Saint Caprasius, Bishop and Martyr - died 303

St. Caprasius was bishop of Agen, France. According to the Roman Martyrology and texts in the Acta Sanctorum, he hid in a cave during the persecution of Diocletian until he learned of the martyrdom of St. Foy and her steadfastness under torture. He prayed that he too might be judged worthy of martyrdom, and suddenly a stream of water sprang from the wall of the cave.

This miracle gave Caprasius assurance that the Lord did indeed find him worthy of the crown of martyrdom, so he went to the city square and declared publicly for Christ. Spurning Dacian's offer of gifts if he were to recant, he was put to death. His example led others to confess their faith as well, including two brothers named Primus and Felicianus.

According to legend, the stream from the cave continued to flow perpetually in Agen.

One text says Caprasius was beheaded, another that his flesh was torn to pieces. The 19th-century painting at left shows him with his episcopal garb and crozier, along with a collection of instruments that seem to cover both possibilities – for beheading, a sword; for hacking, an axe and adze. Also on the ground is a martyr's palm.

The painting, by Jean-Baptiste Delmas, is in the Musée Fau in Conques. One would think that the city in the background should be Agen with its 12th-century cathedral, but the pointed spire in the picture is quite different from the square tower of the actual church (image) or the double towers in Conques (image).
Feast day: October 20

Alternate name: In France, Caprasius is known as St. Caprais.

Hagiography:
Acta Sanctorum, October vol. 8, 815-829.
Roman Martyrology, 23.1
Also see Butler, IV, 155 and The Book of St. Foy.
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1The Latin Martyrology entry is brief enough to include here: "At Agen in Gaul, St. Caprasius, Martyr. He lay hidden in a cave to escape a raging persecution, but he heard how the the blessed virgin Faith had suffered for Christ, and he was inspired by her to accept a like passion. He prayed to the Lord that he might be judged worthy of the glory of martyrdom. Then clear water flowed from the rock of the cave, which he took as a sign from the Lord. So he hurried to the place of [Faith's] struggle, and gallantly earned the palm of martyrdom, under the Emperor Maximian." (Agenni, in Gallia, sancti Caprasii Martyris, qui, cum rabiem persecutionis declinans lateret in spelunca, tandem, audiens qualiter beata Fides Virgo pro Christo agonizar et, indeque animatus ad tolerantiam passionum, oravit ad Dominum, ut, si eum gloria martyrii dignum judicaret, ex lapide speluncae limpidissima aqua manaret; quod cum Dominus praestitisset, securus ad aream certaminis properavit , et palmam martyrii, sub Maximiano Imperatore, fortiter dimicando promeruit.)