d by a
similar malady, and when he heard what Cyriacus had done for
Diocletian's daughter, he wrote to the emperor, asking him to send the
Christian deacon. It was done, and Cyriacus, on foot, set out for
Persia. Arrived at his destination, he prayed over the girl and the evil
spirit left her. On hearing of this miracle, four hundred and twenty
heathens were converted to the Faith. These the saint instructed and
baptized, and then set out on his homeward journey.

Returned to Rome, he continued his life of prayer and good works. But
when Diocletian soon afterward left for the East, his co-emperor Maximin
seized the opportunity to give vent to his hatred for the Christians,
and renewed their persecution. One of the first victims was Cyriacus. He
was loaded with chains and brought before the judge, who first tried
blandishments and promises to induce him to renounce Christ and to
sacrifice to the idols, but in vain. Then the confessor of Christ was
stretched on the rack, his limbs torn from their sockets, and he was
beaten with clubs. His companions shared the same tortures. Finally,
when the emperor and the judge were convinced that nothing would shake
the constancy of the holy martyrs, they were beheaded. They gained the
crown of glory on March 16, 303.

LESSON

IN THE life of St. Cyriacus two virtues shine forth in a special manner;
his love of God and his charity toward his fellow-men. His love of God
impelled him to sacrifice all, even his life, for His sake, thereby
fulfilling the commandment: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy
whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind" (_Matt_.
xxii. 37). A greater love of God no man can have than giving his life
for Him.

St. Cyriacus also fulfilled the other commandment, of which Our Lord
declared, "And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself" (_Matt_. xxii. 39). He helped his fellow-Christians to bear
their burdens, relieved them in their sufferings, assisted and
encouraged them by word and deed, and edified them by his example. His
sole aim was to do good to all men, mindful of the words of the Royal
Prophet: "Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the
poor" (_Ps_. xl. 2). He was so imbued with the virtue of charity, that
he was disposed even to sacrifice his life for the relief and assistance
of others.

[Illustration: The Holy Women at the Tomb.]

How shall we justify our unfeeling hardness of