Why It is Important to Read the Martyrology

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One reason that I love praying the Prime Office is because of the Martyrology that is included. I think it is easy to forget what the early Christians went through for the faith. Take a look at this small snippet from today’s Prime:
From the 4/25 Prime Office:
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There also the holy martyr Pope Marcellinus, who was beheaded for Christ’s faith’s sake, in the persecution under the Emperor Maximian, along with Claudius, Cyrinus, and Antonine, at the time when the persecution was so great that seventeen thousand Christians were crowned with martyrdom within the space of one month.
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From the 4/23 Prime Office:
At Rome, the holy martyr Saba, a commander of troops. He was accused of visiting the Christians in prison, and freely confessed Christ in the presence of the judge. He was scorched with torches, and thrust I into a vessel of boiling pitch, whence I he came forth unhurt, by the which I marvel seventy men were turned to Christ, who all stood fast to their confession, and were slain with the sword, when after Saba himself was drowned in the river, and so gained the crown of his testimony, [in the year 272.]
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At Lyons, in Gaul, the holy martyr Alexander. In the persecution under the Emperor Antoninus Verus he was imprisoned, and afterwards lashed to such an extent that his inner parts could be seen through holes between his ribs then he was nailed to a cross, and gave up his blessed spirit. There suffered along with him thirtyand-four others, of whom mention is made upon other days
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I think it is so important for us to be reminded of what great a faith we have and that we need to also be ready to give up our lives for our faith if God requires.

I know that the Second Vatican Council suppressed the Prime Office, but I find it to be a blessing.

Reading the Martyrology renews my faith and give me an injection of enthusiasm.

Does anyone else feel the same?
 
There still exists a liturgy for the martyrology. It is typically said or chanted after Lauds but the rubrics allow for other circumstances, such as after a minor hour. I have a copy of the current version in Latin. At our abbey, it is read at supper in the refectory.

Many Benedictines still recite Prime btw, even in the post V-II version of the Monastic Office.

I guess it’s not widely known that the Martyrology is still current post Vatican II and can be licitly attached to the current LOTH or said independently of the Divine Office.

I used to get it daily in my inbox but that site seems to be having
issues. I too like to read it every day.
 
I find the martyrs very inspiring, and humbling.

I have an app on my iPod that has Prime, including the martyrology, for those who have devices like this. It is called BrevMeum. These are the people who put it together.
 
You can also get the Roman Martyrology for kindle. I don’t remember exactly how much it was, but it was very inexpensive. I read it every day.
 
St_Francis said:
I find the martyrs very inspiring, and humbling.

I have an app on my iPod that has Prime, including the martyrology, for those who have devices like this. It is called BrevMeum. These are the people who put it together.
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Minor quibble, the martyrology isn’t just about the martyrs. All of the saints are included, even those who don’t have a feast day celebrated on the general calendar, and also the beatified are included. In addition the moveable feasts and solemnities are proclaimed as well. A well-known (well at least to some) part of it is the proclamation of the birth of Christ read or chanted on Christmas Eve.

The current Latin edition is noted for Gregorian chant BTW.

I agree these texts are extremely inspiring, beautiful and humbling to read.
 
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