Saints of 20 October

St John Cantius, priest and confessor (Poland)

In Poland, St. John Cantius, priest and confessor. Being glorious for virtues and miracles, he was inscribed among the saints by the Sovereign Pontiff, Clement XIII.

St Maximus of Abia

At Abia, near Aquila, in Abruzzo, the birthday of blessed Maximus, deacon and martyr, who, through the desire of suffering, presented himself to the persecutors that sought him. After answering with great constancy, he was racked and tortured, then beaten with rods, and finally he died by being precipitated from an elevated place.

St Caprasius of Agen

At Agen, in France, St. Caprasius, martyr. As he was hiding himself in a cavern to avoid the violence of the persecution, the report of the blessed virgin Faith's courage in suffering for Christ animated him to endure torments, and he prayed to God that, if he were deemed worthy of the glory of martyrdom, clear water might flow from the rock of his cavern. God having granted his prayer, he went with confidence to the scene of combat, and after a valiant struggle, merited the palm of martyrdom under Maximian.

St Artemius of Antioch

At Antioch, St. Artemius, imperial officer. Although he had filled high stations in the army under Constantine the Great, Julian the Apostate, whom he had reprehended for his cruelty towards Christians, ordered him to be beaten with rods, subjected to other torments, and finally beheaded.

Ss. Martha and Saula

At Cologne, the martyrdom of the holy virgins Martha and Saula, with many others.

St Felician of Minden

At Minden, the birthday of St. Felician, bishop and martyr.

Ss. George, deacon, and Aurelius, martyrs (Paris)

At Paris, the holy martyrs, George, deacon, and Aurelius.

St Irene of Portugal

In Portugal, St. Irene, virgin and martyr.

St Sindulphus, confessor

In the diocese of Rheims, St. Sindulphus, confessor.