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| San Dionigi di Parigi, ora pro nobis |
Deus, qui hodiérna die beátum Dionysium, Mártyrem tuum atque Pontificem, virtúte constántiæ in passióne roborásti, quique illi, ad prædicándurr, géntibus glóriam tuam, Rústicum et Eleuthérium sociáre dignátus es: tribue nobis, quæsumus; eórum imitatióne, pro amóre tuo próspera mundi despícere, et nulla ejus advérsa formidáre. Per Dóminum.
October 9th is the Feast of San Dionigi di Parigi (St. Dionysius, or Denis, of Paris), first century Bishop and Martyr. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, the glorious "Apostle to the Franks" and first Bishop of Lutetia (now Paris) is invoked against demonic possession, headaches, rabid dogs and syphilis.
Also called San Dionigi l’Areopagita, he was a prominent jurist in Athen’s high court (Areopagus) before being converted and baptized by San Paolo Apostolo. He would later become Athen’s first Bishop and one of the Seventy Disciples.
After the martyrdom of San Paolo during the reign of Emperor Nero, San Dionigi decided to travel to the Occident and preach in the Greek settlements. Briefly settling in Calabria, he became the first Bishop (and patron Saint) of Crotone. Journeying to Rome, San Dionigi was sent to Gaul by Pope St. Clement I with a group of missionaries to evangelize the idolators.
Also called San Dionigi l’Areopagita, he was a prominent jurist in Athen’s high court (Areopagus) before being converted and baptized by San Paolo Apostolo. He would later become Athen’s first Bishop and one of the Seventy Disciples.
After the martyrdom of San Paolo during the reign of Emperor Nero, San Dionigi decided to travel to the Occident and preach in the Greek settlements. Briefly settling in Calabria, he became the first Bishop (and patron Saint) of Crotone. Journeying to Rome, San Dionigi was sent to Gaul by Pope St. Clement I with a group of missionaries to evangelize the idolators.
Converting many to the Faith, his pagan rivals denounced him as a Christian, who were being viciously persecuted throughout the Empire. Incarcerated and tortured, San Dionigi and his companions, Rusticus and Eleutherius, were beheaded atop Montmartre, the Martyrs Mountain.
According to tradition, San Dionigi's decapitated corpse picked up his severed head and, guided by angels, carried it down the mountain along the historic Rue des Martyrs (street of the martyrs) to the place of his burial. The Basilique royale de Saint-Denis was built at that location.
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Dionysius and Companions in Latin and English. The accompanying photo, courtesy of the Basilica of St. Denis, is a detail from a 13th century illustrated manuscript depicting the life and martyrdom of the holy cephalophore (head-carrier). Evviva San Dionigi!
Prayer to St. Dionysius and Companions
O God, Who on this day didst strengthen blessed Dionysius, Thy martyr, with the virtue of fortitude in his suffering, and didst vouchsafe to join with him Rusticus and Eleutherius to preach Thy glory to the nations, grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate them in contemning the prosperity of the world for the sake of Thy love, and to fear none of its adversity. Through our Lord.
According to tradition, San Dionigi's decapitated corpse picked up his severed head and, guided by angels, carried it down the mountain along the historic Rue des Martyrs (street of the martyrs) to the place of his burial. The Basilique royale de Saint-Denis was built at that location.
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Dionysius and Companions in Latin and English. The accompanying photo, courtesy of the Basilica of St. Denis, is a detail from a 13th century illustrated manuscript depicting the life and martyrdom of the holy cephalophore (head-carrier). Evviva San Dionigi!
Prayer to St. Dionysius and Companions
O God, Who on this day didst strengthen blessed Dionysius, Thy martyr, with the virtue of fortitude in his suffering, and didst vouchsafe to join with him Rusticus and Eleutherius to preach Thy glory to the nations, grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate them in contemning the prosperity of the world for the sake of Thy love, and to fear none of its adversity. Through our Lord.
