Daily Devotions

Optional Memorial of Fabian, pope and martyr

Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for January 20, Optional Memorial of Fabian, pope and martyr

Saint Fabian was elected bishop of the Church of Rome in 236. In 250, at the beginning of the persecution of Decius, he won the crown of martyrdom, as Cyprian bears witness. He was buried in the cemetery of Saint Callixtus.

From a letter about the death of Saint Fabian, pope, by Saint Cyprian and the Roman Church

(Ep. 9, 1 et 8, 2-3: CSEL 3, 488-489. 487-488)

Fabian offers us a model of courage

Informed of the death of Pope Fabian, Saint Cyprian sent this letter to the priests and deacons of Rome:

"My dear brothers, while the news of the death of my good colleague was still uncertain, and opinions were divided, I received your letter delivered through the courtesy of the subdeacon Crementius, in which I was most fully informed of Fabian's glorious death. I was quite happy that his virtuous demise corresponded with the integrity of his administration. Hence I too offer you congratulations that you honor his memory with so striking and praiseworthy a testimony. Through you we can see quite clearly what an honor for you is the glorious heritage of one who was your superior, and what an example of faith and courage it offers us. For just as the defection of a superior has such a harmful effect on the stability of those who follow him, so contrariwise it is helpful and encouraging when a bishop offers himself as a model for his brothers by the constancy of his faith."

Apparently before Cyprian received this letter, the Church of Rome had given the community at Carthage testimony of its loyalty in time of persecution.

"Our church stands firmly in the faith, although some have lapsed because they fear the loss of their outstanding positions or other personal sufferings. Although these have separated from us, we have not given them up; in the past we have urged them and now we continue to encourage them to do penance, in the hope that they may receive pardon from him who can give it; whereas if they were abandoned by us, they might become worse.

"And so you see, brothers, you should act in the same manner; in this way those who have lapsed, having changed their attitude because of your encouragement, might admit their Christianity if ever they are arrested again. Yet you do have other responsibilities, and we hereby make suggestions. If any of those who have fallen into this temptation should become ill and, after doing penance, should desire to receive communion, they should certainly be assisted. Widows, the destitute who cannot support themselves, and those who are in prison or who have been evicted from their homes should surely have someone to help them; likewise catechumens who are ill ought not to be disappointed in receiving assistance.

"Your brothers who are in chains send you their greetings, and also the priests, and the entire Church which lies awake in great anxiety to pray for all those who invoke the name of the Lord. And so we ask you in turn to remember us."

Responsory: Philippians 1:23; 3:18; 1:21; 2:17

I desire to leave this world and to be with Christ; I consider
all that this world offers worthless, if only I can gain union
with Christ.
--Life for me means Christ; death is as a prize to be won.

Even if I am to be poured out as a libation on the sacrificial
offering of your faith, I rejoice and wish to share my happiness
with you.
--Life for me means Christ; death is as a prize to be won.

Prayer

God our Father, glory of your priests,
may the prayers of your martyr Fabian
help us to share his faith
and offer you loving service.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.

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Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for January 20, Optional Memorial of Sebastian, martyr

Saint Sebastian died a martyr at Rome in the beginning of the Diocletian persecution. From antiquity the faithful have venerated his tomb on the Appian Way ad Catacumbas.

From an exposition of psalm 118 by Saint Ambrose, bishop

(Cap. 20, 43-45. 48: CSEL 62, 466-468)

Faithful witnessing to Christ

To enter the kingdom of God we must endure many tribulations. If there are many persecutions, there are many testings; where there are many crowns of victory, there are many trials of strength. It is then to your advantage if there are many persecutors; among many persecutions you may more easily find a path to victory.

Take the example of the martyr Sebastian, whose birthday in glory we celebrate today. He was a native of Milan. At a time when persecution either had ceased or had not yet begun or was of a milder kind, he realized that there was only slight, if any, opportunity for suffering. He set out for Rome, where bitter persecutions were raging because of the fervor of the Christians. There he endured suffering; there he gained his crown. He went to the city as a stranger and there established a home of undying glory. If there had been only one persecutor, he would not have gained a martyr's crown.

The persecutors who are visible are not the only ones. There are also invisible persecutors, much greater in number. This is more serious. Like a king bent on persecution, sending orders to persecute to his many agents, and establishing different persecutors in each city or province, the devil directs his many servants in their work of persecution, whether in public or in the souls of individuals. Of this kind of persecution Scripture says: All who wish to live a holy life in Christ Jesus suffer persecution. "All" suffer persecution; there is no exception. Who can claim exemption if the Lord himself endured the testing of persecution? How many there are today who are secret martyrs for Christ, giving testimony to Jesus as Lord! The Apostle knew this kind of martyrdom, this faithful witnessing to Christ; he said: This is our boast, the testimony of our conscience.

Responsory

For the law of God this holy man
engaged in combat even unto death.
He feared no wicked threats;
--his faith was founded on solid rock.

He renounced earthly joys,
and so gained the kingdom of heaven.
--His faith was founded on solid rock.

Prayer

Lord, fill us with that spirit of courage
which gave your martyr Sebastian
strength to offer his life in faithful witness.
Help us to learn from him to cherish your law
and to obey you rather than men.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.

Posted by billw at January 20, 2004 01:15 AM