(ABOUT 54.)
[Cologne Breviary. In some Martyrologies S. Gaspar is commemorated
on this day, and S. Balthazar on the 6th Jan.; but the Cologne use
is to commemorate S. Melchior on the 1st, S. Gaspar on the 6th, and
S. Balthazar on the 11th January, as the 1st Jan. is the
Circumcision, and the 6th is the Epiphany; at Cologne this day is
kept, with special services, as the Feast of the Three Kings;
Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar being hereon commemorated
together.]
On this day S. Balthazar, one of the Magi, King and Bishop, having
received consecration from the hands of the Apostle S. Thomas, after
celebrating the Holy Sacrifice, fell asleep. According to some
authorities, the Three Kings met in the royal church of the city Sewe,
in the East; when the eldest, Melchior, being one hundred and sixteen
years old, consecrated the venerable mysteries on Jan. 1st, the Octave
of the Nativity, and then died. On the feast of the Epiphany, Gaspar,
aged one hundred and twelve, did the same; and on the 11th January,
Balthazar, aged one hundred and nine, offered the adorable sacrifice,
gave up the ghost, and was laid in the same sepulchre with the two
others. See what has been said on the subject of the Three Kings in the
account of the Epiphany.