Daniel, Saint, of Africa

Daniel, Saint, Of Africa was provincial of the order of Minorites of Calabria. In 1221 he embarked for Africa, at the head of a mission composed of brothers Samuel, Angelus, Donno, Ugolino, Leo, and Nicolas, for the purpose of laboring for the conversion of the Moors. They landed at Ceuta and commenced preaching. The people seized them, and led them to Mohammed the Green. king of Morocco; this prince despoiled them, scourged them, threw them into prison, and finally beheaded them, October 8, 1221. They suffered martyrdom with joy and courage. Some years after, the child-prince of Portugal, son of king Alfonso the Fat, obtained their bodies of the king of Morocco, and presented them to Spain. In 1516, pope Leo X added them to the number of saints. Their festival is celebrated October 13. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.