June 30

The first Christian Martyrs of Rome were all disciples of the Apostles. They were blamed by the Roman Emperor Nero with setting fire to Rome, Italy, and were sentenced to death as punishment. The total number of these murders is known only to God.

In the year 64, they were martyred in a variety of ways, the gorier the better from Nero's point of view; some were covered with the skins of animals and thrown to wild dogs to be torn apart; others were crucified and at sunset were covered in oil and used as human torches

Prayer....
Father, you sanctified the Church of Rome with the blood of its first martyrs. May we find strength from their courage and rejoice in their triumph. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Holy Martyrs of Rome, pray for us!