Today, February 15, we celebrate the feast day of Saint
Faustinus and Jovita (died 121), brothers, and martyrs for the faith. As recorded in the Roman Martyrology: “At Brescia, in the time of Emperor Hadrian,
the birthday of the holy martyrs Faustinus and Jovita, who received the
triumphant crown of martyrdom after many glorious combats for the faith of
Christ. “
Faustinus and Jovita were born into nobility, and were
raised in the faith. They became known
for their faith and acts of charity, as well as their great love for study and
religion. The brothers inspired each other and helped each other grow deeper in
the faith, supporting and nurturing the flame of Christ’s love within their
love for each other. As they aged, they became known for their zealous
preaching of Christianity throughout Brescia (Lombardy), the place of their
birth. Inseparable, they did not shrink
from their calling to preach the Gospel, even after Christians began being
persecuted during the reign of Emperor Adrian. They maintained their faith with
vigor and zeal, and in doing so, brought the wrath of the emperor down upon
them.
Faustinus as ordained a priest by the Bishop of Brescia, and
Jovita served as his deacon. During
Mass one day, they were seized by army officers, and commanded to offer
sacrifice and worship to the pagan gods, including the sun. Faustinus replied that the two would only
worship the living God, Christ, who created the sun to give light to the
world.
The temple to which they were brought was adorned with
bright, golden statues of the sun god, brilliant in the light, surrounded by
golden rays. Saint Jovita, gazing at
the statue, cried aloud, “Yes, we adore the God reigning in heaven, who created
the sun. And you, vain statue, turn black, to the shame of those who adore
you!” At his very words, the statue
turned black. The emperor, thoroughly
irritated, ordered it cleaned, but when the pagan priests touched the statue,
it crumbled into ash.
Immediately sentenced to death, the brothers were sent to
the amphitheatre to be viciously mauled and devoured by lions, but as with
other saintly men and women condemned to death, the lions laid down by their
feet, docile. After several attempts,
the men were thrown into a dark cell, kept without food and water for days, but
angels of the Lord appeared to them, ministering to their health and providing
them strength and joy for their torture.
Thrown into a large pit of fire, the flames parted and they
were not burnt. Many witnesses were
converted to Christ during these, their acts of faith. Frustrated, the emperor ordered their heads
removed, finally successful in earning the brothers their golden martyrs’
crowns.
Saints Faustinus and Jovita are honored as the chief patrons
of Brescia, and their relics are located in the ancient church bearing their
name.
O God, who year by year dost gladden us by the solemnity of
Thy holy martyrs Faustinus and Jovita, mercifully grant that we, who
rejoice in their merits, may be inspired by their examples. Amen.
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