Saint Leonides and Companions

Their story:

+ This group of eight Christians were tortured and martyred for their Christian faith during the persecutions of the Emperor Decius. The martyrs include:

• Basilissa
• Callist
• Carissa
• Leonides
• Galina
• Nica
• Nunecia
• Theodora

+ These martyrs were thrown into the sea near Corinth, Greece, around the year 250.

For prayer and reflection:

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.

—Communion Antiphon for the Mass of Wednesday of Holy Week

Prayer

O God, who willed your Son to submit for our sake
to the yoke of the Cross,
so that you might drive from us the power of the enemy,
grant us, your servants, to attain the grace of the resurrection.
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.

(from The Roman Missal: Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week)

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