12 MAY – SAINT PANCRAS (Martyr)

Pancras was born in Phrygia of a noble family. When only 14 years old he went to Rome during the reign of the emperors Dioclesian and Maximian. He there received Baptism from the Roman Pontiff, and was instructed in the Christian Faith. Shortly afterwards he was seized as being a Christian, but on his firmly refusing to offer sacrifice to the gods, he was condemned to be beheaded. He suffered death with manly courage and obtained the glorious crown of martyrdom. During the night the matron Octavilla took away his body and had it buried, after embalming it, on the Via Aurelia.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

A fourth martyr claims our veneration on this twelfth day of May. Like the three others, he culled his palm at Rome. But while they died for the Faith at the very commencement of the Christian Era, Pancras (Pancratius) was not called to the glorious combat till the Persecution under Diocletian, the last and greatest effort of pagan Rome against the Church. Our young hero was only fourteen years of age but he was old enough to be a brave martyr, and he has been honoured by his name being placed on the Cycle of Paschal Time. The venerable Church in the Holy City which is dedicated to him, and which gives one of the Cardinalate Titles, was built on the site of the Cemetery where his body was buried.

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Divine Grace, which called you to the crown of martyrdom, selected you, O Pancras, from the distant land of Phrygia, and led you to the Capital of the Empire — the centre of every vice and every error of paganism. Your name, like that of millions of others who were better known to the world, had else been quite forgotten. But now, though your earthly career was soon ended, the name of Pancras is loved and venerated throughout the whole Earth: it is breathed at the altar in the prayers which accompany the Sacrifice of the Lamb. How came you, dear youthful martyr, by this celebrity which will last to the end of the world? It was because having imitated Jesus’ Death by suffering and shedding your blood for His Name, you have been made a sharer in the glory of His immortality. In return for the honour we pay you, deign to aid us by your protection. Speak of us to Jesus who is our Divine Master, as he was yours. In this valley of our exile, we sing our Alleluia for His Resurrection which has filled us with hope. Obtain for us, by your prayers, that we may sing Alleluia with you in Heaven where it will be eternal, and be prompted not by the gladness of hope, but by the bliss of possession.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

Also at Rome, St. Denis, uncle of the same blessed Pancratius.

In Sicily, St. Philip Argyrio who was sent to that island by the Roman Pontiff and converted to Christ a great portion of it. His sanctity is particularly manifested by the deliverance of possessed persons.

At Salamis in Cyprus, St. Epiphanius, a bishop of great erudition and profound knowledge of the holy Scriptures. He was also admirable for the sanctity of his life, his zeal for the Catholic faith, his charity to the poor and the gift of miracles.

At Constantinople, St. Germanus, a bishop distinguished by virtues and learning, who with great courage reprehended Leo the Isaurian for promulgating an edict against holy images.

At Treves, St. Modoaldus, bishop.

At Calzada, St. Dominic, confessor.

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

Thanks be to God.