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La misma nada · Site Admin Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 709

The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for this day:

CHAPTER LIX
Of the Children of the Noble and of the Poor Who Are Offered

If it happen that a nobleman offereth his son to God in the monastery and
the boy is of tender age, let his parents execute the written promise which we
have mentioned above; and with the oblation let them wrap that document and
the boy's hand in the altar cloth and thus offer him.

As to their property, let them bind themselves under oath in the same
document that they will never give him anything themselves nor through any other
person, nor in any way whatever, nor leave a chance for his owning anything; or
else, if they refuse to do this and want to make an offering to the monastery
as an alms for their own benefit, let them make a donation to the monastery
of whatever goods they wish to give, reserving to themselves the income of
it, if they so desire. And let everything be so barred that the boy remain in
no uncertainty, which might deceive and ruin him (which God forbid) -- a pass
we have learned by experience.

Let those who are poor act in like manner. But as to those who have nothing
at all, let them simply make the declaration, and with the oblation offer
their son in the presence of 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.

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