The Daily Pilgrimage

Today in the Roman year

Pentecost teaches that the Holy Ghost does not create private religious enthusiasm detached from doctrine, worship, and authority. He gathers, sends, teaches, and strengthens the visible Church. The remnant must therefore seek fire without disorder and zeal without novelty.

Read the day's observance slowly, then ask what virtue it requires of you.

Roman Martyrology

July 10

At Rome, the martyrdom of the seven holy brothers, sons of the saintly martyr Felicitas, namely, Januarius, Felix, Philip, Sylvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial, in the time of the emperor Antoninus, under Publius, prefect of the city. Januarius, after being scourged with rods and detained in prison, died under the blows inflicted with leaded whips. Felix and Philip were scourged to death, Sylvanus was thrown headlong from an eminence. Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial were condemned to capital punishment. — Also, at Rome, in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus, the holy virgins and martyrs Eufina and Secunda, sisters, who, after being subjected to torments, the one having her head split open, the other being decapitated, departed for heaven. Their bodies are kept with due honor in the Lateran Basilica, near the baptistery. — In Africa, the holy martyrs Januarius, Marinus, Nabor, and Felix, who were beheaded. — At Nicopolis, in Armenia, the holy martyrs Leontius, Mauritius, Daniel, and their companions, who after being tortured in different manners, were finally cast into the fire, and thus terminated their long martyrdom, in the time of the emperor Licinius and the governor Lysias. — In Pisidia, the holy martyrs Bianor and Silvanus, who merited an immortal crown by being decapitated, after enduring most bitter torments for the name of Christ. — At Iconium, St. Apollonius, martyr, who consummated his glorious martyrdom by death on the cross. — At Ghent, St. Amelberga, virgin.

Highlighted saint

Seven Holy Brothers

Martyrs formed under St. Felicitas.

The Seven Holy Brothers, sons of St. Felicitas, suffered at Rome under Antoninus. The Roman remembrance preserves their names as Januarius, Felix, Philip, Sylvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial.

Their mother saw them crowned before she herself received martyrdom. Their feast teaches that Catholic formation in the home can become courage under persecution: faith handed on, fidelity shared, and blood offered rather than incense to the world.

Ask the Seven Holy Brothers for households that can suffer together for Christ. A family is safest when it belongs first to God.

Breviary Witness

A household crowned by martyrdom.

Matins - Seven Holy Brothers

• The Breviary keeps the Seven Holy Brothers as sons of St. Felicitas who suffered for Christ at Rome: Januarius, Felix, Philip, Sylvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial.
• Their mother's fidelity and their crowns teach that Catholic formation in the home can become courage under persecution.

Pray for families that can suffer without surrendering truth. Homes become strong when Christ is loved more than safety.

Truth of the Faith

The Papacy Serves the Faith It Receives

The Roman Primacy exists to guard, confirm, and govern in the apostolic faith; it is not license to create another religion.

Prayer

O Lord, keep the faithful in the Church's holy memory, and let this day's feast, feria, or witness draw my soul nearer to Thee.