St. Vincent Ferrer Parish

[January 22]

Saint Vincent, deacon of the Church of Saragosa, after suffering extreme tortures, died as a martyr at Valencia in Spain during the Diocletian persecution. His cult immediately spread throughout the Church.

Prayer
Eternal Father,
you gave Saint Vincent
the courage to endure torture and death for the gospel:
fill us with your Spirit
and strengthen us in your love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

[January 21]

Saint Agnes died a martyr at Rome during either the second half of the third century or, more probably, at the beginning of the fourth century. Pope Damascus adorned her tomb with sacred poetry, and many of the Fathers of the Church, following Saint Ambrose, have honored her in their writings.

Prayer
Almighty, eternal God,
you choose what the world considers weak
to put the worldly power to shame.
May we who celebrate the birth of
Saint Agnes into eternal joy
be loyal to the faith she professed.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

[January 20]
St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr

Saint Fabian was elected bishop of the Church of Rome in 236. In 250, at the beginning of the persecution of Decius, he won the crown of martyrdom, as Cyprian bears witness. He was buried in the cemetery of Saint Callistus.

Prayer
God our Father, glory of your priests,
may the prayers of your martyr Fabian
help us to share his faith
and offer you loving service.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

——————-

St. Sebastian, Martyr

Saint Sebastian died a martyr at Rome in the beginning of the Diocletian persecution. From antiquity the faithful have venerated his tomb on the Appian Way ad Catacumbas.

Prayer
Lord, fill us with that spirit of courage
which gave your martyr Sebastian
strength to offer his life in faithful witness.
Help us to learn from him to cherish your law
and to obey you rather than men.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.