Roman
Martyrology, Complete, August
Semen est sanguis Christianorum
(The blood of Christians is the seed of the Church) Tertullian, Apologeticum,
50
(The Notation P2V
preceding a name indicates that the Saint or Martyr was added
after 1900 and prior to 1962 and the purging of
Saints by Pope Paul VI following the Second Vatican Council)
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 1st
This Day, the First Day of August
At Rome, on Mount Esquiline, the dedication
of the Church of St. Peter in Chains.
At Antioch, the martyrdom of the seven
holy brothers, the Machabees, and their mother, who
suffered under king Antiochus Epiphanes. Their relics were
transferred to Rome, and placed in the Church of St. Peter,
just mentioned.
At Eonie, the holy virgins Faith,
Hope and Charity, who won the crown of martyrdom
under the emperor Adrian.
Also, at Rome, on the Latin road,
the holy martyrs Bonus, a priest, Faustus and Maurus, with
nine others, mentioned in the Acts of Pope St. Stephen.
At Philadelphia, in Arabia, the holy
martyrs Cyril, Aquila, Peter, Domitian, Rufus, and Menander,
crowned on the same day.
At Pergen, in Pamphylia, the holy
martyrs Leontius, Attius, Alexander, and six husbandmen,
who were beheaded in the persecution of Diocletian, under
the governor Flavian.
At Gerona, in Spain, the birthday of
the holy martyr Felix. After
enduring various torments, by order of Dacian, he was cut
with knives until he gave his undaunted soul to Christ.
At Vercelli, St. Eusebius, bishop
and martyr, who for the confession of the Catholic
faith, was banished to Scythopolis and thence to Cappadocia
by the emperor Constantius. Afterwards returning to his
church, he suffered martyrdom in the persecution of the
Arians. His feast is kept on the 16th of December.
In the diocese of Paris, St. Justin,
martyr.
At Vienne, St. Verus, bishop.
At Winchester, in England, St.
Ethelwold, bishop.
In the territory of Liswin, St. Nemesius,
confessor.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 2nd
This Day, the Second Day of August
At Nocera-de-Pagani, St. Alphonsus
Maria de Liguori, bishop of St. Agatha of the Goths,
and founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer,
distinguished by his zeal for the salvation of souls, by
his writings, his preaching, and his example. He was inscribed
on the calendar of the saints by Pope Gregory XVI, in the
year 1839, the fifty-second after his happy death, and was
declared Doctor of the Universal Church by Pius IX, according
to a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites.
At Rome, in the cemetery of Callistus, the birthday of
St. Stephen, Pope and martyr.
In the persecution of Valerian, the soldiers suddenly entered
whilst he was saying Mass, but he remained before the Altar
and concluded the Sacred Mysteries with intrepidity, and
was beheaded on his throne.
At Nicssa, in Bithynia, the martyrdom of
St. Theodota with her three sons.
The eldest, named Evodius,
confessing Christ with confidence, was first beaten with
rods, by order of Nicetius, ex-consul of Bithynia, and then
the mother, with all her sons, was consumed by fire.
In Africa, St. Rutilius, martyr.
He had frequently secured safety from the perils of persecution
by flight, and sometimes even by means of money, but at
last, being unexpectedly apprehended, he was led to the
governor, and subjected to many tortures. Afterwards he
was cast into the fire, and thus merited the glorious crown
of martyrdom.
At Padua, St. Maximus, bishop
of that city, who ended his blessed life in peace, with
a reputation for miracles.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti Mártyres, oráte pro nobis.
("All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us", from the Litaniae
Sanctorum, the Litany of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 3rd
This Day, the Third Day of August
At Jerusalem, the finding of the body of most
blessed Stephen, first martyr,
and of the Saints Gamaliel, Nicodemus,
and Abibo, through a divine revelation made to the
priest Lucian, in the time of the emperor Honorius.
At Constantinople, the birthday of
St. Hermellus, martyr.
In the East Indies, near Persia, the
martyrdom of holy monks and other Christians who
were put to death after suffering various torments, during
the persecution of the Church of God by King Abenner.
At Naples, in Campania, St. Aspren,
bishop, who was cured of a sickness by the Apostle
St. Peter, and after being baptized, was made bishop of
that city.
At Autun, the demise of St. Euphronius,
bishop and confessor.
At Anagni, St. Peter, bishop,
who rested in the Lord after gaining great renown for monastical
observance and for pastoral vigilance.
At Philippi, in Macedonia, St. Lydia,
a dealer in purple, who was the first to believe
in the Gospel when the Apostle St. Paul preached in that
city.
At Beroea, in Syria, the holy women
Marana and Cyra.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti Mártyres, oráte pro nobis.
("All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us", from the Litaniae
Sanctorum, the Litany of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 4th
This Day, the Fourth Day of August
At Bologna, St. Dominic, confessor,
founder of the Order of Friars Preachers, most renowned
for sanctity and learning. He preserved his chastity unsullied
to the end of his life, and by his great merits raised three
persons from the dead. After having repressed heresies by
his preaching, and instructed many in the religious and
godly life, he rested in peace on the 6th of this month.
His feast, however, is celebrated on this day, by decree
of Pope Paul IV.
At Thessalonica, the birthday of blessed
Aristarchus, disciple and inseparable companion of
the Apostle St. Paul, who writes to the Colossians: "My
fellow-prisoner Aristarchus salutes you." He was consecrated
bishop of the Thessalonians by the same Apostle, and after
long sufferings under Nero, crowned by Christ, rested in
peace.
At Rome, on the Latin road, the martyrdom of
blessed Tertullinus, priest and martyr,
in the time of emperor Valerian. After being cruelly beaten
with rods, after having his sides burned, his mouth shattered;
after being stretched on the rack and scourged with whips,
he completed his martyrdom by being beheaded.
At Constantinople, the holy martyr
Eleutherius, of the senatorial rank, who was put
to the sword for Christ, in the persecution of Maximian.
In Persia, in the time of king Sapor,
the holy martyr Ia and her companions,
who, with nine thousand Christian captives, underwent
martyrdom after having been subjected to various torments.
At Cologne, St. Protasius, martyr.
At Verona, St. Agabius, bishop and
confessor.
At Tours, St. Euphronius, bishop.
At Borne, St. Perpetua, who
was baptized by the blessed Apostle Peter. She converted
to the faith her son Nazarius and her husband Africanus,
buried the remains of many holy martyrs, and finally went
to our Lord endowed with an abundance of merit.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy
Martyrs, pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum,
the Litany of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 5th
This Day, the Fifth Day of August
At Rome, on Mount Esquiline, the
dedication of the church of St. Mary
of the Snows.
Also at Rome, during the persecution of Diocletian, the
martyrdom of twenty-three holy martyrs,
who were beheaded on the Salarian road, and buried
at the foot of Cucumer hill.
At Augsburg, the birthday of St. Afra,
martyr. After being converted from Paganism by the
instructions of bishop St. Narcissus, and being baptized
with all her household, she was delivered to the flames
for the confession of Christ.
At Ascoli, in the Marches, St. Emygdius,
bishop and martyr, who was consecrated bishop by
Pope St. Marcellus, and sent thither to preach the Gospel.
He received the crown of martyrdom for the confession of
Christ, under the emperor Diocletian.
At Antioch, St. Eusignius, a soldier,
who at the age of one hundred and ten years, because he
reproached Julian the Apostate for forsaking the faith of
Constantine the Great, under whom he had served, and for
having degenerated from his ancestors' piety, was decapitated
by his command.
Also, the holy martyrs Cantidius,
Cantidian, and Sobel, Egyptians.
At Chalons, in France, St. Memmius,
a Roman citizen, who, being consecrated
bishop of that city by St.
Peter, brought to the truth of the Gospel the people committed
to his care.
At Autun, blessed Cassian, bishop.
At Teano, St. Paris, bishop.
In England, St. Oswald, king,
whose life is related by Venerable Bede.
The same day, St. Nonna, mother of
blessed Gregory Nazianzen.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 6th
This Day, the Sixth Day of August
On Mount Tabor, the Transfiguration
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At Rome, on the Appian road, in the cemetery of Callistus,
the birthday of blessed Xystus II,
Pope and martyr, who received the crown of martyrdom
in the persecution of Valerian, by being put to the sword.
Also, the holy martyrs Felicissimus
and Agapitus, deacons of blessed Xystus; Januarius, Magnus,
Vincent, and Stephen, subdeacons, all of whom were
beheaded with him, and buried in the cemetery of Praetextatus.
With them suffered also blessed Quartus,
as is related by St. Cyprian.
At Burgos, in Spain, in the monastery of St. Peter of Cardegna,
of the Order of St. Benedict, two
hundred monks, with their abbot Stephen, who were
put to death for the faith of Christ by the Saracens, and
buried in the monastery by the Christians.
At Alcala, in Spain, the holy martyrs
Justus and Pastor, brothers. While they were yet
schoolboys, they threw aside their books in school, and
spontaneously ran to martyrdom. By order of the governor
Dacian, they were arrested, beaten with rods, and as they
exhorted each other to constancy, were led out of the city,
and had their throats cut by the executioner.
At Rome, St. Hormisdas, Pope and confessor.
At Amida, St. James, a hermit
renowned for miracles.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 7th
This Day, the Seventh Day of August
At Naples, in Campania, St. Cajetan
of Tiene, confessor, founder of the Theatines, who,
through singular confidence in God, made his disciples practice
the primitive mode of life of the Apostles. Being renowned
for miracles, he was ranked among the saints by Clement
X.
At Arezzo, in Tuscany, the birthday of
St. Donatus, bishop and martyr,
who among other miraculous deeds, made whole again by his
prayers (as is related by the blessed Pope Gregory), a sacred
chalice which had been broken by Pagans. Being apprehended
by the imperial officer Quadratian, in the persecution of
Julian the Apostate, and refusing to sacrifice to idols,
he was struck with the sword, and thus consummated his martyrdom.
With him suffered also the blessed
monk Hilarinus, whose feast is celebrated on the
16th of July, when his body was taken to Ostia.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Peter and
Julian, with eighteen others.
At Milan, St. Faustus, a soldier,
who obtained the palm of martyrdom after many combats, in
the time of Aurelius Commodus.
At Coino, the passion of the holy
martyrs Carpophorus, Exanthus, Cassius, Severinus, Secundus
and Licinius, who were beheaded for the confession
of Christ.
At Nisibis, in Mesopotamia, St. Dometius,
a Persian monk, who was stoned to death
with two of his disciples,
under Julian the Apostate.
At Rouen, the holy bishop St. Victricius.
Whilst he was yet a soldier under Julian, he threw away
his military belt for Christ, and after being subjected
by the tribune to many torments, was condemned to capital
punishment. But the executioner who had been sent to put
him to death being struck blind, and the confessor's chains
being loosened, he made his escape. Afterwards being made
bishop, by preaching the word of God, he brought to the
faith of Christ the barbarous people of Belgic Gaul, and
finally died a confessor in
peace.
At Chalons, in France, St. Donation,
bishop.
At Messina, in Sicily, St. Albert,
confessor, of the Order of Carmelites, renowned for
miracles.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti Mártyres, oráte pro nobis.
("All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us", from the Litaniae
Sanctorum, the Litany of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 8th
This Day, the Eighth Day of August
At Rome, the holy martyrs Cyriacus,
deacon, Largus, and Smaragdus, with twenty others,
who suffered on the 16th of March, in the persecution of
Diocletian and Maximian. Their bodies were buried on the
Salarian road by the priest John, but were on this day translated
by Pope St. Marcellus to the estate of Lucina, on the Ostian
way. Afterwards they were brought to Rome, and placed in
the Church of St. Mary in Via Lata (the title of a cardinal-deacon).
At Anzarba, in Cilicia, St. Marinus,
an aged man, who was scourged, racked, and lacerated,
and died by being exposed to wild beasts, in the time of
the emperor Diocletian and the governor Lysias.
Also, the holy martyrs Eleutherius
and Leonides, who underwent martrydom by fire.
In Persia, St. Hormisdas, a martyr,
under king Sapor.
At Cyzicum, in Hellespont, St. Aemilian,
bishop, who ended his life in exile after having
suffered much from the emperor Leo for the worship of holy
images.
In Crete, St. Myron, a bishop
renowned for miracles.
At Vienne, in France, St. Severus,
priest and confessor, who undertook a painful journey
from India in order to preach the Gospel in that city, and
converted a great number of Pagans to the faith of Christ
by his labors and miracles.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 9th
This Day, the Ninth Day of August
The vigil of St. Lawrence, martyr.
At Rome, St. Romanus, soldier,
who was moved by the torments of blessed Lawrence to ask
for baptism from him. He was immediately prosecuted, scourged,
and finally beheaded.
In Tuscany, the birthday of the holy
martyrs Secundian, Marcellian, and Verian. In the
time of Decius, they were scourged by the ex-consul Promotus,
then racked and torn with iron hooks. Being burned with
fire applied to their sides, they merited the triumphant
palm of martyrdom by having their heads struck off.
At Verona, the holy martyrs Firmus
and Rusticus, in the time of the emperor Maximian.
In Africa, the commemoration of many
holy martyrs, during the persecution of Valerian.
Being exhorted by St. Numidicus,
they obtained the palm of martyrdom by being cast into the
fire, but Numidicus, although thrown into the flames with
the others and overwhelmed with stones, was nevertheless
taken out by his daughter. Found half dead, he was restored
and deserved afterwards by his virtue to be made priest
of the church of Carthage by blessed Cyprian.
At Constantinople, the holy martyrs
Julian, Marcian, and eight others. For having set
up the image of our Saviour on the brazen gate, they were
exposed to many torments, and then beheaded by order of
the impious emperor Leo.
At Chalons, in France, St. Domitian,
bishop and confessor.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 10th
This Day, the Tenth Day of August
At Rome, on the Tiburtine road, the birthday of the
blessed archdeacon Lawrence, a martyr
during the persecution of Valerian. After much suffering
from imprisonment, from scourging with whips set with iron
or lead, from hot metal plates, he at last completed his
martyrdom by being slowly consumed on an iron instrument
made in the form of a gridiron. His body was buried by blessed
Hippolytus and the priest Justin in the cemetery of Cyriaca,
in the Veran field.
Also, at Rome, the martyrdom of one
hundred and sixty-five holy martyrs, who were soldiers
under the emperor Aurelian.
At Bergamo, St. Asteria, virgin and
martyr, in the persecution of the emperors Diocletian
and Maximian.
At Alexandria, the commemoration
of the holy martyrs, in the persecution of Valerian,
under the governor Aemilian. They were a long time subjected
to various excruciating torments, and won the crown of martyrdom
by different kinds of deaths.
At Carthage, the holy virgins and
martyrs Bassa, Paula, and Agathonica.
At Rome, the holy confessor Deusdedit,
a laboring man, who gave to the poor every Saturday
what he had earned during the week.
In Spain, the Apparition of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, under the name of our Lady of Ransom,
foundress of the Order for the Redemption of Captives.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 11th
This Day, the Eleventh Day of August
At Rome, between the two laurels situated about three miles
from the city, the birthday of St.
Tiburtius, martyr, under the judge Fabian, in the
persecution of Diocletian. After he had walked barefoot
on burning coals and confessed Christ with increased constancy,
he was put to the sword.
Also, at Rome, the holy virgin Susanna,
a woman of noble race, and niece of the blessed Pontiff
Caius. She merited the palm of martyrdom by being beheaded
in the time of Diocletian.
At Gomana, in Pontus, St. Alexander,
bishop, surnamed Carbonarius, who added to a consummate
knowledge of philosophy an eminent degree of Christian humility.
He was promoted to the See of that church by St. Gregory
Thaumaturgus, and became illustrious, not only by preaching,
but also by suffering martyrdom by fire.
The same day, the martyrdom of St.
Rufinus, bishop of the Marsi, and his companions,
under the emperor Maximinus.
At Evreux, in France, St. Taurinus,
bishop. Being made bishop of that city by the blessed
Pope Clement, he propagated the Christian faith by the preaching
of the Gospel, and the many labors he sustained for it.
Celebrated for glorious miracles, he slept in the Lord.
At Cambrai, in France, St. Gaugericus,
bishop and confessor.
In the province of Valeria, St. Equitius,
abbot, whose sanctity is attested by the blessed
Pope Gregory.
At Todi, St. Digna, virgin.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 12th
This Day, the Twelfth Day of August
At Assisi, in Umbria, St. Clare, virgin,
the first of the Poor Women of the Order of Friars
Minor. Being celebrated for holiness of life and
miracles, she was placed among holy virgins by Alexander
IV.
At Catania, in Sicily, the birthday of
St. Euplius, deacon, under
the emperors Diocletian and Maximian. He was a long
time tortured for the confession of the Lord, and finally
obtained the palm of martyrdom
by being put to the sword.
At Augsburg, St. Hilaria, mother
of the blessed martyr Afra. Because she watched at
the sepulchre of her daughter, she was cast into the fire
for the faith of Christ, together
with her maid-servants Digna, Euprepia, and Eunomia.
On the same day there suffered also in that city
Quiriacus, Largius, Crescentian, Nimmia,
and Juliana, with twenty others.
In Syria, the holy martyrs Macarius
and Julian.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs,
the Count Anicetus and his brother Photinus, with many others,
under the emperor Diocletian.
At Faleria, in Tuscany, the Saints
Gracilian, and Felicissima, virgin, who, for the
confession of the faith, had their mouths bruised with stones,
and being afterwards struck with the sword, received the
palm of martyrdom.
The same day, the holy martyrs Porcarius,
abbot of the monastery of Lerins, and five hundred monks,
who were slain for the Catholic faith by barbarians, and
were thus crowned with martyrdom.
At Milan, the demise of St. Eusebius,
bishop and confessor.
At Brescia, St. Herculanus, bishop.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti Mártyres, oráte pro nobis.
("All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us", from the Litaniae
Sanctorum, the Litany of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 13th
This Day, the Thirtenth Day of August
At Rome, blessed Hippolytus, martyr,
who gloriously confessed the faith, under the emperor Valerian.
After enduring other torments, he was tied by the feet to
the necks of wild horses, and being cruelly dragged through
briars and brambles, and having all his body lacerated,
he yielded up his spirit. On the same day, suffered also
blessed Concordia, his nurse,
who being scourged in his presence with leaded whips, went
to our Lord; and nineteen others of
his house, who were beheaded beyond the Tiburtine
gate, and buried with him in the Veran field.
At Imola, the birthday of St. Cassian,
martyr. As he refused to worship idols, the persecutor
called the boys whom the saint taught and who hated him,
giving them leave to kill him. The torment suffered by the
martyr was the more grievous, as the hand which inflicted
it, by reason of its weakness, rendered death more tardy.
At Todi, St. Cassian, bishop and martyr,
under the emperor Diocletian.
At Burgos, in Spain, the Saints Centolla
and Helena, martyrs.
At Constantinople, St. Maximus, a
monk, distinguished for learning and for zeal for
Catholic truth. Combating valiantly the Monothelites, he
had his hands and tongue torn from him by the heretical
emperor Constans, and was banished to Chersonesus, where
he breathed his last. At this time,
two of his disciples, both called
Anastasius, and many others endured diverse torments
and the hardships of exile.
In Germany, St. Wigbert, priest and
confessor.
At Rome, St. John Berchinans,
a scholastic of the Society of Jesus, illustrious for his
innocence and for his fidelity to the rules of the religious
life. He was canonized by Leo XIII.
At Poitiers, St. Radegundes, queen,
whose life was renowned for miracles and virtues.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 14th
This Day, the Fourteenth Day of August
The vigil of the Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At Rome, the birthday of the blessed
priest Eusebius, who for the defense of the Catholic
faith was shut up in a room of his own house by the Arian
emperor Constantius, where constantly persevering in prayer
for seven months, he rested in peace. His body was removed
by the priests Gregory and Orosius, and buried in the cemetery
of Callistus, on the Appian road.
In Dalmatia, St. Ursicius, a martyr,
who was beheaded for Christ, after suffering various torments,
under the emperor Maximian, and the governor Aristides.
In Africa, St. Demetrius, martyr.
At Apamea, in Syria, St. Marcellus,
bishop and martyr, who was killed by the exasperated
Gentiles, for having pulled down a temple of Jupiter.
At Todi, St. Callistus, bishop and
martyr.
In the island of Aegina, St. Athanasia,
widow, celebrated for monastical observance, and
the gift of miracles.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 15th
This Day, the Fifteenth Day of August
The Assumption of the Most Holy Virgin
Mary, Mother of God.
At Rome, on the Appian way, St. Tharsicius,
acolyte. The Pagans accosted him as he was carrying
the sacrament of Christ's body, and began to inquire what
it was. But he judged it an unworthy thing to cast pearls
before swine. They therefore beat him with sticks and stones
until he expired. The sacrilegious searchers examined his
body, but found no vestige of the sacrament of Christ, either
in his hands or in his clothes. The Christians took up the
body of the martyr, and buried it reverently in the cemetery
of Callistus.
At Tagasta, in Africa, St. Alipius,
bishop, who was the disciple of blessed Augustine,
and the companion of his conversion, his colleague in the
pastoral charge, his valiant fellow-soldier in combating
heretics, and finally his partner in the glory of Heaven.
At Soissons, in France, St. Arnulf,
bishop and confessor.
At Alba, in Hungary, St. Stephen,
king of the Hungarians, whose feast is celebrated
on the 2nd of September.
At Rome, St. Stanislaus Kostka,
a native of Poland, confessor, of the Society of Jesus,
who being made perfect in a short space, fulfilled a long
time by the angelical innocence of his life. He was inscribed
on the list of the saints by the Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict
XIII.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 16th
This Day, the Sixteenth Day of August
St. Joachim, father of the Most Blessed
Virgin Mary, whose birthday is the 20th of March.
At Rome, St. Titus, deacon,
who, when the city was taken by the Goths, was put to death
by a barbarous tribune, whilst distributing money to the
poor.
At Nicaea, in Bithynia, St. Diomedes,
physician, who underwent martyrdom for the faith
of Christ by being beheaded, during the persecution of Diocletian.
Also, thirty-three holy martyrs.
At Ferentino, in Campania, St. Ambrose,
centurion. In the persecution of Diocletian, he was
subjected to different kinds of tortures, and finally passing
through fire without injury, was cast into the water, and
thus reached the place of eternal rest.
At Milan, the demise of St. Simplician,
bishop, renowned by the testimony given of him by
St. Ambrose and St. Augustine.
At Auxerre, St. Eleutherius, bishop.
At Nicomedia, St. Arsacius, confessor.
Under the persecutor Licinius, he left the military service,
and leading a solitary life, became so famous for working
miracles, that we read of his expelling the demons and killing
a huge dragon by his prayers. Finally he foretold the destruction
of the city, and gave up his soul to God in prayer.
In France, near Montpelier, the demise of
blessed Roch, confessor, who
by the Sign of the Cross, delivered many cities of Italy
from an epidemic. His body was afterwards transferred to
Venice, and deposited with the greatest honors in the church
dedicated under his invocation.
At Rome, St. Serena, who had
been the wife of the emperor Diocletian.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 17th
This Day, the Seventeenth Day of August
The Octave of St. Lawrence, martyr.
At Cracow, in Poland, St. Hyacinth,
confessor, of the Order of Preachers, who slept in
the Lord on the 16th of this month.
At Carthage, in Africa, the holy martyrs
Liberatus, abbot, Boniface, deacon, Servus and Rusticus,
subdeacons, Rogatus and Septimus, monks, and Maximus, a
young child. In the persecution of the Vandals, under
king Hunneric, they were subjected to various unheard-of
torments for the confession of the Catholic faith and the
defense of one baptism. Finally, being nailed to the wood
wherewith they were to be burned, as the fire was always
put out miraculously whenever kindled, they were struck
with iron bars by order of the tyrant until their brains
were dashed out. Thus they terminated the glorious series
of their combats, and were crowned by our Lord.
At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, the birthday of
St. Mamas, martyr,
who, from childhood to old age, endured
a long martyrdom, and at length ended it happily
in the reign of Aurelian, under the governor Alexander.
He has been highly praised by the holy fathers Basil
and Gregory Nazianzen.
In Achaia, St. Myron, priest and martyr,
who was beheaded at Cyzicum, after undergoing many
torments, in the time of the emperor Decius and the governor
Antipater.
At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Straton,
Philip and Eutychian, who were condemned to the beasts,
but being uninjured by them, ended their martyrdom by fire.
At Teramo, St. Anastasius, bishop
and confessor.
At Ptolemais, in Palestine, the holy
martyrs Paul, and his sister Juliana, who suffered
under Valerian.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 18th
This Day, the Eighteenth Day of August
At Palestrina, the birthday of the
holy martyr Agapitus. Although
only fifteen years of age,
as he was fervent in the love of Christ, he was arrested
by order of the emperor Aurelian, and scourged a long time.
Afterwards, under the prefect Antiochus, he endured more
severe torments, and being delivered to the lions by the
emperor's order without receiving any injury, he was finally
struck with the sword, and thus merited his crown.
At Rome, during the persecution of Diocletian, the
blessed John and Crispus, priests,
who charitably buried the bodies of many saints, and afterwards
becoming partakers of their merits, they deserved the joys
of eternal life.
In the same city, the holy martyrs
Hernias, Serapion, and Polysenus. Being dragged through
narrow, stony, and craggy places, they yielded up their
souls to God.
In Dalmatia, the holy martyrs Florus
and Laurus, stonecutters, who, after the martyrdom
of Proculus and Maximus, their employers, were subjected
to many torments under the governor Licion, and plunged
into a deep well.
At Myra, in Lycia, the holy martyrs
Leo and Juliana.
At Metz, in France, St. Firmin, bishop
and confessor.
At Rome, on the Lavican road, St.
Helena, mother of the pious emperor Constantine the Great,
who was the first to set the example to other princes of
protecting and extending the Church.
At Monte-Falo, in Umbria, blessed
Clare, virgin, nun of the Order of Augustinians,
in whom the mysteries of our Lord's passion were renewed,
and are venerated with the greatest devotion. Pope Leo XIII
solemnly added her to the list of holy virgins.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 19th
This Day, the Nineteenth Day of August
At Rome, St. Julius, senator and martyr,
who was delivered up to the judge Vitellius, and by him
thrown into prison. By order of the emperor Commodus, he
was beaten with rods until he expired. His body was
buried in the cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian road.
In Cilicia, the birthday of St. Andrew,
tribune, and his military companions, who were converted
to Christianity through a miraculous victory they had gained
over the Persians. Being accused on this account, they were
massacred in the defiles of Mount Taurus by the army of
the governor Seleueus, under the emperor Maximian.
In Palestine, St. Timothy, a martyr,
in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Urbanus.
After overcoming many torments, he was consumed with a slow
fire.
In the same country suffered also
Thecla and Agapius. The former being exposed to the
beasts, was torn to pieces by their teeth, and went to her
spouse; but Agapius, after enduring many torments, was reserved
for greater combats.
At Anagni, St. Magnus, bishop and
martyr, who was put to death in the persecution of
Decius.
At the castle of Brignoles, in Provence, the demise of
St. Louis, bishop of Toulouse,
of the Order of Friars Minor, renowned for holiness of life
and miracles. His body was taken thence to Marseilles, and
buried with due honors in the church of the Friars Minor.
In the neighborhood of Sisteron, in France,
blessed Donatus, priest and confessor.
Being from his very infancy endowed with the grace of God
in an extraordinary manner, he lived the life of an
anchoret for many years, and
after having been renowned for glorious miracles, went to
Christ.
In the territory of Bourges, St. Marian,
confessor.
At Mantua, St. Rufinus, confessor.
At Rome, blessed Urban II, Pope,
who followed in the footsteps of St. Gregory VII, in his
zeal for learning and religion, and fired the crusaders
with enthusiasm for the recovery of the holy places in Palestine
from the power of the infidels. The veneration paid to him
from time immemorial Pope Leo XIII approved and confirmed.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 20th
This Day, the Twentieth Day of August
In the territory of Langres, the demise of
St. Bernard,
first abbot of Clairvaux, illustrious for virtues, learning,
and miracles. He was declared Doctor of the universal Church
by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VIII.
In Judea, the holy prophet Samuel, whose sacred relics (as
is related by St.Jerome), were taken to Constantinople by
the emperor Arcadius, and deposited near Septimus.
The same day, St. Lucius, senator,
who was converted to the faith, on seeing the constancy
of Theodore, bishop of Gyrene, during his
martyrdom. He also converted
the governor Dignian, with whom he set out for Cyprus, where,
seeing other Christians crowned for the confession of the
Lord, he offered himself voluntarily, and merited the same
crown of martyrdom, by having his head struck off.
In Thrace, in the time of the governor Apellian,
thirty-seven holy martyrs,
who had their hands and feet cut off for the faith
of Christ, and were cast into a burning furnace.
Also, the holy martyrs Severus, and
the centurion Memnon, who, suffering the same kind
of death, went victoriously to Heaven.
At Cordova, during the persecution of the Arabs,
the holy martyrs Leovigildus and Christopher,
monks, who were thrust into prison for the defense
of the Christian faith, and soon after, by being beheaded
and cast into the fire, obtained the palm of martyrdom.
At Rome, blessed Porphyry,
a man of God, who instructed the holy martyr Agapitus in
the faith and doctrine of Christ.
In the island of Noirmoutiers, St.
Philibert, abbot.
At Chinon, St. Maxinms, confessor,
disciple of the blessed bishop Martin.
On Mount Senario, in the diocese of Florence,
blessed Manetius, confessor,
one of the seven founders of the Order of the Servites of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, who breathed his last whilst reciting
hymns in her honor.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 21st
This Day, the Twenty-First Day of August
At Annecy, in Savoy, the festival
of St. Jane Frances Fremiot de Chantal, foundress
of the Order of Nuns of the Visitation of St. Mary, who
is commemorated on the 13th of December.
At Rome, in the Veran field, St. Cyriaca,
widow and martyr. In the persecution of Valerian,
after devoting herself and all her goods in the service
of the saints, she gave up her life by suffering martyrdom
for Christ.
At Salona, St. Anastasius, a law officer,
who was converted to the faith by seeing the fortitude with
which blessed Agapitus bore his torments, and being put
to death by order of the emperor Aurelian, for confessing
the name of Christ, went to Our Lord.
In Sardinia, the birthday of the holy
martyrs Luxorius, Cisellus, and Camerinus, who were
put to the sword in the persecution of Diocletian, under
the governor Delphius.
In Gevaudan, St. Privatus, bishop
and martyr, who suffered in the persecution of Valerian
and Gallienus.
The same day, the holy martyrs Bonosus
and Maximian.
At Fundi, in Campania, St. Paternus,
a martyr, who came from Alexandria to Rome to visit
the tomb of the Apostles. Thence he retired to the neighborhood
of Fundi, where, being seized by the tribune whilst he was
burying the bodies of the martyrs, he died in captivity.
At Edessa, in Syria, during the persecution of Maximian,
the holy martyrs Bassa, and her sons
Theogonius, Agapius, and Fidelis, whom their pious
mother exhorted to martyrdom and sent before her bearing
their crowns. Being herself beheaded, she joyfully followed
them and shared their victory.
At Verona, St. Euprepius, bishop and
confessor.
Also St. Quadratus, bishop.
At Siena, in Tuscany, blessed Bernard
Ptolemy, abbot and founder of the Congregation of
Olivetans.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 22nd
This Day, the Twenty-Second Day of August
The Octave of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
At Rome, on the Ostian road, the birthday of
the holy martyr Timothy. After
he had been arrested by Tarquinius, prefect of the city,
and kept for a long time in prison, as he refused to sacrifice
to the idols, he was scourged three times, subjected to
the most severe torments, and finally beheaded.
At Porto, St. Hippolytus, bishop,
most renowned for learning. Having gloriously confessed
the faith, in the time of the emperor Alexander, he was
bound hand and foot, precipitated into a deep ditch filled
with water, and thus received the palm of
martyrdom. His body was buried
by the Christians at that place.
At Autun, St. Symphorian, a martyr,
in the time of the emperor Aurelian. Refusing to offer sacrifice
to the idols, he was first scourged, then confined in prison,
and finally ended his martyrdom by being beheaded.
At Rome, St. Antoninus, martyr,
who, openly declaring himself a Christian, was condemned
to capital punishment by the judge Vitellius, and buried
on the Aurelian road.
Also, at Porto, the holy martyrs Martial,
Saturninus, Epictetus, Maprilis, and Felix, with their companions.
At Nicomedia, the Saints Agathonicus,
Zoticus, and their fellow-martyrs, under the emperor
Maximian and the governor Eutholomius.
At Tarsus, the Saints Athanasius,
bishop and martyr, Anthusa, a noble woman whom he had baptized,
and two of her slaves, who suffered under Valerian.
At Bheims, the holy martyr Maurus
and his companions.
In Spain, the saintly martyrs Fabrician
and Philibert.
At Pavia, St. Gunifort, martyr.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 23rd
This Day, the Twenty-Third Day of August
The vigil of St. Bartholomew, Apostle.
At Todi, St. Philip Beniti
of Florence, confessor. He contributed greatly to the growth
of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and was a man of the greatest humility. He was numbered
among the saints by Clement X.
At Antioch, the birthday of the holy
martyrs Restitutus, Donatus, Valerian, and Fructuosa, with
twelve others, who were crowned after having distinguished
themselves by a glorious confession.
At Ostia, the holy martyrs Quiriacus,
bishop, Maximus, priest, Archelaus, deacon, and their companions,
who suffered under the prefect Ulpian, in the time of Alexander.
At Aegaea, in Cilicia, the holy martyrs
Claudius, Asterius, and Neon, brothers, who were
accused of being Christians by their step-mother, under
the emperor Diocletian, and the governor Lysias, and after
enduring bitter torments, were fastened to a cross, and
thus conquered and triumphed with Christ. After them suffered
Donvina and Theonilla.
At Rheims, in France, the birthday of the
Saints Timothy and Apollinaris,
who merited to enter the Heavenly kingdom by consummating
their martyrdom in that city.
At Lyons, the holy martyrs Minervus,
and Eleazar with his eight sons.
Also, St. Luppus, martyr, who,
though a slave, enjoyed the liberty of Christ, and was likewise
deemed worthy of the crown of martyrdom.
At Jerusalem, St. Zaccheus, bishop,
who governed the church of that city the fourth after the
blessed Apostle James.
At Alexandria, St. Theonas, bishop
and confessor.
At Utica, in Africa, blessed Victor,
bishop.
At Autun, St. Flavian, bishop.
At Clermont, in Auvergne, St. Sidonius,
a bishop distinguished for learning and sanctity.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 24th
This Day, the Twenty-Fourth Day of August
The Apostle St. Bartholomew,
who preached the Gospel of Christ in India. He passed
thence into the Greater Armenia, where, after converting
many to the faith, he was flayed alive by the barbarians,
and beheaded by order of king Astyages, and thus he terminated
his martyrdom. His sacred body was first carried to the
island of Lipara, then to Benevento, and finally to Rome
in the island of the Tiber, where it is venerated by the
pious faithful.
At Carthage, three hundred holy
martyrs, in the time of Valerian and Gallienus.
Among other torments inflicted on them, a pit filled
with burning lime was prepared by order of the governor,
who, live coals with incense being brought to him, said
to the confessors: "Choose one of these two things; to
offer incense to Jupiter on these coals, or to cast yourselves
into the lime." Armed with faith, and confessing Christ
to be the Son of God, they quickly precipitated themselves
into the pit, and amidst the vapors of the lime were reduced
to dust. From this circumstance this blessed troop obtained
the appellation of White Mass. [ Massae Candidae Carthigini
]
At Nepi, St. Ptolemy, bishop,
disciple of the blessed Apostle Peter. Being sent by him
to preach the Gospel in Tuscany, he died a glorious
martyr of Christ in the city
of Nepi.
In the same place, St. Eomanus, bishop
of that city, who was the disciple of St. Ptolemy,
and his companion in martyrdom.
At Ostia, St. Aurea, virgin and martyr,
who was plunged into the sea with a stone tied to her neck.
Her body, being cast on the shore, was buried by blessed
Nonnus.
In Isauria, St. Tatio, martyr,
who received the crown of martyrdom by being beheaded in
the persecution of Domitian, under the governor Urbanus.
The same day, St. Eutychius,
disciple of the blessed Evangelist John. He preached the
Gospel in many countries, was subjected to imprisonment,
to stripes and fire, and finally he rested in peace.
Also, St. George Limniota, monk.
Because he reprehended the impious emperor Leo for breaking
holy images and burning the relics of the saints, he had
his hands cut off and his head burned by order of the tyrant,
and went to our Lord to receive the recompense of
a martyr.
At Rouen, St. Owen, bishop and confessor.
At Nevers, St. Patrick, abbot.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 25th
This Day, the Twenty-Fifth Day of August
At Paris, St. Louis, confessor, King
of France, illustrious by the holiness of his life
and the fame of his miracles.
At Rome, in the time of the emperor Commodus,
the holy martyrs Eusebius, Pontian,
Vincent, and Peregrinus, who were first racked, distended
by ropes, then beaten with rods and burned on their sides.
As they continued faithfully to praise Christ, they were
scourged with leaded whips until they expired.
Also, at Rome, St. Genesius, martyr,
who embraced the profession of actor
while he was yet a Pagan. One day he was deriding the Christian
mysteries in the theatre in the presence of the emperor
Diocletian; but by the inspiration of God he was suddenly
converted to the faith and baptized. By the command of the
emperor, he was forthwith most cruelly beaten with rods,
then racked, and a long time lacerated with iron hooks,
and burned with fire-brands. As he remained firm in the
faith of Christ, and said: “There
is no king besides Christ. Should you kill me a thousand
times, you shall not be able to take Him from my lips or
my heart,” he was beheaded,
and thus merited the palm of martyrdom.
At Italica, in Spain, St. Gerontius,
a bishop, who preached the Gospel in that country
in Apostolic times, and after many labors died in prison.
At Aries, in France, another blessed
Genesius, who, filling the office of notary, and
refusing to record the impious edicts by which Christians
were commanded to be punished, threw away his tablets publicly,
and declared himself a Christian. He was seized and beheaded,
and thus attained to the glory of martyrdom through
baptism in his blood.
In Syria, St. Julian, martyr.
At Tarragona, St. Maginus, martyr.
At Constantinople, St. Mennas, bishop.
At Utrecht, St. Gregory, bishop.
At Naples, St. Patricia, virgin.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 26th
This Day, the Twenty-Sixth Day of August
At Rome, St. Zephirinus, Pope and
martyr.
In the same city, during the persecution of Valerian,
the holy martyrs Irenaeus and
Abundius, who were thrown into a sewer from which
they had taken the body of blessed Concordia. Their bodies
were drawn out by the priest Justin, and buried in a crypt
near St. Lawrence.
At Vintimigilia, a city of Liguria,
St. Secundus, martyr, a distinguished
man and officer in the Theban Legion.
At Bergamo, in Lombardy, St. Alexander,
martyr, who was one of the
same legion, and endured martyrdom by being beheaded
for the constant confession of the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Among the Marcians, the Saints
Simplicius, and his sons Constantius and Victorian,
who were first tortured in different manners, and then being
struck with the axe, obtained the crown of martyrdom, in
the time of the emperor Antoninus.
At Nicomedia, the martyrdom of St.
Adrian, son of the emperor Probus. For reproaching
Licinius on account of the persecution raised against Christians,
he was put to death by his order. His body was buried at
Argyopolis by his uncle Domitius, bishop of Byzantium.
In Spain, St. Victor, martyr,
who merited the crown of martyrs
by being slain by the Moors for the faith of Christ.
At Capua, St. Rufinus, bishop and
confessor.
At Pistoja, St. Felix, priest and
confessor.
At Lima, in Peru, St. Rose of St.
Mary, virgin, of the third Order of St. Dominic.
Her feast is celebrated on the 30th of this month.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 27th
This Day, the Twenty-Seventh Day of August
At Rome, the demise of St. Joseph,
confessor, illustrious by the innocence of his life
and miracles, who, to instruct youth in piety and letters,
founded the Order of the Poor Clerks Regular of the pious
Schools of the Mother of God.
At Capua, in Campania, the birthday of
St. Rufus, bishop and martyr, a patrician,
who was baptized with all his family by blessed Apollinaris,
disciple of St. Peter.
In the same place, the holy martyrs
Rufus and Carpophorus, who suffered under Diocletian
and Maximian.
At Tomis, in Pontus, the holy martyrs
Marcellinus, tribune, and Mannea, his wife, and his sons
John, Serapion, and Peter.
At Lentini, in Sicily, St. Euthalia,
virgin. Because she was a Christian she was put to
the sword by her brother Sermilian, and went to her spouse.
The same day, the martyrdom of St.
Anthusa the Younger, who was made a martyr by being
cast into a well for the faith of Christ.
At Bergamo, St. Narnus, who
was baptized by blessed Barnabas, and consecrated by him
first bishop of that city.
At Aries, the holy bishop Caesarius,
a man of great sanctity and piety.
At Autun, St. Syagrius, bishop and
confessor.
At Pavia, St. John, bishop.
At Lerida, in Spain, St.
Licerius, bishop.
In Thebais, St. Poemon, anchoret.
At San Severino, in the March of Ancona,
St. Margaret, widow.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
|
ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 28th
This Day, the Twenty-Eight Day of August
At Hippo Regius, in Africa, the birthday of
St. Augustine, bishop and famous Doctor
of the Church. Converted and baptized by the blessed
bishop Ambrose, he defended the Catholic faith with the
greatest zeal against the Manicheans and other heretics,
and after having sustained many other labors for the Church
of God, he went to his reward in Heaven. His relics, owing
to the invasion of barbarians, were first brought from his
own city into Sardinia, and afterwards taken by Luitprand,
king of the Lombards, to Pavia, where they were deposited
with due honors.
At Rome, the birthday of St. Hermes,
an illustrious man, who, as we read in the Acts of the blessed
Pope Alexander, was first confined in prison, and afterwards
ended his martyrdom by the
sword, under the judge Aurelian.
At Brioude, in Auvergne, St. Julian,
martyr, during the persecution of Diocletian.
Being the companion of the blessed tribune Ferreol, and
secretly serving Christ under a military garb, he was arrested
by the soldiers, and killed in a barbarous manner by having
his throat cut.
At Coutances, in France, St. Pelagius,
martyr, who received the crown of martyrdom under
the emperor Numerian and the judge Evilasius.
At Salerno, the holy martyrs Fortunatus,
Caius, and Anthes, beheaded under the emperor Diocletian
and the proconsul Leontius.
At Constantinople, the holy bishop
Alexander, an aged and celebrated man, through whose
efficacious prayers Arius, by the judgment of God, burst
asunder and exposed his intestines.
At Saintes, St. Vivian, bishop and
confessor.
Also, St. Moses, an Aethiopian,
who gave up a life of robbery and became a renowned
anchoret. He converted many
robbers, and led them to a monastery.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 29th
This Day, the Twenty-Ninth Day of August
The beheading of St. John the Baptist,
who was put to death by Herod about the feast of Easter.
However, the solemn commemoration takes place today, when
his venerable head was found for the second time. It was
afterwards solemnly carried to Rome, where it is kept in
the church of St. Silvester, near Campo Marzio, and honored
by the people with the greatest devotion.
At Rome, on Mount Aventine, the birthday of
St. Sabina, martyr. Under the
emperor Adrian, she was struck with the sword, and thus
obtained the palm of martyrdom.
Also, at Rome, St. Candida, virgin
and martyr, whose body was transferred to the church
of St. Praxedes by Pope Paschal I.
At Antioch, in Syria, the birthday of
the holy martyrs Nicaeas and Paul.
At Constantinople, the holy martyrs
Hypatius, an Asiatic bishop, and Andrew, a priest,
who for the worship of holy images, under Leo the Isaurian,
after having their beards besmirched with pitch and set
on fire, and the skin of their heads torn off, were beheaded.
At Perugia, St. Euthymius,
a Roman, who fled from the persecution of Diocletian with
his wife and his son Crescentius, and there rested in the
Lord.
At Metz, St. Adelphus, bishop and
confessor.
At Paris the demise of St. Merry,
priest.
In England, St. Sebbi, king.
At Smyrna, the birthday of St. Basilla.
In the vicinity of Troyes, St. Sabina,
a virgin, celebrated for virtues and miracles.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 30th
This Day, the Thirtieth Day of August
The feast of St. Rose of St. Mary,
virgin, whose birthday is the 26th of this month.
At Rome, on the Ostian road, the martyrdom
of the blessed priest Felix, under the emperors Diocletian
and Maximian. After being racked he was sentenced to death,
and as they led him to execution, he met a man who spontaneously
declared himself a Christian, and was forthwith beheaded
with him. The Christians not knowing his name, called him
Adauctus, because he was added
to St. Felix and shared his crown.
Also, at Rome, St. Gaudentia, virgin
and martyr, with three others.
In the same city, St. Pammachius,
a priest distinguished for learning and holiness.
At Colonia Suffetulana, in Africa,
sixty blessed martyrs, who were murdered by
the furious Gentiles.
At Adrumetum, also in Africa, the
Saints Boniface and Thecla, who were the parents of twelve
blessed sons, martyrs.
At Thessalonica, St. Fantinus, confessor,
who suffered much from the Saracens, and was driven from
his monastery, in which he had lived in great abstinence.
After having brought many to the way of salvation, he rested
at last at an advanced age.
In the diocese of Meaux, St. Fiacre,
confessor.
At Trevi, St. Peter, confessor,
who was distinguished for many virtues and miracles. He
is honored in that place, whence he departed for Heaven.
At Bologna, St. Bononius, abbot.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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ROMAN MARTYROLOGY
August 31st
This Day, the Thirty-First Day of August
At Cardona, in Spain, St. Raymond
Nonnatus, Cardinal and confessor, of the Order of
Mercedarians, renowned for holiness of life and miracles.
At Treves, the birthday of St. Paulimis,
a bishop, who was exiled for the Catholic faith by
the Arian emperor Constantius, in the time of the Arian
persecution. By having to change the place of his exile,
which was beyond the limits of Christendom, he became wearied
unto death, and finally, dying in Phrygia, received a crown
from the Lord for his blessed martyrdom.
Also, the holy martyrs Robustian and
Mark.
At Transaquae, among the Marsi, near lake Celano, the
birthday of the holy martyrs Cresidius,
priest, and his companions, who were crowned with
martyrdom in the persecution
of Maximinus.
At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, the Saints
Theodotus, Rufina, and Ammia. The first two were
the parents of the martyr St. Mamas, who was born in prison,
and whom Ammia brought up.
At Athens, St. Aristides, most
celebrated for his faith and wisdom, who presented to the
emperor Adrian a treatise on the Christian religion, containing
the exposition of our doctrine. In the presence of the emperor,
he also delivered a discourse in which he clearly demonstrated
that Jesus Christ is the only God.
At Auxerre, St. Optatus, bishop and
confessor.
In England, St. Aidan, bishop of Lindisfarne.
When St. Cuthbert, then a shepherd, saw his soul going up
to Heaven, he left his sheep and became a monk.
At Nusco, St. Amatus, bishop.
On Mount Senario, near Florence, blessed
Bonajuncta, confessor, one of the seven founders
of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
who gave up his soul into the hands of the Lord whilst discoursing
to his brethren on the Passion of our Saviour.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors, and holy virgins.
Omnes sancti
Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs,
pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany
of the Saints)
Response: Thanks be to God.
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Roman
Martyrology by Month
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Totally Faithful to the
Sacred Deposit of Faith entrusted to
the Holy See in Rome
“Scio
opera tua ... quia modicum habes virtutem, et servasti
verbum Meum, nec non negasti Nomen Meum”
“I
know your works ... that you have but little power,
and yet you have kept My word, and have not denied
My Name.”
(Apocalypse 3.8)
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