SAINTS EWALD AND SIXTUS, MARTYRS

SAINTS EWALD AND SIXTUS, MARTYRS - 7 MAY

SAINTS EWALD AND SIXTUS, MARTYRS

Saints Ewald and Sixtus (Evaldus [Eovaldus] et Sixtus) are commemorated on May 7. Ewald seems to be an Old German name borne by a man who entered the Roman military service and came to Gerunda (Girona), an ancient episcopal city in Spain, where he was martyred under Dacian along with a certain Sixtus.

An ancient legend runs thus: "In the city of Celran lived a pious peasant who daily attended holy Mass. One night, an angel appeared to him in his sleep and said: 'Servant of God, go to that vineyard of yours next to the church of the virgin and martyr Saint Thekla. There you will find the bodies of two saints who suffered for their faith in Jesus. At the time, they were hidden there by devout believers.'

For three days in a row, after rising at daybreak and assisting at Holy Mass, he made his way to the designated place and each time saw a shining spot. So he provided himself with the necessary tools, and after a heartfelt prayer, he began to dig, and soon found a wooden, artistically made and locked container, and immediately afterwards a second. He reported this to the bishop of Gironda.

The holy prelate then turned up with clergy and people, meaning to transfer the precious treasures to his episcopal church to the singing of hymns. But he could not take them beyond the parish of Celran. It was impossible to move them further. Therefore, recognising the finger of God, he set down the martyrs' mortal remains in the church of the latter city, and enjoined those present to pray that God might also reveal the names of the saints whose bodies he had so wonderfully caused to be found.

Suddenly, the containers opened by themselves, so that all the people could see the holy relics including an inscription, saying: 'Saint Ewald, martyr'; and in the other: 'Saint Sixtus, martyr.' After closing the coffins, the bishop erected two altars and interred the relics beneath them. To these the faithful came in droves, and received wonderful help through the intercession of the saints. In Spain, their memory is also celebrated on July 17. (Maj. II. 134)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 69)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saints Ewald and Sixtus may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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