The Apostle Paul had no sooner by his preaching gathered the Cretans to the Sacraments and doctrines of the Christian Faith, than he made Titus their Bishop. It is agreed that the holiness of Titus shone with so bright a light before the infant Church, that he earned fellowship with the disciples of the Teacher of the Gentiles. Being taken to share in the work of preaching, he so endeared himself to Paul by his faithfulness and zeal in declaring the Gospel, that the Apostle saith: When I came to Troas to preach Christ's Gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. And again he saith: When we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless, God that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus.
It was this affection of Paul toward Titus, which had induced him to send him to Corinth upon a Mission which mainly concerned the collection of alms from the charity of the faithful for the relief of the poor Hebrew Saints at Jerusalem. This mission Titus discharged with such wisdom and gentleness, that he not only strengthened the Corinthians in the faith, but also stirred up in them an earnest desire, a mourning, a fervent mind toward Paul, their earliest teacher. Many were the other journeys by land sea which Titus undertook in order to sow the seed of God's word among men of divers nations, tongues, and countries. Filled with bold loyalty to the banner of the Cross, he went with Paul to the island of Crete. Of the Church of Crete the Apostle himself made him the first Bishop; and we may not doubt that, as such, he was what his Teacher bade him be, in all things shewing himself a pattern of good works, in doctrine, in incorruptness, in gravity.
Like a candle, he gave forth a light of faith in the midst of men sitting in the darkness of idolatry and falsehood, as in the shadow of death. He is said to have sweated mightily to unfurl the banner of the Cross among the Dalmatians. He was full of days and good works, when, upon a 4th of January, in the 94th year of his age, he died one of those deaths which are precious in the sight of the Lord. He was buried in the Church of which the Apostle had made him the minister. His praises have been mostly written by St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome, and his name is read in the Roman Martyrology on the anniversary of his death. The Supreme Pontiff Pius IX decreed that his Festival be kept by the universal Church.
It was this affection of Paul toward Titus, which had induced him to send him to Corinth upon a Mission which mainly concerned the collection of alms from the charity of the faithful for the relief of the poor Hebrew Saints at Jerusalem. This mission Titus discharged with such wisdom and gentleness, that he not only strengthened the Corinthians in the faith, but also stirred up in them an earnest desire, a mourning, a fervent mind toward Paul, their earliest teacher. Many were the other journeys by land sea which Titus undertook in order to sow the seed of God's word among men of divers nations, tongues, and countries. Filled with bold loyalty to the banner of the Cross, he went with Paul to the island of Crete. Of the Church of Crete the Apostle himself made him the first Bishop; and we may not doubt that, as such, he was what his Teacher bade him be, in all things shewing himself a pattern of good works, in doctrine, in incorruptness, in gravity.
Like a candle, he gave forth a light of faith in the midst of men sitting in the darkness of idolatry and falsehood, as in the shadow of death. He is said to have sweated mightily to unfurl the banner of the Cross among the Dalmatians. He was full of days and good works, when, upon a 4th of January, in the 94th year of his age, he died one of those deaths which are precious in the sight of the Lord. He was buried in the Church of which the Apostle had made him the minister. His praises have been mostly written by St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome, and his name is read in the Roman Martyrology on the anniversary of his death. The Supreme Pontiff Pius IX decreed that his Festival be kept by the universal Church.
St. Paul and St. Titus preaching to the people of Crete
