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Dom Prosper Guéranger:
Let us offer our homage to two Martyrs whose memory was celebrated on this day even before that of Saint Charles. Vitalis the slave and Agricola his master, combating together in the glorious arena proved that social inequality counts for nothing with regard to Heaven’s nobility. Saint Ambrose, when sojourning at Bologna where they had suffered, discovered their bodies and celebrated their triumph. The Church, following his example, has ever associated them in one common homage.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
The birthday of the Saints Philologus and Patrobas, disciples of the blessed Apostle St. Paul.
At Autun, St. Proculus, martyr.
In Vexin in the north of France, St. Clarus, priest and martyr.
At Ephesus, St. Porphyry, martyr, under the emperor Aurelian.
At Myra in Lycia, the holy martyrs Nicander, bishop, and Hermas, priest, under the governor Libanius.
The same day, the birthday of St. Pierius, priest of Alexandria, who, being deeply versed in the sacred Scriptures, leading a very pure life, and freed from all impediments in order to apply to Christian philosophy, taught the people with great renown, and published various treatises, under the emperors Carus and Diocletian, when Theonas governed the church of Alexandria. After the persecution, he spent the remainder of his life at Rome where he rested in peace.
At Rhodez in France, blessed Amantius, bishop, whose life was resplendent with sanctity and miracles.
In Bithynia, St. Joannicius, abbot.
At Alba-Begale in Hungary, the demise of St. Emeric, confessor, son of St. Stephen, king of Hungary.
In the monastery of Cerfroid, in the diocese of Meaux, St. Felix de Valois, founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Bedemption of Captives. His feast is celebrated on the twentieth of this month by order of Pope Innocent XI.
At Treves, St. Modesta, virgin.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
