St. Marcellus was a centurion in the court of Emperor Maximian. On the birthday feast of the Emperor, Marcellus refused to participate in the rituals for the gods; he also declared publicly his Christian faith. The Prefect of the legion had him arrested and imprisoned. Marcellus was condemned to death for desertion and irreverence. He was executed and beheaded (died ca. third century A.D.).
Bl. Benvenuta of Cividale was a Dominican tertiary. Drawn to the contemplative life, she however went to excess with her ascetical practices. Her confessor ordered her to lessen and moderate her austerities, and not to start any new ascetical practice without his permission. Most of the time she was confined to bed because of her asthmatic condition. She was suddenly miraculously cured on March 25, feast of the Annunciation (died ca. 1292 A.D.).
St. Serapion of Antioch was well-known for his wisdom and learning. He became bishop of Antioch in 190 A.D. As bishop, he opposed the heresies in his diocese - that of Montanism and Docetism. He also did not allow the reading of the apocryphal gospel of Peter in the Church of Rhossos (died ca. 211 A.D.).
St. Asterius was educated by someone schooled in Antioch. Asterius was good at rhetoric and because of his education was ordained. Eventually, he was appointed bishop of Amasea. St. Asterius became an outstanding preacher, with some twenty-one of his homilies still existing to this day (died ca. 410 A.D.).
St. Germanus became bishop of Capua in southern Italy. In 519 A.D., Pope St. Hormisdas asked Germanus to be part of a delegation that was sent to Emperor Justin. The mission of this delegation was to negotiate with Emperor Justin so that the Acacian schism may be finally resolved and ended. This mission in which St. Germanus was part of was successful (died ca. 540 A.D.).
St. Ethelnoth was dean of the cathedral church at Canterbury when he was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in 1020 A.D. Noted for his goodness, his holiness and learning was instrumental for King Canute's liberal contribution to the rebuilding of the cathedral of Chartres (died ca. 1038 A.D.).
St. Alphonsus Rodriguez studied under the Jesuits in Alcala, Spain. On the death of his father, he returned home to oversee the family business. He got married and sired a son. When his wife and son passed away (within a span of a few years), he joined the Jesuits at about 50 years of age. Rejected at first for lack of schooling, he was then admitted as a lay brother by a special ruling of the provincial. He then served as the hall porter at Montesion College on Majorca for 24 years. St. Alphonsus was soon known for his holiness, simplicity, obeidience and devotion to Mary (died ca. 1617 A.D.).
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