Saints of 2 May

St Athanasius (Alexandria)

At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Athanasius, most celebrated for sanctity and learning. Although almost all the world had formed a conspiracy to persecute him, he courageously defended the Catholic faith, from the reign of Constantine t.o that of Valens, against emperors, governors, and a multitude of Arian bishops, whose perfidious attacks forced him to wander as an exile over the whole earth without finding a place of security. At length, however, he was restored to his church, and after fighting many combats, and winning many crowns by his patience, he departed for heaven in the forty-sixth year of his priesthood, in the time of the emperors Valentinian and Valens.

Ss. Saturninus, Neopolus, Germanus, and Celestine

At Rome, the holy martyrs Saturninus, Neopolus, Germanus, and Celestine, who after much suffering were thrown into prison, where they rested in the Lord.

Ss. Exuperius and Zoe

Also the holy martyrs Exuperius and Zoe, his wife, with their sons, Cyriacus and Theodulus, who suffered under the emperor Adrian.

St Felix of Seville

At Seville, St. Felix, deacon and martyr.

St Vindemial, bishop and martyr

The same day, St. Vindemial, bishop and martyr, who with the holy bishops Eugenius and Longinus, combated the Arians by his teaching and miracles, and was decapitated by order of king Hunneric.

St Secundus of Ávila

At Avila, in Spain, St. Secundus, bishop, who is also mentioned with others on the 15th of this month.

St Antoninus of Florence

At Florence, the bishop St. Antoninus, of the Order of Preachers, renowned for holiness and learning. His feast is kept on the 10th of this month.