Saint of the Day: St. Castulus of Rome

(d. 288)

His life

+ Saint Castulus was the husband of Saint Irene (celebrated on March 30).

+ A military officer during the reign of the emperor Diocletian, he served in the royal palace, keeping his Christian faith a secret.

+ Denounced to the authorities for the assistance he offered Christians facing persecution, he was burned to death on the Via Labicana outside of Rome. A church was built on the site of his execution in the 7^th century.

+ Saint Castulus is invoked against various diseases and as a patron of farmers and those who tend livestock.

+ For her part, Saint Irene is especially honored for recovering the body of Saint Sebastian and helping restore him to health after he was shot with arrows. Saint Irene survived the period of persecution and his remembered for her courage and charity in serving persecuted Christians.

For prayer and reflection

“Hail to you, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.”—Verse before the Gospel for Tuesday of Holy Week

Prayer

Almighty ever-living God,
grant us so to celebrate
the mysteries of the Lord's Passion
that we may merit to receive your pardon.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Collect for Tuesday of Holy Week)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.