This saint told his teacher that “to swim with the tide is cowardice…”

                  March 15 -- St. Clement Marie Hofbauer

St. Clement Marie Hofbauer, the Apostle of Vienna, was born in Tasswitz, Austria on December 26, 1751. 

Having entered the University of Vienna for his seminary training, he realized that some of his teachers had given in to the heresy of Rationalism which was a compromise of Catholic teaching with the errors of the Enlightenment.

One day he approached his teacher to vocalize his objections only to receive the following reply: " We have to swim with the tide if we don't want to be left behind". 

St. Clement answered: " To swim with the tide in this case is cowardice, since we have to fight and swim against the tide of this ocean. Whoever wants to shine the light upon the road for this century must ignite his torch in the light of Revelation." His professor retorted," Hofbauer, you will preach to empty pews. Our epoch no longer supports that kind of talk." 

Then another professor stated in class that the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was just a legend and that no one should speak of it.  St. Clement indignantly said, "Professor, what you say is NOT Catholic doctrine," and he left the class.  His fellow students followed.

St. Clement, by standing up for the whole truth, shows us that we are not alone when we defend the Catholic position.  He gave his fellow classmates the impetus to fight against the motto: "Give in a little, so as not to lose all". 

The thing that most helps the enemy’s victory is for us, Catholics, to compromise our Faith.

Therefore, let us ask St. Clement Marie Hofbauer to give us the courage to never compromise .  Let us remember that when we stand for the Truth in its entirety we are never alone because we have all the saints of history with us.  Most of all, we have Our Lady who will always be there to give us the courage and fortitude to stand up for her Son.