ALENA of DILBEEK, raised a pagan in Dilbeek on the outskirts of present-day Brussels, Belgium. Unbeknownst to her parents St. Alena converted to Christianity. St. Alena’s father found out about her conversion, and one day as she was on her way to Mass, St. Alena was waylaid by guards her father had dispatched to intercept her and return her to the family home. St. Alena resisted, and the guards killed her, circa 640.

AMANDUS of BORDEAUX, consecrated the third Bishop of Bordeaux (south-western France) circa 404, St. Amandus resigned six years later and was succeeded by St. Severinus of Bordeaux (23rd October). However, upon the repose of St. Severinus in 420, St. Amandus returned to the See. Much of the extant information on St. Amandus’ life is from the works of St. Paulinus of Nola (22nd June) who was a catechumen of St. Amandus and later his spiritual child. St. Amandus reposed circa 431.

CALOGERUS the ANCHORITE, a native of Greece who lived his last thirty-five years as a hermit, and noted exorcist, near Girgenti in Sicily. St. Calogerus reposed circa 486.

CYRIACUS and PAULA of MÁLAGA, two Christians who circa 305, were stoned to death at Málaga (southern Spain) during the Diocletianic Persecution. No further information is extant.

FORTUNATUS the PHILOSOPHER, driven from his See in northern Italy, St. Fortunatus settled in Gaul (France) at Chelles, near Paris. He reposed circa 569.

GREGORY, DEMETRIUS, and CALOGERUS of FRAGALATA, (Fifth Century), exiled from their home in North Africa by Arian Vandals. SS. Gregory, a bishop; Demetrius, an archdeacon; and Calogerus, a monk; took up residence in Fragalata near Messina in Sicily and spent the rest of their days evangelising the area.

GUY of BAUME, a monk at the Abbey of St. Peter of Baume-les-Messieurs (abbaye Saint-Pierre de Baume-les-Messieurs) in the French Jura, who succeeded St. Berno of Cluny (13th January) as Abbot of Baume in 925. St. Guy resigned his abbacy circa 940 to live as a hermit, reposing later that year.

MARK and MARCELLIAN, convert twin brothers and sons of St. Tranquillinus of Rome (6th July). They were arrested during the reign of Emperor Maximian (r. 286–305). Sentenced to death, pagan relatives managed to have their execution delayed in the hopes they might entice SS. Mark and Marcellian to return to paganism. The entreaties fell on deaf ears as the saints refused to renounce Christ, and were martyred, circa 287.

OSMANNA (OSANNA) of NORTHUMBRIA, (Seventh or Eighth Century), many martyrologies conflate the two St. Osmannas venerated today. The first, St. Osmanna of Northumbria, was a Northumbrian princess, possibly a daughter of Aldfrith, King of Northumbria (r. 685–704/5) and St. Cuthburh (31st August). Following her repose St. Osmanna was buried at Hoveden (present-day Howden, Yorkshire, England). Miracles have been reported at her tomb.

OSMANNA (OSANNA) of JOUARRE, this St. Osmanna was also from the British Isles, and possibly a member of one of the royal families. She moved from Britain to Gaul (France), where she received monastic tonsure at the Abbey of Our Lady of Jouarre (abbaye Notre-Dame de Jouarre) in Jouarre (north-central France), and lived there until her repose circa 700.