204 FORTY DAYS OF ST. SWITJIIN. 



JULY 22. St. Mary Magdalen. 

 St. Vandrille, abbot, 666. 

 St. Joseph of Palestine, 356. 

 St. Meneve, abbot, 720. 

 St. Dabius of Ireland. 



06s. The illustrious penitent Mary Magdalen, mentioned by St, 

 Luke, was by her perfect conversion an encouraging example and 

 model of penitence to all succeeding ages. She was the first that 

 saw Jesus after his rising from the dead. This distinguishing favour 

 was the recompense of her contrition and ardent love for Christ. Her 

 relics were discovered in Provence in the thirteenth century. — Butler. 



African Lily Agapanthus umhellatus full fl. 



The African Lily is a beautiful blue umbelled liliaceous flower, 

 having long contorted roots, and blowing in July. It requires the 

 shelter of the greenhouse in winter. 



Mountain Ash Sorbus Aucuparia fruct. 



The large round orange berries of the ftlountain Ash now begin to 

 ripen ; they continue through vVugust to be very ornamental, hang- 

 ing in clusters among the elegant boughs of the tree. Towards 

 September they fall off. 



St. INIary IMagdalen's Feast is still held as a day of devotion in 

 the church. The following is an antient Hymn composed to be sung 

 at the Divine Office at Matins : — 



Pater superni luminis 



Te IMagdalena respicit 



Flammasque amoris excitat 



Geluque solvit pectoris, 



Pedes beatos unguere 



Astare non times cruci 



Cui Christus ipse pendere 



Est visus deplorantibus. 



Sepulchro haeres anxia 



Truces nee horres milites, 



Pellens timorem charitas 



Conculces omnes daemonas 



O Charitatis Angela 



Kos intercessu jam tuo 



Adjuvas, nostra crimina 



IVunc fletu et poenisentia 



Ut nos solvamus sobrii. 

 Deo Patri, &c. 



