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.

Make a brief examination of conscience before sleep and end the day with an act of contrition.

Roman Martyrology

July 21

At Rome, the holy virgin Praxedes, who was brought up in all chastity and in the knowledge of the divine law. Assiduously attending to watching, prayer and fasting, she rested in Christ, and was buried near her sister Pudentiana, on the Salarian road. — At Babylon, the holy prophet Daniel. — At Marseilles, the birthday of St. Victor, a soldier. Because he refused to serve in the army and sacrifice to idols, he was thrust into prison, where he was visited by an angel, then subjected to various torments, and finally being crushed under a millstone, he ended his martyrdom. With him also suffered three soldiers, Alexander, Felician, and Longinus. — At Troyes, St. Julia, virgin and martyr. — In the same place, the martyrdom of the saints Claudius, Justus, Jucundinus, and five companions, in the time of the emperor Aurelian. — At Comana, in Armenia, the holy bishop and martyr Zoticus,who was crowned under Severus. — At Strasburg, St. Arbogastus, a bishop, renowned for miracles. — In Syria, the holy monk John, a companion of St. Simeon.

Highlighted saint

St. Praxedes

Roman virgin remembered for charity toward martyrs.

St. Praxedes is remembered in Roman devotion as a holy virgin associated with the care of Christians and the reverent gathering of martyrs' blood and remains during persecution.

Her feast teaches that not every witness is made by public speech. Some souls serve Christ by hidden reverence, works of mercy, and fidelity to the suffering members of His Body.

Ask St. Praxedes for reverent charity. In every age, the Church needs souls who quietly gather, honor, and protect what persecution tries to scatter.

Breviary Witness

Hidden charity toward the martyrs.

Matins - St. Praxedes

• The Breviary remembrance of St. Praxedes keeps before the faithful a Roman virgin associated with charity toward Christians suffering under persecution.
• Her witness teaches reverence for the martyrs and hidden service to Christ's suffering members.

Do not despise hidden works of mercy. Some of the Church's most faithful service is quiet, reverent, and known fully to God alone.

Truth of the Faith

Outside the Church There Is No Salvation

All salvation comes through Christ and His Church; no soul is saved by false religion, indifferentism, or separation loved as separation.

Prayer

O Lord, pardon my faults, raise my heart from discouragement, and teach me to begin again under Thy mercy.