8 December

THE Immaculate Conception of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God. On this day Pius IX. solemnly declared her to have been preserved by a special privilege of God free from the stain of original sin.—At Rome, blessed Eutychian, pope, who with his own hands buried in various places three hundred and forty-two martyrs. Under the emperor Numerian he became their companion, being crowned with martyrdom and buried in the cemetery of Callistus.—At Alexandria, in the time of Decius, St. Macarius, martyr, whose constancy in professing the faith increased with the efforts made by the judge to persuade him to deny Christ. He was finally condemned to be burned alive.—At Treves, St. Eucharius, disciple of the blessed apostle Peter, and first bishop of that city.—In Cyprus, the holy bishop Sophronius, who was a devoted protector of orphans and widows, and a friend to the poor and the oppressed.—In the monastery of Luxeuil, St. Romaricus, abbot, who left the highest station at the court of king Theodobert, renounced the world, and surpassed others in the observance of monastic discipline.—At Constantinople, St. Patapius, solitary, renowned for virtues and miracles.—At Verona, the ordination of St. Zeno, bishop.

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

Thanks be to God.

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