Council of Catholic Men

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In today’s Council of Catholic Men, we continue our catechism and Bible study with a prayerful reading of Ephesians 4–6, exploring St. Paul’s call to unity, truth in charity, putting on the new man, and living a virtuous life. We reflect on practical holiness: honesty, righteous speech, righteous labor, reconciling anger, and generosity. In Ephesians 5, we consider walking as children of light, the call to purity, and the sacrificial love and mutual duties within Christian marriage, modeled on Christ and the Church. Chapter 6 brings us to the armor of God—truth, justice, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word—preparing us for spiritual warfare against unseen powers through constant prayer. We then open Philippians 1, where Paul’s affection for the Philippians shines through, highlighting joy amid suffering and the tension between “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” From the catechism of St. Peter Canisius, we meditate on the evangelical counsels—obedience, chastity, and poverty—as helps toward charity and conformity to Christ’s humility and cross. We introduce the Four Last Things (death, judgment, hell, and heaven), urging watchfulness and perseverance, and conclude with the inspiring martyrdoms of Saints Agricola and Vitalis of Bologna, whose courageous witness calls us to faithfulness to the end.

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Welcome to the Council of Catholic Men. Today's date is Wednesday, 11/05/2025.   And let's begin our catechism and bible study. In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, amen.   Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done upon earth as it is in heaven.   Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,   as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,   but deliver us from evil. Amen.   In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.   Amen. Let's begin where we left off.  

We are on   chapter four of Saint Paul's epistle to the Ephesians.   Let's begin chapter four.   He exhorts them to unity,   to put on the new man, and to fly sin.   I, therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called   with all humility and mildness,   with patience,   supporting one another in charity,   careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.   One body and one spirit,   as you are called   in one hope of your calling.   One Lord,   one faith,   one baptism.   One God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.  

But to everyone   of us is given grace   according to the measure   of the giving of Christ.   Wherefore he saith,   ascending on high,   he led captivity   captive.   He gave gifts to men.   Now that he ascend,   what is it? But because he also   descended first into the lower parts of the earth,   he that descended   is the same also   that ascended   above all the heavens,   that he might fill all things.   And he gave some apostles   and some prophets,   and other some   evangelists,   and other some pastors   and doctors,   For the perfecting of the saints,   for the work of the ministry,   for the edifying   of the body of Christ.  

Until we all meet   into the unity of faith   and of the knowledge of the Son of God,   unto a perfect man,   unto the measure   of the age of the fullness of Christ.   That henceforth,   we be   no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,   by the wickedness of men.   By cunning, craftiness,   by which they lie in wait to deceive.   But doing the truth in charity,   we   may, in all things, grow up in him who is the head,   even Christ,   From whom the whole body,   being compacted   and fitly joined together,   by what every joint   supplieth,   according to the operation   in the measure of every part,   maketh   increase   of the body   unto the edifying   of itself in charity.  

This then I say,   and testify in the Lord,   That henceforward,   you walk not   as also the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind.   Having their understanding   darkened.   Being alienated   from the life of God   through the ignorance that is in them   because of the blindness of their hearts.   Who, despairing,   have given themselves up to   lasciviousness   unto the working of all uncleanness,   unto covetousness,   but you have not so learned Christ.   If so be that you have heard him   and have been taught in him   as the truth is in Jesus,   to put off   according to the former conversion   conversation,   the old man   who is corrupted according to the desire of error,   And be renewed in the spirit   of your mind.  

And put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice   and holiness of truth.   Wherefore,   putting away lying,   speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor.   For we are members of one another.   Be angry   and sin not.   Let not the sun go down upon your anger.   Give not place to the devil.   He that stole,   let him now steal no more.   But rather, let him labor,   working with his hands, the thing which is good.   That he may have something to give to him   that suffereth need.   Let no evil speech   proceed   from your mouth.   But that which is good to the edification   of faith.  

That it may administer   grace to the hearers.   And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.   Whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.   Let all bitterness and anger   and indignation   and clamor   and blasphemy   be put away from you   with all malice.   And be ye kind one to another,   merciful,   forgiving one another,   even as God hath forgiven you in Christ.   That's chapter four   of Saint Paul's   letter to the Ephesians   about an exhortation to unity   and putting on the new man.   Let's go to the footnotes.   Chapter four verse eleven and thirteen.   Verse 11. And he gave some apostles   and some prophets   and some other evangelists   and some other pastors and doctors   until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,   unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age   of the fullness of Christ,   gave some apostles,   until we all meet.  

Here, it is plainly expressed   that Christ has left in his church a perpetual succession of Orthodox pastors and teachers   to preserve   the faithful   in unity and truth.   So   the other one I found interesting in this   chapter   was about stealing.   He that stole, let him now steal no more, but rather let him labor,   working with his hands the thing which is good,   that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need   which means that stealing for the sake of charity is not a good thing   and let no evil speech proceed from your mouth this is verse 29.   But that which is good to the edification of faith, that it may administer   grace to the hearers.  

So speak speak well.   Don't curse.   Let's move on to chapter five.   Exhortations   to a virtuous life.   The mutual   duties of a man   and wife   by the example of Christ and of the church.   Be ye, therefore, followers of God,   as most dear children,   and walk in love,   as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered himself for us,   an oblation   and a sacrifice to God   for an odor of sweetness.   But fornication,   and all uncleanness,   or covetousness,   let it not so much as be named among you,   as becometh saints,   or obscenity,   or foolish talking,   or scruillity,   which is to no purpose,   but rather giving of thanks.  

For know you this and understand   that no fornicator   or unclean   or covetous   person,   which is a serving of idols,   hath inheritance   in the kingdom of Christ   and of God.   Let no man deceive you with vain words.   For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief.   Be you not therefore partakers with them.   For you   were heretofore   darkness.   But now light in the Lord.   Walk then as children of the light.   For the fruit of the light   is in all goodness   and justice and truth.   Proving what is well pleasing to God.   And have no fellowship   with the unfruitful works of darkness.  

But rather reprove them.   For the things that are done by them in secret,   it is a shame even to speak of.   But all things that are reproved   are made manifest by the light.   For all that is made manifest is light.   Therefore,   he saith,   rise thou that sleepeth,   and arise from the dead,   and Christ shall enlighten thee.   See therefore, brethren,   how you walk circumspectly,   not as unwise,   but as wise,   redeeming the time,   because the days are evil.   Wherefore,   become not unwise,   but understanding   what is the will of God.   And be not drunk with wine,   wherein is luxury,   but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit,   speaking to yourselves   in Psalms.  

And hymns   and spiritual canticles.   Singing   and making melody   in your hearts to the Lord.   Giving thanks always for all things.   In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   To God and the Father.   Being subject one to another   in the fear of Christ.   Let women be subject to their husbands   as to the Lord.   Because the husband   is the head of the wife,   as Christ is the head of the church.   He is the savior of his body.   Therefore,   as the church is subject to Christ,   so also   let the wives be to their husbands in all things.   Husbands,   love your wives as Christ also loved the church,   and delivered himself up for it,   that he might sanctify it,   cleansing   it by the laver of water,   in the word of life.  

That he might present it to himself,   a glorious church,   not having spot or wrinkle   or any such thing,   but that it should be holy and without blemish.   So also,   at men to love their wives as their own bodies.   He that loveth his wife,   loveth himself.   For no man   ever hated his own flesh,   but nourished and cherished it.   As also Christ doth the church.   Because we are members of his body,   of his flesh, and of his bones.   For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother,   and shall cleave to his wife,   and they shall be two in one flesh.   This is a great sacrament,   but I speak in Christ   and in the church.  

Nevertheless,   let everyone of you, in particular,   love his wife as himself,   and let the wife fear her husband.   Alright.   So that's chapter five,   and it's about the exhortation to avoid all evil.   Particularly, it says here,   fornication.   So this book is about   how a man   should be and a woman should be. And   it particular, it ends with marriage   and what marriage is all about   and how to prepare. I would assume this chapter is about how to prepare yourself for marriage in avoiding fornication and uncleanness,   covetousness,   and how to become a saint   and to avoid   obscenity or foolish talking   or scurility.  

Foolish talking,   the Greek word for that   is utrepalia   utrepalia.   And we could go more into that probably in another time,   but that's   all of that leads to fornication.   And when you're married, you avoid fornication and because it leads to adultery because you make a commitment to your spouse,   to your husband, or to your wife.   And you want to be without blemish as it says, and holy, because you're leading each other to heaven.   So let's   go to the footnote,   chapter five, verse 24.   As the church is subject to Christ,   the church then,   according to Saint Paul, is ever obedient to Christ   and can never fall from him,   but remain faithful to him,   unspotted   and unchanged   to the end of the world.  

So verse 24,   therefore, as the church is subject to Christ, so let all,   so also, let the wives   be subject,   be their husband   excuse me. So all let the wives be to their husbands in all things,   as the church is subject to Christ.   So obedient to Christ and never fall from him and remain faithful to him unspotted and unchanged to the end of the world.   In seriousness, I I would I add that to it.   Not just   thinking that you can,   make light   of what Saint Paul says.   He he introduces that in the beginning of the chapter to be faithful   and to avoid evil.  

So let's move on to chapter six.   Duties of children and servants.   The Christian's armor.   Children,   obey your parents in the Lord,   for this is just.   Honor thy father and thy mother,   which is the first commandment with a promise,   that it may be well with thee,   and thou mayest be long lived upon earth.   And you,   fathers,   provoke not your children to anger,   but bring them up in the discipline   and correction of the Lord.   Servants,   be obedient   to them   that are your Lords according to the flesh.   With fear   and trembling   in the simplicity   of your heart as to Christ.  

Not serving to the eye as it were pleasing men,   but   as the servants of Christ,   doing the will of God from the heart.   With a good will serving   as to the Lord   and not to men.   Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man shall do,   the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond,   bound, or   free.   And you,   masters,   do the same things to them,   for bearing threatenings,   knowing that the Lord,   both of them and you,   is in heaven.   And there is no respect of persons with him.   Finally, brethren,   be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power.   Put you on the armor of God,   that you may be able to stand against the seats of the devil.  

For our wrestling   is not against flesh and blood,   but against principalities   and powers,   against the rulers of the world,   of this darkness,   against the spirits of wickedness   in the high places.   Therefore take unto you the armor of God,   that you may be able to resist the evil day,   and to stand in all things perfect.   Stand therefore,   having your loins girt about   with truth,   and having on the breastplate of justice,   and your feet shod   with the preparation   of the gospel of peace,   in all things, taking the shield of faith,   wherewith   you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.  

And take unto you the helmet of salvation   and the sword of the spirit,   which is the word of God.   By all prayer and supplication,   praying at all times in the spirit,   and in   the same watching with all instance   and supplication   for all the saints.   And for me,   that speech may be given me,   that I may open my mouth   with confidence   to make known the mystery of the gospel,   for which I am an ambassador   in a chain,   so that,   therein,   I may be bold to speak according   as I ought.   But that you also   may know   the things that concern me and what I am doing,   Tychicus,   my dearest brother and faithful minister in the Lord,   will make known to you   all things,   whom I have sent to you for this same purpose,   that you may know the things concerning us.  

And that he may comfort your hearts.   Peace be to the brethren   and charity   with faith.   From God the Father   and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in   in corruption.   Amen.   And that ends   the epistle of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, that was chapter six.   So let's go to the footnotes,   chapter six, verse 12.   For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood,   but against principalities   and powers,   against the rulers of the world   of this darkness,   against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.   High places   or heavenly places,   that is to say, in the air,   the lowest of the Ecclesia   Excuse me. This is a difficult word for me.  

Ecclesial   regions   in which God permits these wicked spirits or fallen angels to wander.   So   celestial, excuse me, celestial   regions.   So everything under the sky   where God allows   evil spirits   to prowl   to be,   but we're to avoid them.   Because we're wrestling   not against flesh and blood, but against principalities   and powers,   against the rulers of the world of this darkness,   against the spirits   of wickedness   in the high places.   So the unseen world.   So this chapter was about servants and masters   and an exhortation to pray.   So that ends it for the Ephesians,   and let's move on. We're gonna go to the epistle   of Saint Paul to the Philippians.  

The Philippians   were the first among the Macedonians   converted to the faith.   They had a great veneration for Saint Paul   and supplied his wants when he was a prisoner in Rome,   sending to him by   Epaphroditus,   by whom he sent this epistle,   in which he recommends charity,   unity,   and humility,   and warns them against false teachers   whom he calls dogs   and enemies of the cross of Christ.   He also returns   thanks for their benefactions.   It was written about twenty nine years after our Lord's   Ascension.   So the this is the Apostle's Prayer,   chapter one   of the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Philippians.  

The Apostle's   affection   for the Philippians.   Paul and Timothy,   the servants of Jesus Christ,   to all the saints   in Christ Jesus,   who are at Philippi   with the bishops   and deacons.   Grace be unto you   and peace from god, our father,   and from the lord Jesus Christ.   I give thanks to my god in every remembrance of you.   Always   in all my prayers,   making supplication   for you all with joy.   For your communication   in the gospel of Christ, from the first day   until now.   Being confident of this very thing,   that he who hath begun   a good work in you,   will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.  

As it is meet for me,   to think   this for you all,   that for that I have   you in my heart,   and that   in my bands   and in the defense   and confirmation of the gospel,   you all are partakers of my joy.   For God is my witness,   How I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.   And this I pray   that your charity   may more and more abound   in knowledge   and in all understanding.   That you may approve the better things.   That you may be sincere   and without offense unto the day of Christ.   Filled with the fruit of justice   through Jesus Christ,   unto the glory and praise of God.  

Now,   brethren,   I desire you should know   that the things which have happened to me   have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel,   so that my bands   are made manifest in Christ   in all the court   and in all other places.   And many of the brethren   in the Lord,   growing confident   by my bands,   are much more bold to speak the word   of God without fear.   Some indeed,   even out of envy and contention,   but some also for goodwill,   preach Christ.   Some out of charity,   knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel,   and some out of contention,   preach Christ   not sincerely,   supposing that they raise affliction   to my bands.  

But what then?   So that by all means, whether by occasion   or by truth,   Christ be preached.   In this,   I also   also I rejoice,   yea, and will rejoice,   for I know   that this shall fall out to me, unto salvation.   Through your prayer   and the supply of the spirit of Christ Jesus.   Jesus Christ.   According to my expectation   and hope   that in nothing I shall be confounded.   But with all confidence,   as always,   so now,   also shall Christ be magnified   in my body,   whether it be by life or by death.   For to me, to live is Christ,   and to die is gain.   And if to live in the flesh,   this is to me the fruit of labor.  

And what I shall choose, I know not.   But I am straightened   between two,   having a desire to be dissolved   and to be with Christ,   a thing by far the better.   But to abide still in the flesh   is needful for you.   And having this confidence,   I know that I shall abide   and continue with you all   for your furtherance and joy of faith.   That your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me.   By my coming to you again.   Only let your conversation   be worthy of the gospel of Christ.   That   whether I come and see you   or being absent,   may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit,   with one mind laboring together   for the faith of the gospel.  

And in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries,   which to them is a cause of perdition,   but to you of salvation,   and this from God.   For unto you, it is given for Christ,   not only to believe in him,   but also to suffer for him,   having the same conflict   as that which you have seen in me, and now   have heard of me.   So this chapter   is about the readiness to live or die.   Let's look in the footnotes.   So chapter one   verse 22.   And if to live in the flesh,   this is to me the fruit of labor,   and what I shall choose, I know not.   This is to me.  

His meaning is that although his dying immediately for Christ   would be his gain   by putting him presently   in possession of heaven,   yet he is doubtful   what he should choose.   Because by staying longer in the flesh,   he should be more beneficial to the souls   of his neighbors.   So   it's wanting to   have an end in Christ,   but at the same time,   taking advantage of the life that we have   to   lead our neighbors to conversion to Christ   is what he's saying in that.   I'm gonna leave it here.   So next week, we'll work on chapters two,   three,   and we'll probably finish this book   because this is a short one.  

There are only four chapters in   the, epistle to the fill Philippians.   So let's leave it there.   Let's move on to the catechism.   Catechism   of Saint Peter Canisius,   doctor of the church.   Originally written in Dutch,   he was a Jesuit,   one of the early Jesuits.   So here   in the large catechism,   we're talking about,   we were talking about   chastity.   Now we're talking of the evangelical   councils.   So   we've got   chastity,   obedience,   and poverty.   So now let's begin   with question   two fourteen.   How is the evangelical   council concerning obedience   proposed   unto us?  

Christ, our lord,   first by the example   of his most holy life,   as we said before,   then by his word,   hath proposed   and commended unto us   the exact and perfect manner of this obedience.   For he came not to do his own will,   but the will of his father,   and   of those   unto whom we read   that he was subject.   He came to serve   and not to be served   insomuch   that he humbled himself,   being made obedient   even   to death,   even the death of the cross.   Then by word,   also moving us to his   imitation,   he said,   if any man   will come after me,   let him deny himself   and take up his cross   and follow me,   which words may be cert   very well understood   as spoken   generally to all.  

But yet, after a more peculiar   and perfect manner,   they do belong   unto those who,   so far as frailty can reach,   do so, conform themselves   unto Christ.   That   they will not in any one thing   be governed   by themselves.   And do endeavor   to live   rather   at another man's direction   than   at their own.   Whilst they do follow of their own accord,   the will   and commandment   of another,   whom   they have made   their governor   in Christ's   room.   The superior   of such persons   as teacheth Saint Basil,   doth bear the person   of Christ,   and being made   as it were   an intercessor   between God and men.  

That's sacrifice   unto God   the salvation   of them   that obey.   And therefore,   as sheep   do obey   their shepherd,   going the same way   that the shepherd   leadeth them,   so is it meet that such   practitioners   of piety   do obey   their superiors,   not curiously   searching the things   that are commanded   so that they   be free from sin,   but with all   alacrity   and diligence,   fulfilling those things   that are prescribed.   And of this superior,   after Saint Basil,   Saint Bernard   also affirmeth   Him whom   we have in God's room,   we ought to hear as God himself   in those things   which are not manifestly   against God.  

And such faithful and excellent followers of Christ,   as have busily attended to the observation   of the said councils,   the church   hath always had,   as ancient histories   do make mention,   and amongst them,   certain   choice   and approved companies   of devout and religious men,   who,   above the custom   and example   of the common sort,   forsaking   at once all their goods   and abandoning   the pleasures of the flesh,   have given themselves   by profession   to a holy   obedience,   only seeking   and laboring   that they   might wholly conform themselves   to the example   of   the obedient Christ   and to the perfection   of the evangelical   rule,   leaving no place at all to their own proper will.  

Witnesses,   whereof,   very fit   and substantial,   we have   saint Basil,   saint Augustine,   Saint Jerome,   Saint Benedict,   Saint Gregory,   Canisius,   Saint Bernard,   and other innumerable   professors   of evangelical   perfection.   And not only defenders,   but most perfect   observers   of a monastic rule.   Question   one fifteen.   In brief,   what conception   ought we to have   of the   evangelical councils?   This surely   that they be   provocations   and certain helps very profitable,   which do yield armor   unto weak persons   against the baits of the world   and the flesh,   which do further the endeavors of good men   in the race of true piety,   which does make the spirit more at liberty   to perform   the functions of religion   and   divine worship,   and which, moreover,   are much   available   as we have declared   for the achieving of the reward   of eternal life   and more ample glory   in the kingdom of heaven.  

But the whole sum of evangelical   perfection   standeth in this,   that as much as thou mayest   thou endeavor   to get charity.   And that thou follow Christ.   And him,   thou dost   imitate,   if according to thy power,   thou dost seek to conform   thyself to Christ,   who is both poor   and a virgin   and   subject   to others,   and obedient   even to the death of the cross.   If which with the apostle,   Saint Paul,   neglecting those things that are behind   with unwearied labor,   thou dost travail   toward those things   that are before   and thus stretch out thyself   every day   to the prize   of the   supernal   vocation.  

Utterly forsaking   in the mean season   as much as thou canst   thy own proper will   and submitting it to the man to a man for God's sake.   That thou mayest   pursue   the better gifts,   and mayest both choose the best part,   and   with faithfulness,   conserve the same   even to the end.   And that fits with what we read   earlier   about being obedient.   How   wives   should be obedient to their husbands,   like   the church is obedient to Christ.   So we're obedient   even to the death of the cross,   which means we bear things   that we otherwise might not want to do   in labor.  

And   we we because we prize   what it says is the supernal   vocation, which is   our greater vocation in life, which is to do the will of God,   not our own will,   That we have a greater benefit in mind   for what we we propose to do.   So   we're gonna move on   and we'll go into that.   So let me just go back real quick. So we went   from   the Ephesians.   So Ephesians was what was   we we talked about that   particular thing about   obedience.   Obedience to Christ   for our own good.   Alright. So we're moving on to the next chapter,   which is   we're getting close to the end here, and I would say this is probably   the last chapter   in the catechism.  

And we're talking about   of the last   of the four last things of a man.   So question   two sixteen,   which are called the four last things of man?   These surely,   death,   judgment,   hell,   and the kingdom of heaven,   called Sirte   the last things,   Because   that amongst all the things that can   chance unto a man,   they challenge unto themselves   the very last place.   For death,   according to the common saying,   is the last line of things.   After death,   followeth the judgment of God.   As Saint Paul   also   hath declared   in these words,   to   it is   appointed to men   to die once,   and after this,   the judgment.  

To wit,   both that particular   which everyone hath   at his death,   And that last and general judgment   which   expecteth   all men   at the end of the world   as we have already declared.   And some are judged,   those that die in mortal sin,   to be delivered to everlasting   pains in hell.   Others   who departing this life   are adorned   with the marriage garment of charity,   that they may enjoy the most happy life in the kingdom of heaven.   That is it   which the evangelical   verity   affirm it.   They   that have done good things   shall come forth   into   the resurrection   of life.  

But   they   that have done evil   into   the resurrection   of judgement.   For the son of man shall come in the glory of his father   with his angels,   and then   will he render to every man   according to his works.   Question   two seventeen.   What instruction   doth the scripture give us of death?   As by one man, sin entered into the world this world,   and by sin, death,   so unto all men,   death did pass,   Say it Saint Paul as Saint Paul affirm it.   Therefore,   although   nothing be more uncertain   to us   than the hour of death,   For   a man knoweth not his end,   yet nothing can be more sure   than death itself.  

For which cause   it is written,   all of us die,   and as waters,   we fall into earth,   which do not return again.   And   Ecclesiasticus,   confirming the same,   and a king   saith he,   is today,   and tomorrow   he shall die.   And when a man dieth,   he shall inherit   serpents   and beasts   and worms.   And because it concerneth   us much in what manner   and how well prepared we die?   Therefore,   so often in the gospel   is this repeated unto us.   Be watchful.   Also,   be ready.   For at what hour you think not,   the son of man   will come,   and we shall be watchful and ready to entertain death.   If every man do for his own part earnestly   and   in all his life,   meditate   that which is written.  

Before death,   work justice,   because   there is not in hell   to find meat.   As also Christ himself   has has hath said,   the night cometh   when the man   when no man can work.   Walk whilst you have the light   that the darkness   overtake   you not.   But fitly doth the prophet put   a difference   between the death of the good   and   the evil.   For of these, he saith,   the death of sinners   is very evil.   To wit of them   who like the abstinent Jews   do die in their sin   without penance.   And for that cause,   do so perish that   they are not to   excuse me, that they are   to   be tormented   perpetually   in hell   with the rich glutton.  

But of the other, he testifieth,   precious in the sight of our Lord   is the death of his saints.   For to such is this death of the body   is nothing else   but an end of this earthly   peregrination   and a conclusion   of the miseries   of this mortal life,   a quiet sleep   and a secure repose,   the beginning of true life   and a wished   passage to most unhappy   immortality   with the desire   whereof   the the apostle   burning   and being weary of this life.   I desire   saith he   to be dissolved   and to be with Christ.   Blessed are those servants   that when the Lord cometh,   he shall find watching.  

And   blessed are the dead   which die in our Lord.   And   a just man,   if he shall be prevented with death,   he shall be   in   a refreshing.   I'm gonna end it there.   We'll begin again next week   on the four last things.   So now let's conclude   with Saint Alphonsus de Liguori's victories of the martyrs or the lives of the most celebrated martyrs of the church.   And yesterday was   November 4.   We're on chapter   four.   Saint Agricola   and Saint Vitalis   of Bologna.   Saint Agricola   was a gentleman of the city of Bologna   at the time of the persecution of Diocletian.   He led a very pious life.  

By his universal kindness,   he   conciliated   to himself   the esteem   and affections of all,   even the pagans.   He had in his servant service   a very holy man called   Vitalus,   who served him with great fidelity,   as they both ardently   loved Jesus Christ.   They assisted each other in the practice of virtue   and encouraged each other   to shed their blood for the faith   when God should so ordain it.   But   it was the lot of Vitalis   to obtain the crown first,   To go before,   as Saint Ambrose says,   and prepare a place for his master in heaven.   The enemies of the faith, having seized him,   tortured   him so cruelly   that his entire body   was one wound.  

But Vitalis   remained firm to the death.   As the termination of his struggle approached,   the Lord Jesus   sent an angel to show him   in a vision   the crown which was being prepared for him in heaven.   Whereupon,   Vitalis,   with his dying breath,   pronounced this prayer,   Jesus,   my savior,   and my god,   command my longing soul to come to thee   to receive the crown   which has been shown me   by thy angel.   Having uttered these words,   he expired.   The persecutors   vainly hoped that by the torments and death   of Vitalis,   they would induce his   master, Agricola,   to abjure the faith.  

They, however, soon discovered that   all their arguments   to induce him to obey   the imperial edicts   by sacrificing to the idols   were vain.   For Agricola,   far from being dismayed by the cruelties,   practice   upon his servant,   derived from them greater courage,   and a still more ardent desire   to be made worthy of the crown that awaits those who lay down their lives for Jesus Christ.   He had the happiness   of dying   like his savior,   nailed to a cross.   The bodies   of these two martyrs,   together with the instruments of their martyrdom,   were buried   in a cemetery   where they lay unknown   until it pleased God to manifest the place of their burial   to Saint Ambrose.  

This holy bishop,   when passing through Bologna   in the year March,   found the depository   of these precious relics   and transferred them   with becoming solemnity   to a neighboring church.   He took a portion of the blood of the martyrs   and of the cross of Saint Agricola,   which he had found in the sepulchre,   and carried them to Florence   and placed them under the altar of a church, which he after afterwards consecrated   in that city.   Saint Ambrose   preached upon the occasion,   and from his sermon,   these facts   facts have been extracted.   They   are to be found also in Ruinart.  

So that's the end of that   store the story of Saint   Agricola   and Saint Vitalis   of Bologna.   Let's end   in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit,   amen.   Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee.   Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.   Holy Mary, mother of god, pray for us sinners,   now and at the hour of our death. Amen.   In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.   Amen.   Today is Wednesday, 11/05/2025.   Thank you all for listening to the Council of Catholic men,   bible study, and catechism.  

God bless you all.