Writing at the end of the first century, just a few decades after the persecution of Nero, St. Clement of Rome exhorted the Corinthians never to forget the witness of the Roman martyrs.

The following excerpt of Clement’s letter appears in today’s Office of Readings.

But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles.