Roman Martyrology April, in English

Semen est sanguis Christianorum (The blood of Christians is the seed of the Church) Tertullian, Apologeticum, 50

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

This Day, the First Day of April

At Rome, the passion of St. Theodora, sister of the illustrious martyr Hermes, who underwent martyrdom in the time of the emperor Adrian, under the judge Aurelian, and was buried by the side of her brother, on the Salarian road, a short distance from the city.

The same day, St. Venantius, bishop and martyr.

In Egypt, the holy martyrs Victor and Stephen.

In Armenia, the holy martyrs Quinctian and Irenaeus.

At Constantinople, under the emperor Leo, St. Macarius, confessor, who ended his life in exile for the defense of the honor paid to sacred images.

At Grenoble, the bishop St. Hugh, who spent many years of his life in solitude, and departed for Heaven, with a reputation for miracles.

At Amiens, the abbot St. Valery, whose tomb is made illustrious by frequent miracles.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

Omnes sancti Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany of the Saints)

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 2nd

This Day, the Second Day of April

St. Francis of Paula, founder of the Order of Minims. As he was renowned for virtues and miracles, he was inscribed among the Saints by Leo X.

At Caesarea, in Palestine, during the persecution of Galerius Maximian, the birthday of the martyr St. Amphian, who, because he reproved the governor Urban for sacrificing to idols, was cruelly lacerated and, with his feet wrapped in a cloth saturated with oil, was set on fire. After these painful tortures, he was plunged into the sea. Thus through fire and water, he reached everlasting repose.

In the same city, the passion of St. Theodosia, a virgin of Tyre, who, in the same persecution, for having publicly saluted the holy confessors as they stood before the tribunal, and begged of them to remember her when they should be with God, was arrested and led to the governor Urban. By his order, her sides and breasts were lacerated to the very vitals, and she was thrown into the sea.

At Lyons, St. Nizier, bishop of that city, renowned for his saintly life and miracles.

At Como, St. Abundius, bishop and confessor.

At Langres, St.Urban, bishop.

In Palestine, the decease of St. Mary of Egypt, surnamed the Sinner.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 3rd

This Day, the Third Day of April

At Taormina, in Sicily, the bishop St. Pancratius, who sealed, with a martyr's blood, the gospel of Christ which the Apostle St. Peter had sent him thither to preach.

At Tomis, in Scythia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Evagrius and Benignus.

At Thessalonica, the martyrdom of the holy virgins Agape and Chionia, under the emperor Diocletian. As they would not deny Christ, they were first detained in prison, then cast into the fire, but being untouched by the flames, they gave up their souls to their Creator whilst praying to Him.

At Tyre, the martyr St. Vulpian, who was sewed up in a sack with a serpent and a dog, and drowned in the sea, during the persecution of Maximian Galerius.

In the monastery of Medicion, in the East, the abbot St. Nicetas, who suffered much for the worship of holy images, in the time of Leo the Armenian.

In England, St. Richard, bishop of Chichester, celebrated for holiness and glorious miracles.

In the same country, St. Burgundofora, abbess and virgin.

At Palermo, St. Benedict, of St. Philadelphus, confessor, surnamed the Black, on account of his color. He was of the Order of Friars Minor, and rested in the Lord on the third of April, with a reputation for miracles. The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII, placed him in the number of the Saints.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 4th

This Day, the Fourth Day of April

At Seville, in Spain, St. Isidore, a bishop eminent for sanctity and learning, who shed lustre on his country by his zeal for the Catholic faith, and the observance of ecclesiastical discipline.

At Thessalonica, in the time of the emperor Maximian and the governor Faustinus, the holy martyrs Agathopodes, a deacon, and Theodulus, a lector, who, for the confession of the Christian faith, were thrown into the sea with stones tied to their necks.

At Milan, the demise of St. Ambrose, bishop and confessor, through whose labors, learning and miracles, almost all Italy returned to the Catholic faith, at the time when the perfidious Arian heresy was widely diffused.

At Constantinople, St. Plato, a monk, who for many years combated with invincible courage the heretics that were breaking sacred images.

In Palestine, the anchoret St. Zozimus, who buried the remains of St. Mary of Egypt.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 5th

This Day, the Fifth Day of April

At Vannes, in Brittany, St. Vincent Ferrer, confessor, of the Order of Preachers, who was mighty in word and deed, and converted many thousands of infidels to Christ.

At Thessalonica, St. Irene, virgin, who was imprisoned for having concealed the sacred books, contrary to the edict of Diocletian, was pierced with an arrow, and consumed by fire, by order of the governor Dulcetius, under whom her sisters Agape and Chionia had previously suffered.

In the island of Lesbos, the sufferings of five holy martyrs.

The same day, St. Zeno, martyr, who was flayed alive, besmeared with pitch, and then cast into the fire.

In Africa, the holy martyrs, who, in the persecution of the Arian king Genseric, were murdered in the church on Easter day. The lector, whilst singing Alleluia at the stand, was pierced through the throat with an arrow.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 6th

This Day, the Sixth Day of April

At Rome, the birthday of blessed Sixtus, Pope and martyr, who governed the Church in the time of the emperor Adrian. Under Antoninus Pius, he joyfully endured a corporal death in order to gain Christ.

In Macedonia, the holy martyrs Timothy and Diogenes.

In Persia, one hundred and twenty holy martyrs.

At Ascalon, the holy martyrs Platonides and two others.

At Carthage, St. Marcellin, who was slain by the heretics for defending the Catholic faith.

At Rome, Pope St. Celestin, who condemned Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople, and put Pelagius to flight. It was also by his authority, that the holy ecumenical Synod of Ephesus was convoked against Nestorius.

In Ireland, the holy bishop Celsus, who preceded blessed Malachy in the episcopate.

In Denmark, St. William, an abbot renowned for his saintly life and miracles.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 7th

This Day, the Seventh Day of April

In Africa, the birthday of the holy martyrs Epiphanius, bishop, Donatus, Rufinus, and thirteen others.

At Sinope, in Pontus, two hundred holy martyrs.

In Cilicia, under the prefect Maximian, St. Calliopius, martyr. After undergoing other torments, he was fastened to a cross with his head downward, and gained the noble crown of martyrdom.

At Nicomedia, St. Cyriacus and ten other martyrs.

At Alexandria, St. Peleusius, priest and martyr.

At Rome, St. Hegesippus, who lived near the time of the Apostles. He came to Rome whilst Anicetus was Sovereign Pontiff, and remained till the accession of Eleutherius. He wrote the history of the Church in a simple style, from the Passion of our Lord to his own time, and delineated in his narrative the character of those whose lives he imitated.

At Verona, St. Saturninus, bishop and confessor.

In Syria, in the time of Valens, St. Aphraates, an anchoret, who defended the Catholic faith against the Arians by the power of miracles.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 8th

This Day, the Eighth Day of April

At Alexandria, in the time of the emperor Maximian Galerius, the martyr St. Aedesius, brother of the blessed Apphian. Because he reproved the wicked judge publicly for delivering to corruptors virgins consecrated to God, he was arrested by the soldiers, exposed to the most severe torments, and thrown into the sea for Christ our Lord.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Januarius, Maxima, and Macaria.

At Carthage, St. Concessa, martyr.

The same day, the commemoration of the Saints Herodion, Asyncritus and Phlegon, who are mentioned by the blessed Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans.

At Corinth, the bishop St. Denis, who instructed not only the people of his own city and province by the learning and unction with which he preached the word of God, but also the bishops of other cities and provinces by the letters which he wrote to them. His veneration for the Roman Pontiffs was such that he used to read their epistles publicly in the church on Sundays. He lived in the time of Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus.

At Tours, the holy bishop Perpetuus, a man of wonderful sanctity.

At Ferentino, in Campania, St. Redemptus, bishop, mentioned by Pope St.Gregory.

At Como, St. Amantius, bishop and confessor.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 9th

This Day, the Ninth Day of April

At Antioch, St. Prochorus, who was one of the first seven deacons. Renowned for faith and miracles, he was crowned with martyrdom.

At Rome the birthday of the holy martyrs Demetrius, Concessus, Hilary and their companions.

At Sirmium, seven holy virgins and martyrs, who purchased eternal life together, at the price of their own blood.

At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, St. Eupsychius, martyr, who suffered martyrdom under Julian the Apostate, for having overthrown the temple of Fortune.

In Africa, the holy Massylitan martyrs, on whose birthday St. Augustine delivered a discourse.

At Amida, in Mesopotamia, St. Acatius, bishop, who melted and sold even the sacred vessels in order to ransom captives.

At Rouen, St. Hugh, bishop and confessor.

At Die, St. Marcellus, bishop, celebrated for miracles.

In Judea, St. Mary Cleophas, sister of the most Blessed Mary, Mother of God.

At Rome, the translation of the body of St. Monica, mother of the blessed bishop Augustine, which was brought from Ostia to Rome, under the Sovereign Pontiff, Martin V, and with due honors buried in the Church of St. Augustine.

At Mons, in Hainaut, blessed Waltrude, renowned for holiness of life and miracles.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 10th

This Day, the Tenth Day of April

The prophet Ezechiel, who was put to death in Babylon by the Judge of the people of Israel, because he reproved him for worshipping idols. He was buried in the sepulcher of Sem and Arphaxad, Abraham's ancestors. To his tomb many were wont to resort for the purpose of prayer.

At Rome, the birthday of many holy martyrs, whom Pope St. Alexander baptized whilst he was detained in prison. The prefect Aurelian had them all put in an old ship, taken to the deep sea, and plunged into it with stones tied to their necks.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Apollonius, priest, and five others, who, in the persecution of Maximian, were drowned in the sea.

In Africa, under the emperor Decius and the prefect Fortunian, the holy martyrs Terentius, African, Pompey, and their companions, who were scourged, racked, and subjected to other torments. Their martyrdom ended by decapitation.

The same day, St. Macarius, bishop of Antioch, celebrated for virtues and miracles.

At Valladolid, in Spain, St. Michael of the Saints, confessor, of the Order of Discalced Trinitarians for the Redemption of Captives, a man remarkable for integrity of life, for the penitential spirit, and for great love of God. Pius IX solemnly canonized him on Whitsunday, 1862, and ordered his festival to be kept on the 5th of July.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 11th

This Day, the Eleventh Day of April

At Rome, St .Leo, Pope and confessor, who was surnamed the Great on account of his extraordinary merits. He gave the seal of his authority to the holy council of Chalcedon, which was held in his time and which condemned Eutyches through his legates. After having merited the gratitude of the Church of God and the whole flock of Christ by the many decrees which he issued and the many excellent treatises which he wrote, this good and zealous shepherd rested in peace.

At Pergamus, in Asia, St. Antipas, a faithful witness, of whom St. John speaks in the Apocalypse. Under the emperor Domitian, he was shut up in a red-hot brazen ox, and thus consummated his martyrdom.

At Salona, in Dalmatia, the holy martyrs Domnion, a bishop, and eight soldiers.

At Gortina, in Crete, in the time of Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, St. Philip, a bishop most renowned for merit and doctrine, who defended the church entrusted to his care against the fury of the Gentiles, and the wiles of the heretics.

At Nicomedia, St. Eustorgius, a priest.

At Spoleto, St. Isaac, monk and confessor, whose virtues are recorded by Pope St. Gregory.

At Gaza, in Palestine, St. Barsanuphius, an anchoret, in the time of the emperor Justinian.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 12th

This Day, the Twelfth Day of April

At Verona, the martyrdom of the bishop St. Zeno, who governed that Church with great fortitude amidst the storms of persecution, and was crowned with martyrdom in the days of Gallienus.

In Cappadocia, in the reign of the emperor Valens, in the persecution raised against Christians by Athanaric, king of the Goths, St. Sabas, a Goth, who was cast into a river after undergoing cruel torments. According to St. Augustine, many other Christian Goths were at that time adorned with the crown of martyrdom.

At Braga, in Portugal, St. Victor, martyr, who although only a catechumen, refused to adore an idol, and confessed Jesus Christ with great constancy. After suffering many tortures, he was beheaded, and thus merited to be baptized in his own blood.

At Fermo, in the Marches, St.Vissia, virgin and martyr.

At Rome, on the Aurelian road, the birthday of Pope St. Julius, who combated vigorously for the Catholic faith against the Arians. After a life of brilliant deeds and great sanctity, he rested in peace.

At Gap, St. Constantine, bishop and confessor.

At Pavia, St. Damian, bishop.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 13th

This Day, the Thirteenth Day of April

At Seville, in Spain, St. Hermenegild, son of Leovigild, Arian king of the Visigoths, who was incarcerated for the confession of the Catholic faith. By order of his wicked father he was beheaded because he had refused to receive communion from an Arian bishop, on the Paschal solemnity, and thus exchanging an earthly for a Heavenly kingdom, he entered the abode of the blessed, both as a king and as a martyr.

At Pergamus, in Asia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Carpus, bishop of Thyatira, Papylus, deacon, and his sister Agathonica, an excellent woman, Agathadorus, their servant, and many others, who after various torments, were, for their blessed confession, crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus.

In this same persecution, there suffered at Rome that remarkable man, Justin the Philosopher, who had addressed to the emperors his second Apology in defense of our religion, and upheld it by strong arguments. Being accused of professing Christianity by the intrigues of the Cynic Crescens, whose conduct and immorality he had reproved, he obtained the reward of a martyr, as a remuneration for his faithful confession.

The same day, the martyrdom of the Saints Maximus, Quinctillian, and Dadas, during the persecution of Diocletian.

At Ravenna, St. Ursus, bishop and confessor.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 14th

This Day, the Fourteenth Day of April

The feast of St. Justin, martyr, who is mentioned on the 13th of this month.

At Rome, on the Appian way, the birthday of the holy martyrs Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maximus, who suffered in the time of the emperor Alexander and the prefect Almachius. The first two being converted to Christ by the exhortations of blessed Cecilia, and baptized by Pope St. Urban, were beaten with rods, and decapitated for the true faith. But Maximus, chamberlain of the prefect, moved by their constancy, and encouraged by the vision of an angel, believed in Christ, and was scourged with leaded whips until he expired.

At Teramo, St. Proculus, bishop and martyr.

Also, St. Domnina, virgin and martyr, crowned with other virgins, her companions.

At Alexandria, St. Thomaides, martyr.

The same day, St. Ardalion, an actor. One day, in the theatre, while mocking the holy rites of the Christian religion, he was suddenly converted, and bore testimony to it, not only by his words, but also with his blood.

At Lyons, St. Lambert, bishop and confessor.

At Alexandria, St. Fronto, an abbot, whose life was adorned with sanctity and miracles.

At Rome, St. Abundius, resident sacristan of the church of St. Peter.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 15th

This Day, the Fifteenth Day of April

At Rome, the Saints Basilissa and Anastasia. Of noble family, they were disciples of the Apostles, and as they persevered courageously in the profession of their faith in the time of the emperor Nero, they had their tongues and feet cut off, were put to the sword, and thus obtained the crown of martyrdom.

The same day, the holy martyrs Maro, Eutyches, and Victorinus, who, with blessed Flavia Domitilla, were banished to the island of Pontia for the confession of Christ. Being recalled in the reign of Nerva, and having converted many to the faith, they were put to death in different manners by the judge Valerian during the persecution of Trajan.

In Persia, in the reign of the emperor Decius, the holy martyrs Maxinius and Olympiades, who were beaten with rods and whips, and struck on their heads with clubs until they breathed their last.

At Perentino, in Campania, St. Eutychius, martyr.

At Myra, in Lycia, St. Crescens, who consummated his martyrdom by fire.

Also the holy martyrs Theodorus and Pausilippus, who suffered under the emperor Adrian.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 16th

This Day, the Sixteenth Day of April

At Corinth, the birthday of the holy martyrs Callistus and Charisius, with seven others, who were cast into the sea.

At Saragossa, in Spain, the birthday of eighteen holy martyrs, Optatus, Lupercus, Successus, Martial, Urbanus, Julia, Quinctilian, Pubilus, Fronto, Felix, Caecilian, Eventius, Primitivus, Apodemius, and four others, who, it is said, bore the name of Saturninus. Under Dacian, governor of Spain, they were all together subjected to torments and slain. The glory of their martyrdom has been celebrated in verse by Prudentius.

In the same place, St. Encratis, a virgin and martyr who had her body lacerated, her breasts cut off, and her liver plucked out. As she survived these torments, she was confined in a prison until her ulcerated flesh putrefied.

In the same city, the Saints Caius and Crementius, who twice confessed the faith of Christ, and persevering in it, drank of the chalice of martyrdom.

Again in the same place, the martyr St. Lambert.

At Palencia, St. Turibius, bishop of Astorga, who with the aid of Pope St. Leo, drove the heresy of Priscillian entirely out of Spain, and went to rest in the Lord with a great renown for miracles.

At Braga, in Portugal, the bishop St. Fructuosus.

The same day, St. Paternus, bishop of Avrauches.

In Belgium, near Valenciennes, St.Drogo, confessor.

At Siena, in Tuscany, blessed Joachim, of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

At Rome, the birthday of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, confessor, who was renowned for his contempt of self and his great voluntary poverty.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 17th

This Day, the Seventeenth Day of April

At Rome, St. Anicetus, Pope and martyr, who obtained the palm of martyrdom in the persecution of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

In Africa, the birthday of blessed Mappalicus, and many others who were crowned with martyrdom, as is related by St. Cyprian in his epistle to the Martyrs and Confessors.

In the same country, the holy martyrs Fortunatus and Marcian.

At Antioch, the holy martyrs Peter, a deacon, and Hermogenes, his servant.

At Cordova, the holy martyrs Elias, a priest, Paul and Isidore, monks.

At Vienne, St. Pantagathus, bishop.

At Tortona, St. Innocent, bishop and confessor.

At Citeaux, in France, the abbot St. Stephen, who was the first to live in the desert of Citeaux, and who joyfully welcomed St. Bernard and his companions when they came thither.

In the monastery of Chaise-Dieu, in the diocese of Clermont, St. Robert, confessor, founder and first abbot of that monastery.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 18th

This Day, the Eighteenth Day of April

At Rome, St. Apollonius, a senator under the emperor Commodus and the prefect Perennius. Having been denounced as a Christian by one of his slaves, and being commanded to give an account of his faith, he composed an able work which he read in the Senate. He was nevertheless decapitated for Christ by the sentence of that body.

At Messina, the birthday of the holy martyrs, Eleutherius, bishop of Illyricum, and Anthia, his mother. Illustrious by his holiness of life and his power of working miracles, he was, in the reign of Adrian, laid on a bed of red-hot iron, on a gridiron, in a pan filled with boiling oil, pitch and rosin; he was cast to the lions, but, remaining unhurt, he finally had his throat pierced with a sword. His mother suffered a similar punishment.

In the same place, St. Corebus, prefect, who was converted to the faith by St. Eleutherius, and died by the sword.

At Brescia, St. Calocerus, a martyr, who was converted to Christ by Saints Faustinus and Jovita, and under the same Adrian terminated his glorious combat for the confession of the faith.

At Cordova, St. Perfect, priest and martyr, killed by the Moors for inveighing against the followers of Muhammad.

At Milan, St. Galdini, cardinal and bishop of that city, who, at the conclusion of a discourse against heretics, gave up his soul to God.

In Tuscany, on Mount Senario, blessed Amideus, one of the seven Founders of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary, very celebrated for an ardent love of God.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 19th

This Day, the Nineteenth Day of April

The birthday of St. Timon, one of the first seven deacons, who taught first at Berea. Afterwards while preaching the word of the Lord at Corinth, he was delivered to the flames by the Jews and the Greeks; but remaining uninjured, he ended his martyrdom by crucifixion.

At Melitine, in Armenia, the holy martyrs Hermogenes, Caius, Expeditus, Aristonicus, Rufus and Galatas, crowned on the same day.

At Collioure, in Spain, the holy martyr Vincent.

The same day, the holy martyrs Socrates and Denis, who were transpierced with lances.

At Jerusalem, St. Paphnutius, martyr.

At Canterbury, in England, St. Elphege, bishop and martyr.

At Antioch, in Pisidia, St. George, a bishop, who died in exile for the worship of sacred images.

At Rome, Pope St. Leo IX, illustrious for his virtues and miracles.

In the monastery of Lobbes, St. Ursmar, bishop.

At Florence, St. Crescent, confessor, disciple of the blessed bishop Zenobius.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 20th

This Day, the Twentieth Day of April

At Rome, the holy martyrs Sulpicius and Servilian, who were converted to the faith of Christ by the discourses and the miracles of the holy virgin Domitilla. Having refused to sacrifice to the idols, they were beheaded by Anian, prefect of the city, in the persecution of Trajan.

The same day, the holy martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Zeno, Acindinus, Caesareus, Severian, Chrysophorus, Theonas, and Antoninus, who suffered martyrdom after undergoing various trials.

At Tomis, in Scythia, St. Theotimus, bishop, whose great sanctity and miracles procured him the veneration of unbelieving barbarians.

At Embrun, in France, St. Marcellin, first bishop of that city, who by divine inspiration came from Africa with his holy companions Vincent and Domninus, and converted to the faith of Christ the greatest portion of the inhabitants of the maritime Alps, by his preaching and the wonderful prodigies, which he still continues to work.

At Auxerre, St. Marcian, a priest.

The same day, St. Theodore, confessor, surnamed Trichinas, from the rough hair garment which he wore. He was renowned for many miracles, but especially for his power over the demons. From his body issues a liquid which imparts health to the sick.

At Monte-Pulciano, St. Agnes, a virgin, of the Order of St. Dominic, celebrated for miracles.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 21st

This Day, the Twenty-First Day of April

At Canterbury, in England, St. Anselm, bishop and Doctor of the Church, who was renowned for sanctity and learning.

In Persia, the birthday of St. Simeon, bishop of Seleucia and Ctesiphon. He was arrested by order of Sapor, king of Persia, loaded with irons, and presented to the iniquitous tribunals. As he refused to adore the sun, and openly and courageously bore testimony to Jesus Christ, he was confined a long time in a dungeon with one hundred other confessors, among whom were bishops, priests, and clerics of various ranks. Afterwards Usthazanes, the king's foster-father, who had been converted from apostasy by Simeon, endured martyrdom with great constancy. The day after, which was the anniversary of our Lord's Passion, the companions of Simeon whom he had feelingly exhorted, were beheaded before his eyes, after which he met the same fate. With him suffered also several distinguished men: Abdechalas and Ananias, his priests, with Pusicius, the chief of the royal artificers. This last having encouraged Ananias, who seemed to falter, died a cruel death, having his tongue drawn out through a perforation made in his neck. After him, his daughter, who was a consecrated virgin, was put to death.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Arator, priest, Fortunatus, Felix, Silvius, and Vitalis, who died in prison.

Also, the Saints Apollo, Isacius, and Crotates, who suffered under Diocletian.

At Antioch, St. Anastasius Sinaita, bishop.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 22nd

This Day, the Twenty-Second Day of April

At Rome, on the Appian way, the birthday of St. Soter, Pope and martyr.

In the same city, Pope St. Caius, who was crowned with martyrdom, under the emperor Diocletian.

At Smyrna, the Saints Apelles and Lucius, who were among the first disciples of Christ.

The same day, many holy martyrs who, the year following the death of St. Simeon, and on the anniversary of the Passion of our Lord, were put to the sword for the name of Christ throughout Persia, under king Sapor. Among those who then suffered for the faith were the eunuch Azades, a favorite of the king; Milles, a bishop renowned for sanctity and miracles; the bishop Acepsimas, with one of his priests named James ; also Aithalas and Joseph, priests; Azadan and Abdiesus, deacons, and many other clerics ; Mareas and Bicor, bishops, with twenty other bishops, and nearly two hundred and fifty clerics; many monks and consecrated virgins, among whom was the sister of St. Simeon, called Tarbula, with her maid-servant, who were both killed in a most cruel manner by being tied to stakes and sawed in twain.

Also in Persia, the Saints Parmenius, Helimenas and Chrysotelus, priests, Lucas and Mucius, deacons, whose triumph is related in the Acts of Saints Abdon and Sennen.

At Alexandria, the birthday of the martyr St. Leonides, who suffered under Severus.

At Lyons, in the persecution of Antoninus Verus, St. Epipodius, who was arrested with Alexander, his companion, and after undergoing severe torments, consummated his martyrdom, by decapitation.

At Sens, St. Leo, bishop and confessor.

At Anastasiopolis, St. Theodore, a bishop renowned for miracles.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 23rd

This Day, the Twenty-Third Day of April

The birthday of St. George, whose illustrious martyrdom is honored by the Church of God among the combats of other crowned martyrs.

At Valence, in France, the holy martyrs Felix, priest, Fortunatus and Achilleus, deacons, who were sent there to preach the word of God by blessed Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, and converted the greater portion of that city to the faith of Christ. These martyrs were cast into prison by the commander Cornelius, were a long time scourged, had their legs crushed, were bound to wheels in motion, and stifled with smoke whilst stretched on the rack, and finally died by the sword.

In Prussia, the birthday of St. Adalbert, bishop of Prague, and martyr, who preached the Gospel to the Poles and Hungarians.

At Milan, St. Marolus, bishop and confessor.

At Toul, in France, St. Gerard, bishop of that city.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 24th

This Day, the Twenty-Fourth Day of April

At Sevis, in Switzerland, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, of the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor, who was sent thither to preach the Catholic faith. He was put to death by the heretics, and was placed among the holy martyrs by the Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV.

At Rome, St. Sabas, a military officer, who bravely confessed Christ before the judge when he was accused of visiting the Christians in prison. For this he was burned with torches and thrown into a caldron of boiling pitch, out of which he came uninjured. Seventy men were converted to Christ at the sight of this miracle, and as they all remained unshaken in the confession of the faith, they were put to the sword. Sabas, however, terminated his martyrdom by being cast into the river.

At Lyons, in France, during the persecution of Verus, the birthday of St. Alexander, martyr. After being imprisoned, he was so lacerated by the cruelty of those who scourged him, that his ribs and the interior of his body were exposed to view. Then he was fastened to the gibbet of the cross, on which he yielded up his blessed soul. Thirty-four others who suffered with him are commemorated on other days.

The same day, during the persecution of Diocletian, the holy martyrs Eusebius, Neon, Leontius, Longinus, and four others, were slain with the sword after enduring great torments.

In England, the demise of St. Mellitus, bishop. Being sent thither by St. Gregory, he converted to the faith the East-Saxons and their king.

At Elvira, in Spain, St. Gregory, bishop and confessor.

At Brescia, St. Honorius, bishop.

In Ireland, St. Egbert, priest and monk, a man of admirable humility and continency.

At Rheims, the holy virgins Bona and Doda.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 25th

This Day, the Twenty-Fifth Day of April

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

At Rome, the great Litanies in the church of St. Peter.

At Syracuse, the holy martyrs Evodius, Hermogenes, and Callistus.

At Antioch, St. Stephen, bishop and martyr, who suffered much from the heretics opposed to the Council of Chalcedon, and was precipitated into the river Orontes, in the time of the emperor Zeno.

In the same city, the Saints Philo and Agathopodes, deacons.

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

At Lobbes, the birthday of St. Erminus, bishop and confessor.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 26th

This Day, the Twenty-Sixth Day of April

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

In the same city, in the time of Maximian, St. Marcellinus, Pope and martyr, who was beheaded for the faith of Christ, with Claudius, Cyrinus, and Antoninus. So great was the persecution at this time that within a month seventeen thousand Christians were crowned with martyrdom.

At Amasea, in Pontus, St. Basileus, bishop and martyr, whose illustrious martyrdom occurred under the emperor Licinius. His body was thrown into the sea; but being found by Elpidiphorus, through the revelation of an angel, it was honorably entombed.

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

At Venice, St. Clarence, bishop and confessor.

At Verona, St. Lucidius, bishop.

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

At Troyes, St. Exuperantia, virgin.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 27th

This Day, the Twenty-Seventh Day of April

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

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

At Rome, the demise of the blessed Pope Anastatius, a man most rich in his poverty, and filled with apostolic zeal, whom Rome, says St. Jerome, did not deserve to possess long, lest the capital of the world should be devastated under such a bishop; for shortly after his death Rome was taken and sacked by the Goths.

At Bologna, St. Tertullian, bishop and confessor.

At Brescia, the bishop St. Theophilus .

At Constantinople, the abbot St. John, who combated vigorously for the worship of holy images, under Leo the Isaurian.

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

At Lucca in Italy, blessed Zita, a virgin renowned for virtues and miracles, whose festival is celebrated on this day, conformably to the decree of the Sovereign Pontiff, Leo X.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 28th

This Day, the Twenty-Eight Day of April

St. Paul of the Cross, a man remarkable for innocence of life and for the spirit of penance, and Founder of the Congregation of the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consumed with a burning love for Christ crucified, illustrious by his Heavenly gifts and the working of miracles, and blessed with a perfect and finished virtue, he went to his repose in the Lord.

At Ravenna, the birthday of St. Vitalis, martyr, father of the saints Gervasius and Protasius. When he had taken up and reverently buried the body of blessed Ursicinus, he was arrested by the ex-consul Paulinus, and after being racked, and thrown into a deep pit, was overwhelmed with earth and stones, and by this kind of martyrdom went to Christ.

At Milan, the martyr St. Valeria, who was the wife of St. Vitalis.

At Atinor, St. Mark, who being made bishop by the blessed Apostle Peter, was the first to preach the Gospel to the inhabitants of that region, and received the crown of martyrdom in the persecution of Domitian, under the governor Maximus.

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

The same day, the saints Aphrodisius, Caralippus, Agapius, and Eusebius, martyrs.

In Pannonia, St. Pollio, martyr, under the emperor Diocletian.

At Prusa, in Bithynia, the holy martyrs Patritius, bishop, Acatius, Menander, and Polyenus.

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

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

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 29th

This Day, the Twenty-Ninth Day of April

At Milan, St. Peter, martyr, of the Order of Preachers, slain by the heretics for the Catholic faith.

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

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

The same day, seven robbers, who, being converted to Christ by St. Jason, attained to eternal life by martyrdom.

At Brescia, St. Paulinus, bishop and confessor.

In the monastery of Cluny, the abbot St. Hugh.

In the monastery of Molesmes, St. Kobert, first abbot of the Cistercians.

Response: Thanks be to God.

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

April 30th

This Day, the Thirtieth Day of April

At Rome, St. Catherine of Siena, virgin, of the Order of St. Dominic, renowned for her life and miracles. She was inscribed among the canonized virgins by Pius II.

At Lambesa, in Numidia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Marian, lector, and James, deacon. The former, after having successfully endured vexations for the confession of Christ, in the persecution of Decius, was again arrested with his illustrious companion, and both being subjected to severe and cruel torments, during which they were twice miraculously comforted from Heaven, finally fell by the sword with many others.

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

At Cordova, the holy martyrs Amator, priest, Peter, monk, and Lewis.

At Novara, the martyrdom of the holy priest Lawrence, and some boys, whom he was educating.

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

At Ephesus, St. Maximus, martyr, who was crowned in the persecution of Decius.

At Fermo, in the Marches, St. Sophia, virgin and martyr.

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

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

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