Thread by @DouayRheims1

8th MAY: ST ACHATIUS, MARTYR - ONE OF THE #14HOLYHELPERS

-thread-
1. Achatius [Acacius], a Christian, was from Cappadocia and as a youth joined the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, attaining the rank of captain. He was thrown #StAcacius #FourteenHolyHelpers

2. into prison, then placed on the rack, bound to a post and scourged, because he refused to offer sacrifice to the idols. Achatius suffered death for Christ on May 8, 311.

LESSON:

Achatius manfully and without fear confessed the Faith amid persecutions and sufferings.

3. We, too, are often placed in circumstances where the profession of our Faith and the practice of the virtues inculcated by it cause us trials. But so deplorable are the effects of sensuality, avarice, and ambition, and such is the laxity and spiritual callousness of many

4. Christians, that there is real cause for every one to be filled with alarm for the safety of his soul. It is not the crowd we are to follow, but the precepts of the Gospel. Therefore we ought to strive to give a good example by our faithful compliance with the demands

5. of religion. For Our Lord Himself exhorts us: "So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

PRAYER:

"O God, who dost give us joy through the remembrance of Thy blessed martyrs, Achatius

6. and his companions; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be inflamed by the example of those for whose merits we rejoice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

(Fr Bonaventure Hammer, Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, 1908 - pictured: St Achatius' martyrdom)