Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume I: January. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
January 16SS. Five Friars, Minors, Martyrs
| BERARDUS, Peter, Acursius, Adjutus, and Otto, were sent by St. Francis, to preach to the Mahometans of the West, whilst he went in person to those of the East. They preached first to the Moors of Seville, where they suffered much for their zeal, and were banished, Passing thence into Morocco, they began there to preach Christ, and being banished, returned again. The infidel judge caused them twice to be scourged till their ribs appeared bare; he then ordered burning oil and vinegar to be poured into their wounds, and their bodies to be rolled over sharp stones and potsherds. At length the king caused them to be brought before him, and taking his scimitar, clove their heads asunder in the middle of their foreheads, on the 16th of January, 1220. Their relics were ransomed, and are preserved in the monastery of the holy cross in Coimbra. Their names stand in the Roman Martyrology, and they were canonized by Sixtus IV. in 1481. See their acts in Bollandus and Wadding; also Chalippe, Vie de S. François, l. 3. t. 1. p. 275. | 1 |