Dominican Martyrology: January

The Martyrology of the Sacred Order of Friars Preachers

JANUARY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

The First Day of January
The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Octave of His Nativity. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the suffering of St. Martina, virgin and martyr. At the time of the Emperor Alexander, she was subjected to various kinds of torture and finally obtained the crown of martyrdom by the sword. Her feast is observed on January 30.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the death of St. Basil the Great, bishop, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He lived at the time of the Emperor Valens, and was remarkable for his learning and wisdom. Adorned with every virtue, he was wonderfully distinguished by the unconquerable firmness with which he defended the Church against the Arians and Macedonians. His feast is fittingly celebrated on June 14, the day on which he was consecrated bishop.
At Monte Senario, in Etruria (Italy), St. Bonfilius, confessor, one of the seven founders of the Order of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since he had so faithfully served her, he was quickly called by her to heaven. His feast, with that of his companions, is observed on February 12.
At Rome, St. Almachlus, martyr. At the command of Alipius, prefect of the city, he was slain by gladiators because he cried out: "Today is the Octave Day of the Lord; stop your idolatrous superstitions and your polluted sacrifices."
Also at Rome, on the Appian Way, the crowning of thirty holy soldiers, martyrs, under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Spoleto, St. Concordius, priest and martyr, in the time of the Emperor Antoninus. He was first beaten with clubs, and then stretched on the rack. Afterward, he was starved in prison, where he was consoled by the visit of an angel. At length his life was ended by the sword.
On the same day, St. Magnus, martyr.
In Africa, Blessed Fulgentius, Bishop of the church of Ruspe. During the Vandal persecution, he was greatly harassed by the Arians because of his Catholic faith and excellent teaching. He was exiled to Sardinia, but finally was allowed to return to his own church, where he died a holy death, renowned for his life and preaching.
At Chied in Abruzzi (Italy), the birthday of St. Justin, bishop of that city, renowned for the holiness of his life and for his miracles.
In the country of Lyons, in the monastery of Mount Jura,(1) St. Eugendus, abbot, whose life was resplendent with miracles and virtues.
At Souvigny in Gaul, St. Odilo, Abbot of Cluny. He was the first to prescribe that the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed should be kept in his monasteries on the first day after the Feast of All Saints. This custom the Universal Church afterward approved and adopted.
At Alexandria, the death of St. Euphrosyna, virgin, who was renowned in her monastery for the virtue of abstinence and for her miracles.
* And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God. [With this formula and its response the reading of the Martyrology is alway, concluded.]
The Second Day of January
The Octave of St. Stephen, the Protomartyr. A memory.
In the town of Socino, in the Diocese of Cremona (Italy), Blessed Stephana Quinzani, virgin, of the Order of Preachers, who on January 2 went to her heavenly Spouse. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, the commemoration of many holy martyrs. They refused to obey the edict of Diocletian by which they were commanded to surrender their sacred books. They chose rather to give their bodies to the executioners than holy things to dogs.
At Antioch, the suffering of Blessed Isidore, bishop.
At Tomis in Pontus, the three holy brothers, Argeus, Narcissus and the youth Marcellinus. The young man was drafted as a recruit at the time of the Emperor Licinius. When he refused to perform military service,(2) he was flogged almost to death, and kept for a long time in prison. At last he was thrown into the sea, and so completed his martyrdom. His brothers were slain by the sword.
At Milan, St. Martinian, bishop.
At Nitria in Egypt, blessed Isidore, bishop and confessor.
On the same day, St. Siridion, bishop.
In the Thebaid, St. Macarius of Alexandria, priest and abbot.
The Third Day of January
The Octave of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. A memory.
At Jablona in Bohemia, Blessed Zedislava Berkiana, a noble matron. After receiving the habit of the Order of our holy Father Dominic from Blessed Ceslaus, she became celebrated during her life for her spirit of meditation, her penance and works of charity, and after her death, by her reputation for miracles. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, on the Appian Way, the birthday of St. Antherus, pope and martyr, who suffered under Julius Maximin, and was buried in the cemetery of Callistus.
At Vienne in Gaul, St. Florentius, bishop, who was sent into exile in the time of the Emperor Gallienus, and there completed his martyrdom.
In the city of Aulona in Palestine, the suffering of St. Peter (Balsam), who was put to death by crucifixion.
On the Hellespont, the holy martyrs Cyrinus, Primus, and Theogenes.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the centurion St. Gordius, martyr. On his feast day, St. Basil the Great delivered in his praise a famous sermon, which is still extant.
In Cilicia, the holy martyrs Zosimus and Athanasius the notary.
Also SS. Theopemptus and Theonas, who underwent a sublime martyrdom in the persecution of Diocletian.
At Padua, St. Daniel, martyr.
At Paris, St. Genevieve, virgin. She was consecrated to Christ by Blessed Gcrmanus, Bishop of Auxerre, and was renowned for remarkable virtues and miracles.
The Fourth Day of January
The Octave of the Holy Innocents, martyrs. A feast of three lessons.
In Crete, the birthday of St. Titus, who was ordained Bishop of the Cretans by St. Paul the Apostle. After having faithfully fulfilled the office of preaching, he obtained a blessed death. He was buried in the church to which the holy Apostle had appointed him a worthy minister. His feast day is kept on February 6.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Priscus, priest, Priscillian, cleric, and Benedicta, a woman in religion, who, in the time of the wicked Julian, fulfilled their martyrdom by the sword.
Also at Rome, Blessed Dafrosa, the wife of the martyr St. Flavian, and mother of SS. Bibiana and Demetria, virgins and martyrs. After the execution of her husband, she was first sent into exile, and afterward beheaded in the reign of the same Emperor (Julian).
At Bologna, SS. Hermes, Aggaeus, and Caius, martyrs, who suffered under the Emperor Maximian.
At Adrumetum in Africa, the commemoration of St. Mavilus, martyr. In the persecution of the Emperor Severus, he was flung to the wild beasts by the cruel governor Scapula, and received the crown of martyrdom.
Also in Africa, the most illustrious martyrs Aquilinus, Gcminus, Eugene, Marcian, Quinctius, Theodotus, and Trypho.
At Langres in Gaul, the Bishop St. Gregory, who was famous for miracles.
At Rheims in Gaul, St. Rigobert, bishop and confessor.
The Fifth Day of January
The Vigil of the Lord's Epiphany.
At Rome, St. Telesphorus, pope and martyr. In the reign of Antoninus Pius, he attained an illustrious martyrdom, after having endured much suffering in confessing Christ.
In England, the king St. Edward, confessor, famed for his chastity and the grace of miracles. His feast, by decree of Pope Innocent XT, is celebrated on October 13, on which day his holy body was transferred (to a shrine in the choir of Westminster Abbey).
In Egypt, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, who were slain in the Thebaid by various kinds of torments during the persecution of Diocletian.
At Antioch, the monk St. Simeon, who for many years persevered living on top of a column, whence he received the name Stylites. He was greatly renowned both for his life and conversation.
At Rome, St. Emiliana, virgin, aunt of Pope St. Gregory. On this day she went to her Lord at the call of her sister Tharsilla, who had gone to God before her.
At Alexandria, St. Syncletica, whose deeds St. Athanasius admirably commended in his writings.
In Egypt, St. Apollinaris, virgin.
The Sixth Day of January
The Epiphany of the Lord. A totum duplex feast of the first class.
At Florence, the birthday of St. Andrew Corsini, a Florentine Carmelite, Bishop of Fiesole, and confessor. Renowned for miracles, he was inscribed in the number of the saints by Urban VIII. His feast is observed on February 4.
At Barcelona in Spain, the birthday of St. Raymund of Peñafort, of the Order of Preachers, confessor. He is famous for his learning and sanctity. His feast day, however, is celebrated on January 23.
In Africa, the commemoration of many holy martyrs who, in the persecution of Severus, were bound to stakes and burned alive.
In the neighborhood of Rheims, the suffering of St. Macra, virgin. In the persecution of Diocletian, she was cast into a fire at the command of the governor Rictiovarus, but remained unhurt. Afterward she was mutilated and cast into a foul prison; then she was rolled upon jagged sherds and burning coals and, while praying, went to her Lord.
At Rennes in Gaul, St. Melanius, bishop and confessor. He manifested innumerable virtues and, always intent on Heaven, passed gloriously from the world.
At Gerras in Egypt, St. Nilammon, recluse, who gave up his spirit to God in prayer, while being urged against his will to accept a bishopric.
The Seventh Day of January
The Return of the Child Jesus from Egypt.
At Nicomedia, the birthday of Blessed Lucian, priest and martyr, of the Church of Antioch. He won unusually great renown for his doctrine and eloquence, and he suffered for confessing Christ in the persecution of Maximian Galerius. He was buried at Helenopolis in Bithynia. St. John Chrysostom highly praised him.
At Antioch, St. Cletus, deacon, who for his glorious confession of faith Was tortured seven times. He was incarcerated for a long time and at last was beheaded, thus fulfilling his martyrdom.
In the city of Heracles, the holy martyrs Felix and Januarius.
On the same day, the martyr St. Julian.
In Denmark, St. Canute, king and martyr.
At Pavia (in Italy), St. Crispin, bishop and confessor.
In Dacia, St. Nicetas, bishop, who by preaching the Gospel made civilized and humane some nations that before were savage and barbarous.
In Egypt, Blessed Theodore, monk, who grew in holiness in the time
of Constantine the Great. St. Athanasius mentions him in his life of St. Anthony.
The Eighth Day of January
At Venice, the death of Blessed Laurence Giustiniani, confessor, first Patriarch of that city. The Sovereign Pontiff, Alexander VIII, seeing him abundantly filled with learning and the heavenly graces of divine wisdom, inscribed him among the number of the saints. But his feast. is kept on September 5, when he ascended the episcopal throne.
At Beauvais in Gaul, the holy martyrs Lucian, priest, Maximian, and Julian. The two latter were slain by the sword of the persecutors. Blessed Lucian, who came into Gaul with St. Dionysius, was severely tortured. As he did not fear to continue confessing the name of Christ in a loud voice, he also underwent the fate of the other two.
In Libya, the holy martyrs Theophilus, deacon, and Helladius. They were first mangled and pierced with sharp sherds; then they were cast into the fire, where they gave up their souls to God.
At Autun, St. Eugenian, martyr.
At Hierapolis in Asia, St. Apollinaris, bishop, who was eminent for holiness and learning, under Marcus Antoninus Verus.
At Naples in Campania, the birthday of the Bishop St. Severinus, brother of the blessed martyr Victorinus. After he performed many virtuous deeds, he entered into rest rich in sanctity.
At Metz in Gaul, St. Patiens, bishop.
At Pavia (in Italy), St. Maximus, bishop and confessor.
At Ratisbon in Bavaria, St. Erhard, bishop.
In Bavaria, St. Severinus, abbot, who preached the Gospel in that country, and is called the Apostle of the Bavarians. His body was miraculously brought to Lucullano, near Naples, and was afterward taken from there to the monastery of St. Severino.
The Ninth Day of January
At Antioch, under Diocletian and Maximian, the birthday of St. Julian, martyr, and of the virgin Basilissa, his spouse. She remained a virgin during marriage, and (although persecuted for the faith) ended her days in peace. A number of priests and ministers of the Church, who had sought refuge with Julian owing to the barbarity of the persecution, were (notwithstanding) burned to death, and Julian himself, at the command of the governor Marcian, was tortured in many ways and then beheaded. With him there were martyred many others: a priest named Anthony, one Anastasius, who had been raised from the dead by Julian and converted to Christianity, Celsus, a boy, and his mother, Marcionilla, seven brothers, and many other Christians.
At Smyrna, the holy martyrs Vitalis, Revocatus, and Fortunatus.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Epictetus, Jucundus, Secundus, Vitalis, Felix, and seven others.
In Eastern Morocco, St. Marciana, virgin, who was thrown to the beasts, and so completed her martyrdom.
At Sebaste in Armenia, the Bishop St. Peter, the son of SS. Basil and Emmelia. He was also the brother of SS. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, bishops, and of the virgin Macrina.
At Ancona, St. Marcellinus, bishop, who, as St. Gregory mentions, delivered that city from fire by a miracle.
The Tenth Day of January
In the Thebaid, the birthday of the first hermit, St. Paul, confessor. He remained alone in the desert from the sixteenth to the one hundred and thirteenth year of his age. St. Anthony beheld his soul borne up to heaven by angels amid the choirs of Apostles and Prophets. His feast is celebrated on January 15.
In Cyprus, Blessed Nicanor, deacon, one of the first seven deacons; (of the Church of Jerusalem).(3) Through the grace of faith and his admirable virtue, he received a most glorious crown.
At Rome, Pope St. Agatho, who was remarkable for his holiness and learning. He died a peaceful death.
At Bourges in Aquitaine, St. William, archbishop and confessor. He was renowned for miracles and virtues. Pope Honorius III inscribed him in the roll of the saints.
At Milan, St. John the Good, bishop and confessor.
At Constantinople, St. Marcian, priest.
In the monastery of Cuxa in Gaul, the birthday of St. Peter Urscolo, confessor. He was once Doge of Venice, and then monk of the Order of St. Benedict. He was noted for holiness and virtue.
At Arezzo in Tuscany, Blessed Gregory X of Piacenza. He was called from the archdeaconry of Liege to be Pope. He convoked the second. Council of Lyons, received the Greeks to the unity of the faith, healed the strifes of Christians, and began the recovery of the Holy Land. He deserved well of the Universal Church which he governed in a most holy manner.
The Eleventh Day of January
At Rome, St. Hyginus, pope and martyr, who gloriously fulfilled his artyrdorn in the persecution of Antoninus.
Also at Rome, the birthday of St. Melchiades, pope and martyr. He suffered much in the persecution of Maximian and, when peace returned to the Church, died peacefully in the Lord. His feast day is kept on December 10.
At Fermo in Piceno, St. Alexander, bishop and martyr.
At Amiens in Gaul, St. Salvius, bishop and martyr.
In Africa, Blessed Salvius, martyr, on whose birthday St. Augustine delivered a panegyric to the people of Carthage.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Peter, Severus, and Leucius. At Brindisi, St. Leucius, bishop and confessor.
In Judea, St. Theodosius the Coenobiarch,(4) who was born in the village of Magarissus in Cappadocia. He suffered much for the Catholic faith, and at last rested in peace in the monastery he had erected on a lonely hill in the Diocese of Jerusalem.
In the Thebaid, St. Palaemon, abbot, who was the instructor of St. Pachomius.
At Suppentonia, near Mount Soracte, the monk St. Anastasius, and his companions. They were called (to heaven) in a miraculous way and so went happily to the Lord.
At Pavia, St. Honorata, virgin.
The Twelfth Day of January
At Rome, St. Tatiana, martyr, in the reign of the Emperor Alexander. She was mangled with hooks and iron combs, exposed to wild beasts, and cast into a fire, but was not harmed. At length, put to the sword, she passed into heaven.
At Constantinople, SS. Tigrius, priest, and Eutropius, lector. In the time of the Emperor Arcadius, they were falsely accused of the fire which destroyed the cathedral church and the Senate-hall. It was alleged that they had caused the fire to avenge the exile of St. John Chrysostom. They were martyred under Optatus, prefect of the city, a man attached to the worship of the false gods and a hater of the Christian religion.
In Achaia, St. Satyrus, martyr. As he passed before a certain idol, he breathed upon it and made the sign of the cross. Instantly the idol fell to the ground; for this reason he was beheaded.
On the same day, St. Arcadius, martyr, a man noted for his noble birth
and for his miracles.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Zoticus, Rogatus, Modestus, Castulus, and forty soldiers, gloriously crowned.
At Tivoli, St. Zoticus, martyr.
At Ephesus, the suffering of forty-two holy monks. In the reign of Constantine Copronymus, they were most savagely tortured for their veneration of holy images, and so fulfilled their martyrdom.
At Ravenna, St. John, bishop and confessor.
At Verona, St. Probus, bishop.
In England, St. Benedict, abbot and confessor.
The Thirteenth Day of January
The Octave of the Lord's Epiphany. A most solemn octave.
At Poitiers in Gaul, the birthday of St. Hilary, bishop and confessor. On behalf of the Catholic faith which he defended valiantly, he was sent into exile in Phrygia for four years. Among his other miracles, he raised a man from the dead. Pope Pius IX declared him a Doctor of the Church. His feast is celebrated on January 14.
At Rheims in Gaul, St. Remigius, bishop and confessor. He converted the Franks to Christ, baptized their king, Clovis, and instructed him in the mysteries of the faith. After many years as bishop, during which he became famous for his holiness and the greatness of his miracles, he departed from this life. His feast is observed on October 1, when his holy body was transferred (to the abbey church at Rheims).
At Rome, on the Via Lavicana, the crowning of forty holy soldiers, which they merited to receive for their confession of the true faith under Gallienus the Emperor.
At Cordoba in Spain, the holy martyrs Gumesind, priest, and Servideus, monk.
In Sardinia, St. Potitus, martyr, who suffered much under the Emperor Antoninus and the governor Gelasius, and at last obtained martyrdom by the sword.
At Belgrade in Serbia, the holy martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus. In the reign of the Emperor Licinius, they were drowned in the Danube, after enduring cruel tortures.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, St. Leontius, bishop, who strove mightily against the heathens at the time of Licinius, and against the Arians at the time of Constantine.
At Treves, St. Agritius, bishop.
In the monastery of Verzy in Gaul, St. Viventius, confessor.
At Amasea in Pontus, St. Glaphyra, virgin.
At Milan, in the monastery of St. Martha, Blessed Veronica of Binasco, virgin, of the Order of St. Augustine.
The Fourteenth Day of January
St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, confessor and Doctor of the Church, who on the previous day departed to heaven. A duplex feast.
At Nola in Campania (Italy), St. Felix, priest. Bishop St. Paulinus tells us that every time Felix was tortured and taken back to his prison, he was chained and laid upon sharp sherds; but every night he was unchained and led forth by an angel. After the persecution ceased, he converted many to the faith of Christ by the example of his life and his doctrine. Renowned for his miracles, he died a peaceful death. A memory.
In Judea, St. Malachy the Prophet.
On Mount Sinai, thirty-eight holy monks, slain by the Saracens for the Christian faith.
In Egypt, in the district of Rhaitis, forty-three monks, who were slain by the Blemmians (5) for the Christian religion.
At Alan, St. Datius, bishop and confessor, whom Pope St. Gregory mentions.
In Africa, St. Euphrasius, bishop.
At Neocaesarea in Pontus, St. Marcina. She was a disciple of St. Gregory the Wonderworker, and grandmother of St. Basil, whom she educated in the faith.
The Fifteenth Day of January
In the city of Fogan, in the Chinese Empire, the suffering of Blessed Francis de Capillas, a missionary priest of the Order of Preachem He was the first among all the apostolic heralds in the Chinese Empire to seal the Faith of Christ with his blood. A duplex feast.
St. Paul the first hermit, confessor, who on January 10 was called to the company of the blessed. A memory.
In Anjou (Gaul), Blessed Maurus, abbot, who was a disciple of St. Benedict from boyhood. He made such progress in the monastic life under St. Benedict, that among other things he did in obedience to him was to walk upon the water; an extraordinary thing scarcely witnessed since the time of St. Peter. He was then sent by his teacher into Gaul, and built there a famous monastery, of which he was the superior for forty years. He died Peacefully, renowed for his glorious miracles. A memory.
In Judea, SS. Habacuc and Michaeas, Prophets, whose bodies were dis. covered by divine revelation at the time of the Emperor Theodosius, the Elder.
At Cagliari in Sardinia, St. Ephysius, martyr. In Diocletian's persecution, under Flavian the judge, he endured by divine grace various tortures; at last, being beheaded, he passed triumphantly to Heaven.
At Anagni, St. Secundina, virgin and martyr, who suffered under the Emperor Decius.
At Nola in Campania, St. Maximus, bishop.
In Auvergne in Gaul, St. Bonitus, bishop and confessor.
In Egypt, the Abbot St. Macarius. He was a disciple of Blessed Antony, and was most renowned for his life and miracles.
At Alexandria, Blessed Isidore, famous for holiness of life, for his faith, and for his miracles.
At Constantinople, St. John Calybites. (6) He dwelt for some time, unrecognized by his parents, in a corner next to his father's house, and then in a (nearby) hut. At his death he was recognized by his parents, and became renowned for his miracles. His body was later removed to Rome and buried in the church erected in his honor on the island in the Tiber.
The Sixteenth Day of January
At Amarante in Portugal, Blessed Gonsalvo confessor of the Order of Preachers. He was filled with the spirit of his holy Father Dominic, and confirmed his preaching of the Gospel both by the example of his life and by the number of his miracles. A semi-duplex feast.
At Rome, on the Via Salaria, the birthday of St. Marcellus I, pope and martyr. By orders of the tyrant Maxentius, St. Marcellus was beaten with clubs because he confessed the Catholic faith. Then he was sent under a public guard to take care of cattle. Clad only in a piece of sackcloth, he perished while toiling in this occupation. A memory.
At Morocco in Africa, the suffering of the five protomartyrs of the Order of Friars Minor: Berard, Peter, and Otho, priests, and Accursius and Adjutus, lay-brothers. For preaching the Catholic faith and because of their detestation of the Mohammedan Law, they were subjected to various tortures and mockeries by the Saracen caliph, and then beheaded.
At Rhinocolura in Egypt, St. Melas, bishop. After he had suffered exile and other bitter trials under Valens for the Catholic faith, he had a peaceful death.
At Arles in Gaul, St. Honoratus, bishop and confessor, whose life was illustrious for doctrine and miracles.
At Oderzo near Venice, St. Titian, bishop and confessor.
At Fondi in Latium (Italy), St. Honoratus, abbot, whom Pope St. Gregory mentions.
At the village of Mézerolles on the river Authie in Gaul, St. Fursey, confessor; his body was later transferred to the monastery of Peronne.
At Rome, St. Priscilla, who dedicated herself and her goods to the service of the martyrs.
The Seventeenth Day of January
In the Thebaid, St. Anthony, abbot. He was the spiritual father of many monks, and was most renowned for his life and his miracles. St. Athanasius set forth his deeds in a famous book. His holy body was found by divine revelation at the time of the Emperor Justinian. It was brought to Alexandria and buried in the church of St. John the Baptist. A duplex feast.
At Langres in Gaul, three holy brothers, who were triplets, Speusippus, Eleusippus, and Meleusippus. Together with their grandmother Leonilla, they were crowned with martydrorn in the time of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
At Bourges in Aquitaine, the death of the Bishop St. Sulpicius, called the Pious, whose life and precious death were approved by glorious miracles.
At Rome, in the monastery of St. Andrew, the holy monks Anthony, Merulus, and John; all are mentioned by Pope St. Gregory.
In the territory of Edessa in Mesopotamia, the hermit St. Julian, surnamed Sabas. In the reign of the Emperor Valens, when the Catholic faith at Antioch had almost died, he restored it by his miracles.
At Rome, the finding of the bodies of the holy martyrs Diodorus, priest, Marian, deacon, and their companions, who suffered martyrdom on December 1 during the pontificate of Pope St. Stephen.
The Eighteenth Day of January
The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle wherein he first exercised authority at Rome. A totum duplex feast.
In the same city, the Suffering of St. Prisca, Virgin at the time of the Emperor Claudius, endured many tortures and received the crown of martyrdom. A memory.
At Buda in Hungary, the birthday of St. Margaret, virgin, who was the daughter of King Bela IV. As a nun of the Order of St. Dominic she became distinguished by the virtue of chastity, by the severity of her penance, and by her charity toward her neighbor. The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius XII, inscribed her on the roll of holy virgins; her feast is celebrated on January 19.
In Pontus, the birthday of the holy martyrs, Moseus and Ammonius, who were soldiers. They were first condemned to the mines, and later were burned alive.
In the same place, St. Athenogenes, (called) the Old Theologian. When he was about to complete his martyrdom by fire, he sang a hymn of joy, which he left in writing to his disciples.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Volusian, bishop, who was captured by the Goths, and gave up his spirit to God in exile.
In the monastery of Lure in Burgundy, St. Deicola, abbot, who was Irish by birth and a disciple of blessed Columbanus.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Leobard, recluse, who was famed for his wondrous abstinence and humility.
At Como (in Italy), St. Liberata, virgin.
The Nineteenth Day of January
St. Margaret, virgin (of the Order of Preachers), who on January 18 went to her heavenly Spouse. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, on the Via Cornelia, the holy martyrs Marius, Martha his wife, and their sons Audifax and Abachum. They were Persians of noble birth, who came to Rome on a pilgrimage in the time of the Emperor Claudius. After they had endured scourging, the rack, fire, iron hooks, and the cutting off of their hands, Martha was drowned at (a place called) Ninfa; the others were beheaded, and their bodies cremated.
Also St. Canute, king and martyr.
At Smyrna, the birthday of St. Germanicus, martyr. At the time of Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius, St. Germanicus cast aside by the mighty grace of God all bodily fears, although he was yet in the flower of his youth. Having been condemned to death by the judge, he deliberately provoked the wild beast let loose on him. Ground by the teeth of the beast, he merited to be united with the true Bread, the Lord Jesus Christ, by dying for His sake.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Paul, Gerontius, Januarius, Satuminus, Successus, Julius, Catus, Pia, and Germana.
At Spoleto, the suffering of St. Pontian, martyr, in the time of the Emperor Antoninus. For his confession of Christ, Fabian the judge ordered him to be beaten severely with rods, and to walk barefoot on live coals. Then he was tortured on the rack and hung from iron hooks; after this, he was cast into prison, where he merited to be consoled by the visit of an angel. Afterward, he was exposed to the lions, had molten lead poured over him, and was at last put to the sword.
At Lodi in Lombardy, St. Bassian, bishop and confessor, who, together with St. Ambrose, fought strenuously against the heretics.
At Worcester in England, St. Wulstan, bishop and confessor. He was outstanding for his merits and his miracles, and was numbered among the saints by Innocent III.
The Twentieth Day of January
At Rome, the birthday of Pope St. Fabian, who suffered martyrdom in the time of Decius, and was buried in the cemetery of Callistus.
Also at Rome near the Catacombs, St. Sebastian, martyr. He was in command of the first cohort under the Emperor Diocletian. On being accused of being a Christian, he was ordered to be tied in an open field and shot with arrows by the soldiers. Finally, he was beaten with clubs until he died. A duplex feast.
At Nicaca in Bithynia, St. Neophitus, martyr. When fifteen years old, he was scourged, cast into a furnace, and (then) thrown to the beasts; but he remained unhurt. As he continued to profess unswervingly the faith of Christ, he was finally slain with the sword.
At Cesena, St. Maurus, bishop, famed for virtues and miracles.
In Palestine, St. Euthymius, abbot. He flourished in the Church in the time of the Emperor Marcian, full of zeal for Catholic teaching and endowed with the power of miracles.
The Twenty-first Day of January
At Rome, the suffering of St. Agnes, virgin. At the time of Symphronius, the prefect of the city, she was cast into the flames; at her prayer they were extinguished, and she was slain with the sword. St. Jerome thus speaks of her: "The life of St. Agnes is praised in the writing and the tongues of all peoples, especially in the churches, because she rose superior both to her (youthful) age and to the tyrant, and consecrated by her martyrdom her claim to chastity." A duplex feast.
At Athens, the birthday of St. Pubhus, bishop. After St. Dionysius the in virtue
Areopagitc, he admirably ruled the church of Athens. Great in virtue and resplendent for doctrine, he was gloriously crowned by martyrdom for Christ.
At Tarragona in Spain, the holy martyrs Fructuosus, bishop, Augurius and Eulogius, deacons. In the time of Gallienus, they were first thrown into prison, and then cast into the flames. When their bonds were burnt through, they stretched out their hands in prayer in the form of a cross, and so fulfilled their martyrdom. St. Augustine delivered a panegyric to the people on this their birthday.
In the monastery of Einsiedeln in Switzerland, St. Meinrad, priest and monk. In that same place, where later the monastery arose, he lived as a recluse and was slain by robbers. The body of this blessed man, which was formerly buried in the monastery of Reichenau, in Germany, was brought back to the monastery of Einsiedeln.
At Troyes in Gaut, St. Patroclus, martyr, who merited the crown of martyrdom under the Emperor Aurelian.
At Pavia, St. Epiphanius, bishop and confessor.
The Twenty-second Day of January
At Valencia in Spain, in the province of Tarragona, St. Vincent, deacon and martyr. Under the wicked governor Dacian, he suffered prison, starvation, the rack, the disjointing of his limbs, red-hot metal plates, the blazing gridiron, and other kinds of torture. For the reward of his martyrdom, he went to heaven. Prudentius set forth in noble verse the glorious triumph of his suffering, and St. Augustine and Pope St. Leo commend him with the highest praise. A totum duplex feast.
At Barsaloe in Assyria, St. Anastasius, a Persian monk. After many
tortures of imprisonment, floggings, and chains, which he had suffered at Caesarea in Palestine, he was delivered up to more torments under Chosroës, King of the Persians. He was at last beheaded, after sending before him to martyrdom seventy companions, who were drowned in a river. His head, together with his venerated image, was brought to (the Monastery at) Aquae Salviae near Rome. (7) The Acts of the second Council of Nicaea testify that at the sight of his relics demons fled and diseases were cured.
At Embrun in Gaul, the holy martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor, who were crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Diocletian.
At Novara (in Italy), St. Gaudentius, bishop and confessor.
At Sora (in Italy), St. Dominic, abbot, renowned for miracles.
The Twenty-third Day of January
At Barcelona in Spain, St. Raymond of Peñafort, confessor and third master-general of the Order of preachers. He was celebrated for his doctrine, holiness, and the glory of his miracles. He founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, and it was at his advice that James, King of Aragon, instituted in his domains the sacred Office of the Inquisition. When about to return to Barcelona from the island of Majorca, he crossed the sea miraculously carried by his cloak spread on the water, and entered his monastery although the gates remained closed. He is said to have raised forty persons from the dead. He was almost one hundred years old when, on the feast of the Epiphany, he went to heavenly glory. From his sepulchre there comes, as an unceasing miracle, a fine dust which is never exhausted and by means of which various ailments are cured. He was canonized by Clement VIII. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, St. Emerentiana, virgin and martyr. While she was yet a catechumen, she was stoned to death by the pagans while she was praying at the tomb of her foster-sister, St. Agnes. A memory.
At Philippi in Macedonia, St. Parmenas, who was one of the first seven deacons (of the Church of Jerusalem). (8) Surrendering himself to the grace of God, he perfectly fulfilled the office of preaching entrusted to him by his brethren, and under Trajan he obtained the glory of martyrdom.
At Ancyra in Galatia, St. Clement, bishop, who was tortured a number of times, and at the last completed his martyrdom under Diocletian.
In the same place and on the same day, St. Agathangelus, who suffered under the governor Lucius.
At Caesarea in Morocco, the holy martyrs Severian and Aquila, his wife, who were burned alive.
At Antinoe, a city of Egypt, St. Asclas, martyr. After many torments, he was thrown into a river, and thus rendered tip his precious soul to God.
At Alexandria, St. John the Almsgiver, bishop of that city, most celebrated for his mercy toward the poor.
At Toledo in Spain, St. Ildefonsus, bishop. Because of the singular
purity of his life and of the defence he made against heretics who denied
the virginity of the Mother of God, he was by that same Blessed Mother clothed with a pure white garment, and at last, famed for his holiness
was called to heaven.
In the province of Valeria (Italy), Blessed Martyrius, monk, whom Pope St. Gregory mentions.
The Twenty-fourth Day of January
At Forli in Emilia (Italy), Blessed Marcolino, confessor of the Order of Preachers. A semi-duplex feast.
At Ephesus, St. Timothy, the disciple of St. Paul the Apostle, by whom he was ordained Bishop of Ephesus. After he had undergone many labors for Christ, he rebuked some pagans who were sacrificing to Diana. He was stoned by them, and shortly after he died in the Lord. A memory.
At Antioch, St. Babilas, bishop. In the persecution of Decius, after he had often glorified God by his sufferings and torments, he reached the end of his admirable life while bound in chains. He commanded that his body should be buried with the chains. It is said that there suffered with him also three youths, Urban, Prilidian, and Epolonius, whom he had instructed in the faith of Christ.
At Foligno in Umbria, St. Felician. He was ordained bishop of that city by Pope Victor I. After a life of many labors, he was crowned in his extreme old age with martyrdom, in the time of Decius.
At Neocaesarea in Mauretania, the holy martyrs Mardonius, Musonius, Eugene, and Metellus; all were delivered to the flames, and their relics Were scattered in a river.
Also the holy martyrs Thyrsus and Projectus.
At Cingoli in Piceno, St. Exuperantius, confessor. He was bishop of that city, and was renowned for his miracles.
At Bologna, St. Zamas, first bishop of that city. He was consecrated by
St. Dionysius, the Roman Pontiff, and he spread to a remarkable degree
the Christian faith in that place. Also Blessed Suranus, abbot, who flourished in holiness at the time of the Lombards.
The Twenty-fifth Day of January
The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, which took place in the second year from the Ascension of the Lord. A totum duplex feast.
At Damascus, the birthday of St. Ananias, a disciple of the Lord, who baptized the Apostle Paul. He preached the Gospel in Damascus, Eleutheropolis and elsewhere until, under the judge Licinius, he was scourged with thongs and mangled. At last, he was stoned to death and thus obtained martyrdom.
In Auvergne in Gaul, St. Praejectus, bishop, and St. Amarinus, abbot of Doroang; both suffered death at the command of the authorities of that city.
At Antioch, the holy martyrs Juventinus and Maximus who, under Julian the Apostate, were crowned with martyrdom. On (the anniversary of) their birthday, St. John Chrysostorn delivered a panegyric to the people.
Also the holy martyrs Donatus, Sabinus, and Agape.
At Tomis in Scythia, St. Bretannio, bishop. In the reign of the Arian Emperor Valens, whom he fearlessly opposed, he flourished in the Church in wondrous sanctity and zealous devotion to the Catholic faith.
At Marchiennes in Gaul, St. Poppo, priest and abbot, famed for his miracles.
The Twenty-sixth Day of January
At Morbegno in Rhactia (Italy), Blessed Andrew of Peschiera, a celebrated Friar Preacher. He left many great monuments in the Valtelline Valley of his holiness, doctrine, and remarkable charity. He was renowned for his miracles. A semi-duplex feast.
St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and martyr, who won the crown of martyrdom on February 23. A memory.
At Hippo in Africa, Bishop St. Theogenes and thirty-six others. In the persecution of Valerian, they despised the life of this world, and obtained the crown of eternal life.
At Bethlehem of Judea, the death of St. Paula, widow. Though she came of a noble senatorial family, in company with her daughter Eustochium, a virgin of Christ, she renounced the world, distributed her goods to the poor, and went to Bethlehem. There, enriched with many virtues and crowned with a prolonged martyrdom, she departed to the heavenly kingdom. Her life, which was remarkable for its many virtues, was written by St. Jerome.
The Twenty-seventh Day of January,
St. John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, confessor, Doctor of the Church, and the heavenly patron of preachers. He died in the Lord on September 14. His holy body was transferred to Constantinople on this day, at the time of Theodosius the Younger; afterward, it was taken to Rome, where it is buried in the Basilica of the Prince of the Apostles. A duplex feast.
At Brescia, the virgin St. Angela Merici, a Franciscan tertiary. She founded the Order of Nuns of St. Ursula, whose chief work is to direct young girls in the ways of the Lord. Pope Pius IX decreed that her feast should be observed on May 31.
At Le Mans in Gaul, the death of St. Julian, the first bishop of that city. He was sent there by St. Peter to preach the Gospel. A memory.
At Sora (in Italy), St. Julian, martyr. He was arrested in the persecution of Antoninus under the governor Flavian. While he was being tortured, a pagan temple fell to the ground. He received the crown of martyrdom by being beheaded.
In Africa, St. Avitus, martyr.
In the same place, the holy martyrs, Datius, Reatrus, and their companions, who suffered in the Vandal persecution.
Likewise, SS. Dativus, Julian, Vincent, and twenty-seven other martyrs.
At Rome, Pope St. Vitalianus.
In the monastery of Bobbio in Gaul, St. Maurus, abbot.
The Twenty-eighth Day of January
St. Peter Nolasco, confessor, who was founder of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the Redemption of Captives. He died in the Lord on December 25. A duplex feast.
At Rome, for the second time, (9) St. Agnes, virgin and martyr. A memory.
At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Cyril, bishop of that city, confessor and Doctor of the Church. He was a most renowned defender of the Catholic faith. He died in peace, illustrious for his teaching and holiness. His festival is, however, kept on February 9.
At Rome, St. Flavian, martyr, who suffered under Diocletian.
At Alexandria, the suffering of many holy martyrs. While they were in church at Mass on this day, they were put to death in various ways by the faction of the Arian leader Syrianus.
At Apollonia, the holy martyrs Leucius, Thyrsus, and Callinicus. In the reign of the Emperor Dccius, they were subjected to various kinds of torture and all completed their martyrdom. Leucius and Callinicus were beheaded; but Thyrsus, summoned by a voice from Heaven, gave up his spirit.
In the Thebaid, the holy martyrs Leonidas and his companions, who obtained the palm of martyrdom in the reign of Diocletian.
At Saragosa in Spain, St. Valerius, bishop.
At Cuenca in Spain, the birthday of St. Julian, bishop. He distributed to the poor the goods of the Church, and supported himself by the work of his hands after the example of the Apostles. He died in peace, renowned for miracles.
In the monastery of Reomay in Gaul, the burial of the priest, St. John, a man devoted to God.
In Palestine, St. James, a hermit. After having committed a grave sin, he lived for a long time in a sepulchre for penance. Famed for miracles, he went to the Lord.
The Twenty-ninth Day of January
St. Francis of Sales, Bishop of Geneva, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He is the special patron of all Catholic writers, who explain, promote, or defend Christian Doctrine by publishing journals or other writings in the vernacular. He departed to heaven on December 28, but his feast is observed on this day, the date of the transferal of his body (to Savoy). A duplex feast.
At Treves, the death of blessed Valerius, bishop, a disciple of St. Peter the Apostle.
At Rome, on the Via Nomentana, the holy martyrs Papias and Maurus, soldiers, in the time of the Emperor Diocletian. At their first confession of Christ, Laodicius, the prefect of the city, ordered their mouths to be pounded with stones. After this, they were cast into prison and beaten with clubs; then they were flogged with lead-tipped scourges until they died.
At Perugia, St. Constantine, bishop and martyr. Together with his companions, he received the crown of martyrdom for his defence of the faith under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
At Milan, St. Aquilinus, priest, whose throat was pierced with a sword by the Arians, thus receiving the crown of martyrdom.
At Edessa in Syria, the holy martyrs Sarbellius and his sister Barbea, who were baptized by Bishop Blessed Barsimaeus. They were crowned with martyrdom under Lysias the governor in the persecution of Trajan.
Near Troyes (in Gaul), St. Sabinian, martyr, who was beheaded for the faith of Christ at the command of Aurelian the Emperor.
At Bourges in Aquitaine, St. Sulpicius Severus, bishop, remarkable for his learning and virtues.
The Thirtieth Day of January
At Pisa, in Etruria, Blessed Maria Mancini (widow, who joined the order of Preachers). From childhood, she was devoted to works of piety. Later, when married, she showed the utmost commiseration toward the sick, and finally she entered the religious life where she pursued the path to perfection. A semi-duplex feast.
St. Martina, virgin and martyr, whose birthday is commemorated on January 1. A memory.
At Edessa in Syria, St. Barsimaeus, bishop. After converting many Gentiles to the faith and sending them to their crowns before him, in the reign of Trajan he followed them with the palm of martyrdom.
At Antioch, the suffering of Blessed Hippolytus, priest. For a while he was deceived by the schism of Novatus, but enlightened by grace he returned to the unity of the faith, and in behalf of it completed an illustrious martyrdom. Asked by his people which Church was the true one, he anathematized the doctrine of Novatus, declaring that he would keep the same faith as the See of Peter held. So saying, he presented his throat to the executioner.
In Africa, the suffering of the holy martyrs Felician, Philappian, and one hundred and twenty-four others.
Also Blessed Alexander, who was arrested in the persecution of Decius. He gave up his spirit amid the tortures of the executioners, glorious for his venerable age and his repeated confession (of faith).
At Edessa in Syria, St. Barses, bishop, famous for the power of healing. The Arian Emperor Valens exiled him because of his Catholic faith. His place of exile having been changed three times, each time for a distant region, Barses died of exhaustion.
At Jerusalem, the birthday of St. Mathias, bishop, of whom are told deeds wondrous and full of faith. In the reign of Hadrian, he suffered much for Christ, but at length died in peace.
At Pavia, St. Armentarius, bishop and confessor.
In Maubeuge, in a monastery of Hainault (Belgium), St. Aldegund, virgin, in the time of King Dagobert.
At Viterbo, the virgin St. Hyacintha Mariscotti, nun of the Third Order of St. Francis. She was noted for (her virtues of) penance and charity. Pope Pius VII numbered her among the saints.
At Milan, St. Savina, a most religious woman, who died in the Lord while praying at the tombs of the martyrs SS. Nabor and Felix.
Near Paris, St. Bathildis, queen, famed for the glory of her miracles and her sanctity.
The Thirty-first Day of January
At Turin, the birthday of St. John Bosco, confessor, the founder of the Salesian Congregation and of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. He was outstanding in his zeal for souls and in propagating the faith. Pius XI inscribed him among the saints in 1934. A duplex feast.
At Rome, on the Via Portuensis, the holy martyrs Cyrus and John, who after many torments were beheaded for Christ.
At Alexandria, St. Metranus, martyr, under the Emperor Decius. When he refused the command of the pagans to utter impious words, they beat his entire body with clubs, and bored through his face and eyes with sharp stakes. Then driving him out of the city with fresh tortures, they stoned him to death.
In the same city, the holy martyrs Saturninus, Thyrsus, and Victor.
Also at Alexandria, the holy martyrs Tharsicius, Zoticus, Cyriacus, and their companions.
At Cyzicus in the Hellespont, St. Triphenes, martyr. She endured various torments and was at last killed by a bull, thus meriting the palm of martyrdom.
At Modena, St. Geminianus, bishop, famous for the glory of miracles.
In the province of Milan, St. Julius, priest and confessor, in the time of the Emperor Theodosius.
At Rome, St. Marcella, widow, whose excellent praises Jerome has written.
Also at Rome, blessed Louisa Albertoni, a Roman widow, of the Third Order of St. Francis, renowned for virtues.
On the same day, the transferal of (the body of) St. Mark the Evangelist. His holy body was brought from Alexandria, which was then occupied by the barbarians, to Venice, and was there honorably buried in the great church dedicated to his name.

NOTES
1. This was the abbey of Condate on Mount-Jou (Mount Jura). When St Eugendus died, is was called after him, by his French name, St. Oyend. Then, many centuries later, it was renamed St. Claude.
2. Certain passages in the works of several early Christian writers gave some converts the impression that military service and the teachings of Christ were incompatible. The error was not widespread.
3. See Acts 6:5.
4. Sallust, bishop of Jerusalem, appointed Theodosius head of all the coenobites in Palestine; hence his title Coenobiarch.
5. An ancient savage tribe of Ethiopia.
6. The Greek word kalube means a hut. Because the saint lived for so long in a hut, he became known as the "hut-dweller."
7. Aquae Salviae is now known as Tre Fontane; the monastery is that of SS. Vincent and Anastasius.
8. See Acts, 6:5.
9. The phrase "for a second time" may mean either the octave day of her death, or a second feast in her honor, i.e., her birth into this world. The latter meaning is the more probable.

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