Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week of Ordinary Time

Saint Antoninus of Apamea was a Christian saint and martyr, born in Syria around the year 300. Remembered as a stonemason, he sanctified ordinary labor through steadfast faith, offering his life as a witness to Christ. Though few details of his story have come down to us, the Church honors him for the courage of his martyrdom and the quiet strength of a life shaped by devotion. He is especially venerated as patron of Caprauna, Carpasio, Casanova Lerrone, Castelnuovo di Porto, Chiusa di Pesio, Entracque, Fara in Sabina, Ficarolo, Giuncugnano, and Lucinasco. Saint Antoninus is commemorated on September 2, inviting the faithful to perseverance and fidelity amid trial.

Saint Elpidius the Cappadocian was born in Asia Minor, in the region of Cappadocia, sometime in the fourth century. Drawn to a life of prayer and solitude, he embraced the way of the desert fathers and, according to tradition, lived for twenty-five years in a cave, seeking God in silence, fasting, and continual contemplation. His holiness did not remain hidden: disciples gathered around him, among them Eustace and Ennesius, and Elpidius became an abbot who guided others in the ascetic life with spiritual wisdom and fatherly care. Centuries later, devotion to Elpidius spread far beyond Cappadocia. In the seventh century, the village of Cluana in Italy’s Marche region received his relics, along with those of his companions, and the town eventually took the name Sant’Elpidio a Mare. Local tradition remembers his powerful intercession when the relics were believed to have saved the town from a Lombard siege, as the saint appeared in the sky urging the people to defend their home. Saint Elpidius is honored as patron of Sant’Elpidio a Mare. His feast day is September 2.

Saint Mammes of Caesarea was born in the third century in a prison at Caesarea, to Theodotus and Rufina, Christians who were themselves awaiting martyrdom. Orphaned when his parents were executed for the faith, the child was taken in and lovingly raised by a wealthy widow named Ammia. When she died, Mammes—still very young—stood alone, yet steadfast in Christ. Ancient tradition tells that he was arrested and cruelly tortured by the governor of Caesarea, then sent before the emperor Aurelian for further torment. Delivered by an angel, he withdrew to a mountain near the city, living in prayer and simplicity. When he was later thrown to wild beasts, he is said to have preached with such trust in God that the lions became gentle, and one even remained by his side. Condemned again, Mammes was struck with a trident and died, his soul borne to heaven by angels. Venerated widely from Caesarea to Langres and beyond, he is honored as patron of Encinas de Esgueva, Gueimonde, A Pastoriza, Lizzano in Belvedere, Manjarrés, Mogadouro, Murero, and Villatuelda. His feast day is September 2.

Saint Paris of Teano is traditionally said to have been born in Athens in Roman Greece, though history preserves with certainty only that he became a bishop in the Italian town of Teano. Ordained Bishop of Teano by Pope Sylvester I, Paris shepherded the faithful in a time when the Gospel was still taking root amid lingering pagan customs. Devout tradition remembers him as an apostolic figure for the region, preaching with courage and drawing many to Christ. Local legend tells that when he arrived, the people were caught up in rites honoring a serpent-like deity. Paris confronted this darkness with the power of God, reputedly taming or defeating a dragon that lived near the town and leading it to its end by the Savone River. In gratitude, the first cathedral, San Paride ad Fontem, rose near the spring where he preached, marking the place where faith overcame fear. Saint Paris died in Teano around 346, and his relics are honored there to this day. He is venerated as patron of Teano. His feast day is August 5.