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Sept 20th: Feast of St. Eustace and his Companions

St. Eustace is among the most famous martyrs of the Catholic Church, venerated for many centuries in both East and West. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a patron of hunters.

Eustace was a Roman, illustrious for his birth, wealth, and military renown, so that under the emperor Trajan he became general of the army. Once while hunting, he was chasing a stag... which suddenly halted, and showed him between its horns a large and bright image of Christ our Lord hanging upon the cross and inviting him to make everlasting life the object of his pursuit. Thereupon together with his wife Theopista and his two little sons Agapitus and Theopistus, he [and his family] was baptized, and entered the ranks of the Christian warfare.

Sometime later, Eustace returned to the place of the vision, in obedience to the command of our Lord, from whom he there heard how much he was to suffer for God’s glory. A series of grievous trials followed to test his and his family's faith.

His wife Theopistis and children were kidnapped, Eustace lost all his wealth, his servants were stricken by the plague. He lived for a long time unknown, in a distant country... until at length a voice from heaven comforted him; and soon after, he was recalled by Trajan to command the army at a critical moment. During the expedition, he unexpectedly found his wife and children again.

After his victory for the imperial arms, Eustace returned to Rome in triumph amidst universal congratulations; but was soon commanded to offer sacrifice to the false gods in thanksgiving for his victory. On his firm refusal, every art was tried to make him renounce the faith of Christ, but in vain. The pagan emperor, in a rage, commanded Eustace and his family to be shut up in a brazen bull-shaped furnace, heated by a fire underneath it. There, singing the praises of God, they consummated their sacrifice, and took their flight to eternal happiness.

St. Eustace and Companions, ora pro nobis!

Overview