7 March
IN the monastery of Fossanova, near Terracina, St. Thomas of Aquin, confessor and doctor, of the Order of Preachers, illustrious by the nobility of his birth, the sanctity of his life, and his knowledge of theology. Leo XIII. declared him heavenly patron of all Catholic schools.—At Tuburbum, in Mauritania (Barbary), in the reign of the emperor Severus, the birthday of the Saints Perpetua and Felicitas, whose festival is kept on the 6th of this month. St. Augustine relates that Felicitas, being with child, her execution was deferred, according to the laws, until after her delivery, and whilst she was in labor she mourned, and when exposed to the beasts, she rejoiced. With them suffered Revocatus, Saturninus, and Secundulus. This last died in prison; all the others were delivered to the beasts.— At Caesarea, in Palestine, the passion of St. Eubulus, the companion of St. Adrian. Two days after the latter, being mangled by the lions, and killed with the sword, he was the last of all those who received the crown of martyrdom in that city.—At Nicomedia, St. Theophilus, bishop, who was driven into exile for the worship of holy images, and there closed his life.—At Pelusium, in Egypt, St. Paul, bishop, who for the same cause also died an exile.—At Brescia, St. Gaudiosus, bishop and confessor.—In Thebais, St. Paul, surnamed the Simple.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.