St. Antony Primaldo and Companions

On Sunday, May 12, 2013, Pope Francis canonized the citizens of the town of Otranto, Italy. In 1480, the city was overtaken by Ottoman Turks who offered the inhabitants the choice between death and conversion to Islam. Antony, an aged lay man artisan, was chosen as spokesman for the town, and explained to the Turks that Otranto chose Christ. 813 residents of Otranto were put to death on August 13, 1480. The entire population of the town, many of whose names have been lost, was raised to sainthood in a single ceremony of canonization. Their feast is kept on August 14.