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Saint for the Day - March 23 - Sts. Victorian and
Others
Thuneric, the Arian
king of the Vandals in Africa, succeeded his father
Genseric in 477. He behaved himself at first with
moderation towards the Catholics, but in 480 he
began a grievous persecution of the clergy and holy
virgins, which in 484 became general, and vast
numbers of Catholics were put to death. Victorian,
one of the principal lords of the kingdom, had been
made governor of Carthage, with the Roman title of
Proconsul. He was the wealthiest subject of the
king, who placed great confidence in him, and he had
ever behaved with an inviolable fidelity.
The king, after he had published his cruel edicts,
sent a message to the proconsul, promising, if he
would conform to his religion, to heap on him the
greatest wealth and the highest honors which it was
in the power of a prince to bestow. The proconsul,
who amidst the glittering pomps of the world
perfectly understood its emptiness, made this
generous answer: "Tell the king that I trust in
Christ. His Majesty may condemn me to any torments,
but I shall never consent to renounce the Catholic
Church, in which I have been baptized. Even if there
were no life after this, I would never be ungrateful
and perfidious to God, Who has granted me the
happiness of knowing Him, and bestowed on me His
most precious graces." The tyrant became furious at
this answer, nor can the tortures be imagined which
he caused the Saint to endure. Victorian suffered
them with joy, and amidst them finished his glorious
martyrdom. The Roman Martyrology joins with him on
this day four others who were crowned in the same
persecution. Two brothers, who were apprehended for
the faith, had promised each other, if possible, to
die together; and they begged of God, as a favor,
that they might both suffer the same torments.
The persecutors hung them in the air with great
weights at their feet. One of them, under the excess
of pain, begged to be taken down for a little ease.
His brother, fearing that this might move him to
deny his faith, cried out from the rack, "God
forbid, dear brother, that you should ask such a
thing. Is this what we promised to Jesus Christ?"
The other was so wonderfully encouraged that he
cried out, "No, no; I ask not to be released;
increase my tortures, exert all your cruelties till
they are exhausted upon me." They were then burned
with red-hot plates of iron, and tormented so long
that the executioners at last left them, saying,
"Everybody follows their example! no one now
embraces our religion." This they said chiefly
because, notwithstanding these brothers had been so
long and so grievously tormented, there were no
scars or bruises to be seen upon them. Two merchants
of Carthage, who both bore the name of Frumentius,
suffered martyrdom about the sane time.
Among many glorious confessors at that time, one
Liberatus, an eminent physician, was sent into
banishment with his wife. He only grieved to see his
infant children torn from him. His wife checked his
tears by these words: "Think no more of them: Jesus
Christ Himself will have care of them and protect
their souls." Whilst in prison she was told that her
husband had conformed. Accordingly, when she met him
at the bar before judge, she upbraided him in open
court for having basely abandoned God; but
discovered by his answer that a cheat had been put
upon her to deceive her into her ruin. Twelve young
children, when dragged away by the persecutors, held
their companions by the knees till they were torn
away by violence. They were most cruelly beaten and
scourged every day for a long time; yet by God's
grace every one of them persevered in the faith to
the end of the persecution.
Saint for the Day - Sts. Victorian and Others
Read about the Saint for today - March 23 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.
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Daily Reflection
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Therefore I say unto you, all
things whatsoever you ask when
you pray, believe that you shall
receive: and they shall come
unto you |
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Saint for the Day Website
We hope that you gain spiritual knowledge and inspiration reading about the saint for today - March 23. An online Catholic resource providing a short Reflection for the year ahead. Use these short, inspiring words to request guidance or assistance for yourself and for the sake of others. |
