By Sarah Levesque
St. Saturninus (also known as St. Sernin) was a prince of Achaea (Greece), likely born around the beginning of the second century. In 250AD, Pope Fabian (pontiff 236-250AD) sent out missionaries, priests and bishops to Gaul. Among these was Saturninus, who was ordained the first Bishop of Toulouse.
In his new Diocese, Saturninus gathered together the faithful and converted others zealously. However, also in Toulouse was a pagan temple. According to the account written after Saturninus’ death, each time the saint passed this temple, those pagan priests giving oracles would be struck dumb until he had gone by. Eventually, the pagans had enough of the holy man and forced him into their temple, declaring that he would have to sacrifice to their gods or be killed in order to appease them. Saturninus laughed at the idea that he would sacrifice to demons who were silenced when he, a mere man, walked by, and refused steadfastly. Consequentially, the pagans tied him to a bull and had him dragged to death through the streets. The year was 257AD. Two women of the bishop’s flock gathered up his remains and buried them to preserve them from desecration. Later, Saturninus’ remains were entombed in a great church, called the Church of the Taur (bull), commemorating the saint’s death. Later, the Basilica of St. Sernin was erected to house his remains. It remains a pilgrimage site to this day.
May we, like St. Saturninus, laugh at the idea of putting anything but God first, regardless of the consequences.
Sources:
LogoSophia Magazine 
Amen. Thank you.
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