Vigils Reading

THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAINTS

From a sermon by St John Henry Newman3

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I have not yet mentioned the peculiar benefit to be derived from the

observance of Saints’ days: which obviously lies in their setting before the mind

patterns of excellence for us to follow. In directing us to these, the Church does

but fulfil the design of Scripture. Consider how great a part of the Bible is

historical; and how much of the history is merely the lives of those who were

God’s instruments in their respective ages. Some of them are no patterns for us,

others show marks of the corruption under which human nature universally

lies. Yet the chief of them are specimens of special faith and sanctity, and are

set before us with the evident intention of exciting and guiding us in our

religious course…

First of all, and in his own incommunicable glory, Our Blessed Lord

Himself gives us an example, but His faithful servants lead us on towards Him,

and confirm and diversify His pattern. Now it has been the aim of our Church

in her Saints’ days to maintain the principle, and set a pattern, of this peculiarly

Scriptural teaching.

Christ’s Church is indestructible; and lasting on through all the

vicissitudes of this world, she must rise again and flourish, when the poor

creatures of a day who opposed her, have crumbled into dust. In the meantime

let us not forget our duty; which is, after the example of the Saints, to take up

our cross meekly, and pray for our enemies.

Every year brings wonders. We know not any year, what wonders shall

have happened before the circle of Festivals has run out again, from St.

Andrew’s to All Saints’. Our duty then is, to wait for the Lord’s coming, to

prepare His way before Him, to pray that when he comes, we may be found

watching… Let us not forget, that, as we are called to be Saints, so we are, by

that very calling, called to suffer; and, if we suffer, must not think it strange

concerning the fiery trial that is to try us, nor be puffed up by our privilege of

suffering, nor bring suffering needlessly upon us, nor be eager to make out we

have suffered for Christ, when we have but suffered for our faults, or not at all.

May God give us grace to act upon these rules, as well as to adopt and admire

them; and to say nothing for saying’s sake, but to do much and say little!

3 Parochial & Plain Sermons, Ignatius Press: San Francisco 1987. pp.476-478.7