 |
| Orate pro nobis, Sante Rufina e Seconda |
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui gloriósos Mártyres fortes in sua confessióne cognóvimus, pios apud te in nostra intercessióne sentiámus. Per Dóminum.
July 10th is the feast of Saints Rufina and Secunda, Virgins and Martyrs of Rome. Daughters of a Roman Senator, the pious sisters were betrothed to Christian men who renounced their faith for fear of persecution. Refusing to get married to the apostates, the girls consecrated their virginity to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Unwilling to break their vow, they were apprehended and tortured by the prefect Giunio Donato. Beaten and scourged, their captors were unable to get the girls to renounce their faith. Condemned to death, the sisters had weights fastened around their necks and tossed into the Tiber River, however instead of sinking an angel kept them above water. Finally, led ten miles on the Via Cornelia, Rufina was beheaded and Seconda was clubbed to death.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer in Latin and English to Saints Rufina and Secunda as well as the Holy Seven Brothers, Martyrs, who are also commemorated on this day. The painting of The Martyrdom of Saints Secunda and Rufina was a collaboration by Il Morazzone, Giulio Cesare Procaccini and Il Cerano. Evviva Santa Rufina e Santa Seconda!
Prayer to Saints Rufina and Secunda, and the Holy Seven Brothers
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that, we, who have known the courage of the glorious martyrs in their confessing Thee, may experience their kindness in interceding for us with Thee. Through our Lord.
