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neophytes, the Pascal solemnity, having begun with
their Baptism on Holy Saturday, ended on the Saturday
in albis with the ceremony mentioned in the preceding
chapter. This Sunday also goes by the name of Dominica
in albis (depositis) or post albas (depositas), that is, the
first day on which the neophytes appeared in the
church wearing their ordinary garments ; also QUASIMODO
SUNDAY, from the first two words of the Introit of the
Mass. Sometimes, it is called Dominica nova, that is the
Sunday immediately following the great solemnity.
Finally, it is sometimes called the SUNDAY OF SAINT
THOMAS, on account of the Gospel read at the Mass.
In the Gospel of the Mass is pointed out to us the spe
cial object for our attention on this day ; the apparition
of our Risen Lord to the eleven apostles in the cenacle,
eight days after His Resurrection, and the victory which
He gained over a disciple hitherto incredulous respecting
the great miracle. On this occasion our Lord deigned
to give a personal and tangible proof to His doubting
Apostle and thus drew him not only to admit the
humanity which he saw and touched, but also to
acknowledge the divinity of the Master who had num
bered him amongst His apostles. Then followed the
mild reproach which is the lesson for us all :
are they that have not seen, and have believed.
"
Blessed
"
Bles
sed indeed is he who, silencing the objections of his
own reason, accepts the serious and unbiased assertion
of others. Blessed above all, he who bows to the infallible
word of the Church whose object it is to ensure the eter
nal salvation of the faithful.
In the Epistle of this day Saint John extols the merit
and the advantages of faith. By faith we triumph over
the world. By faith we are enabled to overcome both
the world around us and the world within us. Thus,