This Saint is an unknown Roman Martyr whose cult was non-existent in the Church until the 12th century. His legendary Acts tell us that St. Romanus was a soldier in Rome at the time when St. Lawrence had been imprisoned for his refusal to surrender the treasury of the Roman Church to the Empire. As he beheld the endurance and fortitude of St. Lawrence during his persecution and marveled at his virtuous courage and heroic patience, St. Romanus was so inspired that he approached the holy Martyr and asked to be received into the Faith. St. Lawrence gave the necessary instructions to St. Romanus and baptized him in the prison. This brave Roman soldier the publicly proclaimed his conversion to Christianity to his fellow-soldiers, and he was immediately arrested and convicted. St. Romanus thereupon achieved the crown of martyrdom by being beheaded on August 9, 258, the day before the execution of St. Lawrence.
PRAYER: Almighty and ever-living God, graciously pour out Your Spirit upon us. Let our hearts be filled with that true love which enabled Your holy Martyr Romanus to overcome all bodily torments. Amen.