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Wenceslaus, or Vaclav in Czech, was born in the early tenth century in the Duchy of Bohemia. His grandmother was St. Ludmilla, who ruled as regent for Wenceslaus after the death of his father, the duke, until Ludmilla’s envious daughter-in-law arranged for Ludmilla’s assassination and seized power, beginning a persecution of Christians despite her own previous baptism. When Wenceslaus came of age, the surviving Christian nobles overthrew his mother and rallied behind the young duke, who fought back paganism, promoted the traditional Roman Rite, and strengthened relations with the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I. Wenceslaus took a vow of virginity, and was known for his great charity and his devotion to assisting at Holy Mass. After only a few years as the reigning duke, Wenceslaus was betrayed and murdered by his cousin Boleslaus the Cruel. Boleslaus soon repented, however, and honored his murdered brother’s relics. His son reigned admirably as Boleslaus the Pious; one daughter became a great abbess; and another daughter helped convert her husband, the King of Poland, and his entire country. Wenceslaus is honored as a martyr, as patron of the Czechs, and in the popular song “Good King Wenceslas”, a testament to his charity and kingly bearing.
IN Bohemia, St. Wenceslas, duke of Bohemia and martyr, renowned for holiness and miracles. Being murdered in his brother’s house, he went triumphantly to heaven.
At Rome, St. Privatus, martyr, who was cured of ulcers by the blessed pope Callistus. For the faith of Christ he was scourged to death with leaded whips, in the time of the emperor Alexander.
In the same place, St. Stacteus, martyr.
In Africa, the Saints Martial, Lawrence, and twenty other martyrs.
At Antioch, in Pisidia, the holy martyrs Mark, shepherd, Alphius, Alexander, and Zosimus, his brothers, Nicon, Neon, Heliodorus, and thirty soldiers, who were converted to Christ on seeing the miracles of blessed Mark, and were crowned with martyrdom in different places and in various manners.
The same day, the martyrdom of St. Maximus, under the emperor Decius.
At Toulouse, St. Exuperius, bishop and confessor. St. Jerome bears to this blessed man a memorable testimony, relating how severe he was towards himself and how liberal towards others.
At Genoa, St. Solomon, bishop and confessor.
At Brescia, St. Silvinus, bishop.
The same day, the holy virgin Eustochium, daughter of blessed Paula, who was brought up at the manger of our Lord with other virgins, and being celebrated for merits, went to our Lord.
In Germany, St. Lioba, virgin, renowned for miracles.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.