June 2 2025 - Sts. Marcellinus and Peter - Martyrs of the Roman Canon

 In the celebration of the Mass, one of the reasons that I like to use the Roman Canon, the first Eucharistic prayer, is because it contains those two lists of saints. Following the invocation of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, the priest lists of the apostles, then the first popes of rome, then a number of the Roman martyrs including a martyred deacon, a lay catechist, and two sets of martyred siblings.

After the consecration, there is another set of martyrs beginning with those whose names we find in the scriptures: John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, and Barnabas. Then our own patron, Ignatius of Antioch, martyred in Rome, followed by another Pope, Alexander the first, fifth Pope of Rome, and then the two saints we honor today: Saints Marcellinus and Peter.

As you know, for the first three hundred years of our faith, our faith was persecuted throughout the Roman Empire. Some of those persecutions were fiercer than others. Well, around the year 284, the most severe of the persecutions was led by the Emperor Diocletian--known as the Great Persecution. Around 3,000−3,500 Christians were executed under the authority of Imperial edicts.

Around 303, the Great Persecution reached its fiercest point. And it was then that the two saints honored today were killed. The first was Peter. Peter had been instituted in the minor Order of Exorcist. And while in prison, Peter performed an exorcism on the daughter of the prison-keeper. This demonstration of Christ's power over demons is said to have brought about the conversion of the daughter, the prison-keeper, his wife, and the entire household--all of whom were baptized by the second saint honored today, the Roman priest Marcellinus.

And the conversions continued. The pair were so successful in converting their fellow prisoners, that the Roman authorities didn’t want to risk a public execution, lest their deaths inspire even more conversions. So Marcellinus and Peter were taken to a forest in the middle of the night, forced to dig their own graves, and beheaded.

I don’t usually use the first Eucharistic prayer on weekdays. But I will today, in honor of these two heroes of the faith, whose courage inspires us to spread the Gospel, to witness to the Lord, to become instruments of God, whether in prison, or in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Saints Marcellinus and Peter, pray for us. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

- - -  

Trusting in the Lord who strengthened Saints Marcellinus and Peter in time of trial, let us offer our prayers for the needs of the Church and the world.

For the holy Church of God—that, inspired by the martyrs, she may hold fast to the apostolic faith and proclaim Christ with confidence even amid opposition. 

For civil leaders and those in authority—that they protect religious freedom and uphold the dignity of every person, and for all who are persecuted for their Christian witness today, may they be defended by God’s grace and become shining signs of hope.

For those entrusted with the ministry of exorcism, may they serve as courageous instruments of God’s deliverance of the oppressed, and for the conversion of sinners and the strengthening of the lukewarm—that the witness of the martyrs may rouse hearts to repentance, baptismal renewal, and zeal for evangelization. 

For those imprisoned, forgotten, or isolated, for the sick, the suffering, and all the afflicted—that Christ, who conquered sin and death, may grant them strength, healing, and peace.

For our beloved dead—may they be welcomed into the company of the saints and behold God face-to-face. 

God of strength and mercy, You sustained Your martyrs Marcellinus and Peter in the hour of trial; hear our prayers and grant that, like them, we may remain faithful witnesses to Your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

November 22 2017 - St. Cecilia - Singing joyfully amidst persecution

Having been involved in singing in choirs both in high school and in seminary, I came to develop a devotion to St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. And so when I visited Rome for the first time, one of the first Churches I made sure to visit was the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere. The church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is reputedly built on the site of the house in which she lived; the original church was constructed in the fourth century

St. Cecilia is one of the most famous Roman martyrs, her name is listed in the Roman Canon along with Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, and Anastasia.

The daughter of wealthy Christian family of Rome, Cecilia was promised in marriage to a Pagan man, despite an inner vow of virginity she had made to God. On the night of the wedding, she told her husband that God had set an angel over her to guard her virginity. Quite skeptical, of course, Valerian asked to see the angel. He saw the angel, and quickly went to the Pope to be baptized.
Cecilia’s holiness became a cause for many Roman pagans to seek conversion. But soon, she attracted the attention of the authorities; she was arrested and sentenced to death. Throughout her tortures, which lasted for three days, she sang God’s praises, which is why she is the patron saint of music.

Why was Cecilia so revered by the early Roman Church? Why is she revered still today?

St. Cecilia, the virgin martyr, singing God’s praises in the midst of persecution and torture, gives us example for the persecutions we must each face. The Lord promised that each of us would have to face our own persecution, that each of us would be misunderstood, mocked, even hated for the faith. And Cecilia reminds us that the Christian faces these persecutions joyfully, knowing that they lead to espousal with the Lord, eternal union with God in heaven.

If you cannot imagine facing persecution joyfully, pray for that grace—the grace to remain faithful and even joyful when your faith is tested, that in the moment of trial, your heart might be gladdened with the knowledge, that what suffer for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - -
 
For all Christians, that as they experience persecution for the faith, they may know the closeness and love of the Lord and remain true to the Gospel.

Through the intercession of St. Cecilia, we pray for all musicians, that they may use their gifts and talents not for their own sake, but for the glory of God.

For peace to reign in the hearts of all preparing to gather for the Thanksgiving holiday and for the safety of all travelers.

That our young people may grow in a deep love of the Lord and his commands and be preserved from the errors of the world.

For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, or for those who will die today.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.