In the Trad. calendar, today is the commemoration of SS Hippolytus and Cassian, Martyrs; while in the new it is the Optional Memorial of St Pontian, Pope, and St Hippolytus, Martyrs. Poor old St Cassian gets dumped!
So I decided, as is licit, to celebrate St Cassian of Imola today, using the Common of One Martyr. (GILH, no. 244.) However, as I think is also allowed, I will also take a passage concerning him - in fact, a sermon on St Cassian, from St Peter Damian (found in Migne's Patrologia Latina, and the source of the lessons for his ancient proper Office at Imola) - for the second reading (cf. GILH, no. 250). (I have been reading the psalms of the day in English, and the rest in Latin from my Latin edition of the modern Divine Office.)
St Cassian, to give the gist of his martyrdom, was a schoolmaster at the Forum of Sylla (modernday Imola) who, upon bravely confessing Christ, was condemned by the Roman persecutor to be stabbed to death by the styli (metal pens) of his pagan pupils: Prudentius is the main source for all this. All the Martyrologies, and his portion of the former 3rd Lesson, agree that, as his murderers were so weak, therefore his martyrdom was all the more dire and excruciating, being so long drawn out. His relics, according to very early tradition, repose under the high altar of the Cathedral of Imola, of which he is the titular; in 2003, his relics were solemnly exposed in honour of the 1700th anniversary of his martyrdom, and Italian scientists determined him to have been about 30 years old, with wounds to his skull consistent with the traditional account of his death. There is much more I could say, but time and tiredness prevent me.
Here is St Peter Damian's Sermon XXXIX “De sancto Cassiano martyre”, P.L. CXLIV, coll. 710-717 (relevant extracts only, with omitted passages noted):
[The introduction praises the feasts of martyrs, and lauds today’s feast of SS Hippolytus and Cassian, before focussing upon the latter:]
…
Enimvero Cassianus, cui potissimum famulaturus est sermo, diu quidem latuit, sed cum ad certamen perventum est, quid acrimoniæ, quid saporis, quid fortitudinis granum sinapis occultaret, aperuit. Imo, juxta nominis sui præsagium, cum in passionis pila persecutorum manibus tundi cœpit et atteri, mox fragrantiam odoriferæ suavitatis, quæ in se latebat, aspersit. Casia siquidem species est aromatica, quæ integra quidem nullius esse videtur odoris; trita autem naturalis vim suavitatis emittit.
Beatus itaque Cassianus, ut gestorum illius testatur historia, dum scholarum doctor existeret, brevibusque notis verba comprehendere pueros erudiret, pro fide Christi ad quæstionem deductus est. Cumque zelo succensus fidei judicum decreta contemneret, et sacrificia profana calcaret, discipulorum manibus ad cruciandum traditus est; ut illis versa vice pœnas exsolveret, quos ipse dudum sub disciplinæ ferula terruisset. Mox itaque indumentis exutus, manibus post terga ligatur, armato stylis et tabulis puerorum furentium agmine circumfunditur; qui undique compunctus atque discerptus, toto corpore laceratur. Novum plane et inusitatum genus martyrii insignem Deo martyrem consecravit. Videtur autem hæc martyrii species ad similitudinem comparandam, nulli melius posse congruere quam ipsi regi martyrum Domino Salvatori. Nam et ille a suis fidelibus occisus est, Judæis videlicet, quibus precepta Decalogi proprio digito descripta tradiderat, quos cæremoniis suis sacrificiorumque ritibus instruxerat; quos certe ad omnem vivendi rectitudinem, tanquam teneros sub disciplina pueros, informaverat. Sicut ipse per Isaiam dicit: « Filios enutrivi et exaltavi, ipsi autem spreverunt me (Is 1,2b). » Nam et illi carnales Israelitæ puerorum nomine digni fuerant, qui mandata legis prophetarumque mysteria non senili gravitate pensabant, sed omnia superficietenus ac pueriliter intelligebant…
[Here follows a long mystical exegesis of Elijah’s taunting by children, and his calling forth two she-bears to rend them limb from limb (4 (2) Kings 2:23-24) – this being interpreted as presaging the crucifixion of Christ at the behest of the Jews, and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem by Titus and Vespasian.]
Per pueros ergo significati sunt qui Dominus crucifixerunt; pueri quoque sunt qui Beatum Cassianum martyrem occiderunt. Utraque scilicet non innocens pueritia, sed artifex et venenosa malitia. Occisus est Christus pro Cassiano, occisus est Cassianus pro Christo; Dominus pro servo, servus pro Domino; dicebat enim: « Qui retribuam Domino pro omnibus, quæ retribuit mihi? Calicem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo (Ps 115,12-13). » Sed ille mori dignatus est, ut hunc de sub jugo ferreæ servitutis educeret; isti mori donatum est, ut ad hæreditatem filiorum, cui ascriptus erat, cum gloria perveniret. Ille suscepit mortem, ut mortem in sua carne destrueret; isti mori non timuit, ut ad auctorem vitæ triumphi sui victor insignia reportaret. Ille persecutores habuit, quos creaverat, iste eos carnifices pertulit quos docebat. Sed Christus in martyre suo pugnabat, qui pugnandi vires administrabat; in eo solus ipse vincebat qui illum inter certamina roborabat. Nam et tota universalis Ecclesia, virtutum armis accincta, contra diabolum per totum mortalis vitæ hujus excursum in Christo dimicat, in Christo semper non sua, sed ejus virtute triumphat. Hanc plane ex antiquo hoste victoriam, quia noluit Synagoga, suscepit Ecclesia.
[Here follows another long mystical exegesis, this time of Deborah, who judged Israel, sending forth Barak to slay Sisera, who, she prophesies, shall nonetheless be slain by a woman, Jahel (Judges 4:4-9,17-21) – all this foreshadowing that not Israel but the Church shall have the victory over Satan.]
…
Hinc est quod et hic invictissimus Christi miles Beatus Cassianus inter gravissima pœnarum suarum tormenta superari non potuit, quia non eum ferrea lorica circumdedit, non galea cristata protexit, sed lignum tantummodo crucis armavit. Nam qui ligni hujus vexillo munitur, spiritualis nequitiæ conflictum securus aggreditur.
…
[Here follow a third long set of mystical exegeses, concerning the cross of Christ as sealed upon the Christian, that he be invincible in combat against evil.]
Quam inviolabile firmumque signaculum Beatus martyr Cassianus in pectore suo posuerat Christum, qui in tantæ fidei constantia immobilis permanebat! illiduntur plagæ verberum, infliguntur vulnera punctionum, intorquentur irrisionum jacula, vincula manibus innectuntur. Accedit et nuditas corporis, sed et spectaculum circumlatrantium undique derisorum. Inter hos procellarum sævientium turbines, inter istas denique crebrescentium grandinum tempestates, stat firma columna Dei prorsus immobilis. Non concutitur, non quassatur; sed lapidi, super quem fundata est, recta semper et firma constanter innititur. Dicebat enim: « Quis me separabit a charitate Christi? tribulatio? an angustia? an persecutio? an fames? an nuditas? an periculum? an gladius? » (Rom 8,35.) Illi frendebant dentibus; iste mitis Agni mundi peccata tollentis patientiam cogitabat. Carnifices inferendo supplicia satiabant cruentam sui pectoris rabiem; iste jam securus in mente versabat cœlestis gloriæ dignitatem. Atque, ut ita dixerim, cautus ac prudens iste negotiator, fratres mei, quam felices cum remuneratore certantium Christi nundinas contrahebat! Deponebat siquidem sarcinam carnis, atque ad stolam festinabat angelicæ claritatis. Deferebat ferulam crudelium puerorum, ut sanctorum fieret socius angelorum. Postponebat magisterium litteras edocendi, atque ad illud unum alacriter properabat Verbum, cui militant cuncta per orbem volumina litterarum. Christum Dominum nostrum nostrum, qui cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus sancti vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
A lesser poet than Prudentius also wrote in St Cassian's honour: Flodoard, Canon of Rheims (894-966), in his De Christi Triumphis apud Italiam, Lib. XIV, Caput VIII, ‘De sancto Cassiano martyre’ (Migne, P.L. CXXXV, coll. 857-858 D):
De sancto Cassiano martyre.
Syllæ forum qua Cassianus gloria
Illustrat, edit, concrepante carmine
Clemens palæstram disserens Aurelius,
Pictoris arte se docente et hospite.
Altor sc[h]olari hic præstitutus agmini,
Spernensque sacris supplicare formulis,
Impube vulgus erudire ut panditur,
Ludum jubetur morte ephebis præbeat
Quos supprimendo seriis offenderat,
Datusque sævis dissipandus parvulis,
Sumit severa mille vinctus vulnera.
Crescente pœna dum fatiscit carnifex,
Pueris magistri per cutem ludentibus,
Quas ipse durus doctor ediderat notis,
Tandem moras luctantis olim spiritus
Miserans latebris mandat absolvi Deus
A tam cruento lancinatorum grege
Ad angelorum blanda tollens culmina.
Here too is the ancient proper Mass for St Cassian, as used at Imola presumably, which was found in an online 1862 copy of the Roman Missal - note the references, now discredited, to him being a bishop, which arose when he was confused with another saint of the same name:
Festa Augusti (13.) pro aliqu. locis.
Die xiii.
S. Cassiani, Episcopi et Martyris.
Introitus.
Gaudeamus omnes in Domino, diem festum celebrantes sub honore sancti Cassiani Martyris, de cujus passione gaudent Angeli, et collaudant Filium Dei. Ps. 32. Exultate justi Domino: rectos decet collaudatio. V/. Gloria Patri.
{“Festal” Introit – cf. Feast of St Agatha, etc., changing the name only}
Oratio.
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui hodierna die beatum Cassianum Pontificem tuum martyrii corona decorasti: concede propitius; ut cujus solemnia colimus, ejus patrocinia sentiamus. Per Dominum.
{Proper; cf. Or. S. Anastasia: ut… solemnia colimus, ejus… patrocinia sentiamus}
{Almighty everlasting God, who this day didst adorn blessed Cassian with the crown of martyrdom: grant graciously, that we may feel his patronage, whose solemnity we celebrate. Through…}
Pro Octava S. Laurentii Mart.
Oratio.
Pro S. Hippolyto Martyre.
Oratio. [=Oratio de Hipp. & Cass., excl. Cassiano]
Da quæsumus omnípotens Deus: ut beati Hippolyti Martyris tui veneranda solemnitas, et devotiónem nobis augeat, et salútem. Per Dóminum.
Lectio Actuum Apostolorum.
cap. 17. {13-18}
In diebus illis: Cum cognovissent in Thessalonica Judæi, quia et Berœæ prædicatum est a Paulo verbum Dei, venerunt et illuc commoventes, et turbantes multitudinem. Statimque tunc Paulum dimiserunt fratres, ut iret usque ad mare. Silas autem et Timotheus remanserunt ibi. Qui autem deducebant Paulum, perduxerunt eum usque Athenas, et accepto mandato ab eo ad Silam et Timotheum, ut quam celeriter venirent ad illum, profecti sunt. Paulus autem cum Athenis eos exspectaret, incitabatur spiritus ejus in ipso, videns idololatriæ deditam civitatem. Disputabat igitur in synagoga cum Judæis, et colentibus, et in foro, per omnes dies ad eos, qui aderant. Quidam autem Epicurei, et Stoici philosophi disserebant cum eo, et quidam dicebant: Quid vult seminiverbius hic dicere? Alii vero: Novorum dæmoniorum videtur annuntiator esse: quia Jesum, et resurrectionem annuntiabat eis.
{Proper, but why? maybe as it alludes to coming to a new city and being accused of teaching some new religion}
Graduale. Ps. 36. {24.} Justus, cum ceciderit, non collidetur: quia Dominus supponit manum suam. V/. {36. 26} Tota die miseretur et commodat, et semen ejus in benedictione erit. {Common of a Martyr not a Bishop, 2nd Mass Lætabitur}
Alleluja, alleluja.
V/. Sanctus Pontifex Cassianus animarum salutem sitiens, ad fontem vivum, qui Christus est, omnes evocare non desinebat. Alleluja. {Proper}
{Saint Cassian, thirsting for the salvation of souls, did not cease to call forth everyone to the living fountain, who is Christ.}
Evangelium. Cum persequentur [vos in civitate ista, fugite in aliam]. ut in Festo S. Athanasii. fol. 437. {Matth., c. 10, vv. 23-28}
{Probably chosen because of the apocryphal idea that Cassian was a bishop driven from his see}
Offertorium. Ps. 88. {25.} Veritas mea, et misericordia mea cum ipso: et in nomine meo exaltabitur cornu ejus. {Common of a Martyr Bishop, 1st Mass Statuit}
Secreta.
Sacrificia, Domine, quæ in honorem sancti Cassiani Martyris tui atque Pontificis, tuæ offerimus majestati, nobis sint ad salutem efficacia, et tuæ placita pietati. Per Dominum.
{Proper. Apparently reused in Novus Ordo: Sacrificia, Domine, quae in hac festivitate beati N. tuae offerimus maiestati, nobis sint ad salutem efficacia, et tuae placita pietati.}
{May the sacrifices, Lord, which in honour of Saint Cassian thy martyr we offer to thy majesty, be to us efficacious unto salvation, and acceptable unto thy loving kindness.}
Pro S. Laurentio Martyre. Secreta.
[Pro S.] Hippolyto Martyre. Secreta.
Secreta. [=Secreta de Hipp. & Cass.]
[Commu]nio. Ps. 20. {4.} Posuisti, … [Domine] in capite ejus coro-[na] [de] lapide pretioso. {Common of a Martyr Bishop, 2nd Mass Sacerdotes Dei}
[P]ostcommunio.
… [Deus?] omnium impertitor … [bon-?] –orum, qui hunc diem … [beati?] [C]assiani Martyris tui [et?] [Po]ntificis, veneranda so-[lemn-?] –e lætificas: ejus, quæ-[sumus,] … gloriosis precibus, fac … [nos?] [a?] terrenis transferri ad …[???] beatorum. Per Dominum. {Proper}
{O God, the bestower of all good things, who givest joy to this day by the worshipful solemnity of blessed Cassian thy Martyr: we beseech thee, by his glorious prayers, to make us pass from earthly things to the [joy?] of the blessed. Through…}
[Pro S.] Laurentio Martyre.
[P]ostcommunio.
[Pro S.] Hippolyto Martyre.
[P]ostcommunio. [=Postcommunio de Hipp. & Cass.]
Here are my own ideas for suitable chants for a proper Mass for St Cassian, if I may be so bold:
Introit [Praise of St Cassian: his fateful career] (Is 33:17-18; Ps 33:12)
Regem in decore suo videbunt oculi ejus, cernent terram de longe. Cor tuum meditabitur timorem. Ubi est litteratus? ubi legis verba ponderans? ubi doctor parvulorum?
Ps. Venite, filii, audite me: timorem Domini docebo vos.
Gloria Patri… Sicut erat…
Regem in decore suo…
(His eyes shall see the king in his beauty, they shall see the land far off. Thy heart shall meditate fear: where is the learned? where is he that pondereth the words of the law? where is the teacher of little ones?
Ps. Come, children, hear me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.)
Gradual [A judgement against the unjust judge and the murderous pupils. Rebuke of the unjust judge, who corrupted children into murderers] (cf. Mal 2:11a,12a; Osee 5:2)
Abominatio facta est: disperdet Dominus virum qui fecerit hoc, magistrum et discipul[os].
V/. Victimas declinastis in profundum: et ego eruditor omnium eorum.
(Abomination hath been committed: the Lord will cut off the man that hath done this, both the master, and the scholar[s]. V/. You have turned aside victims into the depth: and I am the teacher of them all.)
Alleluia verse [Cassian despised by those he had taught] (Is 1:2b)
V/. Filios enutrivi et exaltavi, ipsi autem spreverunt me.
(I have brought up children and exalted them: but they have despised me.)
Offertory [Rebuke of the unjust judge, corrupter of children into murderers] (Luke 17: 1b-2)
Impossibile est ut non veniant scandala: vae autem illi per quem veniunt. Utilius est illi si lapis molaris imponatur circa collum ejus, et projiciatur in mare: quam ut scandalizet unum de pusillis istis.
(It is impossible that scandals should not come: but woe to him through whom they come. It were better for him, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should scandalize one of these little ones.)
Communion [St Cassian’s presumable dying prayer] (2nd ½ of the Communion verse for St Stephen (cf. Acts 7:58,59))
Domine Jesu, accipe spiritum meum, et ne statuas illis hoc peccatum, quia nesciunt quid faciunt.
(Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and lay not this sin to their charge, for they know not what they do.)
In the reported words of St Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church, and native of Imola, which he spoke as he lay dying in the Cathedral of St Cassian whither he had returned to breathe his last:
Deprecor te, beate Cassiane, intercede pro me! - I beg thee, blessed Cassian, intercede for me!
So I decided, as is licit, to celebrate St Cassian of Imola today, using the Common of One Martyr. (GILH, no. 244.) However, as I think is also allowed, I will also take a passage concerning him - in fact, a sermon on St Cassian, from St Peter Damian (found in Migne's Patrologia Latina, and the source of the lessons for his ancient proper Office at Imola) - for the second reading (cf. GILH, no. 250). (I have been reading the psalms of the day in English, and the rest in Latin from my Latin edition of the modern Divine Office.)
St Cassian, to give the gist of his martyrdom, was a schoolmaster at the Forum of Sylla (modernday Imola) who, upon bravely confessing Christ, was condemned by the Roman persecutor to be stabbed to death by the styli (metal pens) of his pagan pupils: Prudentius is the main source for all this. All the Martyrologies, and his portion of the former 3rd Lesson, agree that, as his murderers were so weak, therefore his martyrdom was all the more dire and excruciating, being so long drawn out. His relics, according to very early tradition, repose under the high altar of the Cathedral of Imola, of which he is the titular; in 2003, his relics were solemnly exposed in honour of the 1700th anniversary of his martyrdom, and Italian scientists determined him to have been about 30 years old, with wounds to his skull consistent with the traditional account of his death. There is much more I could say, but time and tiredness prevent me.
Here is St Peter Damian's Sermon XXXIX “De sancto Cassiano martyre”, P.L. CXLIV, coll. 710-717 (relevant extracts only, with omitted passages noted):
[The introduction praises the feasts of martyrs, and lauds today’s feast of SS Hippolytus and Cassian, before focussing upon the latter:]
…
Enimvero Cassianus, cui potissimum famulaturus est sermo, diu quidem latuit, sed cum ad certamen perventum est, quid acrimoniæ, quid saporis, quid fortitudinis granum sinapis occultaret, aperuit. Imo, juxta nominis sui præsagium, cum in passionis pila persecutorum manibus tundi cœpit et atteri, mox fragrantiam odoriferæ suavitatis, quæ in se latebat, aspersit. Casia siquidem species est aromatica, quæ integra quidem nullius esse videtur odoris; trita autem naturalis vim suavitatis emittit.
Beatus itaque Cassianus, ut gestorum illius testatur historia, dum scholarum doctor existeret, brevibusque notis verba comprehendere pueros erudiret, pro fide Christi ad quæstionem deductus est. Cumque zelo succensus fidei judicum decreta contemneret, et sacrificia profana calcaret, discipulorum manibus ad cruciandum traditus est; ut illis versa vice pœnas exsolveret, quos ipse dudum sub disciplinæ ferula terruisset. Mox itaque indumentis exutus, manibus post terga ligatur, armato stylis et tabulis puerorum furentium agmine circumfunditur; qui undique compunctus atque discerptus, toto corpore laceratur. Novum plane et inusitatum genus martyrii insignem Deo martyrem consecravit. Videtur autem hæc martyrii species ad similitudinem comparandam, nulli melius posse congruere quam ipsi regi martyrum Domino Salvatori. Nam et ille a suis fidelibus occisus est, Judæis videlicet, quibus precepta Decalogi proprio digito descripta tradiderat, quos cæremoniis suis sacrificiorumque ritibus instruxerat; quos certe ad omnem vivendi rectitudinem, tanquam teneros sub disciplina pueros, informaverat. Sicut ipse per Isaiam dicit: « Filios enutrivi et exaltavi, ipsi autem spreverunt me (Is 1,2b). » Nam et illi carnales Israelitæ puerorum nomine digni fuerant, qui mandata legis prophetarumque mysteria non senili gravitate pensabant, sed omnia superficietenus ac pueriliter intelligebant…
[Here follows a long mystical exegesis of Elijah’s taunting by children, and his calling forth two she-bears to rend them limb from limb (4 (2) Kings 2:23-24) – this being interpreted as presaging the crucifixion of Christ at the behest of the Jews, and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem by Titus and Vespasian.]
Per pueros ergo significati sunt qui Dominus crucifixerunt; pueri quoque sunt qui Beatum Cassianum martyrem occiderunt. Utraque scilicet non innocens pueritia, sed artifex et venenosa malitia. Occisus est Christus pro Cassiano, occisus est Cassianus pro Christo; Dominus pro servo, servus pro Domino; dicebat enim: « Qui retribuam Domino pro omnibus, quæ retribuit mihi? Calicem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo (Ps 115,12-13). » Sed ille mori dignatus est, ut hunc de sub jugo ferreæ servitutis educeret; isti mori donatum est, ut ad hæreditatem filiorum, cui ascriptus erat, cum gloria perveniret. Ille suscepit mortem, ut mortem in sua carne destrueret; isti mori non timuit, ut ad auctorem vitæ triumphi sui victor insignia reportaret. Ille persecutores habuit, quos creaverat, iste eos carnifices pertulit quos docebat. Sed Christus in martyre suo pugnabat, qui pugnandi vires administrabat; in eo solus ipse vincebat qui illum inter certamina roborabat. Nam et tota universalis Ecclesia, virtutum armis accincta, contra diabolum per totum mortalis vitæ hujus excursum in Christo dimicat, in Christo semper non sua, sed ejus virtute triumphat. Hanc plane ex antiquo hoste victoriam, quia noluit Synagoga, suscepit Ecclesia.
[Here follows another long mystical exegesis, this time of Deborah, who judged Israel, sending forth Barak to slay Sisera, who, she prophesies, shall nonetheless be slain by a woman, Jahel (Judges 4:4-9,17-21) – all this foreshadowing that not Israel but the Church shall have the victory over Satan.]
…
Hinc est quod et hic invictissimus Christi miles Beatus Cassianus inter gravissima pœnarum suarum tormenta superari non potuit, quia non eum ferrea lorica circumdedit, non galea cristata protexit, sed lignum tantummodo crucis armavit. Nam qui ligni hujus vexillo munitur, spiritualis nequitiæ conflictum securus aggreditur.
…
[Here follow a third long set of mystical exegeses, concerning the cross of Christ as sealed upon the Christian, that he be invincible in combat against evil.]
Quam inviolabile firmumque signaculum Beatus martyr Cassianus in pectore suo posuerat Christum, qui in tantæ fidei constantia immobilis permanebat! illiduntur plagæ verberum, infliguntur vulnera punctionum, intorquentur irrisionum jacula, vincula manibus innectuntur. Accedit et nuditas corporis, sed et spectaculum circumlatrantium undique derisorum. Inter hos procellarum sævientium turbines, inter istas denique crebrescentium grandinum tempestates, stat firma columna Dei prorsus immobilis. Non concutitur, non quassatur; sed lapidi, super quem fundata est, recta semper et firma constanter innititur. Dicebat enim: « Quis me separabit a charitate Christi? tribulatio? an angustia? an persecutio? an fames? an nuditas? an periculum? an gladius? » (Rom 8,35.) Illi frendebant dentibus; iste mitis Agni mundi peccata tollentis patientiam cogitabat. Carnifices inferendo supplicia satiabant cruentam sui pectoris rabiem; iste jam securus in mente versabat cœlestis gloriæ dignitatem. Atque, ut ita dixerim, cautus ac prudens iste negotiator, fratres mei, quam felices cum remuneratore certantium Christi nundinas contrahebat! Deponebat siquidem sarcinam carnis, atque ad stolam festinabat angelicæ claritatis. Deferebat ferulam crudelium puerorum, ut sanctorum fieret socius angelorum. Postponebat magisterium litteras edocendi, atque ad illud unum alacriter properabat Verbum, cui militant cuncta per orbem volumina litterarum. Christum Dominum nostrum nostrum, qui cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus sancti vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
A lesser poet than Prudentius also wrote in St Cassian's honour: Flodoard, Canon of Rheims (894-966), in his De Christi Triumphis apud Italiam, Lib. XIV, Caput VIII, ‘De sancto Cassiano martyre’ (Migne, P.L. CXXXV, coll. 857-858 D):
De sancto Cassiano martyre.
Syllæ forum qua Cassianus gloria
Illustrat, edit, concrepante carmine
Clemens palæstram disserens Aurelius,
Pictoris arte se docente et hospite.
Altor sc[h]olari hic præstitutus agmini,
Spernensque sacris supplicare formulis,
Impube vulgus erudire ut panditur,
Ludum jubetur morte ephebis præbeat
Quos supprimendo seriis offenderat,
Datusque sævis dissipandus parvulis,
Sumit severa mille vinctus vulnera.
Crescente pœna dum fatiscit carnifex,
Pueris magistri per cutem ludentibus,
Quas ipse durus doctor ediderat notis,
Tandem moras luctantis olim spiritus
Miserans latebris mandat absolvi Deus
A tam cruento lancinatorum grege
Ad angelorum blanda tollens culmina.
Here too is the ancient proper Mass for St Cassian, as used at Imola presumably, which was found in an online 1862 copy of the Roman Missal - note the references, now discredited, to him being a bishop, which arose when he was confused with another saint of the same name:
Festa Augusti (13.) pro aliqu. locis.
Die xiii.
S. Cassiani, Episcopi et Martyris.
Introitus.
Gaudeamus omnes in Domino, diem festum celebrantes sub honore sancti Cassiani Martyris, de cujus passione gaudent Angeli, et collaudant Filium Dei. Ps. 32. Exultate justi Domino: rectos decet collaudatio. V/. Gloria Patri.
{“Festal” Introit – cf. Feast of St Agatha, etc., changing the name only}
Oratio.
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui hodierna die beatum Cassianum Pontificem tuum martyrii corona decorasti: concede propitius; ut cujus solemnia colimus, ejus patrocinia sentiamus. Per Dominum.
{Proper; cf. Or. S. Anastasia: ut… solemnia colimus, ejus… patrocinia sentiamus}
{Almighty everlasting God, who this day didst adorn blessed Cassian with the crown of martyrdom: grant graciously, that we may feel his patronage, whose solemnity we celebrate. Through…}
Pro Octava S. Laurentii Mart.
Oratio.
Pro S. Hippolyto Martyre.
Oratio. [=Oratio de Hipp. & Cass., excl. Cassiano]
Da quæsumus omnípotens Deus: ut beati Hippolyti Martyris tui veneranda solemnitas, et devotiónem nobis augeat, et salútem. Per Dóminum.
Lectio Actuum Apostolorum.
cap. 17. {13-18}
In diebus illis: Cum cognovissent in Thessalonica Judæi, quia et Berœæ prædicatum est a Paulo verbum Dei, venerunt et illuc commoventes, et turbantes multitudinem. Statimque tunc Paulum dimiserunt fratres, ut iret usque ad mare. Silas autem et Timotheus remanserunt ibi. Qui autem deducebant Paulum, perduxerunt eum usque Athenas, et accepto mandato ab eo ad Silam et Timotheum, ut quam celeriter venirent ad illum, profecti sunt. Paulus autem cum Athenis eos exspectaret, incitabatur spiritus ejus in ipso, videns idololatriæ deditam civitatem. Disputabat igitur in synagoga cum Judæis, et colentibus, et in foro, per omnes dies ad eos, qui aderant. Quidam autem Epicurei, et Stoici philosophi disserebant cum eo, et quidam dicebant: Quid vult seminiverbius hic dicere? Alii vero: Novorum dæmoniorum videtur annuntiator esse: quia Jesum, et resurrectionem annuntiabat eis.
{Proper, but why? maybe as it alludes to coming to a new city and being accused of teaching some new religion}
Graduale. Ps. 36. {24.} Justus, cum ceciderit, non collidetur: quia Dominus supponit manum suam. V/. {36. 26} Tota die miseretur et commodat, et semen ejus in benedictione erit. {Common of a Martyr not a Bishop, 2nd Mass Lætabitur}
Alleluja, alleluja.
V/. Sanctus Pontifex Cassianus animarum salutem sitiens, ad fontem vivum, qui Christus est, omnes evocare non desinebat. Alleluja. {Proper}
{Saint Cassian, thirsting for the salvation of souls, did not cease to call forth everyone to the living fountain, who is Christ.}
Evangelium. Cum persequentur [vos in civitate ista, fugite in aliam]. ut in Festo S. Athanasii. fol. 437. {Matth., c. 10, vv. 23-28}
{Probably chosen because of the apocryphal idea that Cassian was a bishop driven from his see}
Offertorium. Ps. 88. {25.} Veritas mea, et misericordia mea cum ipso: et in nomine meo exaltabitur cornu ejus. {Common of a Martyr Bishop, 1st Mass Statuit}
Secreta.
Sacrificia, Domine, quæ in honorem sancti Cassiani Martyris tui atque Pontificis, tuæ offerimus majestati, nobis sint ad salutem efficacia, et tuæ placita pietati. Per Dominum.
{Proper. Apparently reused in Novus Ordo: Sacrificia, Domine, quae in hac festivitate beati N. tuae offerimus maiestati, nobis sint ad salutem efficacia, et tuae placita pietati.}
{May the sacrifices, Lord, which in honour of Saint Cassian thy martyr we offer to thy majesty, be to us efficacious unto salvation, and acceptable unto thy loving kindness.}
Pro S. Laurentio Martyre. Secreta.
[Pro S.] Hippolyto Martyre. Secreta.
Secreta. [=Secreta de Hipp. & Cass.]
[Commu]nio. Ps. 20. {4.} Posuisti, … [Domine] in capite ejus coro-[na] [de] lapide pretioso. {Common of a Martyr Bishop, 2nd Mass Sacerdotes Dei}
[P]ostcommunio.
… [Deus?] omnium impertitor … [bon-?] –orum, qui hunc diem … [beati?] [C]assiani Martyris tui [et?] [Po]ntificis, veneranda so-[lemn-?] –e lætificas: ejus, quæ-[sumus,] … gloriosis precibus, fac … [nos?] [a?] terrenis transferri ad …[???] beatorum. Per Dominum. {Proper}
{O God, the bestower of all good things, who givest joy to this day by the worshipful solemnity of blessed Cassian thy Martyr: we beseech thee, by his glorious prayers, to make us pass from earthly things to the [joy?] of the blessed. Through…}
[Pro S.] Laurentio Martyre.
[P]ostcommunio.
[Pro S.] Hippolyto Martyre.
[P]ostcommunio. [=Postcommunio de Hipp. & Cass.]
Here are my own ideas for suitable chants for a proper Mass for St Cassian, if I may be so bold:
Introit [Praise of St Cassian: his fateful career] (Is 33:17-18; Ps 33:12)
Regem in decore suo videbunt oculi ejus, cernent terram de longe. Cor tuum meditabitur timorem. Ubi est litteratus? ubi legis verba ponderans? ubi doctor parvulorum?
Ps. Venite, filii, audite me: timorem Domini docebo vos.
Gloria Patri… Sicut erat…
Regem in decore suo…
(His eyes shall see the king in his beauty, they shall see the land far off. Thy heart shall meditate fear: where is the learned? where is he that pondereth the words of the law? where is the teacher of little ones?
Ps. Come, children, hear me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.)
Gradual [A judgement against the unjust judge and the murderous pupils. Rebuke of the unjust judge, who corrupted children into murderers] (cf. Mal 2:11a,12a; Osee 5:2)
Abominatio facta est: disperdet Dominus virum qui fecerit hoc, magistrum et discipul[os].
V/. Victimas declinastis in profundum: et ego eruditor omnium eorum.
(Abomination hath been committed: the Lord will cut off the man that hath done this, both the master, and the scholar[s]. V/. You have turned aside victims into the depth: and I am the teacher of them all.)
Alleluia verse [Cassian despised by those he had taught] (Is 1:2b)
V/. Filios enutrivi et exaltavi, ipsi autem spreverunt me.
(I have brought up children and exalted them: but they have despised me.)
Offertory [Rebuke of the unjust judge, corrupter of children into murderers] (Luke 17: 1b-2)
Impossibile est ut non veniant scandala: vae autem illi per quem veniunt. Utilius est illi si lapis molaris imponatur circa collum ejus, et projiciatur in mare: quam ut scandalizet unum de pusillis istis.
(It is impossible that scandals should not come: but woe to him through whom they come. It were better for him, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should scandalize one of these little ones.)
Communion [St Cassian’s presumable dying prayer] (2nd ½ of the Communion verse for St Stephen (cf. Acts 7:58,59))
Domine Jesu, accipe spiritum meum, et ne statuas illis hoc peccatum, quia nesciunt quid faciunt.
(Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and lay not this sin to their charge, for they know not what they do.)
In the reported words of St Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church, and native of Imola, which he spoke as he lay dying in the Cathedral of St Cassian whither he had returned to breathe his last:
Deprecor te, beate Cassiane, intercede pro me! - I beg thee, blessed Cassian, intercede for me!
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