Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Saint Innocentius was a Christian martyr of the early Church, remembered for his faithful witness in a time of persecution. Born around the year 300 in Ancient Egypt, he lived only a short life, yet his devotion to Christ endured to the end. In 302, while still very young, Innocentius was killed for his faith, joining the countless believers whose courage helped strengthen the Church in its earliest centuries. Though few details of his earthly life have been preserved, his name continues to be honored in the Church’s prayer and memory. Saint Innocentius is venerated as a patron of Grassano, where the faithful look to his intercession. His feast day is celebrated on September 22.

Saint Candidus was born in Upper Egypt, and became a commander in the famed Theban Legion, a unit of Christian soldiers serving the Roman Empire. In the late third century, during the reign of Emperor Maximian, Candidus and his companions were ordered to harass local Christians in the emperor’s name. As a staff officer under Saint Maurice, Candidus courageously refused, professing that while they were loyal soldiers, they were first servants of the true God and could not renounce their Creator. According to ancient tradition, this steadfast witness led to martyrdom: Candidus, Maurice, other officers, and thousands of their fellow soldiers were put to death around the year 287 at Agaunum, in what is now Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, Switzerland. The Church venerates Saint Candidus as a martyr whose obedience to Christ surpassed fear of earthly power. His relics have long been honored at the Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune, a place of enduring pilgrimage and devotion. Saint Candidus is honored as a patron of Innichen. His feast day is September 22.

Saint Maurice was born around AD 250 in Thebes of Upper Egypt, and grew to manhood as a Christian in a world often hostile to the Gospel. Entering the Roman army, he rose through the ranks until he became commander of the Theban Legion, a unit remembered as being composed of Christian soldiers. Sent from Egypt to Gaul under Emperor Maximian to suppress unrest, Maurice and his men pledged loyal service to the empire, yet refused to place obedience to Caesar above obedience to God. When ordered to offer sacrifice to pagan gods—and, in some accounts, to persecute or kill fellow Christians—they would not comply. For this steadfast witness, the legion was subjected to repeated decimation, and at last Maurice and his companions were executed at Agaunum, in present-day Switzerland, where the Abbey of Saint-Maurice later became a center of devotion. Venerated as a model of courageous faith under authority, Saint Maurice is honored as patron of soldiers and infantrymen and of many towns and churches. His feast day is September 22.

Saint Septimius of Iesi was born in what is now Germany and, after a solid education in the liberal arts, began a military career. Grace led him to Christ, and his conversion cost him dearly: when his family would not follow the new faith, Septimius left them behind and set out for Italy. In Milan he served the Church as a minister, but the storm of the Diocletianic Persecution in 303 drove him from the city. He journeyed on to Rome, where the Lord worked through him in signs and miracles that drew the attention of Pope Marcellus I. Recognizing his faith and zeal, the Pope ordained Septimius bishop and sent him to shepherd the people of Iesi. As the first bishop of Iesi, Septimius strengthened the young Christian community and established the cathedral. When a magistrate named Florentius demanded that he offer sacrifice to pagan gods, Septimius refused, choosing fidelity to Christ over safety. For this witness he was condemned and beheaded around 307, honored ever after as a martyr. He is venerated as the patron saint of Iesi. His feast day is September 22.