Sacred Calendar

Roman Martyrology

Roman Martyrology - November 18

At Rome, the Dedication of the basilicas of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. The former, having been enlarged, was on this day solemnly consecrated by Urban VIII.; while the latter, more sumptuously rebuilt after its total destruction by the flames, was solemnly dedicated on the 10th of December by Pius IX., though the festival in commemoration of that event was transferred to this day. — At Antioch, the birthday of St. Romanus, martyr, in the time of the emperor Galerius. When the prefect Asclepiades broke into the churches and strove to destroy them completely, Komanus exhorted the Christians to resist him, and after being subjected to dire torments and the cutting out of his tongue (without which, however, he spoke the praises of God), he was strangled in prison and crowned with a glorious martyrdom. Before him suffered a young boy named Barula, who being asked by him whether it was better to worship one God or several gods, and having answered that we must believe in the one God whom the Christians adore, was scourged and beheaded. — Also, at Antioch, the holy martyr Hesychius, a soldier. Hearing the order that anyone refusing to sacrifice to idols, should lay aside his military belt, he immediately took off his. For this reason, he was precipitated into the river with a large stone tied to his right hand. — The same day, the Saints Oriculus and his companions, who suffered for the Catholic faith, in the persecution of the Vandals. — At Mayence, St. Maximus, bishop, who, after suffering much from the Arians, died a confessor, in the time of Constantius. — At Tours, the departure from this life of blessed Odo, abbot of Cluny. — At Antioch, St. Thomas, a monk honored with an annual solemnity by the people of Antioch, for having obtained the cessation of a pestilence by his prayers. — At Lucca, in Tuscany, the translation of St. Frigdian, bishop and confessor.