First Matyrs of Rome– 30th June 2023

Nero became the emperor of Rome in 54. About 10 years later, he began to persecute the Christians. When a terrible fire broke out in the city, Nero accused the Christians of causing it. He increased his efforts to destroy them. Nero had Christians covered with pitch and set on fire to light the way for his night drive through the park. He had some Christians sewn into animal skins and left in the woods so that he and his guests could go hunting for them. In the two centuries after Nero, thousands of Christians were put to death. These martyrs died before Sts. Peter and Paul, and are called “disciples of the Apostles. . . whom the Holy Roman church sent to theirLordbefore the Apostles’ death.” All these unnamed martyrs are honored on the day after the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

O Jesus Christ, the first martyrs of the Church of Rome were unnamed Catholics who were brutally killed by Nero. They were forced to wear animal skins and hunted, and they were made into living torches to brighten the road on which Nero traveled. I ask these martyrs to pray for me when I am in fear.
Give me strength, O Lord, from their example of courage. Deliver me from all the fears I have: the petty ones, the hidden ones, and the most paralyzing ones. Fear causes us to believe lies about ourselves and stops us from growing, but Your love casts out all fear. Help me to “be not afraid!” Holy first martyrs of the Church of Rome, pray for me.
Amen.

Reflection

Wherever the Good News of Jesus was preached, it met the same opposition as Jesus did, and many of those who began to follow him shared his suffering and death. But no human force could stop the power of the Spirit unleashed upon the world. The blood of martyrs has always been, and will always be, the seed of the Catholics.

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE FIRST MARTYRS OF HOLY ROMAN CHURCH

O God, who consecrated
the abundant first fruits of the Roman Church
by the blood of the Martyrs,
grant, we pray, that with firm courage
we may together draw strength from so great a struggle
and ever rejoice at the triumph of faithful love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer

O Jesus Christ, the first martyrs of the Church of Rome were unnamed Christians who were brutally killed by Nero. They were forced to wear animal skins and hunted, and they were made into living torches to brighten the road on which Nero traveled. I ask these martyrs to pray for me when I am in fear.
Give me strength, O Lord, from their example of courage. Deliver me from all the fears I have: the petty ones, the hidden ones, and the most paralyzing ones. Fear causes us to believe lies about ourselves and stops us from growing, but Your love casts out all fear. Help me to “be not afraid!” Holy first martyrs of the Church of Rome, pray for me.
Amen.

Prayer

God, You consecrated the copious first Fruits of the Roman Church with the blood of Martyrs.
Grant that we may be strengthened in virtue by the agony of such a struggle and always rejoice in their victory. Amen.

COLLECT

O God, who consecrated
the abundant first fruits of the Roman Church
by the blood of the Martyrs,
grant, we pray, that with firm courage
we may together draw strength from so great a struggle
and ever rejoice at the triumph of faithful love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.