A NEW YEAR'S GREETING TO OUR READERS. WE take the opportunity of the beginning of the New Year to say a few words of gratitude to the kind readers and supporters of this Magazine. We have not so much to solicit fresh aid, as to acknowledge that which we have already received, and express a hope that it may be continued. It is the principle on which our Magazine is conducted, that, after all necessary expenses have been deducted, whatever profits remain to us should be spent in the improvement of the periodical itself. We are now, for the first time, able to make the little step in advance which consists in adding an illustration to the pages of each number. We may say a few words in explanation of the attempt which will be made by the series of illustrations of which the first is contained in the present number. Our object in these illustrations will be to encourage and, if possible, to guide aright the use of the imagination on religious subjects. The illustrations which are so common in the periodicals of the day, and the beauty of which we are far from being able at present to rival, are usually strictly such as embellish the narrative or stories to which they are appended. Our illustrations will be on religious subjects, the choice of which will generally be guided by the calendar of the months in which they will JANUARY, 1882. B PAGE Confraternity of St. Michael. The Story of St. Pair. By Paul Féval 186 Devotions in honour of the Three Hours' Agony Note to the Illustration for March - St. Gregory and St. Augustine of Note to the Illustration for April-St. Peter and St. John on Holy Note to the Illustration for May-St. Monica and her child Note to the Illustration for June—The first Sermon of St. Antony of II.-Graham's repentance and amendment. He visits III. Robert Graham visits the Monastery of La Trappe, VI. The last sickness and death of Brother Alexis St. Mathias presented to the Blessed Virgin after his Election 310 The Apostolate of Prayer and the Holy League of the Sacred Heart of Intention for January-The diffusion of genuine devotion to the Intention for March-The Interests of Religion in Ireland. Intention for April-The Threatened Churches of South America 254 Intention for May-The Struggle against Atheistic Teaching in |