It’s the Feast of Ember Friday in Advent, 2nd Class, with the color of Violet. In this episode: the meditation: “The O Antiphons: O Radix Jesse,” and the meditation “Jesus and His Percursor”, today’s news from the Church: “The Vatican Enters a New Administrative Era”, a preview of this week’s episode of The SSPX Podcast: “The Great Joy of the Apostolate in Asia”, and today’s thought from the Archbishop.
Have feedback or questions about the DD or our other shows? podcast@sspx.org
Sources Used Today:
- “The O Antiphons: O Radix Jesse
- Jesus and His Percursor” – From Advent to Epiphany
- “The Vatican Enters a New Administrative Era” (FSSPX.news)
- “The Great Joy of the Apostolate in Asia” (SSPX Podcast)
- The Spiritual Life – Archbishop Lefebvre (Angelus Press)
St. Nemesion lived during one of the fiercest persecutions of the early Church, in the middle of the third century, when the Roman Empire demanded public loyalty through sacrifice to the pagan gods. He was a Christian layman in Egypt, likely living in Alexandria, a city known for both its learning and its volatility. In that tense atmosphere, Christians were often betrayed by neighbors, arrested on false charges, or forced to prove their loyalty to the emperor.
Nemesion’s ordeal began with an accusation that had nothing to do with religion. He was charged with being a robber and brought before the Roman governor. Calm and honest, Nemesion defended himself and proved the charge false. But instead of being released, he was denounced by another man as a Christian. That accusation sealed his fate. The governor, irritated by Nemesion’s persistence and faith, ordered him interrogated again, this time about his beliefs.
When Nemesion openly confessed that he was a Christian and would not sacrifice to idols, the tone of the trial changed. He was scourged brutally, then thrown into prison alongside criminals. Even there, he continued to confess Christ without fear. Eventually, he was condemned to death by fire, a punishment meant to terrify others into compliance. As he was led to execution, he joined his voice to the prayers of other martyrs, offering his life to God with peace and resolve.
According to ancient accounts, St. Nemesion was burned alive around the year 250, during the persecution under Emperor Decius. The Church honored him as a martyr who suffered twice over, first through injustice and then through martyrdom, yet never abandoned the truth. His witness stands as a reminder that fidelity to Christ does not depend on public recognition or heroic status, but on steadfast faith in moments of trial.
Though no great shrines or popular devotions grew up around his name, St. Nemesion is remembered in the early martyrologies of the Church as a quiet but powerful witness. His story speaks especially to those who suffer injustice, reminding us that God sees every wrong endured for His sake and crowns it with eternal life.
Saint Nemesion, pray for us!
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What is the SSPX Podcast?
The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition.
What is the SSPX?
The main goal of the Society of Saint Pius X is to preserve the Catholic Faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood.
Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and the traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls.
Although the traditional Latin Mass is the most visible and public expression of the work of the Society, we are committed to defending Catholic Tradition in its entirety: all of Catholic doctrine and morals as the Church has always defended them. What people need is the Catholic Faith, without compromise, with all the truth and beauty which accompanies it.
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