St. Ignatius of Antioch, October 17
Bishop of Antioch, Ignatius was taken to Rome under guard and thrown to the beasts around 107. On the way he wrote seven letters to the churches, rich witnesses to the early Church; he was the first to call it “catholic.” He asked the Romans not to prevent his martyrdom.
On the General Roman Calendar, October 17 is a memorial: Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr.
October 17 on the calendar
October 17 is the 290th day of the year (the 291st in a leap year), with 75 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | Thursday |
Keeping October 17
October 17 falls in October, the month of the rosary. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival.
Saints of the week around October 17
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| October 14 | St. Callistus I |
| October 15 | St. Teresa of Ávila |
| October 16 | St. Margaret Mary Alacoque |
| October 18 | St. Luke |
| October 19 | Sts. John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions |
| October 20 | St. Paul of the Cross |
The day before, October 16, is the day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The day after, October 18, belongs to St. Luke. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.