logy, and that of Bede.

* * * * *

In the example of the martyrs we see, that religion alone inspires true
constancy and heroism, and affords solid comfort and joy amidst the most
terrifying dangers, calamities, and torments. It spreads a calm
throughout a man's whole life, and consoles at all times. He that is
united to God, rests in omnipotence, and in wisdom and goodness; he is
reconciled with the world whether it frowns or flatters, and with
himself. The interior peace which he enjoys, is the foundation of
happiness, and the delights which innocence and virtue bring, abundantly
compensate the loss of the base pleasures of vice. Death itself, so
terrible to the worldly man, is the saint's crown, and completes his joy
and his bliss.

Footnotes:
1. Ps. xxvi. 4.
2. Ps. cxv. 4.

ST. ANTERUS, POPE.

HE succeeded St. Pontianus in 235. He sat only one month and ten days,
and is styled a martyr by Bede, Ado, and the present Roman Martyrology.
See Card. d'Aguirre, Conc. Hispan. T. 3. In the martyrology called S.
Jerom's, kept at S. Cyriacus's, it is said that he was buried on the
Appian road, in the Paraphagene, where the cemetery of Calixtus was
afterwards erected.

ST. GORDIUS.

MARTYRED at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, was a centurion to the army, but
retired to the deserts when the persecution was first raised by
Dioclesian. The desire of shedding his blood for Christ made him quit
his solitude, while the people of that city were assembled to the
Circus[1] to solemnize public games in honor of Mars. His attenuated
body, long beard and hair and ragged clothes, drew on him the eyes of
the whole assembly; yet, with this strange garb and mien, the graceful
air of majesty that appeared in his {082} countenance commanded
veneration. Being examined by the governor, and loudly confessing his
faith, he was condemned to be beheaded. Having fortified himself by the
sign of the cross,[2] he joyfully received the deadly blow. St. Basil,
on this festival, pronounced his panegyric at Caesarea, in which he says,
several of his audience had been eye-witnesses of the martyr's triumph.
Hom. 17, t. 1.

Footnotes:
1. The _Circus_ was a ring, or large place, wherein the people sat and
saw the public games.
2. [Greek: Heautou ton tupon tou staurou perigrapsas.] St. Basil, t. 1,
p. 452.

ST. GENEVIEVE, OR GENOVEFA, V.

CHIEF PATRONESS OF THE CITY OF PARIS.

HER father's name was Severus,