Category: Devotional

Séptimo Kaléndas Februárii. Luna. The Twenty-Sixth Day of January. The Night of the Moon. 

Sancti Polycárpi, Epíscopi Smyrnénsis et Mártyris; qui martyrii corónam séptimo Kaléndas Mártii consecútus est. St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and martyr, who gained the crown of martyrdom on the 23rd of February.

Hippóne Régio, in Africa, sanctórum Theógenis Epíscopi, et aliórum trigínta sex; qui, in persecutióne Valeriáni, contemnéntes temporálem mortem, corónam ætérnæ vitæ adépti sunt. At Hippo in Africa, the holy bishop Theogenes and thirty-six others, who, despising temporal death, obtained the crown of eternal life in the persecution of Valerian.

Apud Béthlehem Judæ dormítio sanctæ Paulæ Víduæ, quæ, cum esset e nobilíssimo Senatórum génere, cum beáta Vírgine Christi Eustóchio, fília sua, renúntians sæculo, facultátes suas paupéribus distríbuit, et ad Præsépe Dómini se recépit; ibíque, multis virtútibus prǽdita et longo coronáta martyrio, ad cæléstia regna transívit. Ipsíus autem vitam, virtútibus admirándum, sanctus Hierónymus scripsit. At Bethlehem of Judea, the death of St. Paula, widow, mother of St. Eustochium, a virgin of Christ, who abandoned her worldly prospects, though she was descended from a noble line of senators, distributed her goods to the poor, and retired to our Lord’s manger, where, endowed with many virtues, and crowned with a long martyrdom, she departed for the kingdom of heaven. Her admirable life was written by St. Jerome.

Et álibi aliórum plurimórum sanctórum Mártyrum et Confessórum, atque sanctárum Vírginum.
R.  Deo grátias.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R.  Thanks be to God.

FOR NEWS OF CONTEMPORARY MARTYRS…

Open Doors – The world’s largest outreach to persecuted Christians in the most high-risk places.

Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East – providing humanitarian relief in Iraq through St George’s Church and Clinic.

Voice of the Persecuted – Informing the world of Christian persecution, one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet, today.

Octávo Kaléndas Februárii. Luna. The Twenty-Fifth Day of January. The Night of the Moon. 

Convérsio sancti Pauli Apóstoli, quæ fuit anno secúndo ab Ascensióne Domini. The conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, which occurred in the second year after the Ascension of our Lord.

Apud Damáscum natális sancti Ananíæ, qui fuit discípulus Dómini, et eúndem Paulum Apóstolum baptizávit. Ipse autem, cum Damásci, et Eleutherópoli, alibíque Evangélium prædicásset, tandem, sub Licínio Júdice, nervis cæsus et laniátus, ac lapídibus oppréssus, martyrium consummávit. At Damascus, the birthday of St. Ananias, who was a disciple of our Lord, and baptized the apostle Paul. After he had preached the Gospel at Damascus, Eleutheropolis, and elsewhere, he was scourged under the judge Licinius, had his flesh torn, and lastly being overwhelmed with stones, ended his martyrdom.

Arvérnis, in Gállia, sanctórum Præjécti Epíscopi, et Amaríni, Abbátis Cloroangiénsis; qui ambo a procéribus ejúsdem urbis passi sunt. In the Auvergne in France, the Saints Praejectus, bishop, and Amarinus, abbot of Doroang, who were murdered by the leading men of that city.
Antiochíæ sanctórum Mártyrum Juventíni et Máximi, qui, sub Juliáno Apóstata, martyrio coronáti sunt; in quorum die natáli sanctus Joánnes Chrysóstomus sermónem ad pópulum hábuit. At Antioch, in the time of Julian the Apostate, the holy martyrs Juvenius and Maximus, who were crowned with martyrdom. On their birthday, St. John Chrysostom preached a sermon to his people.
Item sanctórum Mártyrum Donáti, Sabíni et Agapis. Also, the holy martyrs Donatus, Sabinus, and Agape.

Tomis, in Scythia, sancti Bretanniónis Epíscopi, qui mira sanctitáte et cathólicæ fídei zelo, sub Ariáno Imperatóre Valénte, cui fórtiter réstitit, in Ecclésia flóruit. At Tomis in Scythia, St. Bretannio, bishop, who worked in the Church shewing great sanctity and zeal for the Catholic faith, and was at the same time bravely opposed to the Arian emperor Valens.

Marciánis, in Gállia, sancti Poppónis, Presbyteri et Abbátis, miráculis clari. At Marchiennes in France, St. Poppo, priest and abbot, renowned for his miracles.

Et álibi aliórum plurimórum sanctórum Mártyrum et Confessórum, atque sanctárum Vírginum.
R.  Deo grátias.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R.  Thanks be to God.

FOR NEWS OF CONTEMPORARY MARTYRS…

Open Doors – The world’s largest outreach to persecuted Christians in the most high-risk places.

Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East – providing humanitarian relief in Iraq through St George’s Church and Clinic.

Voice of the Persecuted – Informing the world of Christian persecution, one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet, today.

4

Nono Kaléndas Februárii. Luna. The Twenty-Fourth Day of January. The Night of the Moon. 

Apud Ephesum sancti Timóthei, qui fuit discípulus beáti Pauli Apóstoli; atque, ab eódem Ephesi ordinátus Epíscopus, ibi, post multos pro Christo agónes, cum Diánæ immolántes argúeret, lapídibus óbrutus est, ac paulo post obdormívit in Dómino. At Ephesus, St. Timothy, disciple of the apostle St. Paul, who ordained him bishop of that city. After many labours for Christ, he was stoned for rebuking those who offered sacrifices to Diana, and shortly after went peacefully to his rest in the Lord.

Antiochíæ sancti Bábilæ Epíscopi, qui, in persecutióne Décii, póstea quam frequénter passiónibus suis ac cruciátibus glorificáverat Deum, gloriósæ vitæ finem sortítus est in vínculis férreis, cum quibus et suum corpus sepelíri mandávit. Referúntur étiam passi cum eo tres púeri, scílicet Urbánus, Prilidiánus et Epolónius, quos ille in Christi fide instrúxerat. At Antioch, in the persecution of Decius, Bishop St. Babylas, who frequently glorified God by his sufferings and torments, ended his life in chains, with which he ordered his body to be buried. Three boys, whom he had instructed in the faith of Christ, Urbanus, Prilidian, and Epolonius, are said to have suffered with him.

Fulgínei, in Umbria, sancti Feliciáni, qui, a sancto Victóre Papa Primo Epíscopus ejúsdem civitátis ordinátus, illic, post multos labóres, in última senectúte, sub Décio Imperatóre, martyrio coronátus est. At Foligno in Umbria, St. Felician, consecrated bishop of that city by Pope St. Victor I. After many labours, in extreme old age, he was crowned with martyrdom in the time of Decius.
Neocæsaréæ, in Mauritánia, sanctórum Mártyrum Mardónii, Musónii, Eugénii et Metélli; qui omnes igni tráditi sunt, et eórum relíquiæ in flumen dispérsæ. At Neocaesarea, the holy martyrs Mardonius, Musonius, Eugenius, and Metellus, who were all burned to death, and their remains thrown into the river.
Item sanctórum Mártyrum Thyrsi et Projécti. Also, the holy martyrs Thyrsus and Projectus.

Cínguli, in Picéno, sancti Exsuperántii Confessóris, ejúsdem civitátis Epíscopi, ob miraculórum famam illústris. At Cingoli in Piceno, St. Exuperantius, confessor and bishop of that city, who attained great fame by his miracles.

Bonóniæ sancti Zamæ, qui, a sancto Dionysio, Románo Pontífice, primus ejúsdem civitátis Epíscopus ordinátus, illic Christiánam fidem mirífice propagávit. At Bologna, St. Zamas, the first bishop of that city, who was consecrated by Pope St. Denis, and there did wonders in spreading the Christian faith.
Item beáti Suráni Abbátis, qui, témpore Longobardórum, sanctitáte flóruit. Also, blessed Suranus, abbot, who lived in the time of the Lombards.

Et álibi aliórum plurimórum sanctórum Mártyrum et Confessórum, atque sanctárum Vírginum.
R.  Deo grátias.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R.  Thanks be to God.

FOR NEWS OF CONTEMPORARY MARTYRS…

Open Doors – The world’s largest outreach to persecuted Christians in the most high-risk places.

Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East – providing humanitarian relief in Iraq through St George’s Church and Clinic.

Voice of the Persecuted – Informing the world of Christian persecution, one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet, today.

Décimo Kaléndas Februárii. Luna. The Twenty-Third Day of January.  The Night of the Moon. 

Sancti Raymúndi de Pénafort, ex Ordine Prædicatórum, Confessóris; cujus dies natális octávo Idus Januárii recólitur. St. Raymond of Pennafort, of the Order of Preachers, whose birthday is the sixth of this month.

Romæ sanctæ Emerentiánæ, Vírginis et Mártyris; quæ adhuc catechúmena, dum oráret ad sepúlcrum sanctæ Agnétis, cujus fúerat collactánea, a Gentílibus lapidáta est. At Rome, the holy virgin and martyr, St. Emerentiana. Being yet a catechumen, she was stoned to death by the heathens while praying at the tomb of St. Agnes, her foster sister.
Philíppis, in Macedónia, sancti Pármenæ, qui fuit unus de septem primis Diáconis. Hic, tráditus grátiæ Dei, injúnctum sibi a frátribus offícium prædicatiónis plena fide consúmmans, martyrii glóriam, sub Trajáno, est adéptus. At Philippi in Macedonia, St. Parmenas, one of the first seven deacons, who by the grace of God faithfully discharged the office of preaching committed to him, and obtained the glory of martyrdom in the time of Trajan.

Ancyræ, in Galátia, sancti Cleméntis Epíscopi, qui, sæpius cruciátus, tandem, sub Diocletiáno Imperatóre, martyrium consummávit. At Ancyra in Galatia, St. Clement, bishop. After enduring frequent torments, he finally completed his martyrdom under Diocletian.

Ibídem sancti Agathángeli, qui eódem die, sub Lúcio Præside, passus est. In the same place, and on the same day, St. Agathangelus who suffered under the governor Lucius.
Cæsaréæ, in Mauritánia, sanctórum Mártyrum Severiáni et Aquilæ uxóris, ígnibus combustórum. At Caesarea in Morocco, the holy martyrs Severian and his wife Aquila, who were consumed by fire.
Apud Antínoum, Ægypti urbem, sancti Asclæ Mártyris, qui, post divérsa torménta, pretiósam Deo ánimam, in flumen præcipitátus, réddidit. At Antinoum, a city of Egypt, St. Ascla, martyr, who, after various torments, was thrown into a river and gave up his precious soul unto God.

Alexandríæ sancti Joánnis Eleemosynárii, ejúsdem urbis Epíscopi, misericórdia in páuperes celebérrimi. At Alexandria, St. John the Almoner, bishop of that city, celebrated for his charity towards the poor.

Toléti, in Hispánia, sancti Ildefónsi Epíscopi, qui, ob singulárem vitæ integritátem, susceptámque fídei defensiónem advérsus hæréticos, sanctíssimæ Dei Genitrícis virginitátem impugnántes, ab eádem Vírgine María donátus est candidíssima veste, ac demum, sanctitáte célebris, in cælum vocátus. At Toledo, St. Ildefonse, bishop, renowned for sanctity. On account of his great purity of life, and his defence of the virginity of the Mother of God, against the heretics who denied it, he received from her a brilliant white vestment, and was called to heaven.
In Província Valériæ sancti Martyrii Mónachi, cujus méminit beátus Gregórius Papa. In the province of Valeria, St. Martyrius, monk, mentioned by Pope St. Gregory.

Et álibi aliórum plurimórum sanctórum Mártyrum et Confessórum, atque sanctárum Vírginum.
R.  Deo grátias.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R.  Thanks be to God.

FOR NEWS OF CONTEMPORARY MARTYRS…

Open Doors – The world’s largest outreach to persecuted Christians in the most high-risk places.

Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East – providing humanitarian relief in Iraq through St George’s Church and Clinic.

Voice of the Persecuted – Informing the world of Christian persecution, one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet, today.

Duodécimo Kaléndas Februárii. Luna. The Twenty-First Day of January. The Night of the Moon. 

Romæ pássio sanctæ Agnétis, Vírginis et Mártyris; quæ, sub Præfécto Urbis Symphrónio, ígnibus injécta, sed iis per oratiónem ejus exstínctis, gládio percússa est.  De ea beátus Hierónymus hæc scribit: « Omnium géntium lítteris atque linguis, præcípue in Ecclésiis, Agnétis vita laudáta est; quæ et ætátem vicit et tyránnum, et títulum castitátis martyrio consecrávit ».
At Rome, the passion of St. Agnes, virgin, who under Symphronius, governor of the city, was thrown into the fire, but after it was extinguished by her prayers, she was slain with the sword.  Of her, St. Jerome writes: “Agnes is praised in the writings and by the tongues of all nations, especially in the churches.  She overcame the weakness of her age, conquered the cruelty of the tyrant, and consecrated her chastity by martyrdom.”
Athénis natális sancti Públii Epíscopi, qui Atheniénsium Ecclésiam, post sanctum Dionysium Areopagítam, nobíliter rexit; et, præclárus virtútibus ac doctrínæ laude præfúlgens, ob Christi martyrium glorióse coronátur.
At Athens, the birthday of St. Publius, bishop, who, as successor of St. Denis the Areopagite, nobly governed the Church of Athens.  No less celebrated for the lustre of his virtues than for the brilliancy of his learning, he was gloriously crowned for having borne testimony to Christ.

Tarracóne, in Hispánia, sanctórum Mártyrum Fructuósi Epíscopi, Augúrii et Eulógii Diaconórum.  Hi, témpore Galliéni, primo in cárcerem trusi, deínde flammis injécti, et, exústis vínculis, mánibus in modum crucis expánsis orántes, martyrium complevérunt;  in quorum die natáli sanctus Augustínus sermónem ad pópulum hábuit.
At Terragona in Spain, during the reign of Gallienus, the holy martyrs Fructuosus, a bishop, Augurius and Eulogius, deacons.  They were taken from prison, cast into the fire, where, their bonds being burnt, they extended their arms in the form of a cross, and thus in prayer they died.  On their anniversary, St. Augustine preached a sermon to his people.

In monastério Einsidlénsi, apud Helvétios, sancti Meinrádi, Presbyteri et Mónachi; qui eódem in loco, ubi póstea monastérium ipsum excrévit, eremíticæ inténtus vitæ, a latrónibus interféctus est.  Ipsíus vero beáti viri corpus, olim in Augiénsi Germániæ monastério sepúltum, ad Einsidlénse monastérium deínde relátum fuit.
In the monastery of Einsiedeln in Switzerland, St. Meinrad, priest and monk, who was slain by robbers after having lived as a hermit in this place where the monastery was later built.  The body of this holy man was first buried in the monastery of Reichenau in Germany, and from there it was transferred to the monastery of Einsiedeln.

Trecis, in Gállia, sancti Pátrocli Mártyris, qui martyrii corónam sub Aureliáno Imperatóre proméruit.
At Troyes in France, St. Patroclus, martyr, who won the crown of martyrdom under Emperor Aurelian.

Papíæ sancti Epiphánii, Epíscopi et Confessóris.
At Pavia, St. Epiphanius, bishop and confessor.

Et álibi aliórum plurimórum sanctórum Mártyrum et Confessórum, atque sanctárum Vírginum.
R.  Deo grátias.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R.  Thanks be to God.

FOR NEWS OF CONTEMPORARY MARTYRS…

Open Doors – The world’s largest outreach to persecuted Christians in the most high-risk places.

Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East – providing humanitarian relief in Iraq through St George’s Church and Clinic.

Voice of the Persecuted – Informing the world of Christian persecution, one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet, today.

Quartodécimo Kaléndas Februárii. Luna. The Nineteenth Day of January. The Night of the Moon. 

Romæ, via Cornélia, sanctórum Mártyrum Márii et Marthæ cónjugum, et filiórum Audífacis et Abachum, nobílium Persárum; qui Romam, tempóribus Cláudii Príncipis, ad oratiónem vénerant.  Ex eis vero, post tolerátos  fustes, equúleum, ignes, ungues férreos manuúmque præcisiónem, Martha in Nympha necáta est; céteri sunt decolláti, et córpora eórum incénsa.
At Rome, on the Cornelian Road, the holy martyrs Marius and his wife Martha, with their sons Audifax and Habbakuk, noble Persians, who came to Rome through devotion in the time of Emperor Claudius.  After they had been beaten with rods, tormented on the rack and with fire, lacerated with iron hooks, and had endured the cutting off of their hands, Martha was put to death in the place called Nympha; the others were beheaded and cast into the fire.

Item sancti Canúti, Regis et Mártyris.
Also St. Canute, king and martyr.

Smyrnæ natális beáti Germánici Mártyris, qui, sub Marco Antoníno et Lúcio Aurélio, cum primævæ ætátis venustáte floréret, damnátus a Júdice, et, per grátiam virtútis Dei, metum corpóreæ fragilitátis exclúdens, præparátum sibi béstiam sponte provocávit; cujus déntibus comminútus, vero pani Dómino Jesu Christo, pro ipso móriens, méruit incorporári.
At Smyrna, under Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius, the birthday of blessed Germanicus, martyr, who, in the bloom of youth, being strengthened by the grace of God, and banishing all fear, provoked the beast which, by order of the judge, was to devour him.  Being ground by its teeth, he deserved to be incorporated into the true Bread of Life, Christ Jesus, for whom he died.
In Africa sanctórum Mártyrum Pauli, Geróntii, Januárii, Saturníni, Succéssi, Júlii, Cati, Piæ et Germánæ.
In Africa., the holy martyrs Paul, Gerontius, Januarius, Saturninus, Successus, Julius, Catus, Pia, and Germana.

Apud Spolétum pássio sancti Pontiáni Mártyris, qui, témpore Antoníni Imperatóris, a Fabiáno Júdice, pro Christo vehementíssime virgis cæsus, jussus est super carbónes nudis pédibus ambuláre, sed a carbónibus nil læsus, equúleo et uncínis férreis jussus est suspéndi, et sic in cárcerem trudi, ubi Angélica visitatióne méruit confortári; postque leónibus expósitus et plumbo fervénti perfúsus, tandem gládio percússus est.
At Spoleto, in the days of Emperor Antoninus, the passion of St. Pontian, martyr, who was barbarously scourged for Christ by the command of the judge Fabian, and then compelled to walk barefoot on burning coals.  As he was uninjured by the fire, he was put on the rack, was torn with iron hooks, then thrown into a dungeon, where he was comforted by the visit of an angel.  He was afterwards exposed to the lions, had melted lead poured over him, and finally died by the sword.

Laudæ, in Insúbria, sancti Bassiáni, Epíscopi et Confessóris; qui advérsus hæréticos, una cum sancto Ambrósio, strénue decertávit.
At Lodi in Lombardy, St. Bassian, bishop and confessor, who, in conjunction with St. Ambrose, courageously combatted the heretics.

Wigórniæ, in Anglia, sancti Wulstáni, Epíscopi et Confessóris, méritis et miráculis conspícui; qui ab Innocéntio Papa Tértio inter Sanctos relátus est.
At Worcester, England, St. Wulfstan, bishop and confessor, conspicuous for merits and miracles.  He was ranked among the saints by Innocent III.

Et álibi aliórum plurimórum sanctórum Mártyrum et Confessórum, atque sanctárum Vírginum.
R.  Deo grátias.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R.  Thanks be to God.

FOR NEWS OF CONTEMPORARY MARTYRS…

Open Doors – The world’s largest outreach to persecuted Christians in the most high-risk places.

Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East – providing humanitarian relief in Iraq through St George’s Church and Clinic.

Voice of the Persecuted – Informing the world of Christian persecution, one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet, today.