The Saint of the day January 19 is Saints Mario, Martha, Abacus and Audiface, which name day is celebrated and other saints that are celebrated on this date.

Saints Mario, Marta, Abaco and Audiface

Of Mario and his family there is very little news, despite not being in the group of the most popular names in Italy, even among the top five in the ranking.

Most likely the widespread use of the name is due to the fact that Mario is Mario's masculine.

The very scarce information received about Mario and his family derives from the "Passio di San Valentino" dating back to the fourth century.

Some ancient martyrologists insert the coming to Rome and the subsequent periods in the years 268-270, at the time of the reign of Claudius II, a period not affected by persecutions against Christians.

The recent edition of the Roman martyrologist indicates the beginning of the fourth century as the date of martyrdom.

Putting these dates together, some suggest that the Christian family formed by Mario, his wife Marta and their two sons Audiface and Abaco, has been present in Rome for a number of years.

On the other hand, it is known that the third century was a period of vast expansion of Christianity, thanks also to a tolerant attitude towards it by those who thought otherwise, which lasted at least until 293, when Diocletian, pushed by Consul Galerius, issued three edicts of persecution.

It was for this reason that Mario and his family, helped by the priest Giovanni, provided their help to bury, along the Via Salaria, the bodies of over 260 martyrs who lay, beheaded and without burial, in the open countryside.

Unfortunately they were discovered by the authorities and, when questioned by the prefect Flaviano and the governor Marciano, they refused to deny their Christian faith and, for this, were sentenced to death.

The men were executed along the Via Cornelia, while Marta was killed at a nearby pond.

Recommended readings

• January 26: saint of the day, name day
• January 12: saint of the day, name day
• January 4: saint of the day, name day
• January 16: saint of the day, name day
• January 27: saint of the day, name day

Felicita, a Roman matron, buried them in her own land, located not far away, where later a church was built, the remains of which still exist and which became a destination for pilgrimages in medieval times.

The relics of these saints were affected by very complex events, some were moved to Rome in the churches of Sant'Adriano and Santa Prassede, while others were sent in 828 to Eginardo, biographer of Charlemagne, who donated them to the monastery of Seligenstadt .

Some believe that Mario, Marta, Audiface and Abaco were part of a group instead of being members of the same family, being a common custom to consider groups of martyrs as family groups, especially when they came from the same place.

Other saints and celebrations on January 19

• Sant’Arsenio of Corfu

Bishop

• San Bassiano

Bishop

• San Catello

Bishop

• San Germanico

Martyr



• San Giovanni di Ravenna

Bishop

• San Launomaro

Abbot of Corbion

• San Macario the Great

Abbot of Scete

• San Macario the Alexandrine

Monk

• Blessed Marcello Spinola y Maestre

Bishop

• San Ponziano di Spoleto

Martyr

St. John Bosco's Feast Day Celebration (April 2024)