Cylchgronau Cymru

L. I. C. & M. I. °* rii^ ew^D lili^D^^ClQ taiftN£$$m. The Messenger of the Catholic Church (Catnbto Breton Mission), LLANRWST, North Wales. Vol. I. 19th December 1909. No. 18. 4? 4? «$* 4? 4? 4? 4* 4* 4? 4? 4<* 4* 4«* 4* 4* 4* 4* 4* 4* 4* 4? 4* 4* 4* 4* 4* 4* 4* 4? 4? 4? 4? ->~^»— < God the son became man, not only to redeem ns, but to teach us the rules of a good ]ife, and to be for us a perfect model of all virtues. We are, therefore, like art students, who copy from a model,—the art we are learning being sanctity, after the example of Christ during His mortal life. As success in any art depends upon knowledge of prin¬ ciples combined with diligent, persevering efforts, so, to attain a high degree of holiness, we must study the life of our Lord and His teaching. This study will create a great esteem for His person and doctrine. Esteem will beget great desires to imitate Him. These great desire:; will produco great efforts. Great efforts will be crowned with success. The books most suitable to help us are the 'New Testament,' or its substance in the ' History of the Bible,' any popular 'Life of our Lord,' and the 'Imitation of Christ.' When reading these, note particularly the parts that are most suitable for you, and read and think over them again and again, until they have made such an impression on you that you will find it easy to conform your life to the maxims or example—as the case may be. Note especially how He was a model to all men :—(1) In their duties towards God, both in public and private : He spent nights in prayer, He commenced His important acts with prayer, He went with His Mother and St. Joseph to the annual feasts of the Temple;— (2) Duties towards their neighbour: "He went about doing good," He was patient with the troublesome, kind to the afflicted, merciful and tender to the fallen, indulgent to the Weak and ignorant, and kept aloof from affairs which did not concern Him or His Father's glory ;—(3) Duties towards themselves : He was detached from riches, pleasures, and honours. Washbourne's " Catholic Life.