July 18 Saint Symphrosa and Her Seven Sons
Symphorosa, a native of Tivoli, wife of the Martyr Getulius, bore him seven sons: Crescentius, Julian, Nemesius, Primitivus, Justin, Stacteus, and Eugenius. Under the emperor Hadrian they were all arrested, together with their mother, on account of their profession of the Christian faith. Their piety was tried by many and various tortures, and, on their remaining constant, the mother, who had taught the faith to her sons, was con-spicuous as their leader on the way to martyrdom. For she was thrown into the river, with a stone tied about her neck. Her brother Eugenius searched for her body and gave it burial. The next day, which was the fifteenth of the Calends of August (July 18), the seven brothers were each tied to stakes, and put to death in dif-ferent ways: Crescentins had his throat run through with a sword; Julian pierced through the breast; Nemesius was struck through the heart; Primitivus was stabbed in the navel; Instin was cut to pieces, limb by limb; Stacteus was transfixed with darts; Eugenius was cut in two parts from the breast. Thus, eight victims most pleas-ing to God were immolated. Their bodies were thrown into a deep pit on the Tiburtian way, at the ninth milestone from the City; they were afterwards transferred to Rome and buried in the church of the holy Angel in the Fish-market.
Ant. The hairs of your head are all numbered: do not be afraid: you are of more value than many sparrows.
V/. The Saints shall rejoice in glory. R/ They shall be joyful in their beds.
Prayer
O God, by whose grace we keep the festival of thy holy Martyrs Symphorosa and her Sons: grant that we may enjoy their fel-lowship in everlasting bliss. Through our Lord.
