Jun 29, 2023
O first of souls to shed blood,
whose sacrifice began the great persecution,
you indeed handed your bodies over
to torture,
to the mad king of this dark world,
but everlasting reward you have gained
for yourselves and for the Church;
your robes washed clean
in the blood of the Lamb,
you served to nourish the growth
of the people of God –
pray your holy offering
shall always be remembered,
that the Church in this day
and in all days
may be blessed by your witness
of faith,
that you might light our path to Heaven
until our crucified Lord returns again
to gather all of faith and courage
into His redeeming arms.