, " I am the Son of the great Ananias, consub- stantial with God the Father, and like unto Him in all things, and I have descended from His Presence to thine impelled by the effusion of His overwhelming mercy." Gratis, bonitatis et miser ationisfilius.

Thus did Jesus reply to you on the happy morning when you met Him first, radiant in beauty ; and the experience of that day crowned and strengthened your faith. You believed Him, and falling upon your knees, like the youthful Tobias, you cried out, in adoration and love: " O Jesus, Sou of God! O Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, truly art Thou of noble lineage !"

But why is Jesus clad in the terrestrial garment of the Eucharist, Whose vesture is the Eternal Light ? Why this choice of common and material elements, where, though faith may pierce the veil that hides the radiance of His glory, sense alas, perceives only the poor and obscure appearance He has chosen ?

Why ? Because Jesus is the Guide of travellers. The very name applied to the Blessed Sacrament, implies also its end, its mission. Is not the Viaticum, the need of the way, the provision for the journey? Was It not instituted that It might follow us everywhere, and attend us by sea and land, across all latitudes, from pole to pole ? Jesus is the Pilgrim of all others, Who hath here no last- ing dwelling, Who abides in tents, Tabernaculum. WThose life is but a day, Who comes from Heaven and returns thither, lingering upon earth only to nourish, justify and sanctify us, and then to bring us safely to the eternal mansions of His Father, our own true home.

The Prophet hailed Him from afar under this title of Traveller and Pilgrim. He too, seemed to wonder that the Messiah, the Expected of Israel, should hide Himself under the symbolism of such a form, and says to Him, with a curiosity that excludes neither adoration nor love :

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 67

1 ' O Expectation of Israel, why wilt thou be as a Stranger in the Land, and a warfarer who hath no lodging " ? (i)

But you, knowing the answer, will ask Him no more, since Jesus has come to lead you, to journey with you, but will rather bless and adore the infinite condescension that has hidden for love of us under the coarse robe of the pilgrim, the dazzling splendors of the divine glory, that our mortal eyes might dare to gaze upon Him. He hath chosen the vesture of earth that He may walk with us and converse as familiarly as He conversed with the disciples of Emmaiis. " And it came to pass that Jesus, drawing near, walked with them, and their eyes were held that they should not see Him."

Knowing therefore the design and mission of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and that He would be our Guide. our Protector, as well as the provision and strength of the journey, you will approach and question Him further.

' Dost Thou know the way to Media"? " Jesus, Lord, dost Thou know the way that will lead me to Heaven, where I must present the note of my baptismal promise and receive the treasure laid up to my eternal credit"?

And He will answer. Listen, and receive His words with faith and confidence.

" Novi." ' Yes, truly,! know the way." Jesus knows the way, and He alone, for He alone can lead us therein and can ensure a safe and certain end to our journey. The way, the sure and only way is through grace, the grace that comes from God, and which leads infallibly to God all who follow. But what do we say ! Jesus Himself is the Way. And He only knows God and will reach God one day in Heaven who goes to Him through Jesus. Nemo venit ad Pctirem nisi par Me.

The way of life ! Jesus knows it by experience. He alone trod it first. He aloue has the right to tread it. He alone has the right to enter Heaven and those only can fol- low who walk with Jesus and whom Jesus shall guide unto the very end. We must not only begin it by Him but

(i) Jeremias XIV-S.

68 THE SENTINEL

must end it with Him if we would reach the goal. Nemo ascendit nisi qui descendit, Filius Hominis.

But why dost Thou add : " Et omnia itinera ejus fre- quentur ambulavi" "I know all the paths and have often trodden them " ?

Are there other other ways towards the fair country of our Fatherland than that of Jesus-? No, there is but one way, but there are numberless paths, that meet and min- gle in the road of Life ; the path of poverty, the path of riches, the path of glory, the path of pain, the path of toil and that of science, the paths of sickness and of health, of all the states of Christian perfection, the differ- ent social positions, the path of the many, the path of the few- Behold a maze of paths to Heaven. If they are but branches of the royal road which is Jesus, and meet in His grace, easy or difficult though they may be to travel, they all lead to Heaven. On one condition, how- ever, thM we are guided and led by Jesus

O divine Guide ! Thou dost assert that Thou hast known all the paths and hast trodden them as well. It is true. And well is it for us that Thou hast journeyed and prayed and suffered and wept. Thou hast trodden all the paths in labor and toil, in tears and joy of spirit, in trib- ulation and anguish of heart. Thou hast an experience so profound of all our miseries and wants that nothing can ever daunt Thee. For if thy journey of Life lasted but three or thirty years Thou didst take care to surround *t with so man}' obstacles and difficulties that no ambush can surprise Thee, no danger appal. There is no state Thou hast not known, no pain Thou cans' t not under- stand, no path Thou hast riot trodden. We may then confide ourselves absolutely to our heavenhr Guide. He knoweth the road and He knoweth them all.

Lastly, He has abode with Gabelus. He knoweth Him, the Gabelus who holds our eternal treasure, the kinsman of Raphael. Fratrem nostram. It is the Father of our divine Guide. He has abode with Him from eter- nity, and even while He treads the paths of earth He is with Him still in Heaven. Jesus will bring us safely, surely, to the end and will make for us ail the arrange- ments necessary for our favorable reception.

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 69

Why, then, do you hesitate ? Give yourself to Him. Oh ! Christian parents, give your children to Jesus, that He may guide them through the dangers of life and bring them safely to you again where you await them in the eternal home ; and say to Him with the elder Tobias : " Guide, protect and conduct my son in all things, O divine Guide, O Raphael ! and I hear the echo of His answer : ' ' Ego sanuin ducam ct sanum tibi reducamfilium tunm." I will conduct him safely and will bring him safely back to thee." It is the promise that Jesus makes to His Father when souls fresh from the graces of bap- tism are confided to His care that He may guile them to Heaven. " I will keep them, I will defend them even at the cost of my life. Not one of those whom My Father hath given Me, not one of those who remain in my keep- ing shall perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My Hand." Et nemo toilet de manu mea. "Only he shall perish who is the son of perdition, who cares not to be saved, and refuses My guidance. "

The Christian life begins under the guidance and pro- tection of Jesus. The soul and Jesus walk side by side. O loving companionship ! O powerful guardianship ! O faithful pledge of strength and light in all the perils of the way ! O certain and sure promise of the happy end to the journey of Life ! It is impossible here to point out in detail how faithful Jesus is to each soul of those confided to His cares. It would be the life history of every soul that has reached the blissful haven of eternity. Taking up the story of the Bible once more, we must be content with bringing out the general characteristics of His guidance. We will find them foreshadowed in two or three of the principal events of the journey of Tobias, where the archangel appears most prominently as the protector of the young man, and gives him aid in a man- ner most tender, wise and direct. He was for Tobias, according to the promise of his name, a joy, a delight, a helper, a treasure and a consolation.

Jesus, our Fellow Traveller, our Viaticum, the Strength and Food of our journey, will a thousand times more truly fulfil all of these offices, in the Blessed Sacrament, and deserve all these titles.

70 THE SENTINEL

IV.

Raphael and Tobias have started on their journey, and as the sacred text expressly observes, they have set out together. Ambulaverunt ambo simul. They walked together.

It is self evident of course that where two companions undertake a journey, that they walk together, especially as one conducts the other. But the Holy Spirit hides very exquisite meaning sometimes in expressions that seem ordinary. In these three words are concisely ex- pressed the interior secret of our relations with God. To walk with God, in God's Presence, is the term used by the Holy Spirit to illustrate the holiness of the Patriarchs of old, and the long lives of many of the holiest among them are summed up in this brief commentary which is almost equivalent to a decree of canonization. Ambulavit cum Deo. It is the essential precept of holiness, the guar- antee of grace, the assurance of perfect virtue.

" Walk before Me and be perfect." It seems as if the seeds of the supernatural life, sown from Heaven into our souls, could only spring forth, germinate and blossom under the illumination of grace that shines forth from God's Face, in the sunshine of His Divine Presence. All good for us, as for Tobias, is summed up in the fact of walking with our Guide, who for us is Jesus, in holding His sacred hand, in keeping closely at His side, and bt- ing ever, at least spiritually, in His Presence. And here we would remark how greatly men disregard and over- look a fact that results from the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. If it is true that the Blessed Sac- rament is a continuation of the Presence of God upon earth, begun by the Incarnation, and that the Lord Who will help and protect us, and be our light and consolation upon earth, is the Lord Personally Present in the Blessed Sacrament, to walk in the Presence of God is to walk in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. To overlook this phase of the Presence of God, so evident and so striking is to depreciate the value of the sacrifices made by Jesus in the Incarnation and the Eucharist. It is, above all, to deprive ourselves of the great light and help furnished

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT yi

continually by a Presence so constant, so real, so helpful, so powerful, the fruit of a paternal love which seeks only our good.

To walk with Jesus in the Eucharist, in the Presence of the Eucharist, is to receive It frequently, even daily, to visit It constantly, to consult Jesus in the Blessed Sac- rament habitually, and to submit to Him all our under- takings and desires. It is to have recourse to the Eucha- rist in our trials, in our temptations. It is to seek It out in the Tabernacles of our churches in city and country, and to be attracted habitually to this Pole of the Chris- tian life, to be ever animated and inflamed by the glow- ing Sun of divine Love.

David expresses this truth and prophesied it when he cried out in the 22nd Psalm : Dominus regit me. " The Lord leadcth me and I shall want for nothing." It is the God of th.i Eucharist of whom he speaks and in the never failing assistance of this Guide that he confides, for he says : " He hath prepared for me a table against my en- emies; a drink that strengthens and refresh-s me against all weakness. In His shadow will I find repose from the ardors of the sun (i)." - And he concludes by saying : ' Though I journey in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil ; though mine enemies pursue, though I am wounded unto cU-ath, I will not lose hope, for even unto the borders of the tomb Thou art with me, O my God, my Raphael (2)."

To be ever with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, to abandon oneself to His direction, to walk onward with Him therefore, is the only return that Jesus asks for the infinite love \vith which He guides us, and the fruits of this union and companionship are so delightful and so certain that no one could hesitate to submit himself to a yoke so easy, a guidance so blest.

V.

The first point of advantage to Tobias in the com- panionship of his faithful guide was the intimate con-

1 i ) Parasti mcnsam adrtrsus eos qui tribu lant inc.

(2) Super aquam refection is cducavit inc.

72 THE SENTINEL

fidence and familiar intercourse established between them, which made them forget the length of the journey and the roughness of the road, and made of it a pleasure rather than a pain.

Nothing is more wearisome and discouraging than a long journey alone, and nothing is more agreeable than the companionship of a dear and congenial friend, above all when we are going to undertake a journey. The con- versation of one we love lends a charm to the way, and the hours fly fast in h s company. The old proverb says : ' A pleasant companion maketh a swift carriage." What a boon then, must have been for Tobias, the company of the archangel ! What heavenly intercourse ! How many divine, secrets revealed and explained ! For of whom can an angel speak but of God, when he sees the Beatific Vision upon which his seraphic eyes are fixed even as he walks in amid the shadows of earth ! An angel, pen- etrated with divine bliss must radiate some of this celes- tial happiness into the bosom of the chosen friend who walks by his side. And so it was. Tobias had not been long in his company before he had vowed to him sincere affection, and the archangel who was akin to the Sera- phins was pleased in return to be called by his protege, " Azarias my brother." But for us, Christians, shall not we find in the companionship of the divine Raphael of the Kucharist such celestial delights as Raphael shared with Tobias? Oh, surely. He is Azarias, that is he wh > rejoices, who delights the heart. Ego sum Azarias, id est be atus.

The loneliness of the road to Heaven affrights us, and its solitude overwhelms with awe the human soul, which must live detached from the world, which must escape its dangerous snares so thickly spread, which must not dwell in the charm of its feasts nor be beguiled by its enchant- ments and pleasures. Ibi magna solitndo.

Earth is to the Christian a dreary desert, and appalled by the desolate prospect he cries out in terror : " Lord, wouUls't Thou condemn me to travel this solitary way? Hast Thou forgotten thy warning to all those who walk alone ? " V& soli" \ No, Jesus has not forgotten. He is at hand. Behold Him ! Will you walk in His company ?

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 73

Will you keep closely to His side, and avoid the snares spread by false friends and the seductions that draw aside the many from the guardianship of the Lord ? His con- versation hath no bitterness. His words will be so sweet to your ears that your heart will overflow with a happi- ness of which you have never yet dreamed. And you will taste the delights of a companionship that inflamed the hearts of the disciples at Einmaus, who were so blest as to walk with Jesus. ' ' Did not our hearts burn within us as He spoke to us in the ivay. ' '

And so the Life journey will lose its terrors and you will not fear the roughness of the road. You will not sigh under the burden, nor faint in the heat of the day. Believe Him who hath said : ' ' Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy burdened ' ' . Believe the Author of the Imitation, who doubtless experienced that of which he wrote. " Suaviter cquitat quern gratia Dei portat. Swiftly doth he journey who is carried by the grace of God. ' ' When Jesus is Present all is well and nothing is difficult. If He say but one word, all weariness ceases, all labor is done, all tears are dried, and consolation and joy replace our mourning ! Quando Jesu loquitur ununi tan- turn verbum, magna consolatio sentitur"

Oh, let us be faithful to Jesus. Let us receive Him fre- quently, let us visit Him often. Let us cling closely to Him throughout our journey, even unto the end : and He will be our joy, our consolation, our Brother and our Friend, and we may say, more with the heart than the lips : ' ' Azarias Prater mi ! " ' ' Jesus, Thou art my Brother, my Friend, my Happiness, my All here be- low." " Azarias, id est beatitudo Dei, bcatus " /

( To be continued. )

74

THE SENTINEL

COMING.

AT EVEN, OR AT MIDNIGHT, OR AT THE COCK-CROWING, OR IN THE MORNING."

" It may be iti the evening,

When the work of the day is done, And you have time to sit in the twilight

And watch the sinking sun ; While the long bright day dies slowly Ovei the sea, And the hours grow quiet and holy

With thoughts of me ; While you hear the village children

Passing along the street ; Among those thronging footsteps May come the sound of my feet. Therefore, I tell you : Watch

By the light of the evening star. When the room is growing dusky

As the clouds a far; Let the door be on the latch

In your home, For it may be through the gloaming

I will come.

" It may be when the midnight

Is heavy upon the land And the black waves lying dumbly

Along the sand ; When the moonless night draws

close

And the lights are out in the house, When the fires burn low and red, And the watch is tickling loudly

Beside the bed ; Though you sleep, tired out, on your

couch Still your heart must wake and

watch In the dark room. For it may be that at midnight I will come.

OK THE BLKSSKD SACRAMENT

75

•• It may be at the cock-crow When the night is dying slowlv

In the sky,

And the sea looks calm and holy. Waiting for the dawn Of the golden sun Which draweth nigh ; When the mists are on the valteys,

shading

The rivers chill, And my morning star is fading, fading

Over the hill;

Behold I say unto you : Watch Let the door be dn the latch

In your home ;

In the chill before the dawning. Between the night and morning, I may come.

• It may be in the morning,

When the sun is bright and strong, And the dew is glittering sharply

Over the lawn ; When the waves are laughing loudly

Along the shore. And the little birds are singing sweetly

About the door ; With the long day's work before you,

You rise up with the sun, And the ne-ghbors come in to talk a little

Of all that must be done ; But remember that I may be the i»ext

To come in at the door, To call you from all your busy work

For ever more. As you work, your heart must watch

For the door is on the latch

In your room ; And it may be in the morning

I may come."

So he passed down my cottage garden, By the path that leads to the sea,

Till he came to the turn of the little road ll Where the birch and laburnum tree Lead over and arch the way ;

The- re I saw him a moment stay

THE SENTINEL

And turn once more to me

As I wept at the cottage door, And lift up his hands in blessing ;

Then I saw his face no more. And I stood still in the doorway,

Leaning against the wall. Not heeding the fair white ro«es,

Thouch I crushed them and let them

fall; Only looking down the pathway

And looking towards the sea, And wondering, and wondering

When he would come back to me : Till I was aware of an angel

Who was coming quickly by, With the gladness of one who goeth

In the light of God most high.

He passed the*end of the cottage

Towards the garden gate (I suppose he was coming down At the setting of the sun To comfort st me one in the village Whose dwelling was desolate) ; And he paused before the door

Beside my place, And the likeness of a smile

Was on his face.

" Weep not," he said, " for unto you is given

To watch for the coming of His feet Who is the glory of our blessed

heaven ;

The work and watching will be very sweet

Even in an earthly home ; And in such an hour as you think not,

He will come."

So I am watching quietly

Every day,

Whenever the sun rises brightly, I rise and say :

" Surely it is the shiningof his face." And look into the gates of his high place,

Beyond the sea ; For I know h-- is coming shortly

To summon me And when a shadow falls across the

window ' Of my room,

When I am working my appointed task, I lift my head to watch the door and

ask

If He is come ; And the angel answers sweetly

In my home ;

' Onlv a few more shadows And He will come."

Sclt-ctcd.

OF THE BLKSSKD SACRAMKXT 77

ROMAN MEMORIES

LENTEN DAYS.

E McAuLIFFE.

ARCH, which is a name of terror to the denizens of Northern climes, is the love- liest of months in the South.

The short winter is over and past, the trees are putting forth their young leaves, and the flowers are painting all the ways with beauty.

But it is not among the flowers, nor under the shade of spreading trees, that we may now linger ; rather let us seek the shrines of the holy ones, so many of whom are commemmorated this month ; and beneath the marble arches of lofty Basilicas hasten to offer our homage with the Universal Church !

\Ve pause on the threshold, arrested by the sounds of joy which break on the solemn stillness of the holy sea- son, calling us to celebrate the anniversary of the corona- tion of the Supreme Pontiff. We attend his Mass in the vSistine Chapel, and kneel with the crowd in the Sala Regia, to receive his blessing !

On the 7th, the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, we have a grand celebration at the Dominican church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, where the bauds of young novices coming in from the many monasteries of their order, al- ways remind me of the chosen souls in Fra An g died* s Last Judgment, or of those angels of whom Dante speaks :

" I -"aces they had of flame, "

the flame of divine love, kindled by their fervor and devotion.

On the 9th, St. Frances of Rome is honored : her life, written by Lady Georgiana Fullertou, is doubtless famil-

78 THE SENTINEL

iar to all my readers. Hers was a sweet and lovely char- acter, a model of all the virtues which should adorn a woman as daughter, wife and mother !

Her church is in the Roman Forum, on the site of an old temple of Venus, and close by the arch of Titus. She is held in great veneration by Roman women of all class- es, and they vie with each other in decking her altars for the festa, which is quite a holida}T.

After the grand services at the church are finished, the crowd passes along the old Via Sacra of the Romans, to the Via Tor di Specchi, to visit a convent founded by St. Frances. The riches and beauty of the chapel of this convent are indescribable. The Sanctuary carpet is of white velvet, with religious emblems in the centre, and the coat-of-arms of the Saint's family (the Pourjiani) on either side in brilliant colors. This carpet is entirely made with the needle, by the ladies of Rome, and when we consider that St. Frances died A.D. 1440, it is a great test of their piety to keep up such work to the present. The walls of the Sanctuary, all around behind the altar, are wainscoted with pure gold, beautifully wrought with scenes from the life of the saint. The buildings of the convent cover considerable ground ; in going through it the eye is constantly delighted with glimpses of inner courts filled with sunshine, where the lemon trees are al- ready showing their golden fruit.

When we entered Rome for the first time it was near the end of February, and our attention was attracted by large posters around the railway station, and at various other places throughout the city, to the effect that :

" On March iyth, the Feast of St. Patrick, the sermon would be preached by the Rev. Father Nugent, of Liver- pool, at the church of St. Isadore, of the Irish Francis- cans."

Needless to say the iyth found us there, and we had a hard struggle to get inside the door. The church is large, but the crowd on that day was larger than its holding capacity, as every one in Rome who understood the English language desired to hear the learned orator. On leaving the church, at the close of the ceremonies, we found in the outer porch, at the top of the steps, the out-

OF THH HLKSSKD SACRAMENT 79

going crowd surging around the tall majestic form of Monsignor O'Brien, who presided over a table piled high with shamrocks from the green Isle, which he was dis- tributing to every one \vho stretched a hand for them.

The Feasts of St. Gregory the Great on the i2th, and of St. Joseph on the iQth, are splendidly celebrated in their respective churches. On the 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, grand ceremonies take place at all the shrines of Mary, and from their gold and marble domes resounds the " Arc Gratia Plena" \ rising in a chorus to the highest Heaven, like the sound of many waters.

The days were all too short for the numerous func- tions crowded into them ; the sermons at the different churches were preached by world-renowned speakers. Pere Berthier the distinguished Dominican held the pulpit of St. Luigi dei Francesi. (St. Louis of the French). The erudite Prior of the Irish Dominicans was giving a course of sermons at the chapel of the English convent, founded by Lady Georgiana Fullerton. Padre Agostino da Monte- feltro drew immense numbers to his inspired discourses in the church of San Carlo Borromeo ; and so on in all the churches.

On Palm Sunday we went to the Lateran, and received Olive blanches instead of Palms.

Our enjoyment of the churches and ceremonies seemed almost too much for the penitential season ; and when Holy Week came —

" Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich

As is the coloring in fancy's loom ;

'Twere all too poor to utter the least part

Of that enchantment." (DANTE),

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we attended the morning services at St. Peter's, and the afternoon at the Lateran. On Holy Thursday and Good Friday between the services we go to the Scala Santa, which in company with many devout penitents, we climb upon our knees.

On Good Friday, after the devotions at the Scala Santa, the pilgrims went their way to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalcmme to adore the relics of Our Lord's Passion. This church was built by St. Helena to

80 THE SENTINEL

9

receive the relics which she brought from the Holy Land. We then hasten to the Lateran Basilica for Tenebrae, and again hear the marvellous music of the Papal Choir ; the Miserere —

" So divine a song that fancy's ear

Records it not ; and the pen passeth on

And leaves a blank." (DANTE).

During Holy Week Roman ladies wear black, and the sombre effect of the mourning draperies on altars and worshippers, intensified by constant meditation on the tremendous tragedy of Cavalry, fills one insensibly with sadness ; not akin to the sadness of worldlings, but rather to that of those blessed mourners who know the}r will be comforted : a sadness that purifies and elevates the soul, and prepares it for the joy of the Resurrection !

Annual

OF THE

PEOPLE'S EUCHARISTIC LEAGUE.

HE business attendant upon the establishment of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament in New York, has delayed the publication of the itemized report of work accomplished by the Eucharistic League during the year 1900. Many Local Directors have not yet responded to our request for the items of progress, as this request was for- warded late in January, instead of in December. Many Centres, too, delay their answer in order that their lists may be first correctly revised. But no report that could be published could so impressively evidence the growth of the Eucharistic League as the late foundation of the Church of Perpetual Exposition. Providence at the fitting moment supplied a church and a house for the Fathers of the

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 8 1

Blessed Sacrameut, and inspired the generous gift that raised a throne of Glory to the Eucharistic Lord, but to the honor of the people of New York be it said that it was their devoted and persevering love that called forth the Lord from His Tabernacle to abide in their sight for- ever. The existance of a Cenacle of Perpetual Exposition and the zeal of a community of priests devoted to the ser- vice of the Blessed Sacrament will greatly stimulate all eucharistic works. And the attendance of adorers that already overflows this beautiful sanctuary at the daily services, will soon imperatively demand the erection of the more spacious church that is promised for the future. The formation of new centres of the League has, this year, in view of such an important event, been looked upon as a matter of secondary importance, but many de- velopments of interest prove that the spirit of devotion which is the life of the Eucharistic League, is growing deeper and stronger. The increase of men associates and the organization of the Men's Branch separately at the Local Centres was the first notable feature, and ren- dered it necessary to hold two celebrations of the Feast of Corpus Christi at the Cathedral, on June i4th and lyth, assembling more than 7,000 adorers in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. The men's Reunion represented 14 churches and called for more than 4,000 tickets of admis- sion. So large was the attendance and so impressive the spirit of united devotion displayed by the men at their first Reunion that if its promise be fulfilled it would seem scarcely possible to hold a second within the limits of the Cathedral. The devotion of the men, moreover, has led to the formation of a permanent association for Nocturnal Adoration in our city churches during the nights of Holy Thursday and the Forty Hours. This work is under the supervision of a special committee appointed by the Most Rev. Archbishop Corrigan. The men of the Local Centres will be united in a general membership from which ador- ers may be recruited at need for pastors who find a diffi- culty in obtaining them.

The improved appearance and an increase of circulation of The Sentinel of the Blessed Sacrament is a feature of the opening year. The Sentinel will henceforth be pub-

82 THE SENTINEL

lished by the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament, remain- ing the organ of the community and the Eucharistic League. It will, however, retain the same literary management as before.

The increase of Local Centres in certain cities points out the next step to be the selection of Diocesan Centres as points of union for the Local Associations, as a very necessary step for the proper development of the work, and the appointment of the first Diocesan Centre is already in prospect. The development of a Children's Branch of the Eucharistic League is also in contemplation. We shall occasionally publish reports from our Local Centres during the year, among the Items of Interest.

E. LUMMIS. President. Central Office, 123 East 5oth St., New York.

Subject of Adoration.

A VISIT TO JESUS IN THE TABERNACLE.

E all believe that the Blessed Sacrament is the true body and blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, under the ap- pearance of bread and wine, Yes ; we all believe it, but — do we realize it? We can imagine your indignant asseveration, that you do ; but have patience and think a little. When you dis- cuss, say, over the breakfast table, some terrible railway accident, earthquake, explosion, or any one of the calam- ities which sometimes startle us in the morning papers, you doubtless feel great sympathy for the sufferers; and, if the account be in a reliable paper, you believe the report of the accident. But do you imagine you have realizeditJ

;< Vrom visits to Jesus in the Tabernacle. Rev. K. X. I/asance.

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 83

If you could properly picture to yourself the mangled liinbs aud the agonies of those unfortunate people, crush- ed past recognition beneath the debris of the express trains, do you imagine you could dismiss the subject from your thoughts at a moment's notice, with a mere " Dear me ! how dreadful " ?

Why, if in cutting your bread, the knife slipped, and made but a slight wound upon your hand, that insignif- icant occurrence would make more real impression on those present than half-a-dozen accounts of wrecks or of collisions.

So it is with our belief in the Blessed Sacrament : we all believe in it, believe in it without a shadow of a doubt ; but we realize it so lightly, that hours and days pass by without our thinking of Its Presence in the wrorld. Indeed, many perhaps, who would not dream of missing their Sunday Mass are actuated, if they would but exam- ine themselves, not so much by the desire of coming into the presence of the Holy Eucharist, aud of assisting at Its sacrifice, as by mere habit of obedience to the Church, or through fear of becoming guilty of mortal sin by cul- pable absence. Not that I depreciate for one moment either of these motives — God forbid ! Only, if we real- ized wThat we profess to believe, we would require no com- mand from the Church to make us hear Mass, and no threat of incurring the guilt of sin by failing to do so.

There are many persons who wish they had lived " at the time of Our Lord." Now this is ten thousand times more the time of Our Lord, than when He walked the earth in His visible humanity. Then He was corporally present in but one place at a time, and, comparatively speaking, but a small number of men were blessed with the sight of His divine countenance. But now, in every place where His word is preached, He Himself abides, not in figure, but in reality. Many of you live quite close to a church ; you, perhaps, pass it daily in your walks, or as you go to and from your work. Do you think of it ? Do you realize that He Himself is there, as truly Present as He was present in the Holy Land nineteen centuries ago? Do you realize that the same pierced hands are waiting there to bless you, the same gentle eyes to gaze upon you,

84 THE SENTINEL

and that the same adorable heart is calling you, loving you, waiting for you to give it some little sign of love or at least recognition — if nothing more than a genuflec- tion ?

Oh ! do you think that if Catholics realized what they believe, it would be possible to go into a church at any hour and find it empty ? Do you think that people — aye, and good people, too, who go regularly to their duties, and perhaps, hear Mass daily — could pass and repass churches without seeing or feeling the necessity of entering, even if only for a moment ?

Again, others, after five minutes' prayer, seem to find nothing to say, and if they have not come provided with some book of devotions are at a loss what to do, and what to think about. Now, supposing you had lived cen- turies ago, and by some happy chance, had dwelt near the holy house at Nazareth : if our dear Lord had given you permission to go in and speak to Him as often as you wished, would you not have found something to say ?

Would you not have wished to discuss with Him every daily joy and sorrow, to seek His sympathy in every dis- appointment or contradiction. Would you not have enter- ed sometimes to thank Him for gladdening the earth with His Presence, to acknowledge His kindness, to beg some gift, or to ask a blessing on yourself and others ? And if any one insulted or denied Him in your hearing would it not be an occasion for you to hasten and assure Him that you, at least, would always show Him love and venera- tion ? Even supposing that at times you had nothing to say, would you not still have loved to enter, and to stay near Him, blessed by the mere fact of His sacred Presence ?

Alas ! people will cheerfully undergo endless pains and fatigues in making pilgrimages to holy relics and hoi}' places, and yet they will not turn down the next street in order to visit Him from whom both relics and places de- rive their holiness !

Truly we " have eyes and we cannot see, ears and we cannot hear." I am afraid we have also understanding and we cannot understand !

Perhaps you will object to me that in His sacramental

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 85

life our Lord does not speak to and console you as He would have done in His home at Nazareth ?

Your very objection proves how little knowledge and experience you have of the Holy Eucharist. God Him- self has said, " come to Me, all ye that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you : and none can go to the Blessed Sacrament with faith, with earnestness, and, above all with love, without experiencing the infallibility of that divine promise. Go to the altar when you are in grief, and at the feet of Jesus you will find resignation, if not consolation ; go to the Blessed Sacrament when you are beset with worries, doubts and discouragements, and in the silence of the Sanctuary you will remember that a faithful friend is near you, one Who has said, " Behold ! I am with you all days, even to to the consummation of the world." Goto the Holy Eucharist simply out of love ; and oh ! with what divine peace will your hidden God repay you, filling your soul to overflowing with the sense of His awful, yet most gentle Presence. Even if to try your faith and affection He occasionally withdraw all sensible consolation, so that you find yourself filled with distractions, and apparently deprived of all devotion, why should you fear? He is none the less there because He does not see fit to speak to you. Say to Him, in the words of the saintly Father Eymard, the apostle of the Blessed Sacrament : O my God, when I loved Thee with tenderness I was very happy ; now, my heart is cold and desolate . . . Well, I will love Thee more than the sweetness of Thy love ! Does my heart tell me I do not love Thee ? I will love Thee in spite of my heart - with my will ! "

Oh, if we only learned to realize that the Blessed Sac- rament is our God, what a sense of joy and protection would enter into our lonely lives ! God living here with me : God living here/0/* me. We would haunt our altars at every untoward circumstance, at every grief and trial that crossed our path. Instead of which I have seen good, pious Catholics, who when oppressed with sorrow, have shut themselves up for days, considering that the bitter- ness of their woe dispensed them from their daily Mass and visit ! Poor souls ! How little they know Our I/>rd,

86 THE SENTINEL

to think that, because they are unable to go through their usual prayers and devotion, it is useless to come in before Him ! They would not have acted thus in what they are pleased to call " the time of Our Lord." They would have known that the mere sight of their tears was prayer enough for Him. God, the eternal, immutable God, is the same now as then, and now, as then, he never sees His children weeping in His presence, without being moved to compassion.

Finish these considerations with some practical little resolutions.

First, then, let us resolve never to pass by or near a church without entering it. If we have plenty of time surely we need not grudge Our Lord a few moments, while we make a quiet little act of adoration at His feet. If we are pressed for time, let us still enter, if only to make a genuflection and hurry out again. For, even if we do not say one word with either heart or lips, what does that genuflection mean? It is in itself 2& act of faith, and a proof of love : an act of faith, because by that rev- erent bending of the knee we acknowledge the divine Presence ; a proof of love, for surely, if we were indif- ferent to that Presence, we would not have troubled to come in and pay It homage.

And, supposing time does not permit of even a moment's visit, let us at least salute our Master in our hearts, and not be ashamed to acknowledge Him as we pass His door, reverently raising our hats, or quietly making the sign of the cross — Protestant smiles and astonishment notwithstanding.

Above all, let us always remember that every time we set foot in a church where the Blessed Sacrament is kept God does us an immense favor and condescension in allow- ing us to enter His Presence ; and let us beware of that feeling which sometimes creeps into our hearts (after, say, turning a good bit out of our way to visit the Blessed Sacra- ment) a feeling that we have been very good indeed, and that, in fact, our Lord ought to be grateful for the trouble we have taken, and the attention we have paid Him !

Adoremus hi ccternum Sanctissimum Sacr amen turn !

OF THK HI.KSSKD SACRAMENT 87

The Box of Precious Ointment.

HOMO.

was but two days before the Pasch ; and Jesus sat at table in Bethatiia at the house of Simon the Leper. The meal was a silent one, for over the Saviour hung the darkness of rapidly-approaching violent death, and over the Twelve, weak in faith and as yet be- wildered by the announcement that the Son of Man would be delivered up to be crucified, reigned an unde- fined and therefore all the more demoralizing, horror of the future. Truly the shadow of Death enveloped all that company, benumbing the frail, unnerving the strong, and Jesus, the Master, the Teacher, already drooping under the Agony of Gethsemane and the Abandonment of the Cross, had no words except those of warning, of en- treaty, of solemn, awful command, to bestow upon His wavering disciples.

Then into that brooding group at the table, there glided a woman, more famous to-day for repentance, than ever she was infamous in sin — Magdalen bearing an ala- baster box of precious ointment. She made no explana- tion, no apology, no excuse ; straight to the Master she went, and poured the ointment upon His head.

There was a rustle amongst the dispirited disciples, frowns spread from face to face, a murmur of disapproba- tion finding articulate expression at last in the severe and indignant words:

" To what purpose is this waste ?"

The ignorant, unworthy question, perhaps no sooner uttered than regretted, was immediately qualified by a palliating explanation :

' ' For this might have been sold for much and given to the poor."

The poverty of the apostles, the despondency of the existing situation, the suddenness of Magdalen's appear- ance, probably all contributed to the nervous irritability,

88 THE SENTINEL

the quick resentment, which assailed her act of unreckon- ing love.

Magdalen did not answer ; the divinely calm words of the Incarnate God stilled the rebuke of His creatures.

' ' Why do you trouble this woman ? For she hath

wrought a good work upon me Wheresoever this

Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her."

Even so, Lord Jesus.

The Perfect Wisdom did not consider the pouring of the ointment a waste, nor did He leave the apostles with- out censure. Magdalen's act was acceptable to Christ and pleased Him, although the mercenary said it might have 1 ' been sold for much. ' '

In our own time, under our own conditions, there are countless good people who would have joined the apostles in their reproof to Magdalen. Substantially the cry has never ceased through two thousand years ; the offering of wealth and service to the Personality of Jesus remains an unforgivable and incomprehensible ' ' waste ' ' to the multitude. Why put gold and lace and jewels upon the altar where the Blessed Sacrament abides? There are hungry to be fed, naked to be clothed, erring to be as- sisted into better ways of life. Help, give, assist, lift up — and still forget not Magdalen's box of precious oint- ment. Remember, too, that without the Altar, which was the inspiration of Art and Music in earlier day?, much which we have that is exquisite and soul-uplifting, would not exist. It was the faith which understood that nothing was too precious for the adornment and perfec- tion of Christ's earthly dwelling-place, that created for us the paintings, the architecture, the enthralling music of our cathedrals. The house where God lives, the taber- nacle wherein the Divinity lies captive, the linen which touches Him, the ciborium which holds Him, the candles which exhaust themselves to do Him honor — possibly, also, to recall one wandering thoughts to the fact that He is Present — the flowers which yield up their pure incense before Him. Is it nothing to furnish these ? Not every- one can bestow a chalice, nor costly lace, nor a jeweled monstrance ; but how many can give a candle, a flower,

OF THE BLKSSKD SACKAMKXT 89

perhaps even the loving service of a voice to sing the Benediction music ! And all, without one exception, can give a prayer.

In Europe, the peasants, going to and from work in the fields, gather the wild-flowers and make of them most beautiful bouquets, which they place upon the Feet of Jesus upon this wayside crucifixes. If they find fresh flowers already placed, they proceed with theirs till they reach a crucifix upon which the blossoms have faded ; these withered ones they remove with reverence, leaving the new ores instead. The act of simple devotion towards only the image of the Saviour, is an excellent object-lesson to those of less poetic and vivid faith. The whole world will be much better when all Catholics attain a more personal love for Him they call, it is to be feared, rather lightly and half-heartedly, "Saviour." Where is this Saviour?— Hush ! — He is so near, so easy to be ap- proached. Whose Saviour is He? — Yours. — Were you the only creature in the universe, still Saviour, and for you ; your assistance now. your only salvation at the hour of your death. Kneel — there where the lights and flowers are — Pray — Ask Him what you can do for Him, what ointment you can pour out because yon love Him ; then offer your gift whatever it be, in the full confidence that if love and contrition have prompted it, the Sacred Heart will not condemn it as a " waste."

And they who exclaim against the beautifying of our sanctuaries, who talk so practically about the innumerable charities which should come first — how much do they do for these various laudable works? In many cases a zero justly stands for all their help and active interest. Tho-e who love Jesus find every Christian charity beautiful and admirable, and those who love Jesus in a deep and personal fashion, do not rind that the care and service lavished upon His altar, are a " waste." No court can be sufficiently beautiful for this Kin^ of Kings ; no adoration of human souls can be adequate for this Lord of Lords.

But the spirit befitting the gift must never be wanting. When Jesus taught the multitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, He told us plainly that peace with all men must

9O THE SENTINEL

be in the hearts of those who go with their gifts to His altar : ' ' If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee ; leave there thy offering before the altar aad go first to be reconciled to thy brother : and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift." The admonition is unfortun- ately as necessary and timely to-day as when Christ spoke it. Two thousand years of Christianity have left human souls still imperfect enough to yield readily to rancor, to petty spite or serious revenge. None of these assimilate with the ointment which pleased Jesns. We have His own words to confound us if we dare approach Him with anger in our hearts. When, upon the day of her repent- ance, He bade Magdalen " Go in peace," she left not only at peace with God, but at peace with the whole world as well. The realization of her own transgressions produced a humility so complete, that no anger towards a fellow- being could ever enter her heart again. This is the kind of humility which will make our gifts acceptable, which will glorify the simplest into something magnificent in the sight of God. The angels of heaven rejoice when the Sacramental Jesus of our altars, leaves his jeweled chalice to enter the loving humble heart of even the most insigni- ficant of His children, while no gladness of either earth or heaven will greet the gifts of the angry and unforgiv- ing, though all the wealth of the universe were theirs to bestow. Pardoning all, at the altar Jesus teaches '.he soul to go farther — to even love all ; and the charity en- kindled by His Presence and by our service to that Per- sonal Presence, will finally bring us in the best way to the charity which helps His creatures ; the poor, the sick, the hungry, the criminal. We do not forget to seek them because we sought Jesus first. Rather has our devotion to Him inspired and strengthened us to do the work He did upon earth.

Our precious ointment, offered to Jesus, has somehow returned to our own souls ; it is the balm of His bene- diction.

OF THK HI.KSSKD SACK A MK NT 91

Items of Interest.

The NKW YORK CITY Centres of the Eucharistic League are : The Cathedral, St. Jean Baptiste's, St. Stephen's, St. Francis Xavier's, Holy Name, St. Gabriel's, Ascension, St. Vincent de Paul's, Convent Sacred Heart, Madison Ave., St. Vincent Ferrer's, St. Teresa's, St. Anthony's Holy Rosary.

BROOKLYN : St. Agnes, St. Augustine, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. J. F. de Chantal. Suburban : St. Patrick's, Huntington, L. I., Holy Trinity, Mamaroneck, N. Y., St. Gabriel's, New Rochelle, St. Henry's, Bayonne, N. J., St. Brigid's Church, Westbury Station.

PHILADELPHIA : St. Patrick's, St. Dominic's Holmesburg, St. John Baptist, Manayunk.

CINCINNATI : Tabernacle Society, E. Walnut Hills, St. Law- rence, Price Hill, St. Stephen, Station C, Immaculate Conception.

WASHINGTON : St. Patricks' Church.

BOSTON : Convent Sacred Heart, St Columbus Road, Dor- chester Dist.

PITTSBURG : Carmelite Church.

CHICAGO : Holy Trinity.

Ni'AV ORLKANS : St. Vincent de Paul's Church.

ST. PAUL, MINX. : St. Vincent's Church, ARGYLK St

Church.

UTICA : St. John's Church.

ALLEGHANY, PA. : St. Peter's Church.

PADUA, O. : St. Anthony's Church.

TOLKDO, O. : St. Joseph's Church.

KGYPT, O. : Convent of the Precious Blood.

DAYTON, O. : St John's Church.

WILLIMANSKTT, MASS. : Church of the Nativity.

MANCHKSTKK, N. H. : The Cathedral.

LANSING, MICH. : St. Mary's Church.

MAK<H:KTTK, MIC.II. : Cathedral, ST. ANDRKW'S Church, Minn.

MOUNT VKKNON, IND. : St. Matthew's Church.

OMAHA, Ni;i;. : Sacred Heart Church.

SOUTH OMAHA : St, Agnes Church.

TACOMA : Washington, St Church.

A number of other centres have applied for information, and presumably introduced the work, but have not sent notice of it. Others have introduced the Hour of Adoration weekly, but have not yet formally joined the League. Isolated bands have also been formed as a nucleus of new centres in various parts of the country.

I

The Children's Hour

WHAT GROWN-UP PEOPLE SOME- TIMES SAY.

JOSEPHINE MARIE. DEAR CHILDREN,

ROWN-UP people sometimes say that Lent is not for children. Children are " too young to do hard things ", nor can they " think very much ". But grown-up people who speak so do not understand the little ones. The Holy Book tells us that "as the twig is bent, the tree shall be. " If in early years habits of self-denial and self control are acquired the character will be firm when childhood passes away Our Lord himself says that if we are " faithful in little things we will be so in greater." Children cannot say long prayers. They would get tired even if they knew how to do so. But what little child cannot say each day, "Dear Lord, I thank you for dying for me ! Dear Jesus. I am sorry you suffered so much pain " ! I know a bright-eyed romping little girl whom we nickname " Mischief." She is only seven, but she likes to make the Stations of the Cross. She goes from one picture to another and thinks for one minute what each one means. " I would rather die myself than have our Lord die," she once said very slowly and thoughtfully.

A wee child, eight years of age, — Eva we shall call her — went to a luncheon party in Lent. There were about ten boys and girls of her own age at table, and you

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 93

may imagine how gay they were- Such laughter, so many jokes, and oh ! such candies ! Nut-candies, you know, covered with chocolate ; cream-candies sugared in pink and white. But when they were passed to Eva she said : 4t no. thank 3*011 ". " Why, my dear little girl," exclaimed the kind hostess, " will 3*011 not take some candies " ? " No, thank \*ou ". And when again urged, she said simph*, " // is Lent t you know," The merriest little heart of all remembered in the midst of all the fun that Someone on a rough cross would not take even a drop of water to quench His thirst.

And boys — can they not also do hard things ? Indeed they can. A boy who is so fond of reading that it seems almost cruel to bid him put a book aside even at bed- time, often forces himself to stop reading five whole min- utes before he must.

That boy will not be a coward when the time comes for him to fight real temptations, however great. I know of a liltle fe low who disliked a schoolmate but who made up his mind not to quarrel once with him all during Lent. It did cost an effort to say " Hallo," good-naturedly, in- stead of greeting him with an unexpected thump, his former mode of salutation, but at the end of the six weeks he found it made him " lots gladder," to be nice to some one he did not like for Jesus' sweet sake, that he kept it up afterwards for his own.

So you see, grown-up people are much mistaken when they say that children do not think ve^ much and can- not do hard things for their dear Saviour to whom the little ones of His flock are so precious. At Easter, when angels offer Jesus the Lenten prayers and morti- fications of His Redeemed, the gifts that bring the ten- derest smile to the Face divine, grief-stained once upon the cross, but shining now with glory unspeakable, are the brave little acts of self-denial which the little lambs of His fold have given Him ; - - His dew-drops in the garden of His Church that quench with their fresh sweetness the thirst of His Sacred Heart, caused by grown-up people, who more frequently than children, alas ! foiget Him.

94 THE SENTINEL

THE THflNKFUfc HEART

(Continued.}

Copyright by P. P. BUTTON, NEW-YORK.

Ill '

"I am far from complaining of Miss Nancy," was always Trimmer's opening when she was complaining of her. She even went so far sometimes as to say that she was a good child ; but this, of course, behind her back, lest Miss Nancy should become uplifted. Miss Nancy was a good child ; but the best of children will sometimes do the most unaccountable things, and who could have foreseen such an outbreak as the call she paid at the rec- tory ? It could not have been called disobedience, lor the simple .reason that it would never have occurred to any one to forbid such an impossible thing.

Miss Nancy herself acted from a perhaps mistaken but deeply grave sense of propriety. The rector had said, 44 I have come to see you ; now you must come to see me," and Miss Nancy had said that she would, and a promise is a promise. She did not entirely like the thought of going alone, but she had waited a whole week, and neither daddy, nor Aunt Norreys.nor Trimmer showed any sign of going, and what was to be done ?

So Miss Nancy went upstairs one afternoon with all the serious calm of perfect unconsciousness. She put on her boots (sitting down on the floor to achieve the act, as one does at ten years old) and washed her face and hands, and feeling that the occasion demanded an effort, laboriously buttoned herself into that very best bottle-green coat so peculiarly hated by her, which was therefore very conscientious behavior on Miss Nancy's part, when she might have chosen her old red cloak. Her best bonnet was out of reach, but she hoped the rector

OF THK BLESSED SACKAMEXT 95

would excuse her everyday one. Then she went qu'etly and gravely downstairs, and set out to pay her call, far too much in earnest to remember that the drive was well commanded by Aunt Norreys' favorite window of the white panelled drawing-room.

Miss Nancy's heart beat fast as she opened the rectory gate, for she was by no means a fearless child ; but cou- rage is a higher quality than fearlessness, and she inherited from the squire a kind of silent endurance which could be made to serve as courage. A straight walk ran up to the house between wide flower-borders, with a hedge on either hand. There were daffodils nodding all the way up the borders, and in the orchard hedge was an almond-tree in bloom, pink against the blue •sky. There in the walk stood the rector himself, with one hand under his coat-tails, and the other waving gently in the air. He was speaking aloud, and Miss Nancy thought at first that he must be talking to some one over the hedge ; but as she came up the walk, she found that he was looking up at the almond-tree, and reciting with much earnest declamation of a quaint, deliberate, gone- by style —

" Plant, Lorde, in me, the tree of godly lyfe, Hedge me about with Thy strong fence of faith ; If Th?e it please, use eke Thy pruning-knife, Lest that, O Lorde ! as a good gardiner saith — If suckers draw the sappe from bowes on hie, Perhaps in tytne the tup of tree may die. Let, Lorde ! this tree be set within Thy garden-wall Of Paradise, where grows no one ill sprig at all."

Miss Nancy had been taught that it was rude to in- terrupt her elders, and she believed it would probably be also wicked to interrupt what sounded like a hymn, so she stood and waited until the rector had come to an end, and then advanced another shy step. The rector turned round and saw her.

44 Dear me," he said, putting on his spectacles, '* is this little Miss Nancy? "

" Yes, thank you," said Miss Nancy ; " and I have come to call on you now." Miss Nancy, though a very simple child, was not a dull one, and there would have

96 THE SENTINEL

been a cruel awakening for her if the rector had even only smiled at that moment, as she stood looking up in his face. But the rector was almost as simple as Miss Nancy herself.

" You do me great honor," he said, and taking off his hat, made such a slow, deep bow, as was an admiration to behold. Miss Nancy bowed likewise, her coat pinning her too tightly to admit of any courtesy. ' Will you come into my house and rest a little? " said the rector.

" I should like to stay in your garden, if you please," replied Miss Nancy, not feeling that she strictly required a rest.

" By all means," said the rector. " JL,et us go and look how the tulips are coming on."

"Yes, I should like that. I have not been in this garden before," said Miss Nancy, to whom the rector's predecessor had been rather a formidable personage. This rector was different from the first, and Miss Nancy slip- ped her hand into his from force of habit. The squire was quite accustomed to it, but possibly the rector was not. He did not speak for a moment, but stood looking down at Miss Nancy, and when he did speak, it was to say something quite unexpected.

"God bless you, my little maid! you are very like your mother."

" No," said Miss Nancy, seriously ; " Trimmer says I have not got any of her manners, and never shall haTTe any of her looks. Then did you know her ? ' '

"Yes, I knew her," said the rector.

" And didn't you love her? "

" I did, my little maid."

" Yes, everybody did, because she was so good. Trim- mer says I never shall be like her, so it is no use. Did you know her quite well ? "

They had reached the end of the walk before the rector answered. " She did not know me very well. I was much older than she was, you see."

( To be continued. )

*• CHRIST £ st

After the painting'of Ary^Scheffer.

THE ATONING SOUL

IN PRESENCE OF THE BLESSED SAC KAMI-) NT.

THE SKNTINKL

APR::

Raphael.*

(Continued.)

Translated by Miss K. LUMMIS.

R. P. TESNIKRE.

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.

VI. Preservation in danger : Douiine, inradit me ! Jesus repels and overcomes the devil.

VII. Raphael reveals to Tobias the wife God has chosen for him and arranges the marriage. Importance of knowing one's voca- tion. Enlightened counsels or Raphael regarding marriage. Necessity of consulting Jesus in the matter of choosing the voca- tion and to obtain the grace to live in it holily. The Holy Eucharist and Christian marriage.

VIII. Conclusion. Return of Tobias. The end of the journey. Our return. The house of our Heavenlv Father.

VI.

IT what is this I hear? A cry of fear ! "/ )o)n hie, itiradif me /" "Raphael, my . protector ! Hesei/.eth me, come quickly !" A monstrous fish coming up out of the waters of the river, sought to devour the young Tobias, who was bathing his feet wearied by the journey. "He cometh upon me !" But Raphael is near, Ra- phael, the protector, the defender. " Fear nothing !" he cries to Tobias. " take him by the gills and cast him ashore." The youth obeyed and flung the fish panting on the strand. It is evident that Raphael, while

All rights reserved.

98 THE SENTINEL

telling Tobias the secret of overcoming the monster, in- spired him with strength and courage by his words and looks, but we may also believe that he communicated to him supernatural strength to undertake something beyond his ordinary powers. O Christian soul ! never forget that you are traversing an enemy's country, that you carry a hidden treasure and that a thousand robbers ambushed to left and right, are waiting to deprive you of it. The false charms of the world, the snares it sets at every step for innocence and virtue, and to which its science and experi- ence are applied, the league of the wicked against all that is high and holy : these are snares indeed, spread for unwary feet."

" Whose would live piously in Jesus Christ," says the Scripture, " must suffer persecution." Yet there are other snares still, a combat more terrible, that the soul must wage with the evil one, a combat full of surprises and mortal dangers that flesh and blood alone were power- less to overcome. St. Paul says : ' ' We fight not alone against flesh and blood, but against powers and princi- palities

O my God, how often surprised and wounded we cry out that we are lost ! What shall we do? Where find refuge but in Thee? " Jesus save me, I perish !" Let us cry out to our divine Raphael, with a loud voice, and with an unshaken confidence, and Jesus, the Defender, the Conqueror, will be at hand to save us. Do you rot know that the Holy Eucharist is the bread of victory ? Do you not know that Jesus remains with us in the Eucharist to be ever our Defender against Satan ?

When Jesus instituted the Blessed Sacrament at the Last Supper, in the discourse that followed their First Communion, He pointed out to His disciples the dangers that awaited them. He told them that the world would persecute them, that they would be maligned and calum- niated, and tortured and put to death. And then He spoke this word as a source of never failing consolation : 1 ' Have confidence in Me, for I have overcome the world ' ' Confiditc, ego vici mundum ! Credite in Me !

And as to the demon: "Know that I have cast him out. Princcps hujus mundi ejicietur foras" He may rage

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 99

and threaten and beat at the doors, but he cannot prevail over those who have recourse to Jesus. And it is in order that we also may overcome him that Jesus will remain with us until the end of time. " Ecce ego vobiscum sum, omnibus diebus"

Yes, weak as we live and easily overcome by tempta- tion, bound with the shackles of this body of sin, we may still cry to Jesus, and He will never fail to answer. ' ' We may do all things in Him that strengtheneth us." And when we come from Holy Communion we bring thence supernatural strength that makes us terrible to the evil one. Ta?iqicam Iconcs fadi diabolo terribiles. As of old the exterminating angel passed by the doors which were marked with the blood of the Saint, so the devil dare not approach those upon whose lips shines the royal trace of the Blood of Jesus. They breathe forth a destroying fire : I^ucm spirantes. And the devil cries out as he did of old at the approach of Jesus '• ' ' Why comest thou to torment us?"

But alas ! You have already yielded to the tempter, or, too sensible of your weakness, are on the verge of despair. Cry to Jesus, your Raphael ! He is the conqueror ; He will reveal to you that to be tried by temptation is often beneficial. The outward falls that humiliate you in the eyes of the world will awaken you to the evils you do not recognize, secret pride and self love. Jesus will open your eyes to greater dangers and will by these means dis- sipate a blindness more fatal to your soul than these occa- sional falls. He will say to you with the angel : " Take hold of the monster, take the gall, the heart and the liver ; these are salutary medecines," and from the bitterness of your shame, He will draw a remedy of contrition, humi- lity and prudence that will guard you from like accidents in future.

VII.

Raphael was to the young Tobias the most delightful of companions, but while guiding him to the house of his father's creditor, which was the object of the journey, he did him greater service still by assisting him in the deci-

100 THE SENTINEL

sion of the most important question of his life, that of choosing a vocation. And when that vocation proved to be the marriage state, Raphael assisted him in the choice of the companion destined by Heaven as a means to the saving of his soul.

That the choice of a vocation in life is a matter of the greatest importance few would deny, and one can affirm also with positiveness that in general, on the wise choice of a vocation depends the salvation or loss of a soul. The vocation is the choice of one of those states instituted by God and confirmed by Our Lord as a distinct manner of life, having its obligations, its duties, its dangers, but also its special graces and appropriate helps which may be counted upon by those who embrace it in accordance with God's will and therein observe His laws.

The vocation of each human soul was chosen and willed by God from all eternity, and our whole being, body and soul as well, have been fashioned to the needs of this par- ticular state. It is the special soil that is adapted to the growth of the seed of grace, that will, in Heaven, blossom into the beautiful flower of glory that we are chosen to bear.

Not to know one's vocation is a dangerous error, a real misfortune, which even though it should not result in the loss of our soul, will be for us the cause of a thousand falls, mistakes, treats and terrible doubts. And if this knowledge be so important, how can we doubt that God will give it to us if we ask Him in sincerity and faith ?

But to know and not to follow would be an evil greater still, a fatal game in which we would hazard the chance of our eternal happiness. Divine mercy is infinite, it is true, and condones many mistakes in a divinely loving way, but the graces that repair such losses are never so strong, so helpful, so easy to follow as those ordained for us in the original designs of God.

This may be said of all vocations, and with greater force, of vocations higher than marriage, to the priesthood and the religious life. But as many draw back fronr these sublimer calls from ignorance or fear of their requirements, and a want of fervor and zeal, so many, too, who are called simply to the marriage state, forfeit its graces by

OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT IOI

neglecting to seek in it God's inspiration, His will and His grace, and though they are really called to sanctify themselves by Christian marriage, which has been ever held by the Church to be a state adapted to the sauctifi- cation of souls, marry so badly, choose so imprudently and from motives so natural, so mercenary and so base, that what should be to them an aid to holiness becomes the instrument of their eternal ruin, after having embit- tered their lives here below with tears and anguish of heart, as well as many sins.

The heavenly guide of Tobias well knew how deeply these evils prevailed and knowing that his charge was divinely called to the state of matrimony sought for him a wife who was worthy of him. A virtuous woman, who feared God, who prayed, who was charitable to the poor, patient and brave in trial, a pure and modest maid, who loved not the ways of the world nor the glamour of its feasts. Such is the portrait that Holy Scripture draws of her whom Raphael obtained as a spouse for Tobias. Sara, for so she was called, was the daughter of Raguel, and lived at Rages. But a strange trial had been hers. Seven times had shebeen given in marriage and seven times had the prospective bridegroom met with an evil