Today we celebrate the memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter.

The Roman Canon of Saints includes Marcellinus and Peter because they were well-known in the Church’s memory. Our current Eucharistic Prayer I does not require us to mention their names.

Peter and Marcellinus were exorcists, or people authorized by the Church to handle cases of demonic possession. They died during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Constantine built a basilica over the vault where they rested in Rome, and Pope Damasus composed an epitaph based on the account of their executioner. An early description of their demise gave rise to other stories.

Source: franciscanmedia.org