3rd May, SS Alexander I, Pope, Eventius and Theodulus, Martyrs, and Juvenal, Bishop and Confessor

SS Alexander I, Pope, Eventius and Theodulus, Martyrs, and Juvenal, Bishop and Confessor

Alexander governed the Church under the Emperor Hadrian. He prescribed water to be mixed with the wine at Mass on account of the blood and water that flowed from the side of Jesus. His name is inscribed in the Canon of the Mass (second list). He was martyred at the same time as the priests Eventius and Theodulus, in 117, and their bodies rest in Rome, in the church of St. Sabina, where the Station is held on Ash Wednesday. St. Juvenal, bishop of Narni, fell asleep on this day in the peace of the risen Christ, towards 377.

Sancti tui, Domine, benedicent te: gloriam regni tui dicent, alleluia, alleluia. * Exaltabo te, Deus meus Rex: et benedicam nomini tuo in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.

Let the saints bless Thee, O Lord; they shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, alleluia, alleluia. * I will extol Thee, O God my King: and I will bless Thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.

(Psalm 144:10-11,1 from the Introit of Mass)

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui sanctorum tuorum Alexandri, Eventii, Theoduli, atque Juvenalis natalitia colimus; a cunctis malis imminentibus, eorum intercessionibus liberemur.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we who keep the heavenly birthday of Thy saints Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus and Juvenal, may by virtue of their prayers, be delivered from all the evils which threaten us.

(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia on Pope Alexander I: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01285c.htm