• Our Lady of the Pillar (36). (Historical)
• St. Wilfred (709). Bishop. (Historical)

QUICK walker, expert at all good works, with never a sour face”-such was the great St. Wilfrid, whose glory it was to secure the happy links which bound England to Rome. He was born about the year 634, and was trained by the Celtic monks at Lindisfarne in the peculiar rites and usages of the British Church. Yet even as a boy Wilfrid longed for perfect conformity in discipline, as in doctrine, with the Holy See, and at the first chance set off himself for Rome. On his return, he founded at Ripon a strictly Roman monastery, under the rule of St. Benedict. In the year 664 he was elected Bishop of Lindisfarne, and five years later was transferred to the see of York. He had to combat the passions of wicked kings, the cowardice of worldly prelates, the errors of holy men. He was twice exiled and once imprisoned; yet the battle which he fought was won. He swept away the abuses of many years and a too national system, and substituted instead a vigorous Catholic discipline, modeled and dependent on Rome. He died October 12th, 709, and at his death was heard the sweet melody of the angels conducting his soul to Christ.

REFLECTION: To look towards Rome is an instinct planted in us for the preservation of the faith. Trust in the Vicar of Christ necessarily results from the reign of His love in our hearts.

WORD OF THE DAY

BALAAM. A heathen soothsayer who makes contradictory impressions in Scripture. Invited urgently by Balak, King of Moab, to come into the Jordan Valley and curse the invading Israelites, Balaam showed a surprising willingness to obey Yahweh, despite the fact that he was not a believer. All of Balak’s pleas and bribes were futile; instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam repeatedly blessed them (Numbers 22-24). Later, however, Moses became aware that Balaam had betrayed his people by inducing them to sin grievously by eating food sacrificed to idols. He ordered Balaam’s death (Numbers 31:8-16). Even in the New Testament reference is made to Balaam’s iniquity. Jude classifies him with the rebellious Cain and Korah (Jude 11), and John denounces certain evildoers as "followers of Balaam" (Revelation 2:14).

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

October, Month of the Rosary

Maria Magnificata. Short Meditations for October, the Month of the Rosary. 12th Day — The Visitation.