While we are in the midst of the Easter Octave this particular year, April 14th is the feast of St. Justin, when not impeded by Easter. And in the liturgy for April 14th, the Church further commemorates the martyr saints Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maximus.
Circa 229 AD, the brothers Tiburtius and Valerian converted their executioner Maximus by the example of their courage. Then all three were martyred in the Roman arena.
Known by their inclusion in the Acts of St. Cecilia. It is generally accepted that the Acts are fiction, but the three perhaps were genuine martyrs, especially as their tombs in the cemetery of Praetextatus were exceedingly popular during the Middle Ages. According to the Acts, Valerian was Cecilia's husband, Tiburtius her brother, and Maximus a Roman soldier or official who died with them.
(Taken from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints)Collect:
Almighty God, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who keep the solemn festival of Thy holy Martyrs Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus, may also follow the example of their virtues. Through our Lord . . .
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