Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

CHAPTER XXXI
The Kind of Man the Cellarer of the Monastery Ought to Be (cont.)

Above all things, let him be humble; and if he hath not the things to give, let him answer with a kind word, because it is written: "A good word is above the best gift" (Sir 18:17). Let him have under his charge everything that the Abbot hath entrusted to him, and not presume to meddle with matters forbidden him. Let him give the brethren their apportioned allowance without a ruffle or delay, that they may not be scandalized, mindful of what the Divine Word declareth that he deserveth who shall scandalize one of these little ones: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Mt 18:6).

If the community is large, let assistants be given him, that, with their help, he too may fulfil the office entrusted to him with an even temper. Let the things that are to be given be distributed, and the things that are to be gotten asked for at the proper times, so that nobody may be disturbed or grieved in the house of God.

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

At Rome, the martyrdom of the seven holy brothers, sons of the saintly martyr Felicitas. They are Januarius, Felix, Philip, Sylvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial. They died in the time of Emperor Antoninus, under Publius, prefect of the city. Januarius, after being scourged with rods and detained in prison, died from the blows inflicted with leaded whips. Felix and Philip were scourged to death. Sylvanus was thrown headlong from a great height. Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial were beheaded.

Also at Rome, in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus, the holy virgins and martyrs Rufina and Secunda, sisters. After being subjected to torments, and one having her head crushed with a sword, the other beheaded, they departed for heaven. Their bodies are kept with due honour in the Lateran basilica, near the baptistry.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Januarius, Marinus, Nabor and Felix, all of whom were beheaded.

At Nicopolis in Armenia, the holy martyrs Leontius, Mauritius, Daniel, and their companions, who were tortured in different ways, and being lastly cast into the fire, ended their long martyrdom in the time of Emperor Licinius and the governor Lysias.

In Pisidia, the holy martyrs Bianor and Silvanus, who were merited an immortal crown by being beheaded, after enduring most bitter torments for the name of Christ.

At Iconium, St. Apollonius, martyr, whose glorious martyrdom was fulfilled by death on the cross.

At Ghent in Flanders, St. Amelberga, 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 July 10:

CHAPTER XXXII
Of the Tools and Goods of the Monastery

Let the Abbot appoint brethren on whose life and character he can rely, over the property of the monastery in tools, clothing, and things generally, and let him assign to them, as he shall deem proper, all the articles which must be collected after use and stored away. Let the Abbot keep a list of these articles, so that, when the brethren in turn succeed each other in these trusts, he may know what he giveth and what he receiveth back. If anyone, however, handleth the goods of the monastery slovenly or carelessly let him be reprimanded and if he doth not amend let him come under the discipline of the Rule.

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

At Rome, Pope Pius I, who was crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

At Bergamo, St. John, a bishop, who was killed by the Arians for defending the Catholic faith.

At Sida in Pamphylia, St. Cindeus, priest, in the time of Emperor Diocletian and the governor Stratonicus. After suffering many torments, he was thrown into the fire, but was not injured by it. He later yielded up his soul in prayer.

At Cordova in Spain, St. Abundius, a priest, crowned with martyrdom while preaching against the sect of Mohammed.

At Nicopolis in Armenia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Januarius and Pelagia, who for four days were racked, torn with iron claws and pieces of earthenware, and thus achieved their martyrdom.

In the territory of Sens, St. Sidronius, martyr.

At Iconium in Lycaonia, St. Marcian, martyr. He obtained the palm of martyrdom by many torments, under the governor Perennius.

At Brescia, the holy martyrs Savinus and Cyprian.

In the territory of Poitiers, St. Sabinus, 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 July 11:

CHAPTER XXXIII
Whether Monks Ought to Have Anything of Their Own

The vice of personal ownership must by all means be cut out in the monastery by the very root, so that no one may presume to give or receive anything without the command of the Abbot; nor to have anything whatever as his own, neither a book, nor a writing tablet, nor a pen, nor anything else whatsoever, since monks are allowed to have neither their bodies nor their wills in their own power. Everything that is necessary, however, they must look for from the Father of the monastery; and let it not be allowed for anyone to have anything which the Abbot did not give or permit him to have. Let all things be common to all, as it is written. And let no one call or take to himself anything as his own (cf Acts 4:32). But if anyone should be found to indulge this most baneful vice, and, having been admonished once and again, doth not amend, let him be subjected to punishment.

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

In the monastery of Passignano, near Florence, Abbot St. John Gualbert, founder of the Order of Vallombrosa.

At Milan, the holy martyrs Nabor and Felix, who suffered in the persecution of Maximian. Their bodies were brought into the city by blessed Savina, and were honourably buried there.

In Cyprus, St. Jason, one of the first disciples of Christ.

At Lucca in Tuscany, blessed Paulinus, who was consecrated first bishop of that city by St. Peter. Under Nero he completed his martyrdom along with many others at the foot of Mt. Pisa, but only after many trials.

At Aquileia, the birthday of St. Hermagoras, disciple of the blessed evangelist Mark, and first bishop of that city. When performing miraculous cures, or while preaching, frequently bringing souls to repentance, he suffered many torments. Finally by capital punishment her merited an immortal triumph along with his deacon Fortunatus.

The same day, the Saints Proclus and Hilarion, who won the palm of martyrdom after most bitter torments, in the time of Emperor Trajan and the governor Maximus.

At Toledo in Spain, St. Marciana, virgin and martyr. For the faith of Christ, she was cast to the beasts, torn to pieces by a bull, and was thus crowned with martyrdom.

At Lentini, St. Epiphana, who, after her breasts were cut away, died in the time of Emperor Diocletian and the governor Tertillus.

At Lyons in France, St. Viventiolus,bishop.

At Bologna, St. Paternian, 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 July 12:

CHAPTER XXXIV
Whether All Should Receive in Equal Measure What Is Necessary

It is written, "Distribution was made to everyone according as he had need" (Acts 4:35). We do not say by this that respect should be had for persons (God forbid), but regard for infirmities. Let him who hath need of less thank God and not give way to sadness, but let him who hath need of more, humble himself for his infirmity, and not be elated for the indulgence shown him; and thus all the members will be at peace.

Above all, let not the evil of murmuring appear in the least word or sign for any reason whatever. If anyone be found guilty herein, let him be placed under very severe discipline.

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

At Rome, St. Anacletus, pope and martyr, who governed the Church of God after St. Clement, and shed lustre upon it by a glorious martyrdom.

At Bamberg, the birthday of the Roman emperor St. Henry I, confessor. He led a life of perpetual virginity with his wife St. Cunegunde, and converted St. Stephen, king of Hungary,and almost all his people to the faith of Christ. His festival is celebrated on the 15th of July.

In Paleestine the holy prophets Joel and Esdras.

In Macedonia, blessed Silas, one of the first Christians. The apostles sent him with Paul and Barnabas to the churches of the gentiles. Filled with the grace of God, he zealously discharged the office of preaching, and after glorifying Christ by his sufferings, rested in peace.

Also, St. Serapion, martyr, who obtained the crown of martyrdom by fire, in the time of Emperor Severus and the governor Aquila.

In the island of Chio, in the time of Emperor Decius and the governor Numerian, the martyr St. Myrope. She went to the Lord after being beaten with clubs.

In Africa, the holy confessors Eugene, the faithful and virtuous bishop of Carthage, and all the clergy of that Church, to the number of about five hundred or more, among whom were many small children who performed the office of lector. In the persecution of the Vandals, under the Arian king Hunneric, they were subjected to scourging and starvation, and driven into a most painful banishment which they bore with joy for God's sake. In their number were also two distinguished persons, the archdeacon Salutaris, and Muritta, occupying the second rank among the ministers of the Church. Both had three times confessed the faith, and were illustrious by their sturdy perserverance in Christianity.

In Brittany, St. Turian, bishop and confessor, a man of admirable simplicity and innocence.

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 July 13:

CHAPTER XXXV
Of the Weekly Servers in the Kitchen

Let the brethren serve each other so that no one be excused from the work in the kitchen, except on account of sickness or more necessary work, because greater merit and more charity is thereby acquired. Let help be given to the weak, however, that they may not do this work with sadness; but let all have help according to the size of the community and the circumstances of the place. If the community is large, let the Cellarer be excused from the kitchen, or if, as we have said, any are engaged in more urgent work; let the rest serve each other in charity.

Let him who is to go out of the weekly service, do the cleaning on Saturday. Let him wash the towels with which the brethren wipe their hands and feet. Let him who goeth out, as well as him who is to come in, wash the feet of all. Let him return the utensils of his department to the Cellarer clean and whole. Let the Cellarer give the same to the one who cometh in, so that he may know what he giveth and what he receiveth back.

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

St. Bonaventure of the Order of Friars Minor, cardinal and bishop of Albano, confessor and doctor of the Church, who passed to the Lord on the day following this.

At Rome, the birthday of St. Camillus de Lellis, priest and confessor, founder of the Clerks Regular for Ministering to the Sick. Pope Benedict XIV numbered him among the saints because of the fame of his miracles and virtues; Pope Leo XIII appointed him heavenly protector of hospitals and of the sick. His feast is observed on the 18th of July.

Also at Rome, St. Justus, a soldier under the tribune Claudius. When a miraculous cross appeared to him he believed in Christ, was baptized, and gave away his goods to the poor. Afterwards arrested by the prefect Magnetius, he was scourged with rods, had a heated helmet put on his head, and was thrown into the fire, but received no injury, not even to a hair of his head. In the end he yielded up his soul confessing the Lord.

At Sinope in Pontus, the martyr St. Phocas, bishop of the city. Under Emperor Trajan, after having been imprisoned, bound, struck with the sword, and exposed to the fire for Christ, he departed to heaven. His remains were brought to Vienne in France, and deposited in the Church of the Holy Apostles.

At Alexandria, St. Heracles, bishop, whose fame was so great that the historian Africanus testifies that he journeyed to Alexandria to see him.

At Carthage, St. Cyrus, bishop, on whose festival St. Augustine spoke of him to his people.

At Como, St. Felix, first bishop of that city.

At Brescia, St. Optatian, bishop.

At Deventer in Belgium, St. Marcellinus, priest and confessor.

At Lima in Peru, St. Francis Solano, a priest and confessor of the Order of Friars Minor. He passed to the Lord in the West Indies, renowned for his preaching, miracles and virtues. Pope Benedict XIII placed him on the canon of the saints.

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 July 14:

CHAPTER XXXV
Of the Weekly Servers in the Kitchen (cont.)

An hour before meal time let the weekly servers receive each a cup of drink and a piece of bread over the prescribed portion, that they may serve their brethren at the time time of refection without murmuring and undue strain. On solemn feast days, however, let them abstain till after Mass.

As soon as the morning office on Sunday is ended, let the weekly servers who come in and who go out, cast themselves upon their knees in the oratory before all, asking their prayers. Let him who goeth out of the weekly service, say the following verse: Benedictus es, Domine Deus, qui adjuvisti me et consolatus se me (Dan 3:52; Ps 85[86]:17). The one going out having said this three times and received the blessing, let the one who cometh in follow and say: Deus in adjutorium meum intende; Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina (Ps 69[70]:2). And let this also be repeated three times by all, and having received the blessing let him enter upon his weekly service.

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

St. Henry I, Roman emperor and confessor, whose birthday was noted on the 13th of this month.

At Lyons in France, the death of St. Bonaventure, cardinal and bishop of Albano, confessor and doctor of the Church, of the Order of Friars Minor, who is famed for his learning and the sanctity of his life. His feast is celebrated on the previous day.

At Pavia, St. Felix, bishop and martyr.

At Porto, the birthday of the holy martyrs Eutropius, and the sisters Zosima and Bonosa.

At Carthage, blessed Catulinus, deacon, whose glories were proclaimed by St. Augustine in a sermon to his people. Also the saints Januarius, Florentius, Julia, and Justa, martyrs, who were entombed in the Church of St. Faustus.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Philip, Zeno, Narseus, and ten children.

In the island of Tenedos, St. Abudemius, martyr, who suffered under Diocletian.

At Sebaste in Armenia, St. Antiochus, a physician, who was beheaded under the governor Adrian. On seeing milk flowing from his wounds instead of blood, Cyriacus, his executioner, was converted to Christ and endured martyrdom.

At Nisibis in Mesopotamia, the birthday of St. James, bishop of that city, a man celebrated for great holiness, miracles and learning. He was one of those who confessed the faith during the persecution of Galerius Maximian, and later condemned the perverse heresy of Arius in the Council of Nicaea by opposing to the doctrine of consubstantiality. It was also owing to his prayers, and those of the bishop Alexander, that Arius received at Constantinople the suitable punishment of his iniquity, his bowels gushing out.

At Naples in Campania, St. Athanasius, bishop of that city, who suffered a great deal from his wicked nephew Sergius, by whom he was driven from his diocese. Overcome with afflictions, he departed for heaven at Veroli, in the time of Charles the Bald.

At Campo in Italy, the birthday of St. Pompilio Maria Pirrotti of St. Nicholas, confessor, a member of the Congregation of Poor Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of Pious Schools, who spent his entire life in safeguarding the salvation of souls. He was registered among the saints by Pope Pius XI.

At Palermo, the finding of the body of St. Rosalia, virgin of that city. Miraculously discovered in the time of Pope Urban VIII, it delivered Sicily from the plague in the year of the Jubilee.

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 July 15:

CHAPTER XXXVI
Of the Sick Brethren

Before and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, that they be served in very truth as Christ is served; because He hath said, "I was sick and you visited Me" (Mt 25:36). And "As long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me" (Mt 25:40). But let the sick themselves also consider that they are served for the honor of God, and let them not grieve their brethren who serve them by unnecessary demands. These must, however, be patiently borne with, because from such as these a more bountiful reward is gained. Let the Abbot's greatest concern, therefore, be that they suffer no neglect.

Let a cell be set apart for the sick brethren, and a God-fearing, diligent, and careful attendant be appointed to serve them. Let the use of the bath be offered to the sick as often as it is useful, but let it be granted more rarely to the healthy and especially the young. Thus also let the use of meat be granted to the sick and to the very weak for their recovery. But when they have been restored let them all abstain from meat in the usual manner.

But let the Abbot exercise the utmost care that the sick are not neglected by the Cellarer or the attendants, because whatever his disciples do amiss falleth back on him.

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

The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

At Sebaste in Armenia, the holy martyrs Athenogenes, bishop, and ten of his disciples, in the time of Emperor Diocletian.

At Treves, St. Valentine, bishop and martyr.

At Cordova in Spain, St. Sisenand, cleric and martyr, who was strangled by the Saracens for the faith of Christ.

The same day, the birthday of St. Faustus, martyr, under Decius. He lived five days fastened to a cross, and being then pierced with arrows, he went to heaven.

At Saintes in France, the holy martyrs Raineld, virgin, and her companions who were slain by barbarians for the Christian faith.

At Bergamo, St. Domnio, martyr.

At Antioch, the birthday of blessed Eustace, bishop and confessor, celebrated for learning and sanctity. Under the Arian emperor Constantius, for the defence of the Catholic faith, he was banished to Trajanopolis in Thrace, where he rested in the Lord.

At Capua, St. Vitalian, bishop and confessor.

At the abbey of our Most Holy Redeemer, in the diocese of Coutances in France, St. Mary Magdalene Postel, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy of the Christian Schools, who was added to the list of the holy virgins by Pope Pius XI.

The translation of St. Hilarinus, a monk, to Ostia. He was arrested with St. Donatus in the persecution of Julian. Because he refused to sacrifice to idols, he was finally scourged at Arezzo in Tuscany, and underwent martyrdom on the 7th 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 July 16:

CHAPTER XXXVII
Of the Aged and Children

Although human nature is of itself drawn to feel compassion for these
life-periods, namely, old age and childhood, still, let the decree of the Rule
make provision also for them. Let their natural weakness be always taken into account and let the strictness of the Rule not be kept with them in respect to food, but let there be a tender regard in their behalf and let them eat before regular hours.

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

At Rome, St. Alexius, confessor, son of the senator Euphemian. Leaving his
spouse before the night of marriage, he withdrew from his house, and after a
long pilgrimage, returned to Rome where he was for seventeen years harboured in his father's house as an unknown pauper, thus deluding the world in this strange way. After his death, however, becoming known through a voice heard in the churches of the city, and by his own writings, he was, under the sovereign Pontiff Innocent I, translated to the Church of St. Boniface, where he wrought many miracles.

At Carthage, the birthday of the holy Scillitan martyrs Speratus, Narzales,
Cythinus, Venturius, Felix, Acyllinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa,
Vestina, Donata, and Secunda. By order of the prefect Saturninus, after their
first confession of the faith, they were sent to prison, nailed to a cross, and
finally beheaded. The relics of Speratus, with the bones of blessed Cyprian
and the head of the martyr, St. Pantaleon, were carried from Africa into France and honourably buried in the basilica of St. John the Baptist at Lyons.

At Amastris in Paphlagonia, St. Hyacinth, martyr, who died in prison after
much suffering, under the prefect Castritus.

At Tivoli, St. Generosus, martyr.

At Constantinople, St. Theodota, martyr, under Leo the Iconoclast.

At Rome, the death of Pope St. Leo IV.

At Pavia, St. Ennodius, bishop and confessor.

At Auxerre, St. Theodosius, bishop.

At Milan, the virgin saint Marcellina, sister of the blessed bishop
Ambrose, who received the religious veil from Pope Liberius, in the basilica of
St. Peter at Rome. Her sanctity is attested to by St. Ambrose in his writings.

At Venice, the translation of St. Marina, 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 July 17:

CHAPTER XXXVIII
Of the Weekly Reader

Reading must not be wanting at the table of the brethren when they are eating. Neither let anyone who may chance to take up the book venture to read there; but let him who is to read for the whole week enter upon that office on Sunday. After Mass and Communion let him ask all to pray for him that God may ward off from him the spirit of pride. And let the following verse be said three times by all in the oratory, he beginning it: Domine, labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam (Ps 50[51]:17), and thus having received the blessing let him enter upon the reading.

Let the deepest silence be maintained that no whispering or voice be heard except that of the reader alone. But let the brethren so help each other to what is needed for eating and drinking, that no one need ask for anything. If, however, anything should be wanted, let it be asked for by means of a sign of any kind rather than a sound. And let no one presume to ask any questions there, either about the book or anything else, in order that no cause to speak be given [to the devil] (Eph 4:27; 1 Tm 5:14), unless, perchance, the Superior wisheth to say a few words for edification.

Let the brother who is reader for the week take a little bread and wine before he beginneth to read, on account of Holy Communion, and lest it should be too hard for him to fast so long. Afterward, however, let him take his meal in the kitchen with the weekly servers and the waiters. The brethren, however, will not read or sing in order, but only those who edify their hearers.

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

St. Camillus de Lellis, priest and confessor, founder of the Clerks Regular Ministering to the Sick, the heavenly patron of hospitals and of the sick, whose birthday is the 14th day of July.

At Tivoli, in the time of Emperor Hadrian, St. Symphorosa, wife of the martyr St. Getulius, with her seven sons, Crescens, Julian, Nemesius, Primitivus, Justin, Stacteus, and Eugene. The mother, because of her invincible constancy, was first beaten a long time, then suspended by her hair, and lastly thrown into the river with a stone tied to her body. Her sons were stretched by pulleys attached to stakes, and completed their martyrdom in divers ways. Afterwards, their bodies were taken to Rome, and in the pontificate of Pius IV, were found in the sacristy of St. Angelo in Piscina.

At Utrecht, St. Frederick, bishop and martyr.

At Silisitria in Bulgaria, St. Emilian, martyr, who was cast into a furnace, in the time of Julian the Apostate, under the governor Capitolinus, and received the palm of martyrdom.

At Carthage, St. Gundenes, virgin. By order of the proconsul Ruffinus, she was at four different times stretched on the rack for the faith of Christ, horribly lacerated with iron hooks, confined for a long time in a filthy prison, and finally put to the sword.

In Spanish Galicia, St. Marina, virgin and martyr.

At Milan, in the reign of Maximian, the holy bishop Maternus. For the faith of Christ and the Church entrusted to him, he went to his rest in the Lord with a great renown for his repeated confession of the faith.

At Brescia, the birthday of St. Philastrius, bishop of that city, who both by word and writing opposed the heretics, especially the Arians, from whom he suffered greatly. Finally he died in peace, a confessor renowned for miracles.

At Metz in France, St. Arnulf, a bishop illustrious for holiness and miracles. He chose the life of a hermit and ended his blessed career in peace.

At Segni, St. Bruno, bishop and confessor.

At Forlimpopoli in Emilia, St. Ruffillus, bishop of that city.

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 July 18:

CHAPTER XXXIX
Of the Quantity of Food

Making allowance for the infirmities of different persons, we believe that for the daily meal, both at the sixth and the ninth hour, two kinds of cooked food are sufficient at all meals; so that he who perchance cannot eat of one, may make his meal of the other. Let two kinds of cooked food, therefore, be sufficient for all the brethren. And if there be fruit or fresh vegetables, a third may be added. Let a pound of bread be sufficient for the day, whether there be only one meal or both dinner and supper. If they are to eat supper, let a third part of the pound be reserved by the Cellarer and be given at supper.

If, however, the work hath been especially hard, it is left to the discretion and power of the Abbot to add something, if he think fit, barring above all things every excess, that a monk be not overtaken by indigestion. For nothing is so contrary to Christians as excess, as our Lord saith: "See that your hearts be not overcharged with surfeiting" (Lk 21:34).

Let the same quantity of food, however, not be served out to young children but less than to older ones, observing measure in all things.

But let all except the very weak and the sick abstain altogether from eating the flesh of four-footed animals.

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

St. Vincent de Paul, priest and confessor, founder of the priests of the Congregation of the Mission and the Sisters of Charity, the heavenly patron of all charitable organizations. He fell asleep in the Lord on the 27th of September.

At Colossae in Phrygia, the birthday of St. Epaphras, whom the apostle St. Paul calls his fellow-prisoner. By the same apostle he was consecrated bishop of Colossae, where, becoming renowned for his virtues, he received the palm of martyrdom for defending courageously the flock committed to his charge. His body lies at Rome in the basilica of St. Mary Major.

At Treves, St. Martin, bishop and martyr.

At Seville in Spain, the martyrdom of the holy virgins Justa and Rufina. Arrested by the governor Diogenian, they were stretched on the rack and lacerated with iron claws, then imprisoned and subjected to starvation and various tortures. Justa died in prison, but Rufina's neck was broken for the confession of the Lord.

At Cordova in Spain, St. Aura, virgin, the sister of the holy martyrs Adulphus and John. A Mohammedan judge had persuaded her to apostatize for a while, but quickly repenting of what she had done, in the second trial overcame the enemy by the shedding of her blood.

At Rome, Pope St. Symmachus, who for a long time had much to bear, from a faction of schismatics. At last, distinguished by holiness, he went to God.

At Verona, St. Felix, bishop.

At Scete, a mountain in Egypt, St. Arsenius, a deacon of the Roman Church. In the time of Theodosius he retired into a desert where, endowed with every virtue and shedding continual tears, he yielded his soul unto God.

In Cappadocia, St. Macrina, virgin. She was the daughter of Saints Basil and Emmelia, and the sister of the holy bishops, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Peter of Sebaste.

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