The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

After honoring Sts. Peter and Paul, the two great pillars of the Church of Rome, we celebrate the feast of many martyrs—men, women, children, and youth—who built upon this foundation and sacrificed their lives for their faith. In the early years of the Church, Christians faced severe persecutions, starting under Nero in 64 AD and continuing with Domitian in 95 AD, Trajan in 107 AD, Hadrian in 135 AD, and Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD. Subsequent trials came from Septimus Severus in 222 AD, Decius in 250 AD, Valerian in 257 AD, and finally Diocletian in 303 AD.

After 250 years of trials, the Church found peace and growth in 314 AD when Constantine the Great declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire through the Edict of Milan. The Roman Canon, or First Canon of the Mass, includes lists of martyrs such as Linus, Cletus, Clement, Cyprian, and many others, recognized for their bravery in practicing their faith. St. Augustine referred to them as part of the ""White Mass,"" as they proved their faith through actions rather than just words, earning the reward promised for those who follow the Lamb (Rev 7:13-17).

The reason why Holy Mother Church today offers us this Commemoration of the First Martyrs is three-fold: firstly, that we may always bear in mind that the blood of martyrs is first and foremost the seed of Christianity; secondly, she wishes us to prove, as they did, that our faith is a living reality within us and not merely a luxury to be enjoyed so long as the sun is shining bright and all is well with us; and thirdly, that we too might be called to bear witness to our faith and love for God and others, as many have done before us.

O God, who consecrated the abundant first fruits of the Roman Church by the blood of the Martyrs, grant, we pray, that with firm courage, we may together draw strength from so great a struggle and ever rejoice at the triumph of faithful love.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)