RULE/MARTYROLOGY THREAD

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 11:

CHAPTER LVIII
Of the Discipline of receiving Brethren into Religion

To him that newly cometh to change his life, let not an easy entrance be granted, but, as the Apostle saith, "Try the spirits if they be of God." If, therefore, he that cometh persevere in knocking, and after four or five days seem patiently to endure the wrongs done to him and the difficulty made about his coming in, and to persist in his petition, let entrance be granted him, and let him be in the guest-house for a few days. Afterwards let him go into the Novitiate, where he is to meditate and study, to take his meals and to sleep. Let a senior, one who is skilled in gaining souls, be appointed over him to watch him with the utmost care, and to see whether he is truly seeking God, and is fervent in the Work of God, in obedience and in humiliations. Let all the hard and rugged paths by which we walk towards God be set before him. And if he promise steadfastly to persevere, after the lapse of two months let this Rule be read through to him, with these words: "Behold the law, under which thou desirest to fight. If thou canst observe it, enter in; if thou canst not, freely depart." If he still stand firm, let him be taken back to the aforesaid cell of the Novices, and again tried with all patience. And, after a space of six months, let the Rule be again read to him, that he may know unto what he cometh. Should he still persevere, after four months let the same Rule be read to him once more. And if, having well considered within himself, he promise to keep it in all things, and to observe everything that is commanded him, then let him be received into the community, knowing that he is now bound by the law of the Rule, so that from that day forward he cannot depart from the Monastery, nor shake from off his neck the yoke of the Rule, which after such prolonged deliberation he was free either to refuse or to accept.


Martyrology-April 12th
Roman Martyrology-April 12th-on this date in various years-

At Verona, the passion of Bishop St. Zeno, who governed that Church with great fortitude amid the storms of persecution, and was crowned with martyrdom in the time of Gallienus.

In Cappadocia, in the reign of Emperor Valens, during the persecution raised against the Christians by Atanaric, king of the Goths, St. Sabas, himself a Goth, who was cast into a river after undergoing cruel torments. Many orthodox Goths, as St. Augustine relates, received at that time the crown of martyrdom.

At Braga in Portugal, the martyr St. Victor. Although only a catechumen, he 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 Piceno, St. Vissia, virgin and martyr.

At Rome, on the Aurelian Way, the birthday of Pope St. Julius, who vigorously defended the Catholic faith against the Arians. After a life of brilliant accomplishments, he rested in peace, famed for his sanctity.

At the town of Gap in France, St. Constantine, bishop and confessor.

At Pavia, Bishop St. Damian.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 12:

CHAPTER LVIII
Of the Discipline of receiving Brethren into Religion (cont.)

Let him who is to be received make before all, in the Oratory, a promise of STABILITY, CONVERSION OF LIFE, and OBEDIENCE, in the presence of God and of His saints, so that, if he should ever act otherwise, he may know that he will be condemned by Him Whom he mocketh. Let him draw up this promise in writing, in the name of the saints whose relics are in the altar, and of the Abbot there present. And let him write it with his own hand; or at least, if he knoweth not how, let another write it at his request, and let the Novice put his mark to it, and place it with his own hand upon the altar. When he hath done this, let the Novice himself immediately begin this verse: "Uphold me, O Lord, according to Thy Word, and I shall live: and let me not be confounded in my expectation." And this verse let the whole community thrice repeat, adding thereto Gloria Patri. Then let the newly-received brother cast himself at the feet of all, that they may pray for him, and from that day let him be counted as one of the community. Whatever property he hath let him first bestow upon the poor, or by a solemn deed of gift make over to the Monastery, keeping nothing of it all for himself, as knowing that from that day forward he will have no power even over his own body. Forthwith, therefore, in the Oratory, let him be stripped of his own garments, wherewith he is clad, and be clothed in those of the Monastery. And let the garments that are taken from him be laid by and kept in the wardrobe; so that if ever, by the persuasion of the devil, he consent (which God forbid) to leave the Monastery, he may be stripped of the monastic habit and cast forth. But the form of his profession, which the Abbot took from the altar, shall not be given back to him, but be kept in the Monastery.


Martyrology-April 13th
Roman Martyrology-April 13th-on this date in various years-

At Seville in Spain, St. Hermenegild, son of Leovigild, Arian king of the Visigoths, who was imprisoned 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 feast of Easter. Thus exchanging an earthly for a heavenly kingdom, he entered the abode of the saints, both as a king and as a martyr.

At Rome, in the persecution of Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, St. Justin, philosopher and martyr. He had addressed to the emperors his second Apology in defence of our religion, and upheld it by strong arguments. By the intrigue of Crescens the Cynic, whose conduct and immorality he had reproved, he was accused of professing Christianity, and thus he obtained the reward of martyrdom in payment for his faithful confession. His feast is kept on the following day.

At Pergamum in Asia, during the same persecution, the birthday of the holy martyrs Carpus, bishop of Thyatira, the deacon Papylus, and his sister Agathonica, an excellent woman, Agathadorus, their servant, and many others. After many torments they received their crowns of martyrdom for their worthy confessions.

At Silistria in Bulgaria, the passion of Saints Maximus, Quinctilian, and Dadas, during the persecution of Diocletian.

At Ravenna, St. Ursus, bishop and confessor.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 13:

CHAPTER LIX
Of the Sons of Nobles or of Poor Men that are offered

If any nobleman shall perchance offer his son to God in the Monastery, let the parents, should the boy be still in infancy, make for him the written promise as aforesaid; and together with the oblation* let them wrap that promise and the hand of the child in the altar-cloth and so offer him up. With respect to his property, they must in the same document promise under oath that they will never either themselves, or through any one else, or in any way whatever, give him anything, or the means of having anything. Or else, if they are unwilling to do this, and desire to offer something as an alms to the Monastery, for their own advantage, let them make a donation of whatever they please to the Monastery, reserving to themselves, if they will, the income thereof during their life. Thus let all possibility of expectation be excluded whereby the child might be deceived and so perish (which God forbid), as we have learnt by experience may happen. Let those who are poorer do in like manner. But those who have nothing whatever may simply make the promise in writing, and, with the oblation, offer their son before witnesses.


Martyrology-April 14th
Roman Martyrology-April 14th-on this date in various years-

The feast of St. Justin, philosopher and martyr, who was yesterday mentioned.

At Rome, on the Appian Way, the birthday of the holy martyrs Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maximus, who suffered in the time of Emperor Alexander and the prefect Almachius. The first two were converted to Christ by the exhortations of blessed Cecilia, and baptized by Pope St. Urban. They were beaten with clubs, then beheaded for the sake of the true faith. Maximus, who had been the prefect's chamberlain, was touched by their constancy, and confirmed by the vision of an angel, believed in Christ, and was scourged with leaded whips until he died.

At Teramo, St. Proculus, bishop and martyr.

Also St. Ardalion, an actor. One day in the theatre, while scoffing at 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 Teramo, St. Domnina, virgin and martyr, who received the crown with her virgin companions.

At Alexandria, St. Thomais, martyr. Because she would not consent to the impure wishes of her father-in-law, she was struck with a sword dividing her body from head to foot.

At Lyons, in France, St. Lambert, bishop and confessor.

At Alexandria, St. Fronto, an abbot whose life was graced by sanctity and his miracles.

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 14:

CHAPTER LX
Of Priests who may wish to dwell in the Monastery

If any one in priestly orders ask to be received into the Monastery, let not consent be too quickly granted him; but if he persist in his request, let him know that he will have to observe all the discipline of the Rule, and that nothing will be relaxed in his favour, according as it is written "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" Let him, nevertheless, be allowed to stand next the Abbot, to give the blessing, and to say Mass, if the Abbot bid him do so. Otherwise, let him presume to do nothing, knowing that he is subject to the discipline of the Rule; but rather let him give an example of humility to all. And if there be a question of any appointment, or other business in the Monastery, let him expect the position due to him according to the time of his entrance, and not that which was yielded to him out of reverence for the priesthood. If any clerics should desire in the same way to be admitted into the Monastery, let them be placed in a middle rank: but in their case also, only on condition that they promise observance of the Rule, and stability therein.


Martyrology-April 15
Roman Martyrology-April 15th-on this date in various years-

At Rome, the Saints Basilissa and Anastasia, noble women who were disciples of the apostles. Because they persevered courageously in the profession of their faith during 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, along with blessed Flavia Domitilla, had been 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 ways by the judge Valerian, during the persecution of Trajan.

In Persia, in the reign of Emperor Decius, the holy martyrs Maximus and Olympias, who were beaten with rods and whips, and struck on their heads with clubs until they breathed no more.

At Ferentino in Campania, the martyr St. Eutychius.

At Myra in Lycia, St. Crescens, who was martyred by fire.

In Thrace, the holy martyrs Theodorus and Pausilippus, who suffered under Emperor Hadrian.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 15:

CHAPTER LXI
Of Stranger Monks, how they are to be received

If any monk who is a stranger come from distant parts, and desire to dwell in the Monastery as a guest, and if he be content with the customs which he there findeth, and do not trouble the Monastery by any superfluous wants, but be satisfied with what he findeth, let him be received for as long a time as he will. And if reasonably and with humility he reprove and point out what is amiss, let the Abbot prudently mark his words, in case God perchance hath sent him for this very end. If afterwards he desire to bind himself to remain there, let not his wish be denied him, especially since during the time he was a guest his manner of life could well be ascertained.


Martyrology-April 16th
Roman Martyrology-April 16th-on this date in various years-

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

At Saragossa, in Spain, the birthday of eighteen holy martyrs, Optatus, Lupercus, Successus, Martial, Urban, Julia, Quinctilian, Publius, Fronto, Felix, Cecilian, Eventius, Primitivus, Apodemius, and four others who are said to have been Saturninus. They were all tortured and slain together under Dacian, governor of Spain. The glory of their martyrdom has been celebrated in verse by Prudentius.

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.

In the same place, the martyr St. Lambert.

Also at Saragossa, St. Encratis, virgin and martyr, whose body was lacerated , her breasts cut away, and her bowels torn out. Still alive after these torments, she was confined in prison until her body, covered with wounds, began to decompose.

At Palentia, St. Turibius, bishop of Astorga. With the aid of Pope St. Leo, he drove out of Spain completely the Priscillian heresy. He went to rest in the Lord with a great renown for miracles.

At Braga in Portugal, the bishop St. Fructuosus.

At Scicy, in the district of Coutances in France, the death of St. Paternus, bishop of Avranches and confessor.

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

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

In the city of Nevers in France, St. Mary Bernard Soubirous of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity, also called the Christian Institute. She was favoured with frequent apparitions and conversations at Lourdes with Mary Immaculate, the Mother of God. In 1933 her name was added to the roll of holy virgins by Pope Pius XI.

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 16:

CHAPTER LXI
Of Stranger Monks, how they are to be received (cont.)

But if during that time he was found burdensome or prone to vice, not only must he not be admitted among the brethren, but he must even be courteously bidden to depart, lest others should be corrupted by his evil living. If, however, he is not such as to deserve to be sent away, let him not merely on his own asking be received and admitted into the community, but even be persuaded to remain, that the others may be taught by his example: because in every place we serve one God, and fight under one King. And if the Abbot perceive him to be a man of this kind, he may put him in a somewhat higher place. It shall be in the Abbot's power to assign not only to a simple monk, but also to any of the aforesaid priests or clerics, a higher place than that due to them by their entrance into the Monastery, if he see that their lives are such as to deserve it. But let the Abbot take care never to receive a monk from any known monastery, without his own Abbot's consent, and letters of recommendation; as it is written: "What thou wilt not have done to thyself, do not thou to another."


Martyrology-April 17th
Roman Martyrology-April 17th-on this date in various years-

At Rome, St. Anicetus, pope and martyr, who received the palm of martyrdom in the persecution of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Lucius Verus.

At Cordova in Spain, the holy martyrs Elias, a priest, and the monks Paul and Isidore, who were slain in the Arab persecution for the profession of the Christian faith.

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

In Africa, the birthday of blessed Mappalicus, martyr. St. Cyprian relates in his Epistle to the Martyrs and Confessors that he, along with many others, was crowned with martyrdom.

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

At Vienne in France, Bishop St. Pantagathus.

At Tortona, St. Innocent, bishop and confessor.

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

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 17:

CHAPTER LXII
Of the Priests of the Monastery

If any Abbot desire to have a priest or deacon ordained for his Monastery, let him choose from among his monks one who is worthy to fulfil the priestly office. And let him that is ordained beware of arrogance and pride, and presume to do nothing that is not commanded him by the Abbot, knowing that he is now all the more subject to regular discipline. Let him not, by reason of his priesthood, become forgetful of the obedience and discipline of the Rule, but advance ever more and more in godliness. Let him always keep the place due to him according to his entrance into the Monastery, except with regard to his office at the altar, or unless the choice of the community and the will of the Abbot should raise him to a higher place for the merit of his life. Nevertheless, let him know that he must observe the rules prescribed by the deans or Prior. Should he presume to do otherwise, he shall be judged, not as a priest, but as a rebel; and if after frequent warning he do not correct himself, let recourse be had to the intervention of the Bishop.* If even then he will not amend, and his guilt is clearly shewn, let him be cast forth from the Monastery, provided his contumacy be such that he will not submit nor obey the Rule.


Martyrology-April 18th
Roman Martyrology-April 18th-on this date in various years-

On Mount Senario in Tuscany, St. Amadeo, confessor, one of the seven founders of the Order of Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary, famous for his ardent love for God. His feast, together with that of his companions, is kept on the 12th of February.

At Rome, blessed Apollonius, a senator under Emperor Commodus and the prefect Perennius. He was 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 beheaded for Christ by their sentence.

At Messina in Sicily, the birthday of the holy martyrs Eleutherius, bishop of Illyria, and Anthia, his mother. He was famous for holiness of life and the power of miracles. During the reign of Hadrian, he was placed on a bed of red-hot iron, on a gridiron, in a vessel filled with boiling oil, pitch, and resin, and also cast to the lions; but remaining unhurt through all of this, they finally cut his throat with a sword. His mother suffered the same torments.

At Cordova, St. Perfectus, priest and martyr, who was slain with the sword by the Moors, because he argued against the sect of Mohammed and firmly insisted on the Catholic faith.

At Messina in Sicily, St. Corebus, the prefect, who was converted to the faith by St. Eleutherius, and died by the sword.

At Brescia, the martyr St. Calocerus, who was converted to Christ by Saints Faustinus and Jovita, and who gloriously triumphed in the test of his confession, in the time of Hadrian.

At Milan, St. Galdini, cardinal bishop of that city, who at the very end of a sermon against heretics, gave up his soul to God.

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 18:

CHAPTER LXIII
Of the Order of the Community

Let everyone keep that place in the Monastery, which the time of his entering religion, the merit of his life, or the appointment of the Abbot shall determine. And let not the Abbot disquiet the flock committed to him, nor by an undue use of his authority ordain anything unjustly; but let him ever bear in mind that he will have to give an account to God of all his judgments and all his deeds. Therefore in that order which they hold, or which he shall have appointed, let the brethren receive the kiss of peace, approach to Communion, intone the Psalms, and stand in choir. And in no place whatsoever let age decide the order, or be prejudicial to it; for Samuel and Daniel, when but children, judged the elders. Excepting, therefore, those whom (as we have said) the Abbot hath promoted with some special object, or for distinct reasons hath degraded, let all the rest stand in the order of their coming to religion; so that, for example, he who entered the Monastery at the second hour of the day must know that he is lower than he who came at the first hour, whatever may be his age or dignity. The children are to be kept under discipline at all times and by every one.


Martyrology-April 19th
Roman Martyrology-April 19th-on this date in various years-

At Corinth, the birthday of St. Timon, one of the first seven deacons, who was first a teacher 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 Canterbury in England, St. Elphege, bishop and martyr.

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

At Collioure in Spain, the martyr St. Vincent.

On the same day, the holy martyrs Socrates and Denis, who were killed with spears.

At Jerusalem, the martyr St. Paphnutius.

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

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

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

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

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

[OmniaInstaurareInChristo]

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for April 19:

CHAPTER LXIII
Of the Order of the Community (cont.)

Let the younger brethren, then, reverence their elders, and the elder love the younger. In calling each other by name, let none address another by his simple name; but let the elders call the younger brethren Brothers, and the younger call their elders Fathers,* by which is implied the reverence due to a father. But let the Abbot, since he is considered to represent the person of Christ, be called Lord and Abbot, not that he hath taken it upon himself, but out of reverence and love for Christ. Let him be mindful of this, and shew himself to be worthy of such an honour. Wherever the brethren meet one another, let the younger ask a blessing from the elder. And when the elder passeth by, let the younger rise, and give place to him to sit down; nor let the younger presume to sit with him, unless the elder bid him, that it may come to pass as it is written: "In honour preferring one another." Let young children and boys take their places in the Oratory, or at table, with all due discipline. In other places also, wherever they may be, let them be under proper care and discipline, until they come to the age of understanding.


Martyrology-April 20th
Roman Martyrology-April 20th-on this date in various years-

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

At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Zeno, Acindynus, Caesareus, Severian, Chrysophorus, Theonas, and Antonine. They were converted to Christ by the miracles and the martyrdom of St. George, and because of their own dauntless confession of the faith, they were tortured in various ways under the Emperor Diocletian, and thus completed their martyrdom.

At Tomis in Scythia, Bishop St. Theotimus, whose great sanctity and miracles procured him the respect even of unbelieving barbarians.

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

At Auxerre, the priest St. Marcian.

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

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

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