est arose and Dioscurus
was killed by lightning. Marcian, too, was overtaken by the same fate.

LESSON

SINCE early times St. Barbara is invoked as the patroness against
lightning and explosions, and is called upon by those who desire the
sacraments of the dying in their last illness, and many are the
instances of the efficacy of her intercession.

We all wish for a happy and blessed death. To attain it, we must make
the preparation for it the great object of our life; we must learn to
die to the world and to ourselves, and strive after perfection in
virtue. There is no greater comfort in adversity, no more powerful
incentive to withdrawing our affections from this world, than to
remember the blessing of a happy death. Well prepared, death may strike
us in any form whatsoever, and however suddenly, it will find us ready.

We can be guilty of no greater folly than to delay our preparation for
death, repentance, the reception of the sacraments, and the amendment of
our life, from day to day, from the time of health to the time of
illness, and in illness to the very last moments, thinking that even
then we can obtain pardon. St. Augustine observes: "It is very dangerous
to postpone the performance of a duty on which our whole eternity
depends to the most inconvenient time, the last hour." And St. Bernard
remarks: "In Holy Scripture we find one single instance of one who
received pardon at the last moment. He was the thief crucified with
Jesus. He is alone, that you despair not; he is alone, also, that you
sin not by presumption on God's mercy." If you, therefore, wish for a
happy death, prepare for it in time.

_Prayer of the Church_

O GOD, who among the wonders of Thy might didst grant the victory of
martyrdom also to the weaker sex, graciously grant us that we, by
recalling the memory of Thy blessed virgin and martyr Barbara, through
her example may be led to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PART IV

I

Novenas to the Holy Helpers

II

Prayers and Petitions

"In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
petitions be made known to God" (_Philipp._ iv. 6).

"God is wonderful in His saints. The God of Israel is He who will give
power and strength to His people; blessed be God" (_Ps._ lxvii. 36).

Novena to Each of the Holy Helpers

PREPARATORY PRAYER

_For Each of the Following Novenas_

ALMIGHTY and eternal God! With lively faith and reverently worshiping
Thy