The Catholic Church presents to us today, as she did on the 10th of this Month, seven Christian heroes, who in their youth, manifested more than manly firmness in the confession of the true faith. Their names were, Crescentius, Julianus, Nemesius, Primitivus, Justinus, Stacteus, and Eugenius. Symphorosa, their holy and not less heroic mother, was a native of Rome, and wife of Getulius, a Roman general. When in the reign of the Emperor Adrian, a cruel persecution of the Christians arose, she went with Getulius and Amantius, her brother-in-law, and her seven sons, to Tivoli, to strengthen the Christians in the true faith, and to prepare herself for the approaching struggle. The Emperor, informed of this, despatched Cerealis, one of his officers, to Tivoli, to take Getulius and Amantius, and bring them prisoners to Rome. Cerealis, still a heathen, came to execute the imperial command; but convinced by Getulius and Amantius of the truth of the Christian faith, he embraced it; and hence, all three were beheaded by command of the enraged Emperor, after having suffered a long imprisonment, and many cruel tortures.

St. Symphorosa had every reason to believe that she and her children would not long remain unmolested; and as she feared that one or more of her children, owing to their tender age, might be induced to abandon their faith for fear of the tortures, she left Tivoli, and concealed herself for a time in an unfrequented place, in order to gain time to inspire her children with Christian fortitude. She represented to them the priceless grace of dying for Christ's sake, and the glory which awaits martyrs in heaven. The shortness of the pains of martyrdom, and the never-ending rewards of heaven were the chief points which she almost hourly presented to their consideration, while, at the same time, she exhorted them to follow the example of their uncle and their father, and remain faithful to the true faith. One day, she asked Eugenius, the youngest, what he would do in case he were forced either to sacrifice to the gods, or to be whipped and torn with scourges. The innocent little child answered manfully: "Dear mother, I would rather be torn in pieces than sacrifice to the devils." "But," said his mother, addressing all the children, "would you not be frightened if the executioner would seize you, threatening to kill you all most cruelly? Would you not shrink, if they were to place before your eyes fire, swords, the rack, and other instruments of torture? Oh! I fear, my beloved children, I fear that you would lose courage and forsake Christ." "No, no, dear mother," said Crescentius, "fear not; I, and all my brothers promise to thee that there shall be nothing dreadful enough to conquer us and cause us to become faithless to Jesus Christ." Greatly comforted, the pious mother admonished them to pray that God might give them the strength they needed to suffer for Him; a prayer which she herself ceaselessly sent up to the throne of the Most High. Not long after, her anticipations were realized.

Adrian had her and her children apprehended and brought before him, and commanded them immediately to sacrifice to the gods, or to prepare themselves for a most cruel death. The fearless heroine replied: "There is no need of further preparations, of further consideration. My resolution is taken; I will not sacrifice to idols, and I have only one wish, to give my life for Him who has given His for me." The tyrant, who had not expected this answer, was doubly enraged, and commanded her to be taken to the temple of the idols, and to be hung up by the hair of the head, after having been most cruelly buffeted. This command was immediately executed. Symphorosa, during this torture, courageously said to her children: " Be not terrified, my children, at my sufferings; I bear it joyfully; joyfully do I give my life for Christ's sake. Remain steadfast. Fight bravely. Remember the example your father gave you; look at me, your mother, and follow in our footsteps. This suffering is short, but the glory prepared for us will be everlasting." With such words, the Christian mother fortified her children who were willing to conduct themselves according to her precepts. The tyrant who would no longer listen to Symphorosa's exhortations, ordered her to be cast into the river, with a great stone fastened around her neck. In this manner ended her glorious martyrdom, in the 138th year of the Christian Era.

On the following day, her seven sons were brought before the Emperor, who represented to them that, as they had neither father nor mother, he would adopt them as his own children and provide for them most bountifully, if they would obey him and sacrifice to the gods. Should they, however, prove as obstinate as their parents had been, they had nothing to expect but torments and death. "This is what we desire," answered Crescentius," that we, like our parents, may die for the sake of Christ. Neither promises, nor threats, nor torments can make us faithless to Christ." The Emperor, being unwilling to put his menaces immediately into execution, still endeavored to win over the children, alternately by promises and threats; but finding all unavailing, he ordered seven stakes to be raised in the idolatrous temple, to which the seven valiant confessors of Christ were tied, and tormented in all possible ways. Their limbs were stretched until they were dislocated, and the witnesses of these awful scenes were filled with compassion. The pain must have been most dreadful; but there was not one of these young heroes who did not praise God, and rejoice in his suffering. The tyrant, ashamed of being conquered by children, ordered an end to be made of their torments, which was accordingly done in various ways. Crescentius had his throat cut with a dagger; Julianus was stabbed in the breast with a sword; Nemesius was pierced through the heart, and Primitivus through the lower part of his body. Justinus was cut in pieces; Stacteus shot with arrows, and Eugenius, the youngest, was cut in two.

Thus gloriously died the seven sons of St. Symphorosa, reminding us of the illustrious martyrdom of the several Machabees, in the reign of the wicked King Antiochus.



This day is also the feast of the holy Bishop and martyr, St. Frederic. He was born in Friesland and was piously educated by his parents. When a boy, it was his delight to listen to sermons, and he would relate at home what he had learned at church. His conduct was always retiring and virtuous; and as he became older, the progress he made in all the higher branches of learning gained him the esteem of every one. Ricfridus, bishop of Utrecht, instructed him in spiritual perfection, and when his holy teacher died, Frederic was chosen bishop of Utrecht and thus became his teacher's successor. Installed in his new dignity, he evinced great zeal in converting sinners and abolishing abuses, which eventually gained him the crown of martyrdom. Surius relates that the holy Bishop reproved King Louis, on account of his unlawful marriage, as St. John had reproved King Herod, at first with mildness, but later with episcopal severity. The King seemed at one time to recognize and repent of his faults, but incited by the wicked woman, he gave orders to put the Bishop secretly to death. The murder was committed in the church, after the Saint had offered the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is said, that having received his death-wound, he himself advised the murderers to seek safety in flight; after which, having given his last admonitions to his people, who came in crowds to him, he peacefully resigned his soul to God. His holy body exhaled a refreshing fragrance, and many, who in their need took refuge at his tomb, obtained help immediately through his intercession.

I. You no doubt admire the fortitude with which St. Symphorosa and her sons suffered cruel pains and even death, rather than offend God by forsaking the true faith. You also believe that in this they acted rightly, and that they could not act otherwise, if they wished to obtain salvation. Why then are you so easily tempted by satan and wicked people to offend the Majesty of the Most High, especially as your case and that of St. Symphorosa and her children are so widely different? Is it not your duty to avoid all offences to God and rather to die than to sin, as it was the duty of these Saints? You say frequently with your mouth, especially in the confessional, that you will rather die than commit sin: but how often have you already deceived your God and your Confessor? And when will you cease this deceit? I am willing to believe that you are tempted to sin by bad people and by evil spirits; but are these temptations to be compared with those which St. Symphorosa and her sons had to overcome? If they could resist and conquer, why can you not do the same? Be ashamed before your God, and this day resolve to manifest more fortitude in resisting temptations. Say, and this time with the firm resolution to keep your word: "Yes, rather die, than offend the Almighty! "

II. It was St. Frederic's delight even in his childhood, to listen to sermons, and he related at home what he had learned in church. Oh! that all parents would imprint on the hearts of their children a great esteem for the word of God, and enjoin them frequently to go and hear it; but at the same time require them to give an account of what they have heard. How different would be the conduct of the young, if this were done! But when the parents themselves neglect hearing the word of God, and set not a good example to their children, what is the result? We have it daily before our eyes. The children grow up without that knowledge which as Christians they ought to possess. There is no foundation laid for a truly Christian life; hence, it is quite natural that the children neither avoid sin, nor do good, and thus become a prey to vice. Christian Parents! awaken from your sloth and fulfill your duties! Manifest a constant zeal in hearing the word of God, and inspire the same into your children. Follow the example of St. Frederic's parents, and let your children relate to you, when they come from church, what they recollect of the sermon. Our pious forefathers acted in this manner; why should we not do the same? The salvation of your children, yes, your own salvation, should prompt you to do this. "Among the means to preserve the innocence of the heart (especially in the young), one of the most important is frequently to listen to the word of God," says St. Isidore.

O heavenly Father, Who commandest us to love, obey, respect, and honor our parents, grant that I may always comply with this Thy command, by being ever faithful in the performance of all it enjoins, and in never doing any thing contrary thereunto.

May I ever deny myself, in all lawful things, to please my parents, and obey them in whatever they can justly require or expect from me. Let me never contradict them, nor so dispute against their proposals as to make them uneasy. May I always consult them in all that concerns them or myself. May I ever be deaf to those who suggest the despising or neglecting of my parents' advice. May I never afflict them by following bad counsel, wicked company, or any evil ways. May I always study to be their comfort, in recompense for all the care, trouble, and love they have had for me. May I never show impatience at their infirmities, much less mock at any weakness to which they are subject.

Direct me, O my God, in every thing relating to my duty, and suffer no change of circumstances to withdraw me from it. May I in no lawful concern whatever offend my parents on earth, or displease Thee, my Father, Who art in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.