September 1, 2020: THE HOLY TWELVE BROTHERS

September 1, 2020: COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY TWELVE BROTHERS, MARTYRS

For to them belongs the kingdom of heaven, who despising the life of this world, have obtained the rewards of the kingdom, and washed their garments in the blood of the lamb.

Rejoice in the Lord, and be glad ye righteous ones. And glory all ye upright of heart.

Prayer (Collect).

May the festival, O Lord, of these brothers and martyrs, bring joy to thy people, improve us in all virtues, and comfort us by their joint prayers. 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.

Beneventum offers to our homage twelve brothers martyrs, natives of Africa, who suffered in divers places, but whose bodies she glories in possessing.

There were twelve brothers, fearing God, and worshipping Christ at Carthage, by name Donatus, Felix, Arontius, Honoratus, Fortunatus, Sabinian, Septimius, Januarius, another Felix, Vitalis, Sator, and Repositus. They were captured at Adrumetium, where they had taken refuge until the tyranny of persecution had overpassed, and were brought to Carthage, where they were tortured; and, because they would not renounce Christ, they were sent to Italy chained together by the neck. Arontius, Honoratus, Fortunatus, and Sabinian were decapitated at Potentia on the 27th of August. Next day, August 28th, Januarius and Felix were executed at Venusia. On the following day, Vitalis, Sator, and Repositus suffered at Velinianum. Donatus and Felix were martyred on the 1st of September at Sentianum. The relics of all were afterwards translated to Beneventum, where they now repose.

Taken from: The Liturgical Year - Time after Pentecost, Vol. V, Edition 1910;
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 1, 2020: St. Giles, Abbot.

Ye Holy Twelve Brothers, pray for us.