31 MARCH – FERIA OF LENT

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Thecua in Palestine, the holy prophet Amos, whom the priest Amasias frequently scourged, and whose temples Ozias, that priest’s son, pierced with an iron spike. Being carried half dead to his native place, he expired there and was buried with his forefathers.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Theodulus, Anesius, Felix, Cornelia and their companions.

In Persia, during the reign of king Isdegerdes, St. Benjamin, deacon. Because he would not cease to preach the word of God, sharp-pointed reeds were forced under his nails, a thorny stake driven through his entrails, and thus he consummated his martyrdom.

At Rome, the holy virgin Balbina, daughter of the blessed martyr Quirinus, who was baptised by Pope St. Alexander, and after overcoming the world, was buried on the Via Appia at her father’s side.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

30 MARCH – FERIA OF LENT

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Rome, on the Via Appia, the martyrdom of blessed Quirinus, tribune, baptised with all his household by Pope St. Alexander who was imprisoned in his house. Under the emperor Hadrian he was delivered to the judge Aurelian, and, as he persevered in the confession of the faith, his tongue was plucked out, he was stretched on the rack, his hands and feet were cut off, and the sword terminated the course of his martyrdom.

At Thessalonica, the birthday of the holy martyrs Domninus, Victor and their companions.

At Constantinople, the commemoration of many holy martyrs of the Catholic communion, whom the heresiarch Macedonius in the time of Constantius put to death by unheard-of kinds of torments. For among other tortures, he cut off the breasts of Christian women by pressing them between the lids of chests, and seared the wounds with hot iron.

At Senlis, the demise of St. Regulus, bishop of Aries.

At Orleans in France, St. Pastor, bishop.

At Syracuse, St. Zosimus, bishop and confessor.

On Mount Sinai, St. John Climacus, abbot.

At Aquino, St. Clinius, confessor.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

29 MARCH – FERIA OF LENT

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

In Persia, the holy martyrs Jonas and Barachisius, under Sapor, king of Persia. Jonas, being pressed in a vice till his bones were broken, was cut in two. Barachisius was suffocated by burning pitch poured into his throat.

At Heliopolis near Mount Lebanon, under Julian the Apostate, St. Cyril, deacon and martyr, whose body was opened and his liver plucked out by the Gentiles who devoured it like wild beasts.

At Nicomedia, the martyrdom of the holy martyrs Pastor, Victorinus and their companions.

In Africa, under the Arian king Genseric, during the persecution of the Vandals, the holy confessors Armogastes, count, Mascula, Archimimus, and Saturus, master of the king’s household. Having endured many severe torments, as well as reproaches, for the confession of the truth, they reached the end of their glorious combats.

At Asti, St. Secundus, martyr.

In the monastery of Luxeuil, the decease of the abbot St. Eustasius, a disciple of St. Columban, who had under his guidance nearly six hundred monks. Eminent in sanctity, he was also renowned for miracles.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

22 MARCH – FERIA OF LENT

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Narbonne in France, the birthday of the bishop St. Paul, a disciple of the Apostles. He is said to have been the pro-consul Sergius Paulus who was baptised by the blessed Apostle St. Paul and left at Narbonne, where he was raised to the episcopal dignity when the apostle went to Spain. Having zealously discharged the office of preaching and performed miracles, he departed for heaven.

At Terracina, St. Epaphroditus, a disciple of the Apostles, who was consecrated bishop of that city by the blessed Apostle St. Peter.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Saturninus and nine others.

The same day, the birthday of the Saints Callinica and Basilissa, martyrs.

An Ancyra, under Julian the Apostate, St. Basil, priest and martyr, who gave up his soul to God after having endured grievous torments.

At Carthage, St. Octavian, archdeacon, and many thousands of martyrs, who were slain by the Vandals for the Catholic faith.

In the same place, St. Deogratias, bishop of Carthage, who ransomed many captives taken from that city by the Vandals, and performed other good works, after which he went to rest in the Lord.

At Osimo in the Marches of Ancona, St. Benvenutus, bishop.

In Sweden, St. Catherine, virgin, daughter of St. Bridget.

At Rome, St. Lea, a widow, whose virtues and happy death are related by St. Jerome.

At Genoa, St. Catherine, a widow, celebrated for her contempt of the world and her love of God.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

3 MARCH – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Caesarea in Palestine, during the persecution of Valerian, the holy martyrs Marinus, soldier, and Asterius, senator. The former was examined by the judge on the charge laid against him by his fellow soldiers of being a Christian, and as he admitted the accusation in no uncertain tone, he was beheaded and thus received the crown of martyrdom. His mutilated body was taken up by Asterius on his shoulders and wrapped in the garment which he himself wore. This service gained for Asterius immediately the palm of martyrdom as a reward for the honours which he had given to a martyr.

In Spain, the birthday of the holy martyrs Hemeterius and Cheledonius, soldiers in the army at Leon, a city of Galicia. On the approach of a persecution they went to Calahorra, in order to confess the name of Christ, and after enduring many torments there they were crowned with martyrdom.

The same day, the passion of the Saints Felix, Luciolus, Fortunatus, Marcia and their companions.

Also the holy soldiers Cleonicus, Eutropius and Basiliscus, who gloriously triumphed by the death of the cross under the governor Asclepiades during the persecution of Maximian.

At Brescia, St. Titian, bishop and confessor.

At Bamberg, the empress St. Cunegundes, who preserved her virginity with the consent of her husband, the emperor Henry I. She terminated a life rich in meritorious good deeds with a holy death and worked many miracles afterward.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.