St. Sabbas lived in Palestine in a cave on the top of a mountain at the bottom of which flowed the Brook Cedron. Fastings and austerities were conducive to the health of this saint for he lived to be 94 years old.

  He asked life of Thee and Thou hast given him length of days forever and ever. –Gradual: Psalm xx.

  It is by resisting the passions, therefore, and not by serving them, that true peace of heart is found. –Imitation: Book I.

  Ideal: Fasting and prayer did not seem to shorten the life of this man, for he lived to nearly 100 years. You have noticed that you feel better when you have denied yourself something at a meal, and it gives you the feeling of strength of character besides.

 Today: Self-denial becomes a great deal easier when you make it a habit. Decide upon some little mortification you will practice always at meals. (This is Advent, you know.) For instance, when you spread butter on bread, you might always miss the whole crust with butter, and no one would notice except God and your angel.

  Slogan: Habits grow by unseen degrees,

                As brooks make rivers and rivers run to seas.

~A Character Calendar
Sister Mary Fidelis, Sister Mary Charitas
Imprimatur 1931