Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

PROLOGUE (cont.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

At Aquileia, St. Anastasius, martyr.

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

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

In France, St. Augustalis, bishop and confessor.

At Capua, St. Pamphilus, bishop.

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

PROLOGUE (cont.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

At Antioch, the Saints Timothy and Faustus, martyrs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

CHAPTER I
Of the Kinds or the Life of Monks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also, the holy martyrs Rufinus and Rufinian, brothers.

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

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

CHAPTER II
What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also the holy martyrs Apellius, Luke, and Clement.

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

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

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

At Novara, St. Agapius, bishop.

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

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

At Vercelli, St. Aemilian, bishop.

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At Verona, St. Silvinus, bishop.

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

At Sens, St. Amatus, bishop and confessor.

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

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

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

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

For in his teaching the Abbot should always observe that principle of the Apostle in which he saith: "Reprove, entreat, rebuke" (2 Tm 4:2), that is, mingling gentleness with severity, as the occasion may call for, let him show the severity of the master and the loving affection of a father. He must sternly rebuke the undisciplined and restless; but he must exhort the obedient, meek, and patient to advance in virtue. But we charge him to rebuke and punish the negligent and haughty. Let him not shut his eyes to the sins of evil-doers; but on their first appearance let him do his utmost to cut them out from the root at once, mindful of the fate of Heli, the priest of Silo (cf 1 Sam 2:11-4:18). The well-disposed and those of good understanding, let him correct at the first and second admonition only with words; but let him chastise the wicked and the hard of heart, and the proud and disobedient at the very first offense with stripes and other bodily punishments, knowing that it is written: "The fool is not corrected with words" (Prov 29:19). And again: "Strike thy son with the rod, and thou shalt deliver his soul from death" (Prov 23:14).

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

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, when Emperor Heraclius, after
defeating King Chosroes, brought it back to Jerusalem from Persia.

At Rome, on the Appian Way, during the persecution of Decius,
blessed Cornelius, pope and martyr. After being banished, he was
scourged with leaded whips and then beheaded with twenty-one others
of both sexes. On the same day were condemned to capital punishment
Caerealis, a soldier, and his wife Sallustia, who had been instructed
in the faith by the same Cornelius.

In Africa, in the time of Emperors Valerian and Gallienus, St.
Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, most renowned for holiness and
learning. It was near the seashore, six miles from the city, that he
completed his martyrdom by beheading, after enduring a most painful
exile. The feast of the Saints Cornelius and Cyprian is kept on the
16th of this month.

At Comana in Pontus, the birthday of St. John, bishop of
Constantinople, confessor and doctor of the Church, surnamed
Chrysostom because of his golden eloquence. He was cast into exile
by a faction of his enemies, but was recalled by a decree of Pope
Innocent I. However, he suffered many evils on the journey at the
hands of the soldiers who guarded him, and he rendered up his soul
unto God. His feast is kept on the 27th of January, on which day his
holy body was translated to Constantinople by Theodosius the
Younger. Pope Pius X declared and appointed this glorious preacher
of the divine Word as heavenly patron of those preaching of holy
things.

At Treves, the holy bishop Maternus, a disciple of the blessed
apostle Peter, who brought to the faith of Christ the inhabitants of
Tongres, Cologne, Treves, and of the neighbouring country.

On the Salarian Way at Rome, during the persecution of Diocletian,
St. Crescentius, the young son of St. Euthymius, whose life was ended
by the sword, under the judge Turpilius.

In Africa, the passion of the holy martyrs Crescentian, Victor,
Rosula, and Generalis.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 14:

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

The Abbot ought always to remember what he is and what he is called, and to know that to whom much hath been entrusted, from him much will be required; and let him understand what a difficult and arduous task he assumeth in governing souls and accommodating himself to a variety of characters. Let him so adjust and adapt himself to everyone -- to one gentleness of speech, to another by reproofs, and to still another by entreaties, to each one according to his bent and understanding -- that he not only suffer no loss in his flock, but may rejoice in the increase of a worthy fold.


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

The Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The feast of the Seven Sorrows of the same most Blessed Virgin Mary.
 

At Rome, on the Via Nomentana, the birthday of blessed Nicomedes, priest and martyr. Because he said to those who would compel him to sacrifice: "I offer sacrifice only to the omnipotent God who reigneth in heaven," he was for a long time scourged with leaded whips, and thus passed to the Lord.

At Cordova in Spain, the holy martyrs Emilas, deacon, and Jeremias, who ended their martyrdom in the persecution of the Arabs by being beheaded after a long stay in prision.

In the diocese of Chalons, St. Valerian, martyr, who was suspended on high by the governor Priscus, and tortured with iron hooks. Remaining immovable in the confession of Christ, and continuing joyfully to praise him, he was struck with the sword by order of the same magistrate.

At Adrianople in Thrace, the holy martyrs Maximus, Theodore, and Asclepiodotus, who were crowned under Emperor Maximian.

Also, St. Porphyry, a comedian, who was baptized in jest in the presence of Julian the Apostate, but was suddenly converted by the power of God and declared himself a Christian. By order of the emperor he was thereupon struck with an axe, and thus crowned with martyrdom.

On the same day, St. Nicetas, a Goth, who was burned alive for the Catholic faith by order of King Athanaric.

At Marcianapolis in Thrace, St. Melitina, a martyr, in the time of Emperor Antoninus and the governor Antiochus. She was twice led to the temples of the heathens, and since the idols fell to the ground each time, she was hanged and torn, and finally beheaded.

At Toul in France, St. Aper, bishop.

Also, St. Leobinus, bishop of Chartres.

At Lyons in France, St. Albinus, bishop.

On the same day, the death of St. Aichard, abbot.

In France, St. Eutropia, widow.

In Genoa, St. Catherine, a widow, renowned for her contempt of the world and her love of God.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 15:

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

Above all things, that the Abbot may not neglect or undervalue the welfare of the souls entrusted to him, let him not have too great a concern about fleeting, earthly, perishable things; but let him always consider that he hath undertaken the government of souls, of which he must give an account. And that he may not perhaps complain of the want of earthly means, let him remember what is written: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Mt 6:33). And again: "There is no want to them that fear Him" (Ps 33[34]:10). And let him know that he who undertaketh the government of souls must prepare himself to give an account for them; and whatever the number of brethren he hath under his charge, let him be sure that on judgment day he will, without doubt, have to give an account to the Lord for all these souls, in addition to that of his own. And thus, whilst he is in constant fear of the Shepherd's future examination about the sheep entrusted to him, and is watchful of his account for others, he is made solicitous also on his own account; and whilst by his admonitions he had administered correction to others, he is freed from his own failings.

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

The holy martyrs Cornelius, pope, and Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, who were mentioned on the 14th of September.

At Chalcedon, the birthday of St. Euphemia, virgin and martyr, under Emperor Diocletian and the proconsul Priscus. For her faith in our Lord she was subjected to tortures, imprisonment, blows, the torment of the wheel, fire, the crushing weight of stones, the teeth of the beasts, scourging with rods, the cutting of sharp saws, and burning pans, all of which she survived. But when she was again exposed to the beasts in the amphitheatre, praying to our Lord to receive her spirit, one of the animals inflicted a bite on her holy body although the rest of them licked her feet, and she yielded her unspotted soul unto God.

At Rome, the holy martyrs Lucy, a noble matron, and Geminian, who were subjected to grievous afflictions and were for a long time tortured by the command of Emperor Diocletian. Finally, being put to the sword, they obtained the glorious victory of martyrdom.

The birthday of St. Martin I, pope and martyr. He had called together a council at Rome and condemned the heretics Sergius, Paul and Pyrrhus. By order of the heretical Emperor Constantius he was taken prisoner through a deceit, brought to Constantinople, and exiled to the Chersonese. There he ended his life, worn out with his labours for the Catholic faith and favoured with many virtues. His body was afterwards brought to Rome and buried in the church of Saints Sylvester and Martin. His feast, however, is observed on the 12th of November.

Also at Rome, the birthday of St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr. She brought her husband and brother Tiburtius to the faith of Christ and afterwards encouraged them on to martyrdom. Almachius, prefect of the city, after their martyrdom, had her arrested and slain by the sword, after she had endured many trials and had passed through fire unhurt. This was in the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander. Her feast is celebrated on the 22nd of November.

At Heraclea in Thrace, under Emperor Domitian and the governor Sergius, St. Sebastiana, martyr. Being brought to the faith of Christ by the blessed apostle Paul, she was tormented in various ways and finally beheaded.

At Rome, at a place on the Flaminian Way ten miles from the city, the holy martyrs Abundius, a priest, and Abundantius, a deacon, whom Emperor Diocletian ordered to be struck with the sword, together with Marcian, an illustrious man, and his son John, whom they raised from the dead.

At Cordova in Spain, the holy martyrs Rogellus and Servusdeus, who were beheaded after their hands and feet had been cut off.

At Whithorn in Scotland, St. Ninian, bishop and confessor.

In England, St. Edith, virgin, daughter of the English King Edgar. She was consecrated to God in a monastery from her earliest years, and it may be said rather that she never knew the world than that she forsook it.

At Monte Cassino, the blessed Pope Victor III, successor of Pope St. Gregory VII, who shed a fresh lustre on the Apostolic See, and by God's help gained a famous victory over the Saracens. Pope Leo XIII approved and confirmed the veneration given him from time immemorial.

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