Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for October 24:

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

Let Vespers be sung daily with the singing of four psalms. Let these psalms begin with the 109th to the 147th, excepting those which are set aside for the other Hours; namely, from the 117th to the 127th, and the 133d, and the 142d. All the rest are to be said at Vespers; and as the psalms fall three short, those of the aforesaide psalms which are found to be longer, are to be divided; namely, the 138th, the 143d, and the 144th. But because the 116th is short, let it be joined to the 115th. The order of the psalms for Vespers having thus been arranged let the rest, namely, the lessons, the responsories, the hymns, the verses, and the canticles, be said as we have directed above.

At Complin, however, let the same psalms be repeated every day; namely, the 4th, the 90th, and the 133d.

Martyrology-October 25th
Roman Martyrology-October 25th-on this date in various years-

At Rome, the holy martyrs Chrysanthus and his wife Daria. After many sufferings endured for Christ under the prefect Celerinus, they were ordered by Emperor Numerian to be thrown into a sandpit on the Salarian Way, where, being still alive, were covered with earth and stones.

Also, the birthday of St. Marcellinus, pope and martyr, who was beheaded for the faith of Christ in the reign of Maximian along with Claudius Cyrinus and Antoninus. So great was the persecution then that seventeen thousand Christians received the crown of martyrdom in the space of one month. The feast of St. Marcellinus is celebrated with that of St. Cletus, pope and martyr, on the 26th of April.

At Perigueux in France, St. Fronto, who was made bishop by the blessed apostle Peter. Along with a priest named George, he converted to Christ a large number of people of that place, and, renowned for miracles, rested in peace.

Also at Rome, the birthday of forty-six holy soldiers, who were baptized at the same time by Pope Denis, and soon after beheaded by order of Emperor Claudius. They were buried on the Salarian Way with one hundred and twenty-one other martyrs. Among them are named four soldiers of Christ: Theodosius, Lucius, Mark, and Peter.

At Sassari in Sardinia, the holy martyrs Protus, a priest, and Januarius, a deacon, who were sent to that island Pope St. Caius, and were martyred in the time of Diocletian under the governor Barbarus.

At Constantinople, the martyrdom of the Saints Martyrius, subdeacon, and Marcian, a cantor, who were slain by the heretics during the reign of Emperor Constantius.

At Soissons in France, in the persecution of Diocletian, the holy martyrs Crispin and Crispinian, noble Romans. Under Governor Rictiovarus, after horrible torments, they were put to the sword, and thus obtained the crown of martyrdom. Their bodies were afterwards conveyed to Rome and entombed with due honours in the church of St. Lawrence in Panisperna.

At Florence, St. Minias, a soldier, who fought valorously for the faith of Christ and was gloriously crowned with martyrdom during the reign of Decius.

At Brescia, the birthday of St. Gaudentius, bishop, distinguished for his learning and holiness.

At Javoux in France, St. Hilary, bishop.

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 25:

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

Having arranged the order of the office, let all the rest of the psalms which remain over, be divided equally into seven night offices, by so dividing such of them as are of greater length that twelve fall to each night. We especially impress this, that, if this distribution of the psalms should perchance displease anyone, he arrange them if he thinketh another better, by all means seeing to it that the whole Psalter of one hundred and fifty psalms be said every week, and that it always start again from the beginning at Matins on Sunday; because those monks show too lax a service in their devotion who in the course of a week chant less than the whole Psalter with is customary canticles; since we read, that our holy forefathers promptly fulfilled in one day what we lukewarm monks should, please God, perform at least in a week.


Martyrology-October 26th
Roman Martyrology-October 26th-on this date in various years-


At Rome, St. Evaristus, pope and martyr, who enriched the Church of God with his blood under Emperor Hadrian.


In Africa, the holy martyrs Felicissimus and the priest Rogatian, who received the bright crown of martyrs in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus. They are mentioned by St. Cyprian in his Epistle to the Confessors.


At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Lucian, Florius, and their companions.


At Narbonne, St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor, who flourished in the reigns of Emperors Leo and Valentian.


At Salerno, St. Gaudiosus, bishop.


At Pavia, Bishop St. Fulk.


Also St. Quadragesimus, subdeacon, who raised a dead man to life.


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 26:

CHAPTER XIX
Of the Manner of Reciting the Psalter

We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf Prov 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in the Work of God. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the Prophet saith, "Serve ye the Lord with fear" (Ps 2:11). And again, "Sing ye wisely" (Ps 46[47]:8. And, "I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels" (Ps 137[138]:1). Therefore, let us consider how it becometh us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.

Martyrology-October 27th
Roman Martyrology-October 27th-on this date in various years-

The vigil of the holy apostles Simon and Jude.

At Avila in Spain, under the governor Dacian, the Saints Vincent, Sabina, and Christeta. They were first stretched on the rack in such a manner that all their limbs were dislocated; then stones being laid on their heads, and their brains beaten out with heavy bars, their martyrdom was fulfilled.

At Tilchatel in France, St. Florentius, martyr.

In Cappadocia, the holy martyrs Capitolina, and Erotheides, her handmaid, who suffered under Diocletian.

In India, St. Frumentius, bishop. While he was a captive there he was consecrated bishop by St. Athanasius, and propagated the Gospel in that country.

At Naples, St. Gaudiosus, an African bishop who came to Campania because of the Vandal persecution, and died a holy death in a monastery in that city.

In Ethiopia, in the time of Emperor Justin, St. Elesbaan, king. After having defeated the enemies of Christ and sent his royal diadem to Jerusalem, he led a monastic life, as he had vowed, and went to his reward.

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 27:

CHAPTER XX
Of Reverence at Prayer

If we do not venture to approach men who are in power, except with humility and reverence, when we wish to ask a favor, how much must we beseech the Lord God of all things with all humility and purity of devotion? And let us be assured that it is not in many words, but in the purity of heart and tears of compunction that we are heard. For this reason prayer ought to be short and pure, unless, perhaps it is lengthened by the inspiration of divine grace. At the community exercises, however, let the prayer always be short, and the sign having been given by the Superior, let all rise together.

Martyrology-October 28th
Roman Martyrology-October 28th-on this date in various years-

In Persia, the birthday of the blessed apostles Simon the Canaanite and Thaddeus, who is also called Jude. Simon preached the Gospel in Egypt, Thaddeus in Mesopotamia. Afterwards, entering Persia together, they converted to Christ a numberless multitude of the inhabitants, then underwent martyrdom.

At Rome, the holy martyrs Cyril and Anastasia the Elder, virgin. In the persecution of Valerian, under the prefect Probus, Anastasia was bound with chains, buffeted, subjected to fire and scourging, and, as she remained immovable in the confession of Christ, her breasts were cut away, her nails plucked out, her teeth broken, and her hands, feet, and head severed from her body. Adorned with her sufferings as with so many jewels, she went to her Spouse. At her request, Cyril gave her some water to drink, and for his reward became a martyr.

In the same city, during the reign of Claudius, St. Cyrilla, virgin, daughter of St. Tryphonia, who was pierced through the throat for the faith of Christ.

At Como, under Emperor Maximian, St. Fidelis, martyr.

At Mainz, St. Ferrutius, martyr.

At Meaux, in France, St. Faro, bishop and confessor.

At Vercelli, St. Honoratus, bishop.

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 28:

CHAPTER XXI
Of the Deans of the Monastery

If the brotherhood is large, let brethren of good repute and holy life be chosen from among them and be appointed Deans; and let them take care of their deaneries in everything according to the commandments of God and the directions of their Abbot. Let such be chosen Deans as the Abbot may safely trust to share his burden. Let them not be chosen for their rank, but for the merit of their life and their wisdom and knowledge; and if any of them, puffed up with pride, should be found blameworthy and, after having been corrected once and again and even a third time, refuseth to amend, let him be deposed, and one who is worthy be placed in his stead. We make the same regulation with reference to the Prior.


Martyrology-October 29th
Roman Martyrology-October 29th-on this date in various years-

The holy bishop Maximian, martyr, and Valentine, confessor.

At Sidon in Phoenicia, St. Zenobius, a priest. When the last persecution was raging, by exhorting others to martyrdom, he himself was deemed worthy of it.

In Lucania, the holy martyrs Hyacinth, Quinctus, Felician, and Lucius.

At Bergamo, St. Eusebia, virgin and martyr.

At Jerusalem, the birthday of blessed Narcissus, a bishop distinguished for holiness, patience, and faith, who went to the kingdom of God at the age of one hundred and sixteen years.

At Autun, St. John, bishop and confessor.

At Cassiope, in the island of Corfu, Bishop St. Donatus, mentioned by blessed Pope Gregory.

At Vienne in France, the death of blessed Theodore, 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 October 29:

CHAPTER XXII
How the Monks Are to Sleep

Let the brethren sleep singly, each in a separate bed. Let them receive the bedding befitting their mode of life, according to the direction of their Abbot. If it can be done, let all sleep in one apartment; but if the number doth not allow it, let them sleep in tens or twenties with the seniors who have charge of them. Let a light be kept burning constantly in the cell till morning.

Let them sleep clothed and girded with cinctures or cords, that they may be always ready; but let them not have knives at their sides whilst they sleep, lest perchance the sleeping be wounded in their dreams; and the sign having been given, rising without delay, let them hasten to outstrip each other to the Work of God, yet with all gravity and decorum. Let the younger brethren not have their beds beside each other, but intermingled with the older ones; and rising to the Work of God, let them gently encourage one another on account of the excuses of the drowsy.


Martyrology-October 30th
Roman Martyrology-October 30th-on this date in various years-

In Sardinia, the birthday of St. Pontian, pope and martyr. In the company of the priest Hippolytus, he was exiled by Emperor Alexander, and achieved martyrdom by being scourged. His body was brought to Rome by blessed Pope Fabian and buried in the cemetery of Callistus. His feast, however, is celebrated on the 19th of November.

At Aegea in Cilicia, in the reign of Diocletian, under the governor Lysias, the martyrdom of Saints Zenobius, bishop, and his sister Zenobia.

At Altino, in the neighbourhood of Venice, St. Theonestus, bishop and martyr, who was slain by the Arians.

In Africa, the birthday of two hundred and twenty holy martyrs.

At Tangier in Morocco, St. Marcellus, a centurion, the father of Saints Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius. He achieved martyrdom by beheading under Agricola, deputy praetor for Praefectus.

At Alexandria, in the reign of Decius, thirteen holy martyrs who suffered with Saints Julian, Eunus, and Macarius.

At Cagliari in Sardinia, St. Saturninus, martyr, who was beheaded under the governor Barbarus, during the persecution of Diocletian.

At Apamea in Phrygia, St. Maximus, martyr, under the same Diocletian.

At Leon in Spain, the holy martyrs Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius, the sons of St. Marcellus the centurion. They were condemned to be beheaded by Diogenian, the governor, in the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian.

At Paris, St. Lucanus, martyr.

At Alexandria, the martyr St. Eutropia, who was arrested while visiting the martyrs, and rendered up her soul after being cruelly tortured with them.

At Antioch, St. Serapion, a bishop very celebrated for his learning.

At Capua, St. Germanus, bishop and confessor, a man of great sanctity, whose soul, at the very hour of death, was seen by St. Benedict taken to heaven by angels.

At Potenza in Lucania, St. Gerard, bishop.

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 30:

CHAPTER XXIII
Of Excommunication for Faults

If a brother is found stubborn or disobedient or proud or murmuring, or opposed to anything in the Holy Rule and a contemner of the commandments of his Superiors, let him be admonished by his Superiors once and again in secret, according to the command of our Lord (cf Mt 18:15-16). If he doth not amend let him be taken to task publicly before all. But if he doth not reform even then, and he understandeth what a penalty it is, let him be placed under excommunication; but if even then he remaineth obstinate let him undergo corporal punishment.

Martyrology-October 31st
Roman Martyrology-October 31st-on this date in various years-

For 2010, The Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ the King.

The Vigil of All Saints.

At Rome, the Saints Ampliatus, Urbanus, and Narcissus, who are mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans. They were put to death by the Jews and Gentiles for the Gospel of Christ.

At Constantinople, St. Stachis, bishop who was consecrated first bishop of that city by the blessed apostle Andrew.

At Saint Quentin in France, the martyr St. Quentin, a Roman citizen and senator, who suffered under Emperor Maximian. By the revelation of an angel, his body was found incorrupt after a lapse of fifty-five years.

At Milan, St. Antoninus, bishop and confessor.

At Ratisbon in Bavaria, St. Wolfgang, bishop.

At Palma, in the island of Majorca, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, a lay brother of the Society of Jesus, whom Leo XIII canonized because of his remarkable humility and constant love of mortification.

At Rome, the translation of blessed Nemesius, deacon, and his daughter, the virgin Lucilla, who were beheaded on the 25th of August.

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 31:

CHAPTER XXIV
What the Manner of Excommunication Should Be

The degree of excommunication or punishment ought to be meted out according to the gravity of the offense, and to determine that is left to the judgment of the Abbot. If, however, anyone of the brethren is detected in smaller faults, let him be debarred from eating at the common table.

The following shall be the practice respecting one who is excluded from the common table: that he does not intone a psalm or an antiphon nor read a lesson in the oratory until he hath made satisfaction; let him take his meal alone, after the refection of the brethren; thus: if, for instance, the brethren take their meal at the sixth hour that brother will take his at the ninth, and if the brethren take theirs at the ninth, he will take his in the evening, until by due satisfaction he obtaineth pardon.

Martyrology-November 1st
Roman Martyrology-November 1st-on this date in various years-

The Festival of All Saints, which Pope Boniface IV, after the dedication of the Pantheon, ordained to be kept generally and solemnly every year on the 13th of May, in the city of Rome, in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of the holy martyrs. It was afterwards decreed by Gregory IV that this feast, which was then celebrated in many dioceses, but at different times, should be on this day kept by the whole Church in honour of all the saints.

In Persia, the holy martyrs John, a bishop, and James, a priest, under King Sapor.

At Terracina in Campania, the birthday of St. Caesarius, deacon, who was detained many days in prison, afterwards put into a sack with the priest St. Julian, and then thrown into the sea.

At Dijon, St. Benignus, a priest, who was sent to France by blessed Polycarp to preach the Gospel. After he had been subjected to many grievous torments by the judge Terentius, under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, he was finally condemned to have his neck struck with an iron bar and his body pierced with a lance.

At Damascus, the martyrdom of the Saints Caesarius, Dacius, and five others.

On the same day, St. Mary, a servant girl. Being accused of professing the Christian religion in the time of Emperor Hadrian, she was subjected to cruel scourging, to torture on the rack, and the lacerating of her body with iron hooks, and thus completed her martyrdom

At Tarsus in Cilicia, under Emperor Maximian, the Saints Cyrenia and Juliana.

At Auvergne in France, St. Austremonius, first bishop of Clermont.

At Paris, the death of St. Marcellus, bishop.

At Bayeux, in the reign of the Frankish king Childebert, St. Vigor, bishop.

At Angers in France, the death of the aged holy man, St. Licinius, bishop.

At Tivoli, St. Severinus, monk.

In Gatinais in France, St. Mathurin, 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 November 1:

CHAPTER XXV
Of Graver Faults

But let the brother who is found guilty of a graver fault be excluded
from both the table and the oratory. Let none of the brethren join
his company or speak with him. Let him be alone at the work enjoined
on him, persevering in penitential sorrow, mindful of the terrible
sentence of the Apostle who saith, that "such a man is delivered over
for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the
day of the Lord" (1 Cor 5:5). Let him get his food alone in such
quantity and at such a time as the Abbot shall deem fit; and let him
not be blessed by anyone passing by, nor the food that is given him.

Martyrology-November 2nd
Roman Martyrology-November 2nd-on this date in various years-

The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed. [11/3 in 2008]

At Pettau in Styria, the birthday of St. Victorinus, bishop of that city, who, after publishing many writings, as is attested to by St. Jerome, was crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Diocletian.

At Trieste, blessed Justus, who fulfilled his martyrdom in the same persecution under the governor Manatius.

At Sebaste in Armenia, the Saints Carterius, Styriacus, Tobias, Eudoxius, Agapius, and their companions, martyrs under Emperor Licinius.

In Persia, the holy martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpiderphorus, and Anempodistus, with many companions.

In Africa, the birthday of the holy martyrs Publius, Victor, Hermes, and Papias.

At Tarsus in Cilicia, in the reign of Julian the Apostate, St. Eustochium, virgin and martyr, who breathed her last in prayer in the midst of severe torments.

At Laodicea in Syria, St. Theodotus, a bishop powerful in words and adorned with good works and virtues.

At Vienne in France, the bishop St. George.

In the monastery of St. Moritz in Switzerland, St. Ambrose, abbot.

At Cyrus in Syria, St. Marcian, 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 November 2:

CHAPTER XXVI
Of Those Who without the Command of the Abbot Associate with the Excommunicated

If any brother presume to associate with an excommunicated brother in any way, or to speak with him, or to send him a message, without the command of the Abbot, let him incur the same penalty of excommunication.

Martyrology-November 3rd
Roman Martyrology-November 3rd-on this date in various years-

At Milan, St. Charles Borromeo, cardinal, bishop of that city, and confessor, who was ranked among the saints by Paul V for the holiness of his life and for his renown for miracles. His feast is observed on the following day.

On the same day, the birthday of St. Quartus, a disciple of the apostles.

At Viterbo, during the persecution of Maximian, the holy martyrs Valentine, a priest, and Hilary, a deacon. For their attachment to the faith of Christ, they were tied to a stone and cast into the Tiber, but being miraculously delivered by an angel, they were beheaded, and thus crowned with the glory of martyrdom.

At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the holy martyrs Germanus, Theophilus, Caesarius, and Vitalis, who nobly endured martyrdom in the Decian persecution.

At Saragossa in Spain, the countless holy martyrs who lay down their lives with admirable fervour for the faith of Christ under Dacian, governor of Spain.

In England, St. Winifred, virgin and martyr.

In the monastery of Clairvaux in France, the death of St. Malachy, bishop of Armagh in Ireland, who won renown in his own days for his many virtues, and whose life was written by Abbot St. Bernard.

On the same day, St. Hubert, bishop of Tongres.

At Vienne in France, St. Domnus, bishop and confessor.

Also, the death of St. Pirmin, bishop of Meaux.

At Urgel in Spain, Bishop St. Hermengaud.

At Rome, St. Sylvia, mother of Pope St. Gregory.

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