Pre-Christian through the Second Century  >>

"Thus was he (Ignatius) delivered to the wild beasts near the temple, that so the desire of the holy martyr Ignatius might be accomplished, as it is written: "the desire of the righteous is acceptable" (Proverbs 10:24); that he might not be burdensome to any of the brethren by the gathering of his relics, according as in his epistle he had before wished, that so his end might be. For only the more solid parts of his holy relics were left, which were carried to Antioch, and wrapped in linen — a priceless treasure, bequeathed to the holy Church through the grace which was in the martyr."

Martyr.. S. Ignatii, n. vii. The edition used is that given by Gallandius, t.i.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 3, Page 248-249

"But when the emulous, and envious, and wicked adversary of the race of the just, saw the greatness of his martyrdom, and considered how irreprehensible his conversation had been from the beginning, and how he was now crowned with the crown of immortality, having without all controversy received his reward, he took all possible care that not the least relic of his body should be taken away by us, although many desired to do it, and to have a share in his holy flesh. And to that end he suggested to Nicetas, the father of Herod, and brother of Alee, to go to the governor, and hinder him from giving the body to be buried: "Lest," says he, "forsaking him that was crucified, they should begin to worship this Polycarp." And this he said, at the suggestion and instance of the Jews, who also watched us when we were about to take him away out of the fire: not considering that neither is it possible for us ever to forsake Christ, who suffered for the salvation of all such as are saved throughout the whole world, the sinless for sinners, nor worship any other. For Him indeed, being the Son of God, we adore; but the martyrs, as disciples and imitators of the Lord, we worthily love them, on account of their exceeding great affection towards their master and their king: of which (martyrs) may we also be made companions and fellow-disciples. The centurion, therefore, seeing the contention excited by the Jews, put the body into the midst of the fire, and burned it. And thus we afterwards, taking up his bones more precious than the richest jewels, and tried above gold, deposited them where it was fitting. Where the Lord will grant unto us being gathered together, as we have opportunity, with exultation and gladness, to celebrate the anniversary day of his martyrdom; both in memory of those who have wrestled, and for the exercise and preparation of those who may have to wrestle."

Epist. Encyc. Ecd. Smyrn. de Martyr. 8. Polyccvrpi, n. 17-18.
The date usually assigned to this piece is the year 147. Gallandius edition is used.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 3, Page 249-250

"After this the persecution ceased for a year and six months, during which time the holy bodies of all the martyrs were honored, and deposited, with all care, in tombs constructed for them."

Ruinart, Acta Sincera, p. 19.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 3, Page 249

"Into that cavern their venerable bodies were, with religious forethought, cast, because the fury of the Gentiles, denying the last rites of burial, raged even against the bodies of the dead. Afterwards, however, the reverence of religious men preserved that place, and a reverence transmitted through their posterity discovered it, and many miracles, which manifested the power of the saints. For when, in the time that followed, the people of Lyons were falling rapidly under a disease that raged, a certain youth of noble birth, who was vehemently burnt up with the violence of the fever, was admonished in a vision to seek for a remedy from the woman who preserved the sandal of the martyr. But she replied that she knew nothing of medicine, but did not deny that, by the mercy of God, she had cured very many by means of the relic of the martyr. And Lucia immediately presented to him the blessing, and the chalice of beneficent salvation. When he had received the cup, the cure of thirst, he at once, the fire of the fever extinguished, recovered in such wise, that he was said to have been restored to life and health, not by human help, but by the wonderful aid of God: which power of faith and of the saints is spread throughout the whole city, and a countless multitude, while they received health of body, received also an increase of faith; and there was a present and everlasting medicine, both of souls and bodies. But also afterwards in those places these wonderful works are shown, the casting out of demons, the cure of infirmities, the restoration of health; which things are well nigh of every-day occurrence, and works greater than these, that a firm belief, even though it be not willingly granted, is exacted by the existing miracles. Wherefore, it is fitting that faith be given to these things said arid done, for that the friendly power of God, His force and dignity, as it loves the faithful and believing, so does it abandon the doubting. Therefore let us not doubt that these things are done which we have both learned by hearing, and do now see to be manifest."

The Acts of the Martyrdom of SS. Epipodius and Alexander, given by Ruinart, Pp. 66-7.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 3, Page 250-251

"And no wonder if a saint sanctify, by the word of God and prayer, the food of which we partake, when even the very garments with which he is clothed are holy. The handkerchiefs and aprons of Paul derived so much holiness from his purity, that, when applied to the bodies of the sick, they drove away diseases, and restored health: and of Peter what shall I say, the very shadow of whose body bore with it so much holiness, that whomsoever, not he, but his shadow only touched, was at once relieved from every ailment." [Acts 5:15]

T. iv. L. ix. Comm. in Ep. ad Rom. 666.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 3, Page 251-252