Old Stuff

The First Day of August

At Rome, on the Esquiline Hill, the Dedication of the Church of St. Peter in Chains. A totum duplex feast.

At Antioch, the suffering of the seven holy brothers, the Machabees, with their mother, who suffered under King Antiochus Epiphanes. Their relics were taken to Rome and buried in the aforesaid Church of St. Peter in Chains. A memory.

At Vercelli, the birthday of St. Eusebius, bishop and martyr. For his confession of the Catholic faith, he was sent into exile by the Emperor Constantius to Scythopolis in Palestine, and from there to Cappadocia. He afterward returned to his Church and suffered martyrdom at the hands of the persecuting Arians. His memory is more especially honored on December 15, on which day he was ordained bishop. His feast is kept on December 16.

At Nocera de'Pagani in Campania (Italy), the birthday of St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori, founder of the Congregation of our most Holy Redeemer, bishop of Sant' Agata dei Goti, and confessor. He was noted for his zeal for souls, his writings and his example. The Sovereign Pontiff, Gregory XVI, canonized him, and Pius IX declared him to be a Doctor of the Universal Church. His festival, however, is observed on August 2.

At Rome, on the Via Latina, the holy martyrs Bonus, priest, Faustus and Maurus, with nine others, who are spoken of in the Acts of Pope St. Stephen.

Likewise at Rome, the suffering of the holy virgins Faith, Hope, and Charity, the children of St. Sophia. They obtained the crown of martyrdom under the Emperor Hadrian.

At Philadelphia in Arabia, the holy martyrs Cyril, Aquila, Peter, Domitian, Rufus, and Menander, crowned on the same day.

At Perge in Pamphylia, the holy martyrs Leontius, Attius, Alexander, and six other peasants, who were beheaded under the governor Flavian in Diocletian's persecution.

At Gerona in Spain, the birthday of St. Felix, martyr. After various kinds of tortures, he was ordered by Dacian to be mangled until he rendered up his unconquered spirit to Christ.

In the territory of Paris, St. Justin, martyr.

At Vienne in Gaul, St. Verus, bishop.

At Winchester in England, St. Ethelwold, bishop.

In the country of Lisieux in Gaul, St. Nemesius, confessor.

The death of the venerable brother Joachim Torriani of Venice, 35th master general of the Order.

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

R. Thanks be to God.

Posted by billw at August 1, 2003 06:26 PM