ion by the faithful Christians, and were afterward transferred to a
magnificent church erected in their honor.

LESSON

HOW inspiring, to see a great man preferring justice, truth, and
religion to the favor of the mighty, readily quitting estate, friends,
country, and even sacrificing life, rather than consent to do violence
to his conscience; and to see him, at the same time, meek, humble,
patient in suffering, forgiving sincerely and loving his unjust and
treacherous persecutors! Passion and revenge often beget anger and
triumph over virtue and integrity. Ambition and the desire of wealth
may, for a time, urge men on to brave danger, but finally they reduce
them to the most abject slavery, and result in grievous crimes and
misery. Religion alone is the source of charity, magnanimity, and true
courage. It so enlightens the mind, as to place a man above the
vicissitudes of the world; it renders him steadfast and calm in
adversity, preserves him from error, teaches him to bear injustice and
calumny in a tranquil spirit, and gives him that ineffable peace and joy
which springs from the conviction that God's will is always most just
and holy and that He protects, aids, and rewards His servants.

Does religion exert this powerful influence on us? Do we show it in our
actions and conduct? Our courage and constancy must be apparent not only
when we encounter danger and opposition, but also when our evil
propensity urges us to yield to temptations that present sin to us in
the guise of pleasure.

_Prayer of the Church_

O GOD, who dost permit us to celebrate the remembrance of Thy blessed
martyrs, Eustachius and companions, grant us, that we may enjoy their
company in eternal bliss. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

XI

St. Giles, Hermit and Abbot

LEGEND

ATHENS, in Greece, was the native city of St. Giles. He was of noble
parentage, and devoted himself from early youth to piety and learning.
After the death of his parents he distributed his rich inheritance to
the poor, and to escape the applause of men for his charity left his
country to bury himself in obscurity.

He sailed for France, and on his arrival there retired to a deserted
country near the mouth of the river Rhone. Later he made his abode near
the river Gard, and finally buried himself in a forest in the diocese of
Nimes. In this solitude he passed many years, living on wild herbs and
roots, with water for his drink. It is related that for some time