Year: 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT APOLLINARIS, BISHOP AND MARTYR; SAINT MARGARET OF ANTIOCH, VIRGIN AND MARTYR AND SAINT ELIAS THE PROPHET ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 20TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr; Saint Margaret of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr and Elias the Prophet. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for all expectant mothers and those seeking for the fruit of the womb; for the the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for those going through difficulties especially during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world.  And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏 

SAINT APOLLINARIS, BISHOP AND MARTYR: St. Apollinaris is a Syrian saint, born in Antioch and became a disciple of St. Peter. He was ordained by the St. Peter,  Prince of the Apostles himself and sent as a missionary bishop to Ravena during the reign of the emperor Claudius (who ruled from 41 to 54). Renowned for his powers to heal in the name of Christ, he was frequently exiled, tortured and imprisoned for the faith, and finally martyred. He’s described as “a bishop who, according to tradition, while spreading among the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ, led his flock as a good shepherd and honoured the Church of Classis near Ravenna by a glorious martyrdom.”

According to a legend, stemming from the 7th century, Apollinaris cured an official’s wife, resulting in the couple’s conversion, cured a man who could not speak, and gained a good many adherents to the faith. As a result, he was scourged and sent away from Ravena. Going to Bologna, he converted the family of Rufinius, a patrician, leading to his ouster from that city. The holy man went to preach in Dalmatia and ended up being sent away from there also. St. Apollinaris returned to his See on three separate occasions, and each time he was subjected to torture and cast out again. On his fourth return, he was forced to go into hiding from the Emperor Vespasian (69-79), who issued a decree banishing all Christians. Ultimately, the Saint was recognized by a mob at Classis, a suburb of Ravena, beaten, and left for dead. He was carried away by the Christians, and seven days after, while exhorting them to constancy in the faith, he passed away from this life, to be crowned with the glory of martyrdom. His body was buried near the city walls. St. Peter Chrysologus (d. 450), one of the Saint’s successors at Ravena, called him a Martyr and said that God did not permit the persecutors to take his life. So St. Apollinaris may have been a Martyr solely by the torments he endured for the Lord. St. Apollinaris is the Patron Saint of epilepsy; gout; Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) Aachen, Burtscheid, Düsseldorf, Ravenna, Italy,  Remagen.

PRAYER: Lord, direct Your faithful in the way of eternal salvation, which St. Apollinaris Your Bishop pointed out by both his teaching and his martyrdom. By his intercession enable us to persevere in Your commandments so that we may merit to be crowned with him. Amen 🙏
 
SAINT MARGARET OF ANTIOCH, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: St. Margaret (289-304 A.D.) is also called “Marina”. St. Margaret is one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers” and one of the saints that appeared and spoke to St. Joan of Arc. She was born in Antioch, the daughter of a pagan priest in Pisidian Antioch, Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Her mother died when she was an infant, and she was raised by a Christian nurse who baptized her and gave her a Christian education. St. Margaret grew into a pious and virtuous young woman under her nurse’s care, to the delight of her father. When she came of age, Margaret returned to live with her father. She quickly angered him, however, when she refused to take part in offering sacrifices to idols. Furious at her steadfast refusals, he drove her out of his home. Margaret then returned to live with her nurse as a household servant.

One day, while she was engaged in watching the flocks of her mistress, a lustful Roman prefect named Olybrius caught sight of her, and attracted by her great beauty sought to make her his concubine or wife. St. Margaret declined, citing that she had consecrated her virginity to Jesus Christ, a reply for which she was severely persecuted. When neither cajolery nor threats of punishment could succeed in moving her to yield to his desires, he had her brought before him in public trial at Antioch to be tried for her Christian faith, scourged, tortured, and thrown into prison by her suitor. In her moment of weakness, the devil appeared to her in the form of a dragon to intimidate her and break her faith. An attempt was made to burn her, she was left unharmed. She was then bound hand and foot and thrown into a cauldron of boiling water, but at her prayer her bonds were broken and she stood up uninjured. St. Margaret trusted in God and made the Sign of the Cross, and the dragon fled defeated. At this triumph over her enemy, St. Margaret’s cell was filled with light and her wounds were miraculously healed. Enraged to find her healed, her suitor had new tortures applied to her body, which did her no harm and caused many witnesses to convert to the Christian faith. Finally the prefect ordered her to be beheaded.

The Greek Church honors her under the name Marine on July13, and the Latin, as Margaret on July 20. Her Acts place her death in the persecution of Diocletian (A.D. 303-5), but in fact even the century to which she belonged is uncertain. St. Margaret is represented in art sometimes as a shepherdess, or as leading a chained dragon, again carrying a little cross or a girdle in her hand, or standing by a large vessel which recalls the cauldron into which she was plunged. Relics said to belong to the saint are venerated in very many parts of Europe; at Rome, Montefiascone, Brusels, Bruges, Paris, Froidmont, Troyes, and various other places. Curiously enough this virgin has been widely venerated for many centuries as a special patron of women who are pregnant. She’s Patron Saint against sterility; childbirth; dying; escape from devils; exiles; expectant mothers; falsely accused people; kidney disease; loss of milk by nursing mothers; Lowestoft, Suffolk, England; martyrs; nurses; peasants; people in exile; Queens College Cambridge; women; pregnancy; women in labour; and childbirth. Her feast day is July 20th. 

Saint Margaret of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT ELIAS THE PROPHET: St. Elias [also known as Elijah in English] of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), in what is now the country of Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leather belt. His name is interpreted as “Yah is my God.” His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was like a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Aflame with such zeal, he spoke against the impiety and lawlessness of Israel’s King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. By his prayers he shut up heaven and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God’s command, he was hiding by the river of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon (Lebanon) who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He is revered as the spiritual Father and traditional founder of the Catholic religious Order of Carmelites. In addition to taking their name from Mt. Carmel where the first hermits of the order established themselves, the Calced Carmelite and Discalced Carmelite traditions pertaining to Elijah focus upon the prophet’s withdrawal from public life. St. Elias brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel so they might know the truth.

At the river of Kisson, St. Elias, the Prophet killed 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food miraculously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He saw God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for a human. He predicted the destruction of the dynasty of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias. He divided the waters of the river Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisha passed through as if on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, St. Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and ascended as into heaven, where God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from there also, after seven years, by means of a message he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: “And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, “Because thou hast not walked in the way,” and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). Interpreters believe this happened either through his disciple Elisha, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ. It was widely believed that St. Elias would appear before the arrival of the Messiah and Jesus himself was identified by some as being Elias returned. However, Jesus identified St. John the Forerunner (Baptist) as the Elias that was to come and proceed Him. St. Elias the Prophet is the Patron Saint of the Carmelite Order and vehicle blessings.

PRAYER: O great Prophet Elijah,/ seer of God’s mighty works,/ who didst halt the torrential rain by thy word,/ pray for us to the Lover of Mankind. Amen🙏

MEMORIAL OF SAINT AUREA OF CÓRDOBA, MARTYR; SAINT EPAPHRAS OF COLOSSAE, MARTYR; SAINT SYMMACHUS, POPE AND SAINT MACRINA THE YOUNGER, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 19TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Aurea of Córdoba, Martyr; Saint Epaphras of Colossae, Martyr; Saint Symmachus, Pope and St. Macrina the Younger, Religious. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for those going through difficulties especially during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏 

SAINT AUREA OF CÓRDOBA, MARTYR: St. Aurea is one of the Córdoba Martyrs of Spain. She was a widow who was born in Cordova, Spain, in the ninth century into an Arab noble family; her father was a Muslim from Seville, and three members of her family were qadis, or Arab judges. She was also the sister of Sts. Aldolphus and John, who were martyred at Cordova. St. Aurea became a Christian after her husband died, and took the veil at a monastery in Cuteclara, Spain, where she remained for more than twenty years. She was ultimately denounced as a Christian by her parents, and received a martyr’s crown by beheading in 856.

According to history, the city of Córdoba had been Christian from apostolic times until the Islamic conquest came to southern Spain in the year 711. Soon Córdoba became the capital of this part of the original “Islamic State”, and would remain so until the 15th century. During this whole period the Church continued to exist, but she was subject to sharia (Islamic law) which forbade public witness and imposed jizya (a special tax).  Things became more complicated as Córdoba grew into a prestigious economic and cultural center in the Islamic world.  Catholic churches and monasteries remained, but the population — attracted by the many opportunities in the Muslim city — began converting to Islam.  Even prominent churchmen cooperated with the political regime in ways that compromised their integrity. By 800, few remained professing Catholics.  A significant portion of the population, however, conformed externally to Islamic laws and customs but tried in various ways to remain Christian privately or even secretly.  Though sharia law permitted Christians to exist, it forbade Muslims to convert to Christianity.  This was regarded as the crime of apostasy, punishable by death. The problem of “secret Christians” in Islamic Spain was especially complicated by the inevitable mixed marriages between Muslim men and Christian women. The latter were generally permitted to retain their faith, but the children of such marriages were considered Muslim by sharia law.  It is impossible to gauge the influence of these Christian mothers on their children, but it was not negligible. Thus, by the 9th century Córdoba was institutionally and legally Muslim and what was left of the Church was largely compliant.  But this period also documents the witness of forty-eight Córdoba Martyrs.  Many were Christians executed for blasphemy because, in seeking to reinvigorate the Church, they openly proclaimed Christ and denounced Islam.

But there were also apostates among them. SAINT AUREA illustrates what may have been the hidden truth for many others born of mixed marriages. She was one of several children of a prominent Muslim father and a Christian mother.  Her mother must have been an outstanding woman of faith who raised her children as believing Christians. When St. Aurea was young, two of her brothers were martyred.  Sometime after this (and after her marriage and widowhood, about which nothing is known) St. Aurea joined her mother in seclusion in a convent outside the city. A significant portion of the population, however, conformed externally to Islamic laws and customs but tried in various ways to remain Christian privately or even secretly. Open Christian witness was met by further Muslim persecution in 850, and it became increasingly unsafe for Christians like Aurea, who were legally Muslim by birth in spite of growing up as Christians and personally embracing the Christian Faith.  Relatives from her Muslim father’s family found St. Aurea after twenty years of undisturbed peace in the convent and brought her before the sharia court.  To avoid being condemned for apostasy, St. Aurea did what many other secret Christians did to escape: she declared adherence to Islam and its prophet. She repented, however, almost immediately after being released, and returned to practicing her Christian faith. Her Muslim relatives including her parents denounced her again, and this time she was executed by beheading on July 19, 856.  We have presented Aurea as a convert even though its possible that she was baptized a Christian at an early age.  Nevertheless, she was martyred because Islamic law regarded her as a convert — an apostate — simply because of her free adherence to Jesus Christ

Saint Aurea of Córdoba, Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏
 
SAINT EPAPHRAS OF COLOSSAE, MARTYR: St. Epaphras, Coworker of St. Paul, a first century missionary to Colossae, Laodicea And Hierapolis. Bishop of Colossae and a martyr. St. Paul makes reference to him. St. Epaphras was called by St. Paul his “dear fellow servant” and a “trusty minister in Christ” (Col 1:7). He is regarded as the founder of the Christian Church at Colossae and apparently also at the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. He embraced Christianity and promoted it in Colossae as well as the neighboring towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis, in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). He also visited St. Paul in prison, giving the great missionary wonderful comfort, no doubt. When  St. Paul wrote his “Letter to the Colossians,” (written while Paul was in prison) he mentioned that Epaphras was with him. “Epaphras sends you greetings; he is one of you, a slave of Christ [Jesus], always striving for you in his prayers so that you may be perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.” ~ Colossians 4:12

The Saint brought St. Paul a glowing report of the state of the Colossian Christian (Col 1:4,8) and sent back greeting to them from Rome (Col 4:12). St. Epaphras is commended by St. Paul for his ministry of intercession, for he showed true pastoral concern that extended to other Churches in the Lycus River Vallex (Col 4:13). He also seems to have shared to some extent St. Paul’s imprisonment in Rome for the Apostle calls him “my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” (Philem 23). Saint Epaphras can remind us to cling to truth … even if it means being associated with a prisoner or outcast. There is a tradition that Epaphras was martyred in Colossae.

PRAYER: Lord God, You taught the Gentiles through St. Paul’s coworker in Christ, St. Epaphras. As we celebrate his feast, grant that, following his example, we may be witnesses to Your truth in this world. Amen 🙏
 
SAINT SYMMACHUS, POPE: St. Symmachus was Pope from 498 to 514. He was born on Sardinia and was baptized in Rome, where he became archdeacon under Pope Anastasius II. At the latter’s death, St. Symmachus was elected Pope in 498. St. Symmachus was active during the Acacian schism, a period of intense friction between the churches of Constantinople and Rome over the issue of Monophysitism. He thus faced a serious rival claimant to the throne of Saint Peter. A splinter group at Rome, in league with Emperor Anastasius of Constantinople, elected a rival Pope, Laurentius (Lawrence). The archpriest Laurentius, led a faction less opposed to Constantinople at the same time. Both claimants to the Holy See appealed to the Gothic King Theodoric at Ravenna. King Theodoric the Great eventually decided against Laurentius and in favor of St. Symmachus. King Theodoric chose St. Symmachus as the rightful Pontiff because he had been elected first and by the great number of votes. Most important of all, the King characterized St. Symmachus as one who was good, prudent, kindly, gracious, and a lover of the clergy and the poor. Nevertheless, the Saint had many troubles because of the Schismatics during the first half of his pontificate. When he learned that the Arian King Thrasimund had exiled many African Bishops to Sardinia, he was quick to send them a letter to comfort them as well as clothes, money, and relics of Martyrs for them and their flocks. Among other good works, St. Symmachus built three hospices for the poor, came to the aid of those who underwent raids by the Barbarians in northern Italy, and redeemed a multitude of captives. The Pope also restored several churches in Rome and built three new basilicas—to St. Andrew, St. Pancras, and St. Agnes. He died on July 19, 514, and was buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.

PRAYER: Almighty and eternal God, You willed to set St. Symmachus over Your entire people and to go before them in word and example. By his intercession keep the pastors of Your Church together with their flocks and guide them in the way of eternal salvation. Amen 🙏

SAINT MACRINA THE YOUNGER, RELIGIOUS: St. Macrina the Younger (d. 380 A.D.) was born in Cappadocia to a family of saints. Her mother was St. Emelia, and her father was St. Basil the Elder. Her grandmother was St. Macrina the Elder, after whom she was named. Her holy parents had ten children. St. Macrina was one of the oldest, and received an excellent religious education from her holy mother. Her parents betrothed her to a pious youth, but he died before the marriage took place. St. Macrina then consecrated her virginity to God and lived a life of great asceticism. She remained living with her parents, helping to raise her younger siblings, directing the household servants, and supporting the family with her domestic skills. Among her siblings were St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa (who both became Cappadocian Fathers and Doctors of the Church) St. Peter of Sebaste, and St. Theosevia. When their father died, St. Macrina became the main support for the family. It was St. Macrina who profoundly influenced the spiritual discipline of her younger brothers. When all her siblings were grown, St. Macrina convinced her mother to give up their family belongings, set their servants free, and convert their home into a monastery. Many of their servants joined them in this spiritual pursuit; they all lived together as a family, sharing all things in common. When her mother died, St. Macrina led the religious community. The biography of St. Macrina’s life was written by her brother, St. Gregory. Her feast day is July 19th.

Saint Macrina the Younger ~ Pray for us 🙏

MEMORIAL OF SAINT CAMILLUS DE LELLIS, PRIEST; SAINT FREDRICK, BISHOP AND MARTYR AND SAINT SYMPHOROSA AND HER SEVEN SONS, MARTYRS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 18TH

(Note: Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest—USA Optional Memorial today, he was celebrated on the anniversary of his death on July 14 outside the United States)

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest; Saint Frederick, Bishop and Martyr and Saint Symphorosa and Her Seven Sons, Martyrs. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for those going through difficulties especially during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏 

SAINT CAMILLUS DE LELLIS, PRIEST: St. Camillus de Lellis (1550–1614) turned from his life as a soldier and gambler to become the founder of an order dedicated to caring for the sick. In some other countries, besides the United States, he is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, July 14. St. Camillus was born in 1550 and his mother was nearly sixty years old when he was born in Abruzzo, a small town of the Kingdom of Naples in present-day Italy. His mother died during his infancy, and he lost his father, a former army officer, six years later. The young man took after his late father professionally, serving in the armies of Venice and Naples until 1574. As a youth he gave himself to the sinful pleasures of this world. He was a wild, undisciplined youth who became a battle-hardened soldier with a violent temper and a gambling addiction. His bad behavior, combined with a persistent war wound in his leg, left him in poverty. During his military service Camillus developed a severe gambling problem. He repented of the habit and his conversion dates from the feast of the Purification, in 1575. He repented when he found himself impoverished and forced to do menial work for a group of Franciscans. In February of that year he resolved to change his life and soon sought to join the order. A wound in one of his legs, however, was seen as incurable and kept him from becoming a Franciscan. After this rejection, he traveled to Rome and worked for four years in a hospice, in a hospital for incurables. Committed to a life of prayer and penance, he wore a hair shirt and received spiritual direction from St. Philip Neri. Grieved by the quality of service given to the sick, St. Camillus decided to form an association of Catholics who would provide them with both physical and spiritual care.

He studied for the priesthood, and was ordained in 1584. Members of his order worked in hospitals, prisons, and in the homes of those afflicted by disease. The order’s original name, the “Fathers of a Good Death,” reflected the desire to aid in their spiritual salvation and prepare the dying to receive their last rites. Later known as the Order of the Ministers of the Sick, or simply as the “Camillians,” the group received papal approval in 1586 and was confirmed as a religious order in 1591. In addition to the traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, they took a vow of unfailing service to the sick. St. Camillus himself suffered physical ailments throughout his life. His leg wound failed to heal over the course of almost five decades, in addition to which he suffered from sores and severe kidney trouble. But he is said to have spent time with the sick even while unable to walk, by crawling from bed to bed. The founder of the Ministers of the Sick lived to assist at a general chapter of his order in Rome during 1613, and to make a last visitation of many of their hospitals. Learning that he himself was incurably ill, St. Camillus responded: “I rejoice in what has been told me. We shall go into the house of the Lord.” Receiving the Eucharist for the last time, he declared: “O Lord, I confess I am the most wretched of sinners, most undeserving of your favor; but save me by your infinite goodness. My hope is placed in your divine mercy through your precious blood.” After giving his last instructions to his fellow Ministers of the Sick, St. Camillus de Lellis died on July 14, 1614. He was canonized by Benedict XIV in 1746, and later named – along with Saint John of God – as one of the two main co-patrons of nurses and nursing associations in 1930. Leo XIII proclaimed him patron of hospitals and the sick and Pius XI declared him the protector of all nuns who care for the sick. He’s the Patron Saint of bodily ills; hospitals; hospital workers; the sick, doctors and nurses.

PRAYER: God, You adorned St. Camillus, Your Priest, with the singular grace of charity toward the sick. By his merits, pour forth the Spirit of Your love into us, so that by serving You in our brothers here on earth we may safely come to You at the hour of death. Amen 🙏

SAINT FREDRICK, BISHOP AND MARTYR: Saint Frederick (c 780 – c 838) was Bishop from c 815 – c 838. He was born around 780 in Friesland and was a grandson of the Frisian King Radboud. At a young age he was taught at Utrecht by the clergy, including Bishop Ricfried. Filled with piety and learned in spiritual things, he was ordained by Bishop Rickfield and given the task of instructing catechumens. In 820, St. Frederick succeeded the same prelate as Bishop of Utrecht. The Saint was consecrated in the presence of the Emperor, Louis the Debonair, who advised him to stamp out the remaining vestiges of idolatry in Friesland. Frederick took the advise and sent zealous laborers into the north to extirpate the paganism still lurking there. He reserved for himself the most troublesome territory, Walcheren, an island belonging to The Netherlands that was rampant with incestuous marriages contracted within the forbidden degrees. St. Frederick worked unceasingly to eradicate this evil from the people, by means of assiduous exhortations, tears, watching, prayer and fasting. He called an assembly of the principal people of the land and sent forth the ways and means by which such and abomination could be eliminated for good. In this way, he put an end to many such marriages and brought back to God numberless persons who were truly contrite.

At the same time, hearing of some of the numerous immoralities attributed to the Emperor’s second wife, the saintly Bishop went to the court to which he had free access and boldly admonished her. Though he did so with apostolic freedom and true charity, thinking only of her welfare, St. Frederick incurred the wrath and resentment of her husband.

Thus it was not very surprising on July 18, 838, as St. Frederick stepped down from the altar after saying Mass and was on his way to the side chapel to make his thanksgiving, that he was set upon by two assassins and stabbed to death. He died with the words of Psalm 116 on his lips: “I shall praise the Lord in the land of the living.” And the reputation of his sanctity spread quickly far and wide. Saint Frederick was recorded by his contemporaries, who praised his wisdom, prudence, piety, and virtues. Poems and hymns were written in his honor. Saint Frederick composed a prayer to the Holy Trinity, which was used in the Netherlands for centuries.

PRAYER: God, You gave splendor to Your Church by granting St. Frederick the victory of martyrdom. Grant that, as he imitated the Lord’s Passion, so we may follow in his footsteps and attain everlasting joys. Amen 🙏

SAINT SYMPHOROSA AND HER SEVEN SONS, MARTYRS : St. Symphorosa, a native of Tivoli, lived in the second century, was the wife of the martyr Getulius. She bore him seven sons, Crescentius, Julian, Nemesius, Primitivus, Justinus, Stacteus, and Eugenius. According to early chronicles, St. Symphorosa and her seven sons, whom she instructed in the Christian Faith, were martyred at Trivoli, near Rome, circa 120 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (Adrian). Their piety was tried by many different tortures, and, on their remaining constant, the mother, who had taught her sons, led the way to martyrdom. Their story comes just days after the feast of the Seven Holy Brothers, the sons of St. Felicitas (July 10th). St. Symphorosa’s husband, St. Getulius, was a native of Gabii in Sabina. He was an officer in the Roman army, but resigned upon being baptized a Christian, ultimately retiring to his estate near Tivoli. Caerealis, an imperial legate, was sent to arrest him, but was converted to Christianity by St. Getulius. Another officer, Primitivus, was sent to arrest St. Getulius, but he was also converted. Upon the orders of Emperor Hadrian, the men were tied to a stake and set alight. The fire did not harm them, so they were brutally clubbed and then beheaded. St. Symphorosa buried their remains in an arenarium on their estate. Shortly after her husband’s martyrdom, St. Symphorosa and her seven sons were brought before Emperor Hadrian who demanded that they worship the pagan gods. Refusing, St. Symphorosa received a martyr’s crown when, after various tortures, she was thrown into the Anio River with a heavy rock fastened to her neck. She died in the 138th year of the Christian Era. Her brother took her remains and buried them alongside her martyred husband.

On the following day, her seven sons were brought before the Emperor, who represented to them that, as they had neither father nor mother, he would adopt them as his own children and provide for them most bountifully, if they would obey him and sacrifice to the gods. Should they, however, prove as obstinate as their parents had been, they had nothing to expect but torments and death. “This is what we desire,” answered Crescentius,” that we, like our parents, may die for the sake of Christ. Neither promises, nor threats, nor torments can make us faithless to Christ.” The Emperor, being unwilling to put his menaces immediately into execution, still endeavored to win over the children, alternately by promises and threats; but finding all unavailing, he ordered seven stakes to be raised in the idolatrous temple, to which the seven valiant confessors of Christ were tied, and tormented in all possible ways. Their limbs were stretched until they were dislocated, and the witnesses of these awful scenes were filled with compassion. The pain must have been most dreadful; but there was not one of these young heroes who did not praise God, and rejoice in his suffering. The tyrant, ashamed of being conquered by children, ordered an end to be made of their torments, which was accordingly done in various ways. Each of her sons suffered a different kind of martyrdom: Crescens was pierced through the throat with a dagger, Julianus was stabbed through the breast with a sword, Nemesius pierced through the heart, Primitivus was wounded at the navel, Justinus was pierced through the back and cut in pieces, Stracteus was shot with arrows and wounded in the side, and Eugenius, the youngest was cleft in two from top to bottom. Their bodies were thrown into a deep ditch from which they were ultimately recovered by the Christian community. Thus gloriously died the seven sons of St. Symphorosa, reminding us of the illustrious martyrdom of the several Machabees, in the reign of the wicked King Antiochus. Getulius’ relics were ultimately moved to Rome, and are in the principal altar of the Church of St. Angelo. In 752, the relics of St. Symphorosa and her seven sons were also transferred to the Church of St. Angelo in Piscina, Rome under the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IV. In 1587, the relics were enclosed in a marble sarcophagus.

PRAYER: O God, who has granted us the grace to celebrate the birthday of Your blessed martyrs Symphorosa and her sons, grant that we may also share their eternal happiness in heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son who reigns forever and ever ~ Amen🙏