Saints of 17 September

St Francis

The commemoration of the Impression of the Sacred Wounds which St. Francis, founder of the Order of Minorites, received, through a wonderful favor of God, in his hands, feet and side, on Mount Alvernia, in Tuscany.

St Justin of Rome

At Rome, on the road to Tivoli, the birthday of St. Justin, priest and martyr, who distinguished himself by a glorious confession of the faith, during the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus. He buried the bodies of the blessed pontiff, Xystus, of Lawrence, Hippolytus, and many other saints, and finally consummated his martyrdom under Claudius.

Ss. Narcissus and Crescentio

Also, at Rome, the holy martyrs Narcissus and Crescentio.

St Ariadna of Phrygia

In Phrygia, St. Ariadna, martyr, under the emperor Adrian.

Ss. Socrates and Stephen

In England, the holy martyrs Socrates and Stephen.

Ss. Valerian, Macrinus, and Gordian

At Nevers, the holy martyrs Valerian, Macrinus, and Gordian.

St Flocellus of Autun

At Autun, under the emperor Antoninus and the governor Valerian, St. Flocellus, a boy, who, after many sufferings, was torn to pieces by wild beasts, and thus won the crown of martyrs.

St Lambert of Maastricht

At Liege, blessed Lambert, bishop of Maestricht. Having, through zeal for religion, rebuked the royal family, he was undeservedly put to death by the guilty, and thus entered the court of the heavenly kingdom, to enjoy it forever.

St Peter of Arbues

At Saragossa, in Spain, St. Peter of Arbues, first inquisitor of the faith in the kingdom of Arragon, who received the palm of martyrdom by being barbarously massacred by apostate Jews, for defending courageously the Catholic faith, according to the duties of his office. He was canonized by Pius IX. in 1867.

St Agathoclia

The same day, St. Agathoclia, servant of an infidel woman, who was for a long time subjected by her to blows and other afflictions, that she might deny Christ. She was finally presented to the judge and cruelly lacerated, and as she persisted in confessing the faith, they cut off her tongue and threw her into the flames.

St Columba of Córdoba

At Cordova, St. Columba, virgin and martyr.

St Satyrus of Milan

At Milan, the departure from this world of St. Satyrus, confessor, whose distinguished merits are mentioned by his brother, St. Ambrose.

St Theodora of Rome

At Rome, in the persecution of Diocletian, St. Theodora, a matron, who carefully ministered to the martyrs.

St Hildegarde, virgin (Bingen)

At Bingen, in the diocese of Mayence, St. Hildegarde, virgin.

St Robert Bellarmine

At Rome, St Robert Bellarmine, cardinal of the Society of Jesus, Doctor of the Church. Canonised 1930.