30th June - The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
Holy First Martyrs of Rome, you each endured much torment, hatred, and abuse, ultimately shedding your blood as the result of your deep courage and love of Christ. Please pray for us, that we may be counted among your numbers in Heaven by manifesting the same depth of love and courage that you did. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen (My Catholic Life).
Today we commemorate the many holy martyrs in Rome, in the time of Nero, who were accused of having set fire to the city, and cruelly put to death in various manners by the emperor’s order. Some were covered with the skins of wild beasts and lacerated by dogs; others were fastened to crosses, others again were delivered to the flames to serve as torches in the night. All these were disciples of the Apostles, and the first fruits of the martyrs, which the Roman Church, a field so fertile in martyrs, offered to God before the death of the Apostles - Roman Martyrology.
