Martyrs (Second Century)
In 2019, April 14 is celebrated as Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and the beginning of Holy Week.As a way of honoring the Passion of Christ and the witness of the martyrs, all of the saints highlighted in these reflections during this Holy Week will be among those who offered their lives for Christ.
Their story
+ According to the ancient (but legendary) Acts of St. Cecilia, Valerian was Saint Cecilia’s husband, and the brother of Saint Tibertius. Maximus was a solider or official who was martyred with Valerian and Tibertius.
+ Although the historical facts of the lives and deaths of these martyrs are shrouded in mystery, it is known that three early martyrs of this name were buried in the Catacombs of Saint Praetextatus.
+ The Orthodox Church honors these martyrs with Saint Cecilia on November 22.
For reflection
“Christ became obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.”—Philippians 2:8-9
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering
and so merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Collect for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...