St. Nereus, St. Achilleus and St. Pancratius

Sts. Nereus & Achilleus

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Nereus and St. Achilleus. Sometimes we hear ourselves say excuses when we do something bad, these excuses we say tend to blame someone else for giving us the “order” to do it. However, for St. Nereus and St. Achilleus this was not their problem, they never made any excuses.

Everything that is known about these two first century martyrs came from a very beautiful testimony that was written by Pope St. Damasus which was written during the fourth century and it was later inscribed on a memorial tablet, which celebrates and help teach their lives.

In St. Damasus’ testimony he States to us that St. Nereus and St. Achilleus were well known soldiers who had fought in the Roman army where they had to carry out many of the persecution that occurred on Christians.

St. Nereus and St. Achilleus had no reason to hate the Christians and therefore they didn't want to carry through with the bloody commands that they were told to do. However, St. Nereus and St. Achilleus had obeyed these cruel orders because they feared that they would be killed. However, after all, during that time soldiers were expected to listen regardless of what they believed was right or wrong.

Sadly, it is not exactly known how these saints had converted, however their conversion is said to have been a true miracle of faith.

After their powerful conversion had occurred, St. Nereus and St. Achilleus abandoned all of their weapons and they escaped from the camp that they were staying in. St. Nereus and St. Achilleus discarded their armor and their weapons as they begun to start their new life which was a life that was totally united with Christ.

Due to the fact that St. Nereus and St. Achilleus were participants during the persecution they probably knew better than some Christians the kind of pain that probably awaited them.

However their faith, had helped them not have any fear towards death and the victory they had endured with the ability to learn and attain the faith was the sweetest victory that they had ever endured.

St. Damasus states that St. Nereus and St. Achilleus had later been martyred but St. Damasus doesn't go into a lot of detail.

St. Nereus and St. Achilleus died standing up for the faith and their feast day is celebrated on May 12.

Another Saint who’s feast day is today is St. Pancratius.

St. Pancras was beheaded during the year 304, during Diocletian's large persecution. St. Pancras was only 14 years old when he was killed.

St. Pancras was always strong in his faith and curious about the faith since ever since a young age. St. Pancras was brought before the law and he was asked to perform a sacrifice in front of the Roman Gods.

Diocletian, was very impressed that St. Pancras had a huge determination to resist, and Diocletian also promised him a lot of wealth and power. However, St. Pancras refused, and finally the emperor ordered him to be beheaded.

A Roman matron named Ottavilla, later decided to get St. Pancras' body, he covered it with balsam, he wrapped it in precious linens, and he buried it. St. Pancras’ head still exists today. His feast day is celebrated on May 12th.

St. Pancras is highly venerated in England due to the fact that St. Augustine of Canterbury decided to dedicate his first church to St. Pancras and majority of his relics were presented and given to the king of Northumberland.

Prayer to St. Pancratius and Sts. Nereus & Achilleus:

St. Pancratius, St. Nereus and St. Achilleus pray that we may be able to be filled with the wisdom and courage we need to overcome every temptation and trial we may encounter. Help us to be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we may be strengthened to do God’s will and guide more people to him. St. Pancratius, St. Nereus and St. Achilleus help us to detach ourselves from all of the desires or things we do or have that may separate ourselves from Christ and help us to be strengthened and renewed so that we may accomplish his will.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord and Mary Our Mother in Heaven

Amen

St. Pancratius and Sts. Nereus & Achilleus pray for us

St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

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Works Cited

Information (read from, not taken):

Catholic Online. "Sts. Nereus & Achilleus. ”Sts. Nereus & Achilleus - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. Accessed 12, May 2021.

Catholic Online. "St. Pancras. ”St. Pancras - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. Accessed 12, May 2021.

Images:

St. Pancras of Rome. May 12, 2021. st. pancratius - Google Search.

Sts. nereus and achilleus. May 12, 2021. sts. nereus and achilleus - Google Search.