SATURNINUS, DATIVUS, FELIX and companions, saints, martyrs. — They are commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on 11 February.
Their mention in the Martyrology derives from Usuard, who first introduced them into his Martyrology. St Augustine, however, attests that their feast in Africa was celebrated on the 12th (PL 43, 643), but this too was the *dies natalis* of only some of them, since others died on different days in prison, either from hunger or from the wounds received during the interrogation torture. In the so-called *Martyrologium hieronymianum* they are commemorated on various days. The original acts of the trial existed, but today they are lost; a version from the 5th century survives, reworked by a Donatist with openly polemical intent.
After Diocletian’s first Edict, 49 Christians from Abitinae, including women and children, led by the priest S., had gathered in a private house to celebrate the liturgy. Surprised by the guards, they were arrested and, after a summary interrogation on the spot, were sent to Carthage to the tribunal of the proconsul Anullinus. There they were interrogated individually and subjected to torture, but all unanimously confessed their faith, steadfastly resisting every torment. Imprisoned, they were left to perish of hunger and hardship.