Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 3:

PROLOGUE (cont.)
And the Lord seeking His workman in the multitude of the people, to whom He proclaimeth these words, saith again: "Who is the man that desireth life and loveth to see good days" (Ps 33[34]:13)? If hearing this thou answerest, "I am he," God saith to thee: "If thou wilt have true and everlasting life, keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile; turn away from evil and do good; seek after peace and pursue it" (Ps 33[34]:14-15). And when you shall have done these things, my eyes shall be upon you, and my ears unto your prayers. And before you shall call upon me I will say: "Behold, I am here" (Is 58:9).

What, dearest brethren, can be sweeter to us than this voice of the Lord inviting us? See, in His loving kindness, the Lord showeth us the way of life.

Martyrology-September 4th
Roman Martyrology-September 4th- on this date in various years-

On Mount Nebo, in the land of Moab, the holy lawgiver and prophet Moses.

At Naples in Campania, the birthday of St. Candida, who was the first to meet St. Peter when he came to that city, and being baptized by him afterwards ended her holy life in peace.

At Treves, St. Marcellus, bishop and martyr.

At Ancyra in Galatia, the birthday of three saintly boys, Rufinus, Silvanus, and Vitalicus, martyrs.

On the same day, the holy martyrs Magnus, Castus and Maximus.

At Chalons in France, under Emperor Antoninus, St. Marcellus, martyr. Being invited to a profane banquet by the governor Priscus, he scorned to partake of the meats that were served, and reproved with great freedom all persons present for worshipping idols. For this, with unheard-of cruelty, the same governor had him buried alive up to the waist. After persevering for three days in praising God, he yielded up his undefiled spirit.

On the same day, St. Thamel, previously a pagan priest, and his companions, martyrs under Emperor Hadrian.

Also, the holy martyrs Theodore, Oceanus, Ammian, and Julian, who had their feet cut off, and completed their martyrdom by being thrown into the fire, in the time of Emperor Maximian.

At Rome, St. Boniface I, pope and confessor.

At Rimini, St. Marinus, deacon.

At Palermo, the birthday of St. Rosalia, virgin, a native of that city, born of the royal blood of Charlemagne. For the love of Christ, she forsook the princely court of her father, and led a saintly life alone in mountains and caverns.

At Viterbo, the translation of St. Rose the Virgin, of the Third Order of St. Francis, during the pontificate of Pope Alexander IV.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 4:

PROLOGUE (cont.)

Therefore, having our loins girt with faith and the performance of good works, let us walk His ways under the guidance of the Gospel, that we may be found worthy of seeing Him who hath called us to His kingdom (cf 1 Thes 2:12).

If we desire to dwell in the tabernacle of His kingdom, we cannot reach it in any way, unless we run thither by good works. But let us ask the Lord with the Prophet, saying to Him: "Lord, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle, or who shall rest in Thy holy hill" (Ps 14[15]:1)?

After this question, brethren, let us listen to the Lord answering and showing us the way to this tabernacle, saying: "He that walketh without blemish and worketh justice; he that speaketh truth in his heart; who hath not used deceit in his tongue, nor hath done evil to his neighbor, nor hath taken up a reproach against his neighbor" (Ps 14[15]:2-3), who hath brought to naught the foul demon tempting him, casting him out of his heart with his temptation, and hath taken his evil thoughts whilst they were yet weak and hath dashed them against Christ (cf Ps 14[15]:4; Ps 136[137]:9); who fearing the Lord are not puffed up by their goodness of life, but holding that the actual good which is in them cannot be done by themselves, but by the Lord, they praise the Lord working in them (cf Ps 14[15]:4), saying with the Prophet: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us; by to Thy name give glory" (Ps 113[115:1]:9). Thus also the Apostle Paul hath not taken to himself any credit for his preaching, saying: "By the grace of God, I am what I am" (1 Cor 15:10). And again he saith: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (2 Cor 10:17).

Martyrology-September 5th
Roman Martyrology-September 5th- on this date in various years-

Saint Lawrence Justinian, first patriarch of Venice and confessor, who on this day unwillingly ascended the episcopal throne. His birthday is the 8th of January.

In the suburbs of Rome, blessed Victorinus, bishop and martyr, in the time of Nerva Trajan. Being renowned for sanctity and miracles, he was elected bishop of Amiterno by the whole populace, but afterwards he was banished, with other servants of God, to Contigliano, where fetid sulphurous waters spring forth, and was suspended with his head downward by order of the judge Aurelian. Having for the name of Christ endured this torment for three days, he was gloriously crowned and went victoriously to our Lord. His body was taken away by the Christians and buried with due honours at Amiterno.

At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Urbanus, Theodore, Menedemus, and their companions of ecclesiastical rank, seventy-seven in number, who were put in a ship by the command of Emperor Valens, and burned on the sea for the Catholic faith.

At Porto, the birthday of St. Herculanus, martyr, who was scourged and beheaded in the reign of Emperor Gallus because of the Christian faith.

At Capua, the holy martyrs Quinctus, Arcontius, and Donatus.

On the same day, St. Romulus, prefect of Trajan's court. For reproving the cruelty of the emperor towards Christians, he was scourged with rods and beheaded.

At Melitine in Armenia, during the persecution of Diocletian, the martyrdom of the holy soldiers Eudoxius, Zeno, Macarius, and their companions to the number of eleven hundred and four, who threw away their military belts and were put to death for the confession of Christ.

In the neighbourhood of Terouanne, in the monastery of Sithiu, in France, St. Bertinus, abbot.

At Toledo in Spain, St. Obdulia, virgin.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 5:

PROLOGUE (cont.)

Hence, the Lord also saith in the Gospel: "He that heareth these my words and doeth them, shall be likened to a wise man who built his house upon a rock; the floods came, the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock" (Mt 7:24-25). The Lord fulfilling these words waiteth for us from day to day, that we respond to His holy admonitions by our works. Therefore, our days are lengthened to a truce for the amendment of the misdeeds of our present life; as the Apostle saith: "Knowest thou not that the patience of God leadeth thee to penance" (Rom 2:4)? For the good Lord saith: "I will not the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live" (Ezek 33:11).

Martyrology-September 6th
Roman Martyrology-September 6th- on this date in various years-

In Palestine, the prophet Zachary, who returned in his old age from Chaldea to his own country, and lies buried near the prophet Aggeus.

In the Hellespont, St. Onesiphorus, disciple of the apostles, of whom St. Paul speaks in his Letter to Timothy. He was severely scourged with St. Porphyry, by order of the proconsul Adrian, and being dragged by wild horses, gave up his soul unto God.

In Africa, in the persecution of the Vandals, the holy bishops Donatian, præsidius, Mansuetus, Germanus, and Fusculus, who were most cruelly scourged and sent into exile by order of the Arian king Hunneric, because they proclaimed the Catholic truth. Among them was one named lætus, also a bishop, a courageous and very learned man, who was burned alive after a long imprisonment in a loathsome dungeon.

At Alexandria, in the time of Emperor Decius and the governor Valerius, the holy martyrs Faustus, a priest, Macarius, and ten companions, who received the martyr's crown by being beheaded for the name of Christ.

In Cappadocia, the holy martyrs Cottidus, deacon, Eugene, and their companions.

At Verona, St. Peronius, bishop and confessor.

At Rome, the holy abbot Eleutherius, a servant of God, who, according to the testimony of Pope St. Gregory, raised a dead man to life by his prayers and tears.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 6:

PROLOGUE (cont.)

Now, brethren, that we have asked the Lord who it is that shall dwell in His tabernacle, we have heard the conditions for dwelling there; and if we fulfil the duties of tenants, we shall be heirs of the kingdom of heaven. Our hearts and our bodies must, therefore, be ready to do battle under the biddings of holy obedience; and let us ask the Lord that He supply by the help of His grace what is impossible to us by nature. And if, flying from the pains of hell, we desire to reach life everlasting, then, while there is yet time, and we are still in the flesh, and are able during the present life to fulfil all these things, we must make haste to do now what will profit us forever.

Martyrology-September 7th
Roman Martyrology-September 7th- on this date in various years-

At Troyes, St. Nemorius, deacon, and his companions, all martyrs, who were slain by Attila, king of the Huns.

At Nicomedia, the birthday of the blessed martyr John, who upon seeing the cruel edicts against Christians, posted in the public square, and being inflamed with an ardent faith, reached out his hand, took them away and tore them up. This was related to Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, then residing in the city, who gave orders that he should be subjected to many kinds of torments. The noble champion bore them with such cheerfulness of spirit as not to shew on his countenance the least trace of pain or grief.

At Caesarea in Cappadocia, in the time of Emperor Adrian, St. Eupsychius, martyr, who was accused of professing Christianity and who was cast into prison. Having been released shortly after, he immediately sold his inheritance, and distributed the price of it partly to his accusers, whom he regarded as his benefactors. But being again arrested, under the judge Sapritius, he was tortured, pierced through with a sword, and thus completed his martyrdom.

At Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, in the time of Emperor Maximian, St. Sozon, a martyr who was thrown into the fire and yielded up his spirit.

At Aquileia, St. Anastasius, martyr.

In the diocese of Autun, under the proconsul Olybrius, St. Regina, virgin and martyr. After having suffered imprisonment, the rack, and burning with torches, she was finally condemned to capital punishment, and so went to her spouse.

At Orleans in France, the departure from this life of the holy bishop Evortius, who was first a subdeacon of the Roman Church, and afterwards, through a divine favour, was designated by a dove as bishop of that city.

In France, St. Augustalis, bishop and confessor.

At Capua, St. Pamphilus, bishop.

In the territory of Paris, St. Cloud, priest and confessor.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 7:

PROLOGUE (cont.)

We are, therefore, about to found a school of the Lord's service, in which we hope to introduce nothing harsh or burdensome. But even if, to correct vices or to preserve charity, sound reason dictateth anything that turneth out somewhat stringent, do not at once fly in dismay from the way of salvation, the beginning of which cannot but be narrow. But as we advance in the religious life and faith, we shall run the way of God's commandments with expanded hearts and unspeakable sweetness of love; so that never departing from His guidance and persevering in the monastery in His doctrine till death, we may by patience share in the sufferings of Christ, and be found worthy to be coheirs with Him of His kingdom.

Martyrology-September 8th
Roman Martyrology-September 8th- on this date in various years-

The Nativity of the most Blessed and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

St. Hadrian, martyr, whose birthday is on the 4th of March. His feast, however, is observed today, the day on which his holy body was translated to Rome.

At Valencia in Spain, the birthday of St. Thomas of Villanova, bishop and confessor, of the order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, distinguished by his ardent love for the poor. He was inscribed among the saints by Pope Alexander VII, and his festival is observed on the 22nd of this month.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Ammon, Theophilus, Neoterius, and twenty-two others.

At Antioch, the Saints Timothy and Faustus, martyrs.

At Gaza in Palestine, in the time of Julian the Apostate, the holy martyrs Eusebius, Nestabus, and Zeno, brothers, who were torn to pieces by a multitude of pagans that rushed upon them.

In the same place, and under the same Julian, St. Nestor, martyr, who breathed his last after being most cruelly tortured by the same furious heathen.

At Rome, St. Sergius I, pope and confessor.

At Freisingen, St. Corbinian, first bishop of that city. Being consecrated by Pope Gregory II and sent to preach the Gospel, he reaped abundant fruits in France and Germany, and finally rested in peace, renowned for virtues and miracles.

In New Carthage in South America, St. Peter Claver, priest of the Society of Jesus and confessor. He devoted more than forty years with wonderful mortification and exceeding charity to the service of the Negroes who had been enslaved, and with his own hand baptized in Christ almost three hundred thousand of them. Pope Leo XIII added him to the list of the saints, and then declared him to be the special heavenly patron of all missions for the Negroes.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 8:

CHAPTER I
Of the Kinds or the Life of Monks

It is well known that there are four kinds of monks. The first kind is that of Cenobites, that is, the monastic, who live under a rule and an Abbot.

The second kind is that of Anchorites, or Hermits, that is, of those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long monastic practice and the help of many brethren, have already learned to fight against the devil; and going forth from the rank of their brethren well trained for single combat in the desert, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts.

But a third and most vile class of monks is that of Sarabaites, who have been tried by no rule under the hand of a master, as gold is tried in the fire (cf Prov 27:21); but, soft as lead, and still keeping faith with the world by their works, they are known to belie God by their tonsure. Living in two's and three's, or even singly, without a shepherd, enclosed, not in the Lord's sheepfold, but in their own, the gratification of their desires is law unto them; because what they choose to do they call holy, but what they dislike they hold to be unlawful.

But the fourth class of monks is that called Landlopers, who keep going their whole life long from one province to another, staying three or four days at a time in different cells as guests. Always roving and never settled, they indulge their passions and the cravings of their appetite, and are in every way worse than the Sarabaites. It is better to pass all these over in silence than to speak of their most wretched life.

Therefore, passing these over, let us go on with the help of God to lay down a rule for that most valiant kind of monks, the Cenobites.

Martyrology-September 9th
Roman Martyrology-September 9th- on this date in various years-

At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Dorothy and Gorgonius. The greatest honours had been conferred on them by Emperor Diocletian, but as they detested the cruelty which he exercised against the Christians, they were by his order hung up in his presence and lacerated with whips. Then, having the skin torn off from their bodies and vinegar and salt poured over them, they were burned on a gridiron, and finally strangled. After some time the body of blessed Gorgonius was brought to Rome and deposited on the Latin Way. From there it was transferred to the basilica of St. Peter.

Among the Sabines, thirty miles from Rome, the holy martyrs Hyacinth, Alexander, and Tiburtius.

At Sebaste in Armenia, St. Severian, a soldier of Emperor Licinius. For frequently visiting the Forty Martyrs in prison, he was suspended in the air with a stone tied to his feet by order of the governor Lysias, and being scourged and torn with whips, yielded up his soul in the midst of his torments.

On the same day, St. Strato, who ended his martyrdom for Christ by being tied to two trees and torn asunder.

Also, the holy martyrs Rufinus and Rufinian, brothers.

In the territory of Terouanne, St. Omer, bishop.

In the monastery of Clonmacnoise in Ireland, St. Kiaran, priest and abbot.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 9:

CHAPTER II
What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be

The Abbot who is worthy to be over a monastery, ought always to be mindful of what he is called, and make his works square with his name of Superior. For he is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, when he is called by his name, according to the saying of the Apostle: "You have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry Abba (Father)" (Rom 8:15). Therefore, the Abbot should never teach, prescribe, or command (which God forbid) anything contrary to the laws of the Lord; but his commands and teaching should be instilled like a leaven of divine justice into the minds of his disciples.

Martyrology-September 10th
Roman Martyrology-September 10th- on this date in various years-

At Tolentino in Piceno, the departure from this life of St. Nicholas, confessor, of the order of the Hermits of St. Augustine.

In Africa, the birthday of the holy bishops Nemesian, Felix, Lucius, another Felix, Litteus, Polyanus, Victor, Jader, Dativus, and others. Because a violent persecution was breaking out under Valerian and Gallienus, they were at their first courageous confession of Christ beaten with rods, placed in irons, and sent to dig in the metal mines where they completed their combat with a glorious confession.

At Liege in Belgium, St. Theodard, bishop and martyr, who laid down his life for his flock, and after his death was renowned for the gift of miracles.

At Chalcedon, in the persecution of Diocletian, the holy martyrs Sosthenes and Victor. Under Priscus, proconsul of Asia, they were loaded with fetters and exposed to the beasts, after which they were condemned to be burned. But while they were saluting each other with a holy kiss and praying, they expired.

Also the holy martyrs Apellius, Luke, and Clement.

In Bithynia, the holy virgins Menodora, Metrodora, and Nymphodora, sisters. Under Emperor Maximian and the governor Fronto, they were crowned with martyrdom, and went to eternal glory.

At Compostella, St. Peter, bishop, who was celebrated for his many virtues and miracles.

In the city of Albi, St. Salvius, bishop and confessor.

At Novara, St. Agapius, bishop.

At Constantinople, St. Pulcheria, empress and virgin, distinguished by her piety and zeal for religion.

At Naples in Campania, St. Candida the Younger, famed for miracles.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 10:

CHAPTER II
What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be (cont.)

Let the Abbot always bear in mind that he must give an account in the dread judgment of God of both his own teaching and of the obedience of his disciples. And let the Abbot know that whatever lack of profit the master of the house shall find in the sheep, will be laid to the blame of the shepherd. On the other hand he will be blameless, if he gave all a shepherd's care to his restless and unruly flock, and took all pains to correct their corrupt manners; so that their shepherd, acquitted at the Lord's judgment seat, may say to the Lord with the Prophet: "I have not hid Thy justice within my heart. I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation" (Ps 39[40]:11). "But they contemning have despised me" (Is 1:2; Ezek 20:27). Then at length eternal death will be the crushing doom of the rebellious sheep under his charge.


Martyrology-September 11th
Roman Martyrology-September 11th- on this date in various years-

At Rome, on the old Salarian Way in the cemetery of Basilla, the birthday of the holy martyrs Protus and Hyacinth, brothers, and eunuchs in the service of blessed Eugenia. They were arrested in the time of Emperor Gallienus on the charge of being Christians, and urged to offer sacrifice to the gods. Because they refused, they were most severely scourged and finally beheaded.

At Leon in Spain, St. Vincent, abbot and martyr.

At Laodicea in Syria, the martyrdom of Saints Diodorus, Diomedes, and Didymus.

In Egypt, the holy bishop Paphnutius, one of those confessors who, under Emperor Galerius Maximinus, having the right eye plucked out and the joint of the left knee cut, were condemned to work in the metal mines. Afterwards, under Constantine the Great, he courageously strove for the Catholic faith against the Arians, and at length, adorned with many crowns, rested in peace.

At Lyons in France, the death of St. Patiens, bishop.

At Vercelli, St. Aemilian, bishop.

At Alexandria, St. Theodora, who having committed a fault through imprudence and repenting of it, remained unknown in a religious habit, and persevered until her death in practices of extraordinary abstinence and patience.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 11:

CHAPTER II
What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be (cont.)

When, therefore, anyone taketh the name of Abbot he should govern his disciples by a twofold teaching; namely, he should show them all that is good and holy by his deeds more than by his words; explain the commandments of God to intelligent disciples by words, but show the divine precepts to the dull and simple by his works. And let him show by his actions, that whatever he teacheth his disciples as being contrary to the law of God must not be done, "lest perhaps when he hath preached to others, he himself should become a castaway" (1 Cor 9:27), and he himself committing sin, God one day say to him: "Why dost thou declare My justices, and take My covenant in thy mouth? But thou hast hated discipline, and hast cast My words behind thee" (Ps 49[50]:16-17). And: "Thou who sawest the mote in thy brother's eye, hast not seen the beam in thine own" (Mt 7:3).

Martyrology-September 12th
Roman Martyrology-September 12th- on this date in various years-

The feast of the most holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated by order of the Sovereign Pontiff, Innocent XI, on account of the signal victory gained over the Turks at Vienna in Austria through her protection.

In Bithynia, St. Autonomus, bishop and martyr, who went to that country from Italy to avoid the persecution of Diocletian. After he had converted many to the faith, he was killed at the altar by the furious heathen while celebrating the sacred mysteries, and thus he became a victim for Christ.

At Iconium in Lycaonia, the holy bishop Curonotus, who received the crown of martyrdom by being beheaded under the governor Perennius.

At Alexandria, in the time of Emperor Maximinus, the birthday of the holy martyrs Hieronides, Leontius, Serapion, Selesius, Valerian, and Strato, who were drowned in the sea for the confession of the name of Christ.

At Merum in Phrygia, the holy martyrs Macedonius, Theodulus, and Tatian, under Julian the Apostate. After other torments, they joyfully completed their martyrdom by being laid on burning gridirons by order of the governor Almachius.

At Pavia, St. Juventius, bishop, mentioned on the 8th of February. The blessed Hermagoras, disciple of the evangelist St. Mark, sent him to that city along with St. Cyrus, who is mentioned on the 9th of December. They both preached the Gospel of Christ there, and being renowned for great virtues and miracles, enlightened the neighbouring cities by divine works. They closed their glorious careers in peace, invested with the episcopal office.

At Lyons in France, the death of St. Sacerdos, bishop.

At Verona, St. Silvinus, bishop.

At Anderlecht, near Brussels in Belgium, St. Guido, confessor.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 12:

CHAPTER II
What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be (cont.)

Let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let him not love one more than another, unless it be one whom he findeth more exemplary in good works and obedience. Let not a free-born be preferred to a freedman, unless there be some other reasonable cause. But if from a just reason the Abbot deemeth it proper to make such a distinction, he may do so in regard to the rank of anyone whomsoever; otherwise let everyone keep his own place; for whether bond or free, we are all one in Christ (cf Gal 3:28; Eph 6:, and we all bear an equal burden of servitude under one Lord, "for there is no respect of persons with God" (Rom 2:11). We are distinguished with Him in this respect alone, if we are found to excel others in good works and in humility. Therefore, let him have equal charity for all, and impose a uniform discipline for all according to merit.


Martyrology-September 13th
Roman Martyrology-September 13th- on this date in various years-

At Alexandria, the birthday of blessed Philip, father of the virgin St. Eugenia. Resigning the dignity of prefect of Egypt, he received the grace of baptism. His successor, the prefect Terentius, had him pierced through the throat with a sword while he was praying.

Also, the holy martyrs Macrobius and Julian, who suffered under Licinius.

On the same day, St. Ligorius, marytr. While living in the desert, he was murdered by heathens for the faith of Christ.

At Alexandria, St. Eulogius, a bishop celebrated for learning and sanctity.

At Angers in France, St. Maurilius, a bishop renowned for numberless miracles.

At Sens, St. Amatus, bishop and confessor.

In the monastery of Remiremont in France, St. Amatus, priest and abbot, illustrious for the virtue of abstinence and the gift of miracles.

The same day, St. Venerius, confessor, a man of admirable sanctity who led the life of a hermit on the island of Palmária.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.