The Papermaker.
February 13.
- SS. Fusca, V., and Maura, MM. at Ravenna, 3rd cent.
- S. Polyeuctus, M. at Melitene, in Armenia; circ. a.d. 259.
- S. Juliana, Matron at Turin, 9th cent.
- S. Domninus, B. of Digne in France, 4th cent.
- S. Castor, P. at Coblenz, end of 4th cent.
- S. Martian, H. in Palestine; circ. a.d. 400.
- S. Stephen, of Lyons, B. C.; circ. a.d. 512.
- S. Modomnoc, of Ossory, C. 6th cent.
- S. Stephen, Ab. of Riete in Italy, 6th cent.
- S. Licinius, B. of Angers; circ. a.d. 617.
- S. Ermenilda, Q. Abbess of Ely; circ. 700.
- S. Gregory II., B. of Rome; a.d. 731.
- SS. Aymon and Weremund, Counts of Turbio in Italy; circ. a.d. 790.
- S. Fulcran, B. of Lodeve in France, a.d. 1006.
- S. Gislbert, B. of Meaux, after a.d. 1000.
- B. Jordan, O. S.D. a.d. 1237.
- S. Catherine, of Ricci, V., O. S.D., a.d. 1590.
SS. FUSCA AND MAURA, MM.
(3RD CENT.)
[Roman Martyrology. It is doubtful whether these martyrs suffered under Caracalla, or under Decius. The Roman Martyrology says "under Decius;" the Acts are silent on this point. Baronius says under Decius, in the year 254; but Decius fell in 251. There exist several editions of the Acts, all apparently derived from the original authentic account of their passion, and differing from one another in no important particular.]
THE blessed Fusca was a young girl of Ravenna, aged fifteen, who, with her nurse Maura, had been instructed in the faith of Christ, and had been baptized by S. Hermolaus. Her parents, who were heathens, were exceedingly annoyed, and endeavoured by persuasion and threats to turn their daughter from her confidence in God; and on one occasion her father was so far exasperated as to rush upon her to strike her, but the mother interposed and restrained him. The Præfect Quintianus, hearing of the conversion of Fusca, sent for her, together with her nurse, and having scourged her, ordered the executioner to run her through with his spear. The maiden fell into the arms of Maura, and the old woman, clasping her bleeding mistress, implored the man to despatch her also; this request was readily complied with, and the nurse and her young charge died together.
The relics of these holy martyrs are preserved at Torcelli. In Art they are represented holding a spear.