- December 3, 2023
2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
Ezekiel, whose name in Hebrew means “God is strong” or “whom God strengthens”, was an Israelite priest, and the son of a priest named Buzi. After Jerusalem fell to the pagan Babylonians, Ezekiel and his wife were expelled from the city, like many other Jews, and taken in captivity to Babylon. After about five years in this exile, Ezekiel received a vision of various forms of angels, including the wheels within wheels that are identified as “Thrones” in the angelic hierarchy. These angels were shown to be serving God, who appeared in the likeness of a man upon a sapphire throne. The Lord gave Ezekiel a commission as a prophet, which Ezekiel would fulfill for over twenty years. St. John quotes Ezekiel many times throughout the Book of Apocalypse. Ezekiel is also the source of Our Lady’s title Porta Caeli, or gate of Heaven. The traditional Roman Martyrology relates that Ezekiel was executed in Babylon by the Judge of the Israelites, because Ezekiel rebuked him for idolatry. He is also mentioned on July 23rd in the modern calendar.
THE prophet Ezechiel, who was put to death in Babylon by the Judge of the people of Israel, because he reproved him for worshipping idols. He was buried in the sepulchre of Sem and Arphaxad, Abraham’s ancestors. To his tomb many were wont to resort for the purpose of prayer.
At Rome, the birthday of many holy martyrs, whom pope St. Alexander baptized whilst he was detained in prison. The prefect Aurelian had them all put in an old ship, taken to the deep sea, and plunged into it with stones tied to their necks.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Apollonius, priest, and five others, who, in the persecution of Maximian, were drowned in the sea.
In Africa, under the emperor Decius and the prefect Fortunian, the holy martyrs Terentius, African, Pompey, and their companions, who were scourged, racked, and subjected to other torments. Their martyrdom ended by decapitation.
The same day, St. Macarius, bishop of Antioch, celebrated for virtues and miracles.
At Valladolid, in Spain, St. Michael of the Saints, confessor, of the Order of Discalced Trinitarians for the Redemption of Captives, a man remarkable for integrity of life, for the penitential spirit, and for great love of God. Pius IX solemnly canonized him on Whitsunday, 1862, and ordered his festival to be kept on the 5th of July.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
