Saint Fabian, pope and martyr. A layperson called by divine grace to the pontificate, he showed a glorious example of faith and courage by suffering martyrdom during the persecution of Emperor Decius. Saint Cyprian rejoiced in his fight because he gave an irreproachable and distinguished witness in the government of the Church. His body was buried at the Catacombs of San Callisto on the Appian way. († 250)

Saint Sebastian, martyr. Originally from Milan, as Saint Ambrose recounts, he left for Rome at the time when violent persecutions raged and suffered the passion there. Thus, he arrived in Rome as a foreign guest, but found there the domicile of perpetual immortality. He was buried on this day at the Catacombs on the Appian way that bear his name. († 305)

In Antinoöpolis (Egypt), Saint Asclas, martyr. He declared before the governor that he did not fear threats but was much more afraid of despising Christ. After various torments, he was thrown into the river. († end of 3rd cent.)

In Nicaea (now İznik, Türkiye), Saint Neophytus, martyr. († 4th cent.)

In Palestine, Saint Euthymius, abbot. Armenian by origin and consecrated to God since childhood, he arrived in Jerusalem and spent many years in solitude. Renowned for his observance of discipline, he was steadfast and diligent in humility and charity until death. († 473)

In Worcester (England), Saint Wulstan, bishop. Raised from the cloister to this episcopal see, he united monastic customs with pastoral zeal. He took the greatest care to visit parishes, encourage the construction of churches, promote culture, and condemn venality. († 1095)

* At Coltibuono (Italy), Blessed Benedetto Ricasoli, hermit of the Vallombrosan Benedictine Congregation. († c. 1107)

* In Finland, Saint Henrik, bishop and martyr. A native of England, he received the charge of governing the Church of Uppsala and employed the greatest zeal in announcing the Gospel to the Finns. He was put to death by a murderer whom he sought to redress according to the discipline of the Church. († c. 1157)

In Montevergine (Italy), Saint Eustochia Calafato, virgin, abbess of the Order of Saint Clare. She ardently dedicated herself to restoring the ancient discipline of religious life and to promoting the sequela Christi modeled after Saint Francis. († 1485)  

* In Rome (Italy), Blessed Angelo Paoli, professed priest of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. Consecrated to the passion of Christ and dedicated to silence, prayer, and mortification, he was called “father of the poor” for his zeal in caring for the sick and helping the needy. († 1720)

In Seoul (South Korea), Saint Stephen Min Kŭk-ka, catechist, martyr, strangled in prison for the Christian faith. († 1840)  

* At Le Mans (France), Blessed Basile Moreau, priest. A gifted preacher and educator, he founded the Congregation of Holy Cross at the service of the missions. Shunned and humiliated during his final years, he knew how to forgive everyone. († 1873)

In Casoria, near Naples (Italy), Saint Maria Cristina of the Immaculata (Adelaide) Brando, virgin. She dedicated her life to the Christian formation of children and founded the Congregation of the Oblation Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to foster the adoration the Holy Eucharist. († 1906)

* At the monastery of Mount Saint Bernard, in Coalville (England), Blessed Cyprian (Michael) Iwene Tansi, professed priest of the Cistercian Order. Born in Onitsha (Nigeria), he professed the Christian faith while still a child, despite his family. Ordained a priest, he devoted himself with the greatest care to the pastoral ministry. Having become a monk, he completed a holy life with a holy death. († 1964)