![Symbol of the ]Augustinian Order](https://i0.wp.com/catholicfaithpatronsaints.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Symbol-of-Augustinian-Order-Public-Domain-Image.jpg)
Augustinian Order
The feast day of the Martyrs of Gafsa is celebrated on August 26.
St. Augustine founded several monasteries on Northern Africa. After the death of St. Augustine in 484, King Hunmeric ordered all monasteries abolished and the monks and nuns turned over to the Moors.
The seven brothers from the Gafsa, Tunisia monastery were arrested. They were: Deacon Boniface, Subdeacons Scrvus and Rusticus; Abott Liberatus and Monks: Rogatus, Septimus and Maximus.
After being taken prisoner they were taken to Carthage. They were offered bribes to renounce Christianity. When they refused they were thrown into prison. Christians living in Carthage bribed the jailers who let them offer support to the prisoners. However, the King was informed and he then ordered the prisoners burned to death. The youngest monk, Maximus was given a second chance to renounce Christianity. He refused and pledged his allegiance to God and his Augustinian brothers.
The soldiers tied bundles of dry wood to the monks and placed them on an old raft. They were however, unable to make the wood burn. The King became infuriated and ordered the monks to be beaten to death.
The seven Augustinian brothers are honored as martyrs of the faith.
What unites our soul most closely to God is self-denial;
that is, joining our will to the will of God.
That is what makes the soul truly free.
Quote of St. Faustina; Feast day October 5
August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary