teen Beati and distinguished members of the Order of Friars Preachers, including Father Lawrence the Englishman.

Three Rosaries of our Lady. London: Burns and Oates, 1880.-The first rosary is of our Lady as CoRedemptrix; the second is of the Sacred Heart; the third in imitation of our Lady. We cannot think that it is prudent to call our Lady Co-Redemptrix without adding a theological explanation to show in what sense this phrase, so liable to misinterpretation, can be used without injury to Catholic belief.

A Sketch of the Life and Mission of St. Benedict. By a Monk of St. Gregory's Priory, Downside. London: John Hodges.-St. Benedict was born in April of the year 480, and the Holy Father has decreed to the Saint the very remarkable honour of a solemn commemoration of his birth, departing in this from the usual practice of the Church, by which the day of death-the birthday to eternal life-is alone entitled to festive celebration. It is manifestly a fitting occasion for calling to mind the services rendered by the great Patriarch of the Western Monks to the universal Church. St. Benedict should be especially dear to Englishmen. In a very suggestive Appendix we find a long list of Benedictine foundations in England, ranging from A.D. 605 to A.D. 1537. The last date marks the establishment by Henry the Eighth of an abbey at Bisham, in Berkshire, which was destroyed, like the Holy Innocents, before it was two years old.

Intention of the Apostolate of Prayer for May.

THE CRUSADE OF MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS. THE Month of Mary comes to reanimate our hopes, and the feast which is assigned to the 24th of May reminds us, if we need reminding, that, when God permits Christians to be sorely pressed by their enemies and His, He gives them at the same time more than all the help they need in the prayers of her to whom they are ordered to have recourse in every emergency. Our confidence should continue to increase with each increase of danger.

To God it is an easy thing to subvert the counsels of the wicked. At any moment He may arise and scatter the proud in the conceit of their hearts. At any moment the powerful appeal of our Blessed Lady and the saints may procure a providential interference in the affairs of men sufficient to disturb the shrewdest calculations of earthly wisdom. We do not know when or how the deliverance will come; but this we know, that much depends upon the united efforts and persevering prayer of the true children of the Church. To all appearance a crisis is approaching, and it may be that even now the triumph is prepared. A few more prayers, a few more penances, a few more works of mercy, and then God may visit His people, turning sadness into gladness-not the happiness of Heaven in tranquil possession, but the joy of liberty restored to the Church on earth for her work of saving souls.

It is not with a single thought of rescuing the Church, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic, from destruction that faithful Christians everywhere are making earnest supplica

tion to the Lord God of Armies and to Mary, Help of Christians. Whatever may be the course of events, and however distant may be the day of the victory of truth and justice, the final issue of that war, in which this "crusade" is an event of importance, cannot be for a moment doubtful, for it is a conflict waged between the Creator and the creature. "If God be with us who shall be against us?" It would be more reasonable to try to beat down strong walls with sticks and stones, than to try to overthrow the Church with any siege-artillery made on earth or under it. The wonder is that this fact has not been made clear long since to the comprehension of all. After an experience of disappointment stretching over nearly two thousand years, it might have been supposed that the foolishness of fighting against Jesus Christ would have been recognized. Gamaliel spoke wisely: "And now therefore I say to you, refrain from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God."

In truth, it is far more for the persecutors than for the persecuted that prayers should be demanded. The weak and wavering must be kept in their allegiance, but Catholic zeal cannot rest satisfied with that. The Crusade of the Month of Mary will not deserve to be considered successful unless it carry the war into the enemy's camp, to rescue many. She who is the Help of Christians can convert the sinner, can change persecutors into apostles, and even scoffing unbelievers and hardened schismatics into faithful servants and loving children. This we ask of her; with nothing less than this shall we be content.

And as before, to give a definite form to the appeal for united prayers, it is suggested to the piety of our Associates, (1) to propagate the use of the miraculous medal and the recitation of the prayer which belongs to it: O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee; (2) to prepare for the feast of the Help

of Christians by a Novena (from the 16th to the 24th of May inclusively), selecting for the purpose some prayer in honour of the Immaculate Conception, and adding the above-mentioned ejaculation.

PRAYER.

Sacred Heart of Jesus! through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer to Thee the prayers, labours, and crosses of this day, in expiation of our offences, and for all Thy other intentions.

I offer them to Thee in particular to obtain, through the intercession of Thy Blessed Mother, the triumph of Thy Church. Show to us, dear Lord, by the splendour of that triumph, that the intercession of Mary, Help of Christians, has not ceased to be all-powerful with Thy Sacred Heart. Amen.

The Holy League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For the triumph of the Church and Holy See, and the Catholic regeneration of nations.

MAY, 1880.

I. GENERAL INTENTION: The Crusade of Mary, Help of
Christians.

II. PARTICULAR INTENTIONS.

8. Sat. Apparition of S. Michael, Archangel.-Love of God above all things; 7,535 young men.

9. Sunday within the Octave.-S. Gregory Nazianzen, B.C.D.-Desire of sound doctrine; 1,555 houses of education.

10. Mon. S. Antoninus, B.C.-Love of perfection; 5,455 religious men.

II. Tues. S. Pius V., P.C.-(S.J., S. FRANCIS JEROME, S.J., C.)-Zeal for good works; 1,362 promoters.

12. Wed. SS. Nereus, &c., MM.-Spirit of conciliation; 2,211 graces of concord.

13. Thurs. Octave of the Ascension. Recollection; 5,632 nuns.

14. Fri. S. John at the Latin Gate. May 6. -(S.J., S. Walburge, V.)- Detachment; 3,455 temporal affairs.

15. Sat. Vigil.- Fast.-Whitsun Eve.Spirit of faith; 5,088 interior graces.

16. WHITSUN DAY, or PENTECOST.Esteem of the grace of God; 5,808 various intentions.

17. Whitsun Monday.-Generosity in the service of God; 3,698 vocations.

18. Whitsun Tuesday.-Love of innocence; 15,783 children.

19. Wed. Ember Day.-Fast.-Spirit of wisdom; 1,507 superiors.

20. Thurs. Of the Octave. - Desire of salvation; 1,086 missions and retreats.

21. Fri. Ember Day. -Fast. - Charity towards the Holy Souls; 9,950 dead.

22. Sat. Ember Day. - Fast. - Frequent visiting the Blessed Sacrament; 2,422 parishes.

23. Trinity Sunday.-Zeal for God's glory; 1,572 pious undertakings.

24. Mon. B. V. MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS.-Confidence in Mary; 4,467 com

munities.

25. Tues. S. Aldhelm, B.C.-Christian

courage; 624 Church students and novices.

26. Wed. S. AUGUSTINE, B.C., Apostle of England.-Compassion for sinners; 9,550

sinners.

27. Thurs. CORPUS CHRISTI.- Ardent desire of Holy Communion; 4,290 First Communions.

28. Fri. S. Gregory VII., P.C.-Resignation; 3,507 sick.

29. Sat. S. Eleutherius, P.M.-(S.J., S. Venantius, M. May 18.)-Perfect trust in Providence; 7,842 families.

30. Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi.-Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament; 1,555 houses of education.

31. Mon. S. Angela, V.- Recourse to Mary; 6,847 young women.

Intentions sent for publication must arrive in London not later than the morning of the first day of the month. It is recommended that they should be written on a page by themselves. An Indulgence of 100 days is attached to all the Prayers and Good Works offered up for these Intentions.

Applications for Diplomas of Affiliation to the Apostleship of Prayer for England, is to be made to the Rev. A. G. Knight, S.J., 111, Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, London, W.; for Ireland, to the Rev. Edward Murphy, S.J., St. Ignatius Church, Galway. Sheets of the Living Rosary, adapted to the requirements of the Association, Tickets of Admission, Intention Sheets, large and small, may be had from F. Gordon, 48, South Street, Grosvenor Square, London, W.