St. Cajetan was a politician at first in his hometown at Vicenza, Italy. He left this profession, pursued a vocation in Rome, and was ordained in 1516 A.D. After some time, he founded the Theatines - a community of Clerks Regular who were committed to teach catechism, assist the poor and reform the clergy. When Rome was besieged, St. Cajetan and his companions opened communities in Venice and Naples. St. Cajetan continued to work tirelessly and prayed intensely for the apostolates of his Order (died ca. 1547 A.D.).
St. Sixtus II was elevated to the papacy at a time when the persecution of Christians was still intense. The emperor of Rome at the time was Valerian. Valerian issued an edict ordering the execution of clergy and the imposition of penalties on lay people. On August 6, 258 A.D., while the Pope was addressing the faithful at a cemetery of Praetextatus, the Emperor's forces rushed in, seized the Pope and four deacons, and beheaded them. Two other deacons were executed later that day, while the seventh deacon, Lawrence, was executed four days later. After St. Sixtus II's martyrdom, his body was transferred to the papal crypt in the cemetery of Callistus on the Appian Way (died ca. 258 A.D.).
St. Albert of Sicily, a.k.a. Albert of Trapani, joined the Carmelites and then went to Messina where he became famous for his miracles and preaching. After receiving success in his preaching, he retired and spent his last years as a hermit near Messina in Italy (died ca. 1307 A.D.).
St. Afra was martyred during the Diocletian era of Christian persecutions. Afra's mother, Hilaria, was able to obtain her daughter's body, and buried it in a sepulcher with the help of three servants - Digna, Eunomia and Emprepia. When the Emperor's guards discovered them, all four of them were burned to death in St. Afra's sepulcher. St. Afra's burial place became a place of pilgrimage. It also became the site where many bishops of Augsburg were buried until the year 1000 A.D. (died ca. 304 A.D.).
St. Donatus was consecrated as the second bishop of Arezzo, Italy. His name is recorded in the Roman Martyrology. He was martyred during the persecution of Christians ordered by Emperor Julian the Apostate. Though his name is recorded in the list of Martyrs, there is no record as to how he suffered martyrdom (died ca. 362 A.D.).
St. Claudia was the mother of St. Linus - the second Pope, the one who succeeded St. Peter. There are many traditional stories that recount the life of St. Claudia. But what is certain is that two of these traditional stories lead to the name Claudia mentioned in St. Paul's second letter to Timothy (died 1st century A.D.).
St. Dometius the Persian was a convert to the Faith. He became a monk at Nisibis, Mesopotamia. He was ordained a deacon and then lived as a hermit. Because of his holiness, St. Dometius drew many people to his cave. This situation angered Emperor Julian the Apostate. And when St. Dometius eventually denounced the Emperor's impiety, the hermit was stoned to death (died ca. 362 A.D.).
St. Victricius became a soldier when he was seventeen years old. He then converted to the Christian faith and refused to bear soldier's arms anymore. His refusal led to his flogging and sentencing to death. But somehow, he was able to escape the death penalty imposed upon him, and was discharged from the army. He became bishop of Rouen in 386 A.D. and worked as a missionary in nearby Flanders, Hainault and Brabant. He then went to England and became involved in the politics of the Church, so much so, that he was accused of heresy. However, Pope St. Innocent I exonerated him from the false charges (died ca. 407 A.D.).
St. Donatus of Besançon was a monk at Luxeuil, Gaul (now in present-day Haute-Saone, France). He was named to the episcopate and became bishop of Besançon in 624 A.D. St. Donatus encouraged monasticis in his diocese and also founded St. Paul Abbey at Besançon (died ca. 660 A.D.).
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