MAY 24, 2026 – SS. DONATIAN AND ROGATIAN, MARTYRS.

• Our Lady, Help of Christians. (Historical)
• Pentecost (2015) – a.k.a. Whitsunday. (Current, Traditional)
• St. Joanna (85). Martyr. (Historical)
• Sts. Donatian & Rogation (287). Martyr. (Historical)

WHIT SUNDAY.

FIFTY days after Easter, the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ were assembled in an upper chamber, engaged in prayer, according to the recommendation of the Divine Master, and awaiting the accomplishment of the promise He had made to them, of sending them a Comforting Spirit, the Paraclete, who should teach them all things. Lo! a great noise, as of a rushing tempest, was suddenly heard, the house was rocked to and fro, and tongues of fire were seen resting on the head of each one. At once all were changed into new men, their minds being endowed with full understanding of the Scriptures and of the wonders they had hitherto witnessed without comprehending, and their souls were filled with strength from on high; thenceforth they belonged no more to themselves but to the work of the Gospel. From that time forth this Divine Spirit has not ceased to pour itself forth upon the Church to enlighten, confirm, protect, and guide; it has not ceased communicating itself to each of the faithful individually, either by means of the sacraments or by grace, whenever it has found hearts well disposed.

The Fathers of the Church and all theologians are of one mind in recognizing, in the workings of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of the faithful, seven chief gifts: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and the Fear of the Lord. The gift of Wisdom helps us to judge healthily of all things concerning our last end; the gift of Understanding, to apprehend the truths revealed, and to submit our hearts thereto; the gift of Counsel, to choose in all things the part best fitted for the sanctification of our souls; the gift of Fortitude, to resist temptations and overcome dangers; the gift of Knowledge, to discern the best means of sanctifying ourselves; the gift of Piety, or Godliness, causes us to love religion and the practices having reference to Divine Worship; the gift of the Fear of the Lord turns us aside from sin and from whatever may displease God.

REFLECTION: “They that are according to the flesh mind the things that are of the flesh; but they that are according to the Spirit mind the things that are of the Spirit. For the wisdom of the flesh is death; but the wisdom of the Spirit is life and peace.”

SS. DONATIAN AND ROGATIAN, MARTYRS.

THERE lived at Nantes an illustrious young nobleman named Donatian, who, having received the holy sacrament of regeneration, led a most edifying life, and strove with much zeal to convert others to faith in Christ. His elder brother, Raatian, was not able to resist the moving example of his piety and the force of his discourses, and desired to be baptized. But the bishop having withdrawn and concealed himself for fear of the persecution, he was not able to receive that sacrament, but was shortly after baptized in his blood; for he declared himself a Christian at a time when to embrace that sacred profession was to become a candidate for martyrdom. Donatian was impeached for professing himself a Christian, and for having withdrawn others, particularly his brother, from the worship of the gods. Donatian was therefore apprehended, and having boldly confessed Christ before the governor, was cast into prison and loaded with irons. Rogatian was also brought before the prefect, who endeavored first to gain him by flattering speeches, but finding him inflexible, sent him to prison with his brother. Rogatian grieved that he had not been able to receive the sacrament of baptism, and prayed that the kiss of peace which his brother gave him might supply it. Donatian also prayed for him that his faith might procure for him the effect of baptism, and the effusion of his blood that of the sacrament of confirmation. They passed that night together in fervent prayer. They were the next day called for again by the prefect, to whom they declared that they were ready to suffer for the name of Christ whatever torments were prepared for them. By the order of the inhuman judge they were first stretched on the rack, afterwards their heads were pierced with lances, and lastly cut off, about the year 287.

REFLECTION: Three things are pleasing unto God and man, concord among brethren, the love of parents, and the union of man and wife.

WORD OF THE DAY

ANTINOMIANISM. The doctrine that claims that a person’s faith in God and in the person of Christ frees him from the moral obligations of the law, whether natural or positive, biblical or ecclesiastical. It is a logical consequence of any theory that so stresses the work of the Holy Spirit as to exclude the need for co-operation with divine grace. The most authoritative condemnation of Antinomianism was by the Council of Trent, which saw in the Reformation principle of faith without good works the source of Antinomian conclusions. Hence among other anathemas of Trent was the censure of anyone who says that "God has given Jesus Christ to men as a redeemer in whom they are to trust, but not as a lawgiver whom they are to obey" (Denzinger 1571). (Etym. Greek anti, against + nomos, law.)

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

May, Month of the Immaculate Heart

Maria Magnificata. Short Meditations for May, the Month on Our Lady’s Life. 24th Day — Mary at the foot of the Cross.

This article, MAY 24, 2026 – SS. DONATIAN AND ROGATIAN, MARTYRS. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/may-24-2026-ss-donatian-and-rogatian-martyrs/
Do not repost the entire article without written permission. Reasonable excerpts may be reposted so long as it is linked to this page.