He was a Roman general under the Emperor Trajan. He shed his blood for the Catholic Faith along with his beloved wife, Theopistes, and his two sons, Agapitus and Theopistus. One day, when he was hunting, a stag with a cross between its horns faced him and told him to embrace the Catholic Faith. The same voice was heard, and the same Apparition seen, by his wife. They were converted and immediately persecuted, and divided as a family. Saint Eustace was recalled to Rome because he was such a brilliant general. He was restored to his position in the Roman Army. But when, after a great victory he had scored in a battle, he and his family refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, they were all thrown into a brazen bull and slowly roasted to death.
Saint Eustace is one of the fourteen Holy Helpers. He is invoked for protection against fire.
See also: Saint Christopher, Patron of Travelers
Saint Eustace, engraving by Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) source
