Feast Of The Seven Holy Brothers

During the persecution decreed by Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-168), seven brothers, sons of the saintly Felicitas, were tempted to renounce their Christian faith; the prefect Publius first used flattery, then resorted to atrocious torments. But they remained steadfast, and their mother encouraged them in confessing Christ. Different types of death were allotted them. Januarius died under the scourge; Felix and Philip were beaten with clubs; Silanus was cast from a rock; Alexander, Vitalis and Martial were beheaded. Four months later their mother, too, suffered martyrdom. Burial took place in different cemeteries. During the eighth century Silanus and his mother were taken to the Church of St. Susanna at Rome, where they still rest. Alexander came into the possession of the abbey church of Farfa.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.

Today is also the feast day of the Virgin Martyrs, Rufina and Secunda, daughters of a wealthy Roman. They refused to marry two suitors who had apostatized from the Christian religion. They were scourged and beheaded a century after the Seven Holy Brothers and St. Felicitas.

Catholics and other Christians are still persecuted in today's world. Most of us don't have to give up our lives for our faith, although some do. Please pray for those who are persecuted for their Christian faith all over the world.

Pope Benedict's prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan for the Christians in China could apply to all Christians who are persecuted.

He says in the prayer:
Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China,
who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.
May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world,
and of the world to Jesus.
In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high,
offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love,
ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever.
Amen!