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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 LXXIII
Of This, that Not the Whole Observance of Righteousness Is Laid Down in this Rule

Now, we have written this Rule that, observing it in monasteries, we may show that we have acquired at least some moral righteousness, or a beginning of the monastic life.

On the other hand, he that hasteneth on to the perfection of the religious life, hath at hand the teachings of the holy Fathers, the observance of which leadeth a man to the height of perfection. For what page or what utterance of the divinely inspired books of the Old and the New Testament is not a most exact rule of human life? Or, what book of the holy Catholic Fathers doth not loudly proclaim how we may go straight to our Creator? So, too, the collations of the Fathers, and their institutes and lives, and the rule of our holy Father, Basil -- what are they but the monuments of the virtues of exemplary and obedient monks? But for us slothful, disedifying, and negligent monks they are a source for shame and confusion.

Thou, therefore, who hastenest to the heavenly home, with the help of Christ fulfil this least rule written for a beginning; and then thou shalt with God's help attain at last to the greater heights of knowledge and virtue which we have mentioned above.

Martyrology-September 1st
Roman Martyrology-September 1st- on this date in various years-

In the province of Narbonne, St. Giles, abbot and confessor. A town which later arose in the place where he had built his monastery and where he died was named after him.

At Sentiano, in the district of Apulia, the passion of Saints Donatus and a second Felix who were the sons of Saints Boniface and Thecla. After they had endured various torments under the judge Valerian in the reign of Emperor Maximian, they were condemned to be beheaded on this day. Today also is kept the festival of the others of the Twelve Holy Brethren, whose birthdays are noted in their proper place. The bodies of these Twelve Holy Brethren were later translated to Benevento where they are honourably enshrined.

In Palestine, the Saints Joshua and Gideon.

At Jerusalem, blessed Anna, prophetess, whose sanctity is revealed in the Gospel.

At Capua, on the Via Aquaria, St. Priscus, martyr, who was formerly one of the disciples of Christ.

At Todi in Umbria, St. Terentian, bishop and martyr. Under Emperor Hadrian, by order of the proconsul lætian, he was racked, scourged with whips set with metal, and finally having had his tongue cut out, he ended his martyrdom by undergoing capital punishment.

At Heraclea, under the tyrant Licinius, St. Ammon, deacon, and forty holy virgins whom he instructed in the faith and led with him to the glory of martyrdom.

In Spain, the holy martyrs Vincent and lætus.

At Piombino in Tuscany, St. Regulus, martyr, who went thither from Africa, and consummated his martyrdom under Totila.

At Capua, St. Priscus, bishop. He was one of those priests who were subjected to various trials for the Catholic faith during the persecution of the Vandals. Being put in an old ship on the coast of Africa, they reached the shores of Campania, and separating, they were placed at the head of various churches, and thus greatly extended the Christian religion. The companions of Priscus were Castrensis, whose birthday is mentioned on the 11th of February, Tammarius, Rosius, Heraclius, Secundinus, Adjutor, Mark, Augustus, Elpidius, Canion, and Vindonius.

At Sens, St. Lupus, bishop and confessor, of whom it is related that on a certain day, while he stood at the holy altar in the presence of the clergy, a gem fell from heaven into the consecrated chalice which he was using.

At Rheims in France, St. Sixtus, disciple of the blessed apostle Peter, who consecrated him the first bishop of that city. He received the crown of martyrdom under Nero.

At Le Mans in France, St. Victorinus, bishop.

At Aquino, St. Constantius, a bishop renowned for the gift of prophecy and many virtues.

In Baden, in the province of Constance, St. Verena, virgin.

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

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