Rule/Martyrology

[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.

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for September 27:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

Let a man consider that God always seeth him from Heaven, that the eye of God beholdeth his works everywhere, and that the angels report them to Him every hour. The Prophet telleth us this when he showeth God thus ever present in our thoughts, saying: "The searcher of hearts and reins is God" (Ps 7:10). And again: "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men" (Ps 93[94]:11) And he saith: "Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off" (Ps 138[139]:3). And: "The thoughts of man shall give praise to Thee" (Ps 75[76]:11). Therefore, in order that he may always be on his guard against evil thoughts, let the humble brother always say in his heart: "Then I shall be spotless before Him, if I shall keep myself from iniquity" (Ps 17[18]:24).

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

In Bohemia, St. Wenceslas, duke of Bohemia and martyr, renowned for holiness and miracles. Being murdered by the deceit of his brother, he went triumphantly to heaven.

At Rome, St. Privatus, martyr, who was cured of ulcers by blessed Pope Callistus. In the time of Emperor Alexander he was scourged to death with leaded whips for the faith of Christ.

In the same place, St. Stacteus, martyr.

In Africa, the Saints Martial, Lawrence, and twenty other martyrs.

At Antioch in Pisidia, the holy martyrs Mark, a shepherd, Alphius, Alexander, and Zosimus, his brothers; also Nicon, Neon, Heliodorus, and thirty soldiers, who were converted to Christ upon seeing the miracles of blessed Mark, and were crowned with martyrdom in different places and in diverse manners.

On the same day, under Emperor Decius, the martyrdom of St. Maximus.

At Toulouse, St. Exuperius, bishop and confessor. St. Jerome gives a memorable testimony of this blessed man, relating how severe he was towards himself and how liberal towards others.

At Genoa, St. Solomon, bishop and confessor.

At Brescia, St. Silvinus, bishop.

At Bethlehem of Juda, the holy virgin Eustochium, daughter of blessed Paula, who was brought up at the manger of our Lord with other virgins, and being celebrated for her merits, went to our Lord.

At Fulda near Mayence, St. Lioba, 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 September 28:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

We are thus forbidden to do our own will, since the Scripture saith to us: "And turn away from thy evil will" (Sir 18:30). And thus, too, we ask God in prayer that His will may be done in us (cf Mt 6:10). We are, therefore, rightly taught not to do our own will, when we guard against what Scripture saith: "There are ways that to men seem right, the end whereof plungeth into the depths of hell" (Prov 16:25). And also when we are filled with dread at what is said of the negligent: "They are corrupted and become abominable in their pleasure" (Ps 13[14]:1). But as regards desires of the flesh, let us believe that God is thus ever present to us, since the Prophet saith to the Lord: "Before Thee is all my desire" (Ps 37[38]:10).

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

On Mount Gargano, the commemoration of the blessed archangel Michael. This festival is kept in memory of the day when, under his invocation, there was consecrated a church, unpretending in its exterior, but endowed with celestial virtue.

At Auxerre, St. Fraternus, bishop and martyr.

In Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Eutychius, Plautus, and Heracleas.

In Persia, the holy martyrs Dadas, a blood relative of King Sapor, Casdoa, his wife, and Gabdelas, his son. After being deprived of their dignities, and subjected to various torments, they were imprisoned for a long time and finally put to the sword.

In Armenia, under King Tiridates, the holy virgin Ripsimis and her martyr companions.

In Persia, under King Sapor, the holy martyr Gudelia. After converting many to the faith, and having refused to adore the sun and the fire, she was subjected to numerous torments. Having the skin torn off her head, and being fastened to a post, she merited an eternal triumph.

At Pontecorvo near Aquino, St. Grimoaldus, priest and confessor.

In Palestine, St. Quiriacus, an anchoret.

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 29:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

We must, therefore, guard thus against evil desires, because death hath his station near the entrance of pleasure. Whence the Scripture commandeth, saying: "Go no after thy lusts" (Sir 18:30). If, therefore, the eyes of the Lord observe the good and the bad (cf Prov 15:3) and the Lord always looketh down from heaven on the children of men, to see whether there be anyone that understandeth or seeketh God (cf Ps 13[14]:2); and if our actions are reported to the Lord day and night by the angels who are appointed to watch over us daily, we must ever be on our guard, brethren, as the Prophet saith in the psalm, that God may at no time see us "gone aside to evil and become unprofitable" (Ps 13[14]:3), and having spared us in the present time, because He is kind and waiteth for us to be changed for the better, say to us in the future: "These things thou hast done and I was silent" (Ps 49[50]:21).

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

In Bethlehem of Juda, the death of St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church. Excelling in all kinds of learning, he imitated the life of the most approved monks, and disposed of many monstrous heresies with the sword of his doctrine. Having at length reached a very advanced age, he rested in peace and was buried near the manger of our Lord. His body was afterwards transferred to Rome, and placed in the basilica of St. Mary Major.

At Rome, the birthday of St. Francis Borgia, priest and confessor. He was the General of the Society of Jesus, and is memorable for his mortification, gift of prayer, the forsaking of the world, and the refusal of ecclesiastical dignities. His feast is observed on the 10th of October.

At Lisieux in France, the birthday of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. Seeing her to be most wonderful for her innocence of life and simplicity, Pope Pius XI placed her name among the holy virgins and appointed her as special patron before God of all missions, decreeing that her feast should be observed on the 3rd of October.

At Rome, the holy martyr Leopardus, of the household of Julian the Apostate. He was beheaded at Rome, and his body afterwards taken to Aix-la-Chapelle.

At Soleure in Switzerland, in the time of Emperor Maximian, the passion of the holy martyrs Victor and Ursus, of the glorious Theban legion. They were subjected to horrible tortures, but a heavenly light shone over them causing the executioners to fall to the ground, and they were delivered. Being then cast into the fire without sustaining any injury, they finally perished by the sword.

At Piacenza, the holy martyr Antoninus, a soldier of the same legion.

On the same day, St. Gregory, bishop of Greater Armenia, who, after many sufferings under Diocletian, rested in peace.

At Canterbury in England, St. Honorius, bishop and confessor.

At Rome, St. Sophia, widow, mother of the holy virgin martyrs Faith, Hope, and Charity.

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 30:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

The second degree of humility is, when a man loveth not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carrieth our that word of the Lord which saith: "I came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn 6:38). It is likewise said: "Self-will hath its punishment, but necessity winneth the crown."


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

St. Remigius, bishop of Rheims and confessor, who fell asleep in the Lord on the 13th of January, but is commemorated on this day because of the translation of his body.

At Rome, blessed Aretas and five hundred and four other martyrs.

At Tournai in France, St. Piaton, priest and martyr, who went from Rome to France to preach, together with blessed Quinctinus and his companions. Afterwards, his martyrdom was completed in the persecution of Maximian and he passed from earth to heaven.

At Tomis in Pontus, the holy martyrs Priscus, Crescens, and Evagrius.

At Lisbon in Portugal, the holy martyrs Verissimus, and his sisters Maxima and Julia, who suffered in the persecution of Diocletian.

At Thessalonica, St. Domninus, martyr, under Emperor Maximian.

At Orvieto, St. Severus, priest and confessor.

At the port of Ghent, St. Bavo, 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 October 1:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

The third degree of humility is, that for the love of God a man subject himself to a Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle saith: "He became obedient unto death" (Phil 2:8.

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

The Feast of the holy Guardian Angels.

At Rome, the martyrdom of St. Modestus, a Sardinian, deacon and martyr, who was racked and burned with fire by Emperor Diocletian. His holy body was afterwards translated to Benevento and buried there in a church named after him.

In the vicinity of Arras, the martyrdom of blessed Leodegarius, bishop of Autun. After being subjected to various insults and torments for the truth, he was put to death by Ebroin, chief minister of Theodoric.

At Nicomedia, St. Eleutherius, soldier and martyr, with innumerable others. They were falsely accused of having set fire to the palace of Diocletian and, by order of this cruel emperor, were barbarously massacred in groups. Some were put to the sword, some consumed by fire, while others were cast into the sea. But the principal one, Eleutherius, after long tortures, being found stronger after each torment, completed his victorious martyrdom by fire, as well-tried gold.

At Antioch, the holy martyrs Primus, Cyril, and Secundarius.

On the same day, St. Gerinus, martyr, brother of blessed Leodegarius, bishop of Autun. He was stoned to death by the same Ebroin.

At Constantinople, St. Theophilus, a monk. He was cruelly scourged by Leo the Isaurian for his defense of holy images, was driven into exile, and there went gloriously to heaven.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for October 2:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

The fourth degree of humility is, that, if hard and distasteful things are commanded, nay, even though injuries are inflicted, he accept them with patience and even temper, and not grow weary or give up, but hold out, as the Scripture saith: "He that shall persevere unto the end shall be saved" (Mt 10:22). And again: "Let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord" (Ps 26[27]:14). And showing that a faithful man ought even to bear every disagreeable thing for the Lord, it saith in the person of the suffering: "For Thy sake we suffer death all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter" (Rom 8:36; Ps 43[44]:22). And secure in the hope of the divine reward, they go on joyfully, saying: "But in all these things we overcome because of Him that hath loved us" (Rom 8:37). And likewise in another place the Scripture saith: "Thou, O God, hast proved us; Thou hast tried us by fire as silver is tried; Thou hast brought us into a net, Thou hast laid afflictions on our back" (Ps 65[66]:10-11). And to show us that we ought to be under a Superior, it continueth, saying: "Thou hast set men over our heads" (Ps 65[66]:12). And fulfilling the command of the Lord by patience also in adversities and injuries, when struck on the one cheek they turn also the other; the despoiler of their coat they give their cloak also; and when forced to go one mile they go two (cf Mt 5:39-41); with the Apostle Paul they bear with false brethren and "bless those who curse them" (2 Cor 11:26; 1 Cor 4:12).

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

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, virgin of the Order of Discalced
Carmelites, special patroness of all missions. Her birthday is
commemorated on the 30th day of September.

At Rome, near the place called Ursus Pileatus, St. Candidus, martyr.

Among the ancient Saxons, two holy martyrs of the name of Ewald,
priests who had been preaching in that country. They were seized by
the pagans and put to death. During the night, a great light shone
over the bodies for a long time, pointing out where they were and
also how distinguished were their merits.

Also, the holy martyrs Denis, Faustus, Caius, Peter, Paul, and four
others who had suffered greatly under Decius. In the time of
Valerian, they were long subjected to torments by the governor
Aemilian, and merited the palm of martyrdom.

In Africa, St. Maximian, bishop of Bagaia. Again and again he
suffered great cruelties from the Donatists, was finally cast
headlong from a high tower, and left for dead. He was found by
passers-by, and having been healed by their zealous care, he did not
cease to defend the Catholic faith until he rested in the Lord,
renowned for the glory of his witness to the faith.

At Leon in Spain, St. Froylan, bishop of that city, noted for his
zeal in spreading the monastic life, his generosity to the poor and
other virtues, and for his miracles.

In Belgium, in the diocese of Namur, St. Gerard, abbot.

In Palestine, St. Hesychius, confessor, disciple of St. Hilarion,
and the companion of his travels.

At Savona in Liguria, St. Maria Giuseppe Rossello, foundress of the
Daughters of our Lady of Mercy. Renowned for her charitable works,
Pope Pius XII placed her among the number of holy virgins.

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