(A.D. 1154.)
[S. Wulfric is also called Ulric. Wilson's Anglican Martyrology;
also the Benedictine Kalendar. Authorities:--John Fordun, Roger of
Wendover, Henry of Huntingdon, and other historians.]
S. Ulric was born at Lenton, eight miles from Bristol. When he had
reached man's estate, he entered holy orders, and was made priest,
without much thought of the responsibilities of his calling. He
allowed himself to follow the sports of hunting, hawking, and other
diversions inconsistent with his profession. One day, whilst out
hunting, there came to him a man, who by his dress seemed needy, and
begged of him a new piece of money, as alms; for at that time there
was a new coinage in England, but it was rare, on account of its
recency. Wulfric replied that he did not know whether he had any of
the new coins or not; upon which the man said, "Look in thy purse and
thou wilt find two pieces and a half." Wulfric did as he was bidden,
and found the money, which he at once bestowed on the beggar. Then the
man said, "May He, for whose love thou hast done this, give thee a
fitting reward. Behold, in His name, I tell thee that thou shalt
remove hence, and at length find repose; and He will summon thee to
join the communion of His saints." Musing on these words, S. Wulfric
felt that his life must undergo a change; and he resolved at once to
embrace a very austere life. He therefore retired to Haselbury, in
Dorsetshire, to a cell given him by a knight of his acquaintance, and
there he served God in cold and want and tears. He wore a suit of
chain mail next his flesh, even in winter. One Easter Eve he was
troubled by impure thoughts. Then, next day, he went to the church and
made public confession of what had befallen him, and humbly besought
the prayers of the congregation. His shirt of mail hindering him from
kneeling, he privately called to him his patron, and asked him to
shorten it. The knight said that he would send the coat to London, and
have it cut shorter. "Take a pair of shears and cut," said the
recluse. The knight obeyed, and found that he was able to cut it as if
it had been cloth.
[58] In Antrim.
[59] Blandain, on the high road from Tournai to Lisle.
[Illustration: The Printer.]
February 21.
SS. MAURICE, PHOTINUS, THEODORE, AND COMPANIONS, _MM. at Apamea,
circ._ A.D. 298.
SS. VERULUS, SECUNDINUS, AND COMPANIONS, _MM. at Adrumetum,
in Africa_.
S. VITALIANA, _V. at Artonne, in Auvergne, circ._ A.D. 390.
S. SEVERIAN, _B. M. of Scythopolis_, A.D. 452.
S. ZACHARIAS, _Patriarch of Jerusalem_, A.D. 631.
S. PATERIUS, _B. of Brescia; beginning of 7th cent._
B. PEPIN _of Landen, C. at Nivelles, in Belgium_, A.D. 646.
S. GONDEBERT, _B. of Sens, in France, 7th cent._
SS. GERMAN, _Ab. M._, AND RANDOALD, _Prior, M. of Munsterthal, in
Switzerland, end of 7th cent._
S. PETER _of Majuma, M. in Palestine_, A.D. 743.
S. GEORGE, _B. of Amastris, in Paphlagonia, beginning of 9th cent._
SS. MAURICE, PHOTINUS, THEODORE, AND
COMPANIONS, MM.
(ABOUT A.D. 298.)
[Commemorated by the Greeks on this day, and also on December 27th.
Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, speaks of the festival of S. Maurice
being observed in his time, (A.D. 400); the Acts in
Metaphrastes are not altogether trustworthy. This S. Maurice is not
to be mistaken for the S. Maurice who suffered at Agaunum,
commemorated by the Westerns on September 22nd.]
During the persecution by the tyrant Maximian, which began in the
army, Maurice and seventy soldiers, amongst whom was his son Photinus,
boldly confessed Christ, and refused to sacrifice to the gods. They
were deprived of their military belts, a humiliation similar to the
striking off the spurs of a knight in the Middle Ages, and were
consigned to prison. The head of Photinus, who was only a lad, was
struck off; the others were tormented with iron hooks and fire; and
then, with cruel malice, they were conducted to a low, marshy spot,
near Apamea, were smeared with honey, and tied to stakes, that they
might be tormented by wasps, hornets, and musquitos. The brave
soldiers of Christ lingered without food for many days, but by the
tenth day all were dead; their heads were then cut off, and they were
buried.