24 February
(In leap-year, the 24th of February is announced in this manner: “The twenty-fourth day of February.—The vigil of the apostle St. Matthias.—Also, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.”)
IN Judea, the birthday of the Apostle St. Matthias, who was chosen by lot by the apostles after the Ascension of our Lord in the place of the traitor Judas, and suffered martyrdom for preaching the Gospel.—At Rome, St. Primitiva, martyr.—At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, St. Sergius, martyr, of whose life a beautiful account still exists.—In Africa, the holy martyrs Montanus, Lucius, Julian, Victoricus, Flavian, and their companions. They were disciples of St. Cyprian, and suffered martyrdom under the emperor Valerian.—At Rouen, the passion of St. Praetextatus, bishop and martyr.—At Treves, St. Modestus, bishop and confessor.—In England, St. Ethelbert, king of Kent, converted to the faith of Christ by St. Augustine, bishop of the English.—At Jerusalem, the first finding of the head of our Lord’s Precursor.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.