27 APRIL – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

In Nicomedia, during the persecution of Diocletian, the birthday of St. Anthimus, bishop and martyr, who obtained the glory of martyrdom for the faith by decapitation. Nearly all his numerous flock followed him. The judge ordered some to be beheaded, some to be buried alive, and others to be put in boats and sunk in the sea.

At Tarsus in Cilicia, the Saints Castor and Stephen, martyrs.

At Rome, the demise of the blessed Pope Anastatius, a man most rich in his poverty and filled with apostolic zeal whom Rome, says St. Jerome, did not deserve to possess long, lest the capital of the world should be devastated under such a bishop, for shortly after his death Rome was taken and sacked by the Goths.

At Bologna, St. Tertullian, bishop and confessor.

At Brescia, the bishop St. Theophilus.

At Constantinople, the abbot St. John who combated vigorously for the worship of holy images under Leo the Isaurian.

At Tarragona, the blessed Peter Armengaudius, of the Order of Blessed Mary of Mercy for the Redemption of Captives, who endured many tribulations in Africa in ransoming the faithful, and finally closed his career peacefully in the convent of St. Mary of the Meadows.

At Lucca in Italy, blessed Zita, a virgin renowned for virtues and miracles, whose festival is celebrated on this day conformably to the decree of Pope St. Leo X.

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

Thanks be to God.

26 APRIL – SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS (Popes and Martyrs)

Cletus, the son of Emilianus, was a Roman from Region V, and of the patrician street. He governed the Church during the reigns of the emperors Vespasian and Titus. Agreeably to the order given him by the Prince of the Apostles, he established 25 priests in the city. He was the first who in his letters used the words “Health and Apostcolic benediction.” Having put the Church into admirable order and having governed it 12 years, 7 months and 2 days, he was crowned with martyrdom under the emperor Domitian in the Second Persecution following that of Nero, and was buried in the Vatican near the body of Saint Peter.

Marcellinus, a Roman by birth, was overcome by fear in the terrible persecution under the emperor Diocletian, and offered incense to the idols of the gods. But such was his sorrow for his fall that he immediately repaired to Sinuessa where a council of several bishops was being held and, entering in, covered with sackcloth and shedding floods of tears, he publicly confessed his sin. No one, however, dared to condemn him, but all, with one voice, exclaimed: “Judge yourself by your own lips, not by our judgement, for the first See is judged by no-one. They added that Peter, too, sinned through the same weakness and by the like tears, obtained pardon from God. Having returned to Rome, Marcellinus went to the emperor and severely reproached him for having driven him to so great a crime. Whereupon, the emperor ordered him to be beheaded, together with three other Christians, Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. Their bodies, by the emperor’s order, were left 36 days without burial, after which the blessed Marcellus (in consequence of his receiving while asleep, an admonition from Saint Peter) had them buried in the Cemetery of Priscilla on the Via Salaria, at which burial were present many Priests and Deacons who, with torches in their hands, sang hymns in honour of the martyrs. Marcellinus governed the Church 7 years, 11 months and 23 days. During this period, he gave two ordinations in December, at which four were made Priests and five were made Bishops.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Two bright stars appear this day on the Ecclesiastical Cycle proclaiming the glory of our Jesus, the Conqueror of death. Again, they are two Pontiffs and Martyr-Pontiffs. Cletus leads us to the very commencement of the Church, for he was a disciple of Peter and his second Successor in the See of Rome. Marcellinus was a witness of the great Persecution under Diocletian. He governed the Church on the eve of her triumph. Let us honour these two fathers of Christendom who laid down their lives in its defence, and let us offer their merits to Jesus, who supported them by His grace and cheered them with the hope that, one day, they would share in His Resurrection.

In the short notice on the life of Saint Marcellinus the reader will meet with a circumstance which, by some learned historians, is rejected as utterly untrue, whilst, by others equally learned, it is considered as authentic. The holy Pontiff is said to have flinched before his persecutors and to have gone so far as to offer incense to the idols, but the statement adds that he repaired his fault by a second and courageous profession of his faith which secured for him the crown of martyrdom. The plan of our work does not admit critical disquisitions. We will therefore not attempt to clear up this difficulty of history. It is enough for us to know that all are agreed upon the martyrdom of this holy Pope. At the time when the Lesson, which is now in the Breviary, was drawn up, the fall of Marcellinus was believed as a fact. Later on, it was called in question and the arguments used against it are by no means to be despised. The Church, however, has not thought well to change the Lesson as it first stood, the more so as questions of this nature do not touch upon faith. We scarcely need to remind the reader, that the fall of Marcellinus, supposing it to be a fact, would be no argument against the infallibility of the Roman Pontiff. The Pope cannot teach error, when he addresses himself to the Church. But he is not impeccable in his personal conduct.

*****

Pray for us, O holy Pontiffs, and look with fatherly love upon the Church on Earth which was so violently persecuted in your times and, at the present day, is far from enjoying peace. The worship of idols is revived, and though they be not of stone or metal, yet they that adore them are as determined to propagate their worship as were the pagans of former days to make all men idolaters. The gods and godesses now in favour are called Liberty, Progress and Modern Civilisation. Every measure is resorted to in order to impose these new divinities upon the world. They that refuse to adore them are persecuted. Governments are secularised, that is, un-Christianised. The education of youth is made independent of all moral teaching. The religious element is rejected from social life as an intrusion: and all this is done with such a show of reasonableness that thousands of well-minded Christians are led to be its advocates, timid perhaps, and partial, but still its advocates.

Preserve us, O holy Martyrs, from being the dupes of this artful impiety. It was not in vain that our Jesus suffered death and rose again from the grave. Surely, after this He deserves to be what He is — King of the whole Earth under whose power are all creatures. It is in order to obey Him that we wish no other Liberty save that which He has based upon his Gospel; no other Progress save that which follows the path He has marked out; no other Civilisation save that which results from the fulfilment of the duties to our fellow men, which He has established. It is He that created human nature and gave it its laws. It is He that redeemed it and restored it to its lost rights. Him alone, then, do we adore. O holy Martyrs, pray that we may never become the dupes or slaves of the theories of human pride, not even should they that make or uphold them, have power to make us suffer or die for our resistance.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Amasea in Pontus, St. Basileus, bishop and martyr, whose illustrious martyrdom occurred under the emperor Licinius. His body was thrown into the sea, but being found by Elpidiphorus through the revelation of an angel, it was honourably entombed.

At Braga in Portugal, St. Peter, martyr, the first bishop of that city.

At Venice, St. Clarence, bishop and confessor.

At Verona, St. Lucidius, bishop.

In the monastery of Centula, St. Richarius, priest and confessor.

At Troyes, St. Exuperantia, virgin.

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

Thanks be to God.

20 APRIL – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Rome, the holy martyrs Sulpicius and Servilian who were converted to the faith of Christ by the discourses and the miracles of the holy virgin Domitilla. Having refused to sacrifice to the idols, they were beheaded by Anian, prefect of the city, in the persecution of Trajan.

The same day, the holy martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Zeno, Acindinus, Caesareus, Severian, Chrysophorus, Theonas and Antoninus who suffered martyrdom after undergoing various trials.

At Tomis in Scythia, St. Theotimus, bishop, whose great sanctity and miracles procured him the veneration of unbelieving barbarians.

At Embrun in France, St. Marcellin, first bishop of that city, who by divine inspiration came from Africa with his holy companions Vincent and Domninus and converted to the faith of Christ the greatest portion of the inhabitants of the maritime Alps, by his preaching and the wonderful prodigies, which he still continues to work.

At Auxerre, St. Marcian, a priest.

The same day, St. Theodore, confessor, surnamed Trichinas, from the rough hair garment which he wore. He was renowned for many miracles, but especially for his power over demons. From his body issues a liquid which imparts health to the sick.

At Monte-Pulciano, St. Agnes, a virgin, of the Order of St. Dominic, celebrated for miracles.

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

Thanks be to God.

17 APRIL – SAINT ANICETUS (Pope and Martyr)

Anicetus, a Syrian by birth, governed the Church during the reign of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. He passed a decree which forbade clerics to nourish their hair. The ordinations which he held in five Decembers gave 17 Priests, 4 Deacons and 9 Bishops. His Pontificate lasted 8 years, 8 months and 24 days. He was crowned with martyrdom for the Christian faith and was buried on the fifteenth of the Calends of May (April 17th), in the Cemetery afterwards called the Cemetery of Callixtus, which is on the Via Appia.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

A Pope and Martyr of the second century appears on the Calendar today. The Martyrs stand in clusters near our Risen Lord. They are the eagles of which He speaks in His Gospel, as gathering together around their longed-for object (Matthew xxiv. 28). Anicetus is not the only Pope whose Martyrdom has to be celebrated during Paschal Time. Others will come, adding to our Easter joy. The Saint who claims our attention today is one of those whose holy actions are shrouded in the venerable gloom of the Church, and yet his memory will be held in veneration to the end of time, not only as being the eleventh successor of Saint Peter in the See of Rome, but as having imitated him also in holiness of life. Saint Polycarp, whose feast we kept on the twenty-sixth of January, came from Smyrna to Rome in order to visit him and receive his advice. There have also been transmitted to us one or two instances of the zeal with which he defended the Church against the heresiarchs Valentine and Marcion. In a word, we know that he was a Martyr, and that is enough to immortalise his name.

* * * * *

Holy Pontiff who so many long ages ago was made partaker of the glory of Him whose Vicar and Martyr you had the privilege to be, we this day celebrate your blessed memory with filial affection. In you we venerate one of the pillars of the early Church. And though your name has been handed down to us without the history of those holy deeds which merited for you a martyr’s palm, we at least know that it was dear to the faithful of the age in which you lived. Now that you are in Heaven your zeal for the glory of God is greater than it was when you were on this Earth. Pray, then, for the Church of these sad times. Upwards of two hundred Pontiffs have followed you on the Chair of Peter, and Christ has not yet come to judge the world. Assist your Successor who is our Father. Assist the Flock entrusted to his charge, for the dangers that now threaten us are extreme. Your Pontificate was during a stormy period. Pray to our Risen Jesus that He would quell the tempest that is now howling round the Barque of Peter. Beseech Him to give us perseverance and courage. Obtain for us that we may fix our hearts on our heavenly country so that when God calls us hence, we may be prepared as you were. We are the descendants of the Martyrs. Their faith is ours. The hope that cheered them must be our consolation.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

In Africa, the birthday of blessed Mappalicus, and many others who were crowned with martyrdom, as is related by St. Cyprian in his Epistle to the Martyrs and Confessors.

In the same country, the holy martyrs Fortunatus and Marcian.

At Antioch, the holy martyrs Peter, a deacon, and Hermogenes, his servant.

At Cordova, the holy martyrs Elias, a priest, Paul and Isidore, monks.

At Vienne, St. Pantagathus, bishop.

At Tortona, St. Innocent, bishop and confessor.

At Citeaux in France, the abbot St. Stephen who was the first to live in the desert of Citeaux, and who joyfully welcomed St. Bernard and his companions when they came there.

In the monastery of Chaise-Dieu in the diocese of Clermont, St. Robert, confessor, founder and first abbot of that monastery.

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

Thanks be to God.

27 MARCH – SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS (Confessor and Doctor of the Church)

The last of the Greek Fathers, John was born at Damascus where his father was the Caliph’s Vizier. He was educated with great care by Cosmas, a Greek monk who had been brought into Syria as a slave. On his father’s death he succeeded him as Vizier, and had thus all that the world could give him — wealth, honours, power, learning. But realising the danger of his high position at a Muslim court, he divided his riches among the poor and went as a pilgrim to Jerusalem, eventually settling in the famous Laura or monastery of Saint Sabbas. His life henceforth is a simple record of humility, prayer, labour and obedience. He passed away 6 May 780 AD, being as is asserted one hundred and four years old. On account of the flowing eloquence of his writings Saint John acquired the surname “Chrysorrhoes” (Golden Stream). His chief work, that on the Orthodox Faith, is the first systematic Treatise on Dogmatic Theology we possess and has been a model to the writers of succeeding ages. His convincing discourses in defence of the veneration of icons marked him out as a champion of the faith against Leo the Isaurian, the iconoclast emperor of Constantinople, through whose machinations he was sentenced to have his right hand cut off. It was afterwards miraculously restored to him by Our Blessed Lady, whose devout client he ever was. Venerated from his own age as a Saint, Pope Leo XIII numbered him among the Doctors of the Church.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Drizipara in Pannonia, St. Alexander, a soldier, in the time of emperor Maximian. Having overcome many tribulations for Christ, and wrought many miracles, he completed his martyrdom by decapitation.

The same day, the Saints Philetus, senator, his wife Lydia, and their sons Macedon and Theoprepides. Also Amphilochius, an officer in the army, and Chronidas, a notary, who were put to death for the confession of Christ.

In Persia, in the reign of King Sapor, the holy martyrs Zanitas, Lazarus, Marotas, Narses, and five others, who merited the palm of martyrdom by being barbarously murdered.

At Salzburg, St. Rupert, bishop and confessor, who spread the Gospel extensively in Bavaria and Austria.

In Egypt, the hermit St. John, a man of great holiness, who among other virtues, was replenished with the spirit of prophecy, and predicted to the emperor Theodosius that he would gain the victory over the tyrants Maximus and Eugenius.

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

Thanks be to God.

20 MARCH – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

In Judaea, St. Joachim, father of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, whose festival is kept on the sixteenth of August.

In Asia, the birthday of St. Archippus, fellow-labourer of the blessed Apostle St. Paul, who mentions him in his Epistles to Philemon and the Colossians.

In Syria, the holy martyrs Paul, Cyril, Eugenius and four others.

The same day, the Saints Photina, a Samaritan, and her sons Joseph and Victor. Also Sebastian, military officer, Anatolius, and Photius. Photides, Parasceves and Cyriaca, sisters, were all martyred for confessing Christ.

At Amisus in Paphlagonia, seven holy women, Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphemia and Theodosia, who were put to death for the confession of the faith. They were followed by Derphuta and her sister.

At Apollonia, the bishop St. Maetas, who breathed his last in exile where he had been sent for upholding the worship of holy images.

In the monastery of Fontanelle, St. Wulfran, bishop of Sens, who after having resigned his bishopric and performed miracles, departed out of this life.

In England, the demise of St. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, who from his childhood to his death was renowned for good works and miracles.

At Siena in Tuscany, blessed Ambrose of the Order of Preachers, celebrated for sanctity, eloquence and miracles.

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

Thanks be to God.

16 MARCH – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Rome, the martyrdom of the deacon St. Cyriacus, who, after a long imprisonment, was covered with melted pitch and stretched on the rack to have his limbs distended with ropes, was beaten with clubs, and finally beheaded with Largus, Smaragdus and twenty others, by order of Maximian. Their feast, however, is kept on the eighth of August, the day on which their bodies were taken up by the blessed Pope Marcellus and reverently entombed.

At Aquileia, in the time of the emperor Numerian and the governor Beronius, the birthday of the holy bishop Hilary, and the deacon Tatian, who terminated their martyrdom with Felix, Largus and Denis, after being subjected to the rack and other tortures.

In Lycaonia, the holy martyr Papas, who was scourged for the Christian faith, torn with iron hooks, then compelled to walk with shoes pierced with nails, and finally bound to a barren tree. In leaving this world to go to God, he rendered the tree fruitful.

At Anazarbum in Cilicia, under the governor Marcian, the martyr St. Julian, who was a long time tortured, then put into a sack with serpents and cast into the sea.

At Ravenna, St. Agapitus, bishop and confessor.

At Cologne, St. Heribert, a bishop, celebrated for sanctity.

At Clermont in Auvergne, the demise of St. Patrick, bishop.

In Syria, St. Abraham, hermit, whose life has been written by the blessed deacon Ephrem.

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

Thanks be to God.

15 MARCH – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the martyrdom of St. Longinus, the soldier who is said to have pierced our Lord’s side with a lance.

The same day, the birthday of St. Aristobulus, a disciple of the Apostles who terminated by martyrdom a life spent in preaching the Gospel.

At Thessalonica, St. Matrona, servant of a Jewess, who, worshipping Christ secretly, and stealing away daily to the church to pray, was detected by her mistress and subjected to many trials. Being at last beaten to death with heavy clubs, she gave up her pure soul to God in confessing Christ.

The same day, St. Menignus, a dyer, who suffered under Decius.

In Egypt, St. Meander, who, seeking diligently for the remains of the holy martyrs, merited to be made a martyr himself, under the emperor Diocletian.

At Cordova, St. Leocritia, virgin and martyr.

At Rome, the birthday of Pope St. Zachary, who governed the Church of God with great vigilance, and renowned for merits, rested in peace.

At Rieti, the bishop St. Probus, at whose death the martyrs Juvenal and Eleutherius were present.

At Rome, St. Speciosus, a monk, whose soul his brother saw carried up to heaven.

At Vienna in Austria, St. Clement Mary Hofbauer, a professed priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, remarkable for his energy in promoting the glory of God and the salvation of souls. As he became illustrious by his virtues and miracles, Pope St. Pius X placed him in the Martyrology.

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

Thanks be to God.

13 MARCH – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Nicomedia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Macedonius, his wife Patritia, and their daughter Modesta.

At Nicaea, the holy martyrs Theuseta, and Horres, his son, Theodora, Nimphodora, Marcus and Arabia, who were burned to death for Christ.

At Hermopolis in Egypt, the martyr St. Sabinus, who after many sufferings, terminated his martyrdom by being precipitated into a river.

In Persia, St. Christina, virgin and martyr.

At Cordova, the holy martyrs Rudericus, priest, and Solomon.

At Constantinople, the bishop St. Nicephorus. In defence of the traditions of his forefathers and of the worship of sacred images, he opposed firmly the Iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian, by whom he was sent into exile, where he underwent a long martyrdom of fourteen years, and departed for the kingdom of God.

At Camerino in Umbria, St. Ansovinus, bishop and confessor.

In Thebais, St. Euphrasia, virgin.

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

Thanks be to God.

5 MARCH – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Antioch, the birthday of the martyr St. Phocas who triumphed over the old serpent after many injuries which he suffered for the name of the Redeemer. That triumph is still manifested to the people in our days, for if any one stung by a serpent touches with faith the door of the martyr’s basilica, the power of the venom disappears and he is immediately cured.

At Caesarea in Palestine, in the persecution of Diocletian, St. Adrian, martyr, who, being first exposed to a lion for the faith of Christ and then killed with the sword by order of the governor Firmilian, received the crown of martyrdom.

The same day, the passion of the holy martyrs Eusebius, officer of the imperial palace, and nine others.

At Caesarea in Palestine, in the time of the emperor Severus, St. Theophilus, bishop, who was conspicuous by his wisdom and the purity of his life.

Also in Palestine, on the banks of the Jordan, the anchoret St. Gerasimus, who lived in the time of the emperor Zeno.

At Naples, the decease of St. John Joseph of the Cross, Promoter and first Provincial of the Italian branch of the Order of Discalced Friars Minor of St. Peter of Alcantara, who, by emulating the virtues of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Peter of Alcantara, became a new ornament of the Seraphic Order. He was canonised by Pope Gregory XVI.

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

Thanks be to God.

4 MARCH – SAINT CASIMIR OF POLAND (Confessor)

Casimir was the son of King Casimir of Poland and Elizabeth of Austria. He was put, when quite a boy, under the care of the best masters who trained him to piety and learning. He brought his body into subjection by wearing a hair-shirt and by frequent fasting. He could not endure the soft bed which is given to kings, but lay on the hard floor, and during the night he used privately to leave his room and go to the church, where, prostrate before the door, he besought God to have mercy on him. The Passion of Christ was his favourite subject of meditation and when he assisted at Mass his mind was so fixed on God that he seemed to be in one long ecstasy. Great was his zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. He persuaded the king, his father, to pass a law forbidding schismatics to build new churches, or to repair those which had fallen to ruin. Such was his charity for the poor and all sufferers that he went under the name of the Father and Defender of the Poor. During his last illness he nobly evinced his love of purity, which virtue he had maintained unsullied during his whole life. He was suffering a cruel malady but he courageously preferred to die rather than suffer the loss by which his physicians advised him to purchase his cure — the loss of his priceless treasure. Being made perfect in a short space of time, and rich in virtue and merit, after having foretold the day of his death, he breathed forth his soul into the hands of his God in the twenty-fifth year of his age, surrounded by priests and religious. His body was taken to Vilna and was honoured by many miracles. A young girl was raised to life at his shrine, the blind recovered their sight, the lame the use of their limbs, and the sick their health. He appeared to a small army of Lithuanians who were unexpectedly attacked by a large force, and gave them the victory over the enemy. Pope Leo X was induced by all these miracles to insert his name among the Saints.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

It is from a court that we are to be taught today the most heroic virtues. Casimir is a Prince. He is surrounded by all the allurements of youth and luxury. And yet he passes through the snares of the world with as much safety and prudence as though he were an Angel in human form. His example shows us what we may do. The world has not smiled on us as it did on Casimir, but how much we have loved it! If we have gone so far as to make it our idol, we must now break what we have adored and give our service to the Sovereign Lord who alone has a right to it. When we read the Lives of the Saints, and find that persons who were in the ordinary walk of life practised extraordinary virtues, we are inclined to think that they were not exposed to great temptations, or that the misfortunes they met in the world made them give themselves up unreservedly to God’s service. Such interpretations of the actions of the Saints are shallow and false, for they ignore this great fact — that there is no condition or state, however humble, in which man has not to combat against the evil inclinations of his heart, and that corrupt nature alone is strong enough to lead him to sin. But in such a Saint as Casimir, we have no difficulty in recognising that all his Christian energy was from God and not from any natural source. And we rightly conclude that we who have the same good God may well hope that this Season of spiritual regeneration will change and better us. Casimir preferred death to sin. But is not every Christian bound to be thus minded every hour of the day? And yet, such is the infatuation produced by the pleasures or advantages of this present life that we, every day, see men plunging themselves into sin, which is the death of the soul. And this, not for the sake of saving the life of the body, but for a vile and transient gratification which is often times contrary to their temporal interests. What stronger proof could there be than this, of the sad effects produced in us by Original Sin? The examples of the Saints are given us as a light to lead us in the right path: let us follow it, and we will be saved. Besides, we have a powerful aid in their merits and intercession: let us take courage at the thought that these friends of God have a most affectionate compassion for us their brethren who are surrounded by so many and great dangers.

*****

Enjoy your well-earned rest in heaven, O Casimir! Neither the world with all its riches, nor the court with all its pleasures, could distract your heart from the eternal joys it alone coveted and loved. Your life was short, but full of merit. The remembrance of Heaven made you forget the Earth. God yielded to the impatience of your desire to be with Him and took you speedily from among men. Your life, though most innocent, was one of penance, for knowing the evil tendencies of corrupt nature, you had a dread of a life of comfort. When will we be made to understand that penance is a debt we owe to God, a debt of expiation for the sins we have committed against Him? You preferred death to sin. Get us a fear of sin, that greatest of all the evils that can befall us, because it is an evil which strikes at God Himself. Pray for us during this holy Season which is intended as a preparation for penance. Impress our minds with the truths now put before us. The Christian world is honouring you today: repay its homage by your blessing.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Rome, on the Via Appia, during the persecution of Valerian, the birthday of St. Lucius, pope and martyr, who was first exiled for the faith of Christ, but being permitted by divine Providence to return to his church, he suffered martyrdom by decapitation after having combated the Novatians. His praises have been published by St. Cyprian.

Also at Rome, on the Via Appia, nine hundred holy martyrs who were buried in the same cemetery as St. Cecilia.

The same day, St. Caius, a member of the imperial household, who was drowned in the sea with twenty-seven others.

At Nicomedia, in the reign of the emperor Diocletian, the holy martyr Adrian and twenty-three others, who endured martyrdom by having their limbs crushed. St. Adrian is especially commemorated on the eighth of September when his body was conveyed to Rome.

Also the martyrdom of the Saints Archelaus, Cyril and Photius.

In Chersonesus, the passion of the saintly bishops Basil, Eugenius, Agathodorus, Elpidius, Jetherius, Capito, Ephrem, Nestor and Arcadius.

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

Thanks be to God.

20 FEBRUARY – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

 

At Tyre in Phoenicia, the commemoration of many blessed martyrs whose number is known to God alone. Under the emperor Diocletian they were put to death after a long and varied series of torments by the military commander Veturius. They were first lacerated with whips, and then delivered to several kinds of beasts. But, through the interposition of Providence, remaining unhurt, they consummated their martyrdom by the torment of fire and by the sword. This glorious multitude were incited to victory by the bishops Tyrannic, Silvanus, Peleus and Nilus, and the priest Zenobius, who, together with them, won the palm of martyrdom by a successful combat.

On the island of Cyprus, the holy martyrs Pothamius and Nemesius.

At Constantinople, St. Eleutherius, bishop and martyr.

In Persia, in the time of king Sapor, the birthday of St. Sadoth, bishop, and one hundred and twenty-eight others, who refused to adore the sun, and by a cruel death purchased for themselves bright crowns.

At Catania in Sicily, St. Leo, bishop, illustrious for virtues and miracles.

The same day, St. Eucherius, bishop of Orleans, whose miracles increased in proportion to the slanders of the envious.

At Tournai in Belgium, St. Eleutherius, bishop and confessor.

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

Thanks be to God.

13 FEBRUARY – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Antioch, the holy prophet Agabus, of whom mention is made by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.

At Ravenna, in the time of the emperor Decius and the governor Quinctian, the Saints Fusca, virgin, and her nurse, Maura, who endured many afflictions, were transpierced with a sword, and thus ended their martyrdom.

At Meletine in Armenia, in the persecution of the same Decius, St. Polyeuctus, martyr, who after many sufferings obtained the crown of martyrdom.

At Lyons, St. Julian, martyr.

At Todi, St. Benignus, martyr.

At Rome, Pope St. Gregory II, who strenuously opposed the impiety of Leo the Isaurian and sent St. Boniface to preach the Gospel in Germany.

At Angers, the demise of the holy bishop Lucinius, a man venerable for his sanctity.

At Lyons, St. Stephen, bishop and confessor.

At Rieti, the abbot St. Stephen, a man of wonderful patience at whose death, as is related by Pope St. Gregory, the holy angels were present and visible to all.

At Prato in Tuscany, St. Catherine de Ricci, a Florentine virgin, of the Order of St. Dominic, replenished with heavenly gifts, whom Pope Benedict XIV inscribed in the catalogue of holy virgins. She died rich in virtues and merits on the second of this month, but her festival is celebrated on this day.

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.

23 JANUARY – SAINT EMERENTIANA (Virgin and Martyr)

Dom Prosper Gueranger:

Three days have scarcely passed since the martyrdom of Saint Agnes when the Liturgy, so jealous of every tradition, invites us to visit the Martyr’s tomb. There we will find a young Virgin named Emerentiana. She was the friend and foster-sister of our dear little heroine, and has come to pray and weep at the spot where lies her loved one, so soon and so cruelly taken from her. Emerentiana has not yet been regenerated in the waters of Baptism. She is going through the exercises of a Catechumen, but her heart already belongs, by faith and desire, to Jesus. While the young girl is pouring forth her grief over the tomb of her much-loved Agnes, she is surprised by the approach of some pagans. They ridicule her tears and bid her pay no more of this sort of honour to one who was their victim. Upon this, the child, longing as she was to be with Christ and to be clasped in the embraces of her sweet Agnes, was fired with holy courage — as well she might near such a Martyr’s tomb — and turning to the barbarians she confesses Christ Jesus and curses the idols, and upbraids them for their vile cruelty to the innocent Saint who lay there.

This was more than enough to rouse the savage nature of men who were slaves to the worship of Satan. And scarcely had the child spoken, when she falls on the tomb, covered with the heavy stones thrown on her by her murderers. Baptised in her own blood, Emerentiana leaves her bleeding corpse upon the earth, and her soul flies to the bosom of her God where she is to enjoy, for ever, union with Him, in the dear company of Agnes. Let us unite with the Church, which so devoutly honours these touching incidents of her own history. Let us ask Emerentiana to pray that we may have the grace to be united with Jesus and Agnes in Heaven, and congratulate her on her own triumph, by addressing her in the words of the holy Liturgy.

17 JANUARY – SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The third Mystery of the Epiphany shows us the completion of the merciful designs of God on the world, at the same time that it manifests to us, for the third time, the glory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Star has led the soul to faith. The sanctified waters of the Jordan have conferred purity on her. The marriage feast unites her to her God. We have been considering, during this Octave, the Bridegroom revealing Himself to the Spouse. We have heard Him calling her to come to Him from the heights of Libanus. And now, after having enlightened and purified her, He invites her to the heavenly feast where she is to receive the wine of His divine love.

A feast is prepared (John ii). It is a marriage feast and the Mother of Jesus is present at it, for it is just that having co-operated in the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, she should take part in all that her Son does and in all the favours He bestows on His elect. But in the midst of the feast, the wine fails. Wine is the symbol of Charity or Love, and Charity had failed on the Earth, for the Gentiles had never tasted its sweetness. And as to the Synagogue, what had it produced but wild grapes? (Isaias v. 2) The True Vine is our Jesus, and He calls Himself by that name (John xv. 1). He alone could give that wine which gladdens the heart of man (Psalm ciii. 15). He alone could give us that chalice which inebriates (Psalm xxii. 5) and of which the Royal Psalmist prophesied.

Mary said to Jesus: “They have no wine.” It is the office of the Mother of God to tell Him of the wants of men, for she is also their Mother. But Jesus answers her in words, which are apparently harsh: “Woman! What is it to me and to you? My hour is not yet come.” The meaning of these words is that in this great Mystery He was about to act not as the Son of Mary, but as the Son of God. Later on the hour will come when, dying on the Cross, He will do a work in the presence of His Mother, and He will do it as man, that is, according to that human nature which He has received from her. Mary at once understands the words of her Son and she says to the waiters of the feast what she is now ever saying to her children: “Do whatever He will say to you.”

Now, there were six large water pots of stone there, and they were empty. The world was then in its Sixth Age, as Saint Augustine and other Holy Doctors tell us. During these six ages the Earth had been awaiting its Saviour who was to instruct and redeem it. Jesus commands these water pots to be filled with water, and yet water does not suit the Feast of the Spouse. The figures and the prophecies of the ancient world were this water, and until the opening of the Seventh Age when Christ, who is the Vine, was to be given to the world, no man had contracted an alliance with the Divine Word.

But, when the Emmanuel came He had but to say, “Now draw out,” and the water pots were seen to be filled with the wine of the New Covenant, the wine which had been kept to the end. When He assumed our human nature — a nature weak and unstable as water— He effected a change in it. He raised it up even to Himself, by making us partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter i. 4). He gave us the power to love Him, to be united to Him, to form that one Body of which He is the Head, that Church of which He is the Spouse, and which He loved from all eternity, and with such tender love, that He came down from Heaven to celebrate His nuptials with her.

O the wonderful dignity of man! God has vouchsafed, says the Apostle, to show the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which had no claim to, nay, were unworthy of such an honour. Jesus bids the waiters fill them with water, and the water of Baptism purifies us. But not satisfied with this, He fills these vessels, even to the brim, with that heavenly and new wine which was not to be drunk save in the kingdom of His Father (Romans ix. 23). This divine charity which dwells in the Sacrament of Love is communicated to us. And that we might not be unworthy of the espousals with Himself to which He called us, He raises us up even to Himself. Let us, therefore, prepare our souls for this wonderful union and, according to the advice of the Apostle, let us labour to present them to our Jesus with such purity as to resemble that chaste virgin who was presented to the spotless Lamb (2 Corinthians xi. 2).

Saint Matthew, the Evangelist of the Humanity of our Lord, has received from the Holy Ghost the commission to announce to us the Mystery of Faith by the Star. Saint Luke, the Evangelist of Jesus’ Priesthood, has been selected by the same Holy Spirit to instruct us in the Mystery of the Baptism in the Jordan. But the Mystery of the Marriage Feast was to be revealed to us by the Evangelist John, the Beloved Disciple. He suggests to the Church the object of this third Mystery by this expression: “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and He MANIFESTED His glory” (John ii. 11). At Bethlehem the gold of the Magi expressed the Divinity of the Babe. At the Jordan, the descent of the Holy Ghost and the voice of the Eternal Father proclaimed Jesus (known to the people as a carpenter of Nazareth) to be the Son of God. At Cana, it is Jesus Himself that acts, and He acts as God for, says Saint Augustine, He who changed the water into wine in the water pots could be no other than the same who every year works the same miracle in the vine. Hence it was that from that day, as Saint John tells us, His disciples believed in Him and the Apostolic College began to be formed.

Epistle – Romans xii. 6‒16

Brethren, having different gifts, according to the grace that is given us: either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith; or ministry, in ministering: or he that teaches, in doctrine; he that exhorts, in exhorting; he that gives, with simplicity; he that rules, with carefulness; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good. Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood, in honour preventing one another. In carefulness, not slothful. In spirit fervent: Serving the Lord: Rejoicing in hope: Patient in tribulation: Instant in prayer: Communicating to the necessities of the Saints: Pursuing hospitality. Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep. Being of one mind one towards another: not minding high things, but consenting to the humble.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel – John ii. 1‒11

At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what is it to me and to you? My hour is not yet come.” His mother said to the waiters, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus said to them, “Draw put now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast.” And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not from where it came, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man at first sets forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee: and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

Saint Augustine of Hippo:

Even setting aside any mystical interpretation, the fact that the Lord was pleased to be asked and to go to a marriage shows plainly enough that He is the Author and Blesser of marriage. There were yet to be those of whom the Apostle has warned us as “forbidding to marry” (1 Timothy iv. 3) who say that marriage is a bad thing in itself and a work of the devil. Yet we read in the Gospel that when the Lord was asked, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” (Matthew xix. 3) He answered that it was not lawful, except it were for fornication. In which answer you will remember that He used these words: “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” They who are well instructed in the Catholic religion know that God is the Author and Blesser of marriage and that, whereas joining together in marriage is of God, divorce is of the devil. But it is lawful for a man to put away his wife in case of fornication, for by not keeping a wife’s faith to her husband she herself has first willed not to be wife. They also who have made a vow of their virginity to God and have thereby attained to an higher degree of honour and holiness in the Church, are not unmarried, for they are a special part of the marriage of the whole Church, which is the Bride of Christ. The Lord, being asked, went to the marriage to strengthen the marriage tie and to shed light on the hidden meaning of matrimony. In that marriage feast the bridegroom to whom it was said, “You have kept the good wine until now,” was a figure of the Lord Christ who has kept until now the good wine, namely the Gospel.