From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
March 9th =E2=80=93 St. Pacian, Bishop of Barcelona
=C2 =C2 There are many saints whose lives and works inspire us, but ab=
out
whom we can't learn as much as we would like, because the records are
missing.
One of these is St. Pacian. He had an impressive career as bishop of
Barcelona, Spain, in the last two decades of the 4th century. He has
left three letters and two sermons, but these are so good we hanker
for more.
Pacian was outstanding enough to merit inclusion in the =E2=80=9Cwho's who= =E2=80=9D
called On Men of Distinction, written by the great 4th-century
scholar, St. Jerome. Jerome did not know the bishop personally, but he
did know Pacian's son, Flavius Dexter, an officer who served Emperors Theodosius and Honorius. It was to Flavius that Jerome dedicated =E2=80=9CO=
n
Men of Distinction=E2=80=9D. The author was well informed on the bishop. He praised his personal integrity and simple eloquence, and declared that
his way of life was even more illustrious than his works.
One of Pacian's writings that was not preserved, but about which we
know, was his Cervellus. Cervellus (=E2=80=9CThe Little Stag=E2=80=9D) deal=
t with an
immoral pagan New Year's celebration. It was a sort of Mardi Gras
centering around a little deer. The pagan participants would wear
masks, dress up like animals, and then act like animals (or worse).
Since this was an ancient and popular observance, Christians sometimes
yielded to the temptation to take part. Bishop Pacian was faced with a
dilemma that bishops still face today. Should he publicly denounce
this immoral rite or not? It was his duty to warn the faithful, but denunciation also gave a =E2=80=9Cbox office=E2=80=9D publicity to the Cerv= ellus. If
he warned the faithful, he would be fulfilling his duty to save their
souls. But the very warning would prompt others, out of curiosity or
defiance, to join in the pagan rite, and their souls might thus be
lost.
Well, he did give public warning, and the practice eventually died
out. As for the danger of publicity, he simply left this, I suppose,
in God's hands. Sometimes we have to tolerate the bad side effects of
our good actions.
Pacian preached clearly on the need to ask God's forgiveness for all
our sins. He reminded his flock that when Jesus gave the authority to
bind and loose sins to his apostles - and through them to their
successors - this authority extended to every sin, slight or serious: =E2=80=9CWhether it be great or whether it be small.=E2=80=9D
Yes, there are smaller sins, he said. These, too, can be forgiven in confession. But the venial sins can also be forgiven or atoned for by
other means. He doubtless meant prayer, self-denial, etc. This is good
for us to remember, especially in Lent: Our Lenten prayers, acts of
self-denial (like fasting and abstinence) and almsgiving make up to
God for our lesser sins. (Indeed, they can be applied to the sins of
the faithfully departed, too, towards the release of their souls in
purgatory.) On the other hand, mortal sins (like idolatry, irreverence
towards the Blessed Sacrament, murder and illicit sex) can be forgiven
only through the sacrament of reconciliation (penance).
Pacian sensed that some would object (as they do today) to confessing
their sins to a priest: =E2=80=9CI am embarrassed to confess these grave sins.=E2=80=9D The saint answered pointedly, =E2=80=9CYou were not ashamed =
to commit
the sin, but now are ashamed to confess it?=E2=80=9D
A good comment! We should be embarrassed to confess serious sins.
Embarrassment is itself an appropriate act of penance. By undergoing
it, we prove to God that we are humble enough to deserve his
forgiveness.
Pacian is best remembered, however, for adopting and clarifying the
word =E2=80=9CCatholic=E2=80=9D. A heretic once rebuked the bishop for his = use of the
term =E2=80=9Cthe Catholic Church=E2=80=9D. St. Pacian replied, =E2=80=9CCh= ristian is my name,
Catholic my surname. The one name puts me in a class; the other gives
me a character. The second is a testimonial; the first is a label.=E2=80=9D=
A
Catholic Christian, he went on to explain, is a Christian who follows
the correct teaching of the Catholic (i.e. universal) Church.
This, like much else that Pacian said 17 centuries ago, is still true today=
..
Saint Quote:
Prudence must precede every action which we undertake; for, if
prudence be wanting, there is nothing, however good it may seem,
which is not turned into evil.
-- St. Basil
<><><><>
PIOUS INVOCATIONS
O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of heaven to man below,
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
To Thy great Name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead, one in three;
Oh, grant us endless length of days
In our true native land with Thee.
Amen.
Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord:
=C2 Hosanna in the highest.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
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