First Sunday of Advent

Saint Saturninus, also known as Saturnin of Toulouse, was born in the East, according to ancient tradition, and was sent from Rome in the mid-third century as one of the “Apostles to the Gauls.” In a time when persecution had scattered and weakened the young Christian communities, he was appointed the first bishop of Toulouse and labored to proclaim the Gospel and rebuild the Church’s life in that region. His preaching stirred opposition from pagan priests, who blamed the silence of their oracles on his presence. When Saturninus steadfastly refused to offer sacrifice to idols, he was seized and condemned to a brutal death: bound by the feet to a bull and dragged through the city until he died. Two Christian women reverently gathered his remains and buried him, and in later years, as the faith spread, his successors honored him with a more solemn resting place that became a center of pilgrimage. Saint Saturninus is venerated as patron of Pamplona, Ventosa, and the church of Saint Saturnin. His feast day is November 29.