Saint of the Day – 15 February – Saints Faustinus (Died c 120) Martyr, Priest and Jovinus Martyr Deacon, both Evangelisers, Preachers. Born at Brescia, Lombardy, Italy and the two brothers died together. They was thrown to the lions but the animals refused to touch them. Then beheaded in 120 at Brescia, Italy. Patronages – Brescia, City and Diocese and the City of Credera Rubbiano, Italy.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Brescia, in the time of the Emperor Hadrian, the birthday of the holy Martyrs Faustinus and Jovinus, who received the triumphant Crown of Martyrdom after many glorious combats for the Faith of Christ.”
Faustinus and Jovinus were born to the nobility in the 2nd century in Italy. They were zealous preachers in Brescia, Milan, Rome and Naples, during the persecution of Emperor Hadrian.
Julian, a heathen lord, apprehended them and the Emperor himself, passing through Brescia, when neither threats nor torments could shake their constancy, commanded them to be beheaded.
Both Saints Faustinus and Jovinus, are honoured as the chief Patrons of Brescia and their relics are located in the ancient Church bearing the names of both.
Brescia, the Capital of one of the Italian Provinces, can scarcely remember the names of those who were its governors or leading men, in the second century and yet, here are two of her citizens, whose names will be handed down, with veneration and love, to the end of the world and the whole of Christendom is filled with the praise of their glorious Martyrdom. Glory, then, to these sainted Brothers, whose example so eloquently preaches to us the great lesson of our Season,–fidelity in God’s service. (from the Liturgical Year, 1870).
AnaStpaul 