ON THE HOLY MARTYRS SATURNINUS, CASTULUS (OR CASTULA), MAGNUS, LUCIUS, ROGATUS, JOHN, AND VARIOUS COMPANIONS, AT INTERAMNA IN UMBRIA
AROUND THE YEAR 273
HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.
Saturninus, Martyr at Interamna in Umbria (St.) Castulus, or Castula, Martyr at Interamna in Umbria (St.) Magnus, Martyr at Interamna in Umbria (St.) Lucius, Martyr at Interamna in Umbria (St.) Rogatus, Martyr at Interamna in Umbria (St.) John, Martyr at Interamna in Umbria (St.) Companion Martyrs at Interamna in Umbria
By the author G. H.
[1] Ferdinandus Ughellus in volume 1 of Italia Sacra, under St. Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, whose Life we gave on February 14, writes the following: These Martyrs are venerated at Interamna on February 17. He also instructed in the faith Saturninus, Castulus, Magnus, and Lucius, who afterward became illustrious Martyrs, and whom the Roman Martyrology commemorates on the 15th day of the month of February, while the Church of Interamna celebrates them together on the 17th of the same month. Jacobillus adds in the Saints of Umbria for this day that that feast is solemnly celebrated with the rite of a double. Concerning them, Ferrarius published this eulogy in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy: Saturninus, converted to the faith by St. Valentine the Bishop Castulus, Magnus, and Lucius, having embraced the Christian religion at Interamna under St. Valentine the Bishop, since they were making progress in it, after the martyrdom of the holy Bishop, they themselves also, seized in the same persecution, were crowned with martyrdom on account of their constancy in the faith. Jacobillus adds that by their words and example many citizens were converted to the faith of Christ and baptized by St. Valentine, and that finally, after their constancy had been assailed in various ways, killed under the Emperor Aurelian: they fell as Martyrs under the Prefect Leontius during the reign of the Emperor Aurelian, in the year of Christ 273, on February 15: which day is consecrated to the veneration of St. Agape, with whom they are commonly joined.
[2] The number of these Martyrs is variously expressed by different authors. Ferrarius in the General Catalogue for this February 17 says: Saturninus, Magnus, Lucius, Castulus. At Interamna, of the holy Martyrs Saturninus, Castulus, Magnus, Lucius, and companions. But the Roman Martyrology, without mention of companions, lists others on February 15: Likewise, the birthday of the holy Martyrs Saturninus, Castulus, Magnus, and Lucius. Concerning whom Baronius makes these annotations: Bede here treats of Saturninus and Castulus; the rest, however, have been restored from the aforementioned Martyrology, namely that of the monastery of St. Cyriacus, in which the following is read: On the 15th day before the Kalends of March, at Interamna, the birthday of St. Agape the Virgin, Saturninus, Castulus, elsewhere Castula Magnus, and Lucius. And these authors have "Castulus," while others have "Castula": thus Bede, cited by Baronius, in whose Martyrology printed by the Plantin press, the reading is: At Antioch, the birthday of St. Agape the Virgin, Saturninus, and Castula. This error here is corrected in the same manuscript Martyrology of the monastery of Richenberg, and in the third volume of the printed works, where the deficiency is thus supplied: At Antioch, the birthday of Joseph the Deacon, and Zeno. At Interamna, of St. Agape the Virgin and of SS. Saturninus and Castula. Rabanus also in both editions: At Interamna, of St. Agape the Virgin, Saturninus, and Castula. Finally, with several more companions added, the ancient manuscript Roman Martyrology which is said to be that of St. Jerome has: At Interamna, Rogatus, John the birthday of St. Agape the Virgin, Saturninus, Castula, Magnus, Lucius, Rogatus, John, and 12 others. Of these, Hermann Greuen in the augmented Usuard commemorates John, Saturninus, and Castula. But the manuscript Martyrology of Liessies records SS. John and Magnus. Galesininus also commemorates John, but joined to Joseph of Antioch and Victor of Syria, concerning whom we treated on that day. Those who in the Martyrology of St. Jerome are recorded as 12 anonymous persons, others 12, or 24 according to the ancient manuscript Martyrology of St. Martin's at Tournai and the manuscript of Ado from the monastery of St. Lawrence at Liege, are 24. For the reading is thus: At Interamna, the birthday of St. Agape the Virgin and 30 Martyrs, of whom only six are known by their own names from the said Martyrologies.
[3] Juan Tamayo Salazar in the Hispanic Martyrology, from a manuscript Calendar which he says he has through the kindness of Diego de Colmenares, adds a certain Camillus with these words Was any of these called Camillus? transcribed from that Calendar: At Rome, the birthday of the holy Martyrs Saturninus, Castulus, Camillus, Magnus, and Lucius, who were tortured for the faith by the Emperor Hadrian. So it reads there; in which there is agreement on the four Martyrs, but Rome, not Interamna, is assigned as the arena of victory, and the Emperor Hadrian, not Aurelian, under whom they contended. Wherefore we do not dare to trust a single manuscript Calendar unknown to us, and on its authority alone to join Camillus as a companion to the remaining Martyrs. Concerning another Camillus of Rome, we treated on February 15 in the catalogue of those passed over.
[4] The sacred bodies of these Martyrs of Interamna were buried by the faithful at the torrent of Passara, the burial of other Martyrs: where there is now the church of St. Zeno the Martyr in the diocese of Interamna, as the previously cited Jacobillus relates. Some relics of these Saints are preserved at Bologna: those of St. Magnus in the parish church of St. Mary, called "della Carita" in the square of St. Felix. The relics of St. Lucius have their veneration in the church of St. Bartholomew. Masinus is to be consulted in his Bologna Perlustrata for February 15. some relics at Bologna.