“Behold and see how we have no tongues, and yet do speak.”

In the time of Justinian the Emperor, when the vandals, who were arian heretics, did grievously persecute the Catholic faith. Certain Bishops, constant in faith, were openly examined. When the king of the vandals saw that he could neither by words or rewards draw them into embracing his heretical religion, he decided to inflict torments on these Bishops, hoping that it would yield results. Therefore, when he commanded them not to speak in defence of the truth, and they refused to obey his precepts, lest by silence they might give consent to wicked heresy,the king in great fury cut off their tongues by the roots. To the great astonishment of all who witnessed this, the Bishops spoke perfectly in defence of the true religion, as they did before, when they had tongues safe and sound.

These Bishops, therefore flying at that time from the persecution, came unto the city of constantinople. An eye witness who attested to the veracity of the incident told Pope St. Gregory the Great that he saw them himself speak without tongues; for they opened their mouths and said, “behold and see how we have no tongue, and yet do speak.” For, as he said, their tongues were cut off by roots, and there seemed as it were a deep hole in their throat, yet, though their mouths were empty, they pronounced their words very plain and distinctly. One of which, falling afterwards into carnal sin, was forthwith deprived of that supernatural gift by the just judgement of the Almighty God. For he who was careless to preserve the continency of his body which he had, should nolonger utter the words of truth without the tongue of his body which he had not.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy On Us.

(recommended reading: “Dialogue” by Pope St Gregory the Great; Image above: Council of Nicea)