Old Stuff

The Fifth Day of February

At Catania in Sicily, the birthday of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr. At the time of the Emperor Decius, under the judge Quinctian, she endured buffets, imprisonment, the rack, the disjointing of her limbs, mutilation, and torture by being rolled upon sherds and live coals. At last she died in prison while praying to God. A duplex feast.

At Nagasaki in Japan, the suffering of twenty-six martyrs. Three priests, one cleric, and two lay-brothers, were members of the Order of Friars Minor. One cleric belonged to the Society of Jesus. The seventeen others were tertiaries of the Third Order of St. Francis, All of them were crucified for the Catholic faith. They were pierced by spears, and died praising God and preaching the Catholic faith. They were canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Pius IX.

In Pontus, the commemoration of many holy martyrs. In the persccution of Maximian, some were covered with molten lead while others were tortured by having sharp splinters thrust under their nails; they suffered many horrible tortures which were inflicted on them again and again. By their remarkable suffering, they merited palms and crowns from the Lord.

At Alexandria, St. Isidore, soldier and martyr. In the persecution of Decius, this soldier, because of his faith in Christ, was beheaded by order of Numerian, general of the army.

At Vienne, Blessed Avitus, bishop and confessor. By his faith, labors, and wonderful teaching, Gaul was preserved from the infection of the Arian heresy.

At Sabion in the Tyrol, St. Ingenuinus, bishop, whose life was renowned for his miracles. His sacred body was afterwards transferred to Brixen, and is there honorably preserved.

At Brixen, St. Albuinus, bishop, who transferred the episcopal see from Sabion to that city, and there, famous because of his miracles, died in the Lord.

V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

R. Thanks be to God.

Posted by billw at February 5, 2003 02:31 AM