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1911

The Saints of the Mass

(Complied by) Mother Philippa of St. Mary’s Convent, York

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THE SAINTS OF THE MASS

COMPILED BY MOTHER PHILIPPA OP ST MARY'S COSVB.NT, VORK

LONDON CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY 69 SouTHWARK BRIDGE RoAD, S.E.

1911 CONTENTS

TNTilODUCTION PAG&: 5 I. THE SAINTS BEFORE THE ELEVATION- Saints Peter and Paul 7 " Read the lives of the saints, and you will find St. Andrew the Apostle IO that you are gradually creatinl?' a society about !ou to St. James the Great, Apostle 13 which in some measure you will be forced to ra1se the St. John, Apostle and Evangelist 16 St. Thomas, Apostle standard of your daily life." 20 Rev. H. S. BOWDEN. St.. James the Less, Apostle 23 St. Philip, Apostle 26 St. Bartholomew, Apostle 29 St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist 30 St. Simon, Apostle • 32 St. Jude, or Thaddeus, Apostle St. Linus, Pope 33 35 St. Cletus, Pope 36 St. Clement, Pope 37 St. Sixtus II., Pope . 39 St. Cornelius, Pope . 42 St. Cyprian, Bishop . 44 St. Laurence, Martyr 48 St. Chrysogonus, Martyr . sr Saints John and Paul, Martyrs . 56 Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs 59 3 Contents

PAGE II. THE SAINTS AFTER THE ELEVATION- St. John Baptist 6z St. Stephen, Martyr . 64 St. Matthias, Apostle 65 St. Barnabas, Apostle 67 St. Ignatius, Martyr . 69 St. Alexander, Pope 73 THE SAINTS OF Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs 76 Saints Perpetua, Felicitas, and Com· THE MASS panions, Martyrs • 78 St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr . 82 St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr 85 INTRODUCTION St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr 87 St. Cecily, Virgin and :Martyr 90 THE title of this book and the use of the Missal St. Anastasia . 94 may naturally suggest the question : \Vhy have these particular Saints obtained such honourable notice in the Church's Liturgy? It is obvious that the Mother of God, Queen and Mother of all the children of the Church, should have a place with the twelve Apostles, and St. Paul, whose name is always coupled with St. Peter's. But what principle of selection has opened the door to those that follow-St. Peter's three immediate successors, and a few of the martyr-host out of the great multitude which no man can number? The answer is that, in the earliest age of the Church, martyrs alone among her saints received public veneration. Mass was celebrated on their tombs in the catacombs, and their names, 4 s The Saints of the Mass especially on the anniversary of their martyrdom, came to receive honourable mention in the Mass. But among the martyrs themselves a few only I could be thus remembered, and so we find mention only of the more noticeable among the THE SAINTS BEFORE THE multitudes who shed their blood for Christ. ELEVATION The whole portion of the Mass called the Canon is thirteen or fourteen hundred years old, and Pope Vigil ius, before the time of St. Gregory Saints Peter and Paul. the Great, testified that it had been received JuNE 29 and 30. from Apostolic tradition. No additions have been made to it since St. Gregory's time ; to ST. BERNARD, in one of his sermons for this him we are indebted for the mention of the day, reminds us that the " commemoration here Saints Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, and made of the holy Apostles is not of their birth, Anastasia. as of St. John Daptist's (June 24), or of any great It is hardly necessary to say that the matter event of their lives, as of St. Paul's Conversion of this little book does not pretend to be critical; (January 25), or of St. Peter's liberation from it embodies with ascertained facts the more prison by an angel, but of their death, the thing noteworthy of the legends associated with the we most dread, and their martyrdom. Holy Ones of whom it treats. "On this day St. Peter was crucified and St. Paul was beheaded. It is therefore a glorious day, consecrated by the heroic deaths of the two July, 19II. noble martyrs, the leaders of the martyr-band, the Princes of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, the two great luminaries whom God has placed as two eyes in the body of His Church. They have been made over to me," he says, "for my masters and mediators, to whom I may securely commit my cause, for they have made known to me the way of life. By their intercession I shall be able 6 7 The Saints of the Mass Saints Peter and Paul

to ascend to the great Mediator, who came to he at length yielded through compassion for his reconcile by His blood all that are in heaven children, though he vehemently longed to shed and on earth. his blood for his beloved Master. On his way "What could be sweeter than Peter's way of our blessed Lord appeared to him. The Apostle ca!Jing sinners, as we read in the Acts of the recognized his dear Master, and asked, "Where Apostles and in his Epistles? Willingly, too, do art Thou going, Lord ? " " I am going to Rome," I follow Paul, who, with exceeding gentleness and was the answer, " to be crucified anew." St affection, weeps over those who have sinned and Peter understood the meaning of those words have not done penance, and who drew his and returned to Rome and to prison that he wisdom and unction, not from the first or second might complete the likeness between Christ's but from the third heaven." ' Vicar and Christ. With their lives and glorious labours for the When the two Apostles were led out to execu· faith we are all familiar ; let us then consider tion, they embraced and kissed each other, after their deaths and the great devotion borne to which they were separated and led to the destined them in the early Church. sites-St. Peter to an elevated spot on the Vatican The cruel emperor, Nero, enraged at the hill, St. Paul to the Ostian way. St. Peter in spread of Christianity through the Apostles' humility begged to have his cross reversed, for preaching and miracles, ordered them to be he judged it too great an honour to die in the seized and put into prison. Yet here, too, they same position as his Divine Master. made many converts-their keepers and others. A portion of the body of each Apostle is God co-operated with them, for, when water was preserved at St. Paul's Church outside-the-walls, wanting for baptism, it is said that a fountain and the remainder at the Vatican Basilica, St. sprang up in their prison-the Mamertine­ Peter's. where it is to be seen at the present day. The devotion of the faithful towards these Another legend tells how, when the term fixed Princes of the Church has been great in every for their imprisonment was ncar at hand, all the age. Churches have been erected in their Christians, in distress at the thought oflosing their honour, where no expense has been spared, and dear shepherd and father, entreated St. Peter where the noblest works of art and genius to make hi!? escape and preserve his life for the have been bestowed on their embellishment. sake of the infant Church. After long refusing, The precious relics of these martyrs, the 8 9 The Saints of the Mass St. Andrew

memorials of their sufferings, have been care· fervent follower of St. John the Baptist and had fully treasured. In the church of Santa Maria learned from him to prepare himself for the Transpontina are seen the pillars at which they "Desired of all Nations." When therefore he were scourged before execution. St. Peter's heard St. John exclaim, as Jesus passe~ by, chains hang in the Mamertine, and on the wall "Behold the Lamb of God I" (St John 1. 36), nearest the well may be seen, carefully shielded he immediately understood of whom he spoke, by a grating, the profile of the first Vicar of and without delay hastened with another of Christ. St. Paul's chains, too, are venerated in St. John's disciples to follow Jesus. Rome, and a legend states that when the head We all know the Divine Master's gentle was struck off it leapt three times, and three welcome "\Vhat seek ye?" and His invitation fountains sprang up to mark the spots. to" com~ and see " where He dwelt. With St. The devotion of our forefathers in England to Augustine we may lovingly imagine what l1appy the~e Apostles is a matter of history, and is hours those disciples spent in His company "the test1fied by the letters of English kings to the rest of that day" and the whole of the following Popes, and theirs to the kings ; by the writings night, listening to the sacred words which fiowed also of the Cardinals Baroni us and Bellarmine. from our Saviour's lips as He revealed to them They a~sert that St. Peter preached in England, His divine mission for the redemption of the and ra1sed churches. Ailred, the Cistercian world. Abbot of Rievaulx, in Yorkshire, states that Already imbued with our Saviour's zeal for St. Peter consecrated a certain spot in the west souls Andrew could not rest till he had shared of London, where he wished a monastery to be with 'his brother Simon the infinite treasure he built. had discovered, and had broug-ht him also to Christ that he too might know and acknow­ St. Andrew the Apostle. ledge Him. Our blessed Master graciously NOVEMBER 30. received Simon and gave him the new name of Cephas or Peter. St. Andrew is held by the early Fathers of These first three disciples frequently attended the Church to have been our Lord's first disciple on our Lord when their occupations permitted, the " First-called." He had long been watching until they received His more special call ~o for the coming of the Messiah, for he was a leave their nets and all they possessed for H1s 10 II The Saints of the Mass St. Andrew

love. From that time they were His constant exulting and glad ; receive me with joy into thy companions. They were the witnesses of His arms. 0 good Cross ! that hast received beauty first miracle at Cana in Galilee and afterwards from our Saviour's limbs .... take me from baptized in the Jordan by Chrisfs authority and among men, and present me to my Master ; in His name. that He who redeemed me on thee may receive Wherever St. Andrew is mentioned in the me by thee." The body of St. Andrew was Godspel. we find him bringing others to our Lord, translated from Patne to Constantinople in A.D. an thts zeal has won for him from St. Bede 357; and in A.D. 1210 his relics were brought to the title of" Introducer to Christ.'' Our blessed Amalfi in Italy, where they still remain. The Lord repaid his love by special familiarity and Scotch honour him as patron of their country : associated him with Peter, James, and John relics of this saint were brought from Con­ w~en He performed some of His greatest stantinople and deposited in a church in his mtracles, and when He gave instructions that honour where the city of St. Andrews now stands. were not for all. After Chr!st's asc~nsion, St. Andrew preached the Gospel m Scythta or Northern Asia More probabl! it wa5 European Scythia, for the St. James the Great, Apostle. Mu~covttes, . now Russians, gloried long in JULY 25. havmg recetvcd the faith from St. Andrew. Early writers tell us that he passed into Greece "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, and that. at Argos " this divine fisherman pu~ saw two brethren, Simon who is caJied Peter, all the phtlosophers to silence" (St. Paulin us). and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the L~stly, he confirmed the faith he had preached sea (for they were fishers). And He saith to by h~s death at Patrre in Achaia. The legends them : 'Come ye after Me, and I will make you of hts martyrdom tell us that he was crucified to be fishers of men.' And they immediately and that, when he saw his cross at a distance' leaving their nets, foiJowed Him. And going on he saluted it with outstretched arms : " Hail: from thence, He saw other two brethren, James precious Cross ! that hast been consecrated by the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ~e body of my Lord, and adorned with His ship with Zebedee their father, mending their hmbs as with rich jewels. I come to thee nets; and He called them. And they forthwith 12 13 The Saints of the Mass St. James the Great

left their nets and father, and followed Him" and Jerusalem. To please the Jews, this (St. Matt. iv. r8-23). Governor ordered St. James to be beheaded There is not much mention of St. James in about the time of the Passover, our Easter, in the Gospels. The above text shows that he was the year A.D. 43· the brother of St. John the Evangelist and that St. Clement of Alexandria relates that his the two brothers were called together to the accuser, seeing the constancy and courage w1th Apostleship, and that both answered Christ's which the Apostle endured his trial, openly call with instant obedience. At His word declared himself a Christian and was condemned they hesitated not to leave their father and to be beheaded with St. James. As they were their means of subsistence to follow Him in His both on the way to execution, the convert poverty and in the labours of the apostolic life. knelt to beg the saint's pardon. St. James, Their father Zebedee seems to have approved after a short pause, embraced and kissed him, of their resolution, while their mother Salome saying, "Peace be to you." They were be­ devoted herself to our Lord's service and followed headed together. Him to Calvary. At first, perhaps, her ambition St. James's body was interred at Jerusalem, for her sons was somewhat worldly, but she and later carried to Spain and deposited at was not then well instructed in the heavenly a place now called-from him-Compostella, a character of the kingdom our Saviour meant to corruption of Jacomo 'Postolo. establish. There are authentic histories of miracles St. James must have profited much in our wrought by his intercession and of his appearing Lord's school, for he was early admitted with his to protect the armies of the Christians in Spain brother and St. Peter into Christ's intimacy, to against the Moors. The military order of St. receive His more secret instructions and witness James was instituted by Ferdinand I I. in II7S· His most signal miracles. A church in Rome is called St. James of the After our Lord's death St. James preached Spaniards. for a short time in Judea, and is generally believed to have afterwards passed to Spain, where he has always been greatly venerated. On his return to Jerusalem he was apprehended by Herod Agrippa, Governor or King of Judea I4 IS The Saints of the Mass St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

of Ephesus, but, as Apostle, St. John exercised St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. authority and jurisdiction over all the other DECEMBER 27. bishops. Indeed, Tertullian says that he estab­ lished sees and appointed bishops in all the "The beloved disciple," "the disciple whom Churches of Asia. Ephesus, therefore, was his Jesus loved." These are the titles in which headquarters. AU the Apostles had this power St. John gloried and which he so frequently to found new sees under the guidance of the repeats in his Gospel. They speak more loudly Holy Ghost and in virtue of their commission than words, and remind us of the purity and from Jesus Christ to plant His Church. It was innocence which so greatly endeared him to our a power to destroy as well as to build up; there­ Saviour. fore St. John deposed priests who taught what Beautiful, but too lengthy for insertion here, was not correct, or whose lives were not worthy is his history in the Gospels, from his first follow­ of their high calling. ing the Divine Master, the " Lamb of God," on Even in his extreme old age- he lived to 92 the banks of the Jordan, to his devoted standing - he continued to visit the Churches of Asia, by the Cross on Calvary, where he received the and Euscbius says that he would undertake long last token of his dying Master's love- the ten­ journeys to raise a single person to the priest­ derest and most touching of all-the charge hood when marked out to him by the Holy of the blessed Virgin-Mother, "Behold thy Ghost. How touching, too, the story of his Mother." From the Resurrection, too, till the following the young man whom he had left in Ascension, we find him again in frequent charge of a bishop, but who had fallen away attendance on his beloved Master. deplorably and even become a highway robber; After the dispersion of the Apostles, St. John and of his winning him back to God and the seems to have remained some time at Jerusalem, Church by his tender entreaties and Christlike where St. James the Less was bishop; yet he charity. preached occasionally in other parts of the His apostolic zeal was roused to the utmost country. It was probably only after the death against the heretics Ebion and Cerinthus, who of the Blessed Virgin that St. John visited Asia denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ and even Minor and settled at Ephesus, the capital of that His existence before His human birth. So great part of the country. St. Timothy was the bishop was St. John's horror of heresy that he would 16 17 2 The Saints of the Mass St. John, Apostle and Evangelist ------not enter a building where he knew Cerinthus the Apocalypse. They were manifested to him was. St. Polycarp, his disciple, related the oc­ on a Sunday in the year 96. The death of currence to St. Irenreus, and the Saint's words Domitian left him free to return to Ephesus in on the occasion : " Let us, my brethren, hasten 97, where be found that St. Timothy had been away, lest the bath wherein is Cerinthus, the crowned with martyrdom. St. John yielded to enemy of the truth, should fall upon us." . the entreaties of the faithful and assumed the It was chiefly to confute the blasphemies of government of that see. In imitation of the these heretics that St. John wrote his Gospel. Jewish high-priest, he wore the lamitra, or When he was urged by the clergy and people plate of gold, on his forehead as a symbol of to undertake it, he promised to comply with his Christian priesthood. The same practice is their request if a common fast were ordered related of St. James the Less and of St. Mark. with united prayer to God for the work. These Throughout his life St. John's characteristic devotions ended, he received from heaven virtue was universal meekness and charity, as clearest light and fullest revelation, and broke his Gospel and his three Epistles testify. He forth into the magnificent and divine exordium : bad drawn this spirit of love from the very heart "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word of Jesus Christ, both during His life and ministry was with God, and the Word was God." It is and when reposing on the bosom of His Divine said that he wrote this Gospel at Ephesus after Master at the Last Supper. Extreme old age his return from Patmos, in the year 98, at the could not cool his sacred ardour, for, when too age of ninety-two. feeble any longer to hold long discourses, he Three years previously, in 95, St. John had would be carried to the Christian assemblies been apprehended by the Proconsul of Asia and and there always repeated the same words : sent to Rome during the second general perse­ "Little children, love one another." When his cution under Domitian. lie was cast into a hearers, wearied with the constant repetition, cauldron of boiling oil, but was miraculously asked his reason for it, he replied : "Because it preserved from death. When Domitian heard is the precept of the Lord, and if you comply of this preservation he banished St. John to the with it you do enough"-" an answer," says St. island of Patmos. In this retirement the saint Jerome, "which should be engraved in letters of was favoured with those heavenly visions which gold, or rather on the heart of every Christian." he has recorded in the book of Revelations, or St. John died peacefully at Ephesus in the 18 19 The Saints of the Mass St. Thomas year of our Lord 100, being ninety-four years forth his readiness to follow his beloved Master old. He was buried on a mountain outside the even to death, and his perfect reparation for a town. The dust of his tomb was carried away momentary wavering of faith by his glorious out of devotion and was famed for miracles, as confession of our Lord's divinity-" My Lord St. Augustine, St. Ephrem, and St. Gregory of and my God." Tours mention. That he had imbibed our Lord's instructions The Church of St. John, at the Latin Gate in to all who preach the Gospel is evidenced by his Rome, is built on the spot where he was_thrown zealous labours in many parts of the world after into the boiling oil. This torment mented for the Ascension. Ethiopia, Northern Asia, and him the title of martyr. India seem to have been the scenes of his labours. Traces of his preaching are said to have been found in the Arctic countries and also St. Thomas, Apostle. in Brazil by the Jesuit missioners. DECE)IBER 21. A pious legend relates that when the Apostle went into the East he found the three Wise Men St. Thomas was a poor fisherman of Galilee, who were miraculously guided to Bethlehem by a man apparently of dull mind, but of simple a star. These he baptized and made his com­ faith and willing heart. For these good qualities panions in his preaching and labours. Eusebius doubtless our Lord made choice of him for one tells us that he sent Thaddeus, one of the of His twelve Apostles. It is remarked by one seventy-two disciples, to King Abgarus of of his biographers that he seems to have been Edessa, to preach the Gospel to him and his one of the chief Apostles, since the Church, in people as Christ during His life had promised the Canon of the Mass and in the Litanies, him by letter. places him immediately after St. John, in the India was the country chiefly favoured and fifth place. enlightened by his zeal and by the example of To St. Thomas we are indebted for some of his exceedingly poor, humble, and mortified life. the most beautiful passages of the Gospels, which He wrought many miracles and converted have called forth the eloquence of the Church's numbers to the true faith. The idolaters were greatest Fathers and Doctors ; of St. Cyril, incensed against him, and put him to death with St. Leo, St. Augustine, and others. They show their lances. 20 21 The Saints of the Mass St. James the Less His martyrdom took place at Calamina, now Meliapore, on December 21, A.D. 75· It is St. James the Less, Apostle. affirmed by many and undoubted testimonies, MAY I. says Ribadaneira. In 1523, under the reign of John Ill. of Portugal, when digging within a St. James is called the Less to distinguish him certain chapel, they found the body of St. rom the brother of St. John, the son of Zebedee. Thomas, and ncar it the lance with which he The epithet less is also supposed to have been was martyred and his walking staff. The given him because of his youth, or of his later Viceroy commanded a church to be built there call to the apostleship. In dignity and apos­ and the body to be placed in a silver chest. tolic powers he was equal to his namesake and This drew many devout persons to settle in the to the other Apostles. We are told that he was town, which was eventually called St. Thomas's. very generally called James the Just, and at his Very many wonderful facts concerning him martyrdom this title was alluded to by his might yet be related. It is said that in the city murderers, as we shall see. of Calamina, or Meliapore, St. Thomas built He was the son of Alpheus, or Cleophas, the a church and placed in it a stone cross with this cousin of the blessed Virgin ; therefore he was 1 inscription : ' When the sea shall come to this cousin to our blessed Lord, and so nearly re­ stone, by the divine ordination shall come white sembled Him that, according to Ribadaneira, men from very remote countries to preach the it was said that many persons, after the Ascen­ doctrine I have now taught and to renew the sion, went to Jerusalem to see St. James, that they memory of it." And they say that, when the might be reminded of the beloved features of Portuguese conquered that country, the sea did our Saviour, if they had known Him, or might come up to that stone,-the prophecy thus being behold in St. James a living picture of the Divine verified to the great admiration and comfort of Master. the Christians. St. Ignatius the Martyr, writing to St. John, St. Francis Xavier was most devout to this says he intends going to Jerusalem to see James, Apostle, and spent days and nights at his tomb, that by seeing him he may seem to see Jesus begging help and prayers for the success of his Christ our Lord. We can more easily under­ labours. stand this expression when we learn that, like our Lord, St. James was a Nazarite-one con- 23 The Saints of the Mass St. James the Less secrated to God-and that consequently he wore opportunity of exercising their malice against his hair long, as Christ did. St. Paul by his appeal to Cresar, proceeded to St. John Chrysostom says that St. Peter, by avenge themselves on St. James. Ananus, son the advice of the other Apostles, ordained St. of the wretched Annas mentioned in the Passion, James Bishop of Jerusalem ; for, although summoned St. James before him in the Christ our Lord had before ordained him Sanhedrim. Josephus says that St. James was with the rest of the Apostles, He had not accused of violating the laws, and was delivered appointed him to any particular church and city to the people to be stoned to death. They first wherein to exercise the power given him. This led him to the battlements of the Temple that St. Peter, as head of the Church, now did. St. he might publicly renounce his faith in Christ, Anacletus, Pope, adds that St. Peter, St. James and, as they termed it, undeceive those who had the Great, and St. John together ordained him, embraced Christianity. in order to leave a form for their successors, and It was the time of the Passover which brought so establish a law that no bishop should be conse­ a great multitude to Jerusalem. St. James made crated without the presence of three bishops at it the occasion for a more glorious confession of the consecration. Like St. John and St. Mark, our blessed Saviour. He raised his voice and St. James wore the lamina, or plate of gold, on proclaimed from the high spot to all the his forehead. assembled crowd that Jesus Christ, the Son of He was much addicted to prayer, and lived an Man, was seated on the right hand of the exceedingly mortified and abstemious life. He Sovereign Majesty and would come in the never ate meat unless of precept, as the Paschal clouds of heaven to judge the world. The Lamb before our Lord's death ; wore only a Scribes and Pharisees, infuriated at this single linen garment, and walked without testimony in favour of Jesus Christ, cried sandals. out : "The Just Man also hath erred I" Then His Epistle, one of those called Catholic or they rushed up to the battlements and threw addressed to all Christians, is a portion of the him headlong to the ground, saying, " He must inspired writings of the New Testament. One be stoned!" of the three Oriental Liturgies of the Mass bears St. James, though much bruised by the fall, his name, and is said to be of great antiquity. was able to rise to his knees and, lifting his eyes The Jews, disappointed of their expected to heaven, beg God to pardon his murderers, 24 25 St. Cyprian The Saints of the Mass Christian religion. A long and terrible struggle with himself was the consequence. He tells us St. Cyprian, Bishop. in his writings that he could not understand bow SEPTEMBER 16. baptism conferred a new life and changed the neophyte into a new person, still retaining his St Cyprian was one of the most wonderful outward nature. He believed it impossible to triumphs of divine grace that we read of in the alter his inclinaticns and inveterate habits, to Church's history. Until almost "old aae"1 as lay aside his past enjoyments and ambition, his he himself. writes, h.e was given up not m:rely to sumptuous fare and splendid apparel, his eager­ a worldly l~fe, but hkewise to the indulgence of ness to amuse and to please, and lead a life of every pass1on. humility and sobriety. "But" he says, "as soon Thasci~s Cyprian was a native of Carthage, as the waters of baptism had washed away the where h1s father was one of the principal stains of my soul, I received the light of truth ; senators. He made great advances in the the Spirit of God descended upon me and I teaching of philosophy and of all the liberal arts became a new creature. My difficulties vanished. a?d his success in oratory and eloquence wo~ What I had abhorred seemed easy and desirable, bur~ the post of public professor of rhetoric. my views and intentions were hence directed to ~h1s employment was then one of great distinc­ God." tion, and Cyprian, in accordance with it and Cyprian ever after reverenced the holy priest with his rank, lived in great pomp and plenty. Cecilius as his spiritual father and benefactor, B:e never went abroad but richly attired and the instrument under God of his marvellous w1th a pompous retinue of clients and followers. conversion. To mark this he assumed the He was advanced in life when God in His infinite priest's name with his own, Thascius Cecilius mercy brought him out of the darkness of Cyprian. paganism and the slavery of passion and Cyprian's subsequent life was entirely changed. vice, to the light and freedom of the Gospel He devoted himself to prayer and the study of truth. the sacred Scriptures, and to the fervent practice T?~re reside~ at Carthage an old priest named of all Christian virtues. He sold his vast estate Cec1hus. Cypnan became acquainted with him and made over the greater part of the money to and gradually relished his discourses on tb~ the poor. He then led a retired and penitential divine truths and the beauty and sanctity of the 45 44 The Saints of the Mass St. Philip for " they knew not what they were doing." duties. If the surmise is correct, may it not have A shower of stones were cast upon him, and been at his second and more speci:~.l call to the finally a fuller gave him a blow on the head apostleship, rather than at his first meeting with with his club, which put an end to his sufferings. our Lord, when he heard the loving invitation This was on the 10th of April, A.D. 62. He was "Follow Me"? On that occasion St. Philip buried near the Temple where he was martyred, showed great readiness, and immediately sought and a pillar was erected over the spot. for and brought to Jesus Nathanael, after con­ So great was the reputation of the sanctity of quering his friend's doubts with those winning St. James that the destruction of Jerusalem words : " Come and see." under Titus was looked upon as the punishment As one of our Lord's disciples he would be for hi$ death. present at the marriage at Cana of Galilee, and would therefore be a witness of His first public miracle. Again, at the multiplication of the St. Philip, Apostle. loaves, we meet St. Philip and find our Lord putting his faith to the test. Later on, he joins MAY I. St Andrew in bringing certain Gentiles to our St. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, a town of Saviour. After our Lord's Ascension, what Galilee, and was called by our blessed Lord to numbers was he to bring to the faith I follow Him, the day after St. Peter, St. Andrew, At the dispersion of the Apostles he set forth and "that other disciple" as St. John so often to Scythia, then to Phrygta, the northern part styles himself. St. Clement of Alexandria re­ of Asia Minor. Here, in the city of Hierapolis, lates, as a thing well known, that St. Philip was he learnt that in a pagan temple an enormous the person who, when called by our Lord, serpent was being worshipped as a god. St. begged leave to go home first and bury his Philip, full ofholy indignation, prostrated himself father ; and how he received for reply : " Let in humble and earnest prayer to God that He the dead bury their dead ; but go thou and would destroy the serpent by which the devil preach the Kingdom of God." Our Lord here was holding captive the minds of the pagans wished to teach him that after being called to and hindering them from receiving the light of the apostleship he ought not to allow the claims the Christian truth. His prayers were heard. of flesh and blood to interfere with its exalted When he entered the temple the serpent fell 26 27 The Saints of the Mass St. Bartholomew

dead, and the devil that had dwelt in it was banished. Seeing the wonder, the people soon St. Bartholomew, Apostle. after accepted the light of the Gospel, and great AUGUST 24. numbers received baptism. The pagan priests were enraged, and, laying hands on St. Philip, " Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is cast him into prison. After cruelly scourging no guile" (St. John i. 47). Here is the panegyric him, they crucified him and even stoned him of the Apostle from the lips of truth itself. It while hanging on the cross. The saint rejoiced was spoken at the moment of his conversion to share thus in the sufferings of his dear Divine and of his vocation to the apostleship. Of such Master. stones as this did Jesus Christ build His Church. The people, more merciful, were anxious to He chose the lowly ones, those unknown to the take him down that he might die less painfully. great of the earth, the single-minded, who seek Philip, however, desired only to die on the cross, God alone. St. John's narrative of the occasion and so prayed God to take his soul. Ribadaneira tells us all this : "Whence knowest thou me?" goes on to say that, while the executioners and He is surprised at being recognized and kno\vn wicked ministers were scoffing at the Apostle, in so special a way ; yet his simple and well­ God sent a fearful earthquake which threw down prepared soul easily received the light of the many beautiful buildings, destroyed houses, and brighter truth put before him. At once he crushed their inhabitants. This catastrophe acknowledged and adored, in Christ, the long­ frightened the pagans but comforted the faithful, desired Messiah. "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of who praised our Lord for thus justifying and God, Thou art the King of Israel." honouring His faithful Apostle. In relating this event, St. John calls him The people were about to take him down from Nathanael, but it is believed that Bartholomew the cross, but his prayer for himself was heard. and Nathanael are identical. Before they loosed him he breathed forth his The field of St. Bartholomew's apostolate was blessed soul on the cross. India. Alban Butler tells us that in the third The Christians took his body and buried it century some of the Brahmins, who still retained with great reverence. It was later translated to the knowledge of Christ, possessed a copy of Rome, where it is still kept in the Church of the St Matthew's Gospel in Hebrew, which they Twelve Apostles. declared had been brought into those parts by 28 29 The Saints of the Mass St. Matthew

St. Bartholomew wh en he preached the faith looked upon as scandalous, because much cheat­ there. Later, he travelled to the west of Asia, ing and extortion were practised in its exercise. and was preaching in Armenia when be was In calling to the apostleship "Matthew the crowned with martyrdom. Some say he was Publican," as the Apostle loves humbly to style flayed alive, others that he was crucified ; himself, our Lord teaches us that He makes no possibly he suffered the double punishment, as such invidious distinctions as the Jews but it was in use among the neighbouring Persians. bestows His graces wherever He sees hearts His relics were frequently removed, but came ~repared. " He came not to call the just, but at last, in A.D. 983, to Rome, where they still smners to penance." repose in a beautiful monument under the high After our Lord's Ascension St. Matthew re­ altar in the church of St. Bartholomew, in the mained some years in Judea, and there, at the island of the Tiber. An arm of this saint was entreaty of the Christians, wrote his Gospel in given to St. Edward the Confessor, and by him Syro-Chaldaic, the language of the people and bestowed on the Cathedral of Canterbury. the one our blessed Saviour spoke. This Gospel was translated into Greek in the time of the Apostles, and the translation was approved by them. They thus taught us how careful they St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. were to guard the true faith and preserve correct v_ersions of the sacred writings. At the disper­ SEPTEMBER 21. SIOn of the Apostles St. Matthew was appointed St. Matthew's prompt and joyful acceptance to preach in Ethiopia. He there converted the of our Lord's invitation "Follow Me," and his kin~, his _wife, and his family by raising his son generous, open-hearted hospitality in thanks­ ~o h~e ; hts daughter was moved by the saint's giving for the grace of divine vocation, at once msptred words to consecrate her virginity to endear him to us and stamp him as our model God. St. Matthew gave her the sacred veil, and in following the inspirations and calls of God to ~as been considered the institutor of religious a better course of life. hfe, because many of the companions of the His occupation, or profession, was collecting princess followed her example. the taxes to be paid to the Roman governor. St. Matthew himself lived a very austere and This was a business detested by the Jews and abstemious life. He never ate meat, but only 30 31 The Saints of the Mass St. Simon herbs, roots, and similar food. He instituted the matia, which belonged to Persia. Here was the use of Holy Water, and his prayer in blessing it is probable site of his martyrdom, for, in the ac­ set down by St. Clement, Pope. He also ordained counts of St. Andrew, there is a passage relating that offerings should be made to God of first that near the Bosphorus a tomb had been found fruits and tithes for the support of those in the in a grotto with an inscription that Simon the service of the Altar and for the poor, as St. Zealot was interred there. The martyrologies Clement also relates. say that his death was procured by the idolatrous priests, and that he was crucified. St. Peter's Church on the Vatican and the Cathedral of St. Simon, Apostle. Toulouse possess the chief portions of the relics of Saints Simon and Jude. OCTOBER 28. St. Simon is sometimes surnamed the Canaan­ ite, sometimes Zelotes, the Zealot ; but critics agree that the two names have the same mean­ St. Jude, or Thaddeus, Apostle. ing, the first in Hebrew, the second in Greek. OCTOBER 28. He is called Simon Zelotes to distinguish him from Simon Peter, also from Simeon, the brother St. Jude, or Thaddeus-both names mean of James the Less and his successor as Bishop "praise," or "the brave "-was the brother of of Jerusalem. St. James the Less, and of Simeon and Joseph, We find no mention of St. Simon in the "brothers "-that is, cousins- of our Lord. This Gospels except in the list of the Apostles given relationship, however, would not so much com­ by St. Luke (St. Luke vi. I 5), and as one of the mend him to our Saviour as his virtue and zeal E leven in the "upper room" in Jerusalem for the true faith. The only special mention of awaiting the coming of the Holy Ghost, and him in the Gospel is at the Last Supper. When consequently taking part in the choice of our Lord promised to manifest Himself to every Matthias to fill the place of the traitor (Acts i. one who should love Him, Jude asked: "Lord, 13). Even the countries evangelized by him are how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself to us and disputed. Some say he preached in Mauritania not to the world?" The answer of Jesus shows and eventually in the East and Persia, or Sar- that the manifestation of which He spoke was 32 33 3 The Saints of the Mass St. Linus one purely spiritual, and consisted in His abiding in the soul that loves Him. St. Linus, Pope. According to several historians and martyr­ ologies, St. Jude preached in Judea, Samaria, SEPTEMBER 23. and Mesopotamia, and finally joined Simon in . St. Linus was an Italian, born at Volterra, Persia, or Persian territories, where he was m Tuscany. His father was of high birth and martyred with him. St. Jude wrote an Epistle held in great consideration. called Catholic, because addressed not to any When St. Peter began to preach in Rome special portion of the Church, but to all the Linus, who was then living in the city, heard Churches of the East. In it he inveighs with and followed him, and is reckoned as one of his burning eloquence against the heretics then first disciples. The holy Apostle saw in Linus attempting to corrupt the true faith. He calls one ~ighly fitted for the apostolate by his virtues, them "raging waves of the sea . . . . wandering learnmg, and prudence. He ordained him priest stars to whom the storm of darkness is reserved ~nd afterwards bishop, making him his coadjutor for ever" (St. Jude i. I 3). m preaching and administering the sacraments He was a married man before he was called when himself unable to suffice otherwise for all to the apostleship, and two of his grandsons the labours of his supreme government. St. boldly confessed the faith before Domitian. But Linus was coadjutor willt£n the city, St. the Emperor, charmed with their simplicity and Cletus without. St. Linus was therefore the noticing that they were men of low condition, natural successor of St. Peter, and filled the accustomed to labour and therefore not likely to Pont.ifical Chair eleven years. During his endanger the State, allowed them their liberty. pontificate he gave Holy Orders twice and They were promoted to the priesthood and ordained fifteen bishops and eighteen p~iests. governed considerable churches. He commanded that women should not enter into the church with their heads uncovered. St. Peter had ordered the same and St. Paul left it in writing. He wrought many miracles on the sick and possessed, and raised the dead to life. After delivering the daughter of Saturninus, the 34 35 The Saints of the Mass St. Cletus consul, from the devil, he received for his to have charge of it and administer the sacra­ reward from the wretched, ungrateful father the ments. He was the first Pope who added to crown of martyrdom. His body was interred his apostolic letters the words : " Health and on the Vatican Hill, by the side of his blessed Apostolic Benediction," which have been used predecessor, St. Peter. by all other Popes in imitation of him. The Church keeps his feast on 23rd September, the day of his martyrdom, A.D. 8o. St. Clement, Pope. St. Cletus, Pope. NOVEMBER 23. APRIL 26. St. Clement was a Roman of noble birth but of Jewisb extraction ; greater glory, however St. Cletus was the son of Emilianus, of a noble than Roman nobility, was his being converted t~ and ancient Roman family. St. Peter converted Christ by St. Peter and ranked by St. Paul him to the faith, and seeing that he became a among those whose names are written in the spiritual man, prudent and zealous, he ordained B.ook of Life. These two Apostles admitted him bishop to assist in preaching and instructing h1m to share their apostolic labours ; and so the people. He also employed him in many earnest and constant was his attendance on matters of business connected with the general them that he has been styled by the early government of the Church. After St. Peter and Fath:rs al.most ~n Apostle. St. Paul speaks of St. Linus, St. Cletus governed the entire Church h1m Ill h1s Ep1stle to the Philippians as his with saintly ability for twelve years, during the fellow-labourer ; and as such he accompanied reigns of Vespasian and his son Titus. He St. Paul to Rome. There he again met St. was crowned with martyrdom under Domitian, Peter, no longer at Antioch, and fully imbibed the brother of Titus, on z6th April, A.D. 93, and was Apos~e 's spirit through his preaching and in­ buried by the Christians near the body of St. structiOns. Tertullian tells us that St. Clement Peter. was consecrated by St. Peter himself. Others St. Cletus, in accordance with St. Peter's also affirm that he acted as St. Peter's Vicar at orders, divided the city of Rome into twenty­ Rome and governed there during the saint's five parishes and placed in each of them a priest frequent absence on missionary work. 36 37 The Saints of the Mass St. Clement

After the martyrdom of Saints Peter and read with them in the churches, for copies of it Paul, St. Linus and Cletus were successively have been found in ancient manuscripts of the bishops of Rome. St. Clement followed them Bible, especially the Alexandrian. on the Chair of Peter. On entering upon his St. Clement, by patience and prudence, avoided high office, his zeal was called forth by a sad a?prehension during Domitian's persecution. schism and rebellion in the Church of Corinth. Ir. Trajan's the tempest raged anew in the year A party had opposed and defied the priests, and A .D. 100. No accounts of St. Clement's martyr­ had even presumed to depose them. F ortunatus, don have been preserved; but Pope Zosimus an old man and a disciple in the time of St. eXJ>"eSsly styles him a martyr, and his name is Paul, went to Rome bearing a message from inscribed in the ancient Canon of the Mass the clergy of Corinth, in which they begged St. wh1ch. only admitted martyrs. ' Clement's interference in this disastrous disturb­ ance. The saint undertook the cause with the plenitude of his apostolic authority. He wrote St. Sixtus II., Pope. his famous Epistle to the Corinthians, urging AUGUST 6. charity among themselves and submission to the clergy; and, with true apostolic spirit, tenderly St. Sixtus was a Grecian by birth, and reminded them at the same time of the peace deacon of the Roman Church under St. Stephen, they had enjoyed and the edification they had Pope, whom he succeeded in the Chair of Peter, given when they lived in humble subjection to being the twenty-fifth from that Apostle. those who governed them. After about three-and-a-half years of com­ St. Clement dispatched four messengers to parative tranquillity for the Church, Valerian Corinth with Fortunatus, and added in his raised a new persecution, A.D. 257. St. Stephen, letter: "Send them back to us again with all Pope, was an early victim. In the following speed in peace and joy, that they may the sooner year the persecution became more fierce, and acquaint us with your peace and concord, so the emperor sent a rescript to the Senate of much prayed for and desired by us." Rome, of which St. Cyprian writes :- This Epistle is so manifestly inspired by God "Valerian has sent an order to the Senate that it has been ranked next to the sacred importing that all bishops, priests, and deacons Scriptures ; and it is believed to have been should forthwith suffer, even though they should 38 39 The Saints of the Mass St. Sixtus

be willing to conform ; but that senators, persons On the Appian Way stands the Church of San of quality, and Roman knights should forfeit their Sisto. According to an ancient tradition, sup­ honours, should have their estates confiscated, ported by the title of the church, it was at this and if they still refused to sacrifice, should lose point that St. Laurence, the young archdeacon their lives ; that matrons should have their goods and martyr, overtook the Pope, St. Sixtus 11., seized and be banished; that any of Cccsar's and the four deacons, Saints Januarius, Magnus, officers or domestics who had already confesred Vincentius, and Stephanus, as they were being the Christian faith, or should now confess it, dragged to martyrdom. The affecting scene is should forfeit their estates to the exchequer and described by St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. should be sent in chains to work in Cresar's Maximus, and others. St. Laurence, shedding farms." And further on : "Pray notify these tears of grief at not being allowed to share in particulars to my colleagues, that so our brethren their martyrdom, fell at the Pope's feet, exclaim­ may everywhere be prepared for their con~ict ; ing: "Father, where are you going without your that we may all . . . . be crowned." son? Whither are you going, 0 holy priest, " On August 6, 2 58, Pope St. Sixtus II. cele­ without your deacon? You were never wont to brated the Divine Mysteries in this crypt chapel offer sacrifice without me, your minister. Where­ (Catacomb of Prretextatus), surrounded by his in have I displeased you? Have you found me deacons, in presence of a considerable nuTiber wanting in my duty? Try me now, and see of the faithful. After the Holy Sacrifice he was whether you have made choice of an unfit addressing an exhortation to the assembled minister for dispensing the Blood of the Lord." Christians, when suddenly the pagan perse· The holy Pontiff replied : " I do not leave you, cutors, led there probably by some traitor or my son, but a greater trial and a more glorious apostate, burst into the compartment, arrested victory are reserved for you, who are in the full the Pope with his six deacons, and, accordi:lg to vigour of youth. We are spared on account of St. Cyprian, a priest named Quartus, and dis­ our weakness and old age. You will follow me persed the assembly. The prisoners were in three days' time." dragged before the City Prefect and at once Embracing him tenderly, the Pope bade him condemned, then led back to the catacombs to distribute the treasures of the Church among the be there executed'' (Pilgrim-Walks in Rome, poor, lest they should fall into the hands of the p. 240). persecutors. 40 41 The Saints of the Mass St. Cornelius

The holy Pope was beheaded in the very Cyprian and the other bishops not present crypt where he had offered the Holy Sacrifice, hastened to dispatch to him, according to the and the four deacons mentioned above suffered custom, their letters of communion and con­ with him. Two others, Saints Felicissimus and gratulation. Agapitus, won their crown on the same day in The peace of the Church was soon disturbed another place. The priest Quartus probably met by Novatian, a schismatic and heretic, whom his death along with the Pope. The bodies of St. Cyprian calls "a deserter of the Church, St. Sixtus and the four deacons were afterwards an enemy of all tenderness, a very murderer of buried by the Christians in the Catacombs of penance, a teacher of pride, a corrupter of truth, St. Callixtus ; those of the other two deacons and a destroyer of charity." were laid in the Catacomb of Prretextatus, St. Cornelius assembled at Rome a synod of where an inscription with their names was found sixty bishops, where Novatian was condemned by De Rossi. and, as he obstinately refused to submit, was excommunicated. Those who had been seduced by Novatian were upon their repentance and St. Cornelius, Pope. submission, to the great joy of the people, received back by Cornelius to communion with SEPTEMBER 16. the Church. The holy Pope Fabian was crowned with St. Cornelius was the first person apprehended martyrdom on January 20, A.D. 250, but the by the new emperor, Gallus, in 251. Having violence of the persecution prevented the clergy made a glorious confession of his faith, he was and people assembling for the election of a sent into banishment to a place now called Civita successor. This they did not succeed in doing Vecchia. His death took place on September until, after sixteen months, Valens was called off 14, A.D. 252. He is ranked among the martyrs. to his wars with the Goths, and Cornelius was chosen to fill the Apostolic See. Though he had held the chief direction of affairs during the vacancy, compulsion was needed to induce him to accept the dignity. The concurrent suffrages of sixteen bishops confirmed the election. St. 42 43 St. Cyprian The Saints of the Mass Christian religion. A long and terrible struggle with himself was the consequence. He tells us St. Cyprian, Bishop. in his writings that he could not understand how SEPTEMBER 16. baptism conferred a new life and changed the neophyte into a new person, still retaining his St. Cyprian was one of the most wonderful outward nature. He believed it impossible to triumphs of divine grace that we read of in the alter his inclinations and inveterate habits, to Chu:ch's hist~ry. Until almost "old age," as lay aside his past enjoyments and ambition, his he htmself_wntes, ~e w~s given up not merely to sumptuous fare and splendid apparel, his eager­ a worldly l~fe, but hkew1se to the indulgence of ness to amuse and to please, and lead a life of every passton. humility and sobriety. "But" he says, "as soon Thascius Cyprian was a native of Carthage as the waters of baptism had washed away the where his father was one of the principai stains of my soul, 1 received the light of truth ; senators. He made great advances in the the Spirit of God descended upon me and 1 teaching of philosophy and of all the liberal arts became a new creature. My difficulties vanished. a~d his success in oratory and eloquence wo~ What I had abhorred seemed easy and desirable, hm~ the post of public professor of rhetoric. my views and intentions were hence directed to ~hts employment was then one of great distinc­ God." tt~n, a~d Cyprian, in accordance with it and Cyprian ever after reverenced the holy priest w1th Ius rank, lived in great pomp and plenty. Cecilius as his spiritual father and benefactor, H_e never went abroad but richly attired and the instrument under God of his marvellous w1th a pompous retinue of clients and followers. conversion. To mark this he assumed the He was advanced in life when God in His infinite priest's name with his own, Thascius Cecilius mercy brought him out of the darkness of Cyprian. p~ganism and the slavery of passion and Cyprian's subsequent life was entirely changed. vtce, to the light and freedom of the Gospel He devoted himself to prayer and the study of truth. the sacred Scriptures, and to the fervent practice T~~re resided at Carthage an old priest named of all Christian virtues. He sold his vast estate Cec1hus. Cyprian became acquainted with him and made over the greater part of the money to and gradually relished his discourses on th~ the poor. He then led a retired and penitential divine truths and the beauty and sanctity of the 45 44 The Saints of the Mass St. Cyprian

life, in which he made such rapid progress in After nearly two years he was able to return virtue as to justify his being raised to the priest­ to Carthage, where he employed himself with hood, at the request of the people, though he his usual zeal in settli ng the disturbances was as yet among the catechumens. In Jess caused by the heretics and by those among than a year after this he became Bishop of the clergy who took severe views concerning Carthage, at the death of Donatus, though be the "lapsed." made great efforts to avoid the dignity, of which The persecutions continued with varying he felt himself quite unworthy. intensity. In 257, the fourth year of Valerian's We are told that his appearance was wonder­ reign, St. Cyprian was arrested and banished to fully reverent and gracious, his countenance at a town fifty miles from Carthage. Here God once cheerful and grave, and that his whole comforted him with a vision foretelling his bearing won for him both respect and love. martyrdom. He prepared himself for it by The Emperor Decius began his reign by a compunction and penance, and by ardent bloody persecution against the Church. His desires of the happy moment when he was to cruel edict reached Carthage in the year A.D. shed his blood for Christ. A new proconsul 250. The idolaters immediately ran to the recalled Cyprian, but only in order to find market-place crying, " Cyprian to the lions ; him more easily when he should receive the Cyprian to the wild beasts I" edicts of the new governor of Africa, Galerius Though he knew it was the part of a hireling Maxim us. to desert his flock in the hour of danger, Cyprian Upon the publication of these edicts Cyprian thought that, as there were many weak ones was seized and brought before the proconsul, among them, he ought to follow our Lord's advice who, after a long examination, read the sentence: of flying from one city to another. He consulted " I will that Thascius Cyprian be beheaded I " God in prayer, and our Lord appeared to him to which the saint answered, " Blessed be God bidding him to seek safety in flight. During his for it ! " The Christians there present in great retirement he continued to govern his Church numbers called out : "Let us be beheaded with through frequent letters of advice and earnest him ! " and they made a great disturbance. admonition, and by appointing certain vicars, The holy bishop was led out of court, and, some bishops, others priests to attend to the attended by a large number of soldiers, was needs of the faithful. taken to a spacious plain in the country. Here 47 The Saints of the Mass St. Laurence his head was struck off on the 14th September St. Sixtus was raised to the Chair of St. Peter in A.D. zs8. The faithful interred his body rever­ 257, he ordained Laurence deacon, and gave ently in an adjoining field. Two churches were him the first place among the seven deacons afterwards erected to his memory, the one on who served in the Roman Church. This the place of his burial, the other on the spot choice constituted him archdeacon, and gave where he had suffered. His festival was at first him charge of the Church's treasury and the fixed for the 14th September, but since the fifth distribution of its riches among the poor. That century it has been joined to that of St. Cornelius so important and difficult an appointment should on the 16th September. be given to one still young speaks highly in his The writings of this saint are amongst the favour, and shows in what esteem St. Sixtus held Church's greatest treasures. him. St. Laurence soon gave proof that his trust was not misplaced. In the following year, 258, St. Sixtus was St. Laurence, Martyr. apprehended : for the touching account of his AUGUST Io. meeting his archdeacon on the way to martyr­ dom, see p. 41. On the same occasion St. "There are few martyrs in the Church," says Laurence was summoned before the Prefect Alban Butler, " whose names are so famous as of Rome, whose cupidity had been aroused by that of the glorious St. Laurence." His praises hearing of the concealed treasures in possession have ever resounded throughout the Church, of the Church. The prefect feigned kindness, and the most illustrious Fathers have exerted and promised the favour of Cresar if Laurence their eloquence in relating his noble triumph. would deliver them up to support the emperor's The city of Rome is rich in memories of him. wars and soldiers. Laurence owned that the We know little of his early life, but the Church was indeed rich beyond all the possessions Spaniards claim him as their countryman. It is of the emperor, and promised to show him a probable he went to Rome for education, for he valuable portion of them if he would allow him was young when St. Sixtus I I., then Archdeacon time to set all in order. The prefect granted of Rome, took him under his protection, and Laurence three days' respite. During this time guided him in the study of the Scriptures, and he sought out all the poor, the sick, the widows, in the practice of Christian perfection. When and orphans on his list to the number of fifteen 48 49 4 The Saints of the Mass St. Chrysogonus hundred. He appointed a meeting for the third da)•, before the ancient Court·house, somewhere St. Chrysogonus, Martyr. near the Colosseum. Here he spoke to the NOVEMBER 24. prefect. "Behold the Church's treasures ; she has no other riches but these." The prefect was St. Chrysogonus was one of the many holy transported with anger and ordered Laurence martyrs who died for Christ by the command to be severely scourged, then, all bleeding, to be of Diocletian. He was a Roman of aood birth laid on a gridiron, with a slow fire beneath, that ~nd ~eat. ability. For two years he"was kept his tortures might be more lasting. God sup­ m pnson m Rome for the faith, and would have ported the young heroic martyr, for he mocked probably died there of want had he not been at the tyrant, and, with a smiling counten­ provided with all necessary support by a holy ance, bade him : "Turn my body ; this side is woman named Anastasia. The charity of this done enough." The Christians were conscious la~y became known to her husband, Publius, a of a most heavenly perfume exhaled from his wtcked and cruel man in high position and a great body. Many senators were converted by the enemy of the Christians. To hinder her from sight of his courage, as well as by his beautiful continuing her '~ork of mercy to Chrysogonus, prayer for the speedy triumph of the Church. and to avenge hunself for her determination to To this prayer is attributed Constantine's con­ remain a virgin, he shut her up in a room of his version and victory over idolatry, which occurred own house and set guards to prevent her from shortly afterwards. exercising her religion or sending meat and His precious remains were borne by the newly­ other necessaries to Chrysogonus. He more­ converted noblemen to the field Verano and over ordered that her own food should be honourably buried. In the reign of Constantine gradually lessened so that she might die of the Great a church was built over his tomb, on hunger. the road to Tivoli, called St. Laurence without­ Fi~ding herself thus imprisoned, Anastasia the-walls. contnved to send the following Jetter to Chrysogonus :- "Although my father was a pagan, my mother Fausta was a Christian and a very virtuous woman. She brought me up as a Christian, and so 5l The Saints of the Mass St. Chrysogonus after her death I was married to a cruel and him, and all united in praying to our Lord for sacrilegious man, whose company I have shunned Anastasia, as she desired. He answered her as by the mercy of God. I have employed_myself follows:- day and night in praying to Jesus Chnst and "Amidst the storms and tempests of this following His holy footsteps. This most cruel world's sea in which you are floating, hold for man is wasting my patrimony with wicked and certain, madam, that Jesus Christ will favour shameful people, and keeps me as a sorceress_in you and with one word will sink to the bottom so hard a prison that I think I shall end my hfe the devil who torments you and makes war in it; for nothing seems wanting but to breathe against you. Have patience amidst your my last. And although it be sweet and savoury sufferings and make account that you are in to me to lose my life for Christ, yet I cannot but the middle of the sea, combated by a furious much resent that my goods, all of which I had tempest, and have confidence that Jesus Christ offered to God, should be spent in evil practices will come upon those waves and deliver you out and in the service of false gods. Wherefore, I of them. Cry out with the prophet, saying: entreat thee, 0 servant of God, that thou wouldst 'Why art thou sad, 0 my soul, and why art beseech our Lord that either He would give true thou troubled?' Hope in God, Who, how much life to this man, that he may acknowledge God soever He tries and exercises you, does not for and be converted, or else that He would take this cease to be your salvation. Think, lady, him away if he is to persevere in his obduracy. that God will give you the goods of heaven, For it would be better to lose his life than to seeing that He takes from you those of earth. deny the Son of God and torment those that And if it seem to you that He tarries long, know confess Him. I call to witness and promise the that He does it that you may more esteem His omnipotent God that if He please to give me gifts. Be not troubled nor afflicted because my liberty, I will employ myself wholly in His that, living well, evils and afflictions do befall service as I was wont to do in relieving and you. God proves, but does not deceive. Man providing for the necessities of the holy con­ is deceitful, and he who confides and puts his fessors. God be with thee, man of God, and be hope in him is cursed ; and he who puts his mindful of me." hope in God is blessed. Fly all sins with great Chrysogonus received this letter in prison. care and diligence, and desire to be comforted Many other holy confessors were there with by God alone, whose commandments you do 52 53 The Saints of the Mass Saints John and Paul

which are the habitations of devils." This During Constantine's reign they were sent answer enraged Diocletian, who ordered him with the General, Germanicus, into the eastern to be beheaded and his body thrown into the provinces of the Roman empire, where the bar­ sea. barians were giving trouble. When defeat after After the execution, a holy old man named defeat had attended the Roman arms, and Ger­ Zoilus succeeded in finding the body and had manicus was depressed that his sacrifices to his it respectfully buried. Some time later, by divine god Mars had brought no victory, Saints John revelation, he discovered the head, which was as and Paul showed him the folly of praying to fresh as if just severed from the body. He such a god and promised that, if he would be­ placed it reverently with the other remains. lieve in Jesus Christ and pray to Him, he should For this charitable act St. Chrysogonus re­ conquer. He consented, and vowed to embrace warde~ him by appearing to him thirty days the Christian faith if be gained the victory. He after h1s martyrdom and calling him to heaven. immediately experienced the divine assistance, Zoilus died calmly, and followed the holy martyr and marched with so much courage against the to rejoice with him for ever with God. enemy that he gained a bloodless victory over St. Chrysogonus has a church built in his the panic.stricken Scythians. honour, mentioned by Pope Symmachus in the So complete was the conversion wrought by sixth century and by St. Gregory the Great. these saints that, on returning to Rome, Ger­ It was rebuilt by Gregory I I I. in 740, and again manicus refused the consulate and the marriage restored by Cardinal Scipio Borghese in 1623. with Constantia which he had made the two It gives title to a cardinal. conditions of his undertaking the war. He moreover gave the rest of his life to devotion and the service of the poor. He was beheaded for his faith by Julian the Apostate. His feast Saints John and Paul, Martyrs. is kept on June 25. JUNE 26. On coming to the throne Julian laid hands on These saints were officers in the service of the possessions of the Christians, but most of all Constantine the Great, and were also in the did he covet the riches left by Constantia to household of his daughter Constantia as her Saints John and Paul. Julian first employed steward and her secretary. flattery, and sent them word that if they would 56 57 The Saints of the Mass Saints John and Paul come to Court they should enjoy high positions in the nave marks off the spot in the house and become his favourites. They answered that beneath, where they suffered death in the they would never set foot in the palace nor look year 362. in the face of one who had renounced Jesus Christ and denied the faith of his baptism. The messenger, Terentianus, gave them ten Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs. days in which to consider. They replied that he might look upon the days as already past, SEPTEMBER 27. for they would never change their mind or alter Cosmas and Damian were brothers and their resolution. The ten days were spent by natives of Arabia. They had Christian parents, them in praising and thanking God for the but lost their father at an early age. Their grace of martyrdom offered to them, and in mother Theodora, a faithful servant of God, distributing all their goods to the poor. brought them up in His fear and love. When On the eleventh day Terentianus returned of fitting age they devoted themselves to learn­ with several soldiers. He offered the Saints a ing, and chiefly to the study of medicine, in which little statue of Jupiter, promising them life and they were very successful. Many of the cures honours if they would sacrifice to it ; if not, he effected by them were so wonderful that they had orders to kill them privately on the spot. were attributed rather to the Divine Power than The Emperor, they said, had in this regard to to the skill of the physicians. God thus blessed their rank ; in truth, he dreaded a rising of the their fervent prayers and disinterested charity. people. On the refusal of the Saints, the By this charity they were well known at Algea, officers beheaded them and buried them there in Cilicia, where they lived. In this tow~ they in their own house, giving out that the Emperor exercised their profession without any v1ew to had banished them. temporal gain, and solely for the love of God, In the time of St. Jerome a church was built refusing all stipends for their good offices. over the house, which had been filled in with These holy brothers also made their employ­ earth. Excavations made in 1887 brought to ment a means of extending the faith, and light the house of the two saints in good pre­ numerous conversions rewarded their zeal. servation. Their bodies are under the high Their fame spread through the city and neigh­ altar in the church above the house, and a railing bourhood. Lysius, the Proconsul of Cilicia, a 58 59 The Saints of the Mass St. Chrysogonus

keep. For when you least think of it, He will tented forget to keep a guard over themselves. be pleased to comfort you, and will send you, We all sail on the same sea, our bodies are the after the darkness of the night, the joyful light ships that cut the waves, and our souls the pilots of day ; and after the troublesome frost and cold that govern them. But some of these ships arc of winter, will come the delightful spring ; and so strong and well built that they break the after the tempest a clear and fair heaven, that waves and pass through without harm ; others you may be able to favour and do good to those so frail that at every turn they run hazard. Take that suffer persecutions for Christ, and that, comfort, servant of Christ; for thy navigation, relieving their temporal necessities, you may although it has been full of storms and tempests, obtain of our Lord eternal reward. God be will end prosperously and happily, and thou shalt with you, and pray for me." arrive at the desired haven, enjoying Christ with St. Anastasia was very much consoled by this the palm of martyrdom." letter, and so greatly encouraged that she en­ These letters are given by Nicephoras, Suidas, deavoured to make her patience equal to her and Odo. A further account of Anastasia will past distress at her husband's cruelties. Her be found in the narrative of her martyrdom, sufferings increased so much that she was December 25 (p. 94). allowed daily only the fourth part of an ordinary When the two years of imprisonment were loaf of bread. Believing that her last hour was ended for Chrysogonus, Diocletian commanded near, she wrote a second letter :- him to be brought before him. The emperor "The end of my days is at hand. Pray to God then addressed the holy confessor with mild to receive my soul when it shall go forth from and flattering speeches ; offered to make him my body, since it is for His love that I endure prefect and consul, dignities which were due to the torments which the old woman, the bearer his exalted birth and noble race. The only con­ of this letter, will relate." dition was to lay aside Christian follies and The Sa='lt answered:- adore the gods, the protectors of the empire. "Darkness always goes before light, and after Chrysogonus boldly answered : sickness comes health, and life is promised after "I adore only one God with my soul, and death. All the prosperities and adversities of reverence llim with my heart, and with exterior this life have their end, that neither the sad and sign confess Him to be God, Who is Jesus afflicted should despair, nor the joyful and con- Christ. I hate and curse these your idols 54 ss Saints Cosmas and Damian The Saints of the Mass martyrs, built a second church to their honour man famous for his cruelty and hatred of the in this his imperial capital. . Christians, could not fail to hear of the zealous The relics of Saints Cosmas and Dam1an were labours of Cosmas and Damian. He ordered brought to Rome, where Pope St. Felix. built them to be brought before him, and then ques­ the church to receive them which may still be tioned them on their names and country. In seen in the Forum. his examination he drew from them that they had three other brothers, also Christians, Anthy­ mius, Leontius, and Euprepius. These were apprehended, and the proconsul endeavoured in vain to persuade all the brothers to sacrifice to his gods. He therefore ordered them to be bound hand and foot and to be cast into the sea ; but an angel loosened their bonds and set them on the shore. Lysius attributed their escape to magic and subjected them to fire ; but like the Hebrew children they remained unhurt, praising God amid the flames, which only attacked those who threw them in. Other tor­ tures were applied with like result, till Lysius, infuriated at being thus baulked, ordered them to be beheaded, September 27, A.D. 303. Their bodies were devoutly buried outside the city, and later translated to Cyrus in Syria. When the Emperor Justinian came to the throne in 527, he found at Constantinople a church, built in their honour, in a ruinous con­ dition. In thanksgiving for his recovery from a dangerous illness through their intercession, he raised a large and costly edifice in its place ; and further to satisfy his devotion to these 6r 6o St. john Baptist

meeting with Elizabeth ; and he then gave token of his exultation. At his birth and cir­ cumcision wonders multiplied. His father, II struck dumb by the Angel months ago, regained THE SAINTS AFTER THE his speech, "and all that heard these things ELEVATION laid them up in their heart, saying, What an one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him" (St. Luke i. 66). His St. John Baptist. father and mother were both filled with the Holy JUNE 24 and AUGUST 29. Ghost. His father prophesied and spoke (in the beautiful canticle Bmedictus) of the great Goo never places anyone in an office or em­ future of his little one. "Thou, child, shalt be ployment without at the same time furnishing called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt him with the capabilities and helps that will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His enable him to discharge it in a competent ways. To give knowledge of salvation to His manner_ The sublime function of Forerunner of people, unto remission of sins" (St. Luke i. 68-79). the Messiah, to which St. John was destined, John's life was in keeping with this beginning. demanded that unusual gifts and graces should In early childhood the Holy Ghost led him into be bestowed upon him. With these God the wilderness, where he" grew and was strength­ lavishly invested the herald of His Son. ened" till the time appointed for" his manifesta­ Miracle and mystery encompassed him from tion to Israel." The sacred pages speak of his the earliest dawn of existence. The priest severe life in the desert ; of his austerity and Zachary had long relinquished all hope of mortification in food and in clothing. By these children. An angel now announced to him the virtues, and by constant prayer and union with approaching birth of a son, and that his name God, he prepared himself for his future mission. should be John. Cleansed before birth from This he began by the direction of the Holy original sin, John was also endowed with Ghost in his thirtieth year. Crowds flocked to sanctifying grace, if not with the gift of reason, listen to his powerful words. He proclaimed as some believe. For the unborn Forerunner the immediate coming of the Messiah, the recognized the unborn Messiah, at Mary's necessity of penance and compunction for the 62 63

j The Saints of the Mass St. Stephen

remission of sin. He baptized on the banks of the chief amongst them, with the title of arch­ the Jordan, but his baptism was not a sacra­ deacon. mental act; its value lay in preparing for that The account of his holiness, his virtues, his great Sacrament which our Lord afterwards arraignment and death, is given so circumst~n ­ instituted. tially in the Acts of the Apostles that nothmg Though St. John preached against sin with the further need be added. His martyrdom took fiery eloquence of Elias, he was gentle and place on 26th December, in the same year in charitable to the sinner. Even the corrupt King which our blessed Saviour was crucified. Herod "heard him willingly" and respected his His body was buried about twenty miles from sanctity, though he was too weak to resist his Jerusalem by order of Gamaliel and at his passions and to turn a deaf ear to the wicked expense. The tomb was gradually lost sight of Herodias. This wretched woman demanded till this same Gamaliel appeared in the fifth St. John's death in revenge for his fearless reproof century to the priest Lucian, and pointed out to of Herod ; and it is said that, when the Baptist's him the spot where St. Stephen's body re~osed. head was brought to her in a dish, she pierced He desired him to have it, and the bod1es of his blessed tongue with a bodkin. those buried in the same tomb, removed to a St. John's disciples bore away his body from becoming place. This was done in the r.eign of the prison and honourably interred it. Part of Honorius and Theodosius the Younger 10 415. his head is pr!"served at Amiens and a part in Pope Pelagius translated St. Stephen's ~o~y St. Silvester's Church in Rome. from Constantinople to Rome and pl~c~d 1t 10 the tomb of St. Laurence, where 1t IS now venerated. St. Stephen, Martyr. DECEMBER 26. St. Matthias, Apostle. St. Stephen is called the Proto-martyr, the FEBRUARY 24. first and, as it were, the Captain of Martyrs. He was one of the seven deacons chosen and St. Clement of Alexandria assures us from ordained by the twelve Apostles for the distribu­ tradition, says Rev. Alban Butl~r,.that this Saint tion of the alms of the faithful. St. Stephen was was one of the seventy-two d1sc1ples, and that 64 65 5 l The Saints of the Mass St. Matthias

this tradition is confirmed by Eusebius and St. martyrdom in Colchis. The Latin Church keeps Jerome. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that his feast on 24th February. Portions of his he was a constant follower of our Lord from the relics are shown in the Abbey Church at Triers, time of His baptism by St. John to His ascen­ and at St. Mary Major in Rome. sion, and that this was his qualification for the apostleship. During the teo days that the Apostles remained St. Barnabas, Apostle. in Jerusalem awaiting the descent of the Holy }UNE fJ . Ghost, St. Peter called an assembly, or council of the faithful, and showed them from Scripture St. Barnabas, though not one of the Twelve, the obligation of choosing one of their number has always, like St. Paul, received the title of to fill the place of the traitor Judas. They Apostle on account of his having been so unanimously singled out two- Joseph Barsabas signally chosen by God for the apostolate. the Just and Matthias, and prayed that God " Separate Me Saul and Barnabas for the work would make known which of these two He had whereunto I have taken them," said the Holy chosen. "And they gave lots, and the lot fell Ghost to the "prophets and doctors " assembled upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the at Antioch (Acts xiii. 2),amongst whom were the eleven Apostles" (Acts i. 26), and with them he two thus selected. received the Holy Ghost. St. Barnabas was of the tribe of Levi, but born . With what deep humility and diffidence in in Cyprus, where his family was settled and had htmself must he have entered into that vacant purchased an estate, as Levites might do when bishopric! Only God's immediate choice and out of their own country. He was at first called the appointment of Peter, the Vicar of Christ, Joseph or J oses. After the Ascension, the c~uld have encouraged him to undertake it. But Apostles changed his name to Barnabas," which Wit~ these unfailing supports he persevered in is interpreted Son of Consolation." This, says a hfe of personal mortification and zealous St. Cyprian, was because of his special talent labour for souls. for consoling the afilicted . .we are told that St. Matthias planted the It is said that he was one of the seventy-two fatth about Cappadocia and on the coasts of the disciples of our Lord, and had therefore received Caspian Sea, and that he received the crown of the doctrine of eternal life from the mouth of 66 67

------•------The Saints of the Mass St. Barnabas

Christ Himself. His history, before and after have attained a great age, for St. Chrysostom his calling to join St. Paul, may be gathered speaks of his being alive in A.D. 63. with interest from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Barnabas is thought to have preached at St. John Chrysostom and ancient writers Milan, and is thence called its Apostle. describe St. Barnabas as a man of beautiful and venerable appearance and of a majestic presence, whereas St. Paul was of a low stature. St. St. Ignatius, Martyr. Barnabas, by his graceful deference to St. Paul, FEBRUARY I. gives us a striking example of humility, for he had been called to the faith much earlier, had St. Ignatius, surnamed Theophorus or God­ been numbered among the doctors of the bearer was the fervent and intimate disciple of Church of Antioch and had himself introduced St. John the Evangelist and fellow-disciple of St. Paul to the Apostles ; yet he always yielded St. Polycarp. An Eastern tradition mentioned the precedence to St. Paul. Even when a by Nicephoras says that he was the child that difference of opinion between them concerning our Lord took into His blessed arms and placed Barnabas's cousin, John Mark, led to a separa­ in the midst of His disciples as their model in tion in their work, no smallest breach of charity innocence and simplicity. This earl)• consecra­ was the consequence. On John Mark it had tion by our Saviour's own hands had its effects the happy effect of rousing him to a more in the burning charity for God and his neighbour fervent and courageous service of God than and the ardent desire for martyrdom which are hitherto, and this won him later the approval such marked features in his life. and recommendation from St. Paul which is St. Chrysostom tells us that he was appointed mentioned in his Epistle to the Colossians (iv. 10). to the See of Antioch by St. Peter after the Alexander, a monk of Cyprus, relates that death of Evodius, the second bishop of that see. after many torments he was stoned to death at From Saints Peter and Paul, the joint planters Salamis, at the instigation of certain obdurate of the faith in Antioch, as well as from St. John, Jews of that city. His remains were found near he drew in the fulness of the spirit of our Salamis; laid upon his breast was a Hebrew blessed Lord. This spirit breathes in all his copy of the gospel of St. ;\latthew in St. writings, exhaling from them as a precious Barnabas's own handwriting. lie seems to perfume with every stroke of his pen. Nothing 68 69 The Saints of the Mass St. Ignatius

does he so ardently sigh for as to give his life will that Ignatius, who says he carries the for Jesus Christ. He even fears that he has Crucified Man within himself, be bound and not yet attained to the perfect love of God, since conducted to Rome to be devoured there by he has not been called to seal hi s faith with his wild beasts, for the entertainment of the people." blood. Like his holy father and master, St. John, The holy Martyr, hearing this sentence, cried he laboured most earnestly to establish in the out with joy : "I thank thee, 0 Lord, for faithful the true spirit of charity-" the com­ vouchsafing to honour me with this token of mandment of the Lord." perfect love for Thee, and to be bound with D uring the short reign of Nerva, the Church chains of iron, in imitation of thy Apostle Paul, enjoyed comparative peace ; but under Trajan for Thy sake." Having said this, and prayed for t~e . persecution was renewed. This emperor the Church and recommended it with tears to d1d mdeed order that the Christians should not God, he joyfully put on the chains and was be sought out, yet, on his expedition against the hurried away by a savage troop of soldiers to be Parthians, when he made a pompous entry into conveyed to Rome. Antioch, in order to indulge his preposterous On the journey Ignatius was guarded night superstition and worship of his gods, he resolved and day by ten soldiers whom he called ten to compel the Christians either to sacrifice or to leopards, on account of their merciless treat­ suffer death in case of refusal. ment ; for the kinder he was to them the more St. Ignatius willingly allowed himself to be led fierce and cruel were they to him. As the route before Trajan, who addressed him thus : chosen was very circuitous, he had the oppor­ "Who art thou, wicked demon, that thou tunity of confirming in the faith and in piety the darest to trangress my commands and persuade Christians of several towns through which they others to perish?" passed. Deputations were sent from distant The saint replied : "No one calls Tbeophorus towns to salute him and ask his prayers and a wicked demon." blessing. At Smyrna he had the joy of meeting "Who is Theophorus ?"said Trajan. and discoursing with St. Polycarp, his fellow­ And St. Ignatius answered : "He who carries disciple under St. John. Christ in his breast." During the long journey St. Ignatius wrote The examination continued in the same strain. epistles to different churches, in all of which he Then Trajan dictated the sentence: "It 1s our recommends charity and entreats the Christians 70 71 The Saints of the Mass St. Ignatius ------to remember that they bear Christ in their authority and highly valued and venerated by breasts, and that as His temples they must the great Fathers and Doctors of the Church. adorn their souls with all virtues. He earnestly St. Polycarp carefully collected them. St. Denis begs them to shun all heretics and all corruption the Areopagite, St. lreneus, St. Athanasius, of the faith, and with all humility desires them St. Jerome, and others mention them or quote to pray for him, calling himself the last of the them ; St. Gregor>' observes that they usually faithful. Throughout is to be seen his one end with the words- " Amen-Gratia." longing desire to be in Rome and to meet the Saints Bernard, Denis the Carthusian, and wild beasts that are, as he puts it, "to grind him, some modern authorities, including Peter the wheat of God, in their teeth, that he may be Canisius, S.J., speak of a letter of his to our found the pure bread of Christ.'' Lady and one of hers to him and hold them to These words he repeated on entering the be quite authentic. Two of his to St. John the amphitheatre. Two fierce lions were let out upon Evangelist arc also preserved. him. They quickly devoured him, and forthwith his glorious soul passed to the immediate presence of the Lord he so ardently loved, on December St. Alexander, Pope. 20, A.D. 107 or 116. The lions left only the MAY 3· larger bones and a part of the skull. These relics, St. Chrysostom relates, were gathered up St. Alexander was born in Rome, and was son with pious care by the Christians present at the of a citizen in that city. At only thirty he martyrdom, and borne in triumph through all succeeded to St. Peter's Chair, holiness and the cities from Rome to Antioch. In 637, when learning supplying the deficiency of years. By Antioch fell into the hands of the infidel his preaching and conversation he won over Saracens, these precious relics were brought many Roman nobles and senators to the Chris­ back to Rome, and are now under the high tian faith, especially Hermes, with all his family altar of San Clemente. A part of the skull is and many of his dependants, to the number, it at the Gesu, and a relic of the arm at Santa is said, of twelve hundred and fifty. Maria del Popolo. This zeal caused him to be apprehended and This glorious bishop and noble martyr of cast into prison, where he received miraculous Jesus Christ wrote several Epistles, all of great favours from God. Hermes, his convert, was 72 73 The Saints of the Mass St. Alexander

also in the same prison and greatly desired to torments, though Eventius was eighty-one and see him. As in St. Peter's case, an angel had been a priest from twenty years old. The loosened Alexander's chains and led him to martyrs seemed only to gain fresh strength by Hermes. The two friends embraced with great their suffering. They were therefore put into a joy and fervour, and animated each other to fiercely heated oven. Alexander and Eventius suffer courageously for Jesus Christ. When were thrown in first, Theodulus was to stand at Quirinus the Tribune witnessed this scene, and the mouth of the furnace, in hopes that he would moreover learnt that his daughter Balbina had yield and sacrifice. But, seeing his companions been cured of the king's evil by St. Alexander unhurt by the fire, at their invitation be leapt in only touching her with his chains, he became a and joined them. The flames at the same time Christian with Balbina, and with all the prisoners burst from the furnace and consumed those who under his charge. had thrown them in. The tyrant's hard heart St. Alexander sent for St. Eventius and remained unmoved by these wonders. Alexander St. Theodulus, priests, to baptize the converts. and the two priests were beheaded after renewed Aurelianus, the governor of the city, was enraged outrages. This took place, according to Baron ius, when he heard of these events. He first tor­ on May 3rd, A.D. 132. tured and put to death Quirinus; then beheaded Aurelianus rejoiced over their death as over Hermes, and ordered Balbina and all that had a great victory. But his joy was short-lived. been baptized in prison to be cast into the sea. A voice from heaven was heard telling him that Alexander and the two priests were next the gates of heaven had been opened to his summoned to his presence. After some short victims, but that the gates of hell were open for parley wherein he gained nothing, he commanded him. He fell to the ground, and, biting his own Alexander to be stripped and laid on the rack, tongue, he expired. with the usual appliances to his sides of hooks The bodies of St. Alexander and his com­ and torches. The Saint remained silent and panions were buried on the Numentan Road, calm during the torture, to the amazement of the seven miles from Rome, and afterwards trans­ governor, who asked him why he did not com­ lated to Santa Sabina, the church of the plain and cry out. "\Vben a Christian prays," Dominican Friars. answered the martyr, "he speaks to God." St. Alexander was noted for his zeal for the The two priests were subjected to the same divine service. He ordained that unleavened 74 75 The Saints of the Mass Saints Marcellinus and Peter

bread should be used at holy Mass, to signify ing account of their execution and burial, which the purit)' of the Blessed Sacrament and to he assures us be received when a boy from the imitate our blessed Saviour, who made use of lips of the executioner himself. it at the Last Supper. He also decreed that a This executioner was secretly ordered by the little water should be mixed with the wine, to judge to lead the two priests to a forest and there show the union of Christ with His Church and kill them privately, so that no Christians might to represent the blood and water which issued know their burial-place. When he had led them from our Lord's side after His death. In so into a thicket covered with briars and thorns, ordering, however, he was only making an obliga­ three miles from Rome, he made known to them tion of what the Apostles had previously taught his order. They, nothing daunted, very cheer­ and practised. fully set to work to clear the ground for their Another of his ordin?.nces was that, in own grave. After they were beheaded, their blessing holy water, salt •,hould be mixed with bodies were hidden in the same spot. God, the water ; and he recommended this blessed however, watched over these precious remains water to be kept in churches, houses, and and defeated the judge's intentions by revealing rooms to ward off the temptations of the devils some time afterwards, to a devout lady called who are ever seeking to trouble us. Lucilla, the place where the bodies lay concealed. She, with another holy lady, Finnina, removed the bodies and interred them honourably near Saints Marcellinus and Peter, the tomb of St. Tiburtius on the Lavican road. Martyrs. Constantine built a church there in their honour, and in it buried his mother, St. Helena. JUNE 2. The bod1es of Saints Marcellinus and Peter These saints both belonged to the clergy of were sent to Germany in 827 by Pope Gregory Rome, and were both eminent for their zeal and the Fourth, at the request of the secretary of piety. llarcellinus was a priest and Peter an Charlemagne, to enrich a monastery he had exorcist. built and in which he intended to live. St. About the year 304, during the persecution of Gregory the Great preached his twenty homilies Diocletian, they were condemned to death for on the Gospels in the Church of Saints Marcel­ the faith. Pope Damasus has left us an interest- linus and Peter at Rome. 76 77 The Saints of the Mass Saints Perpetua and Felicitas

companions received baptism, and, like so many Saints Perpetua, Felicitas, and of the early Christians, immediately felt the effects Companions, Martyrs. of the presence of the Holy Ghost in their soul. St Perpetua was favoured in prison with MARCH 7· several visions which greatly comforted and The Emperor Sevcrus set on foot a violent strengthened her and her companions, and of persecution in the year 202. In the following which she wrote an account. Saturus was year it broke out in Africa, and five catechumens favoured in like manner. This martyr had were seized for the faith at Carthage. These voluntarily joined their number, and is said to were Revocatus and Felicitas, Saturninus and have been brothertoSaturninus and the instructor Secundulus, and Perpetua. of all, and as such was unwilling to leave them. Felicitas was the fellow-slave of Revoeatus, He made up the number five, for Secundulus and a young mother. Perpetua was of good had died in prison. family, and her husband a person of distinction When the day of their triumph arrived they in Carthage. Her father was advanced in years were led out of the prison and conducted to and a pagan ; her mother and one of her brothers the amphitheatre. The joy of all the blessed were Christians ; the other brother, like Perpetua martyrs was depicted in their countenances and was a catechumen. A third brother died when gestures. Perpetua walked with a firm step and about seven years old. a calm and collected demeanour; her eyes At their arrest the five martyrs were put under were cast down as became one belonging to a strong guard in a private house, to await their Jesus Christ. Felicitas walked modestly and committal. Here Perpetua's father came to try joyously by her side. On arriving at the amphi­ and shake her resolution by representing to her theatre they were offered the superstitious gar­ his age and his great affection for her- she was ments of the pagan rites ; to the men those of his favourite child. He reminded her, too, of the priests of Saturn, to the women those worn her little infant boy, still in arms, who could not by the priestesses of Ceres. All indignantly survive her. But, when he found her invincible, refused them. his tenderness changed to anger and reproach, The brave answers of the prisoners at their though he left her in confusion at his own trial enraged the people, who begged they might discomfiture. While in this house she and her be scourged. This was granted, and the martyrs 78 79 The Saints of the Mass Saints Perpetua and Felicitas rejoiced at being thus likened to our blessed as it were, divinely inebriated that she seemed Saviour. After this cruel punishment the men to be insensible to pain though still in a mortal were exposed to the beasts, some of which re­ body?" fused to hurtthem. Saturninus,after beingspared Before leaving for the arena, Perpctua called by a bear, was quickly dispatched by a leopard for her brother and begged him and Rusticus to and was the first to gain his crown, as Perpetua continue firm in the faith, to love one another had foreseen in her vision. The two women and not to be scandalized at their sufferings. were tossed by a wild cow, but not killed. When the Martyrs arrived for the second time When Perpetua recovered some consciousness at the amphitheatre, the people, still thirsting after the fall, she was seen gathering together for blood, cried out that they should be brought her torn and disordered garments- evidently into the middle of the arena ; whereupon some more concerned about decency than about her of them exchanged the kiss of peace and went sufferings. Then, seeing Felicitas much hurt, forward of their own accord. The rest were she helped her to rise, and the two stood to­ dispatched without a word, where they were. gether as if awaiting a fresh assault ; but both Perpetua fell into the hands of a timid and un­ the women and the surviving men were led from skilful gladiator, who caused her to linger a long the arena to be reserved for the end of the time. shows. Some Christian friends were allowed "Thus," says St. Augustine," did two women, to visit them in the place where they were con­ amidst fierce beasts and the swords of gladiators, fined. Rusticus, a catechumen, attended to vanquish the devil and all his fury." The day Perpetua. She asked him when she was to be of their martyrdom was the 7th of March, A.D. exposed to the wild cow, and could hardly be­ 203, as marked in ancient martyrologies, and in lieve his account of what had happened till she the Roman calendar as early as the year 354· was shown her wounds and tattered garments. Their bodies were in the great church of "Where was she," exclaims St. Augustine, Carthage in the fifth century, as St. Victor " that she remained without feeling her wounds, assures us. St. Augustine says that more or being conscious of the attack of the wild persons were drawn each year to their church beast? What did she see that blinded her to there to honour their memory than had once what all the world saw? By what sweet potion been gathered in the amphitheatre through of love was she so transported out of herself, and, curiosity to witness their martyrdom. 8o 81 6 The Saints of the Mass St. Agatha

her whole confidence in Jesus Christ, and He St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. gave her the victory over their hellish attempts. When she was again brought before Quin­ FEBRUARY 5· tianus, this tyrant, infuriated at her constancy, St. Agatha was a native of Sicily, and was born ordered her to be stretched on the rack and either at Palermo or Catania. She suffered at iron books and torches to be applied. Seeing Catania during the persecution of Decius. Her her still firm, he commanded her breasts to be trial and her martyrdom are almost the only cut off. "Cruel tyrant ! " she exclaimed under facts of her life that have been preserved. She the torture ; "are you not ashamed to inflict such was of a rich and illustrious family, and had been a punishment, after having sucked the breasts consecrated to God from her tender years. Her of a woman yourself?" riches excited the cupidity of Quintianus, a He remanded her to prison, and forbade both consul, who therefore determined to ma1 ry her. salves and food. But God Himself sent her He hoped to compass his design by having help. St. Peter appeared to her, healed her Agatha apprehended and brought before h1m. wounds, and filled her dungeon with heavenly Seeing herself in the hands of the persecutors, light. Four days later Quintianus sent for her. she made this beautiful prayer: ''Jesus Christ, Obdurate still, and unmoved by her miraculous Lord of all things, Thou seest my he1rt, Thou cure, be ordered her to be rolled on live coals knowest my desire. Do Thou alone possess all and potsherds. that I am ; I am Thy sheep, make me worthy to \:Vhile the executioners were carrying out this overcome the devil." She wept and prayed for barbarous sentence, the whole city of Catania strength and courage all along the road to the was shaken by an earthquake in which two of tribunal. the governor's friends were killed. The terrified When Quintianus beheld her before him he inhabitants cried aloud that it was a scourge ordered her to be taken to a wretched woman from God to avenge the cruel treatment of who for a whole month tried every means to Agatha. They rushed to the governor's house corrupt her and to force her to yield to and demanded Agatha's release. Quintianus, Quintianus' desires. It was of no avail. Much dreading a popular riot far more than the anger rather would she have suffered the most painful of God, remanded her to prison. But the tortures than endure this ordeal ; but she put blessed virgin and martyr felt that her combat 8z 83 St. Agatha The Saints of the Mass in Rome under her name about the year 500. was at an end, and begged her Divine Spouse St. Gregory the Great enriched a church, which to take her to Himself. "My eternal God, who he had purged from the Arian impiety, with her out of Thy pure goodness hast armed me with relics, which it still possesses. Thy heavenly grace to fight against the tyrant for the exaltation of Thy faith, and hast made me-that am young, weak, and tender in this St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. frail flesh - to overcome so many torments, DECEJI'ffiER r3. soldiers, and armed men ; open, 0 Lord, the anns of Thy mercy and receive my soul that St. Lucy, a native of Syracuse, was one of the thirsteth after Thee with an extreme desire brightest ornaments of the Church of Sicily. and love." Her parents were honourable and wealthy, and With this prayer on her lips Agatha breathed educated her from earliest infancy in the faith of forth her pure soul to God. Wonders are re­ Christ. Lucy lost her father when very young, lated to have occurred at her funeral. The but her mother Eutychia watched over her with people Rocked in crowds to her tomb to venerate jealous care and instilled into her mind senti­ her holy remains. She has always been con­ ments of virtue and piety. Lucy corresponded sidered the patroness of Catania, and has very faithfully with her mother's training, and early frequently preserved it from destruction during became a model of Christian perfection. When the eruptions of Mount Etna. On one occasion, still a child she offered her virginity to God, a poor man saw his cottage and little property but kept her vow, or rather, holy resolution, a momentarily threatened by a stream of burning secret from her mother. Eutychia, ignorant of lava. He invoked St. Agatha, and, just as the her child's intention, pressed her to marry a stream reached his house, it divided and passed young gentleman, who, though a pagan, seemed at either side, leaving his little possession in other respects a suitable protector for her uninjured. daughter. Lucy endeavoured quietly and firmly St. Agatha's martyrdom took place A.D. 251. to postpone the marriage, and meantime prayed Her name is inserted in the Canon of the Mass, earnestly to God that He would hinder its tak­ in the Calendar of Carthage as ancient as the ing place. This our Lord thought good to year 530, and in all martyrologies of the Latins bring about in the following way. Eutychia and Greeks. Pope Symmachus built a church ss 84 The Saints of the Mass St. Lucy

was visited with a serious illness which de­ England, before the change of religion, her manded Lucy's constant care. As no physicians feast was celebrated as a holiday of second were able to effect a cure, she consented, at class, when no work was allowed except tillage Lucy's advice, to visit the tomb of St. Agatha, and the like. at Cata nia. "St. Agatha," said her child, "ever Her body remained in Syracuse for many stands in the sight of Him for whom she died. years, but was at length translated to Italy, and Only touch her sepulchre and you will be thence to Metz. Some of her relics are pre­ cured." served at Venice, where they are greatly They spent the night at the tomb in prayer, venerated. till, overcome by weariness, they fell asleep. St. Agatha appeared in vision to Lucy, and calling her "sister," foretold her mother's cure St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. and her own martyrdom. The cure was in­ jANUARY 21. stantaneous, and in her gratitude the mother allowed her daughter to distribute her wealth Though St. Agnes comes before us only at to the poor and consecrate her virginity to the clo~e of her short life, St. jerome tells us God. that the tongues and pens of all nations are The young man to whom Lucy had been employed in her praises, who overcame both betrothed, hearing of this sale and distribution the cruelty of the tyrant and the tenderness of and its reason, denounced her as a Christian. her age, and crowned the glory of chastity with The governor ordered her to be taken to a that of martyrdom. " In a short space she ful· house of ill-fame, but God rendered her immov­ filled a long time" (Ecc!i. iv. 1 3). able, so that the guards were powerless to carry Her name signifies chaste in Greek, and in her thither. He also enabled her to overcome Latin, lamb. She has always been ranked with fire and other torments. After a long and the Immaculate Mother of God as one of the glorious combat, she died in prison of her special patronesses of purity. When only wounds about the year 304, under the Emperor thirteen, her great beauty and her riches excited Diocletian. the young noblemen of the first Roman families Her name was ever honoured in Rome to desire her in marriage. To all alike she gave among the most illustrious virgin-martyrs. In the one unvarying answer-that she was already 86 87 The Saints of the Mass St. Agnes betrothed to a heavenly Spouse, whose beauty mourning her loss, rejoiced in her triumph, and surpassed all human loveliness. bore away her blessed body to bury it on their Finding her constancy invincible, they accused own property. She suffered on 21st January, her to the governor as a Christian, never A.D. 305. doubting that torments would subdue her With her was buried two days later her though their blandishments had failed. The foster· sister, St. Emerentiana. A crowd of judge at first promised her whatever was most Christians having gathered around St. Agnes's likely to attract one of her age and position, tomb to venerate her precious remains, some but to all his flattering assurances she replied pagans attacked them. Emerentiana, though that Jesus Christ should be her only spouse. still a catechumen, fearlessly reproached them He then employed threats, and displayed the for their cruelty and impiety in putting to death most horrible instruments of torture. But the the worshippers of the One Almighty God. Lord in whom she trusted had endowed her They turned upon her and stoned her, till she with such masculine courage that she smiled at died praying at her sister's tomb, baptized in the sight and offered herself to endure their her own blood. worst inflictions. When urged to bum incense Every year on St. Agnes's feast, 21st January, to the idols, St. Ambrose says she could not be High Mass is followed by an interesting cere­ compelled to move her hand except to make the mony, which attracts crowds of the faithful ; sign of the Cross. These threats were followed this is the blessing of two little lambs, emblems by the order for the most repulsive trial of all to of innocence and sacrifice, which are brought her innocent soul. Here, too, she was triumphant, into the church tastefully decorated and laid and her Divine Spouse preserved her pure and upon the altar. The blessing is given by the faithful to H is love. The governor, enraged at Abbot of the Canons Regular of the Lateran. seeing himself baffled by a child, ordered her to These blessed lambs are presented to the Pope, be beheaded. On hearing the sentence Agnes and from their fleece are woven the palliums was transported with joy. She looked upon it worn by archbishops. as the summons to her heavenly bridal. Gladly she obeyed that summons and bent her head to the blow. The executioner struck it off with a trembling hand. Her parents, far from 88 The Saints of the Mass St. Cecily

On the wedding day, she was arrayed as St. Cecily, Virgin and Martyr. became her own patrician rank and that of her NOVEMBER 22. husband, in cloth of gold and many rich jewels. All this grandeur in no way affected her, for, St. Cecily or Cecilia was of patrician parents, while all the guests were joyous, it was remarked and from infancy inherited from them the lofty that she alone looked sad and thoughtful. aspirations and dispositions expected from those In the evening when alone with Valerian she of noble birth. She was still more indebted to spoke to him thus : "My very dear spouse, I her mother for her education in the Christian would gladly tell thee a secret if I could be sure faith. Her father is thought to have been a thou wouldst not divulge it." He swore to her pagan, for he promised her in marriage at an that he would never reveal it. "Thou must early age to an excellent and happily disposed know, then, that I have an angel of my God who young patrician, also a pagan, named Valenan. accompanies me and with great care and zeal Both parents were unaware tha~ Cecilia had guards my body. If thou attempt to love me already given herself to God, and by a special with a worldly and carnal love, it may cost thee call and grace from Him had resolved to thy life, but if thou dost honour me with a pure preserve her virginity for Jesus Christ, her and chaste affection, this angel will love thee Heavenly Spouse. When therefore she learnt and bestow many favours upon thee." their designs, she redoubled her prayers and Valerian was troubled at these words, yet, practices of piety and mortification to obtain filled with a new reverence for his holy and from her sweet spouse Jesus the grace of beautiful bride, he begged her to show him the perpetual chastity. Valerian dearly loved and angel, otherwise he would believe he had a rival admired Cecilia, and longed for the day when in her affections and would kill both her and she would be entirely his. As the appointed him. To this Cecilia replied that a resplendent hour drew nigh she spent the three preceding light cannot be seen by blind eyes ; that if he days in prayer, fasting, and austerities, entreat­ wished to see the angel he must believe in Jesus ing God to allow her to live a single life with Christ, receive baptism, and so be cleansed from Valerian, and putting herself under the guardian­ sin and stain. God blessed her words and moved ship of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, and Valerian's heart ; he owned his willingness to of the saints and martyrs. believe and asked who was to instruct and <)0 91 The Saints of the Mass St. Cecily baptize him. She sent him with a message The neophyte cast himself on the ground in from herself to Pope Urban, who was hidden humble joy and gratitude for God's goodness, three miles from Rome, and gave him signs and answered : "There is nothing I so much whereby to discover the hiding-place. The holy desire as to see my brother Tiburtius, whom I old Pope wept for joy at all Valerian told him, love as my own life, sharing my happiness and and while he was speaking, a venerable old man my faith in Jesus Christ." The angel replied appeared bearing a book written in gold. that his petition was granted, and that both Urban encouraged the affrighted Valerian and should soon be crowned with martyrdom. He bade him read. The words in the book were : vanished, leaving them thus comforted. Presently "There is only one true God, one true faith, Tiburtius joined them, and, as he entered the one true baptism." Valerian declared his readi­ room was struck with amazement at the delicious ness to believe this. The angel, for such it was, and heavenly odour unlike anything on earth. then disappeared, and Urban instructed and They told him all that had happened. He baptized the neophyte, who returned in un­ believed, fell at Cecilia's feet, and offered to speakable joy and happiness to Cecilia. follow her advice. She sent him with Valerian On entering her chamber he found her to the Pope, by whom he also was baptized. absorbed in prayer, and now he beheld at The two brothers suffered martyrdom a few her side, in radiant heavenly splendour, the days before Cecilia. Their feast is kept on angel of God of whom she had spoken. April 14, possibly the day their relics were Valerian gazed in wonder, and saw that he translated with great solemnity in 1599. held two garlands of roses and lilies, and that St. Cecilia was apprehended by Almachius, he was offering one to Cecilia and one to Prefect of Rome. At her trial she spoke so himself. "These flowers are gathered from the efficaciously on the vanity of the world and the pleasant meadows of Paradise. Jesus Christ happiness of dying for Christ that a great sends them to you, that you may henceforward number there present, 400, it is said, embraced love each other with a pure and chaste affection. the faith and asked for baptism ; amongst them Their beauty will not wither, nor their fragrance was a man of high authority named Gordian. fade, but they will be perceptible to yourselves Almachius was enraged at these conversions, and alone. As a proof of His love to you, Valerian, ordered Cecilia to be stifled in a hot-air bath in Jesus is ready to grant whatever you request." her own house. She was preserved there 92 93 The Saints of the Mass St. Anastasia

unhurt for a day and a night. An executioner impending death by starvation. At this very was then sent to behead her, but he did his time the Emperor Diocletian sent Publius, her work with so trembling a h:md that after three husband, as an ambassador to the King of Persia. strokes-all that the law allowed-she still lived. "When he departed from Rome he left Anastasia He was therefore obliged to leave her to die of imprisoned in his house, with the intention, her wounds. should she survive, of putting her to death on The faithful came and collected her blood in his return. But God was watching over His linen cloths, and kept watch beside her. On patient and suffering spouse. He willed that on the third day Pope Urban came to her. She the journey Publius should fall sick and die. told him she had prayed not to die till she had Anastasia was thus liberated. She regained seen him, for she desired to give him this, her possession of her property, which she continued, house, for a church. She begged him to distri­ according to her solemn promise to God, to bute her riches amongst the poor. Urban employ in the service and support of the poor accepted the bequest, and gave her his apostolic and of the martyrs and confessors of Christ. blessing. She then turned her face to the ground W ith winning zeal and affection she visited them and breathed forth her pure soul to God. in prison, comforted and cheered them, dressed That same evening her body was placed in a their wounds, and after their death saw to the coffin of cypress wood, just in the attitude in interment of their prec10us remains, in all this which she had died, and Urban and his deacons making herself their servant and slave. bore it out of the city to the cemetery of St. God our Lord, who had freed her from her Callixtus, and there buried it in a chamber near husband's tyranny and given her once more the the crypt of the Popes. opportunity of serving His martyrs, would not, deprive her of the reward of martyrdom. She was apprehended by the Prefect of Apulia and St. Anastasia. cast into a frightful prison. Here St. Theodota, DECEMBER 25. who had accomplished her martyrdom in that same place and was now reigning in heaven In the life of St. Chrysogonus (p. 51), St. with our Lord, sustained her for two months Anastasia's charity to the martyrs and her own with miraculous food. At the end of this time, sufferings are related up to the point of her Anastasia and two hundred men and seventy 9-+ 95 The Saints of the Mass women, all Christians, were put into a ship and sent adrift to be drowned. But the ship, guided by God's providence, arrived at the island of Palmaria, where St. Anastasia was tied to stakes, and a fire kindled beneath her, and her body was burned. Her blessed soul, purified by this and so many other torments, went to its heavenly reward. A Christian matron named Apollonia took Anastasia's half-burnt body and, after kissing it many times with great tenderness, she embalmed it with precious ointments, wrapped it in fine linen, and buried it in the garden of her own house, where shortly aftenvards a church was built and called by Anastasia's name. This martyrdom took place on December 25, in the year 304, under Diocletian and Maximian. Her church in Rome gives title to a cardinal. Formerly the Popes said their second Mass on Christmas Day at this church and made a commemoration of the saint. This commemora­ tion is now universal. \

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