St. Ignatius, Bishop, Martyr
February 1
A tradition says that he was held on the knee of Our Lord when the Saviour spoke the words “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”
During the persecution of Trajan he was condemned to death and sent in chains to Rome. While on the way he wrote letters to various churches; he rejoiced when he heard the roaring of the lions set loose to devour him. He Was martyred at Rome on October 17, about the year 110.
He is commemorated every day in the prayer which precedes the Pater Noster, known as the “Great Intercession.” (Extracts from fl 1678)