14th May, St Boniface, Martyr

St Boniface of Tarsus, Martyr

Arrested at Tarsus, Boniface "bore himself with much fortitude in presence of his torturers" (Epistle). They tore his body with iron hooks, they thrust pointed reeds under his nails, and poured molten lead into his mouth. He was beheaded at Tarsus on May 14th, towards 275, under Emperor Galerius. His remains were brought to Rome and deposited on Mount Aventine, in the church which took first his name, and later on that of St. Alexius.

Protexisti me, Deus, a conventu malignantium, alleluja: a multitudine operantium iniquitatem, alleluja, alleluja. * Exaudi, Deus, orationem meam cum deprecor: a timore inimici eripe animam meam.

Thou hast protected me, O God, from the assembly of the malignant, alleluia: from the multitude of the workers of iniquity, alleluia, alleluia. * Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to Thee: free my soul from the fear of the enemy.

(Psalm 63:3,2 from the Introit of Mass)

Da, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui beati Bonifatii Martyris tui solemnia colimus, ejus apud te intercessionibus adjuvemur.
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the intercession of Thy holy martyr Boniface, whose feast-day we celebrate, may avail with Thee in our behalf.
(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14461b.htm
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boniface_of_Tarsus