The liturgy commemorates St. Victor of Milan, martyr, on the 8th of May. Together with two other Christian Roman soldiers, Narbore and Felix, the three of them chose death rather than renounce their faith, explains the Vatican Agency.
St. Victor and his companions arrived from Mauritania (Africa), and were called to the imperial army of Maximian, who assigned them to Milan. As Christians, they were not well regarded in the army. They were loyal to the emperor, and did not want to have to choose between him and God. Victor was arrested for his conscientious objection, and confined in a cell without food or drink, but refused to make sacrifices to idols.
Thanks to St. Ambrose
His martyrdom and the cult that has been professed in Milan since ancient times are beyond doubtthanks also to St. Ambrose. The saintly bishop of Milan dedicated a tomb to him, also with gilded mosaics, later incorporated into the Basilica of St. Ambrose, ardent defender of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. And St. Charles Borromeo made a solemn recognition of the relics of the Saint, until then dispersed.
Lujan, Valencia...
This month of May, as noted, there are feasts of the Virgin Mary of great popular devotion, and massive celebrations. "As every May 8, with great joy and hope we celebrate the day of our Mother, the solemnity, the feast of Our Lady of Luján," indicates the Basilica website of the Virgin of Luján.
For its part, Valencia celebrate to its patron saint, the Virgen de los Desamparados, on Sunday, May 11. The archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benaventwill preside over the celebration of the festivity. After the Missa d'Infants (Children's Mass), the traditional transfer of the pilgrim image of the Mare de Déu will begin, from the Basilica of the Virgin to the Cathedral, where the Pontifical Mass will be celebrated.
