Saint Saturninus, Bishop and Martyr
by VP
Posted on Friday November 29, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Impotence of the Demon: St. Saturninus, having been sent by the Pope St. Fabian into Gaul, together with St. Denis, in order to plant the faith there, established his see at Toulouse, and thence directed his efforts into the adjacent regions. The number of the Christians had already become considerable. The holy missionary was accustomed to pass every day near the foot of the Capitol, which contained a temple famous for its oracles. Now, as the latter had become mute, the pagans attributed this to the presence of the Christians, and especially to that of the bishop; they therefore dragged him to the Capitol in order to force him to adore their gods, or else to restore speech to the oracles. "Your gods," said Saturninus to them, "are only demons, and how can you expect that I shall adore them that dread me, and whom my mere presence reduces to silence?" At this reply the people became enraged beyond measure; Saturninus was horrible maltreated; he was trans-pierced with a lance, and then tied to the tail of an untamed bull, that tore him to pieces. This occurred about the year 250 of the Christian era.
Moral reflection: The spirit of darkness is only to be feared by those who yield consent to his suggestions. "Resist the devil," says St. James, "And he will fly from you." (James iv. 7.) Source: Pictorial half hours with the saints. Transl de Auguste Francois Lecanu (1865)
ST. SATURNINUS, MARTYR: UNDER the Emperor Maximian, having suffered a long imprisonment and many torments, both of racks
and fire, he was at length beheaded for his faith in Christ. Give
thanks for his victory: pray for all who at this time suffer for justice or faith; and while you have before you the example of those
who have given their lives for Christ, fail not to shew some more than
usual patience in whatever you have to suffer this day. It can be no
advantage to you to honour the martyrs, if you receive your trials with the impatience of unbelievers. To have the faith of a Christian, and suffer as one who believes not, cannot be the way to a crown. Put your souls, therefore, in a good disposition, whether for present troubles, or whatever are to come. Pray for patience, submission, and courage; they are the gifts of God; and as he has granted them to others, so the like mercy is open to you, if you persevere in asking with a firm hope in God; if you do not despair, because of your own weakness, nor expect to go through your sufferings without trouble. While you honour the memory of a martyr, suffer something as a martyr." The Catholic Year by Fr John Gother
