About the middle of the 3rd century, six Bishops were sent to preach the faith in Gaul by Pope St. Fabian. One of these was St. Denis who brought the faith to Lutetia Parisiorum (the present Paris) and organized a church. In carrying our his duties as the first Bishop of Paris, he was aided by a priest named Rusticus and a deacon called Eleutherius.So effective were these holy men in converting the people to Christ that the pagan priests became alarmed over their loss of followers. At their instigation, the Roman governor arrested the missionaries, and after a long imprisonment the three servants of God suffered martyrdom together at a place called Vicus Catulliacus, the present St. Denis, during the persecution of Decius (250) of Valerian (258). The site of their death provided the foundation for the Abbey of St. Denis which went on to become the burial place for the King of France. St. Denis is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers invoked for emergencies or afflictions.
PRAYER: God, You sent St. Denis and his Companions to proclaim Your glory to the nations and strengthened them with the virtue of constancy in their passion. Help us, after their example, to despite worldly prosperity and adversity. Amen.