sed his zeal. The
history of his life furnishes us with most edifying instances, and gives
all account of two persons raised to life by him, and of other miracles;
though his assiduous prayer, and his extraordinary humility,
mortification of his senses, and perfect self-denial, might be called
the greatest of his miracles. In the same rank we may place the
wonderful conversions of many obstinate sinners, and the heroic sanctity
of many great servants of God, who were by him formed to perfect virtue.
Among his maxims of humility, he used especially to inculcate, that he
who is sincerely humble desires to be contemned; he seeks not to appear
humble, but worthy to be humbled, is subject to all in his heart, and
ready to obey the whole world. By the holy hatred of ourselves, we must
secretly rejoice in our hearts when we meet with contempt end affronts;
but must take care, said this holy man, that no one think we rejoice at
them, but rather believe that we are confounded and grieved at the
ill-treatment which we receive. F. Claver died on the 8th of September,
1651, being about seventy-two years old; having spent in the Society
fifty-five years, in the same uniform crucified life, and in the
constant round of the same uninterrupted labors, which perhaps requires
a courage more heroic than martyrdom. In the process for his
canonization, the scrutiny relating to his life and virtues is happily
finished; and Benedict XIV. confirmed the decree of the Congregation of
Rites, in 1747, by which it is declared, that the proofs of the heroic
degree of the Christian virtues which he practised, are competent and
sufficient. See his life by F. Fleuriau.

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MANY Martyrs in Pontus, under Dioclesian. Some were tortured with melted
lead poured upon them, others with sharp reeds thrust under their nails,
and such like inventions, several times repeated: at length they various
ways completed their martyrdom. See Eusebius, Hist. l. 8, c. 12, p. 306.

ST. AVITUS, ARCHBISHOP OF VIENNE, C.

ST. ALCIMUS ECDITIUS AVITUS was of a senatorian Roman family, but born
in Auvergne. His father, Isychius, was chosen archbishop of Vienne upon
the death of St. Mammertus, and was succeeded in that dignity by our
saint, in 490. Ennodius, in his life of St. Epiphanius of Pavia, says of
him, that he was a treasure of learning and piety; and adds, that when
the Burgundians had crossed the Alps, and carried home many captives out
of Liguria, this holy prel