Donatian and Rogatian the Children of Nantes

Sons of a notable family of Nantes, at the beginning of the fourth century. Donatian, the younger, had been baptised; his elder brother Rogatian, won over by his example, asked for baptism — but the bishop had fled the persecution and there was nobody to give it. Both denounced to the prefect, they were imprisoned together, tortured and put to death the same day, their necks struck through after being pierced with a lance. Tradition says Rogatian was baptised in his brother's blood, a formula the Fathers used for catechumens martyred before the rite. The cult is ancient and local: Nantes calls them “the Children of Nantes”, a basilica bears their name, and the diocese holds them as patrons.