Saint of the day February 15, 2025

St. Faustinus and St. Jovita were brothers born in a noble family and lived in Brescia, Italy. From the time they were young, Faustinus and Jovita were well-known for their great love for God. They were eager professors of the Christian religion, which they preached without fear in their city of Brescia in Lombardy, during the persecution of Adrian.

They also performed works of Christian charity. They helped each other do good for the people who needed them. The bishop of Brescia made them both priests. They began to preach everywhere, to both the rich and the poor.

They spared themselves no sacrifice to bring many people to God. Because it was a time of persecution, it was easy to be afraid. But Faustinus and Jovita would not give in to fear of the soldiers even though these soldiers were actually putting many Christians to death.

They were preaching the Gospel fearlessly in the region when Julian, a pagan officer, arrested them. They were commanded to adore the sun but replied that they adored the living God who created the sun to give light to the world.

The statue before which they were standing was brilliant and surrounded with golden rays. Saint Jovita, looking at it, cried out: “Yes, we adore the God reigning in heaven, who created the sun. And you, vain statue, turn black, to the shame of those who adore you!” At his word, it turned black. The Emperor commanded that it be cleaned, but the pagan priests had hardly begun to touch it when it fell into ashes.

They were left without food in a dark jail cell, but Angels brought them strength and joy for new combats. And no matter what the two priests suffered, they would not promise to stop preaching about Jesus. They kept an attitude of prayer even in that terrible prison. In fact, they willingly offered up their sufferings to the Lord.

The two brothers were sent to the amphitheater to be eaten by lions, but four lions came out and lay down at their feet. The flames of a huge fire did not burn them, and a large number of people who saw this were converted and became Christians at the sight.

Finally, the Emperor ordered that they be beheaded, and they knelt down and received the death blow. The city of Brescia honors them as its chief patrons and treasures their relics (remains).

Reflection

Saints Faustino and Giovita, brothers in faith as well as in life, offer a shining example of how the Christian mission can be lived and witnessed with courage and dedication. Their story, rooted in the first persecutions of Christians, tells of two men who faced with oppression and the danger of death, and chose to remain steadfast in their faith, becoming symbols of spiritual resistance and moral strength for the believers of every era.
The mission of Saints Faustino and Giovita was deeply intertwined with their Christian identity. Not only did they courageously face persecution, but they also actively sought to spread the message of the Gospel, testifying to their faith through words and examples. This ardent dedication to the spread of the Christian faith, despite personal risks, underlines a crucial dimension of the Christian mission: the proclamation of the Gospel is not only a task reserved for moments of peace and security, but is also above all a commitment that manifests itself in times of trial and difficulty.
Through their martyrdom, Saints Faustino and Giovita embodied the concept of testimony to the extreme sacrifice, offering their lives as a supreme act of faith and love towards God. Their martyrdom does not mark the end of their mission, but rather its transformation and amplification. By becoming martyrs, they left a legacy of encouragement and hope for other Christians, demonstrating that death is not the end, but the transition to a new life in Christ.
Furthermore, their history and worship have strengthened the sense of community among Christians, especially in their hometown of Brescia, where they are venerated as patrons. Their example has inspired generations of faithful, to live their faith with greater fervor and commitment, remembering that the call to follow Christ can require courage and, at times, great sacrifices.
Saints Faustino and Giovita teach us that the Christian mission is a call to unconditional love, to the courage to bear witness to one’s faith and to trust in God, even in the face of the greatest adversities. Their life and martyrdom are a perpetual warning and a source of inspiration, reminding us that every Christian is called to be a missionary of the Gospel, not only with words but with the concrete testimony of his or her life.