Subj : =?UTF-8?Q?May_24th_=E2=80=93_SS=2E_Donatian_and_Rogatian=2C_Martyrs?= To : All From : rich Date : Thu May 23 2019 09:38:18 From: rich May 24th =E2=80=93 SS. Donatian and Rogatian, Martyrs Died about 287 DURING the reign of the Emperor Maximian there was living at Nantes in Brittany a young man called Donatian who belonged to a prominent Romano-Gallic family and was a zealous Christian. After the outbreak of persecution his elder brother Rogatian was moved by his example and piety to desire baptism, but the sacrament was deferred because the bishop was in hiding. The emperor had issued an edict directing that all who refused to sacrifice to Jupiter and Apollo should be put to death. Upon the arrival of the prefect at Nantes, Donatian was brought before him on the charge of professing Christianity and of withdrawing others--notably his brother--from the worship of the gods. He made a bold confession and was cast into prison, where he was soon joined by Rogatian who, in the face of cajolery and threats, had remained constant to his newly-found faith. He only grieved that he had not been baptized, but he prayed that the kiss of peace which he had received from his brother might supply the necessary grace. He was destined to receive the baptism of blood. They spent the night together in fervent prayer and were brought up again the following day before the prefect, to whom they expressed their willingness to suffer for the name of Christ whatever torments might be in store for them. By his order they were tortured on the rack, their heads were pierced with lances, and they were finally decapitated. The two martyrs are greatly venerated at Nantes where they are popularly known as =E2=80=9CLes Enfants Nantais=E2=80=9D. A few of their reputed relics are preserved in a church dedicated in their honour. The comparatively sober passio of these martyrs has been included in the Acta Sincera of Ruinart. This may be read also in the Acta Sanctorum, May, vol. v, and another redaction has been printed in the Analecta Bollandiana, vol. viii (1889), pp. 163-164. Though it is impossible to regard the text as the report of a contemporary, still it cannot be treated as a mere romance. Mgr Duchesne, who touches upon the matter in his Fastes =C3=89piscopaux (vol. ii, pp. 359-361), remarks that in the whole of western Gaul these are the only martyrs whose death can confidently be assigned to the Roman persecutions. =C2 See further A. de la Borderie, Histoire de Bretagne, vol. i, pp. 187-194; Delanoue, S. Donatien et S. Rogatien (1904); G. Mollat in Annales de Bretagne, vol. xxii (1907), pp. 205-213; and J. B. Russon, La passion des Enfants nantais (1945). H. Leclercq also discussed the question at some length in DAC., vol. xii (1935), cc. 628-634, giving abundant bibliographical references. Saint Quote: "A single act of uniformity with the divine will suffices to make a saint." --St. Alphonsus de Liguori <><><><> The words of God are to be heard with humility, and many weigh them not It is astonishing to witness how much men undertake, urged on by vain and deceitful hope, to obtain temporal and perishable goods, and how very little they do to obtain spiritual and eternal rewards, though encouraged by a solid and certain hope founded upon the word of God, which never fails. The prospect of interest, or the uncertain hope of riches, animates every heart, enhances every pleasure, dries up every tear, lightens every labor; and we think ourselves well repaid for our trouble when we have acquired the honor, the pleasure, or the advantage we had in view. The hope of Heaven alone, the prospect of eternal happiness, which may be obtained by patience and good works, animates us not, it neither supports nor consoles us: we are as much cast down and discouraged at the thought of gaining Heaven by patient suffering as though we esteemed it of no value. Whence comes this? It is because we are too much attached to things present and too indifferent about the things to come. Our hope is faint because our faith is weak. Prayer: What confusion for me, O Lord, that I should give myself so much trouble to please the world and to gratify my passions, and take so little pains to satisfy Thy justice by works of penance, or Thy goodness by punctuality in the discharge of my duties! Alas! why do I not undergo as much for Thee as for myself? Why is not my ardor to please Thee as fervent as my eagerness to gratify myself? Change, O Lord, change the object and inclinations of my heart. Take Thou the place of self within me, and grant that my love for Thee may be as ardent to please Thee as my own self-love is to satisfy myself. Give me such a love for Thee as may be called a love of reparation, that is, such as may, by its ardor and constancy, make amends for the languor and inconstancy of mine. Amen. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .