Saints of 23 September

St Linus, pope and martyr (Rome)

At Rome, St. Linus, pope and martyr, who governed Peter. He was crowned with martyrdom, and buried on the Vatican hill beside the same apostle.

St Thecla, virgin and martyr (Iconium)

At Iconium, in Lycaonia, St. Thecla, virgin and martyr, who was converted to the faith by the apostle St. Paul. Under the emperor Nero, she was victorious over the flames and the beasts to which she was exposed for the faith of Christ, and after many combats endured for the instruction of others, she went to Seleucia, where she ended her days in peace. Her memory has been eulogized by the Holy Fathers.

St Sosius of Campania

In Campania, the commemoration of blessed Sosius, deacon of the church of Misenum. The holy bishop Januarius, seeing a flame arise from his head as he was reading the Gospel in the church, foretold that he would be a martyr; and not many days after, when he was thirty years of age, he and the holy bishop suffered martyrdom by decapitation.

Ss. Andrew, John, Peter, and Anthony

In Africa, the holy martyrs Andrew, John, Peter, and Anthony.

St Paternus, bishop and martyr

In the diocese of Coutances, St. Paternus, bishop and martyr.

St Constantius of Ancona

At Ancona, St. C.onstantius, sacristan of the Church, renowned for the gift of miracles.

Ss. Xantippa and Polyxena

In Spain, the holy women Xantippa and Polyxena, who were disciples of the Apostles.

St Pius of Pietrelcina

At San Giovanni Rotondo, St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Capuchin priest, who bore the wounds of the Passion. Canonised 2002.