Saint Frances [Francesca] of Rome, religious, who, given in matrimony during her adolescence, lived in marriage for forty years, being an exemplary wife and mother, admirable for her piety, humility and patience. In dire times, she distributed her goods to the poor and served the sick. After her husband’s death, she retired to live with the Oblates whom she had had gathered in Rome under the Rule of Saint Benedict. († 1440)

In Sebaste in Armenia (now Sivas, Türkiye), the passion of the forty Holy soldiers of Cappadocia, who, during the reign of Emperor Licinius, showed themselves united not by blood but by faith and obedience to the will of the heavenly Father. After imprisonment and cruel tortures, such as spending the night naked in the open air on a frozen pond during the coldest time of winter, they consummated their martyrdom with the breaking of their legs. († 320)

In Barcelona (Spain), Saint Pacian, bishop, who, in preaching the faith, affirmed that his name was “Christian” and “Catholic” his surname. († c. 390)

In Rapolla (Italy), Saint Vitalis from Castronovo, monk. († 993)

In East Moravia (around the area bordering Lithuania, Poland and Kaliningrad), Saint Bruno, Bishop of Querfurt and martyr, who, while accompanying Emperor Otto III in Italy, was moved by the authority of Saint Romuald and embraced the monastic life, receiving the name Boniface. Then, returning to Germany and created bishop by Pope John X, he was murdered by idolaters with eighteen companions in the course of an apostolic expedition. († 1009)

In Bologna (Italy), Saint Caterina, virgin of the Order of Saint Clare, who, being eminent in the liberal arts, but even more illustrious for her mystical virtues and life of penance and humility, was a teacher of consecrated virgins. († 1463)

In Mondonio (Italy), Saint Domenico Savio, who, affable and jovial since childhood, completed with light steps the path of Christian perfection while still a teenager. († 1857)

In Seoul (South Korea), the Holy martyrs Peter Ch’oe Hyŏng and John Baptist Chŏn Chang-un, fathers of families, who, for having administered Baptism and published Christian books, were handed over to torture. They remained so steadfast in the faith that they awed their persecutors. († 1866)