The Vigil of All Saints.
The Commemoration of the holy martyrs and of the other saints, whose bodies or relics are preserved in our churches. A totum duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Ampliatus, Urban, and Narcissus, whom St. Paul mentions in his Epistle to the Romans[1]. They were slain by Jews and Gentiles for the Gospel of Christ.
At Constantinople, St. Stachys, bishop. He was ordained the first bishop of that city by the Apostle St. Andrew.
Near the imperial city of Vermandois[2], in Gaul, St. Quintinus, a Roman citizen of senatorial rank. He underwent martyrdom at the time of the Emperor Maximian, and, through the revelation of an angel, his body was found fifty-five years later, still incorrupt. A memory.
At Milan, St. Antoninus, bishop and confessor.
At Ratisbon in Bavaria, St. Wolfgang, bishop.
At Palma on the island of Majorca, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, lay-coadjutor of the Society of Jesus, and confessor. He was noted for his humility and his continual zeal in mortification. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII.
At Rome, the transferal (of the relics) of St. Nemesius, deacon, and his daughter the virgin Lucilla, who were beheaded on August 25.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] Romans, 16, 8, 9, 11.
[2] The city, Augusta Veromanduorum, was later named after the saint, Saint Quentin.
At Cividale in Friuli (Italy), Blessed Benvenuta Bojani virgin, of our Order, who blossomed by penance, prayer, and humility. A semi-duplex feast.
In Sardinia, the birthday of St. Pontianus, pope and martyr. He was exiled to Sardinia in company with Hippolytus, priest, by the Emperor Alexander. Here he gained martyrdom by being clubbed to death. His body was brought to Rome by Pope St. Fabian and buried in the cemetery of St. Callistus. His feast, however, is observed on November 19.
At Aeges in Cilicia, the sufferings of SS. Zenobius, bishop, and his sister Zenobia, under the governor Lysias, in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Altino near Venice, St. Theonestus, bishop and martyr, who was put to death by the Arians.
In Africa, the birthday of two hundred and twenty holy martyrs.
At Tangier in Mauretania, the suffering of St. Marcellus, a centurion. He was the father of the holy martyrs Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius. He gained martyrdom by being beheaded under Agricolaus, who was acting as praetor in the place of Praefectus.
At Alexandria, thirteen holy martyrs. In company with SS. Julian, Eunus, and Macharius, they suffered under the emperor Decius.
At Cagliari in Sardinia, St. Saturninus, martyr. In the persecution of Diocletian, he was beheaded by the governor Barbarus.
At Apamea in Phrygia, St. Maximus, martyr, under the same Diocletian.
At Leon in Spain, the holy martyrs Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius, the sons of the centurion St. Marcellus. In the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian, they were condemned to be beheaded by the governor Diogenian.
At Paris, St. Lucanus, martyr.
At Alexandria, St. Eutropia, martyr. She was arrested while visiting the martyrs. She died after being cruelly tortured with them.
At Antioch, St. Seraphion, bishop. He was noted for his learning.
At Capua, St. Germanus, bishop and confessor. He was a man of great sanctity and St. Benedict saw his soul, at the hour of death, being carried by angels into Heaven.
At Potenza in Lucania, St. Gerard, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Octave of the Dedication of our own Church. A simplex octave.
The holy bishops, Maximilian a martyr, and Valentine a confessor.
At Sidon in Phoenicia, St. Zenobius, priest. Throughout the fury of the last persecution, he encouraged others during their martyrdom, and he himself was found worthy of such a death.
In Lucania, the holy martyrs Hyacinth, Quinctius, Felician, and Lucius.
At Bergamo, St. Eusebia, virgin and martyr.
At Jerusalem, the birthday of Blessed Narcissus, bishop. He was a man praiseworthy for his holiness, patience, and faith. He died in the Lord when one hundred and sixteen years of age.
At Autun, St. John, bishop and confessor.
At Cassiope on the island of Corcyra, St. Donatus, bishop. He is mentioned by Pope St. Gregory.
At Vienne in Gaul, the death of Blessed Theodore, abbot.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In Persia, the birthday of the Blessed Apostles Simon the Canaanite, and Thaddeus, who is also called Jude. Simon preached the Gospel in Egypt, and Thaddeus in Mesopotamia. Then both went to Persia and there suffered martyrdom, after having won over a vast multitude to Christ. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the holy martyrs, Anastasia the Elder, virgin, and Cyril. In the persecution of Valerian, under the prefect Probus, Anastasia was loaded with chains, buffeted, and tortured by fire as well as by floggings. As she remained unshaken in her confession of Christ, she was then mutilated, her nails torn out, her hands and feet amputated, and finally her head cut off. Thus, enriched with the jewels of many sufferings, she went to her heavenly Spouse. She had begged for a cup of water (during her agony) and Cyril gave it to her; for his reward, he gained the crown of martyrdom.
Also at Rome, St. Cyrilla, the virgin daughter of St. Tryphonia. At the time of the Emperor Claudius, because she confessed Christ, her throat was cut.
Near Como, St. Fidelis, martyr, in the reign of the Emperor Maximian.
At Mainz, the martyr St. Ferrutius.
At Meux in Gaul, St. Faro, bishop and confessor.
At Vercelli, the bishop St. Honoratus.
The death of the venerable brother Vincent Guistiniani of Chios, 47th master general of the Order. He was also a cardinal of the Holy Roman Church.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of the holy Apostles Simon and Jude.
At Avila in Spain, the suffering of SS. Vincent, Sabina, and Christeta. They were first stretched on the rack until all the joints of their bodies were dislocated. Their heads were then placed upon stones and they were struck with heavy bars until their brains were beaten out. Thus, under the governor Dacian, they fulfilled their martyrdom.
At Thil-Châtel in Gaul, St. Florentius, martyr.
In Cappadocia, the holy martyrs Capitolina and Erotheis her maid; they suffered in the reign of Diocletian.
In the Indies, St. Frumentius, bishop. He was first a captive there, and after he was ordained bishop by St. Athanasius, he spread the Gospel in that region.
At Naples in Campania, St. Gaudiosus, an African bishop. Because of the Vandal persecution, he came to Campania and died a peaceful death in a monastery of that city.
In Ethiopia, St. Elesbaan, king. Having overcome the enemies of Christ at the time of the Emperor Justin, he sent his royal diadem to Jerusalem, led a monastic life, as he had vowed to do, and departed for his eternal reward.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Reggio Emilia (in Italy), Blessed Damian Purcherio of Finario, (confessor, of the Order of Preachers). To the subjection of the body, he joined integrity of life. Fired with zeal for preaching, he became a wonderful herald of Christ, and after death was noted for his miracles. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Evaristus, pope and martyr. He enriched the Church of God with his blood at the time of the Emperor Hadrian.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rogatian, priest, and Felicissimus. They were crowned with an illustrious martyrdom in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus. St. Cyprian speaks of them in his Epistle to the Confessors.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Lucian, Florius, and their companions. At Narbonne in Gaul, St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor, who lived in the reigns of the Emperors Valentinian and Leo.
Near Salerno, St. Gaudiosus, bishop.
At Pavia, St. Fulk, bishop.
Also, St. Quadragesimus, subdeacon, who raised a dead man to life.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Reggio Emilia (in Italy), Blessed Damian Purcherio of Finario, (confessor, of the Order of Preachers). To the subjection of the body, he joined integrity of life. Fired with zeal for preaching, he became a wonderful herald of Christ, and after death was noted for his miracles. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Evaristus, pope and martyr. He enriched the Church of God with his blood at the time of the Emperor Hadrian.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rogatian, priest, and Felicissimus. They were crowned with an illustrious martyrdom in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus. St. Cyprian speaks of them in his Epistle to the Confessors.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Lucian, Florius, and their companions. At Narbonne in Gaul, St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor, who lived in the reigns of the Emperors Valentinian and Leo.
Near Salerno, St. Gaudiosus, bishop.
At Pavia, St. Fulk, bishop.
Also, St. Quadragesimus, subdeacon, who raised a dead man to life.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Chrysanthus and his wife Daria. After many sufferings endured for Christ under the prefect Celerinus, they were sentenced by the Emperor Numerian to be placed in a sand-pit on the Via Salaria and to be buried alive with earth and stones.
Also, the birthday of Marcellinus, pope and martyr. In the reign of Maximian, he, together with Claudius, Cyrinus, and Antoninus, was beheaded for the faith of Christ. The persecution at that time was so great, that in one month seventeen thousand Christians received the crown of martyrdom. The feast of St. Marcellinus, together with that of the pope and martyr St. Cletus, is observed an April 26.
At Perigueux in Gaul, St. Fronto, who was ordained bishop by the Apostle St. Peter. He converted a great multitude of that people to Christ with the assistance of a priest named George. Famed for his miracles, he died a peaceful death.
At Rome, the birthday of forty-six holy soldiers. They were all baptized together by Pope St. Dionysius, and shortly after, by command of the Emperor Claudius, they were beheaded and were buried on the Via Salaria. There also were buried one hundred and twenty-one other martyrs, among whom were the four soldiers of Christ, Theodosius, Lucius, Mark, and Peter.
At Porto Torres in Sardinia, the holy martyrs Protus, priest, and Januarius, deacon. They were sent to that island by Pope St. Caius and were martyred there in the reign of Diocletian under the governor Barbarus.
At Constantinople, the suffering of SS. Martyrius, subdeacon, and Marcian, a choir singer. They were slain by heretics in the reign of the emperor Constantius.
At Soissons in Gaul, the holy martyrs Crispin and Crispinian. In the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Rictiovarus, these noble Romans, after enduring great torments, were butchered by the sword, thus obtaining the crown of martyrdom. Their bodies were afterward taken to Rome and buried with honors in the church of St. Laurence in Panisperna. A memory.
At Florence, the suffering of Blessed Minias, soldier. He fought bravely for the faith for Christ in the reign of the Emperor Decius, and was crowned with a noble martyrdom.
At Brescia, the birthday of St. Gaudentius, bishop. He was remarkable for his learning and sanctity.
At Gabali in Gaul, St. Hilary, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The feast of St. Raphael the Archangel. His dignity and his favors (to the human race) are set forth in the sacred book of Tobias. A totum duplex feast.
At Venosa in Apulia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix, an African bishop, Audactus and Januarius, priests, and the lectors Fortunatus and Septimus. In the reign of Diocletian, they all were punished by being heavily chained and imprisoned for a long time in Africa and in Sicily. Since Felix would not comply with the Emperor's edict and surrender the holy books, all the above-mentioned men were put to the sword.
At Tongres in Belgium, St. Evergislus, Bishop of Cologne and martyr. On account of the duties of his pastoral office, he journeyed to Tongres. That night, while on his way to pray alone in the monastic church of the Most Holy Mother of God, he was attacked by robbers and killed by an arrow.
At Nagran, among the Hymarites in Arabia[1], the suffering of SS. Aretas and his three hundred and forty companions, at the time of the Emperor Justin, under the Jewish tyrant Dunaan. After they had been put to death, a Christian woman was thrown into the fire. Her five-year old son lisped that he too was a Christian, and neither caresses nor threats could prevent him from flinging himself into the fire where his mother was dying.
At Constantinople, St. Proclus, bishop.
On the Isle of Jersey, St. Maglorious, bishop. After he had resigned his episcopal see, which he had filled for three years toward his scattered flock in Brittany, he built a monastery on the Isle of Jersey, where he spent the remainder of his life in holiness. His body was later transferred to Paris.
In the monastery of Durin in Gaul, St. Martin, deacon and abbot. His body was removed to the monastery of Vertou.
In Campania, St. Mark the Solitary, whose remarkable deeds are recorded by Pope St. Gregory.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnotes:
[1] They are usually called Himyarites. They lived in southwestern Arabia and are said to have been named after a king called Himyar.
At Vicenza (in Italy), Blessed Bartholomew Breganza, bishop and confessor, of the Order of our Father St. Dominic. He was first placed in charge of the see at Limassol (on the island of Cyprus); afterward, he was in charge of the see of Vicenza. Because of his outstanding piety and his labors for spreading the Catholic religion, he was most highly regarded by Pope Gregory IX (to whom he was an advisor), as well as by other Sovereign Pontiffs, and by St. Louis, King of France. A semi-duplex feast.
At Ilok in Hungary, the birthday of St. John of Capistrano, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor. He was illustrious for holiness of life and zeal in extending the Catholic faith. By his prayers and miracles, he delivered from a siege the fortress of Zemun (a suburb of Belgrade), when it was beleaguered by a powerful Turkish army. His feast, however, is observed on March 28.
At Antioch, the birthday of St. Theodore, priest. He was arrested in the persecution of the wicked Julian. Despite the torment of the rack and other severe tortures, including the burning of his sides with torches, he persevered in his confession of Christ. He completed his martyrdom by being put to the sword.
At Osuma near Cadiz in Spain, the holy martyrs Servandus and Germanus. In the persecution of Diocletian, under the acting governor Viator, they were flogged, confined to a foul prison, subjected to hunger and thirst, and forced to endure the hardships of a long journey which they made loaded with chains. They eventually finished the course of their martyrdom by having their throats cut. Germanus was buried at Merida and Servandus at Seville.
At Constantinople, St. Ignatius, bishop. He rebuked Bardas Caesar for putting away his wife; for this reason, he was subjected to many sufferings by the Emperor and driven into exile. However, he was restored (to his see) by the Roman Pontiff St. Nicholas, and at last died a peaceful death.
At Bordeaux, St. Severinus, Bishop of Cologne, confessor.
At Rouen, St. Romanus, bishop.
At Salerno, St. Verus, bishop.
In the territory of Amiens, St. Domitius, priest.
In the country of Poitiers, St. Benedict, confessor.
At Mantua Blessed John the Good, confessor, of the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, whose excellent life was written by St. Antoninus.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Anniversary of the Dedication of our own Church. A totum duplex feast of the first class.
At Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome, the mother of the Apostles James and John. She is referred to in the Gospel as having cared for the burial of the Lord. (Mark 16:1)
Also at Jerusalem, Blessed Mark, bishop. A most noble and learned man, he was the first Gentile to receive the office of governing the Church of Jerusalem. Not long after, he merited to receive the palm of martyrdom under the Emperor Antoninus.
At Adrianople in Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Philip bishop, Severus, priest, Eusebius, and Hermes. In the time of Julian the Apostate, after they had been imprisoned and scourged, they were burned to death.
Likewise the holy martyrs Alexander, bishop, Heraclius, soldier, and their companions.
Near Fermo in Piceno, St. Philip, bishop and martyr.
Near Cologne, St. Cordula, who was one of the companions of St. Ursula. She hid herself, being terrified by the tortures and slaying of the others. But on the next day, repenting of her deed, she gave herself up to the Huns, and thus was the last of all to receive the crown of martyrdom.
At Huesca in Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters. They were sentenced to death by the Saracens for confessing the faith, and so gained their martyrdom.
At Hicropolis in Phrygia, St. Abercius, bishop, who flourished in the time of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus.
At Rouen, St. Melanius, bishop. He was ordained by Pope St. Stephen and sent to Rouen to preach the Gospel.
In Tuscany, St. Donatus the Scot, Bishop of Fiesole.
At Verona, St. Verecundius, bishop and confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Cortona (in Italy), Blessed Peter Cappucci of Tiferno, confessor, of our Order. By constant meditation on death, he raised himself to heavenly things, and by his preaching he led many hardened sinners to virtue. A semi-duplex feast.
In Cyprus, the birthday of Blessed Hilarion, abbot. His life, which was written by St. Jerome, was rich in virtues and miracles.
At Cologne, the birthday of St. Ursula and her companions, martyrs. For the Christian religion and for their constancy in virginity, they were massacred by the Huns and so ended their lives by martyrdom. The bodies of many of them are buried at Cologne. A memory.
At Ostia, St. Asterius, priest and martyr. He suffered under Alexander the Emperor, as is written in the Acts of Pope St. Callistus.
At Nicomedia, the birthday of SS. Dasius, Zoticus, Caius, and twelve other soldiers, who, after various tortures, were drowned in the sea.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Viator, a minister of St. Justus, Bishop of Lyons.
At Maronia in Syria, near Antioch, St. Malchus, monk.
In the town of Laon, St. Cilinia, mother of St. Remigius, Bishop of Rheims.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. John Cantius, priest and confessor, who died in the Lord December 24.
At Avia near Aquila (Italy), among the Vestinians, the birthday of St. Maximus, deacon and martyr. Longing to suffer for Christ, he deliberately gave himself up to the executioners who were seeking him. After he had firmly answered all questions, he was suspended on the rack and tortured; then he was beaten with clubs. He died finally when he was hurled from a high place.
At Agen in Gaul, St. Caprasius, martyr. To escape the raging persecution, he hid in a cave. At length, after hearing how the virgin St. Faith had endured torture for Christ, he was drawn to follow her example. He asked God that, if He judged him worthy of the glory of martyrdom, a spring of clear water should flow from a rock in the cave. The Lord gave him this sign and he hastened, now sure of himself, to the place of the contest. By his courageous strife, he merited the palm of martyrdom, under Maximian.
At Antioch, St. Artemius. He was an imperial officer who occupied high positions in the army under Constantine the Great. He rebuked Julian the Apostate for his cruelty toward the Christians. For this, he was beaten with clubs, subjected to other tortures, and finally ordered to be beheaded.
At Constantinople, St. Andrew of Crete, monk. On account of his veneration of holy images during the reign of Constantine Copronymus, he was repeatedly scourged. Finally, after one foot had been cut off, he expired.
At Cologne, the suffering of the holy virgins Martha and Saula with many others.
At Tomar in Portugal, St. Irene, virgin and martyr. Her body was honorably buried at Scalabis and since then the town has been re-named Santarem after her.
At Aussonce near Rheims, St. Sindulphus, priest and confessor.
Near Minden in Germany, the transferal of (the relics of) St. Fefician, Bishop of Foligno and martyr. A portion of his holy relics was placed in an urn and brought to Germany from the city of Foligno in Umbria, where he died on January 24.
At Paris, likewise the transferal from Cordoba in Spain, of (the relics of) the holy martyrs George, deacon, and Aurelius. They were martyred at Cordoba, together with three companions, on July 27.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. Peter of Alcantara, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor, whose birthday is noted on October 8. A duplex feast.
At Rome, the birthday of the holy martyrs Ptolemy and Lucius, under Marcus Antoninus. As St. Justin relates, Ptolemy converted a certain sinful woman to the faith of Christ and taught her to prize chastity; for so doing, he was accused by a wicked man before the prefect Urbicius and forced to undergo for a long time a foul imprisonment. At last, when by a public confession he testified that Christ was his master, he was ordered to be led out for execution. Lucius, on protesting against the sentence of Urbicius and freely confessing that he himself was a Christian, received the same sentence. A third martyr was added to these; he was also condemned to the same punishment.
At Antioch, SS. Beronicus, Pelagia, virgin, and forty-nine others.
In Egypt, St. Varus, soldier. In the reign of the Emperor Maximian, he visited and encouraged seven holy monks who were imprisoned. When one of them died, he wished to be accepted in his place; after suffering with them the most inhuman tortures, he gained the palm of martyrdom.
At Evreux in Gaul, St. Aquifinus, bishop and confessor.
In the territory of Orleans, the death of St. Veranus, bishop.
Near Salerno, St. Eusterius, bishop.
In the monastery of Nectan Wood, in Ireland, St. Ethbin, abbot.
At Oxford in England, St. Frideswide, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In Bithynia, the birthday of St. Luke the Evangelist. He suffered greatly for the name of Christ and died filled with the Holy Ghost. His remains were transferred to Constantinople and from there were taken to Pavia. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the birthday of St. Paul of the Cross, priest, confessor, and founder of the Congregation of the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a man remarkable for his innocence and penance, and was aflame with love for Christ crucified. Pope Pius IX canonized him and appointed April 28 as the date for the celebration of his feast.
At Arenas in Spain, the birthday of St. Peter of Alcantara, priest of the Order of Friars Minor and confessor. The Sovereign Pontiff, Clement IX, canonized him because of his remarkable penance and numerous miracles. His feast, however, is celebrated on October 19.
At Antioch, St. Asclepiades, bishop. He was one of that famous band of Martyrs who suffered so gloriously under Macrinus.
At Neocaesaria in Pontus, St. Athenodorus, bishop, who was the brother of the Wonder-Worker. Distinguished for his learning, he suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Aurelian.
At Louvres near Beauvais, St. Justus, martyr. He was still only a boy when he was beheaded in the persecution of Diocletian by the governor Rictiovarus.
At Rome, St. Tryphonia, widow of the Emperor Decius. She was the mother of the virgin martyr St. Cyrilla. Her body was buried in the crypt near that of St. Hippolytus.
Near Edessa in Mesopotamia, the commemoration of St. Julian, hermit, surnamed Sabas, who is also mentioned on January 17.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
St. Hedwig, widow, and a duchess of Poland, who died October 15.
At Antioch, the birthday of St. Heron, who was a disciple of Blessed Ignatius. He was made bishop after the latter and religiously followed his master's example, giving his life as a lover of Christ for the flock entrusted to him.
On the same day, the suffering of SS. Victor, Alexander, and Marianus. In Persia, St. Mameltas, martyr. By the warning of an angel, he was converted to the faith from the worship of idols. He was stoned by the pagans and drowned in a deep lake.
At Orange in Gaul, St. Florentius, bishop. Rich in merit, he died a peaceful death.
At Paray in the Diocese of Autun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She made her profession in the Order of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary. She excelled by her merit in spreading devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and in advancing its public cult. Pope Benedict XV canonized her.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In the monastery of Moutier-en-Der in Gaul, St. Becharius, abbot and martyr.
In Africa, two hundred and seventy holy martyrs, crowned together.
In the same country, SS. Martinian and Saturian with their two brothers. In the Vandal persecution under the Arian King Genseric, they were the servants of a certain Vandal and were converted to the Catholic faith by their fellow-servant, St. Maxima, virgin. For their constancy in the Catholic faith, their master beat them with knobbed clubs even to the bones. They endured these beatings for many days but always appeared on the next day unhurt. They were then driven into exile where they converted many barbarians to the faith of Christ. They obtained from the Roman Pontiff a priest and other ministers to baptize them. Eventually, their feet were fastened to the back of chariots and they were dragged through thorny places in the woods until they died. Maxima, however, after triumphing in several contests, was delivered by a miracle, and ended her days quietly in a monastery where she was the spiritual mother of numerous consecrated virgins.
Also, SS. Saturninus, Nereus, and three hundred and sixty-five martyrs. At Cologne, St. Eliphius, martyr, at the time of Julian the Apostate.
In the territory of Bourges, St. Ambrose, Bishop of Cahors.
At Mainz, St. Lullus, bishop and confessor.
At Treves, St. Florentinus, bishop.
Near Arbon in Germany, St. Gall, abbot, who was a disciple of Blessed Columban.
At Muro in Lucania (Italy), St. Gerard Majella, confessor and professed lay-brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Renowned for miracles, he was added to the list of saints by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius X.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Avila in Spain, St. Teresa, virgin. She was the mother and mistress of the Brothers and Sisters of the Carmelite Order of Strict Observance. A duplex feast.
At Cracow in Poland, the birthday of St. Hedwig, widow, and a duchess of Poland. She devoted herself to the service of the poor and was, in addition, famous for her miracles. The Sovereign Pontiff, Clement IV, canonized her. Her feast is observed on October 17.
At Rome, on the Via Aurelia, St. Fortunatus, martyr.
In Prussia, St. Bruno, Bishop of the Ruthenians and martyr. While he was preaching the Gospel in that region, he was seized by wicked men who first cut off his hands and feet, and then beheaded him.
At Cologne, the birthday of three hundred holy martyrs who, in the persecution of Maximian, persevered to the end in their trial.
At Carthage, St. Agileus, martyr. On his anniversary, St. Augustine delivered a panegyric concerning him.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Antiochius, bishop. He zealously administered the pontifical office to which he had been appointed and thus gained a heavenly kingdom.
At Treves, St. Severus, bishop and confessor.
At Strasbourg, St. Aurelia, virgin.
In Germany, St. Thecla, abbess and virgin. She had charge of the convents of Kitzingen and Ochsenfürt, and rich in merit departed for heaven.
The death of the venerable brother Bartholomew Texier, 26th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Rome, on the Via Aurelia, the birthday of Blessed Callistus I, pope and martyr. At the command of the Emperor Alexander, he was tortured for a long time, starved in prison, and flogged daily. Then he was thrown from a window of the house where he had been imprisoned and drowned in a well; thus he merited the triumph of victory. A duplex feast.
At Rimini, St. Gaudentius, bishop and martyr.
At Caesarea in Palestine, SS. Carponius, Evaristus, and Priscian, brothers of St. Fortunata. Their throats were cut by the sword and together they won the palm of martyrdom.
Also, SS. Saturninus and Lupus.
At Caesarea in Palestine, St. Fortunata, virgin and martyr. She was the sister of the martyrs just mentioned -- Carponius, Evaristus, and Priscian.
She surrendered her soul to God after she had endured the rack, fire, wild beasts, and other tortures in Diocletian's persecution. Her body was afterward transferred to Naples in Campania.
At Todi in Umbria, St. Fortunatus, bishop. As St. Gregory tells us, he was distinguished by an extraordinary gift of putting unclean spirits to flight.
At Würzburg in Germany, St. Burchard, who was the first bishop of that city.
At Bruges in Flanders, St. Donatian, Bishop of Rheims.
At Treves, St. Rusticus, bishop.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Justus, bishop and confessor. He was a man of wonderful sanctity and endowed with the gift of prophecy. He resigned his bishopric and departed with his lector Viator into a desert of Egypt. For many years he led a life that was almost angelic and when the fitting end of his labors drew near, he went to the Lord to receive a crown of justice. His holy body, together with the remains of blessed Viator, his minister, were afterward transferred to Lyons on September 2.
On the same day, the death of blessed Dominic Loricatus.
At Arpino in Latium, St. Bernard, confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
In the town of Trino-Vercellese (in Italy), Blessed Magdalen Panattieri, virgin, of our Order. She joined innocence to patience and merited to be enriched with heavenly gifts. At last, abounding in merit and virtue, she received the crown set aside for her in heaven. A semi-duplex feast.
St. Edward, King of England and confessor. He died on January 5 but is preferably commemorated on this day when his body was transferred (to a shrine in the choir).
At Troas, a city in Asia Minor, the birthday of St. Carpus, who was a disciple of the Apostle St. Paul.
At Cordoba in Spain, the birthday of the holy martyrs Faustus, Januarius, and Martial. They were first tortured on the rack; then they eyelids were cut off, their teeth torn out, their ears and noses sliced off. Finally, they finished their martyrdom by fire.
At Thessalonica, St. Florentius, martyr, who after undergoing various tortures was burned alive.
At Stockerau in Austria, St. Coloman, martyr.
At Antioch, the holy Patriarch Theophilus. He was the sixth after St. Peter the Apostle to hold the bishopric of that Church.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Venantius, abbot and confessor.
At Subiaco in Latium (Italy), St. Chefidonia, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Monte Cerignone in the Diocese of Montefeltro, Blessed Dominic Spadafora, (a confessor) of our Order. He was outstanding in his assiduous practice of prayer, of regular observance, and of preaching the Word of God. Pope Benedict XV ratified and confirmed his immemorial cult. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Evagrius, Priscian, and their companions.
In Africa, four thousand nine hundred and sixty-six confessors and martyrs in the Vandal persecution under the Arian King Hunneric. Some were bishops of the Churches of God, some were priests and deacons, while the rest were multitudes of the faithful. Because of their adherencc to the Catholic religion, they were driven into a horrible desert. Many were cruelly treated by the Moors, by being compelled to run at spearpoint, and by being stoned. Others had their feet tied together and were dragged like corpses through rough and stony places until torn limb from limb. All, tortured in diverse ways, finally gained martyrdom. Chief among them were the noble priests of God, Bishop Felix and Bishop Cyprian.
At Ravenna, on the Via Laurentina, the birthday of St. Edistius, martyr.
In Lycia, St. Domnina, martyr, in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Celje in Hungary, St. Maximillian, Bishop of Lorach.
At York in England, St. Wilfrid, bishop and confessor.
At Milan, St. Monas, bishop. When the question of electing a bishop was being discussed,. he was surrounded by a light from heaven and by that wondrous sign was received as the bishop of that church.
At Verona, St. Salvinus, bishop.
In Syria, St. Eustace, priest and confessor.
At Ascoli in Piceno (Italy), St. Seraphinus, confessor, of the Friars Minor Capuchin. He was remarkable for his holy life and humility; he was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Clement XIII.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Bologna, Blessed James (of Ulm), a German lay-brother of the Order of Preachers. Remarkable in the exercise of heroic virtues and especially in humility, he made himself lovable to heaven and wonderful on earth. A semi-duplex feast.
At Tarsus in Cilicia, the holy women Zenais and Philonilla, sisters. They were kinsfolk of the Apostle St. Paul, and his disciples in the faith.
Near Vexin in Gaul, the sufferings of the holy martyrs Nicasius, Bishop of Rouen, the priest Quirinus, the deacon Scubiculus, and Pientia, virgin, under the governor Fescenninus.
At Besançon in Gaul, St. Germanus, bishop and martyr.
Likewise, the suffering of SS. Anathasius, priest, Placidus, Genesius, and their companions.
At Tarsus in Cilicia, the birthday of the holy martyrs, Tharacus, Probus, and Andronicus. In the persecution of Diocletian, they suffered detention. for a long time in a filthy prison. On three occasions they were put to the torture in various ways; they finally obtained the crown of glory for, their confessing Christ by being beheaded.
In the Thebaid, St. Sarmata, who was a disciple of Blessed Anthony the Abbot. He was slain for Christ by the Saracens.
At Uzès in Gaul, St. Firmin, bishop and confessor.
At Calozzo in the Diocese of Asti, formerly that of Pavia, St. Alexander Sauli, of the Clerks Regular of St. Paul, bishop and confessor. He was of noble birth and was renowned for his virtues, learning and miracles. He was canonized by Pius X, the Sovereign Pontiff.
In the monastery of Aghaboe in Ireland, St. Kenny, priest and abbot.
At Lier in Belgium, the death of St. Gununar, confessor.
At Rennes in Gaul, St. Emifian, confessor.
At Verona, St. Placidia, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Valencia in Spain, St. Louis Bertrand, (confessor) of the Order of Preachers. He was sent to the West Indies, and although he could speak only the Spanish tongue -- a langnage unknown to the Indians -- he converted countless souls to the Christian religion. He was distinguished for his numerous miracles both in life and after death. He died October 9 and was beatified by Paul V. He was canonized by Clement X. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
St. Francis Borgia, priest of the Society of Jesus, and confessor, whose birthday is noted on September 30.
At Ceuta in Morocco, the suffering of the seven holy martyrs of the Order of Friars Minor, namely: Daniel, Samuel, Angelus, Leo, Nicholas, Ugolino, and Domnus. All were priests except Domnus. Because they preached the Gospel and put to silence the Mohammedan teachers, the Saracens reviled, chained, and scourged them. Finally, they were beheaded and thus gained the palm of martyrdom.
At Cologne, St. Gereon, martyr, who, in the persecution of Maximian, together with three hundred and eighteen others, patiently suffered beheading for the true religion.
In the neighborhood of the same city, SS. Victor and his companions, martyrs.
At Bonn in Germany, the holy martyrs Cassius and Florentius, with very many others.
At Nicomcdia, the holy martyrs Eulampius and the virgin Eulampia his sister. On hearing that her brother was being tortured for Christ, she broke through the crowd and, embracing her brother, joined him as another Christian. Both were cast into a vessel of boiling oil; when failed to harm them in the slightest, they fulfilled their martyrdom by, being beheaded. Two hundred spectators, who had been converted by the miracle and believed in Christ, were executed with them.
On the island of Crete, Blessed Pinytus, one of the most noble of bishops. He flourished as bishop in the city of Gnosia, under Marcus, Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus. In his writing, as in a mirror, he has left a living image of himself.
At York in England, St. Paulinus, bishop. He was a disciple of Pope, St. Gregory, who sent him to England, together with others, to preach the Gospel. He converted King Edwin and his people to the Christian faith.
At Piombino in Tuscany, St. Cerbonius, bishop and confessor. As St. Gregory states, he was noteworthy for his miracles both in life and in death.
At Verona, (another) St. Cerbonius, bishop.
At Capua, St. Paulinus, bishop.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
