SATURNINUS, Saint, Martyr. — He is commemorated in the Depositio martyrum on 29 November as buried in the cemetery of Trasone on the Via Salaria nova. The Itineraria of the 7th century and the Sacramentaria record him on the same date and at the same place.
Over his tomb, which Pope Damasus adorned with a poem, a basilica was built. No Passio of St Saturninus exists today, although Damasus’ poem suggests its former existence; some details, however, are contained in the legendary Passio Marcelli (BHL, 5234). From Damasus’ poem it may be inferred that he was a Carthaginian and that during the persecution of Decius he was subjected to torture (CSEL, III, 529). Exiled, he came to Rome where he suffered martyrdom, probably during the persecution of Valerian.