SS. NEREUS, ACHILLLEUS, DOMITILLA & PANCRAS "MAY 12" Nereus and Achilleus, baptized by St. Peter and mentioned in the Gospel, were servants of Flavia, niece of the Roman Emperor. Domitilla, the …More
SS. NEREUS, ACHILLLEUS, DOMITILLA & PANCRAS "MAY 12"
Nereus and Achilleus, baptized by St. Peter and mentioned in the Gospel, were servants of Flavia, niece of the Roman Emperor. Domitilla, the grandaughter of Flavia, had vowed her virginity to Christ. These three suffered martyrdom about the year 100. Pancras, when only fourteen years of age, was martyred at Rome, about 304, because he refused to sacrifice to idols. The first church built at Canterbury, England, was dedicated under his patronage by St. Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury. Many pre-Reformation churches with the same dedication still stand in England, and one of the railway stations of London is called "St. Pancras." We should invoke his intercession for the return of the English nation to the Catholic Church. And in commemorating these glorious Martyrs we should remember that our whole purpose, as we learn from the Prayer, is to become more worthy to serve God.
PRAYER
May this happy festival of Thy Martyrs Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras defend us from all evil, O Lord, and may it render us worthy of Thy service. Through our Lord, etc.
(Confraternity of the Precious Blood - 1955)
Nereus and Achilleus, baptized by St. Peter and mentioned in the Gospel, were servants of Flavia, niece of the Roman Emperor. Domitilla, the grandaughter of Flavia, had vowed her virginity to Christ. These three suffered martyrdom about the year 100. Pancras, when only fourteen years of age, was martyred at Rome, about 304, because he refused to sacrifice to idols. The first church built at Canterbury, England, was dedicated under his patronage by St. Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury. Many pre-Reformation churches with the same dedication still stand in England, and one of the railway stations of London is called "St. Pancras." We should invoke his intercession for the return of the English nation to the Catholic Church. And in commemorating these glorious Martyrs we should remember that our whole purpose, as we learn from the Prayer, is to become more worthy to serve God.
PRAYER
May this happy festival of Thy Martyrs Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras defend us from all evil, O Lord, and may it render us worthy of Thy service. Through our Lord, etc.
(Confraternity of the Precious Blood - 1955)