Saints of 3 December

St Francis Xavier, confessor

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, confessor, of the Society of Jesus, who died on the 2d of this month.

St Sophonias of Judea

In Judea, the holy prophet Sophonias.

Ss. Claudius, Hilaria, Jason, Maurus and companions, martyrs (Rome)

At Rome, the holy martyrs Claudius, tribune, and Hilaria,his wife, with Jason and Maurus, their sons, and seventy soldiers. By the command of the emperor Numerian, Claudius was fastened to a large stone and precipitated into the river; the soldiers and the sons of Claudius were condemned to capital punishment. But blessed Hilaria, after having buried the bodies of her sons, and whilst praying at their tomb, was arrested by the Pagans, and shortly after departed for heaven.

St Cassian of Tangier

At Tangier, in Morocco, St. Cassian, martyr. After having been a recorder for a long time, at length, through the inspiration of heaven, he deemed it an execrable thing to contribute to the massacre of the Christians, and therefore abondoned his office, and making profession of Christianity, deserved to obtain the triumph of martyrdom.

Ss. Claudius, Crispinus, Magina, John, and Stephen

Also, in Africa, the holy martyrs Claudius, Crispinus, Magina, John, and Stephen.

St Agricola of Hungary

In Hungary, St. Agricola, martyr.

Ss. Ambicus, Victor and Julius

At Nicomedia, the Saints Ambicus, Victor and Julius.

St Mirocles of Milan

At Milan, St. Mirocles, bishop and confessor, sometimes mentioned by St. Ambrose.

St Birinus of England

In England, St. Birinus, first bishop of Dorchester.

St Lucius of Britain

At Coire, in Switzerland, St. Lucius, king of the Britons, who was the first of those kings who received the faith of Christ, in the time of pope Eleutherius.

St Galganus of Siena

At Siena, in Tuscany, St. Galganus, hermit.