ST. LUCIUS I, POPE, ST.ADRIAN, MARTYR, ST. JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, FRANCISCAN Mar. 5

ST. LUCIUS I, POPE

Pope St Lucius was sent into exile shortly after his election in 253. After his return to Rome, he opposed the rigorism of the Novatians, who refused absolution to Christians who had lapsed during persecutions. St Lucius allowed them to return to the Church after a suitable penance. Mar. 5

ST.ADRIAN, MARTYR

an officer in the Roman army, who, having persecuted the Christians in the reign of Maximian Galerius, was so moved by their constancy and patience, that he embraced their faith, and suffered many torments and a glorious martyrdom for the same at Nicomedia, about the year 306, in the tenth or last general persecution.Mar. 5

ST. JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, FRANCISCAN

ST. JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, FRANCISCAN, Though he could afford nice clothes, out of respect for the poor, John Joseph preferred to wear simple clothing. As a teenager of sixteen, he entered the Franciscan Order of the Strictest Observance (the Reform of St. Peter of Alcantara). John Joseph was the first Italian to join this reform, instituted in Spain.Mar. 5