3'22 



MARTILMAS TIDE. 



NOV. 17. St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, bishop 

 and confessor, a.d. 270. 

 St. Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria, 265. 

 St. Gregory of Tours, bishop and confessor, 596. 

 St. Hugh, bishop of Lincoln, 1200. 

 St. Anian or Agnan, bishop and confessor, 453. 



06s. Tlic St. Gregory recorded today was at first named Theodorus, and afterward"- 

 Gregory Thanmaturffu/, from his extraordinary miracles. He was born in Neooaesaria 

 in Pontus, early in tne third aoe. His life i* detailed by Butler, wlio gives a particular 

 account of the miracles performed by him; and thence describes the proofs of the con- 

 tinuation of the miracles operated even down to our days, in attestation of the sanctity 

 of the Cliurch. See also our account of St. Peter ad Vincula, August 1st; see also oar 

 May 3d, September 14th, and November 3d. St. Gregory is related to have seen a 

 remarkable Vision of tlie conllict of tlie holy martyr Troadius ; and some profane writers 

 have styled him and other saints, to whom such appearances have been presented, a* 

 visionaries, in the reprobative sense of the word. The fact, however, really is, that 

 certain peisons are gifted with a peculiar organization for seeing visions. Or. Gall, the 

 celebrated discoverer of the Anatomy of the Brain, has declared that St. Ignatius and 

 other holy persons, St. Gregory among the rest, probably, possessed this org.tni/ation 

 of the brain. But this circumstance, so tar from discountenancing the doctrine of admo- 

 nitory visions, rather confirms it; for the said Organ of Supernaturality may be the pe 

 culiar instrument that the Deity employs, whereby to operate visions on liie minds of 

 saints and holy persons. 



St. Hugh, the Bishop of Lincoln, is related by Dr. Milne in his Gothic Architeclure to 

 have actually carried many of the stones and mortar to his workmen, while buildin^tbe 

 magnificent cathedral of that city. Such was the zeal, humility, and activity, ot our 

 aotient Catholic prelates, forming a terrible contrast to the numerous, idle, and avaricious 

 clergy of modern times, of luxury, pride, hypocrisy, and baneful refinement. Neither is the 

 Deorum templa novo decorare '»axo, the popular feeling now. A few new gingerbread 

 churches, more like Chinese pagodas spoiled in making than temples of worship, are 

 built; while the most magnificent remains of Gothic architecture and religious energy 

 are left to decay. And so closely is man's carnal mind connected, while in tliis fleshy 

 bondage, with externals, that we always find energy and loftiness of devotion rise and 

 fall with that of its monumental and signiferons exterior. The present age of levity 

 illustrates this, and from the mouldering abbey and cathedral resounds faintly tlie pro- 

 phetic strains, Yea, the :itone ciieth out of the u-all. 



On a ruined Abbey covered witli Ivy and Cobwebs^ 



Whylome each trustie priest, at early call 



Of matin's belle, at prayer was alvvays founde. 



And eke his flocke, grey'mantled pilgfimmes all, 



Souglite morninglie the churche's hai!o«ed grounde ; 



And when the Vespers' laruni 'gan to sound, 



Agen poured forth to praise by tapir light ; 



And sacred memorie keepe the holie rounde 



Of yearly vigils for each sainte beside, 

 Faith, Hope, and Charitie, did ever there abide. 

 But Discorde came and blewe her trumpe of woe. 



And trod our holie altars to the dust. 



Destroyed the fane, and bred the fiercest foe 



Of deadlie hatred and of worldlie lust ; 



Hvpocrasie then spread her masking crust 



o'er Faith ; and priestlie pride, with craftie eye, 



Stalk'd in at vestry door, by gold jcurst, 



And slew the heav'enborn virtue Charity, 

 And Hope rested alone her claims on tythe and fee. 

 Then down the temple fell, in ruined plight ; 



Each mangled window now, each turret high, ■ 



Gives lodgement for the illfaced Ov.\ of night. 



Or crowking Crowes, or Bats that riitten bye; . 



The sacred stone out of the walle doth crie 



Against the heretics, dismayed all; 



Vi hile the old spire, upraised to the skie. 



Still bears the Cocke of watchfulness, to call 

 The faithful few, who dread the like calamiUe. 



Tree Stramonium Datura arborea fl. 



