20 July
THE festival of St. Jerome Emiliani, confessor, founder of the Congregation of Somascha. Gaining renown for many miracles during his life and after his death, he was inscribed among the beatified by Benedict XIV., and canonized by Clement XIII. —At Antioch, St. Margaret, virgin and martyr.—On Mount Carmel, the holy prophet Elias.—The same day, the birthday of blessed Joseph, surnamed the Just, whom the Apostles selected with blessed Matthias for the apostleship, in the place of the traitor Judas. The lot having fallen upon Matthias, Joseph, notwithstanding, continued to preach and to advance in virtue, and after having sustained from the Jews many persecutions for the faith of Christ, happily ended his life in Judea. It is related of him that having drunk poison, he received no injury from it, because of his confidence in the Lord.—At Damascus, the holy martyrs Sabinus, Julian, Maximus, Macrobius, Cassia, and Paula, with ten others. —At Cordova, St. Paul, deacon and martyr. For rebuking Mahometan princes for their impiety and cruelty, and preaching Christ courageously, he was put to death, and went to his reward in heaven.—In Portugal, St. Wilgefortes, virgin and martyr, who merited the crown of martyrdom on a cross in defence of the faith and her chastity.—At Boulogne, in France, the abbot St. Wulmar, a man of admirable sanctity.—At Treves, St. Severa, virgin.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.