Magnus of Cuneo

Saint Magnus of Cuneo is venerated in Piedmont in northern Italy as a soldier of the legendary Theban Legion and as a martyr, put to death around 286 in the time of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian. According to tradition he was a companion of Saint Constantius.

After the decimation of the legion at Agaunum (today Saint-⁠Maurice in Switzerland), few soldiers managed to escape. Constantius and his companions hid in the Cottian Alps, in the Maira valley (today Villar San Costanzo), preaching the Christian faith. Before this, Constantine, Dalmatius, Desiderius, Isidore, Olympius, Pontius, Victor, Theofred and Magnus had been put to death. Constantius buried them all, then was himself killed. A church is said to have been built over the grave of Magnus, and later, in its place, the sanctuary of Saint Magnus at Castelmagno in the Grana valley, province of Cuneo, which became the place of his veneration.

He is commemorated on 19 August, by the Western calendar (new style). He is not to be confused with Saint Magnus, according to tradition bishop of Trani and Anagni, commemorated on the same day; some identify him with Magnus of Füssen, a bishop and missionary who died around 772. He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.