Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 17:

CHAPTER III
Of Calling the Brethren for Counsel (cont.)

Therefore, let all follow the Rule as their guide in everything, and let no one rashly depart from it.

Let no one in the monastery follow the bent of his own heart, and let no one dare to dispute insolently with his Abbot, either inside or outside the monastery. If any one dare to do so, let him be placed under the correction of the Rule. Let the Abbot himself, however, do everything in the fear of the Lord and out of reverence for the Rule, knowing that, beyond a doubt, he will have to give an account to God, the most just Judge, for all his rulings. If, however, matters of less importance, having to do with the welfare of the monastery, are to be treated of, let him use the counsel of the Seniors only, as it is written: "Do all things with counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done" (Sir 32:24).

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

At Osimo in Piceno, St. Joseph of Cupertino, priest and confessor of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, who was placed among the saints by Clement XIII.

In Chalcis of Greece, the birthday of St. Methodius, bishop of Olympius in Lycia and afterwards of Tyre in Phoenicia, most renowned for eloquence and learning. St. Jerome says that he won the martyr's crown at the end of the last persecution.

In the diocese of Vienne, the holy martyr Ferreol, a tribune, who was arrested by order of the impious governor Crispinus, most cruelly scourged, loaded with heavy chains, and cast into a dark dungeon. A miracle broke his bonds and opened the doors of the prison, from which he made his escape, but he was taken again by his pursuers and received the palm of martyrdom by being beheaded.

Also, the Saints Sophia and Irene, martyrs.

At Milan, St. Eustorgius, first bishop of that city, highly praised by blessed Ambrose.

At Gortyna in Crete, St. Eumenius, 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 September 18:

CHAPTER IV
The Instruments of Good Works

(1) In the first place to love the Lord God with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength...
(2) Then, one's neighbor as one's self (cf Mt 22:37-39; Mk 12:30-31; Lk 10:27).
(3) Then, not to kill...
(4) Not to commit adultery...
(5) Not to steal...
(6) Not to covet (cf Rom 13:9).
(7) Not to bear false witness (cf Mt 19:18; Mk 10:19; Lk 18:20).
( To honor all men (cf 1 Pt 2:17).
(9) And what one would not have done to himself, not to do to another (cf Tob 4:16; Mt 7:12; Lk 6:31).
(10) To deny one's self in order to follow Christ (cf Mt 16:24; Lk 9:23).
(11) To chastise the body (cf 1 Cor 9:27).
(12) Not to seek after pleasures.
(13) To love fasting.
(14) To relieve the poor.
(15) To clothe the naked...
(16) To visit the sick (cf Mt 25:36).
(17) To bury the dead.
(18) To help in trouble.
(19) To console the sorrowing.
(20) To hold one's self aloof from worldly ways.
(21) To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.

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

At Pozzuoli in Campania, the holy martyrs Januarius, bishop of Benevento; Festus, his deacon, and Desiderius, a lector, together with Sosius, a deacon of the Church of Miseno; Proculus, deacon of Pozzuoli; Eutychius, and Acutius, who were bound and imprisoned and then beheaded during the reign of Diocletian. The body of St. Januarius was brought to Naples and buried in the church with due honours, where even now the blood of the blessed martyr is kept in a vial, and when placed close to his head is seen to become liquid and bubble up as if it were just taken from his veins.

In Palestine, the holy martyrs Peleus, Nilus, and Elias, bishops in Egypt, with many others of the clergy, who were consumed by fire for the sake of Christ during the persecution of Diocletian.

At Nocera, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix and Constantia, who suffered under Nero.

Also, the holy martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon, senator, under Emperor Probus. By command of the governor Atticus at Antioch, Sabbatius was scourged until he expired. Trophimus was sent to the governor Perennius at Synnada, where he and the senator Dorymedon completed their martyrdom by being beheaded after enduring many torments.

At Eleutheropolis in Palestine, St. Susanna, virgin and martyr. She was the daughter of Arthemius, a pagan priest, and of Martha, a Jewish woman, and after the death of her parents she was converted to the Christian faith. For this she was tortured in various ways, and cast in prison by the prefect Alexander, and there gave up her spirit while at prayer.

At Cordova in Spain, St. Pomposa, virgin and martyr. Because of her fearless witness to Christ she was beheaded in the Arab persecution, and thus obtained the palm of martyrdom.

At Canterbury, the holy bishop Theodore, who was sent to England by Pope Vitalian, and who was renowned for learning and holiness.

At Tours in France, St. Eustochius, bishop, a man of great virtue.

In the diocese of Langres, St. Sequanus, priest and confessor.

At Barcelona in Spain, blessed Mary de Cervellione, virgin, of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. She is commonly called Mary of Help on account of the prompt assistance she renders to those who invoke her.

In the village of Druelle, in the diocese of Rodez in France, St. Marie Guillemette Emilie de Rodat, virgin, and foundress of the Congregation of Sisters of the Holy Family, which was established to teach poor and orphaned girls. Pius XII added her name to the number of holy virgins.

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 19:

CHAPTER IV
The Instruments of Good Works (cont.)

(22) Not to give way to anger.
(23) Not to foster a desire for revenge.
(24) Not to entertain deceit in the heart.
(25) Not to make a false peace.
(26) Not to forsake charity.
(27) Not to swear, lest perchance one swear falsely.
(28) To speak the truth with heart and tongue.
(29) Not to return evil for evil (cf 1 Thes 5:15; 1 Pt 3:9).
(30) To do no injury, yea, even patiently to bear the injury done us.
(31) To love one's enemies (cf Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27).
(32) Not to curse them that curse us, but rather to bless them.
(33) To bear persecution for justice sake (cf Mt 5:10).
(34) Not to be proud...
(35) Not to be given to wine (cf Ti 1:7; 1 Tm 3:3).
(36) Not to be a great eater.
(37) Not to be drowsy.
(38) Not to be slothful (cf Rom 12:11).
(39) Not to be a murmurer.
(40) Not to be a detractor.
(41) To put one's trust in God.
(42) To refer what good one sees in himself, not to self, but to God.
(43) But as to any evil in himself, let him be convinced that it is his own and charge it to himself.

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

The vigil of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist.

At Rome, the holy martyrs Eustace, and Theopistes, his wife, with their two sons, Agapitus and Theopistus. Under Emperor Hadrian they were condemned to be cast to the beasts, but by the power of God they were uninjured by them, so they were shut up in a heated brazen ox, and thus completed their martyrdom.

At Cyzicum, on the sea of Marmora, the birthday of the holy martyrs Evilasius and the virgin Fausta, in the time of Emperor Maximian. Fausta's head was shaved to shame her, and she was hung up and tortured by Evilasius, then a pagan priest. But when he wished to have her body cut in two, the executioners could not inflict any injury upon her. Amazed at this prodigy, Evilasius believed in Christ and was cruelly tortured by order of the emperor; at the same time Fausta had her head bored through and her whole body pierced with nails. She was then laid on a heated gridiron, and being called by a celestial voice, went in company with Evilasius to enjoy the blessedness of heaven.

In Phrygia, the holy martyrs Denis and Privatus.

Also St. Priscus, martyr, whose body was pierced throughout with daggers, after which he was beheaded.

At Pergen in Pamphylia, the Saints Theodore, his mother Philippa, and their fellow martyrs, in the time of Emperor Antoninus.

At Carthage, under Emperor Maximian, St. Candida, virgin and martyr. After her body was lacerated by whips she was crowned with martyrdom.

At Milan, St. Clicerius, bishop and confessor.

At Rome, the translation of the body of St. Agapitus I, pope and confessor, from the city of Constantinople, in which he died on the 22nd of April.

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 20:

CHAPTER IV
The Instruments of Good Works (cont.)

(44) To fear the day of judgment.
(45) To be in dread of hell.
(46) To desire eternal life with all spiritual longing.
(47) To keep death before one's eyes daily.
(48) To keep a constant watch over the actions of our life.
(49) To hold as certain that God sees us everywhere.
(50) To dash at once against Christ the evil thoughts which rise in one's heart.
(51) And to disclose them to our spiritual father.
(52) To guard one's tongue against bad and wicked speech.
(53) Not to love much speaking.
(54) Not to speak useless words and such as provoke laughter.
(55) Not to love much or boisterous laughter.
(56) To listen willingly to holy reading.
(57) To apply one's self often to prayer.
(58) To confess one's past sins to God daily in prayer with sighs and tears, and to amend them for the future.
(59) Not to fulfil the desires of the flesh (cf Gal 5:16).
(60) To hate one's own will.
(61) To obey the commands of the Abbot in all things, even though he himself (which Heaven forbid) act otherwise, mindful of that precept of the Lord: "What they say, do ye; what they do, do ye not" (Mt 23:3).

Martyrology-September 21st
Roman Martyrology-September 21st- on this date in various years-

The birthday of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist, who suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia while engaged in preaching. The Gospel written by him in Hebrew was found by his own revelation during the time of Emperor Zeno, together with the relics of the blessed apostle Barnabas.

In the land of the Saar, the holy prophet Jonas, who was buried in Geth.

In Ethiopia, St. Iphigenia, virgin, who was baptized and consecrated to God by the blessed apostle Matthew, and who ended her holy life in peace.

At Rome, St Pamphilius, martyr.

On the Claudian Way, twenty miles from Rome, in the time of Emperor Antoninus, the martyrdom of St. Alexander, bishop. For the faith of Christ he was loaded with fetters, scourged, tortured, burned with torches, torn with iron hooks, exposed to the beasts, and cast into the flames, but having overcome all these torments, he was finally beheaded, and thus attained the glory of eternal life. His body was afterwards carried into the city by blessed Pope Damasus on the 26th of November.

In Cyprus, St. Isacius, bishop and martyr.

In Phoenicia, St. Eusebius, martyr, who of his own accord went to the prefect and declared himself a Christian. He was subjected by him to many torments, and finally beheaded.

In Cyprus, St. Meletius, 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 September 21:

CHAPTER IV
The Instruments of Good Works (cont.)

(63) To fulfil daily the commandments of God by works.
(64) To love chastity.
(65) To hate no one.
(66) Not to be jealous; not to entertain envy.
(67) Not to love strife.
(68) Not to love pride.
(69) To honor the aged.
(70) To love the younger.
(71) To pray for one's enemies in the love of Christ.
(72) To make peace with an adversary before the setting of the sun.
(73) And never to despair of God's mercy.

Behold, these are the instruments of the spiritual art, which, if they have been applied without ceasing day and night and approved on judgment day, will merit for us from the Lord that reward which He hath promised: "The eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor 2:9). But the workshop in which we perform all these works with diligence is the enclosure of the monastery, and stability in the community

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

St. Thomas of Villanova, of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, archbishop of Valencia and confessor, whose birthday is the 8th of September.

At St. Maurice, near Sion in Switzerland, the birthday of the holy Theban martyrs Maurice, Exuperius, Candidus, Victor, Innocent, and Vitalis, with their companions of the same legion, whose martyrdom for the faith during the time of Maximian filled the world with the glory of their sufferings.

At Rome, the martyrdom of the holy virgins and martyrs Digna and Emerita, under Valerian and Gallienus. Their relics are kept in the church of St. Marcellus.

At Ratisbon in Bavaria, St. Emmeramus, bishop and martyr, who patiently endured a most cruel death for the sake of our Lord, in order to set others free.

At Arpajon, near Paris, St. Jonas, priest and martyr, who went to France along with St. Denis. After he was scourged by the order of the prefect Julian, his martyrdom was ended by the sword.

At Antinopolis in Egypt, the holy martyrs Irais, an Alexandrian virgin, and her companions. Having gone out to draw water at a near-by fountain, and seeing a boat loaded with Christian confessors, she immediately left her vessel and joined them. She was conducted to the city with them, and after many torments she was the first to have her head struck off. After her, priests, deacons, virgins, and all others underwent the same kind of death.

At Rome, Pope St. Felix IV, who laboured exceedingly for the Catholic faith.

At Meaux, blessed Sanctinus, bishop, a disciple of St. Denis the Areopagite, by whom he was consecrated bishop of that city, and was the first to preach the Gospel there.

In the territory of Coutances, St. Lanto, bishop.

At Mount Glonna in France, the holy priest Florentius.

In the territory of Bourges, St. Sylvanus, confessor.

At Laon in France, St. Salaberga, abbess.

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 22:

CHAPTER V
Of Obedience

The first degree of humility is obedience without delay. This becometh those who, on account of the holy subjection which they have promised, or of the fear of hell, or the glory of life everlasting, hold nothing dearer than Christ. As soon as anything hath been commanded by the Superior they permit no delay in the execution, as if the matter had been commanded by God Himself. Of these the Lord saith: "At the hearing of the ear he hath obeyed Me" (Ps 17[18]:45). And again He saith to the teachers: "He that heareth you heareth Me" (Lk 10:16).

Such as these, therefore, instantly quitting their own work and giving up their own will, with hands disengaged, and leaving unfinished what they were doing, follow up, with the ready step of obedience, the work of command with deeds; and thus, as if in the same moment, both matters -- the master's command and the disciple's finished work -- are, in the swiftness of the fear of God, speedily finished together, whereunto the desire of advancing to eternal life urgeth them. They, therefore, seize upon the narrow way whereof the Lord saith: "Narrow is the way which leadeth to life" (Mt 7:14), so that, not living according to their own desires and pleasures but walking according to the judgment and will of another, they live in monasteries, and desire an Abbot to be over them. Such as these truly live up to the maxim of the Lord in which He saith: "I came not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn 6:38).

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

At Rome, St. Linus, pope and martyr, who governed the Roman Church next after the blessed apostle Peter. He was crowned with martyrdom and was buried on the Vatican Hill beside the same apostle.

At Iconium in Lycaonia, St. Thecla, virgin and martyr, who was brought to the faith by the apostle St. Paul. Under Emperor Nero, she was victorious over the flames and the beasts to which she was exposed for the faith of Christ. After many combats endured for the instruction of others, she went to Seleucia, where she ended her days in peace. Her memory has been eulogized by the holy Fathers.

In Spain, the holy women Xantippa and Polyxena, who were disciples of the apostles.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Andrew, John, Peter and Anthony.

At Ancona, St. Constantius, sacristan of the church, renowned for the gift of miracles.

In Campania, the commemoration of the blessed Sosius, deacon of the church of Miseno. The holy bishop Januarius, upon seeing a flame arise from his head as he was reading the Gospel in the church, foretold that he would be a martyr. Not many days after, when he was thirty years of age, he and the holy bishop suffered martyrdom by beheading.

At Scicy in the district of Coutances in France, the commemoration of St. Paternus, bishop of Avranches and confessor, whose birthday is recalled on the 16th of April.

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 23:

CHAPTER V
Of Obedience (cont.)

This obedience, however, will be acceptable to God and agreeable to men then only, if what is commanded is done without hesitation, delay, lukewarmness, grumbling or complaint, because the obedience which is rendered to Superiors is rendered to God. For He Himself hath said: "He that heareth you heareth Me" (Lk 10:16). And it must be rendered by the disciples with a good will, "for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). " For if the disciple obeyeth with an ill will, and murmureth, not only with lips but also in his heart, even though he fulfil the command, yet it will not be acceptable to God, who regardeth the heart of the murmurer. And for such an action he acquireth no reward; rather he incurreth the penalty of murmurers, unless he maketh satisfactory amendment.

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

The feast of our Lady of Ransom, Foundress of the Order for the Redemption of Captives. The apparition of the same Blessed Virgin occurred on the 10th of August.

At Brescia, the death of St. Anathalo, bishop. He was a disciple of the blessed apostle Barnabas, and succeeded him as bishop of the Milanese church.

In Hungary, St. Gerard, bishop of Chzonad and martyr, patrician of Venice, called the apostle of the Hungarians. During a journey from the town of Chzonad to Alba Regalis he was attacked by the pagans near the river Danube, stoned by them, and then pierced with a lance. He was thus the first to adorn his native land with a noble martyrdom.

At Autun, the birthday of the holy martyrs Andochius, a priest, Thyrsus, a deacon, and Felix, who were sent from the East by blessed Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, to preach in France. There they were severely scourged, hanged by the hands for a whole day, and cast into the fire. Remaining uninjured, they had their necks broken with heavy bars, and thus won a most glorious crown.

In Egypt, the holy martyrs Paphnutius and his companions. While leading a solitary life, St. Paphnutius heard that many Christians were kept in bonds. Moved by the spirit of God, he voluntarily offered himself to the prefect, and freely confessed the Christian faith. He was bound by him with iron chains, and for a long time tortured on the rack. Then, being sent with many others to Diocletian, by his order he was fastened to a palm tree, and the rest were struck with the sword.

At Chalcedon, under Emperor Diocletian, after the martyrdom of St. Euphemia, forty-nine holy martyrs who were condemned to be devoured by the beasts, but being miraculously delivered, were finally struck with the sword and went to heaven.

In Auvergne, the death of St. Rusticus, bishop and confessor.

In the diocese of Beauvais, St. Geremarus, priest and abbot.

At San Severino in Piceno, the death of St. Pacificus, priest and confessor of the Order of Friars Minor of St. Francis of the Reformed Observance. Illustrious for his great patience and his love of solitude, he was enrolled in the canon of the saints by Pope Gregory XVI.

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 24:

CHAPTER VI
Of Silence

Let us do what the Prophet saith: "I said, I will take heed of my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I have set a guard to my mouth, I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things" (Ps 38[39]:2-3). Here the prophet showeth that, if at times we ought to refrain from useful speech for the sake of silence, how much more ought we to abstain from evil words on account of the punishment due to sin.

Therefore, because of the importance of silence, let permission to speak be seldom given to perfect disciples even for good and holy and edifying discourse, for it is written: "In much talk thou shalt not escape sin" (Prov 10:19). And elsewhere: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov 18:21). For it belongeth to the master to speak and to teach; it becometh the disciple to be silent and to listen. If, therefore, anything must be asked of the Superior, let it be asked with all humility and respectful submission. But coarse jests, and idle words or speech provoking laughter, we condemn everywhere to eternal exclusion; and for such speech we do not permit the disciple to open his lips.

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

At Emmaus, the birthday of blessed Cleophas, disciple of Christ. It is related that he was killed by the Jews for the confession of our Lord, and honourably buried in the same house in which he had entertained him.

At Amiens in France, in the persecution of Diocletian, blessed Firminus, bishop. Under the governor Rictiovarus, after many torments he suffered martyrdom by being beheaded.

At Rome, on the Claudian Way, under Emperor Antoninus, St. Herculanus, soldier and martyr, who was converted to Christ by the miracle wrought during the martyrdom of the blessed bishop Alexander. After enduring many torments he was put to the sword.

At Damascus, the holy martyrs Paul, his wife Tatta, and their sons Sabinian, Maximus, Rufus, and Eugene. Accused of professing the Christian religion, they were scourged and tortured in other ways until they gave up their souls unto God.

In Asia, the holy martyrs Bardomian, Eucarpus, and twenty-six others.

At Lyons in France, the death of St. Lupus, at one time an anchoret, but later a bishop.

At Auxerre, St. Anacharius, bishop and confessor.

At Blois in France, St. Solemnius, bishop of Chartres, renowned for miracles.

On the same day, St. Principius, bishop of Soissons, brother of the blessed bishop Remigius.

At Anagni, the holy virgins Aurelia and Neomisia.

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 25:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility

Brethren, the Holy Scripture crieth to us saying: "Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Lk 14:11; 18:14). Since, therefore, it saith this, it showeth us that every exaltation is a kind of pride. The Prophet declareth that he guardeth himself against this, saying: "Lord, my heart is not puffed up; nor are my eyes haughty. Neither have I walked in great matters nor in wonderful things above me" (Ps 130[131]:1). What then? "If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul; as a child that is weaned is towards his mother so shalt Thou reward my soul" (Ps 130[131]:2).

Hence, brethren, if we wish to reach the greatest height of humility, and speedily to arrive at that heavenly exaltation to which ascent is made in the present life by humility, then, mounting by our actions, we must erect the ladder which appeared to Jacob in his dream, by means of which angels were shown to him ascending and descending (cf Gen 28:12). Without a doubt, we understand this ascending and descending to be nothing else but that we descend by pride and ascend by humility. The erected ladder, however, is our life in the present world, which, if the heart is humble, is by the Lord lifted up to heaven. For we say that our body and our soul are the two sides of this ladder; and into these sides the divine calling hath inserted various degrees of humility or discipline which we must mount.


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

At Nicomedia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Cyprian and the virgin Justina. Under Emperor Diocletian and the governor Eutholmius, Justina suffered greatly for the faith of Christ, and thus converted Cyprian, who, while a magician, had endeavoured to bring her under the influence of his magical practices. She afterwards suffered martyrdom with him. Their bodies were exposed to the beasts, but were taken away in the night by some Christian sailors, and carried to Rome. They were subsequently taken into the Constantinian basilica, and buried near the baptistry.

At Rome, in the persecution of Diocletian, the holy martyr Callistratus and forty-nine other soldiers who endured martyrdom together. The companions of Callistratus were converted to Christ upon seeing him miraculously delivered from drowning in the sea, although he had been sewn up in a bag and thrown in.

At Bologna, St. Eusebius, bishop and confessor.

At Brescia, St. Vigilius, bishop.

In the Tuscan plain, the blessed Abbot Nilus, founder of the monastery of Grottaferrata, a man of eminent sanctity.

At Tiferno in Umbria, St. Amantius, a priest distinguished for the gift of miracles.

At Albano, St. Senator.

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 26:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

The first degree of humility, then, is that a man always have the fear of God before his eyes (cf Ps 35[36]:2), shunning all forgetfulness and that he be ever mindful of all that God hath commanded, that he always considereth in his mind how those who despise God will burn in hell for their sins, and that life everlasting is prepared for those who fear God. And whilst he guardeth himself evermore against sin and vices of thought, word, deed, and self-will, let him also hasten to cut off the desires of the flesh.

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

At Aegea, during the persecution of Diocletian, the birthday of the holy martyrs Cosmas and Damian, brothers. After miraculously overcoming many torments from bonds, imprisonment, fire, crucifixion, stoning, arrows, and from being cast into the sea, they were beheaded. With them are said to have suffered three brothers: Anthimus, Leontius, and Euprepius.

At Paris, the birthday of St. Vincent de Paul, priest and confessor, founder of the Congregation of the Mission and of the Sisters of Charity, an apostolic man and father to the poor. Pope Leo XIII appointed this saint as the heavenly patron before God of all charitable societies in the world which in any way whatever draw their origin from him. His feast is celebrated on the 19th of July.

At Byblos in Phoenicia, Bishop St. Mark, whom St. Luke calls John, and who was the son of that blessed Mary who is commemorated on the 29th of July.

At Milan, the holy bishop Caius, a disciple of the blessed apostle Barnabas, who passed calmly to rest after suffering severely in the persecution of Nero.

At Rome, St. Epicharis, wife of a senator, who was scourged with leaded whips and then struck with the sword in the persecution of Diocletian.

At Todi in Umbria, under the same Diocletian, the holy martyrs Fidentius and Terence.

At Cordova in Spain, the holy martyrs Adolph and John, brothers, who won the martyrs' crown in the Arabian persecution. Their sister, the blessed virgin Aurea, was inspired by their example to return to the faith and later bravely suffered martyrdom on the 19th of July.

At Sion in Switzerland, St. Florentius, martyr. After his tongue had been cut out, he was put to the sword with blessed Hilary.

At Ravenna, St. Aderitus, bishop and confessor.

At Paris, St. Eleazar, a count.

In Hainault, St. Hiltrude, virgin.

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