Saints of 15 December

The Octave of the Immaculate Conception

The Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St Eusebius, bishop

The same day, the consecration of St. Eusebius, bishop of Vercelli, whose birthday is commemorated on the 1st of August. His feast is kept on the 16th of this month, by order of pope Benedict XIII.

Ss. Irenaeus, Anthony, Theodore, Saturninus, Victor

At Rome, the holy martyrs Irenaeus, Anthony, Theodore, Saturninus, Victor and seventeen others, who suffered for Christ in the persecution of Valerian.

Ss. Faustinus, Lucius, Candidus, Caelian, Mark, Januarius and Fortunatus

In Africa, the martyrdom of the Saints Faustinus, Lucius, Candidus, Caelian, Mark, Januarius and Fortunatus.

St Valerian of Abbenza

In the same country, the holy bishop Valerian, who, being upwards of eighty years old, in the persecution of the Vandals, under the Arian king Genseric, was asked to deliver the vessels of the church, and as he constantly refused, an order was issued to drive him all alone out of the city, and all were forbidden to allow him to stay either in their houses or on their land. For a long time he remained lying on the public road, in the open air, and thus, in the confession and defence of the Catholic verity, closed his blessed life.

St Maximinus, confessor

In the diocese of Orleans, St. Maximinus, confessor.

St Christiana of Georgia

In Georgia, beyond the Euxine sea, St. Christiana, who, though a slave, was so gifted with the power of working miracles that she converted the inhabitants of that country to the faith of Christ, in the time of Cons tan tine.