Saints of 17 February

St Faustinus of Rome

At Rome, the passion of St. Faustinus, whom forty-four others followed to receive the crown of martyrdom.

St Polychronius of Persia

In Persia, during the persecution of Decius, the birthday of blessed Polychronius, bishop of Babylon, who, being struck in the mouth with stones, stretched out his hands, lifted up his eyes to heaven, and expired.

Ss. Donatus, Secundian, and Romulus

At Concordia, the holy martyrs Donatus, Secundian, and Romulus, with eighty-six others, partakers of the same crown.

St Theodulus of Caesarea

At Caesarea, in Palestine, St. Theodulus, an aged man, in the service of the governor Firmilian. Moved by the example of the martyrs, he confessed Christ with constancy, was fastened to a cross, and thus by a noble victory merited the palm of martyrdom.

St Julian of Cappadocia

In the same place, St. Julian, a Cappadocian, who, because he had kissed the relics of the martyrs, was denounced as a Christian, and led to the governor, who had him consumed with a slow fire.

St Silvinus, bishop

In the territory of Terouanne, St. Silvinus, bishop of Toulouse.

St Fintan of Ireland

In Ireland, St. Fintan, priest and confessor. At Florence, blessed Alexius Falconieri, confessor, one of the seven Founders of the Order of the Servites of the blessed Virgin Mary, who, in the one hundred and tenth year of his age, terminated his blessed career in the consoling presence of Jesus Christ and the angels.