What saints are celebrated today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024? On this day the Catholic church commemorates several saints who have left their mark on the history of the Christianity. Among the most notable celebrations of this day, we find the festival of the Holy Guardian Angelsfigures of great importance for the Catholic tradition, since they are attributed with the care and protection of each person. In addition to this important celebration, the memory of Saint Eleutherius of Nicomedia and Saint Saturius of Numantia, both revered for their lives of faith and martyrdom in times of Christian persecution.
Every October 2, Catholics around the world celebrate Saints Guardian Angelsremembering its mission to ensure the spiritual security of human beings. This holiday, which has its roots in the Church’s teaching about the existence of personal angels who accompany each individual, is a reminder of constant divine protection. Belief in guardian angels has been an integral part of Christian doctrine since its earliest days and continues to have profound relevance in the everyday faith of millions of people. Along with celebrating the Guardian Angels, the Church also pays tribute to Saint Eleutherius of Nicomediaa martyr who suffered for his faith in times of great persecution under the Roman Empire, as Saint Saturius of Numanciaa hermit who lived his life in solitude and prayer, being a reference of spirituality and dedication. Here we will explore the life and legacy of these three saints that today the Church remembers with special devotion.
The Holy Guardian Angels
Devotion to Guardian Angels is a tradition deeply rooted in the Christian faith, particularly in the Catholic Church. The teaching on guardian angels holds that God assigns each person an angel to protect and guide them throughout their life.. This belief is based on various biblical references, such as in the Gospel of Matthew (18:10), where Jesus mentions that the angels of the children “always see the face of my Father who is in heaven”, suggesting that each individual has a guardian angel. The festival of the Guardian Angels was officially incorporated into the liturgical calendar in the 17th century by Pope Clement X, although devotion to these celestial beings is much older.
Guardian Angels are considered a tangible display of God’s love and mercy. The idea that an angel accompanies each person, protecting them from dangers and guiding them along the right path, offers comfort and strength in the daily lives of believers. On this day, many faithful pray special prayers addressed to their guardian angels, thanking them for their presence and requesting their continued protection. The prayer to the Guardian Angel is perhaps one of the most popular and recited by Catholics since childhood: «My guardian angel, sweet company, do not forsake me night or day».
Saint Eleutherius of Nicomedia
Saint Eleutherius of Nicomedia was a Christian martyr who lived during the first centuries of the Churchat a time when the Roman Empire was fiercely persecuting the followers of Christ. Nicomedia, a city located in modern-day Turkey, was an important center of power in the empire and also witnessed the bravery of many Christians who did not renounce their faith, even knowing that this would cost them their lives. Eleuterio is one of those heroes of faith, who resisted torture and offered his life as a testimony of the love of Christ.
Stories about his martyrdom say that Eleuterio was arrested for professing his faith. and he was subjected to numerous torments to make him renounce his beliefs. However, his unwavering faith kept him steadfast, and he was eventually executed. Although his life ended violently, his legacy as a martyr has been a source of inspiration for Christians, who see in him an example of fidelity and courage in the midst of adversity. Saint Eleuterio of Nicomedia is remembered for his firmness and his total dedication to God, at a time when professing Christianity meant facing death.
Saint Saturius of Numancia
San Saturio is one of the most venerated saints in Spain, especially in the Soria regionwhere his life and holiness have left a deep mark on popular devotion. He was born in Numancia, a city famous for its resistance to the Roman Empire, and from a young age he decided to dedicate himself to a life of retirement and prayer. Saturio embraced the eremitic lifestyle, that is, life in solitude, as a way of getting closer to God. He retired to a cave in the nearby mountains, where he lived for many years in contemplation and penance.
Throughout his life, Saturio was known for his humility and deep prayer life.. Various miracles are attributed to him, and his holiness attracted many disciples, among them Saint Prudentius, whom Saturius guided in the spiritual life. After his death, the cave in which he lived became a place of pilgrimage, and today it is a sanctuary dedicated to his memory. The figure of San Saturio continues to be a symbol of dedication to God, and his festival is celebrated with special devotion in Soria, where he is considered the patron saint of the city.
Other saints celebrated on October 2:
Along with those mentioned, On this day these other saints are also celebrated:
- Saints Leodegario and Gerino, martyrs.
- Saint Beregiso de Andage, abbot.
- Saint Ursicinus of Chur, abbot and bishop.
- Saint Theophilus of Constantinople, monk.
- Blessed Luis, LucÃa, Andrés and Francisco Yakichi, martyrs.
- Blessed Jorge Edmundo René, priest and martyr.
- Blessed Antonio Chevrier, priest and founder.
- Blessed John Beyzym, priest.
- Blessed Francisco Carceller Galindo and Isidoro Bover Oliver, priests and martyrs.
- Blessed ElÃas and Juan Bautista Carbonell Mollá, priests and martyrs.
- Blessed MarÃa Guadalupe Ricart Olmos, nun and martyr.
- Blessed Maria Antonina Kratochwil, virgin and martyr.
