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Show St. Sylvester. On Sunday, Dec. 31. Holy Mother celebrates the feast of Saint Sylvester, Pope. The Saint was born in Rome toward the close of the third century; He was a young priest when the persecution of the Christians broke out under the tyrant Diocletian. Idols were erected at the corners of the streets, in the market places, and over the public fountains, so that it was scarcely possible pos-sible for a Christian to go abroad without with-out being put to the of offering sacrifice, with the alternative of apostasy apos-tasy or death. .During this fiery trial, Sylvester strengthened the confessors and martyrs, God preserving his life from many dangers. In 312 a new era set in. Cons-tantine, having triumphed under the "standard cf the Cross," declared de-clared himself the protector of the Christians, and built them splendid churches. At this juncture Sylvester was elected to the chair of Peter, and was thus the first of the Roman Pontiffs Pon-tiffs to rule the flock of Christ in security se-curity and peace. He profited by these blessings to renew the discipline of the Church, and in two great councils confirmed con-firmed her sacred truths. In the council coun-cil of Arlea he condemned the schism of the Donatists; and in that of Nicera, the first; general council of the Church, her ealt Arianism- its. -death-blow by declaring that Jesus Christ is the true and very God. The Saint died A. D. 335. Reflection Never forget to thank God daily for having made you a member of His undying Church, and grow daily in your attachment, devotion and loyalty loy-alty to the Vicar of Christ, |