27th July, St Pantaleon, Martyr

St Pantaleon, Martyr

At Nicomedia, says the Roman Martyrology, was martyred St. Pantaleon, a doctor, who having been arrested on account of his faith by order of the Emperor Maximian, was tortured on the rack and burned with flaming torches; he was consoled in his torments by an apparition of our Lord; the sword put an end to his glorious combat. This was under Dioclctlim about A.D. 303. St. Pantaleon is numbered by the Greeks among the great martyrs. Medical men honour him, after St. Luke, as their principal patron. He is one of the "fourteen auxiliary saints".

Laetábitur justus in Dómino, et sperábit in eo: et laudabúntur omnes recti corde. * Exáudi, Deus, oratiónem meam, cum déprecor: a timóre inimíci éripe ánimam meam.

The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in Him: and all the upright of heart shall be praised. * Hear, O God, my prayer when I make supplications to Thee: deliver my sould from the fear of the enemy.

(Psalm 63:11,2 from the Introit of Mass)

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that by the intercession of blessed Pantaleon, Thy martyr, we may both be delivered from all adversities in body, and be purified from all evil thoughts in mind.

(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447a.htm