The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, which took place in the second year from the Ascension of the Lord. A totum duplex feast.
At Damascus, the birthday of St. Ananias, a disciple of the Lord, who baptized the Apostle Paul. He preached the Gospel in Damascus, Eleutheropolis and elsewhere until, under the judge Licinius, he was scourged with thongs and mangled. At last, he was stoned to death and thus obtained martyrdom.
In Auvergne in Gaul, St. Praejectus, bishop, and St. Amarinus, abbot of Doroang; both suffered death at the command of the authorities of that city.
At Antioch, the holy martyrs Juventinus and Maximus who, under Julian the Apostate, were crowned with martyrdom. On (the anniversary of) their birthday, St. John Chrysostorn delivered a panegyric to the people.
Also the holy martyrs Donatus, Sabinus, and Agape.
At Tomis in Scythia, St. Bretannio, bishop. In the reign of the Arian Emperor Valens, whom he fearlessly opposed, he flourished in the Church in wondrous sanctity and zealous devotion to the Catholic faith.
At Marchiennes in Gaul, St. Poppo, priest and abbot, famed for his miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Forli in Emilia (Italy), Blessed Marcolino, confessor of the Order of Preachers. A semi-duplex feast.
At Ephesus, St. Timothy, the disciple of St. Paul the Apostle, by whom he was ordained Bishop of Ephesus. After he had undergone many labors for Christ, he rebuked some pagans who were sacrificing to Diana. He was stoned by them, and shortly after he died in the Lord. A memory.
At Antioch, St. Babilas, bishop. In the persecution of Decius, after he had often glorified God by his sufferings and torments, he reached the end of his admirable life while bound in chains. He commanded that his body should be buried with the chains. It is said that there suffered with him also three youths, Urban, Prilidian, and Epolonius, whom he had instructed in the faith of Christ.
At Foligno in Umbria, St. Felician. He was ordained bishop of that city by Pope Victor I. After a life of many labors, he was crowned in his extreme old age with martyrdom, in the time of Decius.
At Neocaesarea in Mauretania, the holy martyrs Mardonius, Musonius, Eugene, and Metellus; all were delivered to the flames, and their relics were scattered in a river.
Also the holy martyrs Thyrsus and Projectus.
At Cingoli in Piceno, St. Exuperantius, confessor. He was bishop of that city, and was renowned for his miracles.
At Bologna, St. Zamas, first bishop of that city. He was consecrated by St. Dionysius, the Roman Pontiff, and he spread to a remarkable degree the Christian faith in that place. Also Blessed Suranus, abbot, who flourished in holiness at the time of the Lombards.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Valencia in Spain, in the province of Tarragona, St. Vincent, deacon and martyr. Under the wicked governor Dacian, he suffered prison, starvation, the rack, the disjointing of his limbs, red-hot metal plates, the blazing gridiron, and other kinds of torture. For the reward of his martyrdom, he went to heaven. Prudentius set forth in noble verse the glorious triumph of his suffering, and St. Augustine and Pope St. Leo commend him with the highest praise. A totum duplex feast.
At Barsaloe in Assyria, St. Anastasius, a Persian monk. After many tortures of imprisonment, floggings, and chains, which he had suffered at Caesarea in Palestine, he was delivered up to more torments under Chosroës, King of the Persians. He was at last beheaded, after sending before him to martyrdom seventy companions, who were drowned in a river. His head, together with his venerated image, was brought to (the Monastery at) Aquae Salviae near Rome[1]. The Acts of the second Council of Nicaea testify that at the sight of his relics demons fled and diseases were cured.
At Embrun in Gaul, the holy martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor, who were crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Diocletian.
At Novara (in Italy), St. Gaudentius, bishop and confessor.
At Sora (in Italy), St. Dominic, abbot, renowned for miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes: [1] Aquae Salviae is now known as Tre Fontane; the monastery is that of SS. Vincent and Anastasius.
At Rome, the suffering of St. Agnes, virgin. At the time of Symphronius, the prefect of the city, she was cast into the flames; at her prayer they were extinguished, and she was slain with the sword. St. Jerome thus speaks of her: "The life of St. Agnes is praised in the writing and the tongues of all peoples, especially in the churches, because she rose superior both to her (youthful) age and to the tyrant, and consecrated by her martyrdom her claim to chastity." A duplex feast.
At Athens, the birthday of St. Pubhus, bishop. After St. Dionysius the Areopagite, he admirably ruled the church of Athens. Great in virtue and resplendent for doctrine, he was gloriously crowned by martyrdom for Christ.
At Tarragona in Spain, the holy martyrs Fructuosus, bishop, Augurius and Eulogius, deacons. In the time of Gallienus, they were first thrown into prison, and then cast into the flames. When their bonds were burnt through, they stretched out their hands in prayer in the form of a cross, and so fulfilled their martyrdom. St. Augustine delivered a panegyric to the people on this their birthday.
In the monastery of Einsiedeln in Switzerland, St. Meinrad, priest and monk. In that same place, where later the monastery arose, he lived as a recluse and was slain by robbers. The body of this blessed man, which was formerly buried in the monastery of Reichenau, in Germany, was brought back to the monastery of Einsiedeln.
At Troyes in Gaut, St. Patroclus, martyr, who merited the crown of martyrdom under the Emperor Aurelian.
At Pavia, St. Epiphanius, bishop and confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, the birthday of Pope St. Fabian, who suffered martyrdom in the time of Decius, and was buried in the cemetery of Callistus.
Also at Rome near the Catacombs, St. Sebastian, martyr. He was in command of the first cohort under the Emperor Diocletian. On being accused of being a Christian, he was ordered to be tied in an open field and shot with arrows by the soldiers. Finally, he was beaten with clubs until he died. A duplex feast.
At Nicaca in Bithynia, St. Neophitus, martyr. When fifteen years old, he was scourged, cast into a furnace, and (then) thrown to the beasts; but he remained unhurt. As he continued to profess unswervingly the faith of Christ, he was finally slain with the sword.
At Cesena, St. Maurus, bishop, famed for virtues and miracles.
In Palestine, St. Euthymius, abbot. He flourished in the Church in the time of the Emperor Marcian, full of zeal for Catholic teaching and endowed with the power of miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Octave of St. Stephen, the Protomartyr. A memory.
In the town of Socino, in the Diocese of Cremona (Italy), Blessed Stephana Quinzani, virgin, of the Order of Preachers, who on January 2 went to her heavenly Spouse. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, the commemoration of many holy martyrs. They refused to obey the edict of Diocletian by which they were commanded to surrender their sacred books. They chose rather to give their bodies to the executioners than holy things to dogs.
At Antioch, the suffering of Blessed Isidore, bishop.
At Tomis in Pontus, the three holy brothers, Argeus, Narcissus and the youth Marcellinus. The young man was drafted as a recruit at the time of the Emperor Licinius. When he refused to perform military service,[1] he was flogged almost to death, and kept for a long time in prison. At last he was thrown into the sea, and so completed his martyrdom. His brothers were slain by the sword.
At Milan, St. Martinian, bishop.
At Nitria in Egypt, blessed Isidore, bishop and confessor.
On the same day, St. Siridion, bishop.
In the Thebaid, St. Macarius of Alexandria, priest and abbot.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] Certain passages in the works of several early Christian writers gave some converts the impression that military service and the teachings of Christ were incompatible. The error was not widespread.
The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Octave of His Nativity. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the suffering of St. Martina, virgin and martyr. At the time of the Emperor Alexander, she was subjected to various kinds of torture and finally obtained the crown of martyrdom by the sword. Her feast is observed on January 30.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the death of St. Basil the Great, bishop, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He lived at the time of the Emperor Valens, and was remarkable for his learning and wisdom. Adorned with every virtue, he was wonderfully distinguished by the unconquerable firmness with which he defended the Church against the Arians and Macedonians. His feast is fittingly celebrated on June 14, the day on which he was consecrated bishop.
At Monte Senario, in Etruria (Italy), St. Bonfilius, confessor, one of the seven founders of the Order of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since he had so faithfully served her, he was quickly called by her to heaven. His feast, with that of his companions, is observed on February 12.
At Rome, St. Almachlus, martyr. At the command of Alipius, prefect of the city, he was slain by gladiators because he cried out: "Today is the Octave Day of the Lord; stop your idolatrous superstitions and your polluted sacrifices."
Also at Rome, on the Appian Way, the crowning of thirty holy soldiers, martyrs, under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Spoleto, St. Concordius, priest and martyr, in the time of the Emperor Antoninus. He was first beaten with clubs, and then stretched on the rack. Afterward, he was starved in prison, where he was consoled by the visit of an angel. At length his life was ended by the sword.
On the same day, St. Magnus, martyr.
In Africa, Blessed Fulgentius, Bishop of the church of Ruspe. During the Vandal persecution, he was greatly harassed by the Arians because of his Catholic faith and excellent teaching. He was exiled to Sardinia, but finally was allowed to return to his own church, where he died a holy death, renowned for his life and preaching.
At Chied in Abruzzi (Italy), the birthday of St. Justin, bishop of that city, renowned for the holiness of his life and for his miracles.
In the country of Lyons, in the monastery of Mount Jura,[1] St. Eugendus, abbot, whose life was resplendent with miracles and virtues.
At Souvigny in Gaul, St. Odilo, Abbot of Cluny. He was the first to prescribe that the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed should be kept in his monasteries on the first day after the Feast of All Saints. This custom the Universal Church afterward approved and adopted.
At Alexandria, the death of St. Euphrosyna, virgin, who was renowned in her monastery for the virtue of abstinence and for her miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] This was the abbey of Condate on Mount-Jou (Mount Jura). When St. Eugendus died, is was called after him, by his French name, St. Oyend. Then, many centuries later, it was renamed St. Claude.
The Immaculate Conception of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God. On this day, the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX, solemnly defined that by a singular privilege of God, she was preserved free from all stain of original sin. A totum duplex feast of the first class.
At Treves, St. Eucharius, who was a disciple of St. Peter the Apostle, and first Bishop of Treves.
At Alexandria, St. Macarius, martyr. In the time of Decius, the judge tried by many arguments to persuade him to deny Christ, but he confessed the faith with all the greater firmness. Finally, he was ordered to be burned alive.
In Cyprus, St. Sophronius, bishop. He was a wonderful protector of wards, orphans, and widows, and a helper of all the poor and oppressed.
In the monastery of Luxeuil in Gaul, St. Romaricus, abbot. He had very high rank at the court of King Theodebert, but, forsaking the world, he excehed others in his observance of the monastic life.
At Constantinople, St. Patapius, hermit, who was renowned for his virtues and miracles.
At Rome, the finding of the bodies of the holy martyrs Nemesius, deacon, his daughter the virgin Lucina, Symphronius, Olympius the tribune, Exuperia, his wife, and Theodulus, his son. Commemoration of them is made on August 25.
At Verona, the ordination of St. Zeno, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The octave of St. Andrew the Apostle. A memory.
St. Ambrose, bishop, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He died in the Lord on April 4; but his feast is observed today -- the day on which he took charge of the Church of Milan. A duplex feast.
At Rome, blessed Eutychian, pope. With his own hands, he buried three hundred and forty-two martyrs in various places. He himself was joined to them by being crowned with martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Numerian, and was buried in the cemetery of Callistus.
At Alexandria, the birthday of Blessed Agatho, soldier. In the persecution of Decius, he prevented some men from making sport of the bodies of the martyrs. Quickly a cry against him arose from the rabble. He was brought before the judge, and since he remained firm in his confession of Christ, he was sentenced to death for his reverence.
At Antioch, the holy martyrs Polycarp and Theodore.
At Tuburbum in Africa, St. Servus, martyr. In the Vandal persecution under the Arian King Hunneric, he was beaten with clubs for a long time, repeatedly lifted on high by pulleys, then swiftly dropped, with all the weight of his body, on flints. Then he was scraped with very sharp stones until he had gained the palm of martyrdom.
At Teano in Campania, St. Urban, bishop and confessor.
Near Saintes in Gaul, St. Martin, abbot, at whose tomb numerous miracles take place.
At Farmoutiers in the territory of Meaux, the commemoration of St. Fara, also called Burgundofara, abbess and virgin. Her birthday is celebrated on April 3.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Myra, the capital of Lycia (in Asia Minor), the birthday of St. Nicholas, bishop and confessor. Among his many remarkable miracles, this memorable one is told: although he was far away, he appeared to the Emperor Constantine, and by his warnings and threats induced him to have mercy on, instead of executing, some men who had invoked the assistance of the saint. A duplex feast.
On the same day, St. Polychronius, priest. In the time of the Emperor Constantine, while he was at the altar celebrating Mass, he was attacked by the Arians, who cut his throat.
In Africa, St. Majoricus, son of St. Dionysius. He was a youth who was afraid of torture, but his mother encouraged him by looks and words; whereupon he became more courageous than the rest and gave up his life during the tortures. His mother embraced his body, buried him at home, and made it a practise to pray unceasingly at his tomb.
In the same place, the holy women Dionysia, mother of St. Majoricus the martyr, Dativa, and Leontia; likewise, a religious man named Tertius, Emilian, a physician, Boniface, and three others. In the Vandal persecution under the Arian king Hunneric, they all suffered innumerable and horrible tortures in defense of the Catholic faith, so that they deserve to be associated with the band of holy confessors of Chribe.
At Rome, St. Asella, virgin. St. Jerome wrote that she had been blessed from birth. She spent her whole life, even to old age, in fasting and prayer.
At Granada in Spain, the suffering of Blessed Peter Paschal, Bishop of Jaen and martyr. He belonged to the Order of Our Lady of Ransom for the Redemption of Captives.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In Judea, St. Sabas, abbot. He was born in the town of Mutalaska in Cappadocia. He gave a splendid example of holiness and labored most zealously for the Catholic faith against those who attacked the holy Council of Chalcedon. He died peacefully in the laura of the Diocese of Jerusalem, which afterward was called after him the Laura of St. Sabas.
At Nice near the river Var, St. Bassus, bishop. In the persecution of Decius and Valerian, he was tortured for his faith by the governor Perennius. First he was stretched on the rack, then burned with red-hot bars, beaten with clubs and scorpions, and cast into the fire. When he came forth unhurt, he was pierced with two spikes and thus completed his illustrious martyrdom.
At Pavia, St. Dalmatius, bishop and martyr, who suffered in the persecution of Maximian.
At Corfinium among the Pelignians,[1] St. Pelinus, Bishop of Brindisi. In the time of Julian the Apostate, the temple of Mars crashed to the ground at his prayers. The priests of the temple most grievously flogged him and inflicted eighty-five wounds on his body; thus he gained the crown of martyrdom.
Also, St. Athanasius, martyr. Because of his ardent desire for martyrdom, he delivered himself of his own free will to the persecutors.
At Thagura in Africa, the holy martyrs Julius, Potamias, Crispin, Felix, Gratus, and seven others.
At Thebeste in Numidia, St. Crispina, a most noble woman. In the time of Diocletian and Maximian, she was beheaded by command of the proconsul Anolinus because she refused to offer sacrifice. Saint Augustine often praised her.
At Treves, St. Nicetius, bishop, a man of marvellous holiness.
At Polyboton in Asia (Minor), St. John, bishop, surnamed the Wonderworker.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] The Pelignians were an ancient Sabine tribe. Their chief town, Corfinium, no longer exists; near its ruins is the city of Valva.
St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop of Ravenna, confessor, and Doctor of the Church, whose memory is recalled on December 2. A duplex feast.
At Nicomedia, the suffering of St. Barbara, virgin and martyr. In the persecution of Maximian, she was kept for a long time in prison, burned with torches, mutilated, and subjected to other tortures. She gained martyrdom by being put to the sword. A memory.
At Constantinople, SS. Theophanes and his associates.
In Pontus, St. Melitus, bishop and confessor. He was a man of remarkable learning but he was even more remarkable by reason of the virtue of his soul and the sincerity of his life.
At Bologna, St. Felix, bishop, who was once deacon of the Church of Milan under St. Ambrose.
In England, St. Osmund, bishop and confessor.
At Cologne, St. Anno, bishop.
In Mesopotamia, St. Maruthas, bishop. In Persia, he restored the churches of God that had fallen into ruin during the persecution of King Isdegerd. He was famous for his many miracles and was held in honor even by his enemies.
At Parma, St. Bernard, cardinal, and bishop of that city. He belonged to the Congregation of Vallombrosa of the Order of St. Benedict.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. Francis Xavier, priest of the Society of Jesus, confessor, Apostle of the Indies, and heavenly patron of the Society and work of the Propagation of the Faith. He died a peaceful death on December 2. A totum duplex feast.
In Judea, St. Sophonias, prophet.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Claudius the tribune and his wife Hilaria, their two sons Jason and Maurus, and seventy soldiers. The Emperor Numerian ordered Claudius to be fastened to a huge stone and cast into the river, while the soldiers and the sons of Claudius were to be punished by being beheaded. Blessed Hilaria buried the bodies of her sons; shortly after, she was seized by the pagans while she was praying at their sepulchre. She was cast into prison where she died.
At Tangier in Morocco, the suffering of St. Cassian, martyr. For a long time he held the position of public clerk, but eventually he was impressed by the fearless answers and unshaken firmness in the faith of Christ of the centurion St. Marcellus. Then inspired by grace, he felt it was a hateful thing to take part in the slaughter of Christians. He therefore resigned his office, confessed the Christian faith, and merited to obtain the palm of martyrdom.
Also in Africa, the holy martyrs Claudius, Crispin, Magina, John, and Stephen.
In Hungary, St. Agricola, martyr.
At Nicomedia, the suffering of SS. Ambicus, Victor, and Julius.
At Milan, St. Mirocles, bishop and confessor, whom St. Ambrose occasionally mentioned.
At Dorchester in England, St. Birinus, who was first bishop of that city.
At Chur in Germany, St. Lucius, an English king. In the time of St. Eleutherius, he was the first of the English kings to receive the faith of Christ.
At Siena in Tuscany, St. Galganus, hermit.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, the suffering of St. Bibiana, virgin and martyr. Under the wicked Emperor Julian, she was flogged with whips tipped with lead until she expired. A simplex feast.
At Imola in the province of Aemilia, the birthday of St. Peter, surnamed Chrysologus, Bishop of Ravenna, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He was distinguished for his learning and holiness. His feast is observed on December 4.
On Sancian, an island of China, the birthday of St. Francis Xavier, priest of the Society of Jesus, confessor, and Apostle of the Indies. He was famed for his conversion of the heathens, his supernatural gifts and miracles. Rich in merit and good works, he died in the Lord. The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius X, chose and appointed him the heavenly patron of the Society and the work for the Propagation of the Faith. By order of Pope Alexander VII, his feast is celebrated on December 3.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Eusebius, priest, Marcellus, deacon, Hippolytus, Maximus, Adria, Paulina, Neon, Mary, Martana, and Aurcha. They all completed their martyrdom in the persecution of Valerian, under the judge Secundian.
Also at Rome, St. Pontianus, martyr, and four others.
In Africa, the birthday of the holy martyrs Severus, Securus, Januarius, and Victorinus, who were there crowned with martyrdom.
At Aquileia, St. Chromatius, bishop and confessor.
At Verona, St. Lupus, bishop and confessor.
At Edessa in Syria, St. Nonus, bishop, by whose prayers Pelagia the penitent was converted to Christ.
At Troas in Phrygia, St. Silvanus, bishop, renowned for miracles.
At Brescia, St. Evasius, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Montpellier in Gaul, the birthday of Blessed John of Vercelli, the sixth master-general of the Order of Preachers. He was eminent both by his leaming and his virtues. He restored religious discipline in his monasteries, and labored untiringly as an arbitror for peace, in the name of and by the authority of the Roman Pontiff, in reconciling kings and cities. A duplex feast.
St. Nahum, Prophet, who was buried at Beth-Gabre.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Diodorus, priest, and Marian, deacon, together with many others. In the days of the Emperor Numerian, while the Christians were celebrating in the catacombs the anniversaries of their martyrs, the persecutors walled up the entrance to the crypt and heaped a great mass of stones against it. In this manner, the Christians gained the glory of martyrdom.
Also at Rome, the suffering of SS. Lucius, Rogatus, Cassian, and Candida.
At Narni, St. Proculus, bishop and martyr. After he had accomplished numerous exceptional deeds, Totila king of the Goths ordered him to be beheaded.
In the city of Casale, St. Evasius, bishop and martyr.
On the same day, St. Ansanus, martyr. At the time of Diocletian, he confessed Christ at Rome. He was cast into prison and then taken to Siena in Tuscany, where he completed his course of martyrdom by being beheaded.
At Ameria in Umbria, St. Olympiades, a man of consular rank. He was converted to the faith by St. Firmina; under Diocletian, he was tortured on the rack and so achieved martyrdom.
At Arbela in Persia, St. Ananias, martyr.
At Milan, St. Castridan, bishop. At a time of great disturbance in the Church, he was eminent by reason of his virtues and his deeds piously and religiously performed.
At Brescia, St. Ursicinus, bishop.
On the same day, St. Natalia, the wife of the Blessed Martyr Achian. For a long time she ministered to the holy martyrs imprisoned at Nicomedia in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. When their contest was completed, she went to Constantinople where she died a peaceful death.
The death of the venerable brothers Thomas Turco of Cremona, 56th master general of the Order, Joachim Briz of Spain, 67th master general of the Order, Alexander Vincent Jandel of Nancy in France, 73rd master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Patras in Achaia, the birthday of St. Andrew the Apostle. He preached the sacred Gospel of Christ in Thrace and Scythia, and was arrested by Aegeas the proconsul. After imprisonment, he was barbarously scourged and finally hung on a cross; he lived for two days, during which he did not cease to teach the people. He asked God not to permit him to be taken down from the cross, and he was then surrounded with a great light from heaven. When the light finally disappeared, he gave up his soul. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the suffering of SS. Castulus and Euprepes.
At Constantinople, St. Maura, virgin and martyr.
Also, St. Justina, virgin and martyr.
At Rome, St. Constantius, confessor. He fought bravely against the Pelagians and from that faction suffered many injuries, which made him a fellow of the holy confessors.
Near Saintes in Gaul, St. Trojan, bishop. He was a man of great holiness. He made it clear, by the many miracles he worked, that he lives in Heaven even though his body was buried on earth.
In Palestine, Blessed Zosimus, confessor. He was renowned for holiness and miracles, in the days of the Emperor Justin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of St. Andrew the Apostle.
At Rome on the Via Salaria, the birthday of the holy martyrs Saturninus, an old man, and Sisinius, deacon, under the Emperor Maximian; After they had been imprisoned for a long time, the prefect of the city ordered them to be raised upon the rack and stretched; then they were flogged with thongs, clubs, and scorpions. After fire had been applied to them, they were taken down from the rack and beheaded. A memory.
At Toulouse, St. Saturninus, bishop. In the reign of Decius, he was taken by the pagans to the capitol of that city and flung down the steps of the highest stairway. His skull was crushed, his brains dashed out, and his entire body mangled. Thus, he offered his worthy soul to Christ.
Also the suffering of SS. Paramon and three hundred and seventy-five companions under the Emperor Decius and the governor Aquilinus.
At Ancyra in Galatia, St. Philomenus, martyr. In the persecution of the Emperor Aurelian, under the governor Felix, he was tried by fire. Then his hands, feet, and lastly his head were pierced by spikes and he completed his martyrdom.
At Veroli in the Hernican mountains, the holy martyrs Blaise and Demetrius.
At Todi in Umbria, St. Illuminata, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Corinth, the birthday of St. Sosthenes, a disciple of the Apostle St. Paul, whom the same Apostle mentions in his Epistle to the Corinthians[1]. He had been a ruler of the synagogue but was converted to Christ. Cruelly flogged before the governor Gallio, he thus hallowed the firstfruits of his faith by an admirable beginning.
At Rome, St. Rufus. Diocletian made him and his whole family martyrs of Christ.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Papinian and Mansuetus, bishops. At the time of the Vandal persecution by the Arian King Genseric, these bishops defended the Catholic faith. For so doing, their bodies were seared with red-hot iron plates until they had completed their glorious contest. At the same time, other holy Bishops Valerian, Urban, Crescens, Eustace, Cresconius, Crescentian, Felix, Hortulanus, and Florentian, all were condemned to exile where they finished their earthly days.
At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Stephen the Younger, Basil, Peter, Andrew, and three hundred and thirty-nine fellow-monks. Under Constantine Copronymus, they were tortured in various ways because of their veneration of the holy images. They confirmed Catholic truth by shedding their blood.
At Naples in Campania, the death of St. James of Piceno, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor. He was famed for the austerity of his life, apostolic preaching, and the many diplomatic missions he performed for the Church. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Benedict XIII.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] 1 Cor. 1:1.
At Antioch, the holy martyrs Basileus, bishop, Auxilius, and Saturninus.
At Sebaste in Armenia, the holy martyrs Hirenarchus, Acacius, priest, and seven women. Hirenarchus was moved by the constancy of these women and was converted to Christ. Under the Emperor Diocletian and the governor Maximus, Hirenarchus together with Acacius was slain with an axe.
At the river Cea in Galicia, SS. Facundus and Primitivus, who suffered under the governor Atticus.
In Persia, St. James, a famous martyr surnamed "Dismembered." In the days of Theodosius the Younger, he denied Christ to secure the favor of King Isdegerd; whereupon, his mother and wife avoided his company. Repenting of his deed, James approached King Vararanes, the son and successor of Isdegerd, and confessed that he was a Christian. Hence, the angry monarch sentenced him to this death: his limbs were to be cut off one by one and finally he was to be beheaded. At that time and in the same place, innumerable other martyrs were slain.
At Aquileia, St. Valerian, bishop.
At Riez in Gaul, St. Maximus, bishop and confessor. He was endowed with every grace and virtue from his earliest years. He was at first the superior of the monastery at Lerins, and later Bishop of the Diocese of Riez. He was renowned for his signs and miracles.
At Salzburg in Germany, St. Virgil, Bishop and Apostle of Caranthia. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff Gregory IX.
In India, near the Persian border, SS. Barlaam and Josaphat, whose wondrous deeds are narrated by St. John Damascene.
At Paris, the death of St. Severinus, monk and hermit.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Mantua, Blessed James Benefatti, bishop and confessor, of the Order of Preachers. On account of his having perfectly fulfilled the duties of a good shepherd, he earned for himself the name "Father of the Poor," as well as the love of his flock. A semi-duplex feast.
At Fabriano in Piceno, Blessed Silvester, abbot, founder of the Congregation of Silvestrine Monks.
At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Peter, bishop of that city and martyr. He was adorned with every kind of virtue. He was beheaded by command of Galerius Maximian.
Also at Alexandria, there suffered in the same persecution the holy martyrs Faustus, priest, Didius, and Ammonius; also Phileas, Hesychius, Pachomius and Theodore, Egyptian bishops, with six hundred and sixty-six others. All gained heaven by the sword of persecution.
At the village called Fratta[1] near Rovigo, St. Bellinus, Bishop of Padua and martyr. He was an excellent defender of the rights of the Church. He was cruelly attacked by assasins who, having inflicted many wounds on him, killed him.
At Nicomedia, St. Marcellus, priest. In the reign of Constantius, he was flung headlong from a cliff by the Arians and thus died a martyr.
At Rome, St. Siricius, pope and confessor. Eminent for his learning, piety, and zeal for religion, he condemned various heretics, and restored ecclesiastical discipline by his most salutary decrees.
At Autun, St. Amator, bishop.
At Constance in Germany, St. Conrad, bishop.
At Rome, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor. He was noteworthy for his zeal for souls and his missionary journeys throughout Italy. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX.
In the district of Rheims, the birthday of St. Basolus, confessor.
At Adrianople in Paphlagonia, St. Stylian, hermit, noted for miracles.
In Armenia, St. Nicon, monk.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Fratta Polesine.
At Alexandria, St. Catherine, virgin and martyr. In the reign of the Emperor Maximian, she was cast into prison for confessing the Christian faith. Then she was flogged for a long time with scorpions, and finally completed her martytdom by being beheaded. Her body was miraculously carried by angels to Mount Sinai, and is there piously venerated by huge gatherings of Christians. A totum duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Moses, priest and martyr. While he was detained in prison together with other Christians, he was often encouraged by letters from St. Cyprian. With undiminished courage, he resisted not only the pagans but also the schismatics and Novatian heretics. Eventually, as Pope St. Cornelius testifies, he was crowned with a famous and admirable martyrdom in the persecution of Decius.
At Antioch, St. Erasmus, martyr.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the suffering of St. Mercurius, soldier. By the protection of his guardian angel, he conquered barbarians and overcame the cruelty of Decius. Enriched with the trophies of many tortures, he passed into heaven, crowned with martyrdom.
In Emilia, a province of Italy, St. Jucunda, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. John of the Cross, priest, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He was the associate of St. Teresa in the reform of Carmel. His birthday is mentioned on December 14. A duplex feast.
On the same day, the birthday of St. Chrysogonus, martyr. For his unwavering confession of Christ, he endured for a prolonged period chains and imprisonment. By orders of Diocletian, he was brought to Aquileia, there beheaded, and his body thrown into the sea, thus completing his martyrdom. A memory.
At Rome, St. Crescentian, martyr. He is mentioned in the martyrdom of Blessed Pope Marcellus.
At Corinth, St. Alexander, martyr. Under Julian the Apostate and the governor Sallust, he fought for the faith of Christ, even unto death.
At Perugia, St. Felicissimus, martyr.
At Ameria in Umbria, St. Firmina, virgin and martyr. In the persecution of Diocletian, she was tortured in various ways. At last, she was hung up and burned with flaming torches until she gave up her spotless soul to God.
At Cordoba in Spain, the holy virgins and martyrs Flora and Mary, who, in the Arab persecution, after long imprisonment were put to the sword.
At Milan, St. Protasius, bishop. At the Council of Sardica and in the presence of the Emperor Constans, he defended the cause of Athanasius. He died in the Lord, after he had performed many labors both for the Church committed to him and for religion.
In the province of Auvergne, St. Portianus, abbot. He was celebrated for his miracles in the reign of King Theodoric. He has given his name both to the monastery of which he had charge, and to the town which afterward was built in that place.[1]
In the district of Blaye in Gaul, St. Romanus, priest. The praise of his holiness is declared by the glory of his miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, near Vichy.
The birthday of St. Clement I, pope and martyr. He was the third pope after St. Peter the Apostle. In the persecution of Trajan, he was exiled to the Chersonese; there, an anchor was fastened to his neck and he was cast into the sea and so was crowned with martyrdom. During the time of the Sovereign Pontiff, Hadrian II, his body was taken to Rome by two brothers, SS. Cyril and Methodius, and buried with honor in the church which had been built and named after him. A duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Felicitas martyr, the mother of seven martyred sons. At the command of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, she was beheaded for Christ after her sons had been martyred.
At Cyzicus in the Hellespont, St. Sisinius, martyr. In the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian, he was put to the sword after he had endured many tortures.
At Merida in Spain, St. Lucretia, virgin and martyr, who gained martyrdom in the same persecution under the governor Dacian.
At Iconium in Lycaonia, St. Amphilochius, bishop. He was the companion of SS. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa in the desert and their colleague in the episcopate. After suffering many trials for the Catholic faith, he died a peaceful death, famed for holiness and learning.
At Agrigento (in Sicily), the death of St. Gregory, bishop.
In the town of Hasbain in Belgium, St. Trond, priest and confessor. Both the monastery he erected there on his own land, and the town which shortly after arose, were later named after him.[1]
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Saint-Trond or Sint-Truiden, near Hasselt.
St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr. Purpled with her own blood, she departed to her heavenly Spouse, on September 16. A duplex feast.
At Colossae in Phrygia, SS. Philemon and Apphias, disciples of St Paul. In the reign of the Emperor Nero, on the feast of Diana, the heathens burst into the (Christian) church and seized Philemon and Apphias, while the rest of the congregation fled. By orders of the governor Artocles, they were flogged; after which, they were buried up to their waists in a pit and then stoned to death.
At Rome, St. Maurus, martyr. He came from Africa to visit the tomb of the Apostles, and suffered martyrdom under Celerinus, governor of Rome in the reign of the Emperor Numerian.
At Antioch in Pisidia, the suffering of SS. Mark and Stephen, in the days of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Autun, St. Pragmatius, bishop and confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Jerusalem, the Presentation in the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. A totum duplex feast.
On the same day, the birthday of Blessed Rufus, whom St. Paul the Apostle mentions in his Epistle to the Romans.[1]
At Rome, the suffering of SS. Celsus and Clement.
At Rheims in Gaul, St. Albert, Bishop of Liege and martyr, who was killed for defending the liberty of the Church.
Near Ostia, the holy martyrs Demetrius and Honorius.
In Spain, the holy martyrs Honorius, Eutychius, and Stephen.
In Pamphylia, St. Heliodorus, martyr, in the persecution of Aurelian, under the governor Aetius. After his execution, his executioners themselves were converted to the faith and were drowned in the sea.
At Rome, Pope St. Gelasius I, famed for his learning and holiness.
At Verona, St. Maurus, bishop and confessor.
In the monastery of Bobbio, the death of St. Columban, abbot. He founded many monasteries and was the spiritual father of a very great number of monks. Eminent for his many virtues, he died peacefully at a good old age.
The death of the venerable brothers Stephen of Besançon, 8th master general of the Order; and Seraphin Cavalli of Brescia, 48th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Romans, 16:13.
St. Felix of Valois, priest and confessor. He founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives. He died in the Lord on November 4. A duplex feast.
In Persia, the martyrdom of SS. Nersas, bishop, and his companions.
At Messina in Sicily, the holy martyrs Ampelus and Caius.
At Turin, SS. Octavius, Solutor, and Adventor, martyred soldiers of the Theban Legion. At the time of the Emperor Maximian, they fought wonderfully (for the faith) and were crowned with martyrdom.
At Caesaria in Palestine, St. Agapius, martyr. In the reign of the Emperor Galerius Maximian, he was condemned to the beasts. As he was not injured by them, he was flung into the sea with stones attached to his feet.
At Silistria in Rumania, St. Dasius, martyr. He was put to death by the governor Bassus, because he would not take part in the shameless rites of the Saturnalia.
At Nicaca in Bithynia, the holy martyrs Eustace, Thespesius, and Anatolius, in the persecution of Maximinus.
At Heraclea in Thrace, the holy martyrs Bassus, Dionysius, Agapitus, and forty others.
In England, St. Edmund, king and martyr.
At Constantinople, St. Gregory Decapolites, who suffered much because of his veneration of the holy images.
At Milan, St. Benignus, bishop. During a great incursion of barbarians, he governed the Church committed to his care with great firmness and piety.
At Chalons in Gaul, St. Silvester, bishop. In the forty-second year of his priesthood, rich in days and virtues, he died in the Lord.
At Verona, St. Simplicius, bishop and confessor.
At Hildesheim in Saxony, St. Bernard, bishop and confessor. He was canonized by Pope Celestine III.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In the town of Marburg in Germany, the death of St. Elizabeth, widow, daughter of King Andrew of Hungary, and (a member) of the Third Order of St. Francis. She was sedulously devoted to works of piety and went to the Lord, renowned for her miracles. A duplex feast.
St. Pontian, pope and martyr, whose birthday occurs on October 30.
At Samaria in Palestine, St. Abdias, Prophet.
At Rome on the Appian Way, the birthday of St. Maximus, priest and martyr. He suffered in the persecution of Valerian and was buried at St. Sixtus.
In the city of Ecija in Spain, Blessed Crispin, bishop, who obtained the glory of martyrdom by being beheaded.
On the same day, St. Faustus, a deacon of Alexandria. In the persecution of Valerian, he was first sent into exile with St. Dionysius. Later, in his old age, he suffered martyrdom, being slain by the sword.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, St. Barlaam, martyr. Although he was an ignorant countryman, yet, strengthened by the wisdom of Christ, he conquered the tyrant, and by his unshaken faith he rose superior to the fire. St. Basil the Great delivered a famous panegyric to the people on his birthday.
At Vienne in Gaul, the holy martyrs Severinus, Exuperius, and Felicianus, whose bodies, after the course of many years, were found by their own revelation. Their bodies were reverently removed by the clergy and people of that city and given an honorable burial by the bishop.
In Isauria, the suffering of SS. Azas and his one hundred and fifty fellow soldiers, under the Emperor Diocletian and the tribune Aquilinus.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul. The Basilica of St. Peter was solemnly consecrated on this day by the Sovereign Pontiff Urban VIII, after it had been rebuilt on a larger scale. The Basilica of St. Paul had been entirely destroyed by an unfortunate fire; it was rebuilt in a more imposing manner and was consecrated with solemn ritual by Pius IX on December 10; its annual commemoration was transferred to this day. A totum duplex feast.
At Antioch, the birthday of St. Romanus, martyr. During the reign of the Emperor Galerius, when the prefect Asclepiades attacked the Church and tried to destroy it completely, St. Romanus encouraged the other Christians to resist him. After he had endured terrible tortures, his tongue was cut out, but even without it, he spoke the praises of God. Then he was strangled with a noose in prison and so was crowned by a famous martyrdom. Ahead of him there suffered a young boy named Barula. He was asked by the governor whether it were better to worship one God or many gods; the boy replied that one must believe in the one God whom the Christians worship. For this answer, he was flogged and then ordered to be beheaded.
Also at Antioch, St. Hesychius, martyr. He was a soldier, and when he heard the order that anyone who would not offer sacrifice should lay aside his military insignia, he immediately did so. For this action, a huge rock was fastened to his right hand and he was flung into the river.
On the same day, SS. Oriculus and his companions, who suffered for the Catholic faith in the Vandal persecution.
At Mainz, St. Maximus, bishop. In the time of Constantine, he underwent many sufferings at the hands of the Arians. He died a confessor.
At Tours in Gaul, the passing of Blessed Odo, Abbot of Cluny.
At Antioch, St. Thomas, monk. In an annual solemnity, the people of Antioch were accustomed to reverence him for having ended a plague by his prayers.
At Lucca in Tuscany, the transferal of the relics of St. Frigidianus, bishop and confessor.
The death of the venerable brother Guido Flamochetti, 28th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Neocaesarea in Pontus, the birthday of St. Gregory, bishop and confessor. He was celebrated for his learning and sanctity. Because of the signs and miracles he performed with great glory to the Church, he is called the Wonderworker. A simplex feast.
At Helfa in Saxony, the birthday of St. Gertrude, virgin, of the Order of St. Benedict, who was noted for the gift of revelations. Her feast is celebrated on November 15.
In Palestine, the holy martyrs Alpheus and Zachaeus. In the first year of Diocletian's persecution, they received capital punishment after having undergone many tortures.
At Cordoba in Spain, the holy martyrs Acislus and Victoria, brother and sister. In the same persecution, they were most savagely tortured by order of Dion the governor, and merited crowns from the Lord for their remarkable suffering.
At Alexandria, St. Dionysius, bishop. A man of the greatest learning, he was renowned for his many confessions of the faith. He was extraordinary in the diversity of the sufferings and tortures he endured. However, he lived to an advanced age and died a peaceful death.
At Orleans in Gaul, St. Aignan, bishop. His death was precious in the sight of the Lord, as many miracles showed.
In Britain, St. Hugh, bishop. He was called from the state of a Carthusian monk to govern the Church of Lincoln. He was renowned for numerous miracles and died a holy death.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Gregory, bishop.
At Florence, St. Eugene, confessor. He was the deacon of St. Zenobius, bishop of that city.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Ferrara (in Italy), Blessed Lucy of Narni, virgin, of the Order of our Father St Dominic. Her incorrupted body is held in the greatest reverence at Ferrara. A semi-duplex feast.
At Edinburgh in Scotland, the birthday of St. Margaret, widow, Queen of the Scots. She was conspicuous for her love of the poor and her voluntary poverty. Her feast is kept on June 10.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rufinus, Mark, Valerius, and their companions.
On the same day, the holy martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, Eustochius, and their associates. Elpidius, who was of senatorial rank, confessed the faith with great firmness before Julian the Apostate. He, with his companions, was first tied to wild horses and dragged by them; then he was cast into the fire and thus completed a glorious martyrdom.
At Lyons in Gaul, the birthday of St. Eucherius, bishop and confessor. He was a man of admirable faith and learning. Although he enjoyed the most noble senatorial rank, he exchanged it for the religious life and the religious habit. He had himself walled up in a cave where for a long period of time he served Christ by prayer and fasting. Then, because of a revelation made by an angel (to the faithful), he was solemnly made Bishop of Lyons.
At Padua, St. Fidentius, bishop.
At Canterbury in England, St. Edmund, archbishop and confessor. He was driven into exile for defending the rights of his church, and he died a most holy death at Provins, a town near Sens. He was inscribed in the canon of saints by Pope Innocent IV.
On the same day, the death of St. Othmar, abbot.
The death of the venerable brother Albert de las Casas of Spain, 44th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Cologne, St. Albert surnamed the Great, at one time Bishop of Ratisbon, and confessor, of the Order of Preachers. Radiant by the holiness of his life, by his zeal for the salvation of souls, and by his surpassing doctrine, he enlightened the Church. Pope Pius XI declared him to be a Doctor of the Universal Church (and Pius XII constituted him patron before God of students of the natural sciences).[1] A totum duplex feast of the first class.
St. Gertrude, virgin, of the Order of St. Benedict, who was called by her heavenly Spouse to eternal happiness on November 17.
On the same day, the birthday of St. Eugene, Bishop of Toledo and martyr. He was a disciple of Blessed Dionysius the Areopagite. Having finished the course of martyrdom near Paris, he received from the Lord the crown of his blessed suffering. His body was afterward transferred to Toledo in Spain.
At Nola in Campania, Blessed Felix, bishop and martyr. From the age of fifteen, he was remarkable for his miracles. Under the prefect Marcianus, he completed, together with thirty companions, the course of martyrdom.
At Edessa in Mesopotamia, the suffering of St. Abibus, deacon. He was mangled with hooks under the Emperor Licinius and the governor Lysanias, and was then burned alive.
In the same place, the holy martyrs Gurias and Samonas, under the Emperor Diocletian and the governor Antoninus.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Secundus, Fidentianus, and Varicus.
At Archingcay, in the territory of Saintes, the birthday of St. Malo, Bishop of Aleth in Gaul. Born in England, he was famous for his miracle from his earliest years.
At Verona, St. Luperius, bishop and confessor.
At Klosterneuburg near Vienna, in Austria, St. Leopold, margrave of the same province of Austria. He was canonized by Pope Innocent VIII.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] The clause "and Pius XII, etc." is taken from the 1952 Supplement of the Roman Martyrology.
At Caccamo in Sicily, Blessed John Liccio, confessor, of the Order of Preachers. He was notable for his eloquence in speaking of divine things, for charity toward his neighbor, for the propagation of the Rosary, for striving after regular observance, and for other virtues. At the age of one hundred and eleven, he quietly rested in the Lord. A semi-duplex feast.
St. Josaphat, of the Order of St. Basil, a Polish archbishop and martyr, whose birthday is remembered on November 12.
At Gangra in Paphlagonia, St. Hypatius, bishop. While on the way home from the great Nicene Council, he was stoned by Novatian heretics and thus died a martyr.
At Heraclea in Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Clementinus, Theodotus, and Philomenus.
At Alexandria, St. Serapion, martyr. In the reign of the Emperor Decius, the executioners inflicted on him the most cruel sufferings. After they had broken the joints of all his limbs, they flung him off the roof of his house, and so he became a glorious martyr of Christ.
At Troyes in Gaul, St. Venerandus, martyr, under the Emperor Aurelian.
In Gaul, St. Veneranda, virgin. She received the crown of martyrdom under the Emperor Antoninus and the governor Asclcpiades.
At Emesa in Phoenicia, the suffering of many holy women. They were most brutally tortured and slain for the Christian faith under the cruel Arab chief Mady.
At Bologna, St. Jucundus, bishop and confessor.
At Eu in Gaul, St. Laurence, Bishop of Dublin.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Britius, bishop, who, on November 13, died in the Lord. A memory.
At Algiers in Africa, Blessed Serapion. He was the first one of the Order of our Lady of Ransom to merit obtaining the palm of martyrdom.
Because he redeemed the faithful from captivity and preached the Christian faith, he was crucified and then cut to pieces limb from limb.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas over Catholic Schools. A totum duplex feast of the first class.
St. Didacus, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor, whose birthday is observed on November 12.
At Ravenna, the birthday of the holy martyrs, Valentine, Solutor, and Victor, who suffered in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Aix in the province of Narbonne, Blessed Mitrius, a most famous martyr.
At Caesarea in Palestine, the suffering of St. Antoninus, Zebina, Germanus, and Ennatha, virgin. At the time of Galerius Maximus, Ennatha was scourged and then burned alive; the others were beheaded because they had fearlessly and loudly accused the governor Firmilian of idolatry in offering sacrifice to the gods.
In Africa, the holy Spanish martyrs Arcadius, Paschasius, Probus, and Eutychian. In the Vandal persecution, they refused positively to join the Arian heresy. They were first proscribed by the Arian king Genseric, and then exiled. They were treated with atrocious cruelty and finally put to death in various ways. At that time, too, was seen the constancy of Paulillus, the little brother of SS. Paschasius and Eutychian. Since all efforts failed to turn him away from the Catholic faith, he was subjected to a long clubbing and then condemned to the vilest slavery.
At Rome, Pope St. Nicholas I, preeminent for his apostolic vigor.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Britius, bishop, who was a disciple of Blessed Bishop Martin. His memory is recalled on November 14.
At Toledo in Spain, St. Eugene, bishop.
In Auvergne in Gaul, St. Quinctian, bishop.
At Cremona in Insubria, St. Homobonus, confessor. He was renowned for miracles and was canonized by Pope Innocent III.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Feast of All the Saints of our Order. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
St. Martin I, pope and martyr, whose birthday is commemorated on September 16.
At Vitebsk in Poland, the suffering of St. Josaphat, of the Order of St. Basil a Polish archbishop and martyr. He was cruelly slain by the schismatics in their hatred of Catholic unity and truth. He was numbered among the martyrs by Pope Pius IX. His feast, however, is kept on November 14.
At Alcalá in Spain, the birthday of St. Didacus, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor, who was noted for his humility. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Sixtus V; his feast is celebrated on November 13.
In Asia, the suffering of the holy Bishops Aurelius and Publius.
At Eachen in Belgium, St. Livinus, bishop and martyr. He had convcrted many persons to the Christian faith when he was slain by the heathens. His body was later transferred to Ghent.
At Gnesen in Poland, the holy hermits and martyrs Benedict, John, Matthew, Isaac, and Christian. They were engaged in prayer when they were savagely attacked by robbers and put to the sword.
At Sergines near Sens, St. Paternus, monk and martyr. He met some robbers in the nearby forest and when he tried to persuade them to correct their lives, they put him to death.
At Avignon, St. Rufus, who was the first bishop of that city.
At Cologne, the death of St. Cunibert, bishop.
At Tarazona in Aragon, Blessed Emilian, priest. He was remarkable for his many miracles. St. Braulio, Bishop of Saragossa, wrote his admirable life.
At Constantinople, St. Nilus, abbot. In the reign of Theodosius the Younger, he had been prefect of that city and then became a monk. He was distinguished for his learning and holiness.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Tours in Gaul, the birthday of Blessed Martin, bishop and confessor. His life was so resplendent with miracles that he merited to raise three dead men to life. A totum duplex feast.
At Cotyacus in Phrygia, the celebrated suffering of St. Menas. He was an Egyptian soldier who, in the persecution of Diocletian, cast away his military insignia and withdrew to the desert to wage an interior war for his heavenly King. Presenting himself before a public gathering, he loudly announced that he was a Christian. He was first subjected to severe tortures. Finally, as he was kneeling in prayer and giving thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, he was put to the sword. After his death, he became famous for miracles. A memory.
At Ravenna, the holy martyrs Valentine, Felician, and Victorinus, who were crowned in the persecution of Diocletian.
In Mesopotamia, St. Athenodorus, martyr. He was tortured with fire and tried by other punishments. Finally, he was condemned to capital punishment. When the executioner fell to the ground and no one dared to strike him with the sword, the martyr, while engrossed in prayer, went to his rest in the Lord.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Veranus, bishop, whose life was noteworthy for his faith and the merits of his virtue.
At Constantinople, St. Theodore, Abbot of Studium.[1] He fought zealously for the Catholic faith against the Iconoclasts and became famous throughout the Universal Church.
In the monastery of Grottaferrata on the site of Tusculanum, the Abbot St. Bartholomew, a companion of St. Nilus, whose life he wrote.
In the province of Samnium (Central Italy), Blessed Mennas, anchorite. Pope St. Gregory has commemorated his virtues and miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Studium was the name of a famous monastery at Constantinople; it was built in the year 463 by the Roman consul Studius.
At Naples in Campania, the birthday of St. Andrew Avellino, Clerk Regular and confessor. He was renowned for holiness and zeal in promoting the salvation of his neighbors. Noted for his miracles, he was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Clement XI.
On the same day, the birthday of the holy martyrs Tryphon and Respicius, and Nympha, virgin.
At Rome, the birthday of Pope St. Leo I, confessor and Doctor of the Church, who, by reason of his outstanding qualities, is surnamed the Great. During his pontificate, the Council of Chalcedon was held at which, through his legatcs, he condemned Eutyches; afterward, he confirmed the decrees of this Council by the weight of his authority. By the many laws he passed and by his numerous writings, he deserved well of the Holy Church of God and of the entire flock of the Lord as their good shepherd. His feast, however, is observed on April 11.
At Iconium in Lycaonia, the holy women Tryphenna and Tryphosa.
By the preaching of St. Paul and the example of St. Thecla, these women made the greatest progress in Christian training.
At Antioch, SS. Demetrius, bishop, Anianus, deacon, Eustosius, and twenty other martyrs.
At Agde in Gaul, the holy martyrs Tiberius, Modestus, and Florence. In the reign of Diocletian, they were subjected to various tortures and so gained martyrdom.
At Ravenna, St. Probus, bishop, noted for miracles.
At Orleans in Gaul, St. Monitor, bishop and confessor.
In England, St. Justus, bishop. Pope St. Gregory sent him together with Augustine, Mellitus, and others, to England to preach the Gospel. There, renowned for his sanctity, he died in the Lord.
In the town of Melun in Gaul, St. Leo, confessor.
On the island of Patmos, St. Theoctiste, virgin.
Anniversary of all the Brothers and Sisters of our Order. An anniversary.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In Rome at the Lateran, the Dedication of the Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour, which is the mother and the head of all the churches of Rome and of the world. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Amasea in Pontus, the birthday of St. Theodore, soldier. In the reign of the Emperor Maximian, he was severely beaten and thrown into prison, for confessing the Christian faith. There the Lord appeared to him and encouraged him to be steadfast and brave, and his spirits were raised. Finally, he was stretched on the rack and torn with iron hooks until his insides were visible; he was then placed in a raging fire to be burned to death. St. Gregory of Nyssa celebrated his name in a famous panegyric. A memory.
At Tyana, in Cappadocia, the suffering of St. Orestes, under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Thessalonica, St. Alexander, martyr, in the reign of the Emperor Maximian.
At Bourges in Aquitaine, St. Ursinus, confessor. He was ordained by the successors of the Apostles and was appointed the first Bishop of Bourges.
At Naples in Campania, St. Agrippinus, bishop, famed for his miracles.
At Constantinople, the holy virgins Eustolia, a Roman maiden, and Sopatra, the daughter of the Emperor Mauritius.
At Beirut in Syria, the commemoration of the image of the Saviour which, being nailed to a cross by some Jews, poured forth blood so abundantly that the Churches of the East and West both received an ample share of it.[1]
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Needless to say, this story is regarded as a fable by many historians.
The Octave of All Saints. A solemn octave.
At Rome, on the Via Lavicana, at the third milestone from the city, the suffering of the holy martyrs Claudius, Nicostratus, Symphorian, Castorius, and Simplicius. They were first cast into prison, and then severely flogged with scorpions. Since they could not be turned away from the faith of Christ, by the command of Diocletian, they were thrown headlong into the river.
At the same place, on the Via Lavicana, the birthday of the Four Holy Crowned Brothers, Severus, Severian, Carpophorus, and Victorinus. Under the same Emperor, they were flogged to death with blows from leaden-tipped scourges. Since their names could not then be learned (they were divinely revealed years later), it was decreed that their anniversary should be kept along with the five martyrs mentioned above, under the name of the Four Holy Crowned Ones. This has continued to be done in the Church even after their names were revealed. A memory.
Also at Rome, Pope St. Deusdedit, who had such great merit that he healed a leper of his disease by a kiss.
At Blexcn on the river Weser, in Germany, St. Willehad, who was the first Bishop of Bremen. He, together with St. Boniface, whose disciple he was, spread the Gospel in Friesland and Saxony.
At Soissons in Gaul, St. Godefrid, Bishop of Amiens, a man of great sanctity.
At Verdun in Gaul, St. Maurus, bishop and confessor.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Clarus, priest, whose epitaph was written by St. Paulinus.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Turin (in Italy), Blessed Peter of Ruffia, (martyr) of our Order. Appointed Inquisitor in Turin, he did not cease to shine by his great virtues, and especially by his zeal in defense of Catholic truth. Finally, on the day consecrated to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day most auspicious for himself, he was slain by heretics, and so merited to enter the temple of Heaven. A semi-duplex feast.
At Padua, the death of St. Prosdocimus, who was the first bishop of that city. He was ordained bishop by St. Peter the Apostle, and sent to that city to preach the Word of God. He died a holy death at Padua, adorned with many virtues and miracles.
At Perugia, St. Herculanus, bishop and martyr.
At Schwelm in Germany, the suffering of St. Engelbert, Bishop of Cologne. He was on his way from Cologne to Essen to consecrate a church, when he was attacked on the road by assassins and slain by numerous wounds. Thus, he suffered martyrdom for defense of the liberty of the Church and the authority of the Church of Rome.
On the same day, St. Amaranthus, martyr. He underwent loyally the test of his faith. At Albi in Gaul, his body lies buried, but he lives in eternal glory.
At Melitina in Armenia, the suffering of SS. Hieron, Nicander, Hesychius, and thirty others, who were crowned in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Lysias.
At Amphipolis in Macedonia, the holy martyrs Auctus, Taurion, and Thessalonica.
At Ancyra in Galatia, the suffering of SS. Melasippus, Anthony, and Carina, under Julian the Apostate.
At Alexandria, Blessed Achilles, bishop, who was distinguished for his learning, faith, conduct, and purity of life.
In Friesland, the death of St. Willibrord, Bishop of Utrecht. He was ordained bishop by Blessed Pope Sergius, and preached the Gospel in Friesland and Denmark.
At Metz in Gaul, St. Rufus, bishop and confessor.
At Strasbourg, St. Florentius, bishop.
The death of the venerable brother Anthony de Monroy of Mexico, 59th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In the kingdom of Tonkin (Indo-China), the Blessed martyrs Jerome Hermosilla and Valentine Berrio-Ochoa, both bishops; Peter Almato, Francis Gil de Federich, Matthew Alphonse Leziniana, Hyacinth Castañeda, Vincent Liem, priests and missionaries of the Order of Preachers; also Joseph Khang, a catechist of the Third Order of our Father St. Dominic. Although these martyrs died at different times, they were all united by the same strength of soul, and confirmed the faith they preached by the shedding of their blood. A duplex feast.
At Barcelona in Spain, St. Severus, bishop and martyr. For confessing the Catholic faith, a spike was driven into his skull and he thus won his crown of martyrdom.
At Tunis in Africa, the birthday of St. Felix, martyr. He confessed the faith of Christ and was removed for torture, but the next day he was found dead in his prison. So declared St. Augustine, when explaining a certain psalm to his flock on the feast day of St. Felix.
At Theopolis, now called Antioch,[1] ten holy martyrs, who are said to have suffered at the hands of the Saracens.
In Phrygia, St. Atticus, martyr.
At Berg in Flanders, the death of St. Winoc, abbot. He was famed for his virtues and miracles, and he ministered for a long time to the brethren subject to him.
At Fondi in Latium, St. Felix, monk.
At Limoges in Aquitaine, St. Leonard, confessor. He was a disciple of Bishop St. Remigius. Though of noble birth, he chose a solitary life, and was enriched with holiness and miracles. His goodness manifested itself especially in liberating captives.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] When Justinian rebuilt Antioch (middle of 6th cent.), he named it Theopolis. The name, however, did not last.
At Lima in South America, Blessed Martin de Porres, a tertiary of the Order of Preachers. Having pronounced his solemn vows to God, he united integrity of life so perfectly with the most severe penances, that both before and after death he merited to become famous for his miracles. A duplex feast.
St. Zachary, priest and prophet. He was the father of St. John the Baptist, Precursor of the Lord.
Also, St. Elizabeth, the mother of the aforesaid holy Precursor.
At Terracina in Campania, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix, priest, and Eusebius, monk. Eusebius buried the holy martyrs Julian and Caesarius, and he converted many persons to the faith of Christ, while St. Felix baptized them. As they could not be intimidated, they were imprisoned, and on their refusal to offer sacrifice were beheaded that very night.
At Emesa in Phoenicia, the holy martyrs Galatio and Epistemis, his wife. In the persecution of Diocletian, they were flogged; in addition, their hands, feet, and tongues were amputated. They finally completed their martyrdom by being beheaded.
Also, the holy martyrs Domninus, Theotimus, Philotheus, Silvanus, and their associates, in the reign of the Emperor Maximinus.
At Milan, St. Magnus, bishop and confessor.
At Brescia, St. Dominator, bishop.
At Treves, St. Fibitius, at first an abbot, and later Bishop of Treves.
At Orleans in Gaul, St. Lactus, priest and confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of All Saints.
The Commemoration of the holy martyrs and of the other saints, whose bodies or relics are preserved in our churches. A totum duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Ampliatus, Urban, and Narcissus, whom St. Paul mentions in his Epistle to the Romans[1]. They were slain by Jews and Gentiles for the Gospel of Christ.
At Constantinople, St. Stachys, bishop. He was ordained the first bishop of that city by the Apostle St. Andrew.
Near the imperial city of Vermandois[2], in Gaul, St. Quintinus, a Roman citizen of senatorial rank. He underwent martyrdom at the time of the Emperor Maximian, and, through the revelation of an angel, his body was found fifty-five years later, still incorrupt. A memory.
At Milan, St. Antoninus, bishop and confessor.
At Ratisbon in Bavaria, St. Wolfgang, bishop.
At Palma on the island of Majorca, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, lay-coadjutor of the Society of Jesus, and confessor. He was noted for his humility and his continual zeal in mortification. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII.
At Rome, the transferal (of the relics) of St. Nemesius, deacon, and his daughter the virgin Lucilla, who were beheaded on August 25.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] Romans, 16, 8, 9, 11.
[2] The city, Augusta Veromanduorum, was later named after the saint, Saint Quentin.
At Cividale in Friuli (Italy), Blessed Benvenuta Bojani virgin, of our Order, who blossomed by penance, prayer, and humility. A semi-duplex feast.
In Sardinia, the birthday of St. Pontianus, pope and martyr. He was exiled to Sardinia in company with Hippolytus, priest, by the Emperor Alexander. Here he gained martyrdom by being clubbed to death. His body was brought to Rome by Pope St. Fabian and buried in the cemetery of St. Callistus. His feast, however, is observed on November 19.
At Aeges in Cilicia, the sufferings of SS. Zenobius, bishop, and his sister Zenobia, under the governor Lysias, in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Altino near Venice, St. Theonestus, bishop and martyr, who was put to death by the Arians.
In Africa, the birthday of two hundred and twenty holy martyrs.
At Tangier in Mauretania, the suffering of St. Marcellus, a centurion. He was the father of the holy martyrs Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius. He gained martyrdom by being beheaded under Agricolaus, who was acting as praetor in the place of Praefectus.
At Alexandria, thirteen holy martyrs. In company with SS. Julian, Eunus, and Macharius, they suffered under the emperor Decius.
At Cagliari in Sardinia, St. Saturninus, martyr. In the persecution of Diocletian, he was beheaded by the governor Barbarus.
At Apamea in Phrygia, St. Maximus, martyr, under the same Diocletian.
At Leon in Spain, the holy martyrs Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius, the sons of the centurion St. Marcellus. In the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian, they were condemned to be beheaded by the governor Diogenian.
At Paris, St. Lucanus, martyr.
At Alexandria, St. Eutropia, martyr. She was arrested while visiting the martyrs. She died after being cruelly tortured with them.
At Antioch, St. Seraphion, bishop. He was noted for his learning.
At Capua, St. Germanus, bishop and confessor. He was a man of great sanctity and St. Benedict saw his soul, at the hour of death, being carried by angels into Heaven.
At Potenza in Lucania, St. Gerard, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Octave of the Dedication of our own Church. A simplex octave.
The holy bishops, Maximilian a martyr, and Valentine a confessor.
At Sidon in Phoenicia, St. Zenobius, priest. Throughout the fury of the last persecution, he encouraged others during their martyrdom, and he himself was found worthy of such a death.
In Lucania, the holy martyrs Hyacinth, Quinctius, Felician, and Lucius.
At Bergamo, St. Eusebia, virgin and martyr.
At Jerusalem, the birthday of Blessed Narcissus, bishop. He was a man praiseworthy for his holiness, patience, and faith. He died in the Lord when one hundred and sixteen years of age.
At Autun, St. John, bishop and confessor.
At Cassiope on the island of Corcyra, St. Donatus, bishop. He is mentioned by Pope St. Gregory.
At Vienne in Gaul, the death of Blessed Theodore, abbot.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In Persia, the birthday of the Blessed Apostles Simon the Canaanite, and Thaddeus, who is also called Jude. Simon preached the Gospel in Egypt, and Thaddeus in Mesopotamia. Then both went to Persia and there suffered martyrdom, after having won over a vast multitude to Christ. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the holy martyrs, Anastasia the Elder, virgin, and Cyril. In the persecution of Valerian, under the prefect Probus, Anastasia was loaded with chains, buffeted, and tortured by fire as well as by floggings. As she remained unshaken in her confession of Christ, she was then mutilated, her nails torn out, her hands and feet amputated, and finally her head cut off. Thus, enriched with the jewels of many sufferings, she went to her heavenly Spouse. She had begged for a cup of water (during her agony) and Cyril gave it to her; for his reward, he gained the crown of martyrdom.
Also at Rome, St. Cyrilla, the virgin daughter of St. Tryphonia. At the time of the Emperor Claudius, because she confessed Christ, her throat was cut.
Near Como, St. Fidelis, martyr, in the reign of the Emperor Maximian.
At Mainz, the martyr St. Ferrutius.
At Meux in Gaul, St. Faro, bishop and confessor.
At Vercelli, the bishop St. Honoratus.
The death of the venerable brother Vincent Guistiniani of Chios, 47th master general of the Order. He was also a cardinal of the Holy Roman Church.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of the holy Apostles Simon and Jude.
At Avila in Spain, the suffering of SS. Vincent, Sabina, and Christeta. They were first stretched on the rack until all the joints of their bodies were dislocated. Their heads were then placed upon stones and they were struck with heavy bars until their brains were beaten out. Thus, under the governor Dacian, they fulfilled their martyrdom.
At Thil-Châtel in Gaul, St. Florentius, martyr.
In Cappadocia, the holy martyrs Capitolina and Erotheis her maid; they suffered in the reign of Diocletian.
In the Indies, St. Frumentius, bishop. He was first a captive there, and after he was ordained bishop by St. Athanasius, he spread the Gospel in that region.
At Naples in Campania, St. Gaudiosus, an African bishop. Because of the Vandal persecution, he came to Campania and died a peaceful death in a monastery of that city.
In Ethiopia, St. Elesbaan, king. Having overcome the enemies of Christ at the time of the Emperor Justin, he sent his royal diadem to Jerusalem, led a monastic life, as he had vowed to do, and departed for his eternal reward.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Reggio Emilia (in Italy), Blessed Damian Purcherio of Finario, (confessor, of the Order of Preachers). To the subjection of the body, he joined integrity of life. Fired with zeal for preaching, he became a wonderful herald of Christ, and after death was noted for his miracles. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Evaristus, pope and martyr. He enriched the Church of God with his blood at the time of the Emperor Hadrian.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rogatian, priest, and Felicissimus. They were crowned with an illustrious martyrdom in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus. St. Cyprian speaks of them in his Epistle to the Confessors.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Lucian, Florius, and their companions. At Narbonne in Gaul, St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor, who lived in the reigns of the Emperors Valentinian and Leo.
Near Salerno, St. Gaudiosus, bishop.
At Pavia, St. Fulk, bishop.
Also, St. Quadragesimus, subdeacon, who raised a dead man to life.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Reggio Emilia (in Italy), Blessed Damian Purcherio of Finario, (confessor, of the Order of Preachers). To the subjection of the body, he joined integrity of life. Fired with zeal for preaching, he became a wonderful herald of Christ, and after death was noted for his miracles. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Evaristus, pope and martyr. He enriched the Church of God with his blood at the time of the Emperor Hadrian.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rogatian, priest, and Felicissimus. They were crowned with an illustrious martyrdom in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus. St. Cyprian speaks of them in his Epistle to the Confessors.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Lucian, Florius, and their companions. At Narbonne in Gaul, St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor, who lived in the reigns of the Emperors Valentinian and Leo.
Near Salerno, St. Gaudiosus, bishop.
At Pavia, St. Fulk, bishop.
Also, St. Quadragesimus, subdeacon, who raised a dead man to life.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Chrysanthus and his wife Daria. After many sufferings endured for Christ under the prefect Celerinus, they were sentenced by the Emperor Numerian to be placed in a sand-pit on the Via Salaria and to be buried alive with earth and stones.
Also, the birthday of Marcellinus, pope and martyr. In the reign of Maximian, he, together with Claudius, Cyrinus, and Antoninus, was beheaded for the faith of Christ. The persecution at that time was so great, that in one month seventeen thousand Christians received the crown of martyrdom. The feast of St. Marcellinus, together with that of the pope and martyr St. Cletus, is observed an April 26.
At Perigueux in Gaul, St. Fronto, who was ordained bishop by the Apostle St. Peter. He converted a great multitude of that people to Christ with the assistance of a priest named George. Famed for his miracles, he died a peaceful death.
At Rome, the birthday of forty-six holy soldiers. They were all baptized together by Pope St. Dionysius, and shortly after, by command of the Emperor Claudius, they were beheaded and were buried on the Via Salaria. There also were buried one hundred and twenty-one other martyrs, among whom were the four soldiers of Christ, Theodosius, Lucius, Mark, and Peter.
At Porto Torres in Sardinia, the holy martyrs Protus, priest, and Januarius, deacon. They were sent to that island by Pope St. Caius and were martyred there in the reign of Diocletian under the governor Barbarus.
At Constantinople, the suffering of SS. Martyrius, subdeacon, and Marcian, a choir singer. They were slain by heretics in the reign of the emperor Constantius.
At Soissons in Gaul, the holy martyrs Crispin and Crispinian. In the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Rictiovarus, these noble Romans, after enduring great torments, were butchered by the sword, thus obtaining the crown of martyrdom. Their bodies were afterward taken to Rome and buried with honors in the church of St. Laurence in Panisperna. A memory.
At Florence, the suffering of Blessed Minias, soldier. He fought bravely for the faith for Christ in the reign of the Emperor Decius, and was crowned with a noble martyrdom.
At Brescia, the birthday of St. Gaudentius, bishop. He was remarkable for his learning and sanctity.
At Gabali in Gaul, St. Hilary, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The feast of St. Raphael the Archangel. His dignity and his favors (to the human race) are set forth in the sacred book of Tobias. A totum duplex feast.
At Venosa in Apulia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix, an African bishop, Audactus and Januarius, priests, and the lectors Fortunatus and Septimus. In the reign of Diocletian, they all were punished by being heavily chained and imprisoned for a long time in Africa and in Sicily. Since Felix would not comply with the Emperor's edict and surrender the holy books, all the above-mentioned men were put to the sword.
At Tongres in Belgium, St. Evergislus, Bishop of Cologne and martyr. On account of the duties of his pastoral office, he journeyed to Tongres. That night, while on his way to pray alone in the monastic church of the Most Holy Mother of God, he was attacked by robbers and killed by an arrow.
At Nagran, among the Hymarites in Arabia[1], the suffering of SS. Aretas and his three hundred and forty companions, at the time of the Emperor Justin, under the Jewish tyrant Dunaan. After they had been put to death, a Christian woman was thrown into the fire. Her five-year old son lisped that he too was a Christian, and neither caresses nor threats could prevent him from flinging himself into the fire where his mother was dying.
At Constantinople, St. Proclus, bishop.
On the Isle of Jersey, St. Maglorious, bishop. After he had resigned his episcopal see, which he had filled for three years toward his scattered flock in Brittany, he built a monastery on the Isle of Jersey, where he spent the remainder of his life in holiness. His body was later transferred to Paris.
In the monastery of Durin in Gaul, St. Martin, deacon and abbot. His body was removed to the monastery of Vertou.
In Campania, St. Mark the Solitary, whose remarkable deeds are recorded by Pope St. Gregory.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] They are usually called Himyarites. They lived in southwestern Arabia and are said to have been named after a king called Himyar.
At Vicenza (in Italy), Blessed Bartholomew Breganza, bishop and confessor, of the Order of our Father St. Dominic. He was first placed in charge of the see at Limassol (on the island of Cyprus); afterward, he was in charge of the see of Vicenza. Because of his outstanding piety and his labors for spreading the Catholic religion, he was most highly regarded by Pope Gregory IX (to whom he was an advisor), as well as by other Sovereign Pontiffs, and by St. Louis, King of France. A semi-duplex feast.
At Ilok in Hungary, the birthday of St. John of Capistrano, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor. He was illustrious for holiness of life and zeal in extending the Catholic faith. By his prayers and miracles, he delivered from a siege the fortress of Zemun (a suburb of Belgrade), when it was beleaguered by a powerful Turkish army. His feast, however, is observed on March 28.
At Antioch, the birthday of St. Theodore, priest. He was arrested in the persecution of the wicked Julian. Despite the torment of the rack and other severe tortures, including the burning of his sides with torches, he persevered in his confession of Christ. He completed his martyrdom by being put to the sword.
At Osuma near Cadiz in Spain, the holy martyrs Servandus and Germanus. In the persecution of Diocletian, under the acting governor Viator, they were flogged, confined to a foul prison, subjected to hunger and thirst, and forced to endure the hardships of a long journey which they made loaded with chains. They eventually finished the course of their martyrdom by having their throats cut. Germanus was buried at Merida and Servandus at Seville.
At Constantinople, St. Ignatius, bishop. He rebuked Bardas Caesar for putting away his wife; for this reason, he was subjected to many sufferings by the Emperor and driven into exile. However, he was restored (to his see) by the Roman Pontiff St. Nicholas, and at last died a peaceful death.
At Bordeaux, St. Severinus, Bishop of Cologne, confessor.
At Rouen, St. Romanus, bishop.
At Salerno, St. Verus, bishop.
In the territory of Amiens, St. Domitius, priest.
In the country of Poitiers, St. Benedict, confessor.
At Mantua Blessed John the Good, confessor, of the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, whose excellent life was written by St. Antoninus.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Anniversary of the Dedication of our own Church. A totum duplex feast of the first class.
At Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome, the mother of the Apostles James and John. She is referred to in the Gospel as having cared for the burial of the Lord. (Mark 16:1)
Also at Jerusalem, Blessed Mark, bishop. A most noble and learned man, he was the first Gentile to receive the office of governing the Church of Jerusalem. Not long after, he merited to receive the palm of martyrdom under the Emperor Antoninus.
At Adrianople in Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Philip bishop, Severus, priest, Eusebius, and Hermes. In the time of Julian the Apostate, after they had been imprisoned and scourged, they were burned to death.
Likewise the holy martyrs Alexander, bishop, Heraclius, soldier, and their companions.
Near Fermo in Piceno, St. Philip, bishop and martyr.
Near Cologne, St. Cordula, who was one of the companions of St. Ursula. She hid herself, being terrified by the tortures and slaying of the others. But on the next day, repenting of her deed, she gave herself up to the Huns, and thus was the last of all to receive the crown of martyrdom.
At Huesca in Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters. They were sentenced to death by the Saracens for confessing the faith, and so gained their martyrdom.
At Hicropolis in Phrygia, St. Abercius, bishop, who flourished in the time of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus.
At Rouen, St. Melanius, bishop. He was ordained by Pope St. Stephen and sent to Rouen to preach the Gospel.
In Tuscany, St. Donatus the Scot, Bishop of Fiesole.
At Verona, St. Verecundius, bishop and confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Cortona (in Italy), Blessed Peter Cappucci of Tiferno, confessor, of our Order. By constant meditation on death, he raised himself to heavenly things, and by his preaching he led many hardened sinners to virtue. A semi-duplex feast.
In Cyprus, the birthday of Blessed Hilarion, abbot. His life, which was written by St. Jerome, was rich in virtues and miracles.
At Cologne, the birthday of St. Ursula and her companions, martyrs. For the Christian religion and for their constancy in virginity, they were massacred by the Huns and so ended their lives by martyrdom. The bodies of many of them are buried at Cologne. A memory.
At Ostia, St. Asterius, priest and martyr. He suffered under Alexander the Emperor, as is written in the Acts of Pope St. Callistus.
At Nicomedia, the birthday of SS. Dasius, Zoticus, Caius, and twelve other soldiers, who, after various tortures, were drowned in the sea.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Viator, a minister of St. Justus, Bishop of Lyons.
At Maronia in Syria, near Antioch, St. Malchus, monk.
In the town of Laon, St. Cilinia, mother of St. Remigius, Bishop of Rheims.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. John Cantius, priest and confessor, who died in the Lord December 24.
At Avia near Aquila (Italy), among the Vestinians, the birthday of St. Maximus, deacon and martyr. Longing to suffer for Christ, he deliberately gave himself up to the executioners who were seeking him. After he had firmly answered all questions, he was suspended on the rack and tortured; then he was beaten with clubs. He died finally when he was hurled from a high place.
At Agen in Gaul, St. Caprasius, martyr. To escape the raging persecution, he hid in a cave. At length, after hearing how the virgin St. Faith had endured torture for Christ, he was drawn to follow her example. He asked God that, if He judged him worthy of the glory of martyrdom, a spring of clear water should flow from a rock in the cave. The Lord gave him this sign and he hastened, now sure of himself, to the place of the contest. By his courageous strife, he merited the palm of martyrdom, under Maximian.
At Antioch, St. Artemius. He was an imperial officer who occupied high positions in the army under Constantine the Great. He rebuked Julian the Apostate for his cruelty toward the Christians. For this, he was beaten with clubs, subjected to other tortures, and finally ordered to be beheaded.
At Constantinople, St. Andrew of Crete, monk. On account of his veneration of holy images during the reign of Constantine Copronymus, he was repeatedly scourged. Finally, after one foot had been cut off, he expired.
At Cologne, the suffering of the holy virgins Martha and Saula with many others.
At Tomar in Portugal, St. Irene, virgin and martyr. Her body was honorably buried at Scalabis and since then the town has been re-named Santarem after her.
At Aussonce near Rheims, St. Sindulphus, priest and confessor.
Near Minden in Germany, the transferal of (the relics of) St. Fefician, Bishop of Foligno and martyr. A portion of his holy relics was placed in an urn and brought to Germany from the city of Foligno in Umbria, where he died on January 24.
At Paris, likewise the transferal from Cordoba in Spain, of (the relics of) the holy martyrs George, deacon, and Aurelius. They were martyred at Cordoba, together with three companions, on July 27.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. Peter of Alcantara, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor, whose birthday is noted on October 8. A duplex feast.
At Rome, the birthday of the holy martyrs Ptolemy and Lucius, under Marcus Antoninus. As St. Justin relates, Ptolemy converted a certain sinful woman to the faith of Christ and taught her to prize chastity; for so doing, he was accused by a wicked man before the prefect Urbicius and forced to undergo for a long time a foul imprisonment. At last, when by a public confession he testified that Christ was his master, he was ordered to be led out for execution. Lucius, on protesting against the sentence of Urbicius and freely confessing that he himself was a Christian, received the same sentence. A third martyr was added to these; he was also condemned to the same punishment.
At Antioch, SS. Beronicus, Pelagia, virgin, and forty-nine others.
In Egypt, St. Varus, soldier. In the reign of the Emperor Maximian, he visited and encouraged seven holy monks who were imprisoned. When one of them died, he wished to be accepted in his place; after suffering with them the most inhuman tortures, he gained the palm of martyrdom.
At Evreux in Gaul, St. Aquifinus, bishop and confessor.
In the territory of Orleans, the death of St. Veranus, bishop.
Near Salerno, St. Eusterius, bishop.
In the monastery of Nectan Wood, in Ireland, St. Ethbin, abbot.
At Oxford in England, St. Frideswide, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In Bithynia, the birthday of St. Luke the Evangelist. He suffered greatly for the name of Christ and died filled with the Holy Ghost. His remains were transferred to Constantinople and from there were taken to Pavia. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the birthday of St. Paul of the Cross, priest, confessor, and founder of the Congregation of the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a man remarkable for his innocence and penance, and was aflame with love for Christ crucified. Pope Pius IX canonized him and appointed April 28 as the date for the celebration of his feast.
At Arenas in Spain, the birthday of St. Peter of Alcantara, priest of the Order of Friars Minor and confessor. The Sovereign Pontiff, Clement IX, canonized him because of his remarkable penance and numerous miracles. His feast, however, is celebrated on October 19.
At Antioch, St. Asclepiades, bishop. He was one of that famous band of Martyrs who suffered so gloriously under Macrinus.
At Neocaesaria in Pontus, St. Athenodorus, bishop, who was the brother of the Wonder-Worker. Distinguished for his learning, he suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Aurelian.
At Louvres near Beauvais, St. Justus, martyr. He was still only a boy when he was beheaded in the persecution of Diocletian by the governor Rictiovarus.
At Rome, St. Tryphonia, widow of the Emperor Decius. She was the mother of the virgin martyr St. Cyrilla. Her body was buried in the crypt near that of St. Hippolytus.
Near Edessa in Mesopotamia, the commemoration of St. Julian, hermit, surnamed Sabas, who is also mentioned on January 17.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. Hedwig, widow, and a duchess of Poland, who died October 15.
At Antioch, the birthday of St. Heron, who was a disciple of Blessed Ignatius. He was made bishop after the latter and religiously followed his master's example, giving his life as a lover of Christ for the flock entrusted to him.
On the same day, the suffering of SS. Victor, Alexander, and Marianus. In Persia, St. Mameltas, martyr. By the warning of an angel, he was converted to the faith from the worship of idols. He was stoned by the pagans and drowned in a deep lake.
At Orange in Gaul, St. Florentius, bishop. Rich in merit, he died a peaceful death.
At Paray in the Diocese of Autun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She made her profession in the Order of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary. She excelled by her merit in spreading devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and in advancing its public cult. Pope Benedict XV canonized her.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In the monastery of Moutier-en-Der in Gaul, St. Becharius, abbot and martyr.
In Africa, two hundred and seventy holy martyrs, crowned together.
In the same country, SS. Martinian and Saturian with their two brothers. In the Vandal persecution under the Arian King Genseric, they were the servants of a certain Vandal and were converted to the Catholic faith by their fellow-servant, St. Maxima, virgin. For their constancy in the Catholic faith, their master beat them with knobbed clubs even to the bones. They endured these beatings for many days but always appeared on the next day unhurt. They were then driven into exile where they converted many barbarians to the faith of Christ. They obtained from the Roman Pontiff a priest and other ministers to baptize them. Eventually, their feet were fastened to the back of chariots and they were dragged through thorny places in the woods until they died. Maxima, however, after triumphing in several contests, was delivered by a miracle, and ended her days quietly in a monastery where she was the spiritual mother of numerous consecrated virgins.
Also, SS. Saturninus, Nereus, and three hundred and sixty-five martyrs. At Cologne, St. Eliphius, martyr, at the time of Julian the Apostate.
In the territory of Bourges, St. Ambrose, Bishop of Cahors.
At Mainz, St. Lullus, bishop and confessor.
At Treves, St. Florentinus, bishop.
Near Arbon in Germany, St. Gall, abbot, who was a disciple of Blessed Columban.
At Muro in Lucania (Italy), St. Gerard Majella, confessor and professed lay-brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Renowned for miracles, he was added to the list of saints by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius X.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Avila in Spain, St. Teresa, virgin. She was the mother and mistress of the Brothers and Sisters of the Carmelite Order of Strict Observance. A duplex feast.
At Cracow in Poland, the birthday of St. Hedwig, widow, and a duchess of Poland. She devoted herself to the service of the poor and was, in addition, famous for her miracles. The Sovereign Pontiff, Clement IV, canonized her. Her feast is observed on October 17.
At Rome, on the Via Aurelia, St. Fortunatus, martyr.
In Prussia, St. Bruno, Bishop of the Ruthenians and martyr. While he was preaching the Gospel in that region, he was seized by wicked men who first cut off his hands and feet, and then beheaded him.
At Cologne, the birthday of three hundred holy martyrs who, in the persecution of Maximian, persevered to the end in their trial.
At Carthage, St. Agileus, martyr. On his anniversary, St. Augustine delivered a panegyric concerning him.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Antiochius, bishop. He zealously administered the pontifical office to which he had been appointed and thus gained a heavenly kingdom.
At Treves, St. Severus, bishop and confessor.
At Strasbourg, St. Aurelia, virgin.
In Germany, St. Thecla, abbess and virgin. She had charge of the convents of Kitzingen and Ochsenfürt, and rich in merit departed for heaven.
The death of the venerable brother Bartholomew Texier, 26th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, on the Via Aurelia, the birthday of Blessed Callistus I, pope and martyr. At the command of the Emperor Alexander, he was tortured for a long time, starved in prison, and flogged daily. Then he was thrown from a window of the house where he had been imprisoned and drowned in a well; thus he merited the triumph of victory. A duplex feast.
At Rimini, St. Gaudentius, bishop and martyr.
At Caesarea in Palestine, SS. Carponius, Evaristus, and Priscian, brothers of St. Fortunata. Their throats were cut by the sword and together they won the palm of martyrdom.
Also, SS. Saturninus and Lupus.
At Caesarea in Palestine, St. Fortunata, virgin and martyr. She was the sister of the martyrs just mentioned -- Carponius, Evaristus, and Priscian.
She surrendered her soul to God after she had endured the rack, fire, wild beasts, and other tortures in Diocletian's persecution. Her body was afterward transferred to Naples in Campania.
At Todi in Umbria, St. Fortunatus, bishop. As St. Gregory tells us, he was distinguished by an extraordinary gift of putting unclean spirits to flight.
At Würzburg in Germany, St. Burchard, who was the first bishop of that city.
At Bruges in Flanders, St. Donatian, Bishop of Rheims.
At Treves, St. Rusticus, bishop.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Justus, bishop and confessor. He was a man of wonderful sanctity and endowed with the gift of prophecy. He resigned his bishopric and departed with his lector Viator into a desert of Egypt. For many years he led a life that was almost angelic and when the fitting end of his labors drew near, he went to the Lord to receive a crown of justice. His holy body, together with the remains of blessed Viator, his minister, were afterward transferred to Lyons on September 2.
On the same day, the death of blessed Dominic Loricatus.
At Arpino in Latium, St. Bernard, confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In the town of Trino-Vercellese (in Italy), Blessed Magdalen Panattieri, virgin, of our Order. She joined innocence to patience and merited to be enriched with heavenly gifts. At last, abounding in merit and virtue, she received the crown set aside for her in heaven. A semi-duplex feast.
St. Edward, King of England and confessor. He died on January 5 but is preferably commemorated on this day when his body was transferred (to a shrine in the choir).
At Troas, a city in Asia Minor, the birthday of St. Carpus, who was a disciple of the Apostle St. Paul.
At Cordoba in Spain, the birthday of the holy martyrs Faustus, Januarius, and Martial. They were first tortured on the rack; then they eyelids were cut off, their teeth torn out, their ears and noses sliced off. Finally, they finished their martyrdom by fire.
At Thessalonica, St. Florentius, martyr, who after undergoing various tortures was burned alive.
At Stockerau in Austria, St. Coloman, martyr.
At Antioch, the holy Patriarch Theophilus. He was the sixth after St. Peter the Apostle to hold the bishopric of that Church.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Venantius, abbot and confessor.
At Subiaco in Latium (Italy), St. Chefidonia, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Monte Cerignone in the Diocese of Montefeltro, Blessed Dominic Spadafora, (a confessor) of our Order. He was outstanding in his assiduous practice of prayer, of regular observance, and of preaching the Word of God. Pope Benedict XV ratified and confirmed his immemorial cult. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Evagrius, Priscian, and their companions.
In Africa, four thousand nine hundred and sixty-six confessors and martyrs in the Vandal persecution under the Arian King Hunneric. Some were bishops of the Churches of God, some were priests and deacons, while the rest were multitudes of the faithful. Because of their adherencc to the Catholic religion, they were driven into a horrible desert. Many were cruelly treated by the Moors, by being compelled to run at spearpoint, and by being stoned. Others had their feet tied together and were dragged like corpses through rough and stony places until torn limb from limb. All, tortured in diverse ways, finally gained martyrdom. Chief among them were the noble priests of God, Bishop Felix and Bishop Cyprian.
At Ravenna, on the Via Laurentina, the birthday of St. Edistius, martyr.
In Lycia, St. Domnina, martyr, in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Celje in Hungary, St. Maximillian, Bishop of Lorach.
At York in England, St. Wilfrid, bishop and confessor.
At Milan, St. Monas, bishop. When the question of electing a bishop was being discussed,. he was surrounded by a light from heaven and by that wondrous sign was received as the bishop of that church.
At Verona, St. Salvinus, bishop.
In Syria, St. Eustace, priest and confessor.
At Ascoli in Piceno (Italy), St. Seraphinus, confessor, of the Friars Minor Capuchin. He was remarkable for his holy life and humility; he was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Clement XIII.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Bologna, Blessed James (of Ulm), a German lay-brother of the Order of Preachers. Remarkable in the exercise of heroic virtues and especially in humility, he made himself lovable to heaven and wonderful on earth. A semi-duplex feast.
At Tarsus in Cilicia, the holy women Zenais and Philonilla, sisters. They were kinsfolk of the Apostle St. Paul, and his disciples in the faith.
Near Vexin in Gaul, the sufferings of the holy martyrs Nicasius, Bishop of Rouen, the priest Quirinus, the deacon Scubiculus, and Pientia, virgin, under the governor Fescenninus.
At Besançon in Gaul, St. Germanus, bishop and martyr.
Likewise, the suffering of SS. Anathasius, priest, Placidus, Genesius, and their companions.
At Tarsus in Cilicia, the birthday of the holy martyrs, Tharacus, Probus, and Andronicus. In the persecution of Diocletian, they suffered detention. for a long time in a filthy prison. On three occasions they were put to the torture in various ways; they finally obtained the crown of glory for, their confessing Christ by being beheaded.
In the Thebaid, St. Sarmata, who was a disciple of Blessed Anthony the Abbot. He was slain for Christ by the Saracens.
At Uzès in Gaul, St. Firmin, bishop and confessor.
At Calozzo in the Diocese of Asti, formerly that of Pavia, St. Alexander Sauli, of the Clerks Regular of St. Paul, bishop and confessor. He was of noble birth and was renowned for his virtues, learning and miracles. He was canonized by Pius X, the Sovereign Pontiff.
In the monastery of Aghaboe in Ireland, St. Kenny, priest and abbot.
At Lier in Belgium, the death of St. Gununar, confessor.
At Rennes in Gaul, St. Emifian, confessor.
At Verona, St. Placidia, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Valencia in Spain, St. Louis Bertrand, (confessor) of the Order of Preachers. He was sent to the West Indies, and although he could speak only the Spanish tongue -- a langnage unknown to the Indians -- he converted countless souls to the Christian religion. He was distinguished for his numerous miracles both in life and after death. He died October 9 and was beatified by Paul V. He was canonized by Clement X. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
St. Francis Borgia, priest of the Society of Jesus, and confessor, whose birthday is noted on September 30.
At Ceuta in Morocco, the suffering of the seven holy martyrs of the Order of Friars Minor, namely: Daniel, Samuel, Angelus, Leo, Nicholas, Ugolino, and Domnus. All were priests except Domnus. Because they preached the Gospel and put to silence the Mohammedan teachers, the Saracens reviled, chained, and scourged them. Finally, they were beheaded and thus gained the palm of martyrdom.
At Cologne, St. Gereon, martyr, who, in the persecution of Maximian, together with three hundred and eighteen others, patiently suffered beheading for the true religion.
In the neighborhood of the same city, SS. Victor and his companions, martyrs.
At Bonn in Germany, the holy martyrs Cassius and Florentius, with very many others.
At Nicomcdia, the holy martyrs Eulampius and the virgin Eulampia his sister. On hearing that her brother was being tortured for Christ, she broke through the crowd and, embracing her brother, joined him as another Christian. Both were cast into a vessel of boiling oil; when failed to harm them in the slightest, they fulfilled their martyrdom by, being beheaded. Two hundred spectators, who had been converted by the miracle and believed in Christ, were executed with them.
On the island of Crete, Blessed Pinytus, one of the most noble of bishops. He flourished as bishop in the city of Gnosia, under Marcus, Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus. In his writing, as in a mirror, he has left a living image of himself.
At York in England, St. Paulinus, bishop. He was a disciple of Pope, St. Gregory, who sent him to England, together with others, to preach the Gospel. He converted King Edwin and his people to the Christian faith.
At Piombino in Tuscany, St. Cerbonius, bishop and confessor. As St. Gregory states, he was noteworthy for his miracles both in life and in death.
At Verona, (another) St. Cerbonius, bishop.
At Capua, St. Paulinus, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Hippo in Africa, the birthday of St. Augustine, bishop, confessor, and eminent Doctor of the Church. He was converted to the Catholic faith and baptized through the zeal of Bishop St. Ambrose. He became a most stalwart defender of the faith against the Manichees and other heretics. After enduring many other labors for the Church of God, he passed to his reward in Heaven. Because (of the invasion) of the barbarians, his relics were taken from his own city first to Sardinia, and afterward by Luitprand, King of the Lombards, to Pavia, and honorably buried there. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the birthday of St. Hermes, an illustrious man. As may be read in the Acts of Blessed Pope Alexander, he was first delivered over to be kept in prison. Then, with many others, he was put to the sword, ending his martyrdom under the judge Aurelian.
At Venosa in Apulia, the suffering of SS. Septiminus, Januarius, and Felix. In the reign of the Emperor Maximian, the judge Valerian ordered these sons of SS. Boniface and Thecla to be beheaded. Their festival, however, is observed with that of the others of the twelve holy brethren on September 1.
At Brioude in Auvergne, the suffering of St. Julian, martyr, who was a companion of the tribune Blessed Ferreolus. He served Christ in secret while leading the life of a soldier; in the persecution of Diocletian he was seized by soldiers and put to a barbarous death by having his throat cut.
At Constance in Germany, St. Pelagius, martyr, who, being beheaded, received the crown of martyrdom under the Emperor Numerian and the judge Evilasius.
At Salerno, the holy martyrs Fortunatus, Caius, and Anthes, who were beheaded under the Emperor Diocletian and the proconsul Leontius.
At Constantinople, St. Alexander, bishop, a glorious old man[1]. It was by the power of his prayer that the body of Arius, who had been condemned by the judgment of God, burst in the middle and his entrails gushed forth.
At Saintes in Gaul, St. Vivian, bishop and confessor.
Likewise, St. Moses, an Ethiopian. From being a notorious robber, he became a famous hermit, converted many others, and brought them with him to his monastery.
The death of the venerable brother Albert de Chiavari of Genoa, 10th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] When he became bishop of Constantinople (in 313 or 317), he was seventy-three years old. With astonishing vigor he fought the enemies of the Church to the day of his death--twenty-three years later.
The Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A solemn octave.
The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the same Blessed Virgin Mary. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, on the Via Ostia, the birthday of St. Timothy, martyr. He was arrested by Tarquin, prefect of the city, and suffered a long imprisonment because he refused to sacrifice to idols. He was scourged on ree occasions and, after passing through the most painful tortures, was at last beheaded.
At Autun, St. Symphorian, martyr. In the reign of the Emperor Aurelian, he refused to offer sacrifice to idols; (for this) he was first beaten and then imprisoned. He at last completed his martyrdom by being beheaded. A memory.
At Portus Romanus, St. Hippolytus, bishop, a man of great renown for his learning. Under the Emperor Alexander, for his noble confession of the faith, his hands and feet were tied and he was thrown into a deep pit full of water, thus receiving the palm of martyrdom. His body was buried by the Christians at the same place.
At Todi in Umbria, the birthday of the Florentine St. Philip Benizi, confessor. He was a zealous promoter of the Order of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was a man of great humility. The Sovereign Pontiff, Clement X, added his name to the list of the saints. His festival, however, is observed on August 23.
At Rome, St. Antoninus, martyr. He loudly declared himself to be a Christian, and was condemned by the judge Vitellius to capital punishment. He was buried on the Via Aurelia by Rufinus, a priest.
At Tarsus in Cilicia, the commemoration of the holy martyrs Athanasius, bishop, Anthusa, a noble lady whom he had baptized, and also her two servants Charisius and Neophytus. All of them suffered in the reign of the Emperor Valerian.
At Portus Romanus, the holy martyrs Martial, Saturninus, Epictetus, Maprilis, and Felix, with their companions.
At Nicomedia, the suffering of the holy martyrs Agathonicus, Zoticus, and their companions, under the Emperor Aurelian and the governor Eutholmius.
At Rheims in Gaul, the holy martyrs Maurus and his companions.
In Spain, the holy martyrs Fabrician and Philibert.
At Pavia (in Italy), St. Gunifort, martyr.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In the country of Langres, the death of St. Bernard, first Abbot of Clairvaux, glorious in his life, teaching and miracles. The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VIII, declared and confirmed that he was a Doctor of the Universal Church. A duplex feast.
At Monte Senario in Etruria, the birthday of St. Manettus, confessor, one of the seven founders of the Order of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He died as he was repeating a hymn to her. His feast, with that of his companions, is kept on February 12.
In Judea, St. Samuel the Prophet, whose holy relics (as St. Jerome writes), Arcadius the Emperor transferred to Constantinople, and buried near Septimum.
On the island of Cyprus, St. Lucius, a senator. He was converted to the faith of Christ by seeing the constancy of Theodore, Bishop of Cyrene, in his martyrdom. He also led to the faith Dignian the governor, with whom he went to Cyprus, where he saw other Christians crowned for confessing the Lord. He willingly offered himself and merited the same crown of martyrdom by beheading.
In Thrace, thirty-seven holy martyrs who, under the governor Apellian, were cast into a burning furnace for the Christian faith, after their hands and feet had been cut off.
In the same place, the holy martyrs, Severus and Memnon the centurion, who obtained their martyrdom by a similar death, and went as victors to heaven.
At Cordoba in Spain, the holy martyrs Leovigild and Christopher, monks. They were cast into prison for their defense of the Christian faith during the persecution of the Arabs. After their necks were broken, they were burned alive and thus obtained the crown of martyrdom.
On the island of Her (off the coast of Poitou), St. Philibert, abbot.
At Rome, Blessed Porphyry, who was a man of God. He taught the martyr St. Agapitus the faith and doctrine of Christ.
In the village of Chinon in Gaul, St. Maximus, confessor, a disciple of the Blessed Bishop Martin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
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.
St. Joachim, father of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. His birthday is noted on March 20. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, St. Titus, deacon, who, when the city was occupied by the Goths, distributed his wealth to the poor, and was commanded by a heathen tribune to be slain.
At Nicaea in Bithynia, St. Diomede, physician, who, in the persecution of Diocletian was slain with the sword for the faith of Christ, and so fulfilled his martyrdom.
In Palestine, thirty-three holy martyrs.
At Ferentino in the Hernican mountains, St. Ambrose the centurion. He was tortured in various ways in the persecution of Diocletian. When he passed through the fire unhurt, he was finally drowned and thus reached eternal rest.
At Milan, the death of St. Simplician, bishop, made famous by the testimony of SS. Ambrose and Augustine.
At Auxerre (in Gaul), St. Eleutherius, bishop.
At Nicomedia, St. Arsacius, confessor. In the persecution of Licinius, he forsook the life of a soldier and lived as a solitary. He was adorned with so many virtues that he is said to have cast out demons and by prayer to have slain a huge snake. At last, after foretelling the future destruction of the city, he died while at prayer.
At Montpellier in Gaul, the death of St. Roch, confessor. He freed many towns of Italy from the plague by the sign of the cross. His body was later taken to Venice, and buried with great honor in the church consecrated under his name.
At Rome, St. Serena, once the wife of the Emperor Diocletian.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At Rome, the birthday of Blessed Eusebius, priest and confessor. He was imprisoned in a small room of his house by the Arian Emperor Constantius, for defending the Catholic faith. Persevering continually in prayer, he remained there (a prisoner) for seven months until he died. Two priests, Gregory and Orosius, took his body and buried it in the cemetery of Callistus on the Appian Way. A memory.
At Apamea in Syria, St. Marcellus, bishop and martyr. He broke to pieces a shrine of Jupiter and was slain by the outraged heathens.
At Todi in Umbria, St. Callistus, bishop and martyr,
In Illyria, St. Ursicius, martyr. After many and various torments was slain with the sword for Christ's name, under Maximian the Emperor and Aristides the governor.
In Africa, St. Demetrius, martyr.
On the island of Aegina, St. Athanasia, widow, famous for her observance of the monastic life and for the grace of miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, Blessed Hippolytus, martyr. So glorious was his confession of faith, in the reign of the Emperor Valerian, that after the usual torments had been inflicted, his feet were tied to the necks of wild horses. Then he was cruelly dragged through briars and brambles until he died, his whole body having been torn to shreds. On the same day, Blessed Concordia, his nurse also suffered. Flogged with lead-tipped whips, she died ahead of him. Also nineteen others of his household were beheaded outside the Tiburtine Gate. All were buried with Hippolytus in the Veranian field. A feast of three lessons.
At Imola (in Italy), the birthday of St. Cassian, martyr. Because he refused to worship idols, the persecutor summoned those pupils to whom he had become hateful while teaching them, and gave them permission to kill St. Cassian. Although their hands were weak, the agony of the martyrdom was all the greater, being so long drawn out.
At Todi in Umbria, St. Cassian, bishop and martyr, under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Burgos in Spain, SS. Centolla and Helen, martyrs.
At Constantinople, St. Maximus, abbot, famous for his learning and zeal for Catholic truth. He fought strenuously against the Monothelites, and for that reason his hands and tongue were cut off by the heretical Emperor Constans. He was exiled to the Chersonese, and died there, celebrated for his glorious profession of faith. At that time, two of his disciples, both named Anastasius, and many others, also suffered various tortures and bitter exile.
At Tritzlar in Germany, St. Wigbert, priest and confessor.
At Rome the birthday of St. John Berchmans, a scholastic of the Society of Jesus, confessor. He was noted for his innocence of life and careful observance of religious discipline. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII.
At Poitiers in Gaul, St. Radegund, queen, whose life was resplendent with miracles and virtues.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
(At Assisi), St. Clare, virgin, the first of the Poor Ladies of the Order of Friars Minor. She was called to the everlasting nuptials of the Lamb on August 11. A duplex feast.
On the same day, the holy martyrs Porcarius, Abbot of the monastery of Lerins, and five hundred monks. They were slain for the Catholic faith by the heathens, and so were crowned with martyrdom.
At Catania in Sicily, the birthday of St. Euplius, deacon. In the reign of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, he was tortured for a long time for confessing the Lord, and at last obtained the palm of martyrdom by the sword.
At Augsburg, St. Hilaria. Because of her faith in Christ, she was keeping a vigil at the grave of her daughter St. Afra. On that very spot, the persecutors burned her to death. With her there were martyred her maids, Digna, Euprepia, and Eunomia. Also on the same day and in the same city, there suffered Quiriacus, Largius, Crescentian, Nimmia, and Juliana, with twenty others.
In Syria, the holy martyrs Macarius and Julian.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Count Anicetus and his brother Photinus, with many others, in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Faleria in Tuscany, the suffering of St. Gracilian and the virgin St. Felicissima. For their confessing the faith, their faces were pounded with rocks. Then they were slain by the sword and so obtained the palm of martyrdom they desired.
At Milan, the death of St. Eusebius, bishop and confessor.
At Brescia, St. Herculanus, bishop.
The death of the venerable brother Bonaventure Garcia de Paredes of Spain, 78th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Octave day of our holy Father Dominic. A solemn octave.
At Rome, between the two laurel trees, the birthday of St. Tiburtius, martyr. In the persecution of Diocletian, under Fabian the judge, he was made to walk with bare feet on burning coals. As he confessed Christ all the more firmly, he was led to the third milestone from the city and killed by the sword. A memory.
Likewise at Rome, St. Susanna, virgin. She was born of a noble family, and was the niece of Pope St. Caius. She obtained the palm of martyrdom in the time of Diocletian by being beheaded.
At Assisi in Umbria, the birthday of St. Clare, virgin. She was the first of the Poor Ladies of the Order of Friars Minor. Renowned for her life and miracles, she was canonized by Pope Alexander IV. Her festival, however, is kept on August 12.
At Comana in Pontus, St. Alexander, bishop, surnamed the Charcoalburner[1]. A learned philosopher, he became proficient in the eminent science of Christian humility, and was raised up by St. Gregory the Wonderworker to the throne of that Church. He was illustrious not only for his preaching, but also for his martyrdom by fire.
On the same day, the suffering of St. Rufinus, Bishop of the Marsi,[2] and his companions, under the Emperor Maximin.
At Evreux in Gaul, St. Taurinus, bishop. He was ordained bishop of that city by Pope St. Clement, and spread abroad the Christian faith by his preaching of the Gospel. After sustaining many labors in that work, he died in the Lord, noteworthy for glorious miracles.
At Cambrai in Gaul, St. Gaugericus, bishop and confessor.
In the province of Valeria (in Italy), St. Equitius, abbot, whose holiness is approved by the testimony of Pope St. Gregory.
At Todi in Umbria (Italy), St. Digna, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] Alexander gave away his wealth and became a charcoal-burner in order to practise humility. Hence his nickname.
[2] The Marsi were a tribe living around Lake Fucino. Theirs was one of the few dioceses named after a tribe instead of after a city.
At Rome on the Via Tiburtina, the birthday of St. Laurence, archdeacon. In the persecution of Valerian, he endured the many tortures of the prison and beatings with clubs and leaded whips. Red-hot metal plates were applied to his body. At last, he was roasted on a gridiron and thus completed his martyrdom. His body was buried in the cemetery of Cyriaca in the Veranus field by St. Hippolytus and the priest Justin. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
In Spain, the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, foundress of the Order for the Redemption of Captives established in her name. Her festival is observed on September 24.
At Rome, the suffering of one hundred and sixty-five soldiers, martyrs, under Aurelian the Emperor.
At Alexandria, the commemoration of the holy martyrs who in the persecution of Valerian, under Emilian the governor, were long tormented with various and exquisite tortures; they obtained the crown of martyrdom by different kinds of death.
At Bergamo, St. Asteria, virgin and martyr, in the persecution of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian.
At Carthage, the holy virgins and martyrs Bassa, Paula, and Agathonica.
At Rome, St. Deusdedit, confessor. What he had earned during the week by the labor of his hands, he gave on Saturday to the poor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of St. Laurence, martyr.
At Florence (in Italy), Blessed John of Salerno, confessor, of our Order. He received the religious habit from the holy Patriarch Dominic and emulated his virtues. Sent to propagate our Order in Etruria, he labored greatly for the faith at Florence, especially by his preaching against the heretical Patarines. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Romanus, soldier and martyr. Moved by the confession of faith of St. Laurence, he begged to be baptized by him, and was forthwith seized, beaten with clubs, and at last beheaded.
In Tuscany, the birthday of the holy martyrs Secundian, Marcellian, and Verian. In the time of Decius, by order of Promotus the proconsul, they were first scourged, then stretched on the rack, and torn with iron hooks. Then fire was applied to their sides. They merited the triumphal palm of martyrdom by being beheaded.
At Verona, the holy martyrs Firmus and Rusticus. At the time of the Emperor Maximian, under the judge Anolinus, they refused to sacrifice to idols and remained firm in confessing Christ. After they had endured many other tortures, they were beaten with clubs and beheaded.
In Africa, the commemoration of many holy martyrs. In the persecution of Valerian they were cast into the fire, and with Numidicus encouraging them obtained the palm of martyrdom. But Numidicus himself, although he was cast into the pyre with the others and then overwhelmed with stones, was dug out by his daughter who found he was still alive. He recovered, and afterward by reason of his virtues merited to be chosen for the office of the priesthood in the Church of Carthage by St. Cyprian.
At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Julian, Mardan, and eight others. Because they had set up an image of the Saviour at the Bronze Gate (of the city), all of them underwent many tortures by command of the Emperor Leo and then were slain by the sword.
At Châlons-sur-Marne in Gaul, St. Domitian, bishop and confessor.
The deaths of the venerable brothers Hervé de Nédellec of Brittainy, 14th master general of the Order; and John Clérée of Gaul, 37th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Peñafiel in Spain, Blessed Joan de Aza, mother of the most Blessed Patriarch Dominic. Admirable for her virtue and beloved of God for her piety, she died at Calaruega in the love of the Lord. A duplex feast.
The holy martyrs Cyriacus, deacon, Largus, and Smaragdus, with twenty others, who suffered on March 16. Their bodies were buried on the Via Salaria by a priest named John, and on this day Pope St. Marcellus removed them to the garden of Lucina, on the Via Ostiensis. Afterward, they were brought into the city, and buried in the deaconry of St. Mary's in Via Latina. A memory.
At Anazarbus in Cilicia, St. Marinus, an old man. At the time of the Emperor Diocletian and the governor Lysias, he was flogged, then suspended (from a beam) and mangled. He was at last cast to the beasts, and died.
Likewise the holy martyrs Eleutherius and Leonides, who completed martyrdom by fire.
In Persia, St. Hormisdas, martyr, in the reign of King Sapor.
At Cyzicus in the Hellespont, St. Aemilian, bishop. At the hands of the Emperor Leo, he suffered much for his defending the veneration of holy images. His life was ended in exile.
In Crete, St. Myron, bishop, famed for miracles.
At Vienne in Gaul, St. Severus, priest and confessor. He undertook a wearisome journey from India in order to preach the Gospel, and coming to Vienne, he converted a huge multitude of heathens to the faith of Christ by his preaching and miracles.
The death of the venerable brother Hugh de Vaucemain of Gaul, 16th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Naples in Campania, St. Cajetan of Thienna, confessor, founder of the Clerks Regular. With remarkable confidence in God, he enjoined on his followers the primitive manner of life of the Apostles. Renowned for miracles, Pope Clement X enrolled him among the saints. A duplex feast.
At Arezzo in Tuscany, the birthday of St. Donatus, bishop and martyr. Among his other miraculous deeds, Pope St. Gregory narrates, he restored by his prayer a holy chalice broken by the heathens. In the persecution of Julian the Apostate, he was arrested by the imperial officer Quadratianus and, as he refused to offer sacrifice to idols, he gained martyrdom, being put to the sword. There suffered also with him blessed Hilarinus, a monk, whose memory is kept on July 16, when his body was taken to Ostia. A memory.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Peter and Julian, with eighteen others.
At Milan, St. Faustus, soldier, who after many trials obtained the palm of martyrdom under Aurelius Commodus.
At Como (in Italy), the suffering of the holy martyrs Carpophorus, Exanthus, Cassius, Severinus, Secundus, and Licinius, who were beheaded for confessing Christ.
At Nisibis in Mesopotamia, St. Dometius, a Persian monk, who with two disciples was stoned to death at the time of Julian the Apostate.
At Rouen, St. Victricius, bishop. While still a soldier, under the same Julian, he cast away his military insignia for the sake of Christ. He was subjected by his tribune to many tortures, and condemned to death, but the executioner sent to slay him was stricken with blindness and, his chains being loosed, he escaped. Afterwards he was made a bishop, and by the preaching of the Gospel led the unconquered tribes of the Morini and the Nervi to believe in Christ. He died a peaceful death.
At Châlons-sur-Marne in Gaul, St. Donatian, bishop.
At Messina in Sicily, St. Albert, a confessor of the Carmelite Order, noted for miracles.
The death of the venerable brother Thomas (Paccoroni) of Fermo, 24th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
On Mount Thabor, the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, on the Appian Way, in the cemetery of Callistus, the birthday of Blessed Sixtus II, pope and martyr. He was put to the sword in the persecution of Valerian, and received the crown of martyrdom.
Likewise at Rome, SS. Felicissimus and Agapitus, martyrs, deacons of the same St. Sixtus, and the subdeacons Januarius, Magnus, Vincent and Stephen. All were beheaded together with Sixtus and buried in the cemetery of Praetextatus. Blessed Quartus suffered also with them, as St. Cyprian declares. A memory.
At Bologna, the birthday of St. Dominic, confessor and founder of the Order of Friars Preachers. He was a man of great renown for holiness and learning. Until death he preserved without stain his virginity, and by the singular grace of his merits raised three dead men to life. By his preaching he curbed heresies, and established many persons in a religious and godly manner of life. He died on this day, but his festival, by an ordinance of Pope Paul IV, is celebrated on August 4.
At Burgos in Spain, in the Benedictine monastery of St. Peter of Cardegna, the suffering of two hundred monks and their abbot Stephen. They were slain by the Saracens for the faith, and buried there in the cloister by the Christians.
At Alcalá de Henares in Spain, the holy martyrs Justus and Pastor, brothers. The two boys were still learning the elements in school, when they threw aside their books and of their own accord hurried to gain martyrdom. Soon they were seized by the governor Dacian and beaten with clubs. As they firmly exhorted each other to constancy, they were taken outside the city by the executioner and strangled.
At Rome, St. Hormisdas, pope and confessor.
At Amida in Mesopotamia, St. James, hermit, renowned for miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
