Commemoratio Ss. Alexándri, Evéntii et Theodúli Martyrum

 

 Commemoratio Ss. Alexándri, Evéntii et Theodúli Martyrum

Pope St. Alexander I was the sixth Pope of the Catholic Church from c. 108 - c. 119 AD. Most of the information on Pope St. Alexander I is not guaranteed completely accurate. What we do know about him is that he inserted words of institution for the Eucharist in the Canon of the Mass. These words are the ones like such: "The day that He suffered, He took bread into His sacred and venerable hands and lifting the bread to You, His Almighty Father, He gave thanks, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples and said 'Take this, this is my Body..."

He is also attributed to have introduced the use of water mixed with salt to bless homes. He is said to have been martyred by decapitation on the Via Nomentana in Rome. His remains initially rested in the catacombs on the Via Nomentana but were eventually brought to the basilica of Santa Sabina by Pope Pascal I (817-824).

Under Emperor Hadrian, in A.D. 117, Pope Alexander I suffered martyrdom, together with the priests Eventius and Theodulus. Juvenal, bishop of Narni, was executed on May 3, A.D. 377. His Feastday is May 3rd where he and his companions are commemorated in the Mass.

Commemoratio Ss. Alexándri, Evéntii et Theodúli Martyrum

Ant. Fíliæ Ierúsalem, * veníte et vidéte Mártyres cum corónis, quibus coronávit eos Dóminus in die solemnitátis et lætítiæ, allelúia, allelúia.

V. Pretiósa in conspéctu Dómini, allelúia.
R. Mors Sanctórum eius, allelúia.

Orémus.
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui sanctórum tuórum Alexándri, Evéntii, Theodúli atque Iuvenális natalícia cólimus; a cunctis malis imminéntibus, eórum intercessiónibus, líberemur.
Per Dóminum

Commemoration: Ss. Alexándri, Evéntii et Theodúli Martyrum
Ant. Daughters of Jerusalem, * come and see the crowned martyrs, the Lord crowned them in his solemnity and delight, alleluia, alleluia.

V. Precious in the sight of the Lord, alleluia.
R. Is the death of his saints, alleluia.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we who do keep the birthday of thy holy servants Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal, may by their prayers be delivered from all evils that presently hang over us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.