St. Vigilius was educated at Athens. He returned to his birthplace in Trent, Italy, were he was named bishop in 385 A.D. As leader of his diocese, he stopped usury, helped the poor, and converted many to the faith. His work received great success that almost everyone in his diocese was Christian before his death. St. Vigilius died a martyr for the faith because he ordered a statue of a pagan god thrown into the Sarka River - which angered those who believed in it (died ca. 405 A.D.).
St. Josemaria Escriva was ordained in 1925 A.D. He worked in a rural parish at first until he felt the call to found the Opus Dei on October 2, 1928 A.D. When religious persecutions were prevalent in Spain, Josemaria left, and returned only after the Civil War ended. Back in Madrid, he worked for the growth of Opus Dei in Spain. Opus Dei emerged as a strong force in many parts of the world. This prelature followed the spirit of service to the Church exemplified by their founder, St. Josemaria Escriva (died October 6, 2002 A.D.).
Sts. John and Paul were Roman martyrs of the 4th century A.D. Tradition preserves the popularity of their story. John and Paul were brothers and both soldiers of the Emperor Constantine. They continued their military service until the death of the Emperor. Emperor Constantine's successor was not sympathetic to the Christian faith of the two brothers. He had both brothers executed when they refused to renounce their faith in Christ. Their bodies were buried in the Celian Hill (died ca. 410 A.D.).
St. Maxentius became a monk, and soon left the abbey he worked and lived, to escape the praise of his companion monks. Despite his resistance to this temptation, he was acclaimed a miracle worker when his return coincided with the end of a long drought. He then decided to join another monastic community where he became known for his austerities and holiness. Elected abbot of this community in ca. 500 A.D., St. Maxentius worked well for the good of his community. After resigning from his post as abbot, he lived as a hermit near his community's monastery (died ca. 515 A.D.).
St. Salvius was a bishop who went to Valenciennes, France, in ca. 768 A.D. Salvius received success from his work of evangelization in that area of France. Together with a companion called Superius, they both were killed by a son of an official of Valenciennes (died ca. 768 A.D.).
St. John of the Goths was elected bishop of the Goths in 761 A.D. John upheld the Church practice of veneration of relics and sacred images. He also attended the General Council of Nicaea in 787 A.D. This Council defined Catholic doctrine on the veneration of saints and relics. On his return from the Council, he was captured by Khazar invaders. However, he was able to escape and find refuge in Amastria in Asia Minor, where he spent the last years of his life (died ca. 800 A.D.).
St. Pelagius was a hostage of the Moors when he was 10 years old at Cordova, Spain. After three years, Abd-ar-Rahman III offered Pelagius his freedom, if he would renounce his Christian faith, and become an adherent of Islam. When St. Pelagius refused to accept the offer, he was tortured to death (died ca. 925 A.D.).
St. Anthelm at first was a secular priest but then decided to be a Carthusian in ca. 1137 A.D. He became the 7th abbot of the Carthusian Order in 1139 A.D. and worked to rebuild the Order's physical facilities. He also delegated the drawing up of a Carthusian Rule for women to Blessed John the Spaniard. Resigning his abbacy in 1152 A.D., he lived as a hermit. He wanted to continue in his solitude, but despite objections to his being named bishop of Belley, he reluctantly acceded to this need in 1163 A.D. After actively involving himself in the politics of his time, he spent his last years working with lepers and the poor (died ca. 1178 A.D.).
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