Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

The twelfth degree of humility is, when a monk is not only humble of heart, but always letteth it appear also in his whole exterior to all that see him; namely, at the Work of God, in the garden, on a journey, in the field, or wherever he may be, sitting, walking, or standing, let him always have his head bowed down, his eyes fixed on the ground, ever holding himself guilty of his sins, thinking that he is already standing before the dread judgment seat of God, and always saying to himself in his heart what the publican in the Gospel said, with his eyes fixed on the ground: "Lord, I am a sinner and not worthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven" (Lk 18:13); and again with the Prophet: "I am bowed down and humbled exceedingly" (Ps 37[38]:7-9; Ps 118[119]:107).

Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, casteth out fear (1 Jn 4:18). In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin.

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

On Monte Cassino, St. Scholastica, virgin, whose soul was seen by her brother, St. Benedict, abbot, leaving her body in the form of a dove, and ascending into heaven.

At Rome, the holy martyrs Zoticus, Irenaeus, Hyacinth, and Amantius.

In the same place, on the Via Lavicana, ten holy soldiers, martyrs.

Also at Rome, on the Appian Way, St. Soter, virgin and martyr, descended of a noble family, but as St. Ambrose mentions, for the love of Christ she set at naught the consular and other dignitaries of her people. Upon her refusal to sacrifice to the gods, she was for a long time cruelly scourged. She overcame these and various other torments, then was struck with the sword; and joyfully went to her heavenly spouse.

In Campania, St. Silvanus, bishop and confessor.

At Malavalle, near Siena, St. William, hermit.

In the diocese of Rouen, St. Austreberta, virgin, renowned 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 February 10:

CHAPTER VIII
Of the Divine Office during the Night

Making due allowance for circumstances, the brethren will rise during the winter season, that is, from the calends of November till Easter, at the eighth hour of the night; so that, having rested till a little after midnight, they may rise refreshed. The time, however, which remains over after the night office (Matins) will be employed in study by those of the brethren who still have some parts of the psalms and the lessons to learn.

But from Easter to the aforesaid calends, let the hour for celebrating the night office (Matins) be so arranged, that after a very short interval, during which the brethren may go out for the necessities of nature, the morning office (Lauds), which is to be said at the break of day, may follow presently.

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

At Lourdes in France, the apparition of Blessed Mary, Virgin Immaculate.

At Adrianople, the holy martyrs Lucius, bishop, and his companions. Lucius suffered much from the Arians under Constantius, and completed his martyrdom in prison. The others, among the foremost citizens, refusing to communicate with the Arians, who were just condemned in the Council of Sardica, were sentenced to capital punishment by the count Philagrius.

In Africa, during the persecution of Diocletian, the birthday of the holy martyrs Saturninus, a priest, Davitus, Felix, Ampelius, and their companions. They had, as was their custom, assembled for Mass when they were seized by the soldiers and put to death, under the proconsul Anolinus.

In Numidia, in the same persecution, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, who, refusing after their apprehension to deliver the holy Scriptures in conformity with an imperial edict, were given over to most painful torments and slain.

At Rome, Pope St. Gregory II, who courageously withstood the impiety of Leo the Isaurian, and sent St. Boniface to preach the Gospel in Germany.

Also at Rome, Pope St. Paschal I, who raised many bodies of the holy martyrs from their crypts, and buried them with honour in various churches in the city.

At Ravenna, St. Calocerus, bishop and confessor.

At Milan, St. Lazarus, bishop.

At Capua, St. Castrensis, bishop.

At Chateau Landon in France, St. Severin, abbot of the monastery of Agaune, by whose prayers the Christian king Clovis was delivered from a long sickness.

In Egypt, St. Jonas, a monk, eminent for his virtues.

At Vienne in France, the translation of the body of St. Desiderius, bishop and martyr, from the district of Lyons where he had died on the 23rd of May.

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 February 11:

CHAPTER IX
How Many Psalms Are to Be Said at the Night Office

During the winter season, having in the first place said the verse: Deus, in
adjutorium meum intende; Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina, there is next to
be said three times, Domine, labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem
tuam (Ps 50[51]:17). To this the third psalm and the Gloria are to be added.
After this the 94th psalm with its antiphon is to be said or chanted.
Hereupon let a hymn follow, and after that six psalms with antiphons. When these and
the verse have been said, let the Abbot give the blessing. All being seated
on the benches, let three lessons be read alternately by the brethren from
the book on the reading stand, between which let three responsories be said.
Let two of the responsories be said without the Gloria, but after the third
lesson, let him who is chanting say the Gloria. When the cantor beginneth to
sing it, let all rise at once from their seats in honor and reverence of the
Blessed Trinity.

Let the inspired books of both the Old and the New Testaments be read at the
night offices, as also the expositions of them which have been made by the
most eminent orthodox and Catholic Fathers.

After these three lessons with their responsories, let six other psalms
follow, to be sung with Alleluia. After these let the lessons from the Apostle
follow, to be said by heart, then the verse, the invocation of the litany, that
is, Kyrie eleison. And thus let the night office come to an end.

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

The seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servítes of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, whose deaths are noted on their respective days. As one spirit of true
fraternal love united them in life, and as the people joined them together in
the same veneration after death, Pope Leo XIII placed them together in the
catalogue of the saints.

In Africa, St. Damian, soldier and martyr.

At Carthage, the holy martyrs Modestus and Julian.

At Alexandria, the holy children Modestus and Ammonius, martyrs.

At Barcelona in Spain, in the time of Emperor Diocletian, St. Eulalia,
virgin, who, being racked, torn with iron hooks, cast into the fire, and
crucified, received the glorious crown of martyrdom.

At Constantinople, St. Meletius, bishop of Antioch, who often suffered
exile for the Catholic faith, and finally died at Constantinople and went to his
reward. His virtues have been extolled by St. John Chrysostom and St.
Gregory of Nyssa.

Also at Constantinople, St. Anthony, a bishop in the time of Emperor Leo
VI.

At Verona, St. Gaudentius, 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 February 12:

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

At Antioch, the birthday of St. Agabus, prophet, of whom mention is made by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.

At Todi in Umbria, St. Benignus, priest and martyr, who would not cease spreading the Christian faith. In the reign of Emperors Diocletian and Maximian he was taken by the pagans, suffered various tortures, and finally reached the perfection of his priestly office with the honour of martyrdom.

At Meletine in Armenia, in the persecution of Decius, St. Polyeuctus, who, after many sufferings, obtained the crown of martyrdom.

At Lyons in France, St. Julian, martyr.

At Ravenna, in the time of Emperor Decius and the governor Quinctian, the Saints Fusca, virgin, and Maura, her nurse. They endured many afflictions, but were finally transfixed with a sword, and thus ended their martyrdom.

At Lyons in France, St. Stephen, bishop and confessor.

At Rieti, the abbot St. Stephen, a man of wonderful patience, at whose death, as is related by blessed Pope Gregory, the holy angels were present and visible to all.

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 February 13:

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

At Rome, on the Flaminian Way, in the time of Emperor Claudius, the birthday of St. Valentine, priest and martyr, who after having cured and instructed many persons, was beaten with clubs and beheaded.

In the same place, St. Cyril, bishop, who together with his brother Methodius, also a bishop, whose birthday is the 6th of April, brought many people and the rulers of Moravia to the faith of Christ. Their feast is celebrated on the 7th of July.

Also at Rome, the holy martyrs Vitalis, Felicula and Zeno.

At Teramo, St. Valentine, bishop and martyr, who was scourged, committed to prison, and, because he remained unshaken in his faith, was taken out of his dungeon in the dead of night and beheaded by order of Placidus, prefect of the city.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Cyrion, priest; Bassian, lector; Agatho, exorcist; and Moses, who perished in the flames and took their flight to heaven.

At Teramo, the holy martyrs Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius, who, while keeping watch at the body of St. Valentine, were arrested and put to the sword by command of the consular officer, Leontius.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Bassus, Anthony, and Protolicus, who were drowned in the sea.

Also at Alexandria, the Saints Denis and Ammonius, who were beheaded.

At Naples, in Campania, St. Nostrian, bishop, who was outstanding for his defence of the Catholic faith against heretical errors.

At Ravenna, St. Eleuchadius, bishop and confessor.

In Bithynia, St. Auxentius, abbot.

At Sorrento, St. Anthony, abbot, who, when the monastery of Monte Cassino was devastated by the Lombards, withdrew into a solitude of the neighbourhood, where, celebrated for his holiness, he went calmly to his repose in God. His body is daily glorified by many miracles, especially by the deliverance of possessed persons.

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 February 14:

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

At Brescia, in the time of Emperor Adrian, the birthday of the holy martyrs Faustinus and Jovita, who received the triumphant crown of martyrdom after many glorious combats for the faith of Christ.

At Rome, St. Craton, martyr. A short time after being baptized with his wife and all his household by the holy bishop Valentine, he was put to death with them.

At Teramo, the birthday of the holy martyrs Saturninus, Castulus, Magnus, and Lucius.

In the same place, St. Agape, virgin and martyr.

At Vaison in France, St. Quinidius, bishop, whose death was precious in the sight of God, as is shewn by frequent miracles.

At Capua, St. Decorosus, bishop and confessor.

In the province of Valeria, St. Severus, priest, of whom St. Gregory says that by his tears he recalled a dead man to life.

At Antioch, St. Joseph, deacon.

In Auvergne in France, St. Georgia, 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 February 15:

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

At Rome, blessed Onesimus, concerning whom the apostle St. Paul wrote to Philemon. He made him bishop of Ephesus after St. Timothy, and committed to him the office of preaching. Being led a prisoner to Rome, and stoned to death for the faith of Christ, he was first buried there, but his body was afterwards taken to the place where he had been bishop.

In Egypt, St. Julian, martyr, with five thousand other Christians.

At Caesarea, in Palestine, the holy martyrs Elias, Jeremias, Isaias, Samuel, and Daniel. These Egyptians of their own accord ministered to the confessors condemned to labour in the mines of Cilicia, but were arrested upon their return, and after being cruelly tortured by the governor Firmilian, under Emperor Galerius Maximian, were put to the sword. After them, St. Porphyry, servant of the martyr Pamphilus, and St. Seleucus the Cappadocian, who had been triumphant in several previous tests, being again tortured, now won the crown of martyrdom, the one by fire, the other by the sword.

At Nicomedia, St. Juliana, virgin and martyr. Under Emperor Maximian, she was first severely scourged by her own father, Africanus, and then made to suffer many torments by the prefect Evilasius, whom she had refused to marry. Later thrown into prison, she encountered the evil spirit in a visible manner. Finally, because the fiery furnace and a caldron of boiling oil could do her no injury, her martyrdom was fulfilled by beheading. Her body was later transferred to Cumi in Campania.

At Brescia, St. Faustinus, 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 February 16:

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

In Florence, the birthday of St. Alexis Falconieri, confessor, one of the seven founders of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the one hundred and tenth year of his age, he ended his blessed career in the consoling presence of Christ Jesus and the angels. His feast, with that of his companions, is kept on the 12th of February.

At Rome, the passion of St. Faustinus, whom forty-four others followed to receive the crown of martyrdom.

In Persia, during the persecution of Decius, the birthday of blessed Polychronius, bishop of Babylon, who, being struck in the mouth with stones, died with hands outstretched and eyes lifted towards heaven.

At Concordia, the holy martyrs Donatus, Secundian, and Romulus, with eighty-six others, partakers of the same crown.

At Caesarea in Palestine, the death of St. Theodulus, in the service of the governor Firmilian, at a great age. Prompted by the example of the martyrs, he confessed Christ with constancy, and was nailed to a cross. By this noble victory he merited the palm of martyrdom.

In the same place, St. Julian the Cappadocian, who, because he had kissed the relics of martyrs, was denounced as a Christian. Being taken to the governor, he was ordered to be burned to death over a slow fire.

In the territory of Terouanne in France, St. Silvinus, bishop of Toulouse.

In the monastery of Cluainedhech in Ireland, St. Fintan, 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 February 17:

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

At Jerusalem, the birthday of St. Simeon, bishop and martyr, who is said to have been the son of Cleophas, and a relative of the Saviour according to the flesh. He was consecrated bishop of Jerusalem after St. James, the cousin of our Lord. In the persecution of Trajan, after having endured many torments, his martyrdom was completed. All who were present, even the judge himself, were astonished that a man one hundred and twenty years of age could bear the torment of crucifixion with such fortitude and constancy.

At Ostia, the holy martyrs Maximus and his brother Claudius, and Praepedigna, the wife of Claudius, with her two sons Alexander and Cutias. Although all of a noble birth, by the order of Diocletian, they were apprehended and sent into exile. Afterwards being burned alive, they offered to God the sweet sacrifice of martyrdom. Their remains were cast into the river, but the Christians found them and buried them near the city.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Lucius, Sylvanus, Rutulus, Classicus, Secundinus, Fructulus, and Maximus.

At Constantinople, St. Flavian, bishop, who, for having defended the Catholic faith at Ephesus, was attacked with slaps and kicks by the faction of the impious Dioscorus, and then driven into exile where he died within three days.

At Toledo, Spain, St. St. Helladius, bishop and confessor, who received much praise from St. Ildefonse, Bishop of Toledo.

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 February 18:

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

At Rome, the birthday of St. Gavinus, priest and martyr, brother of blessed Pope Caius. After being chained in prison for a long time by Diocletian, he obtained the joys of heaven by his esteemed death.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Publius, Julian, Marcellus, and others.

In Palestine, the commemoration of the holy monks and other martyrs who were barbarously massacred for the faith of Christ by the Saracens, under their leader Almondhar.

At Naples in Campania, St. Quodvultdeus, bishop of Carthage. The Arian king Genseric placed him together with his clergy into boats which were broken and without oars and sails, but they unexpectedly reached Naples. He died in exile as a confessor.

At Jerusalem, St. Zambdas, bishop.

At Soli in Cyprus, St. Auxibius, bishop.

At Benevento, St. Barbatus, a bishop illustrious for sanctity, who converted the Lombards and their chief to the faith of Christ.

At Milan, St. Mansuetus, bishop and confessor.

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