Venustian

Holy Martyr Venustian was governor of Tuscany in the time of Diocletian's persecution (303-313), before the edict of toleration of Galerius of 311. Before becoming a Christian, he ordered many clerics to be arrested, two deacons and Bishop Sabinus of Assisi. Soon after the arrests Venustian was struck by a grave eye disease, so that he could not see, sleep or work, and the doctors could not find a way to ease the pain. He sent his wife and children to Sabinus, that he might have pity on him, and on seeing him he asked forgiveness for the cruelty with which he had treated them. Sabinus ordered him to smash his idol and throw it in the river, asked him whether he believed in God the Father Almighty, in His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit, and baptized him; at once Venustian was healed completely.

Learning that Venustian had been baptized, Maximian sent Lucius to Assisi, who, without trial, ordered the heads of Venustian, his wife and his children to be cut off, and had Sabinus beaten with clubs until he died. Their bodies were gathered by Christians and hidden. Venustian is commemorated on 30 December. He is venerated in the Catholic Church, as a saint of the undivided Church.