This Tuesday, 12th May, is the feast of Saints Nereus and Achilleus, early martyrs of the Roman Church, marking the 18th anniversary of the canonical erection of the Port Elizabeth Oratory in 2008. Nereus and Achilleus have long been connected to the Oratory as one of St Philip’s early disciples, Baronius, was given oversight of the Church in Rome containing their relics. This noble Roman Church of “San Nereo and Achilleo” (pictured, above) is still served by the Fathers of the Roman Oratory. Saints Nereus and Achilleus are depicted (along with St Domitilla) in an artistic masterpiece of Peter Paul Rubens in the church of the Roman Oratory itself (pictured, below). Nereus and Achilleus are honoured according to one tradition as Roman soldiers who converted to Christianity and so were martyred. Along with St Domitilla, their liturgical celebration was historically connected to that of St Pancras, also an early martyr (who notably gave his name to one of London’s railway stations). We give thanks on this day for the foundation of the Oratory and invoke the intercession of these holy martyrs, that we may “fight the good fight of the faith” and “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (2 Tim. 6:12)
On Tuesday evening there will be a solemn sung Mass at 17:30.
