[128] The learned Bianchini plausibly conjectures that the station on Easter Sunday is not at the Lateran (the cathedral), nor at St. Peter’s, where the Pope officiates, at one of which it would naturally be expected to be, but at the Liberian basilica, because it used to be held for the administration of baptism at St. Pudentiana’s, which is only a stone’s throw from it.
[129] “Cinnamius Opas Lector, of the title of Fasciola” (now SS. Nereus and Achilleus), “the friend of the poor, who lived forty-six years, seven months, and eight days. Interred in peace the tenth day before the calends of March.” From St. Paul’s.
[130] “Macedonius, an exorcist of the Catholic Church.” From the cemetery of SS. Thraso and Saturninus, on the Salarian way.
[131] In the great and old basilicas of Rome the celebrant faces the faithful.
[132] “The day before the first of June ceased to live Prætiosa, a girl (puella), a virgin of only twelve years of age, the handmaid of God and of Christ. In the consulship of Flavius Vincentius, and Fravitus, a consular man.” Found in the cemetery of Callistus.
[133] Vetus et Nova Ecclesiæ Disciplina; circa Beneficia. Par. I. lib. iii. (Luc. 1727.)
[134] Thomass. p. 792.
[135] “Jesus the virgin’s crown,” the hymn for virgins.
[136] “Posuit signum in faciem meam, ut nullum præter eum amatorem admittam.” Office of St. Agnes.
[137] “Mel et lac ex ejus ore suscepi, et sanguis ejus ornavit genas meas.” Ibid.