December 6
Dionysia and fellow martyrs
Martyrs
In February 484, Huneric, king of the Vandals, published a decree imposing on his subjects who were not Arians, under penalty of death, the obligation to embrace Arianism before the following June 1.
Biography
A few Catholics apostatized and others hid until the tyrant's death that same year. However, “there were still around five thousand who died for the faith” writes Victor, bishop of Vita, Tunisia, at that time. And it continues: "Among the victims of the persecution of my flock, I will mention Dionysia, whose beauty far surpassed that of other women; Majorico, her son, a boy who showed himself as brave as his mother; an old doctor named Emilio, Leoncia, Boniface of Sibida, and many others whom Dionysia encouraged to martyrdom and whom she strengthened in torment."
Practical advice
As you collect your heart in silence, pray for those who suffer persecution because of their faith, remembering that holiness is built in the ordinary.