Today is the Feast of St. George, patron saint of England.

 

As an Englishman, this day is my national day, at least as significant to me as is the Fourth of July to Americans. As a Catholic, the day means much more to me than it did in the days when I was only an Englishman. In those days, St. George was venerable only insofar as he was traditionally associated with my homeland. He was only powerful as a memory and as a symbol. He was dead but the symbolism surrounding him could perhaps rouse the sleeping Englishman to life. Now, however, as a Catholic Englishmen, I actually have a living relationship with the saint, knowing that he can answer the prayers of all Englishmen who seek his intercession for the Motherland. I pray to him daily but especially on this festival day:

 

Saint George, please pray for England, a country, which, in its days of wisdom, dedicated itself to thee. I pray that the dragons that are laying England to waste are subdued in the name of Christ. I pray that through your most powerful intercession as a holy knight of Christendom that the dragon of secular fundamentalism may be slain. I pray also that through the same powerful intercession that the dragon of Islamic fundamentalism may be similarly slain. I pray that the dragon which has made its home in the hearts of so many Englishmen may be slain so that they may return to the Faith of their Fathers. Only when the dragon of sin has been vanquished will Englishmen not be slaves. In the name of faith and freedom, I ask you, fearless saint, to obtain these favours for my country. This I ask in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.