Titus was a gentile who became the disciple of the Apostle Paul, and was twice sent on missions to the Church in Corinth. Concerning this holy man, the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians : When I came to Troas to preach Christ’s Gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother ; but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Again, he wrote : When we were come into Macedonia, we were troubled on every side ; nevertheless God, that comforted those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. * Paul, because of his regard for Titus, sent him to Corinth on a mission mainly concerned with the collection of alms from the charity of the faithful for the relief of the poor Hebrew Christians at Jerusalem. This mission Titus discharged with such wisdom and gentleness, that he not only strengthened the Corinthians in the Faith, but also stirred up in them an earnest desire, a mourning, a fervent mind toward Paul the earliest teacher. Many were the other journeys by land and sea which Titus undertook. Filled with boldness and zeal, he went with Paul to the island of Crete. Of this Church of Crete the Apostle himself made him the first Bishop ; and we may not doubt that, as such, he was what Paul bade him be : IN all things a pattern of good works, in doctrine, in uncorruptness, in gravity. * He is said to have sweated mightily to unfurl the banner of the Cross among the Dalmatians. And it is believed that, full of days and good works, upon a 4th of January, in the ninety-fourth year of his age, he died one of those deaths which are precious in the sight of the Lord; and that he was buried by the Church of which the Apostle had made him the minister. His praises have been mostly written by Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Jerome.
Antiphon on the Magnificat:
O holy Priest and Bishop,† thou worker of so many mighty works, and good shepherd to Christ’s flock, * pray for us unto the Lord our God (alleluia). Collect:
O God, who on thy blessed Confessor Saint Titus didst bestow the virtues of thine Apostles: grant, we beseech thee, that by his merits and intercession ; we may so live righteously and soberly in this world, that we may be found worthy to attain unto our country in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Antiphon on the Benedictus:
Well done,† good and faithful servant : thou hast been faithful over a few things, * I will make thee ruler over many things, saith the Lord (alleluia).
No comments:
Post a Comment