September 15, 2019: ST. NICOMEDES

September 15, 2019: COMMEMORATION OF ST. NICOMEDES, MARTYR

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him.”
(James, i. 12)

Prayer (Collect).

Be merciful, O Lord, to thy people, that being improved by the singular virtues of blessed Nicomedes thy Martyr, they may have the continual assistance of his prayers, for the obtaining thy mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

The fame of S. Nicomede is better established than the facts of his martyrdom. A catacomb at Rome was called after him, a church dedicated to him which gave a title to one of the parishes of Rome, and his name is found in the most ancient kalendars. But no reliance whatever can be placed on either of the narratives of his martyrdom. According to the first, he was a priest of Rome, who was arrested whilst burying the body of S. Felicul, foster-sister of S. Petronilla (May 31). S. Felicula suffered A.D. 81. He was beaten with leaded whips till he died, and his body was flung into the Tiber, but was rescued by his deacon, and buried in the catacomb that has since borne his name… S. Nicomede is represented in art with a club.

Taken from: The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, Vol. X; and
The Divine Office for the use of the Laity, Volume II, 1806.

September 15, 2019: Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Nicomedes, pray for us.