The Vigil of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At Cracow in Poland, the birthday of St John of Kanti, Priest and Confessor, who was famous for his learning, zeal for spreading the faith, virtues and miracles. Pope Clement ⅩⅢ added him to the number of the saints; his festival, however, is kept on October 20.

At Spoleto, St Gregory, Priest and Martyr, who in the time of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian was first scourged with knottel cudgels, and then, after suffering the gridiron and imprisonment, was beaten on his knees with iron rods and his sides burnt with lighted torches. Finally he was beheaded.

At Tripoli in Phœnicia, the holy martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Thoetimus and Drusus.

At Nicomedia, St Euthymius, Martyr, who in the persecution of Diocletian, after he had sent many to martyrdom before him, was himself pierced with the sword, and followed them to the crown.

At Antioch, the birthday of forty holy virgins, who suffered martyrdom by various torments in the Decian persecution.

At Bordeaux, St Delphin, Bishop, famous for holiness in the time of Theodosius.

At Rome, the birthday of St Tharsilla, Virgin, aunt of Pope St Gregory. He bears witness that at the hour of her departure she saw Jesus coming to meet her.

At Trier, St Irmina, Virgin, daughter of King Dagobert.

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

℟ Thanks be to God.

from The Roman Martyrology, Nihil Obstat: Hubertus Richards, STL, LSS, Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: E. Morrogh Bernard, Vicarius Generalis, Westmonasterii: Die 23a Februarii 1962.