Saints of 8 February

St John of Matha, confessor, founder of the Trinitarians

ST. JOHN of Matha, confessor, founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, for the redemption of captives, who reposed in the Lord on the 17th of December.

St Jerome Emiliani, confessor

Also, St. Jerome Æmiliani, confessor, founder of the Congregation of Somascha, who slept in the Lord on the 8th of this month. He was numbered among the Saints by Clement XIII., his feast being assigned to the 20th of July.

Ss. Paul, Lucius, and Cyriacus

At Rome, the holy martyrs Paul, Lucius, and Cyriacus.

Ss. Denis, Emilian and Sebastian

In the Lesser Armenia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Denis, Emilian and Sebastian.

St Cointha of Alexandria

At Alexandria, under the emperor Decius, the martyr St. Cointha, whom the Pagans seized, led to the idols and urged to adore them. As she refused witli horror, they put her feet in chains, and dragged her through the streets of the city, mangling her body in a barbarous manner.

The Holy Monks and Martyrs of the Monastery of Dins (Constantinople)

At Constantinople, the birthday of the holy martyrs, monks of the monastery of Dins, who, bringing the letter of pope St. Felix against Acacius, were barbarously killed for their defence of the Catholic faith.

The holy martyrs of Persia (under King Cabades)

In Persia, in the time of king Cabades, the commemoration of the holy martyrs, who were put to death by various kinds of torments on account of their faith in Christ.

St Juventius (Pavia)

At Pavia, the bishop St. Juventius, who strenuously labored in preaching the Gospel.

St Honoratus of Milan

At Milan, the demise of St. Honoratus, bishop and confessor.

St Paul of Verdun

At Verdun, in France, St. Paul, a bishop renowned for miracles.

St Stephen of Muret

At Muret, near Limoges, the birthday of the abboc St. Stephen, founder of the Order of Grandmont, celebrated for his virtues and miracles.

St Peter of Vallombrosa

In the monastery of Vallumbrosa, blessed Peter, cardinal and bishop of Albano, of the Congregation of Vallumbrosa, of the Order of St. Benedict, surnamed Igneus, because he passed through fire uninjured.

St Josephine Bakhita

At Schio in Italy, St Josephine Bakhita, virgin, who was carried off into slavery in her native Sudan and, set free, became a daughter of the Canossian institute. Canonised 2000.