344 ADVENT. 



DEC, 9. St. Leocadia, virgin and martyr, a.d, 304. 

 SS. the seven martyrs at Samosata, 297. 

 St. Wulf hilde, virgin and abbess, 990. 



Ohn. St. Leocadia was a native of Toledo, and was apprehended 

 by an order of Dacian, the cruel governor under Dioclesian in 304. 

 Her constancy was tried by torments, and she died in prison, pray- 

 ing: that God would not prolong her exile, but speedily unite her 

 with her holy friend St. Eulalia, who had suffered martyrdom. 



St. VVulfhilde was a noble virgin, who learnt from her infancy to 

 despise all worldly things, and only to love those which were hea- 

 venly. She was placed when very young by her parents at the 

 monastery of Winchester. King Edgar offered her his hand in 

 marriage, but she refused, right well knowing how easily temptations 

 to sin are let into the soul by the acceptance of worldly honours and 

 riches. The king made many attempts to obtain her, but slie resist- 

 ing, and he being struck with her fidelity to her heavenly spouse, 

 and her good sense in preferring to insure the treasures of an impe- 

 rishable world, made her abbess of Barking Abbey, to which house 

 he gave many splendid possessions. Her life and history, detailed 

 by Butler, reminds us of Milton's Sonnet : 



To a pious Lady, pi-obubly luhen taking the Vows. 



Lady, that in the prime of earliest youth 



Wisely hast shun'd the broad way and the green, 

 And with those few art eminently seen 



That labour up the hill of heavenlie truth. 



The better part with Mary and with Ruth 

 Chosen thou hast, and they that overween, 

 And at thy growing virtues fret their spleen, 



No anger find in thee, but pity and ruth. 

 Thy care is fixt, and zealously attends 



To fill thy odorous lamp with deeds of light 

 And hope that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure 



Thou, when the Bridegroom with his fearful friends 



Passes to bliss at the mid hour of night, 

 Hast gain'd thy entrance, Virgin wise and pure. 



Corsican Spruce Pinus Larico conifer. 



