IV. SUNDAY OF LENT (LAETARE SUNDAY); The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
Month of Saint Joseph.
(Novena to Saint Joseph starts TODAY!)
According to Dom Prosper Guéranger, this "rose Sunday" is the transferred celebration of mid-Lent, on which there would be a small relaxation (the Collect of the Mass asks God for a "respiro", a breathing space) of the penances of Lent. The actual mid-Lent day was last Wednesday, but no self-respecting and God-fearing Christian would break the fast during the week, especially on Wednesday. So, it was transferred to this Sunday. Now, as your mouth waters for your piece of chocolate cake, please do keep in mind the difference between the rigors of the penance they lived (everyday a fast day; every day a day of abstinence from meat, eggs, lard, milk, alcohol, sweets, and sex) compared to what you are doing this Lent. Then plan your "relaxation" accordingly. 😉
Also on this date (March 10) are celebrated the amazing group of 40 Roman soldiers who were martyred for the Faith. Here is what the Roman Martyrology relates about them, whose actual "birthday" (day of their martyrdom) was yesterday:
"At Sebaste in Armenia, the birthday of the forty holy Cappadocian soldiers, who in the time of the Emperor Licinius, under the governor Agricolaus, endured fetters in the foulest prisons. Their faces were cut with stones, and they were ordered in the coldest season of the winter to lie naked in the open all night upon a frozen pond, where their bodies, covered with ice, disintegrated. At length they consummated martyrdom by the breaking of their legs. Among them the most renowned were Cyrion and Candidus. Saint Basil and the other Fathers have recorded the glorious exploits of them all. Their feast is kept on the day following [i.e., March 10th]."
And here is what Father Butler writes for their entry in his Lives--
THE FORTY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE were soldiers quartered at Sebaste in Armenia, about the year 320. When their legion was ordered to offer sacrifice they separated themselves from the rest and formed a company of martyrs. After they had been torn by scourges and iron hooks they were chained together and led to a lingering death. It was a cruel winter, and they were condemned to lie naked on the icy surface of a pond in the open air till they were frozen to death. But they ran undismayed to the place of their combat, joyfully stripped off their garments, and with one voice besought God to keep their ranks unbroken. “Forty,” they cried, “we have come to combat: grant that forty may be crowned.” There were warm baths hard by, ready for any one amongst them who would deny Christ. The soldiers who watched saw angels descending with thirty-nine crowns, and, while he wondered at the deficiency in the number, one of the confessors lost heart, renounced his faith, and, crawling to the fire, died body and soul at the spot where he expected relief. But the soldier was inspired to confess Christ and take his place, and again the number of forty was complete. They remained steadfast while their limbs grew stiff and frozen, and died one by one. Among the Forty there was a young soldier who held out longest against the cold, and when the officers came to cart away the dead bodies they found him still breathing. They were moved with pity, and wanted to leave him alive in the hope that he would still change his mind. But his mother stood by, and this valiant woman could not bear to see her son separated from the band of martyrs. She exhorted him to persevere, and lifted his frozen body into the cart. He was just able to make a sign of recognition, and was borne away, to be thrown into the flames with the dead bodies of his brethren.
Reflection.-- All who live the life of grace are one in Christ. But besides this there are many specialties--of religious life, of community life, or at least of aspirations in prayer and pious works. Thank God if He has bound you to others by these spiritual ties; remember the character you have to support, and pray that the bond which unites you here may last for eternity.
- Fr. D.B. Thompson