De sancto Secundo
The Meaning and Calling of Secundus
The name Secundus is explored alongside his initial divine encounters and call to faith.
The name Secundus is said to mean 'containing himself'—that is, composing himself through the honesty of his character—or it is said to mean 'following,' that is, complying with the Lord's commands, or perhaps 'a guide with himself.' He was indeed his own guide, because he governed his senses well through reason. And he directed that same self toward every good work. Alternatively, Secundus is named in relation to the first, for there are two ways of reaching life: the first through the lament of repentance, the second through martyrdom. This precious martyr, however, traveled not only the first way but also the second. He was a brave soldier, a distinguished athlete of Christ, and a glorious martyr of the Lord who was crowned in martyrdom in the city of Asti; his glorious presence illuminates that city, which rejoices in him as its unique patron. He was taught the faith of Christ by the blessed Calocerus, who was being held in prison in the city of Asti by the prefect Sapritius. When the blessed Marcianus was being held in prison in the city of Tortona, Sapritius wanted to travel there to have him sacrificed; Secundus, however, went with him as a source of comfort, desiring to see the blessed Marcianus. When they were outside the city of Asti, a dove descended upon Secundus and landed on his head. Sapritius said to him, 'See, Secundus, how our gods love you, that they even send celestial birds to visit you.' When they had arrived at the Tanaro river, Secundus saw an angel of the Lord walking upon the water and saying to him, 'Secundus, have faith, and thus you will walk upon the worshippers of idols.'
The Way of Truth and Angelic Guidance
Secundus remains steadfast in his faith despite the confusion and skepticism of the prefect Sapritius.
Sapritius said to him, "Brother Secundus, I hear the gods speaking to you." Secundus replied, "Let us walk toward the desires of our heart." When they had reached the Burimam River, an angel appeared to him there in the same way and said, "Secundus, do you believe in God, or do you perhaps doubt?" Secundus answered, "I believe in the truth of His passion." Sapritius asked, "What is that I’m hearing?" When Marcianus was entering Terdona, having been released from prison at the angel's command, he appeared to Secundus and said, "Secundus, enter upon the way of truth and keep going, so that you may receive the palm of faith." Sapritius said, "Who is this person talking to us as if he were dreaming?" Secundus replied, "To you it’s a dream, but to me it’s a warning and a comfort."
Eucharistic Communion and Martyrdom
Secundus receives the Eucharist through a miracle and begins his public confession of Christ.
After this, Secundus went to Milan, and the angel of the Lord brought Faustinus and Jovita, who were being held in prison, out of the city to him; he received baptism from them, with a cloud providing the water. Suddenly, a dove came from heaven, bringing the Body and Blood of the Lord, and gave them to Faustinus and Jovita. Faustinus gave the Body and Blood of the Lord to Secundus to take to Marcianus. As Secundus was returning, once night had fallen and he reached the bank of the Po, the angel of the Lord took the horse's bridle, carried him across the river, led him all the way to Tortona, and brought him into the prison to Marcianus. Secundus gave Marcianus the gift from Faustinus, and he, receiving it, said, "The Body and Blood of the Lord are with me." May it be for eternal life. Then, at the angel's command, Secundus left the prison and went to his lodging. After this, Marcianus received the death sentence, and Secundus, taking his body, buried it. Hearing this, Sapritius called him to himself and said to him, "As far as I can see, you profess to be a Christian." Secundus replied, "I truly profess that I am a Christian." Sapritius said to him, "You're wishing for a bad death." Secundus replied, "That is something that is owed to you instead." And when he refused to offer sacrifice, he ordered him to be stripped, and immediately the angel of the Lord was there and provided him with a garment.
Divine Deliverance and Final Witness
Through torture and miraculous escapes, Secundus is sustained by the Lord until his final confrontation.
Then Sapritius had him hung on the rack and tortured for so long that his arms were pulled from their sockets. But when the Lord had restored him to health, he ordered him to be taken back to prison. While he was there, the angel of the Lord came to him and said, "Rise, Secundus, follow me, and I will lead you to your Creator." Then he led him all the way to the city of Asti and placed him in the prison where Calocerus and the Savior were. When Secundus saw him, he threw himself at his feet. The Savior said to him, "Don't be afraid, Secundus, for I am the Lord your God, who will rescue you from all evils," and blessing them, he ascended into heaven. In the morning, therefore, Sapritius sent men to the prison; they found the prison sealed, but they didn't find Secundus. Sapritius, however, traveling from Tortona to the city of Asti to punish at least Calocerus, ordered that the aforementioned Calocerus be brought before him; and behold, they reported to him that Secundus was with Calocerus. Upon hearing this, he had them brought to him and said, "Since our gods know that you are their enemies, they want you to die together."
The Sweetness of Sacrifice
Secundus and Calocerus endure their final torture with joy, leading to the martyrdom of Secundus.
When they refused to offer sacrifice, he had pitch and resin melted down. He had it poured over their heads and forced into their mouths. But they drank it as if it were the sweetest water, with great longing, and said in a clear voice: 'How sweet are your words to my taste, O Lord!' Then Sapritius passed sentence on them, ordering that Secundus be beheaded in the city of Asti, and that Calocerus be sent to Albenga to be punished there. After the blessed Secundus was beheaded, the angels of the Lord took his body and buried it with many praises and songs. He suffered on the Ides. Of the calends. Of April.
Read the original Latin
Secundus dicitur quasi se condens, id est, se honestate morum componens, vel Secundus dicitur quasi secundans, id est, obsecundans, id est, mandatis domini obtemperans, vel Secundus quasi secum dux. Fuit enim suns dux, quia ratione sensualitati bene praefuit . et ipsam ad omne opus bonum produxit. Vel Secundus dicitur respectu primi, duae enim sunt viae eundi ad vitam, prima per poenitentiae lamentum, secunda per martirinm. Iste autem martir pretiosus non solum ivit per primam, sed etiam per secundam, Secundus miles strenuns, sed Christi athleta egregius et martir domini gloriosus in civitate Astensi martirio coronatus est, cujus gloriosa praesentia praedicta civitas illustratur et eo velut singulari patrono laetatur. Hic a beato Calocero, qui aSapritio praefecto in civitate Astensi in carcere tenebatur, fidem Christi edoctus est, Cum igitur beatus Marcianus in Terdonensi civitate detineretur in carcere, Sapritius illuc proficisci voluit, ut eum faceret immolari, Secundus autem tanquam causa solatii secum est profectus, beatum Marcianum videre desiderans. Cum ergo extra civitatem Astensem fuissent, columba super Secundum descendens capiti ejus insedit, cui dixit Sapritins: vide, Secunde, quomodo Dii nostri te amant, ut etiam aves coelestes ad te visitandum transmittant. Cum autem ad Tanagrum fluvium pervenissent, vidit Secundus angelum domini super aquam ambulantem et sibi dicentem: Secunde, fidem habeas et sic super ydolorum cultores ambulabis.
Cui Sapritius: frater Secunde Deos audio ad te loquentes. Cui Secundus: ambulemus ad desideria cordis nostri. Cum vero ad Burimam flumen pervenissent, angelus similiter ibidem sibi apparuit eique dixit: Secunde credis in Deum an forte tu dubitas? Cui Secundus: credo veritatem passionis ejus. Cui Sapritius: quid est quod audio? Cum ergo Terdonam ingrederetur, Marcianus ad praeceptum angeli de carcere exiens Secundo apparuit eique dixit: intra, Secunde, viam veritatis et perge, ut accipias palmam fidei. Sapritius dixit: quis est hic, qui nobis quasi somnians loquitnr? Cui Secundus: tibi somnium, sed mihi admonitio et confortatio est.
Post hoc Secundus Mediolanum ivit et Faustinnm et Jonitam, qui in carcere detinebantur, angelus domini ad se extra civitatem adduxit et ab iis baptisma quadam nube aquam praebente suscepit. Et ecce subito columba de coelo venit et corpus et sanguinem domini deferens ea Faustino et Jonitae tribuit. Dedit autem Faustinus corpus et sanguinem domini Secundo, ut ad Marcianum deferret, rediens igitur Secundus, cum jam nox esset et ad ripam Padi venisset, angelus domini frenum accipiens equi super Padum ipsum transvexit et usque ad Terdonam perducens in carcerem ad Marcianum eum introduxit deditque Secundus Marciano munus Faustini et ipse illud sumens dixit; corpus et sanguis domini mecum. sit in vitam aeternam, Tunc ad mandatum angeli Secundus de carcere exiit et ad suum hospitium ivit, Post hoc Marcianus capitalem sententiam accepit et Secundus corpus ejus rapiens sepelivit, Quod audiens Sapritius ipsum ad se vocavit eique dixit: quantum video, Christianum te esse profiteris. Cui Secundus: vere christianum profiteor me esse. Cui Sapritius : malam mortem desideras. Cui Secundus: illa tibi potius debetur. Cumque sacrificare nollet, jussit eum exspoliari, statimque angelus domini ibi adfuit et vestem sibi paravit.
"Tunc Sapritius eum in equuleum suspensum tamdiu torqueri fecit, donec ejus brachia a suis compaginibus solverentur. Sed cum fuisset sanitati a domino restitutus, jussit eum in carcerem reduci. Ubi dum esset, angelus domini ad eum venit eique dixit: surge Secunde, sequere me et ducam te ad creatorem tuum. Tunc ipsum usque in civitatem Asteusem perduxit el eum in custodia, ubi erat Calocerus et salvator, eum posuit. Quem videns Secundus ad ejus pedes se projecit. Cui salvator: noli timere, Secunde, quia ego sum dominus Deus tuus, qui te de omnibus malis eripiam , benedicensque iis adscendit in coelum. Mane igitur Sapritius ad carcerem misit, qui carcerem quidem signatum invenerunt, Seeundum vero non invenerunt. Pergens autem Sapritius de Terdona ad civitatem Astensem, ut saltem Calocerum puniret, jussit ut praedictus Calocerus sibi praesentaretur, et ecce nuntiaverunt sibi, quod Secundus cum Calocero esset, quo audito eos ad se adduci fecit iisque dixit: quoniam Dii nostri sciunt vos esse contemtores suos, vos insimul mori volunt.
Cum autem sacrificare nollent, picem cum resina!) liquari fecit et super eorum capita fundi et in os eorum jactari. llli autem hoc tamquam aquam suavissimam cum magno desiderio bibebant et voce clara dicebant: quam dulcia faucibus meis eloquia tua domine. Tune Sapritius super eos dedit sententiam, ut Secundus in civitate Astensi decollaretur, Calocerus vero Albiganum mitteretur et ibidem puniretur. Cum autem beatus Secundus decollatus fuisset, ecce angeli domini corpus ejus tulerunt et ipsum cum multis laudibus et cantu sepulturae dederunt. Passus est autem Ili. cal. Apriles.
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