St. César de Bus

Saint César de Bus

Confessor

César was born in southern France in the year of Our Lord 1544. He was a pious boy, and at the age of eighteen he joined the army of the king to fight against the Huguenots, the French Reformed Protestants. After the first war he tried his hand at the arts, but was eager to rejoin the military when fighting broke out again. César fell seriously ill, however, and was unable to serve. He spent three years in Paris, where his hitherto virtuous life took a turn for the worldly, and upon returning to his hometown César managed to obtain his late brother’s ecclesiastical office, purely for mercenary reasons. After an image of Our Lady reminded him of a friend’s prayers for his salvation, César’s faith returned, and he earnestly took up his studies for the priesthood. Inspired by St. Charles Borromeo, César was drawn to charitable works and preaching, and in 1592 he founded the Congregation of Christine Doctrine, or the Doctrinaries, for the purpose of preaching and catechizing. César died in the year of Our Lord 1607, and is considered a patron of catechists.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for April 15th

AT Rome, the Saints Basilissa and Anastasia. Of noble family, they were disciples of the Apostles, and as they persevered courageously in the profession of their faith in the time of the emperor Nero, they had their tongues and feet cut off, were put to the sword, and thus obtained the crown of martyrdom.

The same day, the holy martyrs Maro, Eutyches, and Victorinus, who, with blessed Flavia Domitilla, were banished to the island of Pontia for the confession of Christ. Being recalled in the reign of Nerva, and having converted many to the faith, they were put to death in different manners by the judge Valerian during the persecution of Trajan.

In Persia, in the reign of the emperor Decius, the holy martyrs Maximus and Olympiades, who were beaten with rods and whips, and struck on their heads with clubs until they breathed their last.

At Perentino, in Campania, St. Eutychius, martyr.

At Myra, in Lycia, St. Crescens, who consummated his martyrdom by fire.

Also the holy martyrs Theodorus and Pausilippus, who suffered under the emperor Adrian.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.