Symphorian was a young Christian of Autun in Gaul who refused to venerate a pagan procession. As he was led to execution, tradition says his mother encouraged him from the city walls.
Life
Saint Symphorian is said to have been a young man martyred in the late second or third century at Augustodunum, today's Autun in Burgundy, France. He was honored in Gaul from early times, but what we know of his life depends on a later account of his martyrdom.
According to tradition, he was a young man from a Christian family who was arrested for refusing to worship before a procession of a pagan goddess, and who would not renounce his faith despite persuasion and beatings, so he was sentenced to beheading. As he was led to execution, his mother is said to have encouraged him from the city wall to lift his heart up to heaven. The Church remembers him on August 22.
Spirituality
Saint Symphorian's spirituality is a steadfast faith that worships God alone under the world's pressure. His mother's encouragement in the tradition shows the great strength of faith handed down in the family, and reminds us that those whose hearts are set on heaven can overcome fear.
Reflection
Symphorian's mother is said to have urged her son to lift his heart to heaven. What word of faith could I offer today to a family member going through a hard time?