ST VALERIUS, BISHOP OF SARAGOSSA - 29 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 29th of January

Prayer to the Angels and the Saints

Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation.

In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven.

Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses.

Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, so that, after sharing their faith on earth, we may also experience their peace in heaven. Amen.

ST VALERIUS, BISHOP OF SARAGOSSA 

Saint Valerius of Saragossa died at the beginning of the 4th century, around the year 310. His name is also in the Roman Martyrology. 

ONE OF THE CROSSES HE BORE WAS A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT

As Prudentius testifies, he came from the distinguished family of the consulars of that name, but was not able to make himself understood in public speech, which is why he asked St Vincent, his deacon, to take care of the ministry of preaching. 

HE PREACHED BY HIS HOLY EXAMPLE

But he himself preached incessantly by his holy example and virtues. 

THE PERSECUTION OF DIOCLETIAN

When Diocletian's persecution broke out in Spain, he and his deacon, laden with chains, were led to Valencia before the judgement seat of the governor Dacianus, who exiled the aged bishop, where he died. 

HE WAS EXILED

The place of his death and burial is Strada in Aragon's bishopric of Rota, where he died on October 20.  According to another version, which is included in the works of the Bollandists, he died a martyr at Vienne.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints)