Baring-Gould’s sources: Roman Martyrology. Mozarabic Breviary, ancient Martyrology attributed to S. Jerome, Ado, Usuardus, &c. Authority The ancient and perfectly genuine Acts.] |HE very simple, and perfectly trustworthy Acts of these martyrs, relate that Speratus, Narzalis, Cittinus, and three women, Donata, Secunda, and Vestina were brought before the pro-consul Saturninus, at Carthage. The pro-consul said: “Ye shall receive favour of our Lords, the emperors Severus and Antoninus, 1 if you will turn with good will to our gods.”

Speratus answered, “We have done no harm, nor any iniquity, nor have we cursed any one, but though ill-received by you, we give thanks always/” The pro-consul said, “We swear by the genius of the emperor, and pray for his welfare, and that is what you ought to do.”

Speratus replied, “ I know nothing of the genius of • Caracalla, the son of Severus, associated with his father in the empire. He bore the name of Antonins.

the emperor; but I serve my hea\ enly God, whom no man sees or can see. I have never stolen, but always pay the legal tax for what I take, because I recognize the emperor as my lord; but I adore God, who is Lord of Lords.”

Saturninus then turned to the rest and urged them to “ sacrifice, and be not partakers in this fellow’s madness, but respect and obey the edict of the sovereign.” Cittinus said, “We fear none save the Lord of Lords who is in heaven.”

The pro-consul said, “Take them to prison, and let them be racked.” And on the morrow, when Saturninus had taken his place on the tribunal, he ordered the martyrs to be brought before him. And when they were led into his presence, he turned to the women, and said to them, “ Honour your sovereign, and sacrifice to the gods.” Donata replied, “I do honour Caesar as Csesar, to God I offer worship.” And Vestina said, “ I am a Christian also.” Then Secunda said, “ I believe in my God, and desire to be in Him; but I will not serve and adore your gods.”

Saturninus ordered the women to one side, and then called up the men. Then he said to Speratus, “Do you persevere in being a Christian ?” Speratus answered, “ I do persevere. Hear all present ! I am a Christian.”

Then all the rest joined in and said, “We are all of us Christians.” Saturninus said, “What, have you no desire to be released ?” “ Do what you will with us,” answered Speratus, “ there is no release from duty.” Saturninus said, “ What are the books which you read and venerate ?” Speratus answered, “ The four Gospels of our Lord kS'-S 1. Speratus and Comp.

Jesus Christ, and the Epistles of S. Paul the Apostle, and all divinely inspired Scripture.” “ I will give you three days to re-consider your determination,” said the pro-consul, unwilling to proceed to extremities with the martyrs.

Speratus said, “ I am a Christian, and so are all these with me, and we shall not desert our faith. Do what you will.” But when the pro-consul saw that they were so constant, he gave sentence against them through his “ exceptor,” in these words: — “ Speratus, Narzalis, Cittinus, Veturnis, Felix, Acyllinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestina, Donata, and Secundina, confessing themselves to be Christians, and refusing to give due honour and devotion to the emperor, I order to be decapitated.”

Now when this sentence was read from the tablets, Speratus and those who were with him said, “ We give thanks to God, who has deigned this day to call ns martyrs to heaven through confession of His Name.” Having said this, they were led forth, and having knelt down, their heads were struck off, one after the other. “And,” say the Acts, “these martyrs died on the 17th day of July, and intercede for us with the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be honour and glory, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, through ages of ages. Amen.” The Spanish martyrologists with eagerness have seized on these martyrs and appropriated them to Spain. Instead of Carthage they would read Carthagina, or even Cordova.

Relics at Lyons, whither they were translated from Africa before the 8th cent.