Statue de sainte Suzanne à Sainte-Suzanne (Mayenne)
Sainte Suzanne
Martyre romaine
Martyre romaine des premiers siècles, la légende la dit belle et savante. L’empereur Dioclétien la voulait pour épouse du futur empereur Maximien. Lorsqu’elle révéla qu’elle était chrétienne, les deux officiers chargés de l’amener au palais impérial se convertirent. Ils furent tous trois décapités.
Un 11 août du IVe ou Ve siècle, était consacrée, à Rome, près des Thermes de Dioclétien, une basilique fondée par le prêtre Gaïus, qui sera dédiée à sainte Suzanne, laquelle serait une martyre romaine ensevelie à Coazzo, près de Rome.
À Rome, commémoraison de sainte Suzanne. Sous son nom, célébré dans les fastes antiques comme celui d’une martyre, fut dédiée à Dieu, au VIe siècle, la basilique du titre de Gaius, près des thermes de Dioclétien.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/9872/Sainte-Suzanne.html
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Convento de Santa Susana (MM Agustinas), en Durango (Bizkaia)
11 août. Sainte Suzanne de Rome, Martyre. 295.
Pape : Saint Caïus.
Empereur romain d'Orient : Dioctétien.
Empereur romain d'Occident : Maximien-Hercule.
" Ce monde est digne de mépris, même lorsqu'il flatte et qu'il caresse le
cœur par la prospérité."
Saint Grégoire le Grand.
Sainte Suzanne était fille de saint Gabinius et nièce
de saint Caïus, pape, son frère, qui étaient d'une race très illustre et
proches parents de l'empereur Dioclétien. Son père, qui, depuis sa naissance,
s'était fait prêtre, l'eleva avec beaucoup de soin dans la crainte de Dieu et
dans l'amour de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, et, étant devenue grande, elle se
consacra entièrement elle-même à son service, et résolut de n'avoir jamais
d'autre époux que le Roi des Vierges et des âmes saintes.
Il arriva cependant que Valérie, fille de Dioclétien, que Maximien-Galère avait
épousée, mourut et cet empereur, lui voulant donner une autre femme de sa
parenté, jeta pour cela les yeux sur Suzanne, dont l'esprit, la sagesse et la
beauté étaient extraordinaires et ravissaient tout le monde. Il savait que
Caïus, son oncle, était le souverain Pontife des chrétiens, et que Gabinius,
son père, était prêtre mais, en ce temps-là, il ne s'était pas encore élevé
contre son propre sang, et il n'était pas si ennemi des fidèles qu'il ne
préférât l'établissement et l'agrandissement de sa maison et de ses parents à
la ruine du Christianisme.
Dans cette pensée, il appela un seigneur romain, nommé Claude, qui était aussi
son cousin, et qui touchait encore de plus près aux deux frères, le père et
l'oncle de Suzanne, et le pria d'aller chez Gabinius et de lui faire
honnêtement la proposition du mariage de sa fille avec Maximien. Claude se tint
fort honoré de cette mission, et s'en chargea avec joie. Il vint donc trouver
Gabinius, et lui proposa l'affaire qu'il croyait lui devoir être très agréable.
Le saint prêtre ne le rebuta pas, mais lui demanda seulement quelques jours de
délai pour en parler au Pape et a sa fille. Ils en conférèrent donc ensemble,
et d'abord ces bienheureux frères n'étaient pas éloignés de consentir à
l'alliance que l'empereur souhaitait, dans la vue qu'elle pouvait rendre ce
prince, et Maximien, son gendre, qui'lui devait succéder, plus favorables aux
chrétiens. Mais Notre-Seigneur, qui ne voulait pas établir sa religion par ces
moyens humains et politiques, donna une autre pensée à Suzanne. Elle leur
déclara donc " que, selon les bonnes instructions qu'elle avait
reçues de leur charité, elle s'était consacrée au Roi des rois et qu'elle
n'aurait jamais d'autre époux que lui quand elle n'aurait pas résolu de garder
inviolablement sa chasteté, elle ne voudrait pas épouser un homme souillé par
les abominations de l'idolâtrie et par le massacre d'un nombre infini de
chrétiens, comme était Maximien, qui avait souvent pris part à la persécution
que Dioclétien leur avait faite ainsi, elle les suppliait de rompre entièrement
tous ces pourparlers de mariage ". Caïus et Gabinius louèrent infiniment
sa résolution et l'exhortèrent à y persévérer constamment, sans que ni les promesses,
ni les menaces, la fissent jamais changer de résolution.
Claude étant revenu après trois jours répéta, en
présence du Pape, la proposition qu'il avait faite. Les saints frères lui
dirent qu'il fallait voir là-dessus la volonté de la jeune fille, et la firent
en effet appeler sur-le-champ. Lorsqu'elle entra dans la chambre, Claude la
voulut baiser par honneur comme sa parente mais elle le repoussa lui disant que
sa bouche n'avait jamais été souillée d'aucun baiser d'homme, et qu'elle
n'avait garde d'en recevoir un d'une personne que le culte des faux dieux et le
meurtre des chrétiens rendaient sale et abominable devant Dieu. Claude, surpris
de ces paroles, s'excusa de son action, sur ce qu'il lui avait semblé qu'étant
son proche parent, il pouvait bien user de cette familiarité avec elle.
Et, pour ce qui était des souillures qu'elle lui imputait, il la prit de lui
dire par quels moyens il en pourrait être délivré :
" Ce sera, répondit Suzanne, en faisant
pénitence, et en recevant le saint baptême."
Caïus et Gabinius appuyèrent ce discours, et parlèrent
si efficacement à ce seigneur des avantages de notre religion, que, ne se
mettant plus en peine de sa mission, il embrassa le Christianisme et se fit
baptiser, avec Prépédigne, sa femme, et deux fils qu'il avait nommés Alexandre
et Cuthias.
Cependant, l'empereur ne recevant point de réponse de la proposition qu'il lui
avait envoyé faire à Gabinius, s'informa du sujet de son retard. On lui dit
qu'il était tombé malade, et que cela l'avait empêché de venir trouver Sa
Majesté ; l'empereur, qui l'aimait, et qui était impatient de savoir la
solution de son message, lui envoya Maxime, comte de ses affaires domestiques,
pour le visiter et pour apprendre de lui le succès de cette négociation.
Maxime, qui était son frère, fut fort surpris de le trouver dans un état de
pénitent, les larmes aux yeux, le cilice sur le dos, et prosterné devant un
oratoire ; il lui demanda d'où venait ce changement. Claude lui dit ouvertement
que Dieu lui avait fait la grâce de lui ouvrir les yeux pour connaître les
vérités de la religion chrétienne, et que, reconnaissant combien il était
coupable d'avoir adoré les idoles, et d'avoir répandu le sang innocent des
chrétiens, il en faisait pénitence. Maxime, touché de ses paroles et de son
exemple, lui demanda d'être éclairé des mystères de notre foi. Il le mena à
saint Caïus qui le baptisa, et lui donna en même temps les sacrements de la
Confirmation et de l'Eucharistie. Claude et Maxime étant ainsi entrés dans le
sein de l'Eglise, vendirent tous leurs biens pour avoir de quoi secourir les
pauvres fidèles que les longues persécutions avaient réduits à une pauvreté
extrême.
L'empereur en fut averti, et apprit en même temps
qu'au lieu de décider Gabinius à donner sa fille en mariage à Maximien, ils
avaient embrassé sa religion, et étaient des premiers à persuader à cette
sainte fille de demeurer vierge. Ces nouvelles l'irritèrent. Il oublia qu'ils
étaient ses proches parents et il les fit arrêter avec Prépédigne, Alexandre et
Cuthias, et les relégua au port d'Ostie, où ils furent mis à mort.
Il fit aussi emprisonner Gabinius avec Suzanne, et, après cinquante-cinq jours
de prison, il pria l'impératrice Prisca, sa femme, de faire en sorte que cette
illustre fille consentît à ses volontés. Prisca la fit venir dans son
appartement ; mais, comme elle-même était chrétienne, bien loin de lui rien
conseiller contre sa résolution et son vœu, elle la fortifia au contraire dans
son généreux dessein.
Dioclétien, apprenant qu'elle était inébranlable, la fit reconduire dans sa
maison, et permit à Maximien d'y aller pour user de violence. Ce prince y alla
; mais, lorsqu'il entra dans sa chambre, il aperçut un ange d'un éclat
merveilleux qui était auprès d'elle et qui la gardait. L'effroi le saisit, et
il se retira tout confus sans avoir osé rien entreprendre. Dioclétien attribua
cet effet à la magie, et envoya un de ses officiers nommé Macédonius pour
contraindre la Sainte d'adorer les idoles. Cet officier lui présenta une image
de Jupiter, lui ordonnant, de la part de l'empereur, de lui offrir de l'encens.
Suzanne éleva, alors ses yeux et son cœur vers le ciel, et au même instant la
statue disparut, et on la trouva dans la rue jetée contre terre.
Macédonius, ne pouvant rien gagner par douceur, eut recours aux menaces et aux
supplices ; il la maltraita dans sa propre maison, la battit cruellement et lui
déchira le corps à coups de fouets. Enfin, l'empereur apprenant encore qu'elle
était inflexible, commanda qu'elle fût décapitée, ce qui fut exécuté
secrètement, chez elle, le 11 août 295.
L'impératrice Prisca fut bientôt avertie de ce qui s'était passé ; elle eut une
joie extrême de savoir que Suzanne s'était maintenue dans sa foi et dans son
innocence, malgré tous les efforts des puissances de la terre. Elle se
transporta elle-même la nuit dans le lieu de son supplice, et l'ayant trouvée
baignée dans son sang, elle enleva le voile de dessus sa tête, qu'elle trempa
dans cette liqueur précieuse. Depuis, elle fit enchâsser ce voile dans une
boîte d'argent, et le mit à son oratoire, où elle faisait assidûment sa prière
à l'insu de Dioclétien, son mari. Pour le corps de notre Sainte, elle
l'embauma, l'ensevelit de ses propres mains, et le fit inhumer dans la grotte
même de saint Alexandre, auprès d'une infinité d'autres martyrs.
La maison qui avait été le lieu de sa naissance, de sa
conversion sur la terre et de sa mort très-précieuse, fut changée par saint
Caïus en une église où il dit la messe en son honneur. Elle était au Quirinal,
dans la rue de Mammure, devant le marché de Salluste. Cette église subsiste
encore et est occupée par des religieuses Cisterciennes ; c'est aussi un titre
de cardinal, et quelques-unes des Eminences qui l'ont possédée ont eu soin de
la faire embellir.
On voit sainte Suzanne dans ses images avec une couronne à ses pieds. Elle ne
voulut pas épouser le fils de Dioctétien, par amour pour la virginité ; c'est
une allusion à ce fait.
SOURCE : http://hodiemecum.hautetfort.com/archive/2009/08/11/6eda7e308bcb43f35567564224639d90.html
Le même jour (que la fête de saint Tiburce) sainte Suzanne,
vierge d’une grande noblesse, qui avait refusé, à cause de son vœu de
virginité, l’alliance de Galère Maxime, fils de l’empereur Dioclétien, fut
décapitée dans sa maison vers 295. Son corps se trouve avec celui de son
père, saint Gabinus et celui de sainte Félicité,
la mère des Sept
Frères Martyrs que l’on honore le 10 juillet, dans l’église de
Sainte-Suzanne où l’on fait la Station le samedi de la 3e semaine de
Carême.
Saint Gabin appartenait à une famille dalmate, obscure
avant qu’elle eût donné au trône des Césars un empereur, Dioclétien, ce soldat
de fortune, et à la Chaire de saint Pierre un pape, saint Caïus.
Saint Gabin et saint Caïus étaient frères ;
Dioclétien était leur neveu. Saint Gabin se maria et eut une fille nommée
Suzanne. Sa femme étant morte, il fut reçu dans le clergé de Rome et honoré de
la prêtrise.
Dioclétien, proclamé empereur en 284, s’associa
bientôt Maximien-Hercule, qu’il décora du titre d’Auguste. En 292, il
s’adjoignit deux autres collègues, qu’il nomma Césars, titre qui
équivalait à celui d’héritier présomptif de l’empire : ce furent
Constance-Chlore et Galérius. C’était l’institution de la provisoire tétrarchie
romaine. Dioclétien désirait marier Galérius avec sa cousine Suzanne.
L’impératrice Prisca fut chargée de négocier l’affaire. Sainte Suzanne refusa
formellement la main de Galérius, ajoutant qu’elle était Chrétienne et qu’elle
s’était consacrée à Dieu.
Par ordre de Dioclétien, un de ses officiers,
Macédonius, se rendit chez la jeune vierge avec une statuette de Jupiter
Capitolin, posée sur un socle enrichi de diamants : « L’empereur,
dit-il, me charge de vous remettre ce présent ; adorez le dieu de
César ». Sainte Suzanne saisit et jeta par la fenêtre le présent impérial,
qui se brisa sur le pavé, à la vue des passants ébahis.
L’officier revint au palais et raconta la scène à
Dioclétien.
Celui-ci était déjà irrité contre le Christianisme,
qui pénétrait dans son palais et dans sa famille : sa femme, l’impératrice
Prisca, et sa fille Valérie étaient chrétiennes ; le capitaine des gardes,
saint Sébastien, était l’un des plus fervents disciples de Jésus-Christ ;
la conduite de sainte Suzanne acheva de l’exaspérer. « Va, dit-il à
Macédonius, d’un coup d’épée tu me débarrasseras de cette jeune
fanatique. » Aussitôt Macédonius court chez sainte Suzanne, et, tirant son
épée, lui tranche la tête. C’était l’an 295, saint Caïus étant pape et la
Tétrarchie romaine dirigeant encore l’empire.
L’impératrice vint la nuit éponger le sang de la
martyre, dont le corps fut enseveli dans le cimetière d’Alexandrie, sur le
mont Arenarius. Saint Gabin, son père, et saint Caïus, son oncle, furent
aussi décapités, pour l’avoir encouragée à garder inviolablement la Foi et les
vœux qu’elle avait faits au Seigneur.
Le nom de sainte Suzanne est encore aujourd’hui un des titres cardinalices.
Les reliques de saint Gabin se trouvent à Lyon, dans l’église des Révérends Pères Jésuites : elles furent données à l’ambassadeur de France, d’Alincourt, par le Pape Paul V, au XVIIe siècle.
Chiesa di Santa Susanna alle Terme di Diocleziano (Roma)
église Sainte-Suzanne-aux-Thermes-de-Dioclétien, Rome.
11/08 St Tiburce et Ste
Suzanne, Vierge, Martyrs
Tiburce, culte attesté au
Ve siècle. Suzanne, au VIe siècle. Fête au XIIe siècle. Simple commémoraison
dans l’Octave de St Laurent, la fête des Sts Tiburce et Suzanne fut ‘élevée’ au
rang de simple par St Pie X lors de sa réforme du calendrier, puis de nouveau
réduite à une commémoraison sous Jean XXIII.
« Le martyr saint
Tiburce fut inhumé au cimetière inter duas lauros sur la via Labicana. Le pape
Damase orna sa tombe d’une inscription métrique. Le martyrologe hiéronymien
fait mention de Tiburce, mais il annonce avec lui Valérien et Cécile, le
confondant avec le martyr homonyme qui est commémoré
le 14 avril. Les sacramentaires gélasien et grégorien, ainsi que
l’évangéliaire de 645, connaissent sa fête. On l’a toujours célébrée à Rome
depuis lors.
Pour fixer l’anniversaire
de sainte Suzanne le Hiéronymien n’indique pas un cimetière, mais une église de
la Ville, située sur l’Alta Semita, près des thermes de Dioclétien. Cette
église, appelée en 499 titre de Gaius, était devenue en 595 le titre de sainte
Suzanne. Le samedi de la troisième semaine de Carême, on y célébrait la messe
stationnale, dans laquelle on lisait le récit de la délivrance de Suzanne au
livre de Daniel [1]. La notice de sainte Suzanne se trouve dans
Bède et ses héritiers, mais sa fête est à peu près inconnue en France, en
Angleterre et en Italie. Elle est mentionnée, au contraire, en Pays
alémaniques, à Spire, à Rheinau, à Saint-Gall surtout, où plusieurs calendriers
en font mention dès le IXe siècle.
Au XIe siècle, les
martyrologes romains de Saint-Cyriaque et de Saint-Pierre annoncent Natale
Tyburtii et Susannae à la suite de Bède, ce qui incitera les calendriers à
réunir leurs noms. Dans les documents liturgiques du XIe et du XIIe siècle on
trouve tantôt Tiburce seul, selon la tradition, tantôt Tiburce et Suzanne,
parfois Suzanne seule, comme dans le passionnaire du Latran. A la fin du XIIe,
au Vatican on célèbre les deux saints ensemble, tandis qu’au Latran le missel
et l’Ordo ne connaissent que Tiburce, le calendrier y ajoutant la mention de Suzanne » [2].
[1] Dan. 13,1, 63.
[2] Cf. Pierre Jounel, Le Culte des Saints dans les
Basiliques du Latran et du Vatican au douzième siècle, École Française de Rome,
Palais Farnèse, 1977.
Santi
Tiburzio e Susanna (Gargonza) castello di Gargonza nel comune di Monte San Savino, in provincia di Arezzo.
Die 11 augusti
Ss. TIBURTII et SUSANNÆ Virg
Martyrum
Commemoratio (ante CR
1960 : simplex)
Ant. ad Introitum. Ps.
36, 39
Salus autem iustórum a
Dómino : et protéctor eórum est in témpore tribulatiónis.
Ps. Ibid., 1.
Noli æmulári in
malignántibus : neque zeláveris faciéntes iniquitátem.
V/. Glória Patri.
Oratio.
Sanctórum Martyrum tuórum
Tiburtii et Susánnæ nos, Dómine, fóveant continuáta præsídia : quia non
désinis propítius intuéri ; quos tálibus auxíliis concésseris adiuvári.
Per Dóminum.
Léctio Epístolæ beáti
Pauli Apóstoli ad Hebrǽos.
Hebr. 11, 33-39
Fratres : Sancti per
fidem vicérunt regna, operáti sunt iustítiam, adépti sunt repromissiónes,
obturavérunt ora leónum, exstinxérunt ímpetum ignis, effugérunt áciem gládii,
convaluérunt de infirmitáte, fortes facti sunt in bello, castra vertérunt
exterórum : accepérunt mulíeres de resurrectióne mórtuos suos : álii
autem disténti sunt, non suscipiéntes redemptiónem, ut meliórem invenírent
resurrectiónem : álii vero ludíbria et vérbera expérti, ínsuper et víncula
et cárceres : lapidáti sunt, secti sunt, tentári sunt, in occisióne gládii
mórtui sunt : circuiérunt in melótis, in péllibus caprínis, egéntes,
angustiáti, afflicti : quibus dignus non erat mundus : in solitudínibus
errántes, in móntibus et spelúncis et in cavérnis terræ. Et hi omnes testimónio
fídei probáti, invénti sunt in Christo Iesu, Dómino nostro.
Graduale. Ps. 33,
18-19.
Clamavérunt iusti, et
Dóminus exaudívit eos : et ex ómnibus tribulatiónibus eórum liberávit eos.
V/. Iuxta est
Dóminus his, qui tribuláto sunt corde : et húmiles spíritu salvábit.
Allelúia, allelúia. V/. Te
Mártyrum candidátus laudat exércitus, Dómine. Allelúia.
+ Sequéntia sancti
Evangélii secúndum Lucam.
Luc. 12, 1-8.
In illo témpore :
Dixit Iesus discípulis suis : Atténdite a ferménto pharisæórum, quod est
hypócrisis. Nihil autem opértum est, quod non revelétur : neque
abscónditum, quod non sciátur. Quóniam, quæ in ténebris dixístis, in lúmine
dicéntur : et quod in aurem locuti estis in cubículis, prædicábitur in
tectis. Dico autem vobis amícis meis : Ne terreámini ab his, qui occídunt
corpus, et post hæc non habent ámplius quid fáciant. Osténdam autem vobis, quem
timeátis : timéte eum, qui, postquam occídent, habet potestátem míttere in
gehénnam. Ita dico vobis : hunc timéte. Nonne quinque pásseres véneunt
dipóndio, et unus ex illis non est in oblivióne coram Deo ? Sed et capílli
cápitis vestri omnes numerári sunt. Nolíte ergo timére : multis passéribus
pluris estis vos. Dico autem vobis : Omnis, quicúmque conféssus fúerit me
coram homínibus, et Fílius hóminis confiténtur illum coram Angelis Dei.
In Missis votives post
Septuagesimam in fine sequentæ antiphonæ Allelúia omittitur
Ant. ad
Offertorium. Sap. 3, 1, 2 et 3.
Iustórum ánimæ in manu
Dei sunt, et non tanget illos torméntum malítiae : visi sunt óculis
insipiéntium mori : illi autem sunt in pace, allelúia.
Secreta
Adésto, Dómine, précibus
pópuli tui, adésto munéribus : ut, quæ sacris sunt obláta mystériis,
tuórum tibi pláceant intercessióne Sanctórum. Per Dóminum.
Ant. ad
Communionem. Matth. 10, 27
Quod dico vobis in
ténebris, dícite in lúmine, dicit Dóminus : et quod in aure audítis,
prædicáte super tecta.
Postcommunio
Súmpsimus, Dómine, pignus
redemptiónis ætérnæ : quod sit nobis, quǽsumus, interveniéntibus sanctis
Martýribus tuis, vitæ præséntis auxílium páriter et futúræ. Per Dóminum.
Churches
Chiesa della Compagnia della Visitazione (left) and Chiesa dei Santi Tiburzio e
Susanna (right) in Badia Agnano, hamlet of Bucine, Province of Arezzo, Tuscany,
Italy
le 11 août
STS TIBURCE et SUZANNE Vierge
Martyrs
Commémoraison (avant
1960 : simplex)
Introït
Le salut des justes vient
du Seigneur : et il est leur protecteur au temps de la tribulation.
Ne porte pas envie aux
méchants : ne sois pas jaloux de ceux qui commettent l’iniquité.
Collecte
Faites, Seigneur, que
nous soyons toujours soutenus par la protection de vos saints Martyrs Tiburce
et Suzanne : puisque vous ne pouvez manquer d’accueillir favorablement
ceux qui par votre grâce, jouissent d’un tel appui.
Lecture de l’Épître de
saint Paul Apôtre aux Hébreux.
Mes Frères : les
Saints, par la foi, ont conquis des royaumes, exercé la justice, obtenu l’effet
des promesses, fermé la gueule des lions, éteint la violence du feu, échappé au
tranchant de l’épée, triomphé de la maladie, déployé leur vaillance à la
guerre, mis en fuite des armées ennemis ; par eux des femmes ont recouvré
leurs morts ressuscités. Les uns ont péri dans les tortures, refusant la
délivrance afin d’obtenir une meilleure résurrection ; d’autres ont
souffert les moqueries et les verges ; de plus, les chaînes et les
cachots ; ils ont été lapidés, sciés, éprouvés ; ils sont morts par
le tranchant de l’épée ; ils ont erré çà et là, couverts de peaux de
brebis et de chèvres, dénués de tout, persécutés, maltraités, eux dont le monde
n’était pas digne ; Ils ont été errants dans les déserts et les montagnes,
dans les cavernes et dans les antres de la terre. Et tous ceux-là ont obtenu un
bon témoignage à cause de leur foi en Jésus-Christ.
Graduel
Les justes ont crié, et
le Seigneur les a exaucés : et il les a délivrés de toutes leurs
tribulations.
V/. Le Seigneur est
près de ceux qui ont le cœur affligé : et il sauvera les humbles d’esprit.
Allelúia, allelúia. V/. La
blanche armée des Martyrs chante vos louanges, Seigneur. Alléluia.
Suite du Saint Évangile
selon saint Luc.
En ce temps-là :
Jésus dit à ses disciples : Gardez-vous du levain des pharisiens, qui est
l’hypocrisie. Il n’y a rien de secret qui ne doive être découvert, ni rien de
caché qui ne doive être connu. Car, ce que vous avez dit dans les ténèbres, on
le dira dans la lumière ; et ce que vous avez dit à l’oreille, dans les chambres,
sera prêché sur les toits. Je vous dis donc à vous, qui êtes mes amis : ne
craignez point ceux qui tuent le corps, et qui, après cela, ne peuvent rien
faire de plus. Mais je vous montrerai qui vous devez craindre : craignez
celui qui, après avoir tué, a le pouvoir de jeter dans la géhenne. Oui, je vous
le dis, celui-là, craignez-le. Cinq passereaux ne se vendent-ils pas deux
as ? Et pas un d’eux n’est en oubli devant Dieu. Les cheveux même de votre
tête sont tous comptés. Ne craignez donc point ; vous valez plus que
beaucoup de passereaux. Or, je vous le dis, quiconque me confessera devant les
hommes, le Fils de l’homme le confessera aussi devant les anges de Dieu.
Aux Messes votives après
la Septuagésime, on omet l’Allelúia à la fin de l’antienne qui suit.
Offertoire
Les âmes des Justes sont
dans la main de Dieu, et le tourment de la mort ne les touchera pas ; aux
yeux des insensés, ils ont paru mourir, cependant ils sont en paix, alléluia.
Secrète
Recevez, Seigneur, les
prières de votre peuple, recevez ses offrandes : et que ce qui vient
d’être présenté pour la célébration des mystères sacrés vous soit rendu
agréable par l’intercession de vos saints.
Communion
Ce que je vous dis dans
l’obscurité, dites-le dans la lumière, dit le Seigneur ; et ce qui est dit
à l’oreille, prêchez-le sur les toits.
Postcommunion
Nous avons reçu,
Seigneur, le gage de l’éternelle rédemption : par les prières de vos
saints Martyrs, qu’il soit pour nous le soutien de la vie présente et le
secours pour obtenir la vie future.
Sebastiaen
de Neve (1612–1676), St. Susanna, sculpture,
marble, c. 1638–1640, Sint-Carolus-Borromeuskerk, Antwerp
Leçon des Matines avant
1960.
Troisième leçon. —
Tiburce, fils de Chromatius, préfet de Rome, avait embrassé le christianisme, à
la persuasion de saint Sébastien. Amené pour ce motif devant le juge Fabien, il
se mit à discourir en sa présence sur divers points de la foi chrétienne. Dans
sa fureur, le juge ordonna de couvrir le pavé de charbons ardents, et lui
dit : « Tiburce, il faudra, ou que tu sacrifies sans délai aux dieux
de l’empire, ou que tu marches nu-pieds sur ces charbons » [3].
Se munissant alors du signe de la croix, le Martyr marcha plein de confiance
sur le brasier. « Apprends par là, dit-il an juge, que le Dieu des
Chrétiens est le seul Dieu. Tes charbons me semblent être des
fleurs » [4].
Ce prodige ayant été attribué à la magie, on conduisit Tiburce hors de la ville
sur la voie Lavicane, à trois milles de Rome, où on le décapita et où les
Chrétiens l’ensevelirent. Le même jour, Suzanne, vierge d’une grande
noblesse [5],
qui avait refusé l’alliance de Galère Maxime, fils de l’empereur Dioclétien, à
cause de son vœu de virginité, et que de nombreux supplices n’avaient pu
détourner de sa résolution sainte, fut décapitée dans sa propre maison, sur
l’ordre de l’Empereur. C’est ainsi qu’elle monta au ciel, couronnée de la double
gloire de la virginité et du martyre.
[3] Je ne sacrifie, répondit Tiburce qu’à un seul Dieu, le
Créateur du monde qui règne sur la terre et dans les cieux, et mon plus grand
désir est d’être immolé et sacrifié moi-même pour cette confession.
[4] Pour beaucoup de martyrs le Seigneur voulut adoucir
miraculeusement certains supplices. Pour d’autres il laissa aux tourments toute
leur acuité. Sa grâce s’est montrée également puissante dans l’un et l’autre
cas.
[5] Sainte Suzanne était fille de saint Gabinius, frère du
Pape saint Caïus, et proche parente de Dioclétien. Elle subit le martyre en
286.
Bailliu,
Pieter de (1613-1660) / Thulden, Theodoor van (1606-1669), Saint Susanna,
holding a sword, a statue of Jupiter in the background and a view of Castel
Sant 'Angelo, Universitaire Bibliotheken Leiden,
Dom
Guéranger, l’Année Liturgique
Tiburce, fils de
Chromatius préfet de Rome, suit aujourd’hui Laurent sur les charbons où la
confession de sa foi l’amène lui-même. A quarante ans de distance, un même
Esprit anime les deux témoins du Seigneur Christ et leur suggère une même
réponse à leurs bourreaux. Tiburce, marchant sur le brasier, s’écrie :
« Apprends que l’unique Dieu est celui des chrétiens ; car ces
charbons me semblent des fleurs ».
Dans ce voisinage
immédiat du grand archidiacre, assez brillante elle-même pour n’en être pas
éclipsée, une vierge illustre prend place à son tour. Parente à la fois de
l’empereur Dioclétien et du saint Pape Caïus, Susanne, dit-on, vit un jour le
diadème impérial à ses pieds. La blanche couronne qu’elle lui préféra lui valut
la palme du martyre, et toutes deux lui assurent une noblesse à jamais plus
grande.
Clocher-porche de la chapelle Sainte-Suzanne à Mûr-de-Bretagne
_Chapelle_Sainte-Suzanne_01.JPG)
Chapelle
Sainte-Suzanne de Mûr-de-Bretagne (22). Chevet.
Bhx
cardinal Schuster, Liber Sacramentorum
Saint Tiburce,
martyr.
Station « ad duas
lauros » sur la voie de Labicum.
Saint Tiburce, selon les
Actes, était le fils du préfet Chromatius, et il fut mis à mort sous
Dioclétien. Son corps fut enseveli dans le cimetière ad duas Lauros, non loin
de ce qui devint plus tard la villa impériale de Constantin sur la voie
Labicane.
Damase y plaça
l’inscription suivante :
TEMPORE • QVO • GLADIVS •
SECVIT • PIA • VISCERA • MATRIS
EGREGIVS • MARTYR •
CONTEMPTO • PRINCIPE • MVNDI
AETHERIS • ALTA • PETIT •
CHRISTO • COMITANTE • BEATVS
HAEC • TIBI • SANCTVS •
HONOR • SEMPER • LAVDESQVE • MANEBVNT
CARE • DEO • VT • FOVEAS
• DAMASVM • PRECOR • ALME • TIBVRTI
Quand le glaive du
persécuteur transperçait le sein de la Mère Église,
ce noble martyr,
méprisant les ordres du prince temporel,
suivit, bienheureux, le
Christ au royaume céleste.
Cela t’a mérité les
honneurs de la liturgie sacrée et une louange impérissable.
O saint martyr Tiburce,
cher à Dieu, je te supplie de protéger Damase.
Grégoire IV transféra le
corps de Tiburce à Saint-Pierre, et, dans l’Ordo Romanus XI, nous lisons que le
Pape, avant de commencer les vigiles solennelles au Vatican, allait encenser
l’autel de saint Tiburce.
La liste des Évangiles de
Würzbourg, d’accord avec la plus ancienne tradition romaine, n’indique que la
seule messe de saint Tiburce, avec la lecture évangélique : Hoc est
praeceptum meum [6], comme pour la vigile des Apôtres. Sainte
Susanne est venue plus tard.
La messe était ainsi
composée : Introït, Iustus ut palma, comme pour la fête de saint Paul
ermite, le 15 janvier.
Collecte. — « Que la
protection du bienheureux Tiburce nous aide sans cesse, Seigneur, car vous ne
pourrez pas ne pas regarder favorablement ceux à qui vous accordez d’avoir un
patron si puissant ». Voici un autre argument pour prouver que la dévotion
aux saints ne retire rien au culte que nous devons à Dieu. C’est le Seigneur
lui-même qui confie l’Église et les âmes des fidèles à la protection des
saints, afin que ceux-ci, par leurs prières, soient, avec les anges gardiens,
les ministres de la divine Providence pour conduire au salut éternel ceux qui
les honorent dévotement.
Le répons-graduel Os
iusti est la même que pour saint Pierre Nolasque, le 31 janvier, tandis que le
verset alléluiatique, tiré du psaume 8, est le suivant : « Alléluia.
Gloria et honore coronasti eum, Domine » [7].
L’antienne pour
l’offrande des oblations est la même que le 31 janvier. Suit la collecte sur
les oblations : « Recevez, Seigneur, les prières de votre peuple,
recevez ses offrandes ; et que ce qui vient d’être présenté pour la
célébration des mystères sacrés, vous soit rendu agréable par l’intercession de
vos saints. »
Il y avait aussi pour ce
jour une préface propre : Vere dignum... Qui dum beati Tiburtii merita
gloriosa veneramur, auxilium nobis tuae protectionis adfore deprecamur ;
quoniam credimus nos per eorum intercessionem qui tibi placuerunt, peccatorum
nostrorum veniam impetrare. Per, etc [8].
L’antienne pour la
Communion, Posuisti, est la même que le 26 janvier.
Après la Communion :
« Nous avons reçu, Seigneur, le gage de l’éternelle rédemption. Par les
prières du bienheureux Tiburce, qu’il soit pour nous le soutien de la vie
présente et le secours pour obtenir la vie future ».
Sainte Susanne, vierge et
martyre.
Station « ad duas
domus, iuxta Diocletianas ».
Aujourd’hui le
Martyrologe Hiéronymien indique la station de l’anniversaire de sainte Susanne
dans l’antique titulus Gaii, ou titulus Susannae, près des thermes de
Dioclétien, qui remonte au commencement du IVe siècle. Les Actes de la Sainte
datent du siècle suivant et leur authenticité est douteuse. Selon ce document,
Susanne périt par le glaive dans sa propre demeure, victime de la haine de
Dioclétien contre la foi chrétienne. Son corps aurait été d’abord enseveli sur
la voie Nomentane, près de la crypte du martyr Alexandre ; plus tard,
cependant, on le vénéra dans le Titre élevé sous son vocable ; on y lisait
cette inscription sépulcrale :
OLIM • PRESBYTERI •
GABINI • FILIA • FELIX HIC • SVSANNA • IACET • IN • PACE • PATRI •
SOCIATA [9]
Le culte de sainte
Susanne prit, à Rome, un nouveau développement quand Serge Ier, qui avait été
prêtre du titulus Susannae, fit restaurer cette église, la dotant de biens.
Léon III et Charlemagne durent eux aussi y déployer leur munificence, car leurs
images figuraient dans la mosaïque absidale, et une inscription commémorative
de ces travaux attestait même que le Pontife avait également transporté en ce temple
le corps de sainte Félicité.
Une messe distincte, en
l’honneur de sainte Susanne, le 11 août, apparaît déjà en diverses listes de
péricopes évangéliques, comme, par exemple, dans les manuscrits de Rheinau et
de Spire, publiés par Gerbert, Ranke, etc. Le Missel actuel a fondu les deux
synaxes primitives de saint Tiburce et de sainte Susanne — celle de la voie
Labicane et celle de l’alta semita, ad duas domus — en une unique messe :
(Salus
autem), du Commun. Les collectes, avec l’adjonction du nom de Susanne, sont
les mêmes que celles que nous avons rapportées plus haut pour saint
Tiburce ; et la première lecture est identique à celle de la fête de saint
Sébastien, le 20 janvier.
[6] Ioann. 15. 12-16.
[7] Vous l’avez couronné de gloire et d’honneur.
[8] Il est vraiment digne... Alors que nous vénérons les
mérites glorieux du bienheureux Tiburce, nous vous prions de nous accorder le
secours de votre protection ; car nous croyons que par l’intercession de
ceux qui vous ont plus, nous pouvons demander le pardon de nos péchés.
[9] Autrefois heureuse fille du prêtre Gabin, ici Suzanne
repose en paix associée son père.
Dom
Pius Parsch, Le guide dans l’année liturgique
Témoins du Christ.
1. Saint Tiburce et
sainte Suzanne. — Jour de mort : le 11 août, vers 303.
Tombeaux : le corps de saint Tiburce fut déposé dans le cimetière proche
de la voie de Lavicum ; Grégoire IV le fit plus tard transporter à
Saint-Pierre. Les reliques de sainte Suzanne sont à Rome, dans l’église qui
porte son nom. Vie : Nous éprouvons toujours une profonde vénération pour
les martyrs des anciens temps de l’Église. Quand bien même nous les connaissons
fort peu, nous voyons toujours en eux des représentants de la « glorieuse
armée des martyrs », des témoins du Christ. Le martyrologe relate :
« A Rome, « entre les deux lauriers », fête de saint Tiburce,
martyr. Sous le juge Fabien, durant la persécution de Dioclétien, il fut
condamné à marcher nu-pieds sur des charbons ardents. Comme il confessait sa
foi avec d’autant plus de constance, on le conduisit à trois milles de la ville
où il eut la tête tranchée ». D’après les Actes, Tiburce était le fils du
préfet Cromatius. — « A Rome, sainte Suzanne, vierge de haute naissance et
nièce du pape Caïus, décapitée ; elle mérita ainsi la palme du
martyre ».
2. La Messe. —
C’est la messe du commun de Martyrs (Salus
autem). L’Épître seule est propre (Ép. aux Hébreux, XI, 33-39) ; elle
rappelle en peu de mots toute l’étendue des souffrances endurées par nos saints
martyrs. Cela uniquement pour rendre témoignage au Christ. En entendant cette
épître, sachons reconnaître combien nous sommes petits. Quels sacrifices
faisons-nous pour notre foi ? Cette lecture sera plus impressionnante
encore, si nous nous représentons au tombeau des martyrs où nous voyons, pour
ainsi dire, leurs blessures se rouvrir et saigner.
SOURCE : http://www.introibo.fr/11-08-St-Tiburce-et-Ste-Suzanne
François Duquesnoy (1597–1643). Santa
Susana, 1629, basílica de Loreto / église Sainte-Marie de Lorette, Rome.
François Duquesnoy (1597–1643). Santa
Susana, 1629, basílica de Loreto / église Sainte-Marie de Lorette, Rome.
Profile
Roman noble, the
beautiful daughter of Saint Gabinus,
and niece of Pope Caius,
living in the early part of Diocletian‘s
reign when the last large-scale persecutions were
building steam. Having made a private vow of virginity, and not wanting to be
part of a family that murdered her family in faith,
she refused to marry Maximian, Diocletian‘s
son-in-law. Her piety was such that she converted Claudius
and Maximus, relatives and the messengers sent to bring her to Maximian. In
revenge, she was exposed as a Christian,
beaten, and martyred.
No reliable Acta of
her life have survived, but her story has, and she is commemorated in many
ancient Martyrologies. A Roman parish and
church has borne her name since the fifth
century. In 1969 she
was dropped from the universal calender of saints, but her memorial is still
celebrated in Saint Susanna’s basilica in Rome.
beheaded in 295 in
her father‘s
house at Rome, Italy
buried by Diocletian‘s
wife, a closet Christian
the house became the
original church with her name
Additional
Information
Acts
of the Early Martyrs, by Father James
A M Fastré, S.J.
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Francis
Xavier Weninger
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
images
videos
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
MLA
Citation
“Saint Susanna of
Rome“. CatholicSaints.Info. 19 July 2022. Web. 10 August 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-susanna-of-rome/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-susanna-of-rome/
Saint
Susanna, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Photographie : José Luiz
August 11
St. Susanna, Virgin and
Martyr
Third Age.
SHE was nobly born in
Rome, and is said to have been niece to Pope Caius. Having made a vow of
virginity, she refused to marry; on which account she was impeached as a
Christian, and suffered with heroic constancy a cruel martyrdom. No genuine
acts of her life are now extant; but she is commemorated in many ancient
Martyrologies, and the famous church which is at present served by Cistercian
monks, has borne her name ever since the fifth century, when it was one of the
titles or parishes of Rome. St. Susanna suffered towards the beginning of
Dioclesian’s reign, about the year 295.
Sufferings were to the
martyrs the most distinguishing mercy, extraordinary graces, and sources of the
greatest crowns and glory. All afflictions which God sends are in like manner
the greatest mercies and blessings; they are the most precious talents to be
improved by us to the increasing of our love and affection to God, and the
exercise of the most heroic virtues of self-denial, patience, humility,
resignation, and penance. They are also most useful and necessary to bring us
to the knowledge of ourselves and our Creator, which we are too apt to forget
without them. Wherefore whatever crosses or calamities befall us, we must be
prepared to bear them with a patient resignation to the divine will; we ought
to learn from the martyrs to comfort ourselves, and to rejoice in them, as the
greatest blessings. How base is our cowardice, and how criminal our folly, if,
by neglecting to improve these advantageous talents of sickness, losses, and
other afflictions, we make the most precious mercies our heaviest curse! By
honouring the martyrs, we pronounce our own condemnation.
Rev. Alban
Butler (1711–73). Volume VIII: August. The Lives of the
Saints. 1866.
SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/8/112.html
Convento
de Santa Susana (MM Agustinas), en Durango (Bizkaia)
Sts. Tiburtius and
Susanna
Roman martyrs,
feast 11 August. The story is related in the legend of St. Sebastian that
Chromatius, prefect of Rome,
condemned several Christians to
death. The prefect, however, was converted by St. Tranquillinus and baptized by Polycarp.
Tiburtius, the only son of Chromatius, was also baptized through
the persuasion of St. Sebastian, who was his godfather in baptism.
Tiburtius during the persecution of Diocletian lay
hidden in his father's house.
Accused by a traitor, he was brought before the prefect Fabianus and tried. He
confessed his faith which
he confirmed by a miracle,
for protecting himself only by the sign
of the cross he walked over red-hot coals barefoot without suffering
any injury. But the miracle was
ascribed to magic and Tiburtius was beheaded at the third mile-stone of the Via
Lavicana. This was in the year 286. The spot of execution was called, "at
the two laurel trees".
Saint Susanna, virgin
and martyr,
is said to have been the daughter of St. Gabinius. She was beheaded about the
year 295, at the command of Diocletian,
in her father's house. This house and the adjoining one belonging to her uncle,
the prefect Caius, which were near the two laurel trees, were turned into a
church, later the titular church of St. Susanna ad duas domos (cf.
Kehr, "Italia pontificia", I, 61 sq.). The authenticity of the Acts
of Sts. Sebastian and Susanna has been rightly questioned; however, the martyrdoms and
the day of death (11 August) are established by the witness of the oldest
Martyrologies and the earliest places of worship.
Sources
Acta SS., II Feb., 271-7;
III April, 14-6; and II August, 613-32
Meier, Gabriel.
"Sts. Tiburtius and Susanna." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 14. New
York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 10 Aug. 2016
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14720a.htm>.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. July 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D.,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2020 by Kevin
Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14720a.htm
imatge
de Santa Susanna , Capella de Santa Susanna, Amposta
Saint Susanna
Virgin and Martyr
(† 286)
Saint Susanna was nobly
born in Rome, the daughter of a certain Gabinius, who after his conversion
became a priest; she was also the niece of Pope Saint Caius, her father's
brother. This family was also related to the emperor Diocletian. Susanna's
father had raised her with great care in the fear of God and love of Jesus
Christ, and she had made a private vow of virginity. Diocletian, wishing to
obtain the consent of this very beautiful maiden to marry his favorite,
Maximian, sent a certain Claudius, another member of her family, to propose the
espousals. She refused to consent, making known to her father and Saint Caius
her vow, and saying that even if she had not resolved to conserve her chastity,
she would not wish to marry a man responsible for the massacre of an infinite
number of Christians. The Emperor's messenger was converted by her confession
of faith, and became a fervent penitent.
When Diocletian received
no answer from his messenger concerning the results of the commission, and then
learned of the conversion of Claudius, he was very irritated; then with
Claudius he arrested Suzanne, Gabinius her father, and several other
Christians. He had Suzanne beaten in her residence, then decapitated secretly.
The emperor's wife, Prisca, who was also a Christian in secret, buried her body
clandestinely and prayed to her as a holy martyr. Later the house of Gabinius
was transformed by Pope Saint Caius into a church; it eventually became a
convent for Cistercian nuns. Saint Susanna suffered towards the beginning of
Diocletian's reign, about the year 295.
Reflection: Sufferings
were to the martyrs extraordinary graces, and sources of the greatest crowns
and glory. All afflictions which God sends are His greatest mercies and
blessings. They are precious talents which we must make fruitful, to increase our
love and affection for God. They are exercises for the most heroic virtues of
self-denial, patience, humility, resignation, and penance.
Les Petits
Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral:
Paris, 1882), Vol. 9; Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a
compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and
other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).
SOURCE : http://sanctoral.com/en/saints/saint_susanna.html
Sébastien Norblin (1796–1884). La Mort de sainte Suzanne, 1858,
Chapelle Sainte-Suzanne, église Saint-Roch de Paris.
The
Acts of the Early Martyrs – Saint Susanna
Article
If the allurements of the
world possess sufficient power to draw men away from the allegiance which they
owe to their Maker, it cannot be denied, that it must have been a miracle of
divine grace which enabled this holy Virgin to resist successfully the temptation
held out to her. Wealth, and honors, and power have at all times so great a
charm for men, that there are few who ever care to reflect that certain ruin
frequently lurks behind the dazzling appearance which they present, unless,
indeed, the fire of divine love, which purifies the heart, also illumines the
understanding and places before them the things of earth in their true
character, In the Blessed Susanna, therefore, we see a bright example of the
power of grace triumphing over the powers of this world.
By blood she was nearly
related to the Emperor Diocletian, being in fact his grandniece, and her uncle,
Saint Caius, Pope and Martyr, as well as Gabinius her father, who, after the
death of his wife, had been ordained a priest, illustrated the Church of God by
their shining virtues and their glorious confession of the Faith. Although the
Emperor held no familiar intercourse with his two nephews, on account of their
profession of Christianity, he nevertheless did not disown their relationship.
Hence it came to pass that after he had raised Galerius Maximian to the rank of
Cesar, and adopted him as his son, he was anxious to bind him still more
closely to his interests by giving him his grandniece, Susanna, in marriage.
The wily politician seemed never to have doubted that so advantageous a
settlement could meet with the least opposition from the person most interested
in the matter. Accustomed as he was to consider that his will became a law for
every one to whom it was made known, he felt convinced that it needed only a
hint to see himself obeyed. Yet, through regard for his kindred, he did not
deem it proper to proceed altogether in a summary manner. Wherefore, that the
matter might be transacted with due formality, Diocletian sent his kinsman
Claudius to make known his intention and wishes to Gabinius, the father of the
maiden. Gabinius received the imperial envoy with the greatest respect, and in
presence of his brother, Pope Caius, replied that although so honorable an
offer deserved his thankful consideration, still the subject could not be
proceeded with, until the mind of the young lady herself had first been
consulted in a matter of so vital an importance to her future position in life.
Claudius at once approved this course of action, and promised to return after
three days.
In the meantime, Gabinius
called his daughter and explained to her the proposals made by the Emperor.
Susanna, as might have been expected, was indignant at the thought that her
state of life should be an object of solicitude to one whose hatred of the
Christians had caused so much suffering throughout the Empire, and said to
Gabinius:
“You know, my beloved
father, that long since, with your consent, I have consecrated myself by vow to
my God and Saviour. Can you imagine, even for a moment, that your daughter,
who, by a free and deliberate choice, has become a bride of Christ, should
prove faithless to Him, to become the disgraced bride of a man, a prince indeed
in the eyes of the world, but an idolater, a worshipper of impure and wicked
demons? No; neither promises of being exalted to the highest station on earth,
nor threats of torments and death itself, shall ever induce me to forget that I
am the daughter of the noble Christian Gabinius, and a niece to the Holy
Pontiff Caius. This is my answer, this is my fixed resolve.”
Gabinius embraced his
daughter, and with tears of joy praised her generous resolution, encouraging
her to persevere, in spite of all that the powers of earth and of hell might do
to shake her constancy. Her uncle, in like manner, approved her determination,
and exhorted her to rely confidingly upon the protection of her heavenly
Bridegroom, whose grace would enable her to accomplish what the weakness of
human nature had no power to do.
After three days Claudius
returned, and was kindly received by his kinsmen. When, however, Susanna was
sent for, and he, according to custom, wished to embrace his kinswoman, the
noble Virgin said:
“Do not touch me,
Claudius.”
“How is this?” asked
Claudius. “Do not kindred and friendship justify us to show this mark of
good-will and mutual affection?”
“Whilst you are defiled
with the abominations of idolatry, how dare you presume to touch a bride of
Jesus Christ, even if she has the misfortune of being a near relation of
yours?” answered the maiden.
“Pardon my ignorance,”
said Claudius; “not for worlds would I give offence to so fair and virtuous a
kinswoman of mine. Yet, permit me to ask, what must I do to remove the
defilement of which you complain?”
“If you desire to be
cleansed of your iniquity,” replied Susanna, “you should repent of your crimes,
and do penance, that afterwards you may be baptized in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Claudius, then addressing
Caius, the Bishop, said;
“I pray you, holy father,
cleanse me at once after this manner, if so be that a man who believes in
Christ is more clean than one who believes in the gods, whom I have hitherto
worshipped, and before whom our princes also humble themselves.”
“Brother Claudius, listen
to me,” said Caius. “In giving you advice, I have no object in view except that
of promoting your true happiness. It appears to me, that in the choice made of
you to press this suit with the young lady, our relation, I can distinctly see
the hand of God, who wishes to bring another member of our family to the
knowledge of the saving truth, You, indeed, have strayed far from the path of
duty and rectitude; but the ways of Providence are mysterious and truly
wonderful. In His holy Gospel, our Lord says: ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor
and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up My yoke upon you, and you
shall find rest unto your souls.” There can be no greater burden for man than
the yoke of idolatry, since it weighs down the body as well as the soul, and makes
him the slave of every passion. How it degrades the noble nature of man! of
man, for whose sake the Son of God came down from heaven, suffered and died;
for whose sake He also arose from the dead and returned to the bosom of His
heavenly Father, after pointing out to us the way we should follow to attain at
last to everlasting bliss. Are you willing to learn and follow this path?”
“Most reverend Servant of
God,” answered Claudius, “I am ready to do whatever you tell me; only do not
forget the wishes of the Emperor, our august sovereign.”
“Brother,” said the
Pontiff, “attend first to the wishes of our hearts, and everything will be done
according to your desires.”
“Tell me at once what I
am to do,” replied Claudius, and I pledge you my word that I will obey your
commands. But what is to be done as regards the answer I am to bring to the
Emperor?”
“Listen first of all to
the counsel of a loving brother,” said Caius. “Neglect not the present
opportunity: make your peace with God, whom you have so grievously offended. If
you had committed no other crimes, you cannot deny that you have shed the
innocent blood of the servants of God: repent, therefore, and do penance, until
by the regenerating waters of holy Baptism you may be washed from your
iniquities and cleansed from your sins. After that, you shall find no
difficulty in making a suitable answer to the Emperor; for our Lord Himself
says: ‘When you are brought before kings and rulers, I will give you a mouth
and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and
gainsay.'”
“And, when I receive
Baptism, shall I obtain the remission of all my sins?” asked Claudius.
“All your crimes shall be
washed away by the virtue of this holy Sacrament,” answered the Pontiff.
At that moment the
blessed Susanna entered the room, and casting herself at the feet of the
venerable Caius, said:
“My lord and holy Father,
I beseech you, for the sake of Christ our Lord, do not delay his Baptism, that
he may the sooner be purified from his sins, and become a pleasing sight in the
eyes of the divine Majesty.”
“Be not uneasy, my
child,” said Caius; “we must allow him a short time of probation, that he may
be ready to believe with his whole heart.”
“According to the
promises made to me this day,” said Claudius, “I believe with my whole heart,
that I may obtain the remission of my sins.”
“In the name of the
Almighty God, and Jesus Christ His only Son, all your sins will be forgiven,”
returned the Pontiff.
Thereupon, Claudius
prostrating himself upon the ground exclaimed: “Lord, my God, eternal light,
forgive me, wretched sinner, all the crimes T have committed against Thee, and
against Thy servants: for Thou knowest I was blind and ignorant. The dumb
idols, which in my folly I worshipped, I now detest and abominate. Enlighten my
mind with understanding, that I, as also my wife and children, may know that
Thou savest all them that believe and hope in Thee.”
Caius, perceiving these
happy dispositions, received him as a catechumen, and, after encouraging and
blessing him, bade him return to his dwelling.
As soon as Claudius
arrived home he immediately communicated to his wife what had happened, in
consequence of his being sent to obtain the consent of his niece Susanna to her
marriage with the Cesar Galerius. “And thus,” he added, “whilst I was using my best
efforts to put upon her the yoke of a man, whose manners and habits would
probably be a life-long torment to her, she has brought me to the knowledge of
Christ the Lord, whose yoke is so sweet and whose burden is so light, that I
cannot express in words the happiness which fills my heart.”
“And who has worked so
great a change in you?” asked Prepedigna, his wife.
“My brother Caius, the
Pontiff of the Christians, and my brother Gabinius, the Priest,” replied
Claudius. “Yet, I must confess, that the conduct of the lady Susanna was
chiefly instrumental in changing me; for she appeared to me not as a human
being, but like an angel from heaven.”
“God be praised,” said
Prapedigna. “Long and earnestly have I prayed for this: the God of mercy has at
last heard the voice of my supplication.” Forthwith she ordered her sedan chair
and hastened to the dwelling of her brother-in-law. There she found Caius, the
Bishop, and casting herself at his feet and shedding many tears she said:
“Save thy servant, my
husband, and me unworthy, as well as my children. Many a day have I longed for
this happy moment, but alas! the dread of displeasing him whom I had promised
to love, kept me in darkness and misery, Thanks be to God, who has at last
regarded my tears and the desires of my poor heart. Holy Father, delay not to
receive us into the fold of Christ, that our souls may be at rest.”
The blessed Susanna,
entering at that moment, and hearing the wonders which God had wrought in favor
of her relatives, embraced her aunt with the greatest affection, and besought
her not to leave the house until her pious desires had been gratified. Later in
the evening, Claudius made his appearance, accompanied by his two sons,
Alexander and Cutias. Kneeling before his brother Gabinius, he said:
“For the sake of Jesus
Christ, our Lord, in whom I believe and hope, delay no longer my Baptism; and
grant also the same blessing to my wife and children.”
Gabinius, after spending
the greater part of the night in more fully instructing the catechumens, baptized
the father. After which, the holy Bishop Caius baptized Prapedigna and her two
sons, Gabinius being their sponsor; and next he administered to them the
Sacrament of Confirmation. As it was now early morning, the holy Father offered
up the Holy Sacrifice, and the neophytes received the Sacred Body and Blood of
our Lord, that priceless boon which completed their happiness.
From that day Claudius
was altogether a new man. He sold the greater part of his immense possessions,
and distributed the price among the poor. He visited in person the haunts of
sickness and misery, and with a liberal hand brought relief everywhere. He went
to the prisons, and as not a few were confined therein on his account, he cast
himself at their feet, begging their forgiveness, after which he obtained their
freedom and made a generous provision for them. Night and day he was thus
engaged in works of mercy, that he might repair, to the best of his power,
whatever evil he might have done whilst he walked in the darkness of idolatry.
Meanwhile, a month and a
half elapsed since first he was sent by the Emperor to the house of Gabinius.
Diocletian grew impatient at his nonappearance, and upon inquiring after him,
was told that he was detained at home by sickness. Thereupon, he forthwith sent
Maximus, the superintendent of the imperial household, to express to him the
sympathy of his Sovereign, and at the same time to learn how matters stood in
regard to the proposal made to his niece. Maximus, who was also a brother of
Claudius, was at once shown into the apartment of his brother. How great was
his astonishment when, instead of finding him stretched upon the bed of
sickness, as he expected, he saw him in a kneeling posture, and engaged in
prayer! The austere life of penance led by the new Christian, had as much
changed his outward appearance as it had improved his interior sentiments and
inclinations.
“O my beloved brother,”
exclaimed Maximus, as he perceived his altered look, “what dreadful malady has
produced this great change?”
“If thou art willing to
listen to me, brother,” said Claudius, “I will gladly satisfy thy curiosity.”
“Keep me not in
suspense,” replied Maximus, “for it is possible that I may be able to afford
thee some relief; at least, doubt not that I am most anxious to do all that a
brother’s love can suggest.”
“Know then, O my
affectionate brother,” said Claudius, “that I am doing penance for all the
crimes I have committed. I have been ever ready to do the bidding of our
Sovereign; his will was my law; in consequence, I have again and again shed the
innocent blood of Christians. May the God of mercy forgive me all. I was blind
and ignorant, and knew not at the time what I was doing.”
“I am here by order of
the Emperor,” replied Maximus, “to know what has been settled with regard to
our niece, the lady Susanna. He desires to give us a new proof of his esteem
for our family by thus raising out kinswoman to the most exalted dignity. How
canst thou talk to me in a manner so strange and unbecoming?”
“Brother,” answered
Claudius, “I did not neglect to urge the request of our Prince with the holy
Susanna, I found her every way worthy of the high station to which our uncle
wishes to raise her; but I found her also prudent, holy, and consecrated to
God, to whose knowledge she led me, that I might obtain the pardon of my sins,
and begin to lead a new life. However, that thou mayest be able to judge for
thyself, and perhaps, experience how earnestly the Omnipotent and Eternal God,
whom I now humbly adore, desires all men to obtain salvation, let us go tonight
to the dwelling of our worthy brother Gabinius.”
“Whatsoever thou thinkest
proper that I should do,” returned Maximus, “therein am I ready to oblige
thee.”
That very night the two
brothers repaired to the dwelling of Gabinius, near the Salarian gate, Gabinius
received them with open arms, and as soon as they had entered the house, all
knelt down, whilst he offered this prayer: “O Lord our God, who bringest
together that which is scattered and keepest united that which was divided,
graciously look down upon the work of Thy hands, and illumine with Thy holy
grace all them that believe in Thee, Thou who art the true light forever and
ever.” To which prayer all answered, Amen. After this, the brothers conversed
together in the most affectionate manner. Maximus, having proposed all his
troubles and difficulties, was soon convinced of his errors, and prepared to
embrace the truths of Christianity.
The vanities of the world
having lost their hold of him, he was only anxious to be baptized; but Caius,
who had been sent for, thought it better to wait a few days, that he might the
better prepare himself for the reception of the Sacraments.
After five days they all
met again at the house of Gabinius. When Maximus saw his brother, the Bishop,
he knelt down before him and said:
“Holy Father in God, I
entreat you, for the love of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of men, remove from my
soul the weight of sin which oppresses me, that I may see the light of
salvation. In the bitterness of my heart I have wept, both night and day, over
my past transgressions; make me, at last, a partaker of the blessings which you
enjoy by your faith and hope in Christ.”
“If thou art now ready to
renounce forever the devil and his works, and to confess fearlessly our Lord
Jesus Christ, and His saving doctrines, we will no longer refuse thy request,”
said Caius.
“I have already renounced
the demon,” answered Maximus; “I renounce him again, as well as all his works;
with my mouth and with my whole heart I confess Jesus Christ, and believe in
all His teachings, and I will, to the best of my power, whether in joy or in
sorrow, cling to the holy Religion professed by yourself and my excellent
brothers.”
Then Gabinius took him
aside, and during the greater part of the night explained to him more fully the
mysteries of the Christian Faith. Towards morning, the Pope baptized and
confirmed the fervent catechumen, and celebrated the Holy Sacrifice, during
which Maximus and all they who were present received the holy Communion, From
that time the life of the new convert was as edifying as that of his noble
brothers.
Nevertheless, so great a
change of conduct could not long be hidden from the knowledge of the Emperor:
soon one of the imperial officers, Arsitius by name, having made himself well
acquainted with all that had been done, reported his discovery to his master.
Diocletian was so incensed that he immediately gave orders to Julius, another
of his officers, to put to death Maximus, together with Claudius and all the
members of his family, unless they would renounce their faith. Accordingly,
they were taken to Ostia and burnt alive; after which their ashes were thrown
into the Tiber. Gabinius, however, and his daughter Susanna, were ordered to be
kept as prisoners in their own house, in the vain hope that time might induce
the young lady to reconsider her first resolution. Two months had nearly passed
away when Diocletian requested the Empress Serena to invite Susanna to the
imperial palace, and use every effort to persuade her to consent to her
marriage with the Caesar. The noble maiden was in great dread when she received
this message, yet, when she had commended herself to the protection of her
heavenly Bridegroom, she became calm and resigned. On entering the apartment of
the Empress, Susanna knelt down as if to implore the kind interference of that
illustrious lady in this hour of trial. Serena embraced her with great
affection, saying: “May Christ our Lord triumph in thee, my daughter.”
These words, as
unexpected as they were consoling, inspired the maiden with confidence, and she
exclaimed:
“Thanks and praise be to
the Lord our God: in every place He is known and adored.”
Susanna abode with the
Empress for several days, and spent all this time in devotional exercises,
encouraged and cheered on by Serena, who herself was a Christian, as were also
her personal attendants. At last, however, Diocletian demanded a direct and final
answer to his proposals, The holy maiden returned a respectful, but resolute
reply, that, as of her own free desire she had consecrated herself to God, she
could not and would not prove faithless to her vow.
The Emperor, thereupon,
sent her again to her father’s dwelling, where some days afterwards the Caesar
himself once more attempted to shake her resolution; but being frightened away
by a visible interposition of divine power, he gave up all further attempts.
Diocletian seeing his
designs thwarted, and his imperial will opposed by the constancy of a Christian
virgin, grew very angry. Resolved to have his revenge, he sent an officer named
Macedonius, a cruel and savage individual, with orders to force Susanna to deny
her religion, or to put her to death, but privately, lest so brutal an act
might create a bad feeling among the people, whose good opinion the tyrant
looked upon as the chief support of his government.
Macedonius, taking with
him a small golden statue of Jupiter, immediately repaired to the house of
Gabinius. Placing the statue upon a pedestal and putting a censer upon a tripod
before it, he said to the maiden:
“Susanna, by order of the
Emperor, our mighty sovereign, I command thee to burn incense in honor of
Jupiter, the protector of the empire.”
Susanna, without looking
at the idol, fell down upon her knees and prayed: “Lord God of heaven and
earth, suffer not the eyes of Thy handmaid to be defiled by the sight of an
image of the demon, but shield me in this hour of trial.”
“Arise, and do my
bidding,” said Macedonius, as he raised her up and drew her toward the tripod.
At the same moment lifting up his eyes, he perceived that the idol had
disappeared. This took him by surprise, but soon recovering himself, he said:
“The love of gold has tempted thee, yet I am not displeased, for unless thou
didst love the gods, thou wouldst not steal their image.”
“Thanks to Thee, O Lord
Jesus Christ,” exclaimed Susanna, signing herself with the sign of salvation,
“who, doubtless, hast sent Thine angel to keep this abomination from my sight.”
Whilst the wicked
Macedonius stood undecided what to do, one of his servants entering the house,
said that the golden statue of Jupiter was lying in the street before the
Sallustian palace. When he heard this he was still more perplexed, and sending
one of his attendants to report to the Emperor what had occurred, he endeavored
in the meantime to persuade Susanna, by promises and threats of every kind, to
comply with the commands of the Emperor. The noble maiden rejected with scorn
his promises as well as his threats, and replied: “I offer no sacrifice except
to Jesus, my God and Redeemer; if He deign to accept also the sacrifice of my
life, I gladly offer to Him that which is long since consecrated to His glory;
besides, if it is His good pleasure, I am ready to glorify His holy name by
laying down my life for the faith which I have in Him.”
Soon the answer of
Diocletian arrived, and, in compliance with his orders, Macedonius struck off
her head; and thus the noble virgin went to receive the crown prepared for her
by her heavenly Bridegroom.
The Empress Serena
hearing that her beloved Susanna had received the crown of martyrdom, secretly
left the imperial palace as soon as the darkness of night screened her from
being observed, and after she had with her own hands wrapped the sacred body in
fine linen, filled with sweet spices and precious ointments, she directed that
it should be buried in a place called the sand-pits, in a crypt by the
side of the tomb of the blessed martyr Alexander. The blood of the virgin
Martyr she carefully gathered up with a veil, which she placed in a silver
casket, and took with her to her private oratory in the imperial palace, where
she spent nights and days in prayer, imploring the Almighty, through the
intercession of the blessed Susanna, to grant mercy, safety, and prosperity to
the empire. The blessed Pope Caius, also, so long as he was at liberty, daily
offered the holy sacrifice in the room sanctified by the death of his niece.
Afterwards, to commemorate
her martyrdom, as well as that of her father, and of her three uncles, a
station was established in the house of Gabinius.
The precise day of her
martyrdom is not known, but it was most probably the 11th day of August, A. D.,
295.
MLA
Citation
Father James A M Fastré,
S.J. “Saint Susanna”. The Acts of the Early
Martyrs, 1871. CatholicSaints.Info.
19 July 2022. Web. 10 August 2024. <https://catholicsaints.info/the-acts-of-the-early-martyrs-saint-susanna/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/the-acts-of-the-early-martyrs-saint-susanna/
.JPG)
Le
Martyre de sainte Suzanne, Vitrail, Église Saint-Pierre de
Sérent (Morbihan, France).
Weninger’s
Lives of the Saints – Saint Tiburtius and Saint Susanna, Martyrs
Article
Tiburtius, a son of the
Roman prefect Chromatius, received holy baptism at the same time as his father,
and not only endeavored to lead a Christian life, but also to bring others to
the knowledge of the true faith. One day, while he was walking through the
street, a boy fell from the roof of a house to the pavement, and was so injured
that it was thought that every moment would be his last. Tiburtius going
towards him, made the sign of the cross over him, and commanded him, in the
name of Jesus Christ, to rise, and to abandon heathenism. The boy immediately
arose, became a Christian, and persuaded many who had witnessed the miracle to
do likewise. At another time Tiburtius went to a youth named Torquatus, who,
although baptized and calling himself a Christian, did not conduct himself according
to the dictates of the church. His dress was too luxurious; he spent too much
time in idleness, gaming, dancing, and other amusements; he was unrestrained
and licentious in his conversation and conduct. He was seldom at prayer, but
frequently in dangerous company. Tiburtius exhorted hjm most earnestly to
change his unchristian behavior. Torquatus feigned a determination to follow
his advice, but secretly went to the judge Fabian, and revealed to him that
Tiburtius was a Christian. This he did in revenge for the reproofs which
Tiburtius had given him. But, that he might not be known as the accuser, he
requested to be arraigned with Tiburtius. When this had taken place, the judge
asked Torquatus who he was.
“I am a Christian,” was
his reply, “and this man Tiburtius has converted me to the true faith.”
But Tiburtius said: “I
have never recognized you as a Christian; for, your life has not been that of a
Christian. To dress luxuriously, not to observe the fast days, to be
indifferent to your prayers, to pass the day in idleness, to associate with the
other sex, to be licentious in your words, are not the characteristics of a
Christian. Christ does not recognize such as His followers.”
Fabian would not listen
to these reproofs, but, having the ground strewn with hot coals, he said to the
saint: “You have your choice either to throw incense over these coals, and thus
offer to the gods, or to walk barefoot over them.”
Tiburtius, without a
moment’s hesitation, took off his shoes, and courageously stepping upon the
coals, walked up and down over them, without a sign of pain. Addressing the
judge, he said: “See and know, that the God of the Christians is the only God,
whom all creatures obey. Your live coals seem to me but lovely flowers.”
The judge, highly
incensed, exclaimed: “I knew long since that your Christ instructed his
followers in magic. I shall, however, pay no attention to it.” The holy martyr
rebuked this blasphemy, and as Fabian saw that the heathens began to admire the
God of the Christians, he ordered him to be beheaded, thus bestowing upon him
the crown of martyrdom.
Saint Susanna, one of the
most noble virgins of Rome, and a near relative of the emperor Dioclesian, was
educated by her father, Gabinus, and Pope Cajus in the Christian faith from her
earliest infancy. As soon as she was old enough to understand the value of
chastity, she vowed never to choose another bride-groom than Jesus Christ. It
was not unknown to Dioclesian that Gabinus and his brother Cajus were
Christians, but being so nearly related to them, he feigned ignorance of the
fact. After having chosen’ Maximian Galerius as his colleague and heir to the
imperial throne, he intended to give him Susanna in marriage, and thus make her
empress. To inform Gabinus of this intention, he sent his sister’s son,
Claudius, to him. Gabinus begged for time to consider the proposal, and
repaired immediately to Pope Cajus to consult with him. Both informed the
chaste Susanna of the emperor’s intention, and asked her how she wished to act
in this important affair. “The Christian faith,” replied she, without
hesitation, “and virginal chastity possess a higher value for me than a crown.
I will not become the spouse of one who is not a Christian; besides, I have
promised myself to God, and neither honor, riches, nor any other earthly
advantage shall induce me to break my vow.” Cajus and Gabinus were rejoiced at
this answer, and encouraged her to constancy, and advised her to prepare
herself, by prayer, fasting, and other good works, for a hard struggle, as
there was reason to believe that it would cost her life, if she dared to resist
the emperor’s will. “And what could be a greater honor to me,” she said, “than
to obtain, instead of the crown of the empire, the glorious crown of
martyrdom?” Three days later, Claudius returned to Gabinus for the answer. On
entering the house, he saw Susanna herself, and approaching her, offered, as a
mark of respect, to kiss her hand. But the virgin, filled with holy
indignation, withdrew her hand, saying severely: “I have never, from my
childhood, allowed any man such a liberty, still less shall I permit you to
take it; for, you are an idolater, and your lips are soiled from the sacrifice
of which you have partaken.” She then spoke to him so earnestly of her faith,
that Claudius, unable to say a word, for some moments stood silently before
her; but at last, impressed by her words and manner, and persuaded by an inner
voice, he resolved, with his wife and children, to embrace the Christian faith.
Another courtier, Maximus, who had followed Claudius to receive Gabinus’
answer, acted in the same manner. The emperor, hearing of it, was enraged, and
ordering Claudius, his wife and children, and Maximus, with his family, to be
seized, he caused them to be burned alive, while Susanna and her father were
cast into a dungeon. A few days later, he released Susanna, and placed her in
the charge of Serena, his wife, who was to endeavor to persuade her to become
the wife of Maximian. Serena, however, who was secretly a Christian,
strengthened Susanna in her resolution, and exhorted her to spurn riches,
honors, and the imperial crown, rather than break her promise to God.
At last, Serena imparted
Susanna’s unchangeable resolution to the emperor, who, contrary to all
expectations, sent her back to her father’s house, leaving it to Maximian to
plead his own cause. He stormed her father’s house at night, determined by
force to rob her of her most precious treasure. But when he opened the door, he
saw her absorbed in prayer, and surrounded by a heavenly light Awed by the
sight, he drew back and Went to Dioclesian and related all he had seen. The
emperor then commanded Macedonius, an apostate from the faith, either to force
her to worship the gods or to kill her. Macedonius, who could prevail upon her
neither with promises nor menaces, had Susanna cruelly scourged and then
beheaded in her own house. During her martyrdom, she gave thanks to God that He
had thought her worthy to suffer and die for His sake.
Practical Considerations
• Saint Tiburtius did not
count Torquatus among the Christians, because he did not lead a Christian life.
To dress indecently or too luxuriously, not to observe the fasts, to be indifferent
to prayer, to idle away time, to associate too freely with the other sex, to
hold loose conversations, are not the characteristics of a Christian. Thus did
the holy martyr judge. Consider your life, and see that you may be counted
among the true Christians, and not among those whom Christ does not recognize
as His disciples, and to whom He will one day say: “I know you not.” (Matthew
25) If you find that you resemble Torquatus, reform, or no longer call yourself
a Christian. If you are called a Christian and are not one; if you are regarded
as a Christian and lead not a Christian life, what does it profit you? “A holy
name without holy conduct, avails nothing,” says Saint Salvianus. The holy
faith and the holy doctrines of Christianity do not profit you, if you do not
regulate your life by them. The very fact of calling yourself a Christian,
makes your responsibilities before God so much the greater, and your punishment
the heavier if you do not lead a Christian life, but precipitate yourself into
sin and vice; for then you belong to those of whom the Apostle writes: “For the
name of God is blasphemed through you among the Gentiles.” (Romans 2) Origen
explains this as follows: “Not only does he who speaks against God, blaspheme
God and cause others to do so, but he who, under the name of Christian, lives a
wicked life and causes others to sin, blasphemes the Almighty.” It is
unanimously taught by all the Fathers of the church that the iniquities of
Christians are much greater, and therefore, far more deserving of punishment
than those of the infidels. If we, as Catholic Christians, lead a life of
iniquity like the heathen, the sin we commit is much greater than theirs,” says
Saint Salvianus. The pious Carthusian, Dionysius, says: “The condemnation of
the faithful is much more dreadful than that of the infidel; as our sins are
greater in proportion to the graces we receive to avoid them.”
• What examples of virtue
are contained in the life of Saint Susanna! She esteemed the true faith so
highly, that she refused an imperial crown, fearing to endanger her soul by
accepting the hand of a heathen emperor. How wrong those Catholics are who, in
the hope of bettering their circumstances, or moved by senseless love, unite
themselves with those who are not Catholics, and thus place themselves in
danger of losing the true faith for themselves and for their children. Susanna
chose to retain her chastity rather than by forfeiting it, to become empress.
How unwise are they who exchange this priceless treasure for money or for a
short sensual pleasure! Susanna assured Claudius that she had never allowed a
man even to kiss her hand. Happy they who can truthfully say the same!
Thousands would not now be suffering in hell, if they could have made the same
assertion. But as in the beginning, perhaps only through thoughtlessness, they
did not refuse a kiss, they were gradually carried so far as to commit the most
heinous sins. If you would preserve your chastity, you must not only avoid
everything that would disgrace you in the eyes of the world, but everything
which may lead you to sin, however slight it may appear to you. Consider this
well and take it to heart. Do not believe those who tell you the contrary, for
the father of lies speaks through their lips. “If we neglect small faults,”
writes Saint Gregory, “we slowly but surely prepare the way to great crimes.”
MLA
Citation
Father Francis Xavier
Weninger, DD, SJ. “Saint Tiburtius and Saint Susanna, Martyrs”. Lives of the Saints, 1876. CatholicSaints.Info.
1 April 2018. Web. 10 August 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-tiburtius-and-saint-susanna-martyrs/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-tiburtius-and-saint-susanna-martyrs/
Sainte
Cécile et Sainte Suzanne, vitraux, Église Saint-Léonard, Croissy-sur-Seine, Yvelines, Île-de-France
Pictorial
Lives of the Saints – Saints Tiburtius and Susanna, Martyrs
Article
Agrestius Chromatius was
vicar to the prefect of Rome, and had condemned several martyrs in the reign of
Carinus; and in the first years of Diocletian, Saint Tranquillinus, being
brought before him, assured him that, having been afflicted with the gout, he
had recovered a perfect state of health by being baptized. Chromatius was
troubled with the same distemper, and being convinced by this miracle of the
truth of the Gospel, sent for a priest, and, receiving the sacrament of
baptism, was freed from that corporal infirmity. Chromatius’s son, Tiburtius,
was ordained subdeacon, and was soon after betrayed to the persecutors,
condemned to many torments, and at length beheaded on the Lavican Road, three
miles from Rome, where a church was afterward built. His father, Chromatius,
retiring into the country, lived there concealed, in the fervent practice of
all Christian virtues.
Saint Susanna was nobly
born in Rome, and is said to have been niece to Pope Caius. Having made a vow
of virginity, she refused to marry, on which account she was impeached as a
Christian, and suffered with heroic constancy a cruel martyrdom. Saint Susanna
suffered towards the beginning of Diocletian’s reign, about the year 295.
Reflection –
Sufferings were to the martyrs the most distinguishing mercy, extraordinary
graces, and sources of the greatest crowns and glory. All afflictions which God
sends are in like manner the greatest mercies and blessings; they are the most
precious talents to be improved by us to the increasing of our love and
affection to God, and the exercise of the most heroic virtues of self-denial,
patience, humility, resignation, and penance.
MLA
Citation
John Dawson Gilmary Shea.
“Saints Tiburtius and Susanna, Martyrs”. Pictorial
Lives of the Saints, 1922. CatholicSaints.Info.
13 December 2018. Web. 10 August 2024. <https://catholicsaints.info/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-saints-tiburtius-and-susanna-martyrs/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-saints-tiburtius-and-susanna-martyrs/
Karl Herbsthoffer (1821–1876). Sainte
Suzanne au milieu des païens. chiesa di Saint-Roch
Virginmartyr Susanna
The Holy Martyr Susanna
the Virgin was the daughter of Presbyter Gavinius and a niece of the Holy
Bishop Caius of Rome (283-296). She was raised in strict Christian piety and in
her youthful years dedicated herself to God. The family of the saint was related
to the emperor Diocletian (284-305), who heard reports of her virtue and
beauty.
Having decided to give St
Susanna in marriage to his co-emperor Maximian (305-311), Diocletian sent his
own kinsman, the dignitary Claudius, to the priest Gavinius, and then his own
brother Maximus. Both of them, together with the wife of Claudius Prepedigna
and her sons Alexander and Cythius, accepted Baptism after conversation with
the pious family. Having learned that the entire family of his relatives had
been converted to Christianity, Diocletian sent them into exile.
Soon they burned the
martyrs at Ostia, not far from Rome, and threw the ashes into the sea. They
took the holy virgin Susanna to the palace, and the empress tried to persuade
her to submit. But the empress, secretly a Christian, supported the martyr in
her intention to preserve her virginity for the sake of the Lord. She explained
to the emperor about the virgin’s unwillingness to enter into marriage with a
pagan. Diocletian gave permission to his co-ruler to defile the holy virgin,
but an angel defended her.
Macedonius began to urge
the martyr to offer sacrifice to the idols. “I offer myself in sacrifice to my
Lord,” she answered. Then Macedonius cut off the martyr’s head. The empress
secretly buried the body of the saint. The room where the murder occurred was
consecrated into a church by the holy Bishop Caius. Soon the father of St
Susanna, Presbyter Gavinius, accepted a martyr’s end, as did St Caius in the
year 296.
SOURCE : https://oca.org/saints/lives/2016/08/11/102268-virginmartyr-susanna
Ambito
Romano, Santa Susanna di Roma, tavola. Roma, Chiesa di
Chiesa di Santa Susanna alle Terme di Diocleziano
Nel Martirologio
geronimiano viene commemorata l'11 agosto. Altri codici citano un cimitero di
san Susanna ma, a parte questo, si soltanto che a Roma, a partire dal 595, vi
era una chiesa a lei dedicata. La "Passio" della santa, forse non del
tutto attendibile, dice che era figlia del presbitero Gabinio, fratello del
vescovo Gaio e cugino dell'imperatore Diocleziano (fine III - inizio IV sec.).
Il suo destino era di diventare la sposa del figlio dell'imperatore,
Massimiano. Susanna si oppose ma il rifiuto le costò la vita. Condannata a
morte, venne decapitata nella sua stessa casa e sepolta nella zona di Figlinas,
l'odierna Coazzo sulla via Nomentana, nel cimitero di sant'Alessandro. Nessuna
altra fonte, in ogni caso, fornisce elementi utili per identificare il
sepolcro. (Avvenire)
Etimologia: Susanna =
giglio, la donna pura, dall'ebraico (in aramaico Shoshana)
Emblema: Palma
Martirologio Romano: Nello
stesso luogo, commemorazione di santa Susanna, sotto il cui nome, celebrato tra
i martiri negli antichi fasti, fu dedicata a Dio nel VI secolo una basilica nel
titolo di Caio presso le Terme di Diocleziano.
Nel Martirologio
Geronimiano è commemorata l’11 agosto e altri codici lo confermano citando un
cimitero di S. Susanna, ma bisogna dire che in realtà a Roma vi era un titolo
(chiesa) intestato a lei a partire dal 595, mentre precedentemente lo stesso
titolo era intestato a s. Gaio.
La “passio” della santa,
abbastanza leggendaria, dice che era figlia del presbitero Gabinio, fratello
del vescovo Gaio e cugino dell’imperatore Diocleziano; essa fu chiesta per
sposa del figlio dell’imperatore, Massimiano ma essendosi rifiutata, fu
condannata a morte e decapitata nella sua stessa casa e sepolta nella zona di
Figlinas, odierna Coazzo sulla via Nomentana, nel cimitero di s. Alessandro.
Comunque nonostante ciò,
nessuna altra fonte ci può indicare dove è stato realmente il suo sepolcro.
Autore: Antonio Borrelli
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/65850
Church
Santi Tiburzio e Susanna, Perelli, hamlet of Bucine, Province of Arezzo,
Tuscany, Italy
11 de agosto de 2015
San Tiburcio de Roma.
M. c. 288.
Martirologio Romano: En
Roma, en el cementerio llamado «Ad duas lauros», en la vía Labicana, a tres
miliarios de la ciudad, san Tiburcio, mártir, cuyas alabanzas cantó el papa san
Dámaso.
Mártir en Roma, que en una época posterior fue relacionado con san Sebastián. Su culto es muy antiguo; sabemos que fue enterrado en el cementerio “Ad duas lauros” en el tercer miliario de la vía Labicana, cuyas alabanzas cantó el papa san Dámaso; pero no sabemos otros particulares de su vida. Se dice que era hijo de san Cromacio. Desde 1969 su culto se ha limitado a los calendarios locales.
Gerolamo
Emiliani Saint Susanna Roman Catholic Diocese of
Parañaque Saint Jerome Emiliani and Saint Susana Parish Church
(Commerce Avenue, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City)
Santa Susana de Roma.
M. c. 295.
Martirologio Romano: En
Roma, conmemoración de santa Susana, bajo cuyo nombre, celebrado entre los
mártires en los anales antiguos, en el siglo VI fue dedicada a Dios la basílica
del Título de Gaio, junto a las termas de Diocleciano.
Sobre ella realmente sólo
se sabe lo que dice el Martirologio: "En Roma, en las Dos Casas,
cerca de las Termas de Diocleciano, nacimiento de santa Susana". Sobre su
vida se tejió una leyenda y sus Actas son apócrifas, no tiene ninguna
relación con san Tiburcio conmemorado en el mismo día.
La leyenda dice que
estaba emparentada con el emperador Diocleciano, hija de san Gabino y sobrina
del papa san Cayo. El emperador casó a su hija santa Valeria con Maximiano, que
aquélla murió al poco tiempo, y Dicleciano quiso que Maximiano se volviera a
casar, esta vez con santa Susana, hija de su sobrino san Gabino. Mandó a
Claudio a hacer la proposición a su padre, pero éste manifestó que tenía que
pedir la opinión a su hija, quien se negó por había hecho voto de virginidad.
Tan profundo caló el mensaje en Claudio que se convirtió y se hizo bautizar.
Dicleciano los hizo desterrar a Ostia, por lo que poco tiempo fueron
ejecutados. Desde 1969 su culto se ha limitado a la basílica romana de su
nombre.
SOURCE : https://hagiopedia.blogspot.com/2013/08/otros-santos-del-dia_11.html
