E01774: Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon at the feast of *Felix (priest and confessor of Nola, S00000), possibly at Hippo Regius (North Africa). Exposition on Psalm 127, written in Latin in North Africa, c. 407.

Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 127

Ch. 2
Augustine comments upon Psalm 127, verse 4, which mentions filii excussorum or the 'children of those shaken out'. He explains that the expression refers to the Apostles, as the wrapping of the Old Testament which often spoke in riddles should be shaken out in order to make the content, that is the true sense of the word of God, visible. In this context he says:

Excutiamus, si uidetur caritati uestrae: aderit dominus, ut procedat quod intus est; maxime, fratres mei, quia martyrum natalitia celebramus.

'Let us shake out, if it pleased to your Charity. The Lord will help us to get out what is inside. Especially, my brothers, as we are celebrating the annual feast of martyrs (natalitia martyrum).'


There follows a passage on the suffering of the martyrs.

Ch. 6
Ergo, fratres, Felix martyr et uere felix et nomine et corona, cuius hodie dies est, contemsit mundum.

'And so, brothers, the martyr Felix, who is truly happy (felix) both by name and crown, whose day we are celebrating, spurned the world'

There follows a description of the death of Felix, who was imprisoned, tortured, and confessed his faith, though he died in prison and was not killed like other martyrs.

Text: Dekkers and Fraipont 1956. Translation and summary: Robert Wiśniewski.