Saint Saturninus
Saturninus is a guy about whom we really wish we had more background information. While a couple of sources place him in the first century of the church – a contemporary and friend of the Apostles, more reliable sources place him in the third century. Many fanciful stories were written in later years about him – here is what we know for certain:
After a number of Roman persecutions had decimated the Christian communities in the Western part of the Roman Empire, Pope Fabian sent a number of missionaries to various parts of Gaul (France) to re-evangelize that part of the world. One of these missionaries, named Saturninus, was sent to the city of Toulouse. He spent a dozen years in that city, and his ministry bore much fruit in the conversion of souls and training of church leaders. Saturninus, while walking from his residence to his church, had to pass by the capitol – also the chief temple in the city.
It was said that when Saturninus passed by the temple, that the gods would go silent. It is also very likely that converts to Christianity ceased patronizing the temple and the priests wanted to put a stop to a further drain on their follower base.
On November 29th, 257 AD, temple leaders bound Saturninus and drug him into the temple. In an effort to appease their gods, they insisted Saturninus sacrifice a bull to their gods. History records Saturninus’ reply: “I adore only one God and to Him I am ready to offer a sacrifice of praise. Your gods are devils and are more delighted with the sacrifice of your souls that with those of your bulls. How can I fear them [gods] whom you acknowledge, tremble before a Christian?”
Enraged, Saturninus was condemned to be dragged by the bull through the town until the rope broke. They tied his feet to a rope and the bull was let loose. He was violently dragged through the streets, killing him. When the rope broke, what was left of his body was rescued by two faithful Christian women and hidden away. A century later, when the practice of Christianity was no longer forbidden, the bishop of Toulouse erected a small church on the site where the rope broke as a place to house the body of Saturninus. Over the centuries, this building was expanded into a magnificent cathedral. Roman Catholics celebrate his feast day on the day of his martyrdom: November 29th.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnin
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=802
