- December 3, 2023
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2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
Egwin was born in the 7th century, a member of the royal family of the English Kingdom of Mercia. He desired solitude in the life of a Benedictine, but in 692 or 693 he was prevailed upon by popular acclaim, and his friend King Ethelred, to become the third Bishop of Worcester. The enthusiasm, however, was soon dissipated by Egwin’s intense pursuit of reform. He threw himself into evangelizing the remaining pagan population, while cracking down with equal zeal on violations of Christian marriage and priestly celibacy. Egwin was so strict that complaints and false accusations reached Rome, and Egwin made a pilgrimage there on foot in order to clear his name. One famous tale says that he shackled his feet during the journey as a penance, and the key to the shackles was miraculously found in the belly of a fish purchased in Rome by one of his companions. When he returned to England, vindicated, Egwin followed the directions of a vision of Our Lady, received by a humble shepherd, to found the Benedictine monastery of Evesham Abbey, which flourished until the monstrous dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Egwin died on this day in the year of Our Lord 717. In some places his feast is celebrated on January 11th.
AT Spoleto, the birthday of the holy martyrs Sabinus, bishop, Exuperantius and Marcellus, deacons; also of Venustian, governor, with his wife and sons, under the emperor Maximian. Marcellus and Exuperantius were first racked, then severely beaten with rods; afterwards being mangled with iron hooks, and burned in the sides, they terminated their martyrdom. Not long after, Venustian was put to the sword with his wife and sons. St. Sabinus, after having his hands cut off, and being a long time confined in prison, was scourged to death. The martyrdom of these saints is commemorated on the same day, although it occurred at different times.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Mansuetus, Severus, Appian, Donatus, Honorius, and their companions.
At Thessalonica, St. Anysia, martyr.
In the same place, St. Anysius, bishop of that city.
At Milan, St. Eugene, bishop and confessor.
At Ravenna, St. Liberius, bishop.
At Aquila, in Abruzzo, St. Rainerius, bishop.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
