Sts. Valerius and Rufinus have been well-known martyrs since the time of the early Church. They died in a town called Soissons, north of present-day Paris, towards the end of the third century.

The two were part of a group of missionaries who were sent to evangelize that region. When the empire began persecuting Christians, they fled to a cave in a nearby forest. They were found, however, arrested, and brought to trial. When they made a bold profession of faith, they were beaten, tortured, and beheaded.

The relics of St. Valerius rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and St. Rufinus is one of the 140 saints that are depicted in statues that stand atop the colonnade in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Sts. Valerius and Rufinus, you were friends who died for boldly proclaiming your faith, even when threatened with torture—pray for us!