28 OCTOBER – SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE (Apostles and Martyrs)

 St Jude Thaddaeus

 

The Apostle Simon was called “Simon the Zealot” for his zeal for the Jewish law. Another of the Twelve, the brother of Saint James the Lesser, and therefore related by blood to Jesus as a cousin, Jude (Thaddaeus or Lebbeaus) is the author of the canonical Epistle. According to tradition he and Simon preached the Gospel in Persia and suffered martyrdom together there.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

“Instead of your fathers, sons are born to you” (Psalm xliv. 17). Thus does the Church disowned by Israel extol in her chants the apostolic fruitfulness which resides in her till the end of time. Yesterday she was already filled with that loving hope, which is never deceived, that the holy Apostles Simon and Jude would anticipate their solemnity by shedding blessings on her. Such is the condition of her existence on Earth that she can remain here only as long as she continues to give children to our Lord. And therefore in the Mass of the 27th October she makes us read the passage of the Gospel where it is said: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that bears not fruit, He will take away: and every one that bears fruit, He will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John xv. 1‒7).

The pruning is painful, as the Epistle of the Vigil points out. In the name of the other branches, honoured like himself with the divine election, the Apostle there recounts the labours, sufferings of every description, persecutions, revilings, denials (1 Corinthians iv. 9‒14), at the cost of which the preacher of the Gospel purchases the right to call sons those whom he has begotten in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians iv. 9‒15). Now, as Saint Paul more than once repeats, especially in the Epistle of the feast, this supernatural veneration of the Saints is nothing else but the mystical reproduction of the Son of God who grows up in each of the elect from infancy to the measure of the perfect man (Galatians iv. 19; Ephesians iv.).

However meagre in details be the history of these glorious Apostles, we learn from their brief legend how amply they contributed to this great work of generating sons of God. Without any repose, and even to the shedding of their blood, they edified the Body of Christ, and the grateful Church thus prays to our Lord today: “O God, who by means of your blessed Apostles Simon and Jude has granted us to come to the knowledge of your name, grant that we may celebrate their eternal glory by making progress in virtues and improve by this celebration.”

Saint Simon is represented in art with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom. Saint Jude’s square points him out as an architect of the house of God. Saint Paul called himself by this name (1 Corinthians iii. 10) and Saint Jude, by his Catholic Epistle, has also a special right to be reckoned among our Lord’s principal workmen. But our Apostle had another nobility, far surpassing all earthly titles: being nephew, by his father Cleophas or Alpheus, to Saint Joseph, and legal cousin to the Man-God, Jude was one of those called by their compatriots the brethren of the carpenter’s son (Together with James the Less, Apostle and first Bishop of Jerusalem, a certain Joseph less known, and Simeon, second Bishop of Jerusalem, all sons of Cleophas, and of our Lady’s step-sister called in Saint John Mary of Cleophas. Matthew xiii. 65).

We may gather from Saint John’s Gospel another precious detail concerning him. In the admirable discourse at the close of the Last Supper, our Lord said: “He that loves me, will be loved of my Father: and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.” Then Jude asked Him: “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” And he received from Jesus this reply: “If any one loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. He that loves me not, keeps not my words. And the word which you have heard is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me” (John xiv. 21‒24).

Ecclesiastical history informs us that towards the end of his reign, and when the persecution be had raised was at its height, Domitian caused to be brought to him from the East two grandsons of the Apostle Saint Jude. He had some misgivings with regard to these descendants of David’s royal line, for they represented the family of Christ Himself whom His disciples declared to be king of the whole world. Domitian was able to assure himself that these two humble Jews could in no way endanger the Empire, and that if they attributed to Christ sovereign power, it was a power not to be visibly exercised till the end of the world. The simple and courageous language of these two men made such an impression on the emperor that, according to the historian Hegesippus from whom Eusebius borrowed the narrative, he gave orders for the persecution to be suspended.

We have only to add to the following brief notice of our Apostles, that the churches of Saint Peter in Rome and Saint Sernin at Toulouse dispute the honour of possessing the greater part of their holy remains.

“I have chosen you, and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain” (John xv. 16). These words were addressed by the Man-God to you, as to all the twelve, as the Church reminded us in her Night Office. And yet, what remains now of the fruit of your labours in Egypt, in Mesopotamia, in Persia? Can our Lord and His Church be mistaken in their words or in their appreciations? Certainly not, and proof sufficient is that, above the region of the senses and beyond the domain of history, the power infused into the twelve subsists through all the ages and is active in every supernatural birth that develops the mystical Body of our Lord and increases the Church. We, more truly than Tobias, are the children of saints (Tobias ii. 18). We are no longer strangers, but the family of God, His house built on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets, united by Jesus the chief corner-stone (Ephesians ii. 19, 20).

* * * * *

All thanks be to you, O holy Apostles, who in labour and suffering procured us this blessing. Maintain in us the title and the rights of this precious adoption. Great evils surround us. Is there any hope left to the world? The confidence of your devout clients proclaims you, O Jude, the patron of desperate cases. And for you, O Simon, this is surely the time to prove yourself Zealots, full of zeal. Deign, both of you, to hear the Church’s prayers and aid her, with all your apostolic might, to re-animate faith, to rekindle charity and to save the world.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Rome, in the reign of Claudius, St. Cyrilla, virgin, daughter of St. Tryphonia, who was pierced through the throat for the faith of Christ.

In the same city, the holy martyrs Anastasia the Elder, virgin, and Cyril. In the persecution of Valerian under the prefect Probus, Anastasia was bound with chains, buffeted, subjected to fire and scourging, and, as she remained immovable in the confession of Christ, her breasts were cut off, her nails plucked out, her teeth broken, and her hands, feet and head severed from her body. Bedecked with her sufferings as with so many jewels, she went to her spouse. At her request, Cyril gave her some water to drink, and for his reward became a martyr.

At Como, St. Fidelis, martyr, under the emperor Maximian.

At Mayence, St. Ferrutius, martyr.

At Meaux, St. Faro, bishop and confessor.

At Naples, St. Gaudiosus, an African bishop, who came to Campania because of the persecution of the Vandals, and closed peacefully his holy career in a monastery near that city.

At Vercelli, St. Honoratus, bishop.

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

Thanks be to God.

27 OCTOBER – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYOLOGY:

The Vigil of the holy Apostles Saints Simon and Jude.

At Avila in Spain, the Saints Vincent, Sabina and Christeta, who were first stretched on the rack in such a manner that all their limbs were dislocated. Then stones being laid on their heads, and their brains beaten out with heavy bars, they terminated their martyrdom under the governor Dacian.

At Tilchatel, St. Florentius, martyr.

In Cappadocia, the holy martyrs Capitolina, and Erotheides, her handmaid, who suffered under Diocletian.

In India, St. Frumentius, bishop. While he was a captive there he was consecrated bishop by St. Athanasius and preached the Gospel in that country.

In Ethiopia, St. Elesbaan, king, who, after having defeated the enemies of Christ and sent his royal diadem to Jerusalem in the time of the emperor Justin, led a monastical life, as he had vowed, and went to his reward.

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

Thanks be to God.

26 OCTOBER – SAINT EVARISTUS (Pope and Martyr)

Evaristus was born in Greece of a Jewish father. Leaving his native town at a very early age, he went to Rome to study and distinguished himself by his piety and learning. When he succeeded Pope Saint Clement I to the See of Peter he ordered that marriages should be celebrated publicly and with priestly benediction, and that no bishop should preach without the assistance of seven deacons. In three or four ordinations he created 5 bishops, 6 (or according to some authors 17) priests and 2 deacons. He governed the Church 9 years and 3 months. Evaristus was martyred in 109 AD during the reign of Trajan and was interred in the Vatican cemetery near Saint Peter and his other successors.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The Beloved Disciple had just received the long-promised visit of our Lord inviting him to Heaven when the Church under Evaristus completed the drawing up of the itinerary for her long pilgrimage to the end of time. The blessed period of the apostolic times was definitively closed but the Eternal City continued to augment her treasure of glory. Under this pontificate the virgin Domitilla, by her martyrdom, cemented the foundations of the new Jerusalem with the blood of the Flavii who had destroyed the old. Then Ignatius of Antioch brought to the Church that presides in charity, the testimony of his death. He was the wheat of Christ, and the teeth of the wild beasts in the Colosseum satisfied his desire of becoming a most pure bread.

* * * * *

You are the first Pontiff to whom the Church entrusted after the departure of all those who had seen the Lord. The world could then say in all strictness: “If we have known Christ according to the flesh, now we know Him so no longer” (2 Corinthians v. 16). The Church was now more truly an exile. At that period, which was not without perils and anxieties, her Spouse gave to you the charge of teaching her to pursue alone her path of faith and hope and love. And you did not betray the confidence of our Lord. Earth owes you on this account a special gratitude, O Evaristus, and a special reward is doubtless yours. Watch still over Rome and the Church. Teach us that we might be ready not only to fast here on Earth, but to resigned to the absence of the Bridegroom when He hides Himself, and not the less to serve Him and love Him with our whole heart and mind and soul and strength, as long as the world endures and He is pleased to leave us in it.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

In Africa, the holy martyrs Rogatian, priest, and Felicissimus, who received the bright crown of martyrs in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus. They are mentioned by St. Cyprian in his Epistle to the Confessors.

At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Lucian, Florius and their companions.

The same day, St. Quodvultdeus, bishop of Carthage. By the Arian king Genseric, he and his clergy were put on board of leaking boats without oars or sails, but beyond all expectations he landed at Naples and there in exile died a confessor.

At Narbonne, St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor, who flourished in the time of the emperors Valentinian and Leo.

At Salerno, St. Gaudiosus, bishop.

At Pavia, St. Fulk, bishop.

At Hildesheim in Saxony, St. Bernward, bishop and confessor, who was ranked among the saints by Pope Celestine III.

Also St. Quadragesimus, sub-deacon, who raised a dead man to life.

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

Thanks be to God.

26 OCTOBER – CHRISTUS REX (CHRIST THE KING)

This feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in the Holy Year of 1925 to salute the Author and Founder of the Church as “King and Lord” and “King of Kings.” The Pope said that “when once men recognise, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.”

Epistle – Colossians i. 12‒20

Brethren, give thanks to God the Father who has made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light. Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature. For in Him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and in Him. And He is before all, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things He may hold the primacy. Because in Him, it has well pleased the Father, that all fulness should dwell. And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace through the blood of His cross, both as to the things that are on earth, and the things that are in heaven.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel – John xviii. 33‒37

At that time, Pilate therefore went into the hall again, and called Jesus, and said to Him: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered: “Do you say this by youryself, or have others told it to you of me?” Pilate answered: “Am I a Jew? Your own nation, and the chief priests, have delivered you up to me: what have you done?” Jesus answered: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from here.”

Praise be to you, O Christ.

 

25 OCTOBER – SAINTS CHRYSANTHUS AND DARIA (Martyrs)

Chrysanthus and Daria were husband and wife, noble by birth, and still more by their faith which Daria had received together with baptism through her husband’s persuasion. At Rome they converted an immense multitude to Christ, Daria instructing the women and Chrysanthus the men. On this account the prefect Celerinus arrested them and handed them over to the tribune Claudius who ordered his soldiers to bind Chrysanthus and put him to the torture. But all his bonds were loosed, and the fetters which were put on him were broken. They then wrapped him in the skin of an ox and exposed to a burning sun, then cast him, chained hand and foot, into a very dark dungeon. But his chains were broken, and the prison filled with a brilliant light. Daria was dragged to a place of infamy, but at her prayer God defended her from insult by sending a lion to protect her. Finally they were both led to the sand-pits on the Via Salaria where they were thrown into a pit and covered with a heap of stones, and thus they together won the crown of martyrdom.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Chrystanthus was united, in his confession of our Lord, with her whom he had won to Christianity and to the love of the angelic virtue. Our forefathers had a great veneration for these two martyrs who, having lived together in holy virginity, were together buried alive in a sand-pit at Rome for refusing to honour the false gods. Dying like the seed in the earth, they yielded the fruit of martyrdom. On the anniversary day of their triumph numbers of the faithful had gathered in the catacomb on the Via Salaria for the liturgical Synaxis, when the pagans surprised them and walled up the entrance of the vault. Many years passed away. When the hour of victory had sounded for the Church, and the Christians discovered again the way to the sacred crypt, a wonderful spectacle was presented to their gaze: before the tomb where reposed Chrysanthus and Daria was grouped the family they had begotten to martyrdom. Each person was still in the attitude in which he had been overtaken by death. Beside the ministers of the Altar, which was surrounded by men, women and children, assistants at that most solemn of Masses, were to be seen the silver vessels of the Sacrifice: that Sacrifice in which the conquering Lamb had so closely united to himself to many noble victims. Pope Damasus adorned the venerable spot with monumental inscriptions. But no one dared to touch the holy bodies, or to alter any arrangement in that incomparable scene. The crypt was walled up again, but a narrow opening was left so that the pilgrim could look into the august sanctuary and animate his courage for the struggles of life by the contemplation of what had been required of his ancestors in the faith during the ages of martyrdom.

* * * * *

I will give to my Saints a place of honour in the kingdom of my Father, says the Lord. Thus sings the Church in your praise, O martyrs. And herself following up that word of her divine Spouse, she made the Lateran Basilica your earthly home, and assigned for your resting-place the most hallowed spot, the very Confession on which rests the high Altar of that first of all churches. It was a fitting recompense for your labours and sufferings in that city of Rome where you had shared in the preaching of the Apostles, and like them had sealed the word with your blood. Cease not to justify the confidence of the Eternal City. Render her faith, which is ever pure, more and more fruitful. But your holy relics have also, through Rome’s generosity, carried your protection abroad. Deign to second by your intercession the prayer we borrow from your devout clients of Munstereifel: “O God, who in your Saints Chrysanthus and Daria enhanced the honour of virginity by the consecration of martyrdom, grant that, assisted by their intercession, we may extinguish in ourselves the flame of vice and may merit to become your temple in the company of the pure in heart.”

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Rome, the birthday of forty-six holy soldiers, who were baptised together by Pope Denis, and soon after beheaded by order of the emperor Claudius. They were buried on the Via Salaria, with one hundred and twenty-one other martyrs. Among them are named four soldiers of Christ Theodosius, Lucius, Mark and Peter.

At Soissons in France, in the persecution of Diocletian, the holy martyrs Crispin and Crispinian, noble Romans. Under the governor Rictiovarus, after horrible torments, they were put to the sword, and thus obtained the crown of martyrdom. Their bodies were afterwards conveyed to Rome and entombed with due honours in the church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna.

At Florence, St. Minias, a soldier, who fought valorously for the faith of Christ and was gloriously crowned with martyrdom during the reign of Decius.

At Torres in Sardinia, the holy martyrs Protus, priest, and Januarius, deacon, who, being sent to that island by Pope St. Caius, were put to death under the governor Barbarus in the reign of Diocletian.

At Constantinople, the martyrdom of the Saints Martyrius, sub-deacon, and Marcian, chanter, who were murdered by the heretics under the emperor Constantius.

At Rome, St. Boniface, pope and confessor.

At Perigueux in France, St. Fronto, who, being made bishop by the blessed Apostle St. Peter, converted to Christ, with a priest named George, a large number of the people of that place, and, renowned for miracles, rested in peace.

At Brescia, the birthday of St. Gaudentius, bishop, distinguished by his learning and holiness.

At Javols, St. Hilary, bishop.

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

Thanks be to God.

24 OCTOBER – SAINT RAPHAEL (Archangel)

Raphael is one of seven archangels who stand before the Lord (Tobias xii. 15), and one of the three named in the Bible, together with Michael and Gabriel. The name Raphael means “God has healed.” In the Book of Tobias he appears at first disguised in human form as the travelling companion of the younger Tobias, calling himself “Azarias the son of the great Ananias.”

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The approach of the great solemnity which will soon be shedding on us all the splendours of Heaven seems to inspire the Church with a profound recollection. Except for the homage she must needs pay, on their own date, to the glorious Apostles Simon and Jude, only a few feasts of simple rite break the silence of these last days of October. Our souls must be in conformity with the dispositions of our common Mother. It will not, however, be out of keeping to give a thought to the great Archangel honoured today by many particular churches. The ministry fulfilled in our regard by the heavenly spirits is admirably set forth in the graceful scenes depicted in the history of Tobias. Rehearsing the good services of the guide and friend, whom he still called his brother Azarias, the younger Tobias said to his father: “Father, what wages will we give him! or what can be worthy of his benefits! He conducted me and brought me safe again, he received the money of Gabelus, he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit, he gave joy to her parents, myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish, you also he has made to see the light of Heaven, and we are filled with all good things from him” (Tobias xii. 2‒3).

And when father and son endeavoured, after the fashion of men, to return thanks to him who had rendered them such good service, the Angel discovered himself to them in order to refer their gratitude to their supreme Benefactor. “Bless you the God of Heaven, give glory to Him in the sight of all that live, because He has shown His mercy to you... When you prayed with tears and buried the dead... I offered your prayer to the Lord. And because you were acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove you. And now the Lord has sent me to heal you, and to deliver Sarah your son’s wife from the devil. For I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord... Peace be to you, fear not... bless Him and sing praises to Him” Tobias (xii. 6‒18).

We too will celebrate the blessings of Heaven. For as surely as Tobias beheld with his bodily eyes the Archangel Raphael, we know by faith that the Angel of the Lord accompanies us from the cradle to the tomb. Let us have the same trustful confidence in Him. Then, along the path of life, more beset with perils than the road to the country of the Medes, we will be in perfect safety. All that happens to us will be for the best because prepared by our Lord and, as though we were already in Heaven, our Angel will cause us to shed blessings on all around us.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Venosa in Basilicata, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix, African bishop, Audactus and Januarius, priests, Fortunatus and Septimus, lectors. In the time of Diocletian, after having been a long time loaded with fetters and imprisoned in Africa and Sicily by the governor Magdellian, as Felix refused absolutely to deliver the sacred books, according to the emperor’s edict, they finally closed their lives by being beheaded.

At Nagran in Arabia, Felix, the passion of the Saint Aretas and his companions, to the number of three hundred and forty, in the time of the emperor Justin under the Jewish tyrant Dunaan. After them was burned alive a Christian woman whose son, five years old, confessed Christ lisping, and as he could neither by caresses nor threats be stopped, he rushed into the fire in which his mother was burning.

At Cologne, St. Evergistus, bishop and martyr.

At Constantinople, St. Proclus, bishop.

In Bretagne, the departure from this life of St. Maglorious, bishop, whose body rests at Paris.

In Campania, St. Mark, solitary, whose renowned actions have been recorded by St. Gregory.

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

Thanks be to God.

23 OCTOBER – SAINT ANTHONY MARY CLARET (Bishop and Confessor)

Antonio Maria Claret y Clara was born in 1807 at Sallent in Spain. His father was a cloth-weaver and Antonio practised this trade, studying Latin and printing in his spare time. At the age of 22 he began studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1835. He went to Rome to enter the Society of Jesus but his poor health forced him to return to Spain. There he gave missions and retreats and assisted Blessed Joachima de Mas to establish the Carmelites of Charity. In 1849 he founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which became known as the ‘Claretians’ after his name. Antonio was appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba and survived several assassination attempts. In 1857 he resigned his bishopric and returned to Spain to become confessor to Queen Isabella II, but after the revolution of 1868 he was exiled with her. Antonio returned to Rome and helped promote the definition of Papal Infallibility. He died in France in 1870 and was canonised by the Venerable Pius XII in 1950.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

In the territory of Ossuma near Cadiz in Spain, the holy martyrs Servandus and Germanus, in the persecution of Diocletian under the lieutenant Viator. After being subjected to scourging, imprisonment in a foul dungeon, want of food and drink, and the fatigue of a very long journey, which they had to perform loaded with fetters, they at length reached the term of their martyrdom by having their heads stricken off. Germanus was buried at Merida, and Servandus at Seville.

At Antioch in Syria, the birthday of the holy priest Theodore, who was arrested in the persecution of Julian the Apostate. After being racked, after suffering many severe torments, and the burning of his sides with torches, as he persevered in the confession of Christ, he was put to the sword, and thus consummated his martyrdom.

At Granada in Spain, blessed Peter Paschasius, bishop of Jaen and martyr, of the Order of Mercedarians. He suffered on the sixth of December.

At Constantinople, St. Ignatius, bishop, who, for having reproved the emperor Bardas for putting away his wife, was subjected by him to many insults and driven into banishment. Being restored to his See by Pope Nicholas, he finally rested in peace.

At Bordeaux, St. Severin, bishop of Cologne and confessor.

At Rouen, St. Romanus, bishop.

At Salerno, St. Verus, bishop.

In Picardy, St. Domitius, priest.

In Poitou, St. Benedict, confessor.

Near Villack in Hungary, St. John of Capistran, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor, illustrious by the sanctity of his life and his zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. By his prayers and miracles, he routed a most powerful army of Turks and forced them to raise the siege of Belgrade.

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

Thanks be to God.

22 OCTOBER – FERIA

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Jerusalem, the blessed bishop Mark, a celebrated and learned man, who was the first Gentile that governed the church of Jerusalem. His brief episcopate was rewarded by 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, who, after being imprisoned and scourged, were burned alive in the time of Julian the Apostate.

Also the holy martyrs Alexander, bishop, Heracilus, soldier, and their companions.

At Fermo in the Marches of Ancona, St. Philip, bishop and martyr.

At Huesca in Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters, who endured martyrdom by being condemned to capital punishment by the Saracens for the confession of the faith.

At Cologne, St. Cordula, one of the companions of St. Ursula, who, being terrified at the torments and slaughter of the other virgins, hid herself, but soon repenting, came forward the next day, and last of all received the crown of martyrdom.

At Hierapolis in Phrygia, St. Abercius, bishop, who flourished under the emperor Marcus Antoninus.

At Rouen, St. Melanius, bishop, who was ordained by Pope St. Stephen, and sent there to preach the Gospel.

In Tuscany, St. Donatus, of Scotland, bishop of Fiesoli.

At Verona, St. Verecundus, bishop and confessor.

At Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome, who, as we read in the Gospel, piously attended to the burial of Our Lord.

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

Thanks be to God.