Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for October 13:

CHAPTER X
How the Office Is to Be Said during the Summer Season

From Easter till the calends of November let the whole psalmody, as explained above, be said, except that on account of the shortness of the nights, no lessons are read from the book; but instead of these three lessons, let one from the Old Testament be said from memory. Let a short responsory follow this, and let all the rest be performed as was said; namely, that never fewer than twelve psalms be said at the night office, exclusive of the third and the 94th psalm.

Martyrology-October 14th
Roman Martyrology-October 14th- on this date in various years-

At Rome, on the Aurelian Way, the birthday of blessed Callistus I, pope and martyr. By order of Emperor Alexander, he was kept in prison for a long time without food, and was daily scourged with rods. He was finally hurled from a window of the house in which he had been shut up, and was cast into a well, and thus merited the triumph of victory.

At Rimini, St. Gaudentius, bishop and martyr.

At Caesarea in Palestine, the Saints Carponius, Evaristus, and Priscian, brothers of blessed Fortunata, who obtained the crown of martyrdom together, their throats being cut with the sword.

Also, the Saints Saturninus and Lupus.

At Caesarea in Palestine, St. Fortunata, virgin and martyr, the sister of the martyrs Carponius, Evaristus, and Priscian. After having been subjected to the rack, to fire, to the teeth of beasts, and other toments during the persecution of Diocletian, she gave up her soul to God. Her body was afterwards conveyed to Naples in Campania.

At Todi in Umbria, St. Fortunatus, bishop, who, as is mentioned by blessed Gregory, was endowed with an extraordinary gift for casting out unclean spirits.

At Wurzburg in Germany, St. Burchard, first bishop of that city.

At Bruges in Belgium, St. Donatian, bishop of Rheims.

At Treves, St. Rusticus, bishop.

At Lyons in France, St. Justus, bishop and confessor, a man of extraordinary sanctity and endowed with the spirit of prophecy. He resigned his bishopric and retired into a desert in Egypt with his lector Viator. When he had for some years led an almost angelic life, and the end of his meritorious labours had come, he went to our Lord to receive the crown of justice. His holy body and the relics of his lector, blessed Viator, were afterwards taken to Lyons on the 2nd of September.

On the same day, the death of blessed Dominic Loricatus.

At Arpiano in Italy, St. Bernard, 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 October 14:

CHAPTER XI
How the Night Office Is to Be Said on Sundays

For the night office on Sunday the monks should rise earlier. At this
office let the following regulations be observed, namely: after six
psalms and the verse have been sung, as we arranged above, and all
have been properly seated on the benches in their order, let four
lessons with their responsories be read from the book, as we said
above. In the fourth responsory only, let the Gloria be said by the
chanter, and as soon as he beginneth it let all presently rise with
reverence.

After these lessons let six other psalms with antiphons and the verse
follow in order as before. After these let there be said three
canticles from the Prophets, selected by the Abbot, and chanted with
Alleluia. When the verse also hath been said and the Abbot hath given
the blessing, let four other lessons from the New Testament be read
in the order above mentioned. But after the fourth responsory let the
Abbot intone the hymn Te Deum laudamus. When this hath been said, let
the Abbot read the lesson from the Gospel, all standing with
reverence and awe. When the Gospel hath been read let all answer
Amen, and immediately the Abbot will follow up with the hymn Te decet
laus, and when he hath given the blessing Lauds will begin.

Let this order of the night office be observed on Sunday the same way
in all seasons, in summer as well as in winter, unless perchance
(which God forbid) the brethren should rise too late and part of the
lessons or the responsories would have to be shortened. Let every
precaution be taken that this does not occur. If it should happen,
let him through whose neglect it came about make due satisfaction for
it to God in the oratory.


Martyrology-October 15th
Roman Martyrology-October 15th- on this date in various years-

At Avila in Spain, the virgin St. Teresa, mother and mistress of the Brothers and Sisters of the Carmelite Order of the Strict Observance.

At Cracow in Poland, St. Hedwig, duchess of Poland, who devoted herself to the service of the poor, and was renowned for miracles. She was inscribed among the saints by Pope Clement IV. Her feast is celebrated on the following day.

At Rome, on the Aurelian Way, St. Fortunatus, martyr.

In Prussia, St. Bruno, bishop of the Ruthenians and martyr. While preaching the Gospel in that region he was arrested by impious men, his hands and feet were cut off, and he was then beheaded.

At Cologne, the birthday of three hundred holy marytrs, who met their trials in the persecution of Maximian.

At Carthage, St. Agileus, martyr, on whose birthday St. Augustine delivered a discourse to the people concerning him.

At Lyons in France, St. Antiochus, bishop, who enetered the heavenly kingdom after having courageously fulfilled the duties of the high station to which he had been called.

At Treves, St. Severus, bishop and confessor.

At Strasbourg, St. Aurelia, virgin.

In Germany, St. Thecla, abbess and virgin. She governed the convents of Kitzingen and Ochsenfurt, and departed to heaven filled with merits.

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 October 15:

CHAPTER XII
How Lauds Are to Be Said

At Lauds on Sunday, let the 66th psalm be said first simply, without an antiphon. After that let the 50th psalm be said with Alleluia; after this let the 117th and the 62d be said; then the blessing and the praises, one lesson from the Apocalypse, said by heart, a responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, the verse and the canticle from the Gospel, the litany, and it is finished.

Martyrology-October 16th
Roman Martyrology-October 16th- on this date in various years-

St. Hedwig, widow, duchess of Poland, who went to her rest in the Lord on the day previous.

In the monastery of Moutier-en-Der, in France, St. Bercharius, abbot and martyr.

In Africa, two hundred and seventy holy martyrs, crowned together.

Likewise, the Saints Martinian and Saturnian, with their two brothers. While the persecution of the Vandals was raging in the reign of the Arian king Genseric, they were slaves to a man of that race. They were converted to the faith of Christ by Maxima, a slave like themselves, and they manifested their attachment to the truth with such courage that they were beaten with rough clubs and lacerated in all parts of their bodies to the very bones. Although this barbarous treatment was continued for a considerable period, their wounds were each time healed overnight. They were at length sent into exile where they converted many barbarians to the faith, and obtained from the Roman Pontiff a priest and other ministers to baptize them. Finally there were condemned to die by having their feet tied behind running chariots and being dragged through thorns. Maxima, after enduring many tribulations, was miraculously delivered and became the superior of a large monastery of virgins, where she ended her days in peace.

Also, the Saints Saturninus, Nereus, and three hundred and sixty-five other martyrs.

At Cologne, under Julian the Apostate, the martyr St. Eliphius.

Near Bourges, St. Ambrose, bishop of Cahors.

At Mainz, St. Lullus, bishop and confessor.

At Treves, St. Florentinus, bishop.

At Arbon in Germany, St. Gall, abbot, a disciple of blessed Columban.

At Muro in Italy, St. Gerard Majella, confessor and professed lay brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Renowned for miracles, he was added to the list of the saints by Pope Pius X.

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 October 16:

CHAPTER XIII
How Lauds Are to Be Said on Week Days

On week days let Lauds be celebrated in the following manner, to wit: Let the 66th psalm be said without an antiphon, drawing it out a little as on Sunday, that all may arriver for the 50th, which is to be said with an antiphon. After this let two other psalms be said according to custom; namely, the 5th and the 35th on the second day, the 42d and the 56th on the third day, the 63rd and the 64th on the fourth day, the 87th and the 89th on the fifth day, the 75th and the 91st on the sixth day, and on Saturday the 142d and the canticle of Deuteronomy, which should be divided into two Glorias. On the other days, however, let the canticle from the Prophets, each for its proper day, be said as the Roman Church singeth it. After these let the psalms of praise follow; then one lesson from the Apostle, to be said from memory, the responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, the verse, the canticle from the Gospel, the litany, and it is finished.

Martyrology-October 17th
Roman Martyrology-October 17th- on this date in various years-

At Paray, in the diocese of Autun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She made her profession in the Order of the Visitation of Blessed Mary the Virgin, and she excelled with great merit in spreading devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and in furthering its public veneration. Pope Benedict XV added her name to the list of holy virgins.

At Antioch, the birthday of St. Heron, a disciple of blessed Ignatius. Being made bishop after him, he religiously followed his master's footsteps, and, as a true lover of Christ, died for the flock entrusted to his keeping.

The same day, the martyrdom of the Saints Victor, Alexander, and Marian.

In Persia, St. Mamelta, martyr. He was converted from idolatry to the faith by the warning of an angel, and was later stoned by heathens and cast into a deep lake.

At Orange in France, St. Florentinus, bishop, who died leaving a reputation for many virtues.

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 October 17:

CHAPTER XIII
How Lauds Are to Be Said on Week Days (cont.)

Owing to the scandals which are wont to spring up, the morning and the evening office should, plainly, never end unless the Lord's Prayer is said in the hearing of all by the Superior in its place at the end; so that in virtue of the promise which the brethren make when they say, "Forgive us as we forgive" (Mt 6:12), they may cleanse themselves of failings of this kind.

At the other hours which are to be said, however, let only the last part of this prayer be said aloud, so that all may answer, "But deliver us from evil" (Mt 6:13).


Martyrology-October 18th
Roman Martyrology-October 18th- on this date in various years-

In Bithynia, the birthday of St. Luke the Evangelist. He died, filled with the Holy Ghost, after having suffered much for the Name of Christ. His relics were translated to Constantinople, and thence taken to Pavia.

At Rome, the birthday of St. Paul of the Cross, priest, confessor, and founder of the Congregation of the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Known for his remarkable innocency of life and his penitential spirit, and aflame with love for Christ crucified, he was canonized by Pope Pius IX, and the 28th of April was assigned as his feast day.

At Arenas in Spain, the birthday of St. Peter of Alcantara, confessor and priest of the Order of Friars Minor. He was canonized by Pope Clement IX because of his admirable penance and many miracles, and his feast is observed on the day following.

At Antioch, the bishop St. Asclepiades, who was one of the celebrated band of martyrs who suffered so gloriously under Macrinus.

At Neocaesarea in Pontus, the holy and learned Bishop Athenodorus, brother of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, who underwent martyrdom in the persecution of Aurelian.

At Louvres, in the diocese of Beauvais, St. Justus, martyr, who, being but a boy, was put to death in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Rictiovarus.

At Rome, St. Tryphonia, at one time the wife of Caesar Decius, the mother of St. Cyrilla, virgin and martyr. She was buried in a crypt, near that of St. Hippolytus.

At Auriesville, in the state of New York, the birthday of the holy martyrs Isaac Jogues, priest of the Society of Jesus, and John de la Lande, a temporary helper to the same Society, who came from France to teach the faith. On this and the following day they were cruelly tortured and killed by the Iroquois in the same place where, a few years before, one of the companions, René Goupil, also a temporary assistant, had received the palm of martyrdom.

In Mesopotamia, in the neighbourhood of Edessa, the commemoration of St. Julian the Hermit, surnamed Sabas, who is mentioned also on the 17th of January.

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 October 18:

CHAPTER XIV
How the Night Office Is to Be Said on the Feasts of the Saints

On the feasts of the saints and on all solemn festivals let the night office be performed as we said it should be done on Sunday; except that the psalms, the antiphons, and the lessons proper for that day be said; but let the number above mentioned be maintained.

Martyrology-October 19th
Roman Martyrology-October 19th- on this date in various years-

St. Peter of Alcantara, priest of the Order of Friars Minor and
confessor, whose birthday was mentioned in the day previous to this.

At Rome, the birthday of the holy martyrs Ptolemy and Lucius, in the
time of Marcus Antoninus. The former, as we learn from the martyr
Justin, converted a certain immodest woman to the faith of Christ and
induced her to practice chastity. He was accused by an evil man
before the prefect Urbicius and made to undergo a long imprisonment
in a foul dungeon. At length, because he declared by a public
confession that Christ was his master, he was led to execution.
Lucius protested against the sentence of Urbicius, and freely
proclaimed himself to be a Christian, whereby he received the same
sentence. To them was added still a third martyr, who was condemned
to suffer a like punishment.

At Antioch, the holy martyrs Beronicus, the virgin Pelagia, and
forty-nine others.

In Egypt, St. Varus, a soldier, who, under Emperor Maximian, visited
and comforted seven holy monks who were kept in prison. When one of
them died he wished to be accepted in his place, and after suffering
most cruel torments with them he obtained the palm of martyrdom.

At Evreux in France, St. Aquilinus, bishop and confessor.

In the diocese of Orleans, the death of St. Veranus, bishop.

At Salerno, St. Eusterius, bishop.

In Ireland, in the monastery of the Forest of Kildare, St. Ethbin,
abbot.

At Oxford in England, St. Frideswide, 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 October 19:

CHAPTER XV
At What Times the Alleluia Is to Be Said

From holy Easter until Pentecost let the Alleluia be said without intermission, both with the psalms and with the responsories; but from Pentecost until the beginning of Lent let it be said every night at the nocturns with the six latter psalms only. However, on all Sundays outside of Lent, let the canticles, Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, and None be said with Alleluia. Let Vespers, however, be said with the antiphon; but let the responsories never be said with Alleluia, except from Easter to Pentecost.

Martyrology-October 20th
Roman Martyrology-October 20th-on this date in various years-

St. John Cantius, priest and confessor, who fell asleep in the Lord
on the 24th of December.

At Abia, near Aquila in Abruzzo, the birthday of blessed Maximus,
deacon and martyr. Because of his desire to suffer he shewed himself
to the persecutors of his own accord. After answering with great
constancy, he was racked and tortured, then beaten with rods, and he
finally died by being cast headlong from a high place.

At Agen in France, St. Caprasius, martyr. He was hiding in a cavern
to avoid the violence of the persecution when the report of the
blessed virgin Faith's courage in suffering for Christ roused him to
endure the torments. He prayed to God that, if he were deemed worthy
of the glory of martyrdom, clear water might flow from the rock of
his cave. God granted his prayer, and he went with confidence to the
scene of the trial, where, after a valiant struggle, he merited the
palm of martyrdom under Maximian.

At Antioch, St. Artemius, an imperial officer who had filled high
positions in the army under Constantine the Great. Julian the
Apostate, however, whom he rebuked for his cruelty towards
Christians, ordered him to be beaten with rods, subjected to other
torments, and finally beheaded.

At Constantinople, St. Andrew of Crete, a monk who had often been
scourged by Constantine Copronymus for his veneration of holy
images. After one of his feet had been cut off he rendered up his
soul.

At Cologne, the martyrdom of the holy virgins Martha and Saula, with
many others.

In Portugal, St. Irene, virgin and martyr. Her body was honourably
buried in the town of Scalabris. Since that time the town has been
named Santarem, which is derived from her name.

At Aussonce, in the diocese of Rheims, St. Sindulphus, priest and
confessor.

At Minden in Germany, the translation of St. Felician, bishop of
Foligno and martyr. From his holy relics a portion was placed in an
urn and brought to Germany from the city of Foligno in Umbria, where
he had died on the 24th of January.

At Paris, the translation of the holy martyrs George, a deacon, and
Aurelius from Cordova, a city of Spain, where they had died with
three companions on the 27th of July.

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 October 21:

CHAPTER XVII
How Many Psalms Are to Be Sung at These Hours

We have now arranged the order of the psalmody for the night and the morning office; let us next arrange for the succeeding Hours. At the first Hour let three psalms be said separately, and not under one Gloria. Let the hymn for the same Hour be said after the verse Deus, in adjutorium (Ps 69[70]:2), before the psalms are begun. Then, after the completion of three psalms, let one lesson be said, a verse, the Kyrie eleison, and the collects.

At the third, the sixth, and the ninth Hours, the prayer will be said in the same order; namely, the verse, the hymn proper to each Hour, the three psalms, the lesson, the verse, the Kyrie eleison, and the collects. If the brotherhood is large, let these Hours be sung with antiphons; but if small, let them be said without a break.

Let the office of Vespers be ended with four psalms and antiphons; after these psalms a lesson is to be recited, next a responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, a verse, the canticle from the Gospel, the litany, the Lord's Prayer, and the collects.

Let Complin end with the saying of three psalms, which are to be said straight on without an antiphon, and after these the hymn for the same Hour, one lesson, the verse, Kyrie eleison, the blessing, and the collects.


Martyrology-October 22nd
Roman Martyrology-October 22nd-on this date in various years-

At Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome, the mother of the apostles James and John, who is referred to in the Gospel as having cared for the burial of our Lord.

At Jerusalem, blessed Bishop Mark, a noble and learned man, who was the first Gentile to govern the Church of Jerusalem. His brief episcopate was rewarded by the palm of martyrdom under Emperor Antoninus.

At Adrianople in Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Philip, a bishop, Severus, a priest, Eusebius, and Hermes. After being imprisoned and scourged, they were burned alive in the time of Julian the Apostate.

Also, the holy martyrs Alexander, a bishop, Heraclius, a soldier, and their companions.

At Fermo in Piceno, the birthday of St. Philip, bishop and martyr.

At Cologne, St. Cordula, who was one of the companions of St. Ursula. Being terrified by the punishments and slaughter of the others, she hid herself, but repenting her deed, on the next day she declared herself to the Huns of her own accord, and thus was the last of them all to receive the crown of martyrdom.

At Huesca in Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters, who endured martyrdom by being condemned to capital punishment by the Saracens for the confession of the faith.

At Hieropolis in Phrygia, St. Abercius, bishop, who flourished under Emperor Marcus Antoninus.

At Rouen, St. Melanius, bishop, who was ordained by Pope St. Stephen and sent there to preach the Gospel.

In Tuscany, St. Donatus of Scotland, bishop of Fiesole.

At Verona, St. Verecundius, bishop 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 October 22:

CHAPTER XVIII
In What Order the Psalms Are to Be Said

In the beginning let there be said the verse, Deus, in adjutorium meum intende; Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina (Ps 69[70]:2), and the Gloria, followed by the hymn for each Hour. At Prime on Sunday, then, there are to be said four sections of the 118th psalm. At the other Hours, however, namely Tierce, Sext, and None, let three sections of the same psalm be said. But at Prime on Monday let three psalms be said, namely, the first, the second, and the sixth; and thus each day at Prime until Sunday, let three psalms be said each time in consecutive order up to the 19th psalm, yet so that the ninth psalm and the 17th be each divided into two Glorias; and thus it will come about that at the night office on Sundays we always begin with the 20th psalm.

Martyrology-October 23rd
Roman Martyrology-October 23rd-on this date in various years-

At Vilak in Hungary, the birthday of St. John Capistran, priest and confessor of the Order of Friars Minor, illustrious for the sanctity of his life and his zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. By his prayers and miracles, he routed a powerful army of Turks, and forced them to quit the siege of Tornau. His feastday, however, is celebrated on the 28th of March.

At Antioch, the birthday of the holy priest Theodore, who was arrested in the persecution of the impious Julian. After the torment of the rack and many severe tortures, including the burning of his sides with torches, he persisted in the confession of Christ, and so his martyrdom was completed by death with the sword.

At Osuma, near Cadiz in Spain, in the persecution of Diocletian, under the subgovernor Viator, the holy martyrs Servandus and Germanus. They were subjected to scourging, imprisonment in a foul dungeon, want of food and drink, and the fatigue of a long journey while loaded with fetters, and at length reached the end of their martyrdom by having their heads stricken off. Germanus was buried at Merida, and Servandus at Seville.

At Constantinople, St. Ignatius, bishop, who rebuked Bardas Caesar for putting away his wife, for which he was subjected to many insults and driven into banishment. He was, however, restored to his See by the Roman Pontiff Nicholas, and there died in peace.

At Bordeaux, St. Severin, bishop of Cologne and confessor.

At Rouen, Bishop St. Romanus.

At Salerno, Bishop St. Verus.

In the district of Amiens, St. Domitius, a priest.

In the country of Poitiers, St. Benedict, confessor.

At Mantua, blessed John the Good, of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, whose celebrated life was written by St. Antoninus.

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 October 23:

CHAPTER XVIII
In What Order the Psalms Are to Be Said (cont.)

At Tierce, Sext, and None, on Monday, however, let the nine sections which remain over the 118th psalm be said, three sections at each of these Hours. The 118th psalm having thus been parceled out for two days, namely, Sunday and Monday, let there be sung on Tuesday for Tierce, Sext, and None, three psalms each, from the 119th to the 127th, that is, nine psalms. These psalms will always be repeated at the same Hours in just the same way until Sunday, observing also for all these days a regular succession of the hymns, the lessons, and the verses, so, namely, that on Sunday the beginning is always made with the 118th psalm.

Martyrology-October 24th
Roman Martyrology-October 24th-on this date in various years-

The Feast of St. Raphael the Archangel, whose dignity and benefits to mankind are set forth in the holy book of Tobias.

At Venosa in Apulia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix, an African bishop, Audactus and Januarius, priests, and the lectors Fortunatus and Septimus. In the time of Diocletian, under the governor Magdellian, they were loaded with fetters and imprisoned for a long time in Africa and Sicily. Because Felix refused to deliver the sacred books, they were at last slain with the sword

At Tongres in Belgium, St. Evergislus, bishop of Cologne and martyr. Because of his duties in the pastoral office he journeyed there, and on the way stopped to pray alone at the monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary where he was killed by robbers who struck him with an arrow.

In the city of Nagran in Arabia Felix, the passion of St. Aretas and his companions, to the number of three hundred and forty, in the time of Emperor Justin, under the Jewish tyrant Dunaan. After them, a Christian woman was burned alive, whose five-year-old son confessed Christ in a lisping voice and could not be prevented by caresses or threats from rushing into the fire in which his mother was burning

At Constantinople, St. Proclus, bishop.

On the island of Jersey, St. Maglorius, bishop, who laid down the Episcopal office after exercising it for three years towards a few scattered people in Brittany. He built a monastery on that island, and there spent the remainder of his life in holy conversation. His body was later translated to Paris.

In the monastery of Fontfroide in the diocese of Carcassonne in France, St. Anthony Mary Claret, formerly Archibishop of Cuba, and founder of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was renowned for his meekness and zeal for souls, and was canonized by the Supreme Pontiff, Pius XII.

In the monastery of Durin in France, St. Martin, abbot and deacon. His body was translated to the monastery of Vertou.

In Campania, St. Mark, a solitary, whose noble accomplishments have been recorded by St. Gregory.

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