Victories of the Martyrs_LIGUORI - the Catholic Kingdom!

our wretched state in this valley of- tears, where we groanin the uncertainty of what may be our eternal destiny.And from that divine Savio'ur, for wllom you suffered somany torments, and who now repays you with so unspeakableglory, obtain for us that we may love himwith all our heart, and receive in return tile grace ofperfect resignation under the trials of this life, fortitudeunder the temptations of the enemy, and perseverance tothe end. May your powerful intercession obtain for usthat we may one day in your blessed company sing thepraises of the Eternal, and, even as you now do, face taface, enjoy the beatitude of his vision !The Various Torturer to which the Martyrs were Subjected.The Rev. Father Mamachi, in 11is erudite and laboredwork entitled "Manners and Customs of the FirstChristians,"' gives an account of all these tortures sufferedby the martyrs, from the works of ancient writerswho were their contemporaries, as St. Justin, Tertullian,Atlienagoras, Origen, Eusebius of Caesarea, Clement ofAlexandria, and others. This author describes at muchlength the various species of torture employed againstthe servants of Jesus Christ during the ten persecutionsof the Roman emperors; we shall be more brief,as our intention is merely to show how rich in meritthose sainted heroes closed their earthly career.I. THE MARTYRDOM OF THE CROSS.Some were crucified in an erect posture, as was ourLord Jesus Christ; others with the head downwards, asSt. Peter, according to Eusebius, who relates this on theauthority of Origen ; others in tlie manner in which themartyrdom of St. Andrew is represented. Many weremade to pass their arms under the transverse beam of, ' L. 2, ch. 6,Private Use Only