Ss Timothy, Agapius & Thecla (19 August): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Sts. Timothy, Agapius, and Thecla gave their lives rather than deny Jesus Christ. In this reading from The Lives of the Saints, we hear the account of three early Christian martyrs during the persecution under Diocletian. St. Timothy boldly confessed the Christian faith and endured scourging, torture, and finally death by slow fire at Gaza. Sts. Agapius and Thecla were condemned to be exposed to wild beasts at Caesarea. Thecla was killed in the amphitheater, while Agapius survived the first ordeal and remained imprisoned for two more years. When later commanded to renounce the Christian faith, his suffering had only strengthened his desire for martyrdom. After being wounded by a bear, he was eventually cast into the sea. Their witness leads to a beautiful meditation upon Heaven and the communion of saints. A glorious company waits for us: angels, martyrs, confessors, virgins, holy kings, doctors, hermits, and all those who faithfully served God before us. Their victory should encourage us to endure our own trials with faith, penance, charity, good works, and hope in eternal life. May we learn to despise the empty promises and threats of the world so that, with the saints, we may one day enjoy Christ forever. ✝️ St. Timothy, pray for us. 🔥 St. Agapius, pray for us. 🌿 St. Thecla, pray for us. 00:00 Sts. Timothy, Agapius & Thecla 00:18 Persecution Under Diocletian 00:26 St. Timothy Confesses the Faith 00:33 Torture & Martyrdom of St. Timothy 00:48 Sts. Agapius & Thecla Condemned 00:57 Thecla Martyred by Wild Beasts 01:06 Agapius Remains in Prison 01:14 Refusing to Abandon the Christian Faith 01:23 Agapius Attacked by a Bear 01:29 His Final Martyrdom 01:36 Feast of the Martyrs — August 19 01:45 A Glorious Company Awaits in Heaven 02:00 Contemplating the Joy of the Saints 02:08 The Saints Look Upon Our Struggles 02:15 We Are Called to Follow Them 02:23 Penance, Divine Love & Good Works 02:31 Preparing for Eternal Fellowship 02:38 The Joy, Triumph & Glory of Heaven 02:45 Despising the Threats of the World 02:54 The Glorious Day of Eternity 03:01 Longing for Eternal Joy https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/saints-timothy-agapius-and-thecla/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StThecla #CatholicSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #EarlyChurch #ChristianMartyrs #CatholicFaith #CatholicHistory #CommunionOfSaints #Heaven #EternalLife #Persecution #ChristianCourage #TraditionalCatholic #August19