Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for January 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-January 26th
Roman Martyrology-January 26th-on this date in various years-

St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and martyr, who gained the crown of martyrdom on the 23rd of February.

At Hippo in Africa, the holy bishop Theogenes and thirty-six others, who, despising temporal death, obtained the crown of eternal life in the persecution of Valerian.

At Bethlehem of Judea, the death of St. Paula, widow, mother of St. Eustochium, a virgin of Christ, who abandoned her worldly prospects, though she was descended from a noble line of senators, distributed her goods to the poor, and retired to our Lord's manger, where, endowed with many virtues, and crowned with a long martyrdom, she departed for the kingdom of heaven. Her admirable life was written by St. Jerome.

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

St. John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, confessor and doctor of the Church, and the heavenly patron of preachers, who fell asleep in the Lord on the 14th of September. His holy body was brought to Constantinople on this day in the reign of Theodosius the younger; it was afterwards taken to Rome and placed in the basilica of the Prince of the Apostles.

At Brescia, the birthday of St. Angela Merici, virgin, who belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis, and who founded the Order of the Nuns of St. Ursula, whose principal aim is to direct young girls in the ways of the Lord. By a decree of Pope Pius IX her feast is celebrated on the 31st of May.

At Le Mans in France, the death of St. Julian, the first bishop of that city, who was sent there by St. Peter to preach the Gospel.

At Sora, St. Julian, martyr, who, being arrested in the persecution of Antoninus, was beheaded because a pagan temple had fallen to the ground while he was being tortured.

In Africa, St. Avitus, martyr.

In the same country, the holy martyrs Datius, Reatrus, and their companions, who suffered in the persecution of the Vandals.

Also, the holy martyrs Dativus, Julian, Vincent, and twenty-seven others.

At Rome, St. Vitalian, pope.

In the monastery of Bobbio in France, St. Maur, 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 January 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-January 28th
Roman Martyrology-January 28th-on this date in various years-

St. Peter Nolasco, confessor, who founded the Order of Our Lady of Ransom for the redemption of captives, and who fell asleep in the Lord on the 25th of December.

At Rome, the second feast of St. Agnes, virgin and martyr.

At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Cyril, bishop of that city, a most celebrated defender of the Catholic faith, who died in peace, with a great reputation for learning and sanctity. His feast, however, is kept on the ninth of February.

At Rome, St. Flavian, martyr, who suffered under Diocletian.

At Alexandria, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, who, while they were at Mass in the church on this day, were put to death in different ways by the followers of Syrianus, an Arian general.

At Appollonia, the holy martyrs Thrysus, Leucius, and Callinicus, who were made to undergo various torments in the time of Emperor Decius. Thyrsus and Callinicus were beheaded; Leucius, called by a heavenly voice, yielded his soul unto God.

In Thebais, the holy martyrs Leonides and his companions, who obtained the palm of martyrdom in the time of Diocletian.

At Saragossa in Spain, St. Valerius, bishop.

At Cuenca in Spain, the birthday of St. Julian, bishop, who, after bestowing the goods of the Church on the poor, like the apostles, supported himself by the work of his hands, and went to his God famous for his miracles.

In the monastery of Rheims in France, the death of the holy priest John, a devout man of God.

In Palestine, St. James, hermit, who hid himself a long time in a sepulchre in order to do penance for a fault he had committed, and, being celebrated for miracles, departed for 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 January 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-January 29th
Roman Martyrology-January 29th-on this date in various years-

St. Francis de Sales, bishop of Geneva, confessor and doctor of the Church, special patron before God of all Catholic writers in explaining, promoting, or defending Christian doctrine either by publishing journals or other writings in the vernacular. He departed to heaven on the 28th of December, but because of the transfer of his body on this day, his feast is now celebrated.

At Treves, the death of the blessed bishop Valerius, disciple of the apostle St. Peter.

At Rome, on the Via Nomentana, the birthday of the holy martyrs Papias and Maur, soldiers under Emperor Diocletian. At their first confession of Christ they had their mouths bruised with stones and were thrown into prison by order of Laodicius, prefect of the city. Afterwards they were beaten with rods and with leaded whips until they expired.

At Perugia, in the time of Marcus Aurelius, St. Constantius, bishop and martyr, who, together with his companions, received the crown of martyrdom for the defence of the faith.

At Milan, St. Aquilinus, priest, who was crowned with martyrdom by having his throat pierced with a sword by the Arians.

At Edessa in Syria, the holy martyrs Sabellus and his sister Barbea, who were baptized by the blessed bishop Barsimaeus, and crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Trajan, under the governor Lysias.

In the territory of Troyes, St. Sabinian, martyr, who was beheaded for the faith of Christ by command of the emperor Aurelian.

At Bourges, St. Sulpice Severus, bishop, distinguished by his virtues and learning.

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

St. Martina, virgin and martyr, who is commemorated on her birthday, the first day of this month.

At Edessa in Syria, in the reign of Trajan, St. Barsimaeus, bishop, who converted many Gentiles to the faith, sent them before him to gain their crown, and then followed them with the palm of martyrdom.

At Antioch, the passion of the blessed Hippolytus, priest, who for a short time deceived by the Novatian schism, was converted by the grace of Christ, and returned to the unity of the Church, for which and in which he afterwards underwent a glorious martyrdom. Being asked by the schismatics, which was the better side, he said that he detested the doctrine of Novatus, and that the faith which the Chair of Peter taught ought to be professed, after which he was beheaded.

In Africa, the passion of the holy martyrs Felician, Philappian, and one hundred and twenty-four others.

Blessed Alexander, a man of venerable aspect and advanced age, who was apprehended in the persecution of Decius. After gloriously and repeatedly confessing the faith, in the midst of torments he gave up his soul unto God.

At Edessa in Syria, St Barsen, bishop, renowned for the gift of healing diseases. For holding to the Catholic faith he was banished by the Arian emperor Valens into the most remote corner of that country, and he there ended his days.

At Jerusalem, the birthday of St. Matthias, bishop, of whom wonderful deeds are related which were inspired by faith. After having endured many trials for Christ under Adrian, he passed away in peace.

At Pavia, St. Armentarius, bishop and confessor.

In Hainaut, in the monastery of Maubeuge, St. Aldegund, virgin, who lived in the time of King Dagobert.

At Viterbo, the holy virgin Hyacinth Mariscotti, a nun of the Third Order of St. Francis, distinguished for the virtues of penance and charity. She was inscribed among the saints by Pope Pius VII.

At Milan, St. Savina, a most religious woman, who went to rest in the Lord while praying at the tomb of the holy martyrs Nabor and Felix.

In the district of Paris, St. Bathilde, queen, renowned for the worthiness of her miracles and her sanctity.

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 January 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-January 31st
Roman Martyrology-January 31st-on this date in various years-

At Turin,the birthday of St. John Bosco, confessor, founder of the Salesian Congregation and of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. Conspicuous for his zeal for souls and for the propagation of the faith, he was canonized by Pope Pius XI.

At Rome, on the road to Ostia, the holy martyrs Cyrus and John, who were beheaded after suffering many torments for the name of Christ.

At Alexandria, in the time of Emperor Decius, the birthday of St. Metran, martyr, who, because he refused to utter blasphemous words at the bidding of the pagans, had his body all bruised with blows, and his face and eyes pierced with sharp pointed reeds. He was then driven out of the city and stoned to death.

In the same place, the holy martyrs Saturninus, Thyrsus, and Victor.

Also at Alexandria, the holy martyrs Tharsicius, Zoticus, Cyriacus, and their companions.

At Cyzicum in the Hellespont, St. Triphenes, martyr, who overcame various torments, but was finally killed by a bull, and thus merited the palm of martyrdom.

At Modena, St. Geminian, bishop, made illustrious by his miracles.

In the province of Milan, St. Julius, priest and confessor, in the reign of the emperor Theodosius.

At Naples, St. Francis Xavier-Maria Bianchi, confessor, cleric regular of St. Paul, renowned for miracles, heavenly gifts and an admirable patience, whom Pope Pius XII raised to the supreme honour of sainthood.

At Rome, St. Marcella, widow, whose meritorious deeds are related by St. Jerome.

Also at Rome, blessed Louise Albertonia, a Roman widow, member of the Third Order of St. Francis, distinguished for her virtues.

The same day, the transfer of the revered body of the Evangelist St. Mark from the city of Alexandria in Egypt, then occupied by barbarians, to Venice, and with the greatest honours placed in the large church dedicated to his name.

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 January 31:

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

St. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch and martyr, who gloriously suffered martyrdom on the 20th of December.

At Smyrna, St. Pionius, priest and martyr, who, after writing apologies for the Catholic faith, and after suffering imprisonment in a loathsome dungeon, where by his exhortations he encouraged many of his brethren even to martyrdom, and after enduring excruciating pains from being pierced with nails and laid on a hot fire, ended happily his life for Christ. With him suffered fifteen others.

At Ravenna, the holy bishop Severus, whose great virtues deserved that he should be raised to the episcopate, which action was confirmed with the sign of a dove.

At Trois-Chateaux in France, St. Paul, bishop, whose life was eminent for virtues, and whose death was made precious by miracles.

At Kildare in Ireland, St. Bridget, virgin. Once, when she touched the wood of an altar, it immediately sprouted into life, in testimony of her virginity.

At Castel-Fiorentino in Tuscany, the blessed virgin Veridiana, a recluse of the Order Vallombrosa.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for February 1:

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

The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, called by the Greeks the
Hypapante (meeting) of the Lord.

At Caesarea in Palestine, St. Cornelius, a centurion, whom the blessed
apostle Peter baptized, and raised to the episcopal dignity in that city.

At Rome, on the Salarian Way, the passion of St. Apronian,, a notary. While
he was yet a heathen, and was leading St. Sisinius out of prison to present
him before the governor Laodicius, he head a voice from heaven saying: Come,
ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom which I have prepared for you
from the beginning of the world." At once he believed, was baptized, and
after confessing our Lord, received sentence of death.

Also at Rome, the holy martyrs Fortunatus, Felician, Firmus and Candidus.

At Orleans in France , the holy bishop Flosculus.

At Canterbury in England, the birthday of St. Lawrence, bishop, who
succeeded St. Augustine in the government of that church, and converted the
king himself to the faith.

At Prati in Tuscany, St. Catherine de Ricci, a virgin of Florence, member of
the Order of Preachers, famous for a plenitude of heavenly gifts. Pope
Benedict XIV placed her name on the roll of holy virgins.

At Bordeaux in France, St. Joan de Lestonnac, widow, foundress of the
Daughters of the blessed Virgin Mary, renowned for the practice of charity
and the care of her girl pupils, and whom Pope Pius XII raised to the number
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 February 2:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

The fifth degree of humility is, when one hideth from his Abbot none of the evil thoughts which rise in his heart or the evils committed by him in secret, but humbly confesseth them. Concerning this the Scripture exhorts us, saying: "Reveal thy way to the Lord and trust in Him" (Ps 36[37]:5). And it saith further: "Confess to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever" (Ps 105[106]:1; Ps 117[118]:1). And the Prophet likewise saith: "I have acknowledged my sin to Thee and my injustice I have not concealed. I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord; and Thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sins" (Ps 31[32]:5).

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

At Sebaste in Armenia, in the time of the governor Agricolaus, the passion of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, who, after working many miracles, was scourged for a long time, suspended from a tree where his flesh was lacerated with iron combs. He was then imprisoned in a dark dungeon, thrown into a lake from which he came out safe, and finally, by order of the judge, he and two boys were beheaded. Before him, seven women who were gathering the drops of his blood during his torture, were recognized as Christians, and after undergoing severe torments, were put to death by the sword.

In Africa, St. Celerinus, deacon, who was kept nineteen days in prison burdened with fetters, and who gloriously confessed Christ in the midst of afflictions. By overcoming the enemy with invincible constancy, he shewed to others the road to victory.

In the same place, three holy martyrs who were relatives of the same deacon Celerinus; his father's brother Laurentinus, his mother's brother Ignatius and his grandmother Celerina. They were crowned with martyrdom earlier, and were praised highly in an epistle by blessed Cyprian.

Likewise in Africa, the holy martyrs Felix, Symphronius, Hippolytus, and their companions.

In the town of Gap in France, the holy bishops Tigides and Remedius.

At Lyons in France, Saints Lupicinus and Felix, also bishops.

At Bremen, St. Ansgar, bishop of Hamburg and later of Bremen, who converted the Swedes and the Danes to the faith of Christ. He was appointed Apostolic Delegate of all the North by Pope Gregory IV.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for February 3:

CHAPTER VII
Of Humility (cont.)

The sixth degree of humility is, when a monk is content with the meanest and worst of everything, and in all that is enjoined him holdeth himself as a bad and worthless workman, saying with the Prophet: "I am brought to nothing and I knew it not; I am become as a beast before Thee, and I am always with Thee" (Ps 72[73]:22-23).

Martyrology-February 4th
Roman Martyrology-February 4th-on this date in various years-

St. Andrew Corsini, Carmelite bishop of Fiesole, confessor, whose birthday is the 6th of January.

At Rome, St. Eutychius, who endured a glorious martyrdom and was buried in the cemetery of Callistus. Pope St. Damasus wrote an epitaph in verse for his tomb.

At Thumis in Egypt, in the persecution of Diocletian, the passion of blessed Philaeus, bishop of that city, and of Philoromus, military tribune, who rejected the exhortations of their relatives and friends to save themselves, offered themselves to death, and so merited immortal palms from God. With them was crowned with martyrdom a numberless multitude of the faithful of the same place, who followed the example of their pastor.

At Fossombrone, the holy martyrs Aquilinus, Geminus, Gelasius, Magnus, and Donatus.

In Marava Kingdom in India, St. John de Britto, priest of the Society of Jesus, who having converted many infidels to the faith, was gloriously crowned with martyrdom.

At Troyes in France, St. Aventin, priest and confessor.

At Pelusium in Egypt, St. Isidore, a monk renowned for merit and learning.

At Sempringham in England, St. Gilbert, priest and confessor, who founded a religious order at Sempringham.

In the town of Amatrice, in the diocese of Rieti, the death of St. Joseph of Leonissa, a Capuchin priest who suffered greatly from the Mohammedans. As he was celebrated for his apostolic labours and miracles, he was placed on the list of holy confessors by the Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV.

At Bremen, the commemoration of St. Rembert, who was a disciple of St. Ansgar, and on this day took his place as bishop of Hamburg and Bremen, the day after the death of his master.

At Bourges in Aquitaine, St. Jane de Valois, Queen of France, foundress of the Order of Sisters of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, renowned for her piety and singular devotion to the Cross, whom Pope Pius XII added to the catalogue of saints.

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