october 2014 newsletter catholicismedu
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Religious Education In Catholicismwww.catholicismedu.doomby.com
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Psalm of the month:Psalm 34
For David himself.
1 Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fig
against me. 2 Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me.
Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecu
me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation. 4 Let them be confounded an
ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be
confounded that devise evil against me. 5 Let them become as dust
before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them. 6 Let t
way become dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue
them. 7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto
destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul. 8 Let the
snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which
hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall. 9 But
soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation.
Articles:
By Luke Haskell
James does not contradict Paul. When Paul says that Abraham was
not justified by works the context is on those who were trying to
force mosaic law on Gentile converts. This is why he says is not God a
God of both Gentiles and Jews. And the Gentiles do what the law
requires without ever knowing the Law.
Paul often does not separate the laws of ritual and circumcision and
Sabbaths from the laws that effect grace on the soul.
14 What does it rofit m brethren if someone sa s he has faith but
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hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall. 9 But
soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation.
All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to thee? Who deliverest the
poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; the needy an
the poor from them that strip him. 11 Unjust witnesses rising up ha
asked me things I knew not. 12 They repaid me evil for good: to the
depriving me of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were
troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my sou
with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom. 14 As a
neighbor and as an own brother, so did I please: as one mourning asorrowful so was I humbled. 15 But they rejoiced against me, and c
together: scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew no
16 They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they
scoffed at me with scorn: they gnashed upon me with their teeth. 1
Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? Rescue thou my soul from thei
malice: my only one from the lions. 18 I will give thanks to thee in a
great church; I will praise thee in a strong people. 19 Let not them t
are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: who have hated me
without cause, and wink with the eyes. 20 For they spoke indeed
peaceably to me; and speaking in the anger of the earth they devise
guile. 21 And they opened their mouth wide against me; they said:
Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it. 22 Thou hast seen, O L
be not thou silent: O Lord, depart not from me. 23 Arise, and be
attentive to my judgment: to my cause, my God, and my Lord. 24 Ju
me, O Lord my God according to thy justice, and let them not rejoic
over me. 25 Let them not say in their hearts: It is well, it is well, to o
mind: neither let them say: We have swallowed him up. 26 Let them
blush: and be ashamed together, who rejoice at my evils. Let them b
clothed with confusion and shame, who speak great things against
27 Let them rejoice and be glad, who are well pleased with my justic
and let them say always: The Lord be magnified, who delights in the
peace of his servant. 28 And my tongue shall meditate thy justice, th
praise all the day long.
.
Paul often does not separate the laws of ritual and circumcision and
Sabbaths from the laws that effect grace on the soul.
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but
does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is
naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them,
Depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them
the things which are needed for the body, what does itprofit? 17
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show
me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith bymy[b] works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even
the demons believeand tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O
foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[c] 21 Was not
Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son
on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his
works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture
was fulfilled which says,Abraham believed God, and it was
accounted to him for righteousness.[d]And he was called the friend
of God.24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by
faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when
she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works
is dead also
Abraham was not justified by sacrificing bulls and goats and keeping
Sabbath s , he was justified by works of Love.
By Luke Haskell
The only time the word Kecharitomene is used in the entire Bible is
when the angel greets Mary. The word grace that is used is the
same word used by Paul when he refers to the redemption of
baptism . With Kecharitomene it doesn't go far enough .
Kecharitomene is closer to perfected in grace and it is given as a
title. It also refers to past tense as previously perfected in grace. It is
a name and the angel gives the Royal greeting of Hail before hand
expressing a Royal greeting. In addition the angel does not say be
not afraid as most angelic greetings. It appears as if it was a usual
occurrence.
The queen mother of the King in the Line of David whose name is
perfected in grace.
Psalms 45
7Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy
God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments, from the ivory
houses: out of which
9the daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory. The queen
stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety.
10Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: and forget thypeople and thy father's house.
11And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; for he is the Lord thy
God, and him they shall adore.
12And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, yea, all the rich among the
people, shall entreat thy countenance.
13All the glory of the king's daughter is within in golden borders,
14clothed round about with varieties. After her shall virgins be
brought to the king: her neighbours shall be brought to thee.
15They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be
brought into the temple of the king.
16Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: thou shalt make
them princes over all the earth.
Proverb of the month:
Proverb 21As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of
Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it.
Mass Readings for the month:
Wed the 1st: Memorial of Theresa of the Child Jesus, virgin.
Job 9:1-16; Ps 88:10-15; Phil 3:8-9; Luke 9:57-62
Thu the 2nd: Memorial of Guardian Angels.
Job 19:21-27; Ps 27:7-14; Mark 1:15; Luke 10:1-12
Fri the 3rd: Job 38:1-21, 40:3-5; Ps 139:1-14; Ps 95:8; Luke
10:13-16
Sat the 4th: Memorial of Francis of Assisi.
Job 42:1-17; Ps 119:66-130; Matt 11:25; Luke10:17-24
Sun the 5th: Psalter III, Ordinary Time Week 27.
Isa 5:1-7; Ps 80:9-20; Phil 4:6-9; John 15:16; Matt
21:33-43
Mon the 6th: Optional memorial of Bruno, priest.
Gal 1:6-12; Ps 111:1-10; John 13:34; Luke 10:25-37
Tue the 7th: Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Gal 1:13-24; Ps 139:1-15; Luke 11:28; Luke 10:38-42
Wed the 8th: Gal 2:1-14; Ps 117:1-2; Rom 8:15; Luke 11:1-4
Thu the 9th: Optional memorial of Denis, bishop and martyr,
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brought into the temple of the king.
16Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: thou shalt make
them princes over all the earth.
17They shall remember thy name throughout all generations.
Therefore shall people praise thee forever; yea, for ever and ever.
He has done great things to me. All generations shall call me
blessed.
See through the spirit not the flesh. Focus on you cannot see
everything else passes away. Family was created so that we could
contemplate our eternal Family.
Wed the 8th: Gal 2:1-14; Ps 117:1-2; Rom 8:15; Luke 11:1-4
Thu the 9th: Optional memorial of Denis, bishop and martyr,
and companions, martyrs. Optional memorial of
John Leonardi, priest.
Gal 3:1-5; Luke 1:69-75; Acts 16:14; Luke 11:5-13
Fri the 10th: Gal 3:7-14; Ps 111:1-6; John 12:31-32; Luke 11:15-2
Sat the 11th: Gal 3:22-29; Ps 105:1-7; Luke 11:27-28
Sun the 12th: Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 28.
Isa 25:6-10; Ps 23:1-6; Phil 4:12-20; Eph 1:17-18; Ma22:1-14
Mon the 13th: Gal 4:22-5:1; Ps 113:1-7; Ps 95:8; Luke 11:29-32
Tue the 14th: Optional memorial of Callistus I, pope and martyr
Gal 5:1-6; Ps 119:41-48; Heb 4:12; Luke 11:37-41
Wed the 15th: Memorial of Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor.
Gal 5:18-25; Ps 1:1-6; John 10:27; Luke 11:42-46
Thu the 16th: Optional memorial of Hedwig, religious; Margare
Mary Alacoque, virgin.
Eph 1:1-10; Ps 98:1-6; John 14:6; Luke 11:47-54
Fri the 17th: Memorial of Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and
martyr.
Eph 1:11-14; Ps 33:1-13; Ps 33:22; Luke 12:1-7Sat the 18th: Feast of Luke, evangelist.
Eph 1:15-23; Ps 8:1-7; John 15:26-27; Luke 12:8-12
Sun the 19th: Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 29.
(Optional memorial of Paul of the Cross, priest.)
Isa 45:1-6; Ps 96:1-10; 1 Thess 1:1-5; Phil 2:15-16;
Matt 22:15-21
Mon the 20th: Eph 2:1-10; Ps 100:1-5; Matt 5:3; Luke 12:13-21
Tue the 21st: Eph 2:12-22; Ps 85:9-14; Luke 21:36; Luke 12:35-38
Wed the
22nd:
Eph 3:1-12; Isa 12:1-6; Matt 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-4
Thu the 23rd: Optional memorial of John of Capistrano, priest.
Eph 3:14-21; Ps 33:1-19; Phil 3:8-9; Luke 12:49-53
Fri the 24th: Optional memorial of Anthony Claret, bishop.
Eph 4:1-6; Ps 24:1-6; Matt 11:25; Luke 12:54-59
Sat the 25th: Eph 4:7-16; Ps 122:1-5; Ezek 33:11; Luke 13:1-9
Sun the 26th: Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 30.
Exod 22:20-26; Ps 18:1-51; 1 Thess 1:5-10; John
14:23; Matt 22:34-40
Mon the 27th: Eph 4:32-5:8; Ps 1:1-6; John 17:17, 17; Luke 13:10-1
Tue the 28th: Feast of Simon and Jude, apostles.
Eph 5:21-33; Ps 128:1-5; Matt 11:25; Luke 13:18-21
Wed the 29th: Eph 6:1-9; Ps 145:10-14; 2 Thess 2:14; Luke 13:22-3
Thu the 30th: Eph 6:10-20; Ps 144:1-10; Luke 19:38, 2:14; Luke13:31-35
Fri the 31st: Vigil of Solemnity of All Saints.
Phil 1:1-11; Ps 111:1-6; John 10:27; Luke 14:1-6
Saints for the month:If you know any saints that have been missed please email
[email protected] and we will get them posted and next
year they will be there. Our source for the names is the roman
martyrology from 1925 so at the moment we do not have a source
that contains the most recently cannonized.
October 1st- St.Remigius bishop in france, Aretas and 504 other
martyrs in rome, Priscus, Crescens, Evagrius in tomis, Verissimus and
his sisters maxima and julia martyrs in lisbon, St.. Piaton priest and
martyr in tourna, St dominius martyr in thessalonica, St Bavo in
ghent, St. Severus priest in orvieto.
October 2nd- St. Eleutherius with countless other martyrs in
nicomedia, blessed leodegarius martyr in arras, gerinus martyr in
arras, Primus, cyril, secundarius martyrs in antioch, St. theophilius
monk in constantinople, St. Thomas bishop in hereford.
October 3rd-
St. Candidus, martyr in rome, Denis, Faustus, Cains, Peter, Paul, and
four others martyrs in rome, two martyrs called Ewaldus priests in
westphalia,St. Maximian, bishop martyrs in africa, St. Hesychius in
palestine, St. Gerard abbot in belgium.
October 4th- At Assisi, St. Francis, confessor, At Corinth, Saints
Crispus and Cams, In Egypt, the martyrs Mark and Marcian, an
almost countless multitude of both sexes and of all ages, At
Damascus, St. Peter, bishop and martyr, At Alexandria, priests and
deacons Caius, Faustus, Eusebius, Chseremon, Lucius, and their
companions, At Athens, St. Hierotheus, At Bologna, St. Petronius,bishop At Paris, St. Aurea.
October 5th- At Messina,martyrs Placidus, monk, and his brothers
and sister Eutychius and Victorinus, and Flavia; also of Donatus,
Firmatus, deacon, Faustus, and thirty other monks, blessed Thraseas,
bishop martyred at Smyrna. At Treves, martyrs Palmatius and his
companions, St. Charitina, martyr, At Auxerre, deacon Firmatus
Flaviana, his sister, At Ravenna, St. Marcellinus, bishop, At Valence,
St. Apollinaris, St. Attilanus, bishop, At Leon, St. Froilanus, bishop At
Rome, St. Galla.
October 6th- In Calabria, St. Bruno, At Laodicea, the blessed
bishop and martyr Sagar, At Capua, martyrs Marcellus, Castus,
milius, and Saturninus. At Agen, St. Faith, virgin and martyr, Also,
St. Erotis, martyr, At Treves, almost numberless martyrs, At Auxerre,St. Eomanus, bishop and martyr. At Oderzo, St. Magnus, bishop, At
Naples, St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds of Our Lord.
October 7th- At Rome, St. Mark, pope, Euphrates, martyrs Sergius
and Bacchus, Sergius At Rome, martyrs Marcellus and Apuleius,
Euphrates, St. Julia, martyr, At Padua, St. Justina, martyr, At Bourges,
St. Augustus, priest, Rheims, St. Helanus, priest. In Sweden,St.
Bridget.
October 8th- at rome St. Bridget, blessed Simeon, At Caesarea,St.
Reparata, virgin and martyr, At Thessalonica, St. Demetrius, St.
Nestor, martyr. At Seville, St. Peter, martyr. At Laodicea, St.
Artemon, a priest martyr, Laon, St. Benedicta, virgin and martyr. At
Ancona, Saints Palatias and Laurentia, At Rouen, St. Evodius, bishop
Classic Catholic Literature:We are starting with The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A'Kempis Th
book can be downloaded for free here:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imitation.html .
Book one: Thoughts helpful in the life of the soul.
The First Chapter: Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Eart
HE WHO follows Me, walks not in darkness, says the Lord (John
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Nestor, martyr. At Seville, St. Peter, martyr. At Laodicea, St.
Artemon, a priest martyr, Laon, St. Benedicta, virgin and martyr. At
Ancona, Saints Palatias and Laurentia, At Rouen, St. Evodius, bishop
and confessor. At Jerusalem, St. Pelagia.
October 9th- At Paris, martyrs Denis the Areopagite, bishop,
Rusticus, priest, and Eleutherius, deacon. Abraham, At Julia St.
Domninus, martyr, At Cassino, St. Deusdedit, abbot, In Hainaut, St.
Gislenus, bishop and confessor, At Valencia, St. Louis Bertrand, At
Jerusalem, the Saints Andronicus, and Athanasia, his wife. At
Antioch, St. Publia, abbess.
October 10th- At Rome, blessed John Leonard, confessor, Crete,blessed Pinytus, At Cologne, St. Gereon, martyr, with three hundred
and eighteen others, martyrs Victor and his companions. At Bonn,
martyrs Cassius and Florentius, with many others. At Nicomedia,
martyrs Eulampius, and his sister, the virgin Eulampia, with two
hundred others, At York, bishop Paulinus, At Piombino, St.
Cerbonius, bishop and confessor, At Verona, St. Cerbonius, bishop.
At Capua, St. Paulinus, bishop. At Rome, St. Francis Borgia.
October 11th- At Tarsus, martyrs Tharacus, Probus, and
Andronicus, In Vexin,martyrs Nicasiuc, bishop, Quirinus, priest,
Scubiculus, deacon, and Pientia, virgin, Saints Anastasius, priest,
Placidus, Genesius, and their companions. In Thebais, St. Sarmata, At
Besanon, in France, St. Germanus, bishop and martyr. At Uzes, St.
Firminus, bishop and confessor. In Ireland, St. Kenny, abbot. At Lier,St. Gummarus, confessor. At Eennes, St. milian, confessor. At
Tarsus, Zenaides and Philonilla, sisters, At Verona, St. Placidia, virgin.
At Calotium, St. Alexander Sauli, bishop and confessor.
October 12th- At Rome, martyrs Evagrius, Priscian, and their
companions. At Ravenna, St. Edistius, martyr. In Lycia, St. Domnina,
martyr, In Africa, four thousand nine hundred and sixty-six holy
confessors and martyrs, At Cilly, St. Maximilian, bishop, At York, in
England, St. Wilfrid, bishop and confessor. At Milan, St. Monas,
bishop. At Verona, St. Salvinus, bishop. In Syria, St. Eustachius, priest
and confessor. At Ascoli, St. Seraphinus.
October 13th- In England, St. Edward, king, At Troas,St. Carpus, At
Cordova,martyrs Faustus, Januarius, and Martial. At Thessalonica, St.
Florentius, In Austria, St. Colman, martyr. At Ceuta, in Morocco,
seven martyrs of the Order of Friars Minor, Daniel, Samuel, Angelus,
Domnus, Leo, Nicholas, and Hugolinus. At Antioch, bishop
Theophilus, At Tours, St. Venantius, abbot, and confessor. At
Subiaco, St. Chelidonia, virgin.
October 14th- At Rome, blessed Callistus, pope and martyr, At
Caesarea,St. Fortunata, virgin and martyr, Saints Carponius,
Evaristus, and Priscian, brothers of blessed Fortunata, martyrs, Saints
Saturninus and Lupus. At Rimini, St. Gaudentius, bishop and martyr.
At Todi, St. Fortunatus, bishop, At Wurtzburg, St. Burchard,At
Bruges, St. Donatian, bishop, At Treves, St. Rusticus, bishop. St.
Dominic Loricatus. In Italy, St. Bernard, confessor.
October 15th- At Avila, St. Theresa, virgin, At Rome,St. Fortunatus,
martyr. At Cologne, three hundred martyrs, At Carthage, St. Agileus,
martyr, In Prussia, St. Bruno, bishop and martyr, At Lyons, St.Antiochus, bishop, At Treves, St. Severus, bishop and confessor. At
Strasburg, St. Aurelia, virgin. At Cracow, St. Hedwiges.
October 16th- In Africa, two hundred and seventy holy martyrs,
Saints Martinian and Saturnian with their two brothers, Saints
Saturninus, Nereus, and three hundred and sixty-five other martyrs,
At Cologne, St. Eliphius, martyr, St. Bercharius, abbot and martyr,
Near Bourges, St. Ambrose, bishop of Cahors. At Mayence, St. Lullus,
bishop and confessor. At Treves, St. Florentinus, bishop. At Arbon,St.
Gall, abbot, On Mount Cassino, blessed Victor III, At Muro, St. Gerard
Majella.
October 17th- St. Hedwiges, At Antioch, St. Heron, martyrs Saints
Victor, Alexander, and Marian. In Persia, St. Mamelta, martyr, At
oo one: oug s e p u n e e o e sou .
The First Chapter: Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Eart
HE WHO follows Me, walks not in darkness, says the Lord (John
8:12). By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and
habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindnes
of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus
Christ. The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of
the saints, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna.
Now, there are many who hear the Gospel often but care little for i
because they have not the spirit of Christ. Yet whoever wishes to
understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole lion that of Christ. What good does it do to speak learnedly about the
Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not
learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes h
pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to
define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by he
and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace an
the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love G
and serve Him alone. This is the greatest wisdomto seek the
kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity,
therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to
court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the
lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment
later must come. It is vanity to wish for long life and to care littleabout a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present
only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to lov
what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides
Often recall the proverb: The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor th
ear filled with hearing. 1 Try, moreover, to turn your heart from th
love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they
who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose
the grace of God.
1 Eccles. 1:8.
Papal encyclical:Solet annuere
The Bull of the Lord Pope Honorius III on the Rule of the Friars Mino
November 29, 1226 A. D.
Honorius Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to our beloved son
Friar Francis and the other friars of the Order of the Friars Minor,
health and apostolic Benediction:
The Apostolic See is accustomed to grant the pious desires and to
share her kind favor with the upright desires of those petitioning he
Wherefore, beloved sons in the Lord, having yielded to your pious
entreaties, We confirm by Our apostolic authority your rule, approv
by Our predecessor, Pope Innocent, of good memory, quoted herei
and We strengthen it with the patronage of this present writing,
which is as follows:
The Rule of the Friars Minor is this, namely, to observe the Hol
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by living in obedience withoutanything of our own, and in chastity.
Brother Francis promises obedience and reverence to the Lord
Pope Honorius and his canonically elected successors, and to t
Roman Church; and the other friars are bound to obey Francis
and his successors.
Chapter I: In the name of the Lord, begins the life of the Friars Mino
If any would desire to adopt this life and would come to our
brothers, let them send them to their ministers provincial to
whom alone, and not to others, is the permission to receive fri
conceded. Let the ministers examine them very diligently
concerning the Catholic Faith and sacraments of the Church. If
Chapter II: Concerning those who wish to adopt this life, and in wha
manner they should be received.
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Majella.
October 17th- St. Hedwiges, At Antioch, St. Heron, martyrs Saints
Victor, Alexander, and Marian. In Persia, St. Mamelta, martyr, At
Constantinople, St. Andrew of Crete, monk, At Orange, St.
Florentinus, bishop, At Capua, St Victor.
October 18th- blessed Luke, in Bithynia, At Antioch, St.
Asclepiades, bishop, martyrs, Beauvais, St. Justus, martyr, At
Neocsesarea,bishop Athenodorus, martyr, In Mesopotamia, St.
Julian, hermit. At Rome, St. Paul of the Cross, confessor, At Rome,
St. Tryphonia.
October 19th- At Arenas, St. Peter of Alcantara, At Rome, martyrs
Ptolemy and Lucius, At Antioch, martyrs Beronicus, the virgin Pelagia
and forty-nine others. In Egypt, St. Varus, At Evreux, St. Aquilinus,
bishop and confessor. Orleans, St. Veranus, bishop. At Salerno, St.
Eusterius, bishop. In Ireland, St. Ethbin, abbot. At Oxford, in England,
St. Frideswide, virgin.
October 20th- In Poland, St. John Cantius, priest and confessor, At
Abia,blessed Maximus, deacon and martyr, At Agen, St. Caprasius,
martyr, At Antioch, St. Artemius, At Cologne, martyrs virgins Martha
and Saula, with many others. At Minden, St. Felician, bishop and
martyr. At Paris, martyrs, George, deacon, and Aurelius. In Portugal,
St. Irene, virgin and martyr. Rheims, St. Sindulphus, confessor.
October 21st- In Cyprus, abbot Hilarion. At Cologne,Saints Ursula
and her companions, martyrs, At Ostia, St. Asterius, priest andmartyr, At Nicomedia, Saints Dasius, Zoticus, Caius, and twelve other
soldiers martyrs, At Maronia, St. Malchus, monk. At Lyons, St. Viator,
deaconAt Laon, St. Cilinia.
October 22nd- Jerusalem, blessed bishop Mark martyr, At
Adrianople,martyrs Philip, bishop, Severus, priest, Eusebius, and
Hermes, martyrs Alexander, bishop, Heracilus, soldier, and their
companions. At Fermo, St. Philip, bishop and martyr. At Huesca, in
Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters, martyrs At Cologne,
St. Cordula, martyr. At Hierapolis, St. Abercius, bishop, At Rouen, St.
Melanius, bishop, In Tuscany, St. Donatus, of Scotland, bishop of
Fiesoli. At Verona, St. Verecundus, bishop and confessor. At
Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome.
October 23rd- Ossuma, martyrs Servandus and Germanus, AtAntioch, priest Theodore martyr, At Granada,blessed Peter
Paschasius, bishop and martyr, At Constantinople, St. Ignatius,
bishop, At Bordeaux, St. Severin, bishop and confessor. At Rouen, St.
Romanus, bishop. At Salerno, St. Verus, bishop. In Picardy, St.
Domitius, priest. In Poitou, St. Benedict, confessor. Villack, St. John of
Capistran, confessor.
October 24th- At Venosa, in Basilicata, the birthday of the holy
martyrs Felix, African bishop, Audactus and Januarius, priests,
Fortunatus and Septimus, lectors. In the time of Diocletian, after
having been a long time loaded with fetters, and imprisoned in Africa
and Sicily by the governor Magdellian, as Felix refused absolutely to
deliver the sacred books, according to the emperor's edict, they
finally closed their lives by being beheaded. At Nagran, in Arabia,
Felix, the passion of the Saint Aretas and his companions, to the
number of three hundred and forty, in the time of the emperor
Justin, under the Jewish tyrant Dunaan. After them was burned alive
a Christian woman, whose son, five years old, confessed Christ
lisping, and as he could neither by caresses nor threats be stopped,
he rushed into the fire in which his mother was burning. At Cologne,
St. Evergistus, bishop and martyr. At Constantinople, St. Proclus,
bishop. In Bretagne, the departure from this life of St. Maglorious,
bishop, whose body rests at Paris. In Campania, St. Mark, solitary,
whose renowned actions have been recorded by St. Gregory.
October 25th- At Rome, martyrs Chrysanthus, and Daria, forty-six
holy soldiers, Theodosius, Lucius, Mark and Peter. At Soissons,
mart rs Cris in and Cris inian At Florence St. Minias mart r At
whom alone, and not to others, is the permission to receive fri
conceded. Let the ministers examine them very diligently
concerning the Catholic Faith and sacraments of the Church. If
they believe all these things and desire to observe them faithfu
and firmly unto the end, and if they have no wives, or if they do
their wives have already entered a convent, or having taken a
vow of chastity, permission [to enter one] has been granted to
them by authority of the bishop of the diocese, and the wives
of such an age that it is not possible that suspicion arise
concerning them, let them say unto these the words of the Ho
Gospel, that they should go and sell all that is their own and
strive to give it to the poor. If they cannot do that, their good w
suffices.
Let the friars and their ministers beware, lest they be solicitous
concerning their temporal things, so that they may freely do w
their own things, whatever the Lord will inspire them. If howev
should they need counsel, let the ministers have permission to
send them to other God fearing men, by whose counsel they m
give their goods to the poor. Afterwards let them grant them t
clothes of probation, namely two tunics without a capuche, a
cord, pants, and a caparone [extending] to the cord, unless it
seems to the ministers [that it should be] otherwise according
God. Having truly finished the year of probation, let them be
received to obedience, promising to observe always this very land rule. And in no manner will it be licit to them to leave this
[form of] religious life, according to the command of the Lord
Pope, since according to the Holy Gospel "No one putting hand
the plow and turning back is fit for the Kingdom of God."
And let those who have already promised obedience have one
tunic with a capuche and if they wish to have it, another witho
a capuche. And those who are driven by necessity can wear
footwear. And let all the friars wear cheap clothing and they ca
patch these with sack-cloth and other pieces with the blessing
God. I admonish and exhort them, not to despise nor judge me
whom they see clothed with soft and colored clothes, using da
food and drink, but rather let each one judge and despise his v
self.
Clerics are to perform the divine office according to the ordo o
the Roman Church, except for the psalter, for which they can
have breviaries.
Laymen are to say twenty-four "Our Fathers" for matins; for
lauds five ; for prime, terce, sext and none, for each of these
seven, for vespers, however, twelve; for compline seven; and l
them pray for the dead.
And let them fast from the Feast of All Saints until Christmas.
Indeed those who voluntarily fast the holy lent, which begins a
Epiphany and for the forty days that follow, which the Lord
consecrated with His own holy fast, let them be blessed by the
Lord, and let those who do not wish [to do so] not be
constrained. But they shall fast the other [Lent] until the [day o
the] Resurrection of the Lord.
At other times however they are not bound to fast, except on
Fridays. Indeed in time of manifest necessity the friars are not
bound to the corporal fast.
I truly counsel, admonish and exhort my friars in the Lord Jesus
Christ, that when they go about through the world, they are no
to quarrel nor contend in words, nor are they to judge others,
but they are to be meek, peaceable and modest, kind and
humble, speaking uprightly to all, as is fitting. And they should
not ride horseback, unless they are driven [to do so] by manife
necessit or infirmit .
Chapter III. Concerning the divine office and fasting; and how the
brothers ought to travel through the world.
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. .
October 25th- At Rome, martyrs Chrysanthus, and Daria, forty-six
holy soldiers, Theodosius, Lucius, Mark and Peter. At Soissons,
martyrs Crispin and Crispinian, At Florence, St. Minias martyr, At
Torres, martyrs Protus, priest, and Januarius, deacon, At
Constantinople, martyrs Saints Martyrius, sub-deacon, and Marcian,
chanter, At Rome, St. Boniface, pope and confessor. At Perigueux, St.
Fronto, At Brescia, St. Gaudentius, bishop, At Javols, St. Hilary,
bishop.
October 26th- At Rome, St. Evaristus, pope and martyr,In Africa,
martyrs Rogatian, priest, and Felicissimus, At Nicomedia, martyrsLucian, Florius and their companions, St. Quodvultdeus, bishop At
Narbonne, St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor, At Salerno, St.
Gaudiosus, bishop. At Pavia, St. Fulk, bishop. At Hildesheim, in
Saxony, St. Bernward, bishop and confessor, St. Quadragesimus,
sub-deacon.
October 27th- apostles Simon and Jude. At Avila, Saints Vincent,
Sabina and Christeta martyrs, At Tilchatel, St. Florentius, martyr. In
Cappadocia,martyrs Capitolina, and Erotheides, In India, St.
Frumentius, bishop. In Ethiopia, St. Elesbaan, king.
October 28th- apostles Simon the Cananean, and Thaddeus
martyrs, At Rome, St. Cyrilla, virgin, martyrs Anastasia the Elder,
virgin, and Cyril. At Como, St. Fidelis, martyr, At Mayence, St.
Ferrutius, martyr. At Meaux, St. Faro, bishop and confessor. At
Naples, St. Gaudiosus, bishop, At Vercelli, St. Honoratus, bishop.
October 29th- In Lucania, martyrs Hyacinthus, Quinctus, Felician
and Lucius, At Sidon, St. Zenobius, a priest martyr, bishops
Maximilian, martyr, and Valentine, confessor. At Bergamo, St.
Eusebia, virgin and martyr. At Jerusalem, blessed Narcissus, a bishop
At Autun, St. John, bishop and confessor. At Cassiope, St. Donatus, At
Vienne, blessed Theodore, abbot.
October 30th- In Africa, two hundred and twenty martyrs. At
Tangier, in Morocco, St. Marcellus, martyr, At Alexandria, thirteen
martyrs, Saints Julian, Eunus and Macarius martyrs, St. Eutropia,
martyr, At Cagliari, St. Saturninus, martyr, At Apamea, St. Maximus,
martyr, At Leon,martyrs Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius,At gea,
martyrs Saints Zenobius, bishop, and Zenobia, his sister, At Altino, St.
Theonestus, bishop and martyr, At Paris, St. Lucanus, martyr. AtAntioch, St. Serapion, At Capua, St. Germanus, bishop and confessor,
At Potenza, St. Gerard, bishop. At Palma, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez.
October 31st- At Rome, Nemesius, deacon, virgin Lucilla martyrs,
Saints Symphronius, Olympius, tribune, Exuperia, his wife, and
Theodulus, Saints Ampliatus, Urbanus and Narcissus, At Saint-
Quentin, St. Quinctinus martyr, At Constantinople, St. Stachis,
bishop, At Milan, St. Antoninus, bishop and confessor. At Ratisbon,
St. Wolfgang, bishop.
, ,
humble, speaking uprightly to all, as is fitting. And they should
not ride horseback, unless they are driven [to do so] by manife
necessity or infirmity.
And into whatever house they may enter, first let them say:
"Peace to this house." And according to the Holy Gospel it is
lawful for them to eat of any of the foods, which are placed
before them.
I firmly command all the friars, that in no manner are they to
receive coins or money through themselves or through aninterposed person. However for the necessities of the infirm an
for the clothing of the other friars, the ministers and even the
custodes are to conduct a sollicitous care, by means of spiritua
friends, according to places and seasons and cold regions, as th
see expedites necessity; with this always preserved, that, as ha
been said, they receive neither coins nor money.
Chapter IV. That the brothers should not accept money.
Let those friars, to whom the Lord gives the grace to work, wo
faithfully and devotedly, in such a way that, having excluded
idleness, the enemy of the soul, they do not extinguish the spir
of holy prayer and devotion, to which all other temporal things
should be subordinated. Indeed concerning the wages for labo
let them receive for themselves and for their friars corporal
necessities, excepting coins or money, and this [they should do
humbly, as befits the servants of God and the followers of mos
holy poverty.
Chapter V. On the manner of working.
Let the Friars appropriate nothing for themselves, neither hous
nor place, nor any thing. And as pilgrims and exiles in this world
let them go about begging for alms confidently in poverty and
humility as members of the household of God, nor is it fitting t
they be ashamed [to do so], since the Lord made Himself poor
this world for us. This is that heavenliness of most high poverty
which has established you, my most dear Friars, as heirs and
kings of the Kingdom of Heaven, making you poor in things, it h
raised you high in virtues. Let this be your portion, which leadsyou into the land of the living. Cleaving totally to this, most
beloved Friars, may you desire nothing else under heaven in
perpetuity for [the sake of] the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
And wherever the friars are and find themselves, let them
mutually show themselves to be members of the same
household. And let them without fear manifest to one another
their own necessities, since, if a mother nourishes and loves he
own son according to the flesh, how much more diligently shou
he ought to love and nourish his own spiritual brother?
And, if any of them should fall into infirmity, the other friars
should care for him, as they would wish to be cared for
themselves.
Chapter VI. That the Friars should appropriate nothing for themselv
and concerning the begging of alms and sick friars.
If any of the friars, at the instigation of the enemy, should sin
mortally, for those sins, concerning which it has be ordained
among the friars, that they have recourse to the ministers
provincial alone, the aforesaid friars are bound to have recours
to them as soon as they can, without delay. Indeed let the
ministers themselves, if they are priests, with mercy enjoin upo
them a penance; if indeed they are not priests, let them have it
enjoined by other priests of the Order, as it will seem to them
better expedite [the matter] according to God. And they shoul
beware, not to grow angry and become upset on account of th
sin of another, since anger and upsetness impede charity in
themselves and in others.
Chapter VII. On the penances to be imposed on Friars who sin.
Pope of the month:St Peter: Prince of the apostles
Until the Ascension of Christ: Bethsaida
St. Peter's true and original name was Simon, sometimes occurringin the form Symeon. (Acts 15:14; 2 Peter 1:1). He was the son of Jona
(Johannes) and was born in Bethsaida (John 1:42, 44), a town on
Lake Genesareth, the position of which cannot be established with
certainty, although it is usually sought at the northern end of the
lake. The Apostle Andrew was his brother, and the Apostle Philip
came from the same town.
Capharnaum:
Simon settled in Capharnaum, where he was living with his mother-
in-law in his own house (Matthew 8:14; Luke 4:38) at the beginning
of Christ's public ministry (about A.D. 26-28). Simon was thus
married, and, according to Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, III, vi,
ed. Dindorf, II, 276), had children. The same writer relates the
'
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eware, no o grow angry an ecome upse on accoun o
sin of another, since anger and upsetness impede charity in
themselves and in others.
All the friars are bound to have always one of the friars of this
very same religious [Order] as minister general and servant of t
whole fraternity and they are bound firmly to obey him. When
dies, let there be made an election of a successor by the
ministers provincials and the custodes in the Pentecost Chapte
in which the ministers provincial are bound always to convenetogether, wherever it will have been determined by the ministe
general; and this once every three years or at another interval
greater or less, as it will have been ordained by the aforesaid
minister.
Chapter VIII. On the election of the minister general of this
brotherhood; and on the Chapter at Pentecost.
Let the friars not preach in the diocese of any bishop, when the
will have been opposed by him. And let no friar even dare prea
to the people, unless he will have been examined by the minist
general of this fraternity and approved, and there be conceded
him by the same the office of preaching.
I admonish also and exhort these same friars, that in the
preaching that they deliver, their expressions be considered an
chaste, for the utility and edification of the people, byannouncing to them vices and virtues, punishment and glory w
brevity of speech; since a brief word did the Lord speak upon t
earth.
Chapter IX. On preachers.
Let the friars, who are ministers and servants of the other friar
visit and admonish their friars and humbly and charitably corre
them, not commanding them something which is contrary to
their conscience and our rule. Indeed let the friars, who are
subjects, remember, that for the sake of God they have
renounced their own wills. Whence I firmly command them, to
obey their ministers in all things which they have promised the
Lord to observe and which are not contrary to their souls or to
our rule. And wherever the friars are, who know and understan
that they themselves are not able to observe the rule spirituall
they should and can have recourse to their ministers. Indeed le
the ministers receive them charitably and kindly and be so
familiar with them, that they can speak to them and act as a lo
with his servants; for so it should be, because the ministers are
the servants of all the friars.
Indeed I admonish and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that the
friars are to beware of all pride, vain glory, envy, avarice, care
and solicitude for this world, detraction and murmuring, and le
those who are ignorant of letters not care to learn them; but le
them strive, so that above all things they should desire to have
the Spirit of the Lord and His holy operation, to pray always to
Him with a pure heart and to be humble, patient in persecution
and infirmity and to love those who persecute and correct andaccuse us, because the Lord says, "Love your enemies, pray for
those who persecute and calumniate you" (Mtt. 5:44). "Blessed
are those who suffer persecution for justice's sake, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven" (Mtt. 5:10). "He who has persevered
until the end, however, will be saved" (Mtt. 10:22).
Chapter X. On the admonition and correction of the friars.
I strictly command all the brothers not to have suspicious
company or conversation with women, and not to enter the
monasteries of women religious, except those to whom specia
permission has been conceded by the Apostolic See; neither ar
they to be godfathers of men or women [so that] scandal may
not arise on this account among the friars nor concerning them
Chapter XI. That the brothers should not enter the convents of nuns
of Christ's public ministry (about A.D. 26-28). Simon was thus
married, and, according to Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, III, vi,
ed. Dindorf, II, 276), had children. The same writer relates the
tradition that Peter's wife suffered martyrdom (ibid., VII, xi ed. cit.,
III, 306). Concerning these facts, adopted by Eusebius (Church
History III.31) from Clement, the ancient Christian literature which
has come down to us is silent. Simon pursued in Capharnaum the
profitable occupation of fisherman in Lake Genesareth, possessing
his own boat (Luke 5:3).
Peter meets Our Lord:
Like so many of his Jewish contemporaries, he was attracted by theBaptist's preaching of penance and was, with his brother Andrew,
among John's associates in Bethania on the eastern bank of the
Jordan. When, after the High Council had sent envoys for the second
time to the Baptist, the latter pointed to Jesus who was passing,
saying, "Behold the Lamb of God", Andrew and another disciple
followed the Saviour to his residence and remained with Him one
day. Later, meeting his brother Simon, Andrew said "We have found
the Messias", and brought him to Jesus, who, looking upon him, said:
"Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which
is interpreted Peter". Already, at this first meeting, the Saviour
foretold the change of Simon's name to Cephas (Kephas; Aramaic
Kipha, rock), which is translated Petros (Latin, Petrus) a proof that
Christ had already special views with regard to Simon. Later,probably at the time of his definitive call to the Apostolate with the
eleven other Apostles, Jesus actually gave Simon the name of Cephas
(Petrus), after which he was usually called Peter, especially by Christ
on the solemn occasion after Peter's profession of faith (Matthew
16:18; cf. below). The Evangelists often combine the two names,
while St. Paul uses the name Cephas.
Peter becomes a disciple
After the first meeting Peter with the other early disciples remained
with Jesus for some time, accompanying Him to Galilee (Marriage at
Cana), Judaea, and Jerusalem, and through Samaria back to Galilee
(John 2-4). Here Peter resumed his occupation of fisherman for a
short time, but soon received the definitive call of the Saviour to
become one of His permanent disciples. Peter and Andrew were
engaged at their calling when Jesus met and addressed them: "Come
ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men". On the same
occasion the sons of Zebedee were called (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark
1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11; it is here assumed that Luke refers to the same
occasion as the other Evangelists). Thenceforth Peter remained
always in the immediate neighbourhood of Our Lord. After preaching
the Sermon on the Mount and curing the son of the centurion in
Capharnaum, Jesus came to Peter's house and cured his wife's
mother, who was sick of a fever (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31). A
little later Christ chose His Twelve Apostles as His constant
associates in preaching the kingdom of God.
Growing prominence among the Twelve
Among the Twelve Peter soon became conspicuous. Though of
irresolute character, he clings with the greatest fidelity, firmness offaith, and inward love to the Saviour; rash alike in word and act, he is
full of zeal and enthusiasm, though momentarily easily accessible to
external influences and intimidated by difficulties. The more
prominent the Apostles become in the Evangelical narrative, the
more conspicuous does Peter appear as the first among them. In the
list of the Twelve on the occasion of their solemn call to the
Apostolate, not only does Peter stand always at their head, but the
surname Petrus given him by Christ is especially emphasized
(Matthew 10:2): "Duodecim autem Apostolorum nomina haec:
Primus Simon qui dicitur Petrus. . ."; Mark 3:14-16: "Et fecit ut essent
duodecim cum illo, et ut mitteret eos praedicare . . . et imposuit
Simoni nomen Petrus"; Luke 6:13-14: "Et cum dies factus esset,
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permission has been conceded by the Apostolic See; neither ar
they to be godfathers of men or women [so that] scandal may
not arise on this account among the friars nor concerning them
Let whoever of the friars who desires by divine inspiration to g
among the saracens and other infidels seek permission from th
minister provincial. Indeed the ministers are to grant permissio
to go to none, except those whom seem to be fit to be sent.
For which sake I enjoin the ministers by obedience, to seek fro
the Lord Pope one of the cardinals of the Roman Church, who to be the governor, protector, and corrector of this fraternity, s
that always subject and prostrate at the feed of this same Holy
Church, stable in the Catholic Faith we may observe, as we hav
firmly promised, the poverty and humility and the Holy Gospel
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Confirmation of the Rule
Let it not be in any way licit to anyone among men to infringe t
page of our confirmation, or to contravene it with rash daring.
anyone however would presume to attempt this, let him know
himself to have incurred the indignation of the Omnipotent Go
and of Blessed Peter and Paul, His Apostles.
Given at the Lateran, on the third day of the Kalens of Decemb
in the eight year of Our Pontificate.Honorius III
Chapter XII. Concerning those who go among the Saracens and othe
infidels.
Primus Simon qui dicitur Petrus. . ."; Mark 3:14-16: "Et fecit ut essent
duodecim cum illo, et ut mitteret eos praedicare . . . et imposuit
Simoni nomen Petrus"; Luke 6:13-14: "Et cum dies factus esset,
vocavit discipulos suos, et elegit duodecim ex ipsis (quos et
Apostolos nominavit): Simonem, quem cognominavit Petrum . . ." On
various occasions Peter speaks in the name of the other Apostles
(Matthew 15:15; 19:27; Luke 12:41, etc.). When Christ's words are
addressed to all the Apostles, Peter answers in their name (e.g.,
Matthew 16:16). Frequently the Saviour turns specially to Peter
(Matthew 26:40; Luke 22:31, etc.). Very characteristic is the
expression of true fidelity to Jesus, which Peter addressed to Him in
the name of the other Apostles. Christ, after He had spoken of the
mystery of the reception of His Body and Blood (John 6:22 sqq.) and
many of His disciples had left Him, asked the Twelve if they too
should leave Him; Peter's answer comes immediately: "Lord to
whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have
believed and have known, that thou art the Holy One of God"
(Vulgate "thou art the Christ, the Son of God"). Christ Himself
unmistakably accords Peter a special precedence and the first place
among the Apostles, and designates him for such on various
occasions. Peter was one of the three Apostles (with James and
John) who were with Christ on certain special occasions the raising
of the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51); the
Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:28), theAgony in the Garden of Gethsemani (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33).
On several occasions also Christ favoured him above all the others;
He enters Peter's boat on Lake Genesareth to preach to the
multitude on the shore (Luke 5:3); when He was miraculously
walking upon the waters, He called Peter to come to Him across the
lake (Matthew 14:28 sqq.); He sent him to the lake to catch the fish
in whose mouth Peter found the stater to pay as tribute (Matthew
17:24 sqq.).
Peter becomes head of the apostles
In especially solemn fashion Christ accentuated Peter's precedence
among the Apostles, when, after Peter had recognized Him as the
Messias, He promised that he would be head of His flock. Jesus was
then dwelling with His Apostles in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi,engaged on His work of salvation. As Christ's coming agreed so little
in power and glory with the expectations of the Messias, many
different views concerning Him were current. While journeying along
with His Apostles, Jesus asks them: "Whom do men say that the Son
of man is?" The Apostles answered: "Some John the Baptist, and
other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets". Jesus
said to them: "But whom do you say that I am?" Simon said: "Thou
art Christ, the Son of the living God". And Jesus answering said to
him: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood
hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I
say to thee: That thou art Peter [Kipha, a rock], and upon this rock
[Kipha] I will build my church [ekklesian], and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom
of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall bebound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it
shall be loosed also in heaven". Then he commanded his disciples,
that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ (Matthew
16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21). By the word "rock" the
Saviour cannot have meant Himself, but only Peter, as is so much
more apparent in Aramaic in which the same word (Kipha) is used
for "Peter" and "rock". His statement then admits of but one
explanation, namely, that He wishes to make Peter the head of the
whole community of those who believed in Him as the true Messias;
that through this foundation (Peter) the Kingdom of Christ would be
unconquerable; that the spiritual guidance of the faithful was placed
in the hands of Peter, as the special representative of Christ. This
Saint of the month:St. Bruno:
Confessor, ecclesiastical writer, and founder of the Carthusian Orde
He was born at Cologne about the year 1030; died 6 October, 1101.
He is usually represented with a death's head in his hands, a book a
a cross, or crowned with seven stars; or with a roll bearing the devic
O Bonitas. His feast is kept on the 6th of October. According to
tradition, St. Bruno belonged to the family of Hartenfaust, or
Hardebst, one of the principal families of the city, and it is in
remembrance of this origin that different members of the family of
Hartenfaust have received from the Carthusians either some speciaprayers for the dead, as in the case of Peter Bruno Hartenfaust in
1714, and Louis Alexander Hartenfaust, Baron of Laach, in 1740; or
personal affiliation with the order, as with Louis Bruno of Hardevs
Baron of Laach and Burgomaster of the town of Bergues-S. Winnoc
the Diocese of Cambrai, with whom the Hardevst family in the ma
line became extinct on 22 March, 1784. We have little information
about the childhood and youth of St. Bruno. Born at Cologne, he
would have studied at the city college, or collegial of St. Cunibert.
While still quite young (a pueris) he went to complete his education
Reims, attracted by the reputation of the episcopal school and of its
director, Heriman. There he finished his classical studies and
perfected himself in the sacred sciences which at that time consiste
principally of the study of Holy Scripture and of the Fathers. Hebecame there, according to the testimony of his contemporaries,
learned both in human and in Divine science. His education
completed, St. Bruno returned to Cologne, where he was provided
with a canonry at St. Cunibert's, and, according to the most probab
opinion, was elevated to the priestly dignity. This was about the yea
1055. In 1056 Bishop Gervais recalled him to Reims, to aid his forme
master Heriman in the direction of the school. The latter was alread
turning his attention towards a more perfect form of life, and when
he at last left the world to enter the religious life, in 1057, St. Bruno
found himself head of the episcopal school, or coltre, a post diffic
as it was elevated, for it then included the direction of the public
schools and the oversight of all the educational establishments of th
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that through this foundation (Peter) the Kingdom of Christ would be
unconquerable; that the spiritual guidance of the faithful was placed
in the hands of Peter, as the special representative of Christ. This
meaning becomes so much the clearer when we remember that the
words "bind" and "loose" are not metaphorical, but Jewish juridical
terms. It is also clear that the position of Peter among the other
Apostles and in the Christian community was the basis for the
Kingdom of God on earth, that is, the Church of Christ. Peter was
personally installed as Head of the Apostles by Christ Himself. This
foundation created for the Church by its Founder could not
disappear with the person of Peter, but was intended to continue
and did continue (as actual history shows) in the primacy of the
Roman Church and its bishops. Entirely inconsistent and in itself
untenable is the position of Protestants who (like Schnitzer in recent
times) assert that the primacy of the Roman bishops cannot be
deduced from the precedence which Peter held among the Apostles.
Just as the essential activity of the Twelve Apostles in building up
and extending the Church did not entirely disappear with their
deaths, so surely did the Apostolic Primacy of Peter not completely
vanish. As intended by Christ, it must have continued its existence
and development in a form appropriate to the ecclesiastical
organism, just as the office of the Apostles continued in an
appropriate form. Objections have been raised against the
genuineness of the wording of the passage, but the unanimoustestimony of the manuscripts, the parallel passages in the other
Gospels, and the fixed belief of pre-Constantine literature furnish the
surest proofs of the genuineness and untampered state of the text
of Matthew (cf. "Stimmen aus Maria Laach", I, 1896,129 sqq.;
"Theologie und Glaube", II, 1910, 842 sqq.).
His difficulty with Christ's Passion
In spite of his firm faith in Jesus, Peter had so far no clear knowledge
of the mission and work of the Saviour. The sufferings of Christ
especially, as contradictory to his worldly conception of the Messias,
were inconceivable to him, and his erroneous conception
occasionally elicited a sharp reproof from Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23,
Mark 8:31-33). Peter's irresolute character, which continued
notwithstanding his enthusiastic fidelity to his Master, was clearlyrevealed in connection with the Passion of Christ. The Saviour had
already told him that Satan had desired him that he might sift him as
wheat. But Christ had prayed for him that his faith fail not, and,
being once converted, he confirms his brethren (Luke 22:31-32).
Peter's assurance that he was ready to accompany his Master to
prison and to death, elicited Christ's prediction that Peter should
deny Him (Matthew 26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31; Luke 22:31-34; John
13:33-38). When Christ proceeded to wash the feet of His disciples
before the Last Supper, and came first to Peter, the latter at first
protested, but, on Christ's declaring that otherwise he should have
no part with Him, immediately said: "Lord, not only my feet, but also
my hands and my head" (John 13:1-10). In the Garden of
Gethsemani Peter had to submit to the Saviour's reproach that he
had slept like the others, while his Master suffered deadly anguish
(Mark 14:37). At the seizing of Jesus, Peter in an outburst of anger
wished to defend his Master by force, but was forbidden to do so.
He at first took to flight with the other Apostles (John 18:10-11;
Matthew 26:56); then turning he followed his captured Lord to the
courtyard of the High Priest, and there denied Christ, asserting
explicitly and swearing that he knew Him not (Matthew 26:58-75;
Mark 14:54-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-27). This denial was of
course due, not to a lapse of interior faith in Christ, but to exterior
fear and cowardice. His sorrow was thus so much the greater, when,
after his Master had turned His gaze towards him, he clearly
recognized what he had done.
'
oun mse ea o e ep scopa sc oo , or co re, a pos c
as it was elevated, for it then included the direction of the public
schools and the oversight of all the educational establishments of th
diocese. For about twenty years, from 1057 to 1075, he maintained
the prestige which the school of Reims has attained under its forme
masters, Remi of Auxerre, Hucbald of St. Amand, Gerbert, and lastly
Heriman. Of the excellence of his teaching we have a proof in the
funereal titles composed in his honour, which celebrate his
eloquence, his poetic, philosophical, and above all his exegetical and
theological, talents; and also in the merits of his pupils, amongst
whom were Eudes of Chtillon, afterwards Urban II, Rangier, Cardinand Bishop of Reggio, Robert, Bishop of Langres, and a large numbe
of prelates and abbots. In 1075 St. Bruno was appointed chancellor
the church of Reims, and had then to give himself especially to the
administration of the diocese. Meanwhile the pious Bishop Gervais,
friend of St. Bruno, had been succeeded by Manasses de Gournai,
who quickly became odious for his impiety and violence. The
chancellor and two other canons were commissioned to bear to the
papal legate, Hugh of Die, the complaints of the indignant clergy, an
at the Council of Autun, 1077, they obtained the suspension of the
unworthy prelate. The latter's reply was to raze the houses of his
accusers, confiscate their goods, sell their benefices, and appeal to
the pope. Bruno then absented himself from Reims for a while, and
went probably to Rome to defend the justice of his cause. It was onin 1080 that a definite sentence, confirmed by a rising of the people
compelled Manasses to withdraw and take refuge with the Empero
Henry IV. Free then to choose another bishop, the clergy were on th
point of uniting their vote upon the chancellor. He, however, had fa
different designs in view. According to a tradition preserved in the
Carthusian Order, Bruno was persuaded to abandon the world by th
sight of a celebrated prodigy, popularized by the brush of Lesueur--
the triple resurrection of the Parisian doctor, Raymond Diocres. To
this tradition may be opposed the silence of contemporaries, and o
the first biographers of the saint; the silence of Bruno himself in his
letter to Raoul le Vert, Provost of Reims; and the impossibility of
proving that he ever visited Paris. He had no need of such an
extraordinary argument to cause him to leave the world. Some time
before, when in conversation with two of his friends, Raoul and
Fulcius, canons of Reims like himself, they had been so enkindled w
the love of God and the desire of eternal goods that they had made
vow to abandon the world and to embrace the religious life. This vo
uttered in 1077, could not be put into execution until 1080, owing t
various circumstances. The first idea of St. Bruno on leaving Reims
seems to have been to place himself and his companions under the
direction of an eminent solitary, St. Robert, who had recently (1075
settled at Molesme in the Diocese of Langres, together with a band
other solitaries who were later on (1098) to form the Cistercian Ord
But he soon found that this was not his vocation, and after a short
sojourn at Sche-Fontaine near Molesme, he left two of his
companions, Peter and Lambert, and betook himself with six others
Hugh of Chteauneuf, Bishop of Grenoble, and, according to someauthors, one of his pupils. The bishop, to whom God had shown the
men in a dream, under the image of seven stars, conducted and
installed them himself (1084) in a wild spot on the Alps of Dauphin
named Chartreuse, about four leagues from Grenoble, in the midst
precipitous rocks and mountains almost always covered with snow.
With St. Bruno were Landuin, the two Stephens of Bourg and Die,
canons of Sts. Rufus, and Hugh the Chaplain, "all, the most learned
men of their time", and two laymen, Andrew and Gurin, who
afterwards became the first lay brothers. They built a little monaste
where they lived in deep retreat and poverty, entirely occupied in
prayer and study, and frequently honoured by the visits of St. Hugh
who became like one of themselves. Their manner of life has been
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. , ,
after his Master had turned His gaze towards him, he clearly
recognized what he had done.
The Risen Lord confirms Peter's precedence
In spite of this weakness, his position as head of the Apostles was
later confirmed by Jesus, and his precedence was not less
conspicuous after the Resurrection than before. The women, who
were the first to find Christ's tomb empty, received from the angel a
special message for Peter (Mark 16:7). To him alone of the Apostles
did Christ appear on the first day after the Resurrection (Luke 24:34;
1 Corinthians 15:5). But, most important of all, when He appeared atthe Lake of Genesareth, Christ renewed to Peter His special
commission to feed and defend His flock, after Peter had thrice
affirmed his special love for his Master (John 21:15-17). In conclusion
Christ foretold the violent death Peter would have to suffer, and
thus invited him to follow Him in a special manner (John 21:20-23).
Thus was Peter called and trained for the Apostleship and clothed
with the primacy of the Apostles, which he exercised in a most
unequivocal manner after Christ's Ascension into Heaven.
St. Peter in Jerusalem and Palestine after the Ascension Our
information concerning the earliest Apostolic activity of St. Peter in
Jerusalem, Judaea, and the districts stretching northwards as far as
Syria is derived mainly from the first portion of the Acts of the
Apostles, and is confirmed by parallel statements incidentally in the
Epistles of St. Paul. Among the crowd of Apostles and disciples who,
after Christ's Ascension into Heaven from Mount Olivet, returned to
Jerusalem to await the fulfilment of His promise to send the Holy
Ghost, Peter is immediately conspicuous as the leader of all, and is
henceforth constantly recognized as the head of the original
Christian community in Jerusalem. He takes the initiative in the
appointment to the Apostolic College of another witness of the life,
death and resurrection of Christ to replace Judas (Acts 1:15-26).
After the descent of the Holy Ghost on the feast of Pentecost, Peter
standing at the head of the Apostles delivers the first public sermon
to proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and wins a
large number of Jews as converts to the Christian community (Acts
2:14-41). First of the Apostles, he worked a public miracle, when
with John he went up into the temple and cured the lame man at theBeautiful Gate. To the people crowding in amazement about the two
Apostles, he preaches a long sermon in the Porch of Solomon, and
brings new increase to the flock of believers (Acts 3:1-4:4). In the
subsequent examinations of the two Apostles before the Jewish High
Council, Peter defends in undismayed and impressive fashion the
cause of Jesus and the obligation and liberty of the Apostles to
preach the Gospel (Acts 4:5-21). When Ananias and Sapphira
attempt to deceive the Apostles and the people Peter appears as
judge of their action, and God executes the sentence of punishment
passed by the Apostle by causing the sudden death of the two guilty
parties (Acts 5:1-11). By numerous miracles God confirms the
Apostolic activity of Christ's confessors, and here also there is special
mention of Peter, since it is recorded that the inhabitants ofJerusalem and neighbouring towns carried their sick in their beds
into the streets so that the shadow of Peter might fall on them and
they might be thereby healed (Acts 5:12-16). The ever-increasing
number of the faithful caused the Jewish supreme council to adopt
new measures against the Apostles, but "Peter and the Apostles"
answer that they "ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29
sqq.). Not only in Jerusalem itself did Peter labour in fulfilling the
mission entrusted to him by his Master. He also retained connection
with the other Christian communities in Palestine, and preached the
Gospel both there and in the lands situated farther north. When
Philip the Deacon had won a large number of believers in Samaria,
Peter and John were deputed to proceed thither from Jerusalem to
where they lived in deep retreat and poverty, entirely occupied in
prayer and study, and frequently honoured by the visits of St. Hugh
who became like one of themselves. Their manner of life has been
recorded by a contemporary, Guibert of Nogent, who visited them
their solitude. (De Vit su, I, ii.) Meanwhile, another pupil of St.
Bruno, Eudes of Chtillon, had become pope under the name of Urb
II (1088). Resolved to continue the work of reform commenced by
Gregory VII, and being obliged to struggle against the antipope,
Guibert of Ravenna, and the Emperor Henry IV, he sought to surrou
himself with devoted allies and called his ancient master ad Sedis
Apostolicae servitium. Thus the solitary found himself obliged to leathe spot where he had spent more than six years in retreat, followe
by a part of his community, who could not make up their minds to l
separated from him (1090). It is difficult to assign the place which h
then occupied at the pontifical court, or his influence in contempor
events, which was entirely hidden and confidential. Lodged in the
palace of the pope himself and admitted to his councils, and charge
moreover, with other collaborators, in preparing matters for the
numerous councils of this period, we must give him some credit for
their results. But he took care always to keep himself in the
background, and although he seems to have assisted at the Council
Benevento (March, 1091), we find no evidence of his having been
present at the Councils of Troja (March, 1093), of Piacenza (March,
1095), or of Clermont (November, 1095). His part in history is effaceAll that we can say with certainty is that he seconded with all his
power the sovereign pontiff in his efforts for the reform of the clerg
efforts inaugurated at the Council of Melfi (1089) and continued at
that of Benevento. A short time after the arrival of St. Bruno, the po
had been obliged to abandon Rome before the victorious forces of
emperor and the antipope. He withdrew with all his court to the so
of Italy. During the voyage, the former professor of Reims attracted
the attention of the clergy of Reggio in further Calabria, which had
just lost its archbishop Arnulph (1090), and their votes were given t
him. The pope and the Norman prince, Roger, Duke of Apulia, stron
approved of the election and pressed St. Bruno to accept it. In a
similar juncture at Reims he had escaped by flight; this time he agai
escaped by causing Rangier, one of his former pupils, to be elected,
who was fortunately near by at the Benedictine Abbey of La Cava ne
Salerno. But he feared that such attempts would be renewed;
moreover he was weary of the agitated life imposed upon him, and
solitude ever invited him. He begged, therefore, and after much
trouble obtained, the pope's permission to return again to his solita
life. His intention was to rejoin his brethren in Dauphin, as a letter
addressed to them makes clear. But the will of Urban II kept him in
Italy, near the papal court, to which he could be called at need. The
place chosen for his new retreat by St. Bruno and some followers w
had joined him was in the Diocese of Squillace, on the eastern slope
the great chain which crosses Calabria from north to south, and in a
high valley three miles long and two in width, covered with forest. T
new solitaries constructed a little chapel of planks for their pious
reunions and, in the depths of the woods, cabins covered with mudfor their habitations. A legend says that St. Bruno whilst at prayer w
discovered by the hounds of Roger, Great Count of Sicily and Calabr
and uncle of the Duke of Apulia, who was then hunting in the
neighbourhood, and who thus learnt to know and venerate him; bu
the count had no need to wait for that occasion to know him, for it
was probably upon his invitation that the new solitaries settled upo
his domains. That same year (1091) he visited them, made them a
grant of the lands they occupied, and a close friendship was formed
between them. More than once St. Bruno went to Mileto to take pa
in the joys and sorrows of the noble family, to visit the count when
sick (1098 and 1101), and to baptize his son Roger (1097), the future
King of Sicily. But more often it was Roger who went into the desert
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Gospel both there and in the lands situated farther north. When
Philip the Deacon had won a large number of believers in Samaria,
Peter and John were deputed to proceed thither from Jerusalem to
organize the community and to invoke the Holy Ghost to descend
upon the faithful. Peter appears a second time as judge, in the case
of the magician Simon, who had wished to purchase from the
Apostles the power that he also could invoke the Holy Ghost (Acts
8:14-25). On their way back to Jerusalem, the two Apostles preached
the joyous tidings of the Kingdom of God. Subsequently, after Paul's
departure from Jerusalem and conversion before Damascus, the
Christian communities in Palestine were left at peace by the Jewishcouncil. Peter now undertook an extensive missionary tour, which
brought him to the maritime cities, Lydda, Joppe, and Caesarea. In
Lydda he cured the palsied Eneas, in Joppe he raised Tabitha
(Dorcas) from the dead; and at Caesarea, instructed by a vision
which he had in Joppe, he baptized and received into the Church the
first non-Jewish Christians, the centurion Cornelius and his kinsmen
(Acts 9:31-10:48). On Peter's return to Jerusalem a little later, the
strict Jewish Christians, who regarded the complete observance of
the Jewish law as binding on all, asked him why he had entered and
eaten in the house of the uncircumcised. Peter tells of his vision and
defends his action, which was ratified by the Apostles and the
faithful in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18). A confirmation of the position
accorded to Peter by Luke, in the Acts, is afforded by the testimonyof St. Paul (Galatians 1:18-20). After his conversion and three years'
residence in Arabia, Paul came to Jerusalem "to see Peter". Here the
Apostle of the Gentiles clearly designates Peter as the authorized
head of the Apostles and of the early Christian Church. Peter's long
residence in Jerusalem and Palestine soon came to an end. Herod
Agrippa I began (A.D. 42-44) a new persecution of the Church in
Jerusalem; after the execution of James, the son of Zebedee, this
ruler had Peter cast into prison, intending to have him also executed
after the Jewish Pasch was over. Peter, however, was freed in a
miraculous manner, and, proceeding to the house of the mother of
John Mark, where many of the faithful were assembled for prayer,
informed them of his liberation from the hands of Herod,
commissioned them to communicate the fact to James and the
brethren, and then left Jerusalem to go to "another place" (Acts
12:1-18). Concerning St. Peter's subsequent activity we receive no
further connected information from the extant sources, although we
possess short notices of certain individual episodes of his later life.
Missionary journeys in the East; Council of the Apostles St. Luke does
not tell us whither Peter went after his liberation from the prison in
Jerusalem. From incidental statements we know that he
subsequently made extensive missionary tours in the East, although
we are given no clue to the chronology of his journeys. It is certain
that he remained for a time at Antioch; he may even have returned
thither several times. The Christian community of Antioch was
founded by Christianized Jews who had been driven from Jerusalem
by the persecution (Acts 11:19 sqq.). Peter's residence among them
is proved by the episode concerning the observance of the Jewishceremonial law even by Christianized pagans, related by St. Paul
(Galatians 2:11-21). The chief Apostles in Jerusalem the "pillars",
Peter, James, and John had unreservedly approved St. Paul's
Apostolate to the Gentiles, while they themselves intended to labour
principally among the Jews. While Paul was dwelling in Antioch (the
date cannot be accurately determined), St. Peter came thither and
mingled freely with the non-Jewish Christians of the community,
frequenting their houses and sharing their meals. But when the
Christianized Jews arrived in Jerusalem, Peter, fearing lest these rigid
observers of the Jewish ceremonial law should be scandalized
thereat, and his influence with the Jewish Christians be imperiled,
avoided thenceforth eating with the uncircumcised. His conduct
in the joys and sorrows of the noble family, to visit the count when
sick (1098 and 1101), and to baptize his son Roger (1097), the futur
King of Sicily. But more often it was Roger who went into the desert
visit his friends, and when, through his generosity, the monastery o
St. Stephen was built, in 1095, near the hermitage of St. Mary, ther
was erected adjoining it a little country house at which he loved to
pass the time left free from governing his State. Meanwhile the
friends of St. Bruno died one after the other: Urban II in 1099;
Landuin, the prior of the Grand Chartreuse, his first companion, in
1100; Count Roger in 1101. His own time was near at hand. Before
death he gathered for the last time his brethren round him and mad
in their presence a profession of the Catholic Faith, the words of
which have been preserved. He affirms with special emphasis his fa
in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and in the real presence of Our
Saviour in the Holy Eucharist--a protestation against the two heresi
which had troubled that century, the tritheism of Roscelin, and the
impanation of Berengarius. After his death, the Carthusians of
Calabria, following a frequent custom of the Middle Ages by which t
Christian world was associated with the death of its saints, dispatch
a rolliger, a servant of the convent laden with a long roll of
parchment, hung round his neck, who passed through Italy, France,
Germany, and England. He stopped at the principal churches and
communities to announce the death, and in return, the churches,
communities, or chapters inscribed upon his roll, in prose or verse,the expression of their regrets, with promises of prayers. Many of
these rolls have been preserved, but few are so extensive or so full
praise as that about St. Bruno. A hundred and seventy-eight
witnesses, of whom many had known the deceased, celebrated the
extent of his knowledge and the fruitfulness of his instruction.
Strangers to him were above all struck by his great knowledge and
talents. But his disciples praised his three chief virtues--his great sp
of prayer, an extreme mortification, and a filial devotion to the
Blessed Virgin. Both the churches built by him in the desert were
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin: Our Lady of Casalibus in Dauphin,
Our Lady Della Torre in Calabria; and, faithful to his inspirations, the
Carthusian Statutes proclaim the Mother of God the first and chief
patron of all the houses of the order, whoever may be their particupatron. St. Bruno was buried in the little cemetery of the hermitage
St. Mary, and many miracles were worked at his tomb. He had neve
been formally canonized. His cult, authorized for the Carthusian Ord
by Leo X in 1514, was extended to the whole church by Gregory XV,
17 February, 1623, as a semi-double feast, and elevated to the class
doubles by Clement X, 14 March, 1674. St. Bruno is the popular sain
of Calabria; every year a great multitude resort to the Charterhouse
St. Stephen, on the Monday and Tuesday of Pentecost, when his rel
are borne in procession to the hermitage of St. Mary, where he live
and the people visit the spots sanctified by his presence. An immen
number of medals are struck in his honour and distributed to the
crowd, and the little Carthusian habits, which so many children of t
neighbourhood wear, are blessed. He is especially invoked, and
successfully, for the deliverance of those possessed. As a writer and
founder of an order, St. Bruno occupies an important place in the
history of the eleventh century. He composed commentaries on the
Psalms and on the Epistles of St. Paul, the former written probably
during his professorship at Reims, the latter during his stay at the
Grande Chartreuse if we may believe an old manuscript seen by
Mabillon--"Explicit glosarius Brunonis heremitae super Epistolas B.
Pauli." Two letters of his still remain, also his profession of faith, an
short elegy on contempt for the world which shows that he cultivat
poetry. The "Commentaries" disclose to us a man of learning; he
knows a little Hebrew and Greek and uses it to explain, or if need b
rectify the Vulgate; he is familiar with the Fathers, especially St.
Au ustine and St. Ambrose his favourites. "His st le" sa s Dom Riv
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observers of the Jewish ceremonial law should be scandalized
thereat, and his influence with the Jewish Christians be imperiled,
avoided thenceforth eating with the uncircumcised. His conduct
made a great impression on the other Jewish Christians at Antioch,
so that even Barnabas, St. Paul's companion, now avoided eating
with the Christianized pagans. As this action was entirely opposed to
the principles and practice of Paul, and might lead to confusion
among the converted pagans, this Apostle addressed a public
reproach to St. Peter, because his conduct seemed to indicate a wish
to compel the pagan converts to become Jews and accept
circumcision and the Jewish law. The whole incident is another proof
of the authoritative position of St. Peter in the early Church, since his
example and conduct was regarded as decisive. But Paul, who rightly
saw the inconsistency in the conduct of Peter and the Jewish
Christians, did not hesitate to defend the immunity of converted
pagans from the Jewish Law. Concerning Peter's subsequent attitude
on this question St. Paul gives us no explicit information. But it is
highly probable that Peter ratified the contention of the Apostle of
the Gentiles, and thenceforth conducted himself towards the
Christianized pagans as at f irst. As the principal opponents of his
views in this connexion, Paul names and combats in all his writings
only the extreme Jewish Christians coming "from James" (i.e., from
Jerusalem). While the date of this occurrence, whether before or
after the Council of the Apostles, cannot be determined, it probablytook place after the council (see below). The later tradition, which
existed as early as the end of the second century (Origen, "Hom. vi in
Lucam"; Eusebius, Church History III.36), that Peter founded the
Church of Antioch, indicates the fact that he laboured a long period
there, and also perhaps that he dwelt there towards the end of his
life and then appointed Evodrius, the first of the line of Antiochian
bishops, head of the community. This latter view would best explain
the tradition referring the foundation of the Church of Antioch to St.
Peter. It is also probable that Peter pursued his Apostolic labours in
various districts of Asia Minor for it can scarcely be supposed that
the entire period between his liberation from prison and the Council
of the Apostles was spent uninterruptedly in one city, whether
Antioch, Rome, or elsewhere. And, since he subsequently addressedthe first of his Epistles to the faithful in the Provinces of Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadoci