(A.D. 120.)
[Roman Martyrology, and those of Bede, Usuardus, and others; but
Usuardus, misled by the name, makes Jovita a virgin martyr. Three
different versions of their Acts are published by Bollandus. None of
these are the original.]
Faustinus and Jovita were brothers, nobly born. Faustinus, the elder,
was a priest; Jovita was in deacon's orders. During a time of
persecution under Hadrian, the bishop of Brescia lay concealed, and
the brothers strengthened and encouraged the fainting flock. The Acts
of their Martyrdom are of such doubtful authority that it is unsafe to
affirm concerning them more than that their zeal provoked the fury of
the heathen against them, and procured them a glorious death for their
faith, at Brescia. Their constancy, under the torments of boiling lead
and red-hot iron, was the means of converting one Calocerus, who
afterwards also suffered for the faith.
These saints are venerated as the chief patrons of Brescia, where
their relics are preserved in the church dedicated under their
invocation.