Rule/Martyrology

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 24:

CHAPTER LXVI
Of the Porter of the Monastery

Let a wise old man be placed at the door of the monastery, one who knoweth how to take and give an answer, and whose mature age doth not permit him to stray about.

The porter should have a cell near the door, that they who come may always find one present from whom they may obtain an answer. As soon as anyone knocketh or a poor person calleth, let him answer, "Thanks be to God," or invoke a blessing, and with the meekness of the fear of God let him return an answer speedily in the fervor of charity. If the porter hath need of assistance, let him have a younger brother.

If it can be done, the monastery should be so situated that all the necessaries, such as water, the mill, the garden, are enclosed, and the various arts may be plied inside of the monastery, so that there may be no need for the monks to go about outside, because it is not good for their souls. But we desire that this Rule be read quite often in the community, that none of the brethren may excuse himself of ignorance.

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

At Rome, the Greater Litanies at St. Peter's.

At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Mark the Evangelist, disciple and interpreter of the apostle St. Peter. He wrote his gospel at the request of the faithful at Rome, and taking it with him, proceeded to Egypt and founded a church at Alexandria, where he was the first to preach Christ. Afterwards, being arrested for the faith, he was bound, dragged over stones, and endured great afflictions. Finally he was confined to prison, where, being comforted by the visit of an angel, and even by an apparition of our Lord himself, he was called to the heavenly kingdom in the eighth year of the reign of Nero.

Also at Alexandria, Bishop St. Anian, disciple of blessed Mark, and his successor in the episcopate. With a great renown for virtue, he rested in the Lord.

At Antioch, St. Stephen, bishop and martyr, who suffered a great deal from the heretics opposed to the Council of Chalcedon, and was cast into the river Orontes, in the time of Emperor Zeno.

At Syracuse in Sicily, the holy martyrs Evodius, Hermogenes, and Callista.

At Lobbes in Belgium, the birthday of St. Ermin, bishop and confessor.

At Antioch, the deacons Saints Philo and Agathopodes, who were praised in the letters of blessed Ignatius, bishop and martyr.

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 April 25:

CHAPTER LXVII
Of the Brethren Who Are Sent on a Journey

Let the brethren who are to be sent on a journey recommend themselves to the prayers of all the brotherhood and of the Abbot. And after the last prayer at the Work of God, let a commemoration always be made for the absent brethren.

On the day that the brethren return from the journey, let them lie prostrate on the floor of the oratory at all the Canonical Hours, when the Work of God is finished, and ask the prayers of all on account of failings, for fear that the sight of evil or the sound of frivolous speech should have surprised them on the way.

And let no one presume to relate to another what he hath seen or heard outside of the monastery, because it is most hurtful. But if anyone presume to do so, let him undergo the penalty of the Rule. In like manner let him be punished who shall presume to go beyond the enclosure of the monastery, or anywhere else, or to do anything, however little, without the order of the Abbot.

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

At Rome, the birthday of St. Cletus, the pope who governed the Church the second after the apostle St. Peter, and was crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Domitian.

St. Marcellinus, pope and martyr, whose birthday is commemorated on the 25th of October.

At Amasea in Pontus, St. Basileus, bishop and martyr, whose illustrious martyrdom occurred under Emperor Licinius. His body was thrown into the sea, but was found by Elpidiphorus, through the reveleation of an angel, and was honorably buried.

At Braga in Portugal, St. Peter, martyr, the first bishop of that city.

At Vienne in France, St. Clarence, bishop and confessor.

At Verona, St. Lucidius, bishop.

In the monastery of Centula in France, St. Richarius, priest and confessor.

At Troyes in France, St. Exuperantia, 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 April 26:

CHAPTER LXVIII
If a Brother Is Commanded to Do Impossible Things

If, perchance, any difficult or impossible tasks be enjoined on a brother, let him nevertheless receive the order of him who commandeth with all meekness and obedience. If, however, he see that the gravity of the task is altogether beyond his strength, let him quietly and seasonably submit the reasons for his inability to his Superior, without pride, protest, or dissent. If, however, after his explanation the Superior still insisteth on his command, let the younger be convinced that so it is good for him; and let him obey from love, relying on the help of God.

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

St. Peter Canisius, priest of the Society of Jesus, confessor and doctor of the Church, who departed to the Lord on the 21st of December.

At Nicomedia, during the persecution of Diocletian, the birthday of St. Anthimus, bishop and martyr, who obtained the glory of martyrdom by being beheaded for the faith. Nearly all his numerous flock followed him. The judge ordered some to be beheaded, others to be burned alive, others to be put in boats and sunk in the sea.

At Tarsus in Cilicia, the Saints Castor and Stephen, martyrs.

At Bologna, St. Tertullian, bishop and confessor.

At Brescia, St. Theophilus, bishop.

In Egypt, St. Theodore, abbot, who was a disciple of St. Pachomius.

At Constantinople, the abbot St. John, who valiantly defended the veneration of sacred images, under Leo the Isaurian.

At Tarragona in Spain, the blessed Peter Armengaudius, of the Order of Blessed Mary of Mercy for the Redemption of Captives. He endured many tribulations in Africa in ransoming the faithful, and finally closed his career peacefully in the convent of St. Mary of the Meadows.

At Lucca in Tuscany, blessed Zita, a virgin renowned for virtues and 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 April 27:

CHAPTER LXIX
That in the Monastery No One Presume to Defend Another

Care must be taken that on no occasion one monk try to defend another in the
monastery, or to take his part, even though they be closely related by ties
of blood. Let it not be attempted by the monks in any way; because such
conduct may give rise to very grave scandal. If anyone overstep this rule, let him
be severely punished.

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

St. Paul of the Cross, priest and confessor, founder of the Congregation of
the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. He went to his repose in
the Lord on the 18th of October.

At Ravenna, the birthday of St. Vitalis, martyr, father of the Saints
Gervase and Protase. When he had taken up and reverently buried the body of
blessed Ursicinus, he was arrested by the governor Paulinus, and after being
racked and thrown into a deep pit, was covered with earth and stones, and by this
kind of martyrdom went to Christ.

At Atino in Campania, St. Mark, who was made bishop by the blessed apostle
Peter. He was the first to preach the Gospel to the Equicoli, and received
the crown of martyrdom in the persecution of Domitian, under the governor
Maximus.

At Broussa in Bithynia, the holy martyrs Patrick, a bishop, Acatius,
Menander, and Polyaenus.

On the same day, the holy martyrs Aphrodisius, Caralippus, Agapius, and
Eusebius.

In Hungary, St. Pollio, martyr, under the Emperor Diocletian.

At Milan, the martyr St. Valeria, who was the wife of St. Vitalis and the
mother of Saints Gervase and Protase.

At Alexandria, the martyrdom of the virgin St. Theodora. For refusing to
sacrifice to idols, she was sent to a place of debauchery; but one of the
brethren, named Didymus, through the admirable providence of God, delivered her
by quickly exchanging garments with her. He was afterwards beheaded and
crowned with her in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Eustratius.

At Tarrazona in Spain, St. Prudentius, bishop and confessor.

At Corfinio in Peligno, St. Pamphilus, bishop of Valva, illustrious for his
charity towards the poor and the gift of miracles. His body was buried at
Solmona.


At St. Laurent sur Sevres, in the diocese of Lucon, St. Louis-Marie Grignion
de Montfort, confessor and founder of the Missionaries of the Company of
Mary and the Sisters of Wisdom, a form of apostolic life. He was renowned for
his preaching and devotion to the Blessed Mother, and was added to the number
of the saints by Pope Pius XII.

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 April 28:

CHAPTER LXX
That No One Presume to Strike Another

Let every occasion for presumption be avoided in the monastery. We decree that no one be permitted to excommunicate or to strike any one of his brethren, unless the Abbot hath given him the authority. But let those who transgress be taken to task in the presence of all, that the others may fear (cf 1 Tm 5:20).

Let all, however, exercise diligent and watchful care over the discipline of children, until the age of fifteen; but even that, within due limits and with discretion. For if anyone should presume to chastise those of more advanced years, without the command of the Abbot, or should be unduly provoked with children, let him be subject to the discipline of the Rule; because it is written: "What thou dost not wish to be done to thee, do not thou to another" (Tb 4:16).


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

St. Peter, a martyr of the Order of Preachers, who was slain for the Catholic faith on the 6th day of April.

At Rome, the birthday of St. Catherine of Siena, virgin of the Third Order of St. Dominic, renowned for her holy life and her miracles. She was inscribed among the canonized virgins by Pope Pius II. Her feast, however, is celebrated on the following day.

At Paphos in Cyprus, St. Tychicus, a disciple of the blessed Apostle Paul, who called him in his Epistles, "most dear brother," "faithful minister," and "fellow-servant in the Lord".

At Pisa in Tuscany, the martyr St. Torpes, who filled a high office in the court of Nero, and was one of those of whom the apostle wrote from Rome to the Philippians: "All the saints salute you, especially those that are of the house of Caesar." For the faith of Christ, he was, by order of Satellicus, beaten, cruelly scourged, and delivered to the beasts to be devoured, but remained uninjured. He completed his martyrdom by being beheaded.

At Cirta in Numidia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Apapius and Secundinus, bishops, who, after a long exile in that city, added to the glory of their priesthood the crown of martyrdom. They suffered in the persecution of Valerian, during which the enraged Gentiles made every effort to shake the faith of the just. In their company suffered Aemilian, a soldier, Tertulla and Antonia, consecrated virgins, and a woman with her twin children.

In the island of Codyra, the seven holy thieves who were converted to Christ by St. Jason, and gained eternal life by martyrdom.

At Naples in Campania, Bishop St. Severus, who, among other prodigies, raised for a short time a dead man from the grave in order to convict of falsehood the lying creditor of a widow and her children.

At Brescia, St. Paulinus, bishop and confessor.

In the monastery of Cluny in France, St. Hugh Abbot.

In the monastery of Molesmes in France, St. Robert, the first abbot of the Cistercians.

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 April 29:

CHAPTER LXXI
That the Brethren Be Obedient to One Another

The brethren must render the service of obedience not only to the Abbot, but they must thus also obey one another, knowing that they shall go to God by this path of obedience. Hence, granted the command of the Abbot and of the Superiors who are appointed by him (to which we do not permit private commands to be preferred), in other respects let the younger brethren obey their elders with all charity and zeal. But if anyone is found to be obstinate, let him be punished.

And if a brother be punished in any way by the Abbot or by any of his Superiors for even a slight reason or if he perceive that the temper of any of his Superiors is but slightly ruffled or excited against him in the least, let him without delay cast himself down on the ground at his feet making satisfaction, until the agitation is quieted by a blessing. If anyone scorn to do this, either let him undergo corporal punishment, or, if he be obstinate, let him be expelled from the monastery.

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

St. Catherine of Siena, virgin of the Third Order of St. Dominic, who on the previous day went to her heavenly Spouse.

At Saintes in France, blessed Eutropius, bishop and martyr, who was consecrated bishop and sent to France by St. Clement. After preaching for many years, he had his skull crushed for bearing testimony to Christ, and thus gained victory by his death.

At Cordova in Spain, the holy martyrs Amator, a priest, Peter, a monk, and Louis.

At Novara, the martyrdom of the holy priest Laurence, and some boys whom he was teaching.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Aphrodisius, a priest, and thirty martyrs.

At Lambesa in Numidia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Marian, a lector, and James, a deacon. The former, after having successfully endured many trials for the confession of Christ in the persecution of Decius, was again arrested with his noble companions, and both were subjected to severe and cruel torments, during which they were twice miraculously comforted by heaven, but finally fell by the sword along with many others.

At Ephesus, the martyr St. Maximus, who received his crown during the persecution of Decius.

At Ferno in Piceno, St. Sophia, virgin and martyr.

At Evorea in Epirus, St. Donatus, a bishop, who was eminent for sanctity in the time of Emperor Theodosius.

At Naples in Campania, St. Pomponius, bishop.

At London in England, St. Erkenwald, a bishop celebrated for many miracles.

At Chieri, near Turin, St. Joseph Cottolengo, confessor, founder of the Little House of Divine Providence, full of trust in God and remarkable for his charity toward the poor, whom Pope Pius XI enrolled among 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 April 30:

CHAPTER LXXII
Of the Virtuous Zeal Which the Monks Ought to Have

As there is a harsh and evil zeal which separateth from God and
leadeth to hell, so there is a virtuous zeal which separateth from
vice and leadeth to God and life everlasting.

Let the monks, therefore, practice this zeal with most ardent love;
namely, that in honor they forerun one another (cf Rom 12:10). Let
them bear their infirmities, whether of body or mind, with the utmost
patience; let them vie with one another in obedience. Let no one
follow what he thinketh useful to himself, but rather to another. Let
them practice fraternal charity with a chaste love.

Let them fear God and love their Abbot with sincere and humble
affection; let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and my He lead
us all together to life everlasting.

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

The birthday of the blessed apostles Philip and James. Philip, after having converted nearly all of Scythia to the faith of Christ, went to Hieropolis, a city in Asia, where he was fastened to a cross and stoned, and thus ended his life gloriously. James, who is also called the brother of our Lord, was the first bishop of Jerusalem. Being hurled down from a pinnacle of the temple, his legs were broken, and being struck on the head with a dyer's staff, he expired and was buried near the temple.

At Rome, Pope St. Pius V of the Order of Preachers, who labored zealously and successfully for the re-establishment of church discipline, the stamping out of heresies, and the destruction of the enemies of the Christian name. He governed the Catholic Church by holy laws, and the example of a saintly life. His feast is observed on the fifth day of May.

In Egypt, St. Jeremias, prophet, who was stoned to death by the people at Taphnas, where he was buried. St. Epiphanius tells that the faithful were accustomed to pray at his grave, and to take away from it dust to heal those who were stung by serpents.

In France, in the Province of Vivarias, blessed Andeol, subdeacon, who was sent from the East into Gaul with others by St. Polycarp to preach the word of God. Under Emperor Severus he was scourged with thorny sticks, and having his head split with a wooden sword into four parts, in the shape of a cross, he completed his martyrdom.

At Huesca in Spain, the holy martyrs Orentius and Patience.

In the town of Columna, in the province of Orleans in France, the martyrdom of St. Sigismund, king of Burgundy. He met death by being drowned in a well, and was afterwards famous for his miracles. His venerable body was later recovered and taken to the monastery of Agaune in the diocese of Sitten where it was honorably entombed.

At Auxerre, St. Amator, bishop and confessor.

At Auch in France, Bishop St. Orientius.

At Llanelwy in Wales, Bishop St. Asaph, in whose memory the cathedral city was later named

At Forli, St. Peregrinus of the Order of Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

At Bergamo, St. Grata, widow.

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 May 1:

CHAPTER LXXIII
Of This, that Not the Whole Observance of Righteousness Is Laid Down in this Rule

Now, we have written this Rule that, observing it in monasteries, we may show that we have acquired at least some moral righteousness, or a beginning of the monastic life.

On the other hand, he that hasteneth on to the perfection of the religious life, hath at hand the teachings of the holy Fathers, the observance of which leadeth a man to the height of perfection. For what page or what utterance of the divinely inspired books of the Old and the New Testament is not a most exact rule of human life? Or, what book of the holy Catholic Fathers doth not loudly proclaim how we may go straight to our Creator? So, too, the collations of the Fathers, and their institutes and lives, and the rule of our holy Father, Basil -- what are they but the monuments of the virtues of exemplary and obedient monks? But for us slothful, disedifying, and negligent monks they are a source for shame and confusion.

Thou, therefore, who hastenest to the heavenly home, with the help of Christ fulfil this least rule written for a beginning; and then thou shalt with God's help attain at last to the greater heights of knowledge and virtue which we have mentioned above.

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

At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Athanasius, bishop of that city, confessor and doctor of the Church, most celebrated for sanctity and learning. Although almost all of the world had formed a conspiracy to persecute him, he courageously defended the Catholic faith, from the reign of Constantine to that of Valens, against emperors, governors, and a multitude of Arian bishops, whose underhanded attacks forced him to wander as an exile over the whole earth without finding a place of security. At length, however, he was restored to his church, and after overcoming many trials, and winning many crowns by his patience, he departed for heaven in the forty-sixth year of his priesthood, in the time of the emperors Valentinian and Valens.

At Florence, Bishop St. Antoninus of the Order of Preachers, renowned for sanctity and learning. His feast is kept on the 10th of this month.

At Rome, the holy marytrs Saturninus, Neopolus, Germanus, and Celestine, who after much suffering were thrown into prison, where they found rest in the Lord.

The same day, St. Vindemial, bishop and martyr, who with the holy bishops Eugene and Longinus, combated the Arians by his teaching and miracles, and was beheaded by order of Hunneric, king of the Vandals.

At Seville in Spain, St. Felix, deacon and martyr.

At Attalia in Pamphylia, the holy martyrs Exuperius and Zoe, his wife, with their sons, Cyriacus and Theodulus. They were the slaves of a man named Paganus. During the reign of Emperor Hadrian, because of their outspoken profession of the Christian faith, their master ordered them to be scourged and severely tortured. They were finally cast into an oven, and in this way gave up their souls to 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 May 2:

PROLOGUE

Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him from whom by the sloth of disobedience thou hast gone away.

To thee, therefore, my speech is now directed, who, giving up thine own will, takest up the strong and most excellent arms of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.

In the first place, beg of Him by most earnest prayer, that He perfect whatever good thou dost begin, in order that He who hath been pleased to count us in the number of His children, need never be grieved at our evil deeds. For we ought at all times so to serve Him with the good things which He hath given us, that He may not, like an angry father, disinherit his children, nor, like a dread lord, enraged at our evil deeds, hand us over to everlasting punishment as most wicked servants, who would not follow Him to glory.

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

At Jerusalem, in the time of Emperor Constantine, the finding of the holy Cross of our Lord.

At Rome, on the Via Nomentana, the holy martyrs Pope Alexander and the priests Eventius and Theodulus. Alexander was bound, imprisoned, racked, lacerated with hooks, burned, and had all his limbs pierced with pointed instruments, and finally met death, under Emperor Hadrian and the judge Aurelian. Eventius and Theodulus after a long imprisonment were exposed to flames and then beheaded.

At Narni, St. Juvenal, bishop and confessor.

On Mount Senario in Etruria, Saints Sosteneo and Ugoccio, confessors, of the seven founders of the Order of Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Responding to a voice from heaven, they departed this life on the same day and at the same hour, while reciting the angelical salutation. Their feast is observed with the rest of their companions on the 12th day of February.

At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Alexander, soldier, and Antonina, virgin. In the persecution of Maximian, under the governor Festus, Antonina, having been condemned to remain in a place of debauchery, was delivered by Alexander, who secretly exchanged garments with her, and took her place. They were tortured together, both had their hands cut off, were cast into the fire, and received their crowns at the end of their heroic combat for the faith.

In Thebais, the holy martyrs Timothy and his wife Maura. The Arian prefect caused them to be tortured, and then fastened to a cross, on which they remained alive for nine days, encouraging each other to persevere in the faith, until they completed their martyrdom.

At Aphrodisia in Caria, the holy martyrs Diodorus and Rodopian, who were stoned to death by their fellow citizens, in the persecution of Diocletian.

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 May 3:

PROLOGUE (cont.)

Let us then rise at length, since the Scripture arouseth us, saying: "It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep" (Rom 13:11); and having opened our eyes to the deifying light, let us hear with awestruck ears what the divine voice, crying out daily, doth admonish us, saying: "Today, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Ps 94[95]:. And again: "He that hath ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches" (Rev 2:7). And what doth He say? -- "Come, children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord" (Ps 33[34]:12). "Run whilst you have the light of life, that the darkness of death overtake you not" (Jn 12:35).

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

At Ostia, the birthday of St. Monica, mother of blessed Augustine. He has left us in the ninth book of his Confessions a beautiful sketch of her life.

At the metal mines of Phennes in Palestine, the birthday of blessed Silvanus, bishop of Gaza, who was crowned with martyrdom with many of his clerics by the command of Caesar Galerius Maximian, in the persecution of Diocletian.

At Jerusalem, in the reign of Julian the Apostate, St. Cyriacus, bishop, who was murdered while visiting the holy places.

At Camerinum, St. Porphyry, priest and martyr. Because he converted many to the faith (among them Venantius), he was beheaded during the reign of Emperor Decius and the governor Antiochus.

Also in the mines of Phennes, thirty-nine holy martyrs, who were condemned to work there, to be branded with hot irons, to undergo other torments, and finally all to be beheaded at the same time.

At Lorch in Austria, under Emperor Diocletian and the governor Aquilinus, the martyr St. Florian, who was thrown into the River Enns, with a stone tied about his neck.

At Cologne, the martyr St. Paulinus.

At Tarsus, St. Pelagia, virgin, who endured martyrdom under Diocletian by being shut up inside an ox made of brass that had been heated to redness.

At Nicomedia, the birthday of St. Antonia, martyr, who was cruelly tortured, subjected to various torments, suspended by one arm for three days, kept two years in prison, and finally delivered to the flames for the confession of Christ by the governor Priscillian.

At Milan, St. Venerius, a bishop whose virtues are attested to by St. John Chrysostom in the epistle which he had written to him.

In the province of Perigord, St. Sacerdos, bishop of Limoges.

At Hildesheim in Saxony, St. Gothard, bishop and confessor, who was ranked among the saints by Innocent II.

At Auxerre, St. Curcodomus, deacon.

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