Saturus, Saturninus, Revocatus and Secundulus

Holy Martyrs Saturus, Saturninus, Revocatus and Secundulus were Carthaginians who suffered martyrdom at Carthage on 7 March 203, together with Saints Perpetua and Felicitas, in the persecution of Septimius Severus.

Saturus was the first of them to become a Christian and taught the faith to Perpetua, Secundulus, Saturninus, Revocatus and Felicitas. According to some sources, Revocatus, Saturninus and Secundulus were servants of Perpetua, according to others a craftsman, a farmer and a priest. Saturus baptized the five catechumens shortly before their arrest. After they refused to sacrifice to the emperor, all six were condemned to death. Their imprisonment and martyrdom are told in the Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas; chapters 11 to 13, with the visions of Saturus, are said to be written by himself.

According to the account, Secundulus died in prison. On 7 March the others were led to the amphitheatre, where Saturus, Revocatus and Saturninus were made to put on the robes of the priests of Saturn. Because of the boldness with which they answered the procurator Hilarianus, they were scourged. Revocatus and Saturninus were mauled by a leopard and a bear. A boar meant for Saturus killed a Roman guard instead, and the bear let loose on him would not come out of its cage; in the end Saturus was bitten by a leopard and bled to death.

They are venerated as saints by the Catholic Church and by the Eastern Churches, and commemorated on 7 March. They are saints of the undivided Church.