Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs

Saints Marcellinus and Peter were two Christian men who lived in Rome a long time ago. They lived during a time when Christians were often punished or killed for their faith. This was around the year 304, during the rule of Emperor Diocletian.

Marcellinus was a priest. Peter was an exorcist. That means he helped people who were suffering from evil spirits. Both men loved Jesus and wanted to serve Him. They shared the faith with others even when it was very dangerous.

They were arrested because they were Christian. They refused to stop believing in Jesus. They would not worship the Roman gods. Because of this, they were put to death.

The Church remembers them because they were brave. They chose to die rather than deny their faith. Their story gave hope to other Christians who were also afraid.

The Roman Empire was very big and very strong. It ruled over many countries. The emperor at that time, Diocletian, wanted everyone to follow the Roman religion. He did not like Christians.

Christians were told to stop worshiping Jesus. They were told to worship Roman gods instead. If they said no, they could be put in prison or killed. Many Christians were afraid, but some were strong in their faith.

This time in history is called the Great Persecution. Many Christians died. The government wanted to stop the Church from growing. But the Church kept growing anyway. People saw the courage of the martyrs and wanted to follow Jesus too.

Marcellinus and Peter lived during this time. They knew it was dangerous to be a Christian. But they did not hide their faith. They kept doing God’s work even when they knew it might cost them their lives.

Marcellinus and Peter were both arrested for being Christians. They were taken to prison. The jailer was a man named Artemius. At first, he did not believe in Jesus. But Marcellinus and Peter talked to him about the faith.

Artemius began to believe. He and his whole family were baptized. This made the story of Marcellinus and Peter even more known. They were not just waiting to die. They were still teaching and helping others.

Later, they were taken out of prison secretly. A man named Severus took them to a hidden place in the woods. He dug their grave. Then, he killed them with a sword. The government did not want other Christians to know where they died. They wanted to erase their memory.

But the Church did not forget. Another Christian woman named Lucilla found their bodies. She gave them a proper burial. Their names were remembered from that day on.

After they were killed, their story was passed on by Christians. The names of Marcellinus and Peter were remembered in the prayers of the early Church. People told their story again and again.

The place where they were buried became holy. Later, a church was built over their grave. It became a place of prayer and hope. People came to ask for help or healing.

Pope Damasus I, who lived later, heard their story. He had met someone who knew it well. So the pope wrote it down. He made sure people would not forget these two saints.

Even though they were killed in secret, God made sure their story was told. The Church remembered them as heroes of faith.

The early Christians honored the memory of Marcellinus and Peter. They were included in the Roman Canon, which is the oldest part of the Mass. Only a few saints are named in that prayer.

Their tomb became a place where people prayed. Some came to be healed. Others came just to remember and to be near the place where holy men had died.

People believed that these saints were with God in heaven. They asked them to pray for those still living. This was the start of what we now call devotion to the saints.

Their story gave strength to others. When people were afraid, they remembered Marcellinus and Peter. They remembered how they stayed strong in faith until the end.

Saints Marcellinus and Peter were honored from the very early days of the Church. Because they were remembered in the prayers of the Mass, we know that the Church saw them as true saints.

Their feast day is celebrated on June 2. This is the day the Church set aside to remember their lives and deaths. On this day, we thank God for their witness and ask them to pray for us.

Their names are still known today, even after many centuries. Churches have been named after them. Pope John Paul II once visited the catacombs where they were buried. They are sometimes remembered as patrons of prisoners or those who suffer for their faith, because they were in prison before they died.

The story of Marcellinus and Peter reminds us that faith is worth everything. They died for Jesus. They stayed strong even when it was hard. And the Church never forgot them.

Five Saints Sacred Path: A prayer to St. Marcellinus and St. Peter, St. Charles Lwanga, St. Francis Caracciolo, St. Boniface

This prayer book shares the lives and prayers of five saints: St. Marcellinus and St. Peter, St. Charles Lwanga, St. Francis Caracciolo, and St. Boniface. It includes short stories about their courage, faith, and love for God. You’ll find novena prayers and easy ways to grow in your own faith. The book helps you pray, learn from the saints, and feel closer to God. It’s simple to use and full of real stories that can inspire your daily life. This is a good guide for anyone who wants to pray more and follow the example of the saints.