28th July, SS. Nazarius and Celsus Martyrs; Victor I, Pope and Martyr; Innocent I, Pope and Confessor

SS. Nazarius and Celsus Martyrs; Victor I, Pope and Martyr; Innocent I, Pope and Confessor 

The Church honours to-day several Saints who lived at different times and in different countries.

Nazarius, baptized by Pope St. Linus at Rome, in his turn baptized young Celsus who was born at Cimiez near Nice. They betook themselves to Milan, where they were arrested by the pagans and beheaded about the year 68. In 395 their bodies were discovered and in the tomb of St. Nazarius was found a phial of his blood as red as if it had been shed that very day.

Victor I, born in Africa, succeeded St. Eleutherius, on the pontifical throne. He fixed the date of Easter for the whole Church according to the rules observed still now. He decided that any one might baptize in cases of necessity with unblessed water. He was martyred under Septimus Severus, A.D. 202.

Innocent I was born at Albano and was a contemporary of St. Augustine and of St. Jerome. The latter wrote of him: "Keep the faith of St. Innocent who fills the Apostolic Chair and who is the successor and spiritual son of Anastasius, of happy memory; receive no other doctrine, however wise and attractive it may appear." He died A.D. 417.

Intret in conspectu tuo, Domine, gemitus compeditorum: redde vicinis nostris septuplum in sinu eorum: vindica sanguinem sanctorum tuorum, qui effusus est. * Deus, venerunt gentes in haereditatem tuam: polluerunt templum sanctum tuum: posuerunt Jerusalem in pomorum custodiam.

Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before Thee, O Lord; render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom; revenge the blood of Thy saints, which hath been shed. * O God, the heathens are come into Thy inheritance: they have defiled Thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.

(Psalm 78:11-12,1 from the Introit of Mass)

Sanctorum tuorum nos, Domine, Nazarii, Celsi, Victoris et Innocentii confessio beata communiat: et fragilitati nostrae subsidium dignanter exoret.
May we draw strength, O Lord, from the blessed confession of Thy saints, Nazarius, Celsus, Victor and Innocent and do Thou vouchsafe that it be ever a help to us in our weakness.
(Collect)

St Nazarius and Celsus: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10728a.htm
Pope St Victor I: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15408a.htm
Pope St Innocent I: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08011a.htm