The Roman Martyrology

 The Roman Martyrology was a written catalog of those saints who shed their blood for Christ during the early centuries of pagan persecution. When she triumphantly arose from the catacombs, the Church gradually introduced other great saints, who were not slain for the true faith, into the Martyrology as she combined the recorded Acta of both east and west. These pages contain the names of thousands of our most valiant Catholic heroes and heroines along with a very brief biographical sketch commemorating either their martyrdom or their most enduring accomplishments. As an official book of the Roman liturgy, the Martyrology is read during the canonical office of Prime and at the evening meal in the refectories of most monasteries and convents.