July 10
Seven Brothers, Martyrs, and Sts Rufina and Secunda, Virgins and Martyrs
Friday of the 6th Week after Pentecost
Today, according to the traditional 1962 Roman calendar, is dedicated to the commemoration of the Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs, together with Saints Rufina and Secunda, Virgins and Martyrs. The Seven Brothers—named in some ancient lists as Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial—were martyred in Rome for their unwavering faith during one of the early persecutions of Christians, with tradition often linking them to the third century, possibly under the persecutions of Emperor Decius or Valerian. Their legend is closely entwined with that of their mother, St. Felicitas, who is traditionally celebrated on November 23, but here her sons are honored for their courageous witness to the faith: each is believed to have suffered a distinct form of martyrdom, yet all persevered in fidelity to Christ. While historical detail is scarce and hagiographical in nature, the steadfastness of these young men was celebrated in Rome from ancient times, and their veneration was particularly prominent in the early Roman Church, as the existence of ancient tombs and dedications attest.
This day also commemorates Saints Rufina and Secunda, sisters in the nobility of Rome, who, likewise, were martyred—tradition says in the mid-third century—refusing to renounce their Christian faith or betray fellow believers. Their story, also wrapped in some legendary elements, powerfully illustrates the fortitude and charity expected of Christian virgins facing persecution. The combined commemoration of these martyrs on July 10 in the Vetus Ordo reflects the ancient Roman practice of grouping martyrs by the day of their burial or the dedication of their relics; both groups are closely tied to the city of Rome, and their cult was important in the life of the Roman Church, featuring in early martyrologies and in the prayers of the Canon of the Mass.
Through their example, the faithful of every age are reminded of the call to steadfastness in the face of trial, and of the sacrifice by which the early Church was nurtured. This is the feast observed today in the traditional (1962) Roman calendar.
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Local variations
- Africa — St. Marciana, virgin and martyr
The liturgical day
IntroitPs 112:2
Latin
Ps 112:1; 112:9
Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum, laudáte nomen Dómini: qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, matrem filiórum lætántem.
Ps 112:2
Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum: ex hoc nunc, ei usque in sǽculum.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum, laudáte nomen Dómini: qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, matrem filiórum lætántem.
English
Ps 112:1, 9
Praise the Lord, you children, praise the name of the Lord. He establishes in her home the barren wife as the joyful mother of children.
Ps 112:2
Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise the Lord, you children, praise the name of the Lord. He establishes in her home the barren wife as the joyful mother of children.
Collect
Latin
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui gloriósos Mártyres fortes in sua confessióne cognóvimus, pios apud te in nostra intercessióne sentiámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that we who know how courageously Your holy Martyrs have confessed the faith, may experience their goodness as they intercede for us with You.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
LessonProv 31:10-31
Latin
Léctio libri Sapiéntiæ
Prov 31:10-31
Mulíerem fortem quis invéniet? Procul et de últimis fínibus prétium eius. Confídit in ea cor viri sui, et spóliis non indigébit. Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, ómnibus diébus vitæ suæ. Quæsívit lanam et linum, et operáta est consílio mánuum suárum. Facta est quasi navis institóris, de longe portans panem suum. Et de nocte surréxit, dedítque prædam domésticis suis, et cibária ancíllis suis. Considerávit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu mánuum suárum plantávit víneam. Accínxit fortitúdine lumbos suos, et roborávit bráchium suum. Gustávit, et vidit, quia bona est negotiátio eius: non exstinguétur in nocte lucérna eius. Manum suam misit ad fórtia, et dígiti eius apprehendérunt fusum. Manum suam apéruit ínopi, et palmas suas exténdit ad páuperem. Non timébit dómui suæ a frigóribus nivis: omnes enim doméstici eius vestíti sunt duplícibus. Stragulátam vestem fecit sibi: byssus et púrpura induméntum eius. Nóbilis in portis vir eius, quando séderit cum senatóribus terræ. Síndonem fecit et véndidit, et cíngulum trádidit Chananǽo. Fortitúdo et decor induméntum eius, et ridébit in die novíssimo. Os suum apéruit sapiéntiæ, et lex cleméntiæ in lingua eius. Considerávit sémitas domus suæ, et panem otiósa non comédit. Surrexérunt fílii eius, et beatíssimam prædicavérunt: vir eius, et laudávit eam. Multæ fíliæ congregavérunt divítias: tu supergréssa es univérsas. Fallax grátia, et vana est pulchritúdo: múlier timens Dóminum, ipsa laudábitur. Date ei de fructu mánuum suárum: et laudent eam in portis ópera eius.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the book of Proverbs
Prov 31:10-31
When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands. Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar. She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household. She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms. She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed. She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing. Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land. She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel. She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness. Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her: Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 123:7-8
Latin
Ps 123:7-8.
Anima nostra, sicut passer, erépta est de láqueo venántium.
℣. Láqueus contrítus est, et nos liberáti sumus: adiutórium nostrum in nómine Dómini, qui fecit cœlum et terram.
Allelúia, allelúia.
℣. Hæc est vera fratérnitas, quæ vicit mundi crímina: Christum secuta est, ínclita tenens regna cœléstia. Allelúia.
English
Ps 123:7-8
We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare.
℣. Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Alleluia, alleluia.
℣. This is the true brotherhood, which overcame the wickedness of the world; it followed Christ, attaining the noble kingdom of heaven.
GospelMatt 12:46-50
Latin
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 12:46-50
In illo témpore: Loquente Iesu ad turbas, ecce, Mater eius et fratres stabant foris, quæréntes loqui ei. Dixit autem ei quidam: Ecce, mater tua et fratres tui foris stant, quæréntes te. At ipse respóndens dicénti sibi, ait: Quæ est mater mea et qui sunt fratres mei? Et exténdens manum in discípulos suos, dixit: Ecce mater mea et fratres mei. Quicúmque enim fécerit voluntátem Patris mei, qui in cœlis est: ipse meus frater et soror et mater est.
English
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 12:46-50
At that time, as Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and His brethren were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. And someone said to Him, Behold, Your mother and your brethren are standing outside, seeking You. But He answered and said to him who told Him, Who is My mother and who are My brethren? And stretching forth His hand toward His disciples, He said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.
OffertoryPs 123:7
Latin
Ps 123:7
Anima nostra, sicut passer, erépta est de láqueo venántium: láqueus contrítus est, et nos liberáti sumus.
English
Ps 123:7
Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we are delivered.
Secret
Latin
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
CommunionMatt 12:50
Latin
Matt 12:50
Quicúmque fécerit voluntátem Patris mei, qui in cœlis est: ipse meus frater et soror et mater est, dicit Dóminus.
English
Matt 12:50
Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother, says the Lord.
Post Communion
Latin
Quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, intercedéntibus Sanctis tuis, illíus salutáris capiámus efféctum; cuius per heec mystéria pignus accépimus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that, by the intercession of Your Saints, we may obtain the effect of that salvation pledged to us through this sacred rite.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Vetus Ordo texts: Divinum Officium