The Angels are our dearest and best friends

[Weedy]

The Angels are our dearest and best friends

The Angels are our dearest and best friends and
are most ready and able to help us in every difficulty and danger.
It is most regrettable that many Catholics do not
know, love and ask the Angels for help. The
easiest way is to say the Name of Jesus is in their
honour. This gives them the greatest joy. They
in return will help us in all our troubles and keep
us safe from many dangers.
Let us say the Name of Jesus in honour of all
the Angels but especially in honour of our dear
Angel Guardian who loves us so much.

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August 21st - Saint Sidonius Apollinaris
Also known as Caius Sollius Apollinaris Sidonius
(ca 430 - after 489)

Sidonius Apollinaris, poet, diplomat, bishop, is "the single most
important surviving author from fifth-century Gaul" according to Eric
Goldberg . He was Urban Prefect of Rome in 470 and after his career in
Imperial service, he was appointed bishop of Clermont in the Auvergne
(now Clermont-Ferrand) afterwards until his death. Most of the
previous holders of the benefice have been made saints in the Roman
Catholic Church, including his recent predecessor, St. Namatius
(bishop 446-62), who laid the foundations of a proper cathedral.
Sidonius Apollinaris was not a religious man; his election was
probably due more to his influential contacts, and his tireless
efforts on preserving his corner of Gaul for the Roman Empire.

Sidonius was a major Gallo-Roman aristocrat, whose life and
friendships put him in the center of 5th century Roman affairs. He
married Papianilla, daughter of Avitus who was later Roman Emperor.
Sidonius was also acquainted with the Arian Visigothic kings who ruled
during his lifetime. Some, like Theodoric II, he was on good terms
with; others, like Euric, who was given the Auvergne in 475, after a
siege of Clermont, had him imprisoned for his pro-Roman views.

Sidonius' writings are an invaluable source of information for events
and attitudes during his adult lifetime. There are about a 100
letters. He wrote several panegyrics, after the fashion of Claudian,
which documented several important political events. Carmen 7 is a
panegyric to his father-in-law Avitus on his inauguration as emperor.
Carmen 5 is a panegyric to Majorian, which offers evidence that
Sidonius was able to overcome the natural suspicion and hostility
towards the man who was responsible for the death of his
father-in-law. Carmen 2 is a panegyric to the emperor Anthemius, part
of Sidonius' efforts to be appointed Urban Prefect of Rome. A letter
of Sidonius's addressed to Riothamus, King of the Bretons (~460) is of
particular interest, since it provides significant evidence that a
King or leader with power was existent in the historical time frame of
King Arthur.

Sidonius' relations have been traced over several generations, from
his paternal grandfather's time in the narrative of a family's
fortunes from prominence in late Roman time into subsequent decline in
the 6th century under the Franks.


Saint Quote:
That which God commands seems difficult and a burden. The way is
rough; you draw back; you have no desire to follow it. Yet do so and
you will attain glory.
--Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Bible Quote:
"The hope of the wicked is as dust, which is blown away with the
winds, and as a thin froth which is dispersed by the storm; and a
smoke which is scattered abroad by the wind." (Wis. 5:15).


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Only by hope

"'Turn, O my soul, into your rest: for the Lord has been bountiful to
you' (Psalm 114:7). The brave contestant applies to himself the
consoling words, very much like to Paul, when he says: 'I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. For
the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice.' These things
the prophet also says to himself: Since you have fulfilled
sufficiently the course of this life, turn then to your rest, 'for the
Lord has been bountiful to you.' For, eternal rest lies before those
who have struggled through the present life observant of the laws, a
rest not given in payment for a debt owed for their works but provided
as a grace of the munificent God for those who have hoped in him."
by Basil the Great. (excerpt from HOMILIES 22)