Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Martyrs of Abitinae

The priest Saint Saturninus and his companions (49 martyrs) were fourth century African martyrs who died simply for attending Sunday Mass (in secret and in private homes) from whose recorded testimony Pope Emeritus Benedict once took a quote for his Baptismal homily on the vital Christian need for Holy Mass (and in particular Sunday worship). Here is the quote.

One of the martyrs, being asked why he would risk his life to go to Mass said: sine dominico non possumus. (We can't live without the Lord [without the Lord's day]).

Today is their feast day in Roma Aeterna!

For your further information, here is the Vatican website's Roman Martyrology (Italiano) under the care of the Pontifical Academy Cultorum Martyrum.
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