English: Saint Abdon and Saint Sennen.
Catalan: Sants Abdó i Senén.
Artist: Jaume Huguet (1459-1460).
Source/Photographer: Catholic Culture
Collection: Santa Maria de Terrassa.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Translated out of Latin into English by
John, Marquess of Bute, K.T.
Volume II.
Summer.
1879.
Feast Day 30 July.
Simple.
Red Vestments.
All from the Simple Office for Many Martyrs, (Page 841 of this Breviary), except the following.
Third Lesson.
Abdon and Sennen were Persians. In the reign of the Emperor Decius, they were accused of interring, on their own farm, the bodies of Christians, which had been thrown out unburied.
The Emperor commanded them to be arrested and ordered to sacrifice to the gods. This they refused to do, and persistently preached that Jesus Christ is God, whereupon they were put into strict confinement.
When Decius afterwards returned to Rome, he had them led in chains in his triumph. Being thus dragged into the City and up to the idols, they abhorred and spat upon them, for which they were cast to bears and lions; the beasts were afraid to touch them.
They were butchered with the sword, and the corpses, with their feet bound together, were dragged before the image of the Sun.
Thence, they were stolen away, and the Deacon, Quirinus, buried them in his own house.
Prayer throughout the Office.
O God, Who didst give unto Thy Saints Abdon and Sennen the abundant grace whereby to attain unto this glory, grant unto Thy servants the remission of all their sins, that with the pleading of the worthy deeds of Thy Saints, they may worthily be delivered from all things hurtful.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of The Holy Ghost, one God, World without end.
Amen.
Vespers are of the following Feast of Saint Ignatius, Confessor (31 July).
It is so interesting that SS Abdon & Sennon, like many other great Catholic martyrs (SS Pudenziana & Prasseda for example), were arrested and charged with crimes for the respectful burying the Christian dead. From earliest times, the reverent burial of the Christian dead in anticipation of the Resurrection was obviously so important.
ReplyDeletePermit the writer to note: It is in mordant contrast with today, where in the modern Novus Ordo Church, persons are "burned up" (cremated), as if to wipe out their memory, let alone maintaining a respectful place for their awaiting the Resurrection; in the opinion of this writer, an abomination, a denial that Our Lord will come again and indeed raise the dead to life--- and also entirely unnecessary for "sustainability" (one of the specious arguments against cemeteries).
Requiescant in pace, O blessed Christian dead. "Blessed the dead who die in the Lord." "Yes, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." Rev. 14:13 -Note by Dante P
Thank You, Dante P, for your most interesting and pertinent Comment. Much valued and appreciated. May The Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen.
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