Old Stuff

The Seventeenth Day of August

The Octave of St. Laurence, martyr. A memory.

At Cracow in Poland, St. Hyacinth, confessor, of the Order of Preachers. Having received the religious habit from the hands of our Father St. Dominic, he excelled in learning and in a life of admirable innocence. He was celebrated for the glory of his miracles, especially for walking dryshod across wide rivers. Thought deserving of sweet converse with the holy Mother of God, distinguished for his spotless life, and filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, he died at an advanced age. He was called to his eternal reward on the very feastday of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was canonized by Pope Clement VIII. A totum duplex feast of the second class.

At Carthage in Africa, the holy martyrs Liberatus, abbot, Boniface, a deacon, Servus and Rusticus, subdeacons, Rogatus and Septimus, monks, and the boy Maximus. In the Vandal persecution under King Hunneric, they were subjected to various unheard-of tortures for confessing the Catholic faith and defending one baptism. Last of all, they were nailed to the planks with which they were to be burned. Although the fire was kindled again and again, every time it was miraculously extinguished. By the command of the King, they then were slain by being beaten with the handles of oars until their brains were dashed out. Thus, crowned by the Lord, they fulfilled the remarkable course of their trial.

In Achaia, St. Myron, priest and martyr, who was beheaded at Cyzicus after many tortures, at the time of the Emperor Decius and the governor Antipater.

At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the birthday of St. Mamas, martyr, the son of SS. Theodotus and Rufina, martyrs. Under the governor Alexander, at the command of Aurelian, he suffered a prolonged martyrdom from childhood to old age, and at length happily completed it. The holy fathers Basil and Gregory Nazianzen celebrated him with great praise.

At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Strato, Philip, and Eutychian. They were condemned to the beasts, but, remaining unhurt, their martyrdom was finished by fire.

At Ptolemais in Palestine, the suffering of the holy martyrs Paul and his sister Juliana, virgin. In the reign of the Emperor Aurelian, they were both punished with various cruel tortures and finally beheaded for their constancy in confessing the name of Christ.

At Rome, St. Eusebius, pope.

At Teramo (in Italy), St. Anastasius, bishop and confessor.

At Montefalco in Umbria, the virgin St. Clare, nun of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine. On her heart, which the faithful honor with great devotion, were renewed the mysteries of the Lord's passion. The Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII solemnly inscribed her in the list of the holy virgins.

V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

R. Thanks be to God.

Posted by billw at August 17, 2002 06:42 AM | TrackBack