|
Et álibi aliórum
plurimórum sanctórum Mártyrum
et Confessórum,
atque sanctárum Vírginum.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins. Пресвятая Богородице спаси нас! (Santíssima Mãe de Deus, salva-nos!) R.
Deo
grátias. R.
Thanks be to God.
May,
the month
of Mary,
is the oldest
and most well-known Marian month, officially since 1724; 
2022From 2007 to 2021 22,600 lives saved Acts of The Apostles 40 days for Life Campaign saves lives Shawn Carney Campaign Director www.40daysforlife.com , Please help save the unborn; they are the future for the world 
Virgin_of_Tenderness_from_Pskov_CavesThere are over 10,000 named saints beati from history and Roman Martyology Orthodox sources, Islam, Luthran, + others May 21 - Our Lady of the Ardents (Arras, France, 1105) Our Bartholomew Family Prayer List Joyful Mystery on Monday Saturday Glorius Mystery on Sunday Wednesday Sorrowful Mystery on Friday Tuesday Luminous Mystery on Thursday Veterens of War Acts of the Apostles Nine First Fridays Devotion to the Sacred Heart From the writings of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque How do I start the Five First Saturdays? Mary Mother of GOD 15 Promises of the Virgin Mary to those who recite the Rosary May 21 – Our Lady of Ergotism Victims (Arras, France, 1105) They dreamt the same dream Around the year 1105, the inhabitants
of Seninghem (a small town in northern France) and the surrounding province
were struck with the terrible disease similar to the plague, commonly called
"Saint Anthony’s Fire" or "hell fire" because its victims suffered burning
sensations in all parts of their body.
Around the same time, there were two jugglers,
one named Itier, the other Norman, who hated each other because Norman
had killed Itier’s brother. One night, they both had the same dream:
the Virgin Mary appeared to them and told them to go to the Cathedral
of Arras (in northern France) and speak to a certain bishop there called
Lambert.
Lambert understood that Mary had sent
these two men so that he could reconcile them. He spoke to each one separately
and then brought them together. He asked each one to give the other the kiss
of peace and to spend the night in prayer in the cathedral.
At dawn on Sunday, May 28, 1105 (the feast
of Pentecost that year), Mary appeared to them, gave them a lighted
candle, and asked them to pour some of its melted wax in water, which
they were to give to drink to the sick and to pour on their wounds. Miraculously,
all those who drank this water were healed. seninghem.fr
The Cloth of Our Lady of Guadalupe The
cloth of the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been thoroughly studied.
The name of the hill of the apparitions and the mystery of Christ in
the symbolic language of the ancient Aztec are evoked, down to the position
of the stars on Saint Juan Diego's tilma, which corresponds to a projection
(and not a representation: mirror image) of the exact position of the
constellations on the morning of December 12, 1531.
This symbolic language
highly affected the Indians who responded massively to the message:
nine million baptisms were requested in seven years, compared with only
a few tens of thousands in the previous years. Catholic men and women of
Mexico - but needless to say all people from both North and South America
- have a profound devotion and love for Our Lady of Guadalupe."Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within the fold of my mantel? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything." Our Lady to
Saint Juan Diego, December 9, 1531
Theotokos_Tenderness story.jpg The 7 October feastday of the "Umilenie" Icon was established in memory of the deliverance of Pskov from the invasion of Napoleon in 1812. The Vladimir-Zaonikievsk Icon of the Mother of God takes its name from the Zaonikiev monastery. This icon came to attention in 1588 under the following circumstances: a blind man named Ilarion from the village of Obukhov, in Vologda diocese, was healed after fervent prayer before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, Who miraculously pointed out to him a certain place in a dream. Healed by the Mother of God, Ilarion built a church with the help of the local inhabitants. Later on at this place grew up a monastery, where Ilarion accepted monastic tonsure under the name Joseph. And from the Vladimir-Zaonikievsk Icon of the Mother of God have occurred many miracles. The Krasnogorsk (Chernogorsk) Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is known of from the year 1603. Hegumen Varlaam, serving at the church of the Resurrection of Christ at Keurola, had as his own this icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. In 1603 he heard a gentle feminine voice in a dream, directing him to give over the Vladimir icon to the priest Miron. And after a certain while there actually came to hegumen Varlaam for discussion a priest with news of the Urals, and named Miron. The hegumen told him about his dream and learned, that near the Urals was a desolate mountain, suitable for the forming of a monastery. Hegumen Varlaam gave over his icon to the priest Miron, who put it into a local church. This icon brought healing to a local woman there named Martha, and to her in a dream the Mother of God appeared and indicated the place, whither the priest Miron should convey Her image, which the priest then did. Having erected a cross on Black Mountain, Miron set about construction of the church, having the help of the monk Jona who had come from Moscow. The priest Miron accepted monastic tonsure from hegumen Varlaam, taking the name Makarii. He undertook a journey to Moscow, carrying back the grammota-document for the construction of the church and the forming of a monastery on Black Mountain. In 1608 the church in honour of the Praise (Pokhvala) of the Mother of God was completed, and priestmonk Makarii was elevated to the dignity of hegumen. The Vladimir icon was installed in the church. The monastery received the name Krasnogorsk. The Oransk Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God came
to attention in the year 1634 under
the following circumstances: the Nizhni Novgorod landowner Petr Gladkov
had a deep devotion to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God situated
in the Moscow Uspenie-Dormition cathedral. He commissioned a copy from
this icon and took it back with him to his native region. After several
years he received directives in a dream to build a church in honour of
the Vladimir Icon on an hill indicated in the dream. Having set off in search
of it, Petr in an impassable part of the forest came upon a place over which
there was a radiance. Gladkov recognised this as the hill shown him in the
dream. This was Mount Slovensk. Having related to Patriarch Joseph about
all this, he received a grammota-document granting permission for the building
of a church. Having set up a marble cross upon the hill, Petr set about
the construction of the church, into which also was placed the icon of
the Mother of God, which was given the title Oransk, deriving from the place-name
-- Orano Pole ("Orano Field") --
where the icon had been discovered when the healings began from it.
Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich commanded a monastery be
built at the church. |
Saints May 21 20 19 18 17 16 |
| "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn
to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him" (Psalm 21:28) |
|
| 6th v. St. Barrfoin
Irish missionary journeyed to spread the faith repeated
his adventures on a voyage to the Americas to St. Brendan the Navigator Valens and Companions bishop martyred at Auxerre, France, with three boys MM (RM) 
St. Polyeuctus Victorius Donatus Martyrs Caesarea Cappadocia 1521 Vladimir_Icon_Theotokos
300? Sts. Timothy, Polius, & Eutychius three deacons from Mauretania Caesariensis martyrs in Mauretania late 3rd/early 4th 303 St. Nicostratus, Antiochus, Companions Martyrs Roman soldiers 306 St. Secundinus Spanish martyred at Cordova, Spain 327 Saint Helen mother of St Contantine the Great 337 St. Constantine the Great Junior Emperor and emperor called the "13th Apostle” in East reared on court of co-Emperor Diocletian defeated 2 emperors and Christianized the Roman Empire 356 St. Serapion the Sindonite (comes from garment of coarse linen he always wore) Egyptian monk part of the great birth of monasticism in the wilderness of Egypt 357 St. Secundus priest & Companions martyrs in Alexandria by Arians the intruded Arian patriarch George 357 Martyrs of Egypt "At Alexandria, the memory of the holy bishops and priests who were sent into exile by the Arians, merited joined to the holy confessors" (RM) 6th v. St. Barrfoin Irish missionary journeyed to spread the faith reported his adventures on a voyage to the Americas to St. Brendan the Navigator 6th century 681 Hospitius of Cap-Saint-Hospice Hermit blessed with the gifts of prophecy and miracles 7th v. St Gollen 7th century Welsh saint 800 Isberga (Itisberga) of Aire reputed sister of Charlemagne a nun at Aira in the Artois OSB B (AC) 888 St. Ansuinus Martyr companion of St. Ageranus Benedictine monk 1001 St. Theobald of Vienne Archbishop support of monastic renewal defended Church from royal interference 1129 Princes Constantine and sons Michael and Theodore spreading Christian Faith among pagans of Murom 1170
ST
GODRIC endowed with extraordinary powers—notably with the gifts of
prophecy and a knowledge of distant events. He foretold the death
of Bishop William of Durham, and the exile, return and martyrdom of St
Thomas Becket, whom he had never seen. He often beheld scenes that were
being enacted far away, breaking off a conversation to pray for vessels
in imminent danger of shipwreck. He also knew beforehand the date of his
own death which occurred on May 21, 1170, after he had spent some sixty
years in his hermitage. At a later period there was built at Finchale a
monastery, the ruins of which survive. St Godric is the co-titular of a
Catholic church in Durham.
1252 Hermann
Josef Er wurde Priester und war als beliebter Prediger und Seelsorger
besonders in Frauenklöstern im Rheinland tätig1262 Sainted Kirill (Cyril), Bishop of Rostov chosen hierarchical seat whilst hegumen of the Vladimir Nativity monastery left a series of writings 1289 Blessed Benvenutus of Recanati Franciscan lay brother favored with ecstasies and visions OFM AC 1521 Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God Celebration of delivered Moscow from Tatars invasion 1577 Blessed Catherine of Cardona hermit for 20 years Carmelite V (PC 1584 Agapit of Makrushevsk MonkMartyr founder of the Makrushevsk Nikolaev monastery healed by a vision from Saint Nicholas icon 1657 Andrew Bobola Polish aristocrat who joined the Jesuits kindness to plague dying and care for the dead martyred
incorrupt after 150 years a specially remarkable circumstance in view
of the respect for this phenomenon popularly shown among the dissident
Orthodox. And the doctors were able to confirm the horrible details of
his death SJ M (RM)
1730
Pachomius
Our Holy Father the Martyr Many miracles were wrought
by his blood and his relics, his body
1740 Theophilus
of Corte priest taught theology OFM famous missioner throughout
Italy Corsica zealousbeing buried on the island of Patmos in the Church of St John the Theologian {Serbian} worker for revival of Franciscan observance (RM)) 1750 Crispin (patron of cobblers) of Viterbo the admirable quaestor (the brother who requests alms) taught basics of the catechism, OFM Cap. (AC) 1861 St. Eugene de Mazenod founded Oblates of Mary Immaculate Patron saint of dysfunctional families 1915-1928 St. Cristóbal Magallanes
and Companions: These martyrs did not die as a single group but
in eight Mexican states, with Jalisco and Zacatecas having the largest
number. They were beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later.
|
|
300? Sts. Timothy, Polius,
& Eutychius three deacons from Mauretania Caesariensis martyrs in
Mauretania late 3rd/early 4th century
In Mauritánia Cæsariénsi natális sanctórum Mártyrum Diaconórum Timóthei, Pólii et Eutychii, qui, in eádem regióne dísseminántes verbum Dei, páriter coronári meruérunt. In Morocco, the birthday of the holy martyrs Timothy, Polius, and Eutychius, deacons, who merited to be crowned together for spreading the word of God in that region. Three martyrs in Mauretania, Africa, who were put to death during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. Timothy, Polius and Eutychius MM (RM) These three deacons from Mauretania Caesariensis in Africa were martyred under Diocletian (Benedictines). |
| 303 St. Nicostratus, Antiochus,
and Companions Martyrs Roman soldiers Cæsaréæ Philíppi natális sanctórum Mártyrum Nicóstrati et Antíochi Tribunórum, cum áliis milítibus. At Caesarea Philippi, the holy martyrs Nicostratus and Antiochus, tribunes, with other soldiers According to the apocryphal Acta of Procopius, Nicostratus was a tribune over a cohort of Roman soldiers. With his troops, he was executed at Caesarea, Palestine, during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. Nicostratus, Antiochus and Companions MM (RM)were among a cohort of Roman soldiers said to have been put to death at Caesarea Philippi, Palestine, under Diocletian. Nicostratus was their tribune. Their story is included in the apocryphal acta of Saint Procopius (Benedictines). |
| St. Polyeuctus, Victorius
and Donatus Martyrs of Caesarea, in Cappadocia Cæsaréæ, in Cappadócia, item natális sanctórum Mártyrum Polyéucti, Victórii et Donáti. At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Polyeuctus, Victorinus, and Donatus. Beyond being listed in the martyrology, nothing is known of them beyond their sufferings. Polyeuctus, Victorius, and Donatus MM (RM) Date unknown. Martyrs of Caesarea, Cappadocia, of whom nothing else is known, except the variously spelled names in martyrologies (Benedictines). |
| 306 St. Secundinus Spanish
martyred at Cordova, Spain Córdubæ, in Hispánia, sancti
Secundíni Mártyris. At Cordova, the
martyr St. Secundinus.
who was put to death
during the persecutions of the Church under Diocletian. Secundinus of Cordova M (RM) Died c. 306. Secundinus was martyred at Cordova, Spain, under Diocletian (Benedictines). |
| Valens and Companions
bishop martyred at Auxerre, France, with three boys MM (RM) Sancti Valéntis Epíscopi, qui, una cum tribus púeris, necátus est. St. Valens, bishop, who was put to death along with three children. Valens was said to have been a bishop martyred at Auxerre, France, with three boys (Benedictines). St. Valens Bishop and martyr Perhaps the bishop of Auxerre, France, he was martyred with three boys in an uncertain year. |
327 Saint Helen mother
of St Contantine the GreatProbably born at Drepanum (Helenopolis) in Asia Minor to parents of humble means. She married Constantius Chlorus, and their son Constantine was born in 274. Constantius divorced her in 294 in order to further his political ambition by marrying a woman of noble rank. After he became emperor, Constantine showed his mother great honor and respect, granting her the imperial title "Augusta." Kaiserin Helena Orthodoxe und Anglikanische Kirche: 21. Mai Katholische Kirche: 18. August und 21. Mai Helena wurde um 250 geboren. In den zahlreichen Legenden werden sehr unterschiedliche Geburtsorte genannt. Vielleicht stammte sie aus Drepanom in der Westtürkei; dieser Ort wurde später in Helenopolis umbenannt. Helena war Ehefrau des Constantius und Mutter von Konstantin. Als ihr Ehemann Kaiser wurde, verstieß er sie, ihr Sohn setze sie nach seiner Wahl 306 wieder als "Augusta" ein. Helena wurde 312 Christin und setzte sich seitdem intensiv für die Verbreitung des Christentums ein. Von vielen großen Kirchen wird berichtet, daß sie durch Helena oder durch Konstantin gegründet wurden. Die Kirche im Garten Gethsemane soll sie mit 79 Jahren bei einer Wallfahrt gegründet haben. Helena soll auch in Jerusalem das Kreuz Christi gefunden haben. Sie starb am 18. August 330 in Nikomedia (Izmit). Die orthodoxe Kirche bezeichnet sie wegen ihres Einsatzes für die Kirche als "Apostelgleich". After Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313 which guaranteed religious tolerance for Christians. St Helen, who was a Christian, may have influenced him in this decision. In 323, when he became the sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire, he extended the provisions of the Edict of Milan to the Eastern half of the Empire. After three hundred years of persecution, Christians could finally practice their faith without fear. The emperor deeply revered
the victory-bearing Sign of the Cross of the Lord, and also wanted to
find the actual Cross upon which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.
For this purpose he sent his own mother, the holy Empress Helen, to Jerusalem,
granting her both power and money. Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem and
St Helen began the search, and through the will of God, the Life-Creating
Cross was miraculously discovered in 326. (The account of the finding
of the Cross of the Lord is found under the Feast of the Exaltation of the
Cross, September 14). The Orthodox Church commemorates the Uncovering
of the Precious Cross and the Precious Nails by the Holy Empress Helen
on March 6.
While in Palestine, the holy empress did much of benefit for the Church. She ordered that all places connected with the earthly life of the Lord and His All-Pure Mother, should be freed of all traces of paganism, and she commanded that churches should be built at these places. The emperor Constantine ordered a magnificent church in honor of Christ's Resurrection to be built over His tomb. St Helen gave the Life-Creating Cross to the Patriarch for safe-keeping, and took part of the Cross with her for the emperor. After distributing generous alms at Jerusalem and feeding the needy (at times she even served them herself), the holy Empress Helen returned to Constantinople, where she died in the year 327. Because of her great services to the Church and her efforts in finding the Life-Creating Cross, the empress Helen is called "the Equal of the Apostles." |
337 St. Constantine the
Great Junior Emperor and emperor called the “Thirteenth Apostle” in
the East reared on court of co-Emperor Diocletian defeated 2 emperors
and Christianized the Roman EmpireKonstantin der Große Orthodoxe, Katholische und Evangelische Kirche: 21. Mai Konstantin, Sohn des späteren Kaisers Konstantius und der Helena, wurde um 288 geboren. 306 wurde er in York von den Soldaten seines Vaters zum römischen Kaiser ausgerufen. Sein Mitherrscher Galerius, der die Christenverfolgung des Diokletian noch verschärfte, starb 311. 312 besiegte Konstantin seinen Konkurrenten Maxentius und tolerierte danach die christliche Religion (313 Edikt von Mailand). Damit legte er den Grundstein für die Entwicklung des Christentums zur Staatsreligion. Als sein Mitregent Licinius 320 eine erneute Christenverfolgung begann, ließ ihn Konstantin 324 töten und regierte anschließend allein. Er veranlaßte den Bau der (ersten) Peterskirche in Rom, der Grabeskirche in Jerusalem, der Geburtskirche in Bethlehem und anderer Kirchen. Konstantin setzte auch den Sonntag als Feiertag fest und übertrug den Bischöfen richterliche Befugnisse. 325 berief er das erste Konzil von Nicäa ein und erklärte das Christentum zur Staatsreligion. Im Zuge einer Neuorganisation des Reiches verlegte er 330 den Regierungssitz von Rom nach Konstantinopel. Auf seinem Sterbebett wurde er von Bischof Eusebius getauft. Dabei soll er der Kirche große Ländereien geschenkt haben. Auf diese Schenkung berief sich die katholische Kirche noch im vergangenen Jahrhundert. Er starb am 22.5.337 in seinem Palast in Ankyron (heute Hereke bei Izmit). The Church calls St Constantine (306-337) "the Equal of the Apostles," and historians call him "the Great." He was the son o the Caesar Constantius Chlorus (305-306), who governed the lands of Gaul and Britain. His mother was St Helen, a Christian of humble birth. At this time the immense
Roman Empire was divided into Western and Eastern halves, governed by
two independent emperors and their corulers called "Caesars." Constantius
Chlorus was Caesar in the Western Roman Empire. St Constantine was born
in 274, possibly at Nish in Serbia. In 294, Constantius divorced Helen
in order to further his political ambition by marrying a woman of noble
rank. After he became emperor, Constantine showed his mother great honor
and respect, granting her the imperial title "Augusta."
Constantine, the future ruler of all the whole Roman Empire, was raised to respect Christianity. His father did not persecute Christians in the lands he governed. This was at a time when Christians were persecuted throughout the Roman Empire by the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and his corulers Maximian Galerius (305-311) in the East, and the emperor Maximian Hercules (284-305) in the West. After the death of Constantius Chlorus in 306, Constantine was acclaimed by the army at York as emperor of Gaul and Britain. The first act of the new emperor was to grant the freedom to practice Christianity in the lands subject to him. The pagan Maximian Galerius in the East and the fierce tyrant Maxentius in the West hated Constantine and they plotted to overthrow and kill him, but Constantine bested them in a series of battles, defeating his opponents with the help of God. He prayed to God to give him a sign which would inspire his army to fight valiantly, and the Lord showed him a radiant Sign of the Cross in the heavens with the inscription "In this Sign, conquer." After Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313 which guaranteed religious tolerance for Christians. St Helen, who was a Christian, may have influenced him in this decision. In 323, when he became the sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire, he extended the provisions of the Edict of Milan to the Eastern half of the Empire. After three hundred years of persecution, Christians could finally practice their faith without fear. Renouncing paganism, the Emperor did not let his capital remain in ancient Rome, the former center of the pagan realm. He transferred his capital to the East, to the city of Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinople, the city of Constantine (May 11). Constantine was deeply convinced that only Christianity could unify the immense Roman Empire with its diverse peoples. He supported the Church in every way. He recalled Christian confessors from banishment, he built churches, and he showed concern for the clergy. The emperor deeply revered
the victory-bearing Sign of the Cross of the Lord, and also wanted to
find the actual Cross upon which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.
For this purpose he sent his own mother, the holy Empress Helen, to Jerusalem,
granting her both power and money. Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem and
St Helen began the search, and through the will of God, the Life-Creating
Cross was miraculously discovered in 326. (The account of the finding
of the Cross of the Lord is found under the Feast of the Exaltation of the
Cross, September 14). The Orthodox Church commemorates the Uncovering
of the Precious Cross and the Precious Nails by the Holy Empress Helen
on March 6.
While in Palestine, the holy empress did much of benefit for the Church. She ordered that all places connected with the earthly life of the Lord and His All-Pure Mother, should be freed of all traces of paganism, and she commanded that churches should be built at these places. The emperor Constantine ordered a magnificent church in honor of Christ's Resurrection to be built over His tomb. St Helen gave the Life-Creating Cross to the Patriarch for safe-keeping, and took part of the Cross with her for the emperor. After distributing generous alms at Jerusalem and feeding the needy (at times she even served them herself), the holy Empress Helen returned to Constantinople, where she died in the year 327. Because of her great services to the Church and her efforts in finding the Life-Creating Cross, the empress Helen is called "the Equal of the Apostles." The peaceful state of the Christian Church was disturbed by quarrels, dissensions and heresies which had appeared within the Church. Already at the beginning of St Constantine's reign the heresies of the Donatists and the Novatians had arisen in the West. They demanded a second baptism for those who lapsed during the persecutions against Christians. These heresies, repudiated by two local Church councils, were finally condemned at the Council of Milan in 316. Particularly ruinous for the Church was the rise of the Arian heresy in the East, which denied the Divine Nature of the Son of God, and taught that Jesus Christ was a mere creature. By order of the emperor, the First Ecumenical Council was convened in the city of Nicea in 325. 318 bishops attended this
Council. Among its participants were confessor-bishops from the period
of the persecutions and many other luminaries of the Church, among whom
was St Nicholas of Myra in Lycia. (The account about the Council is found
under May 29). The emperor was present at the sessions of the Council.
The heresy of Arius was condemned and a Symbol of Faith (Creed) composed,
in which was included the term "consubstantial with the Father," confirming
the truth of the divinity of Jesus Christ, Who assumed human nature for
the redemption of all the human race.
One might possibly be surprised by St Constantine's grasp of theological issues during the discussions at the Council. The term "consubstantial" was included in the Symbol of Faith at his insistence. After the Council of Nicea, St Constantine continued with his active role in the welfare of the Church. He accepted holy Baptism on his deathbed, having prepared for it all his whole life. St Constantine died on the day of Pentecost in the year 337 and was buried in the church of the Holy Apostles, in a crypt he had prepared for himself. Son of Constantius I Chlorus, junior emperor and St. Helena, Constantine was raised on the court of co-Emperor Diocletian. When his father died in 306, Constantine was declared junior emperor of York, England, by the local legions and earned a place as a ruler of the Empire by defeating of his main rivals at the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. According to legend, he adopted the insignia of Christ, the chi-rho, and placed it upon his labarum - the military standards that held the banners his armies carried into battle to vanquish their pagan enemies. His purple banners were inscribed with the Latin for “In this sign conquer.” Constantine then shared rule of the Empire with Licinius Licinianus, exerting his considerable influence upon his colleague to secure the declaration of Christianity to be a free religion. When, however, Licinius and Constantine launched a persecution of the Christians, Constantine marched to the East and routed his opponent at the battle of Adrianople. Constantine was the most
dominating figure of his lifetime, towering over his contemporaries,
including Pope Sylvester I. He presided over the Council of Nicaea, gave
extensive grants of land and property to the Church, founded the Christian
city of Constantinople to serve as his new capital, and undertook a long-sighted
program of Christianization for the whole of the Roman Empire. While he
was baptized a Christian only on his deathbed, Constantine nevertheless
was a genuinely important figure in Christian history and was revered as
a saint, especially in the Eastern Church.
|
|
356 St. Serapion the Sindonite
(comes from garment of coarse linen he always wore) Egyptian monk part
of the great birth of monasticism in the wilderness of Egypt noted for the absolute
and unflinching severity of his ascetic practices. He made a pilgrimage
to Rome but returned to his hermitage. Serapion was part of the great
birth of monasticism in the wilderness of Egypt.
Serapion the Sindonite (AC) Born in Egypt; Serapion's moniker, the Sindonite, comes from garment of coarse linen which he always wore. Like other desert monks, he led a life of extreme austerity. Though he traveled into several countries, he always lived in the same poverty, mortification, and recollection. In one town, recognizing the spiritual blindness of comedian, he sold himself to the idolator for a small sum. His only sustenance in this servitude was bread and water. He accomplished every duty belonging to his servitude with the utmost diligence and fidelity, joining with his labor prayer. Having converted his master and the whole family to the faith, and induced him to quit the stage, Serapion was freed. His former master tried to return the sum he had paid, but Serapion refused it, even to distribute to the poor. Soon after this Serapion sold himself a second time, to relieve a distressed widow. Having spent some time with his new master, in recompense of signal spiritual services, he was given his liberty, a cloak, a tunic, and a book of the Gospels. He was scarcely out the door when he met a poor man to whom he gave his cloak. Shortly thereafter he gave his tunic to a man shivering in the cold. Thus he was again reduced to his single linen garment. A stranger asked who had stripped him and left him naked. Showing the man his book of the Gospels, he said: "This it is that hath stripped me." Not long after, he sold the book itself to relieve someone in extreme distress. When an old acquaintance asked what had happened to the book, Serapion replied: "Could you believe it? This gospel seemed continually to cry to me: 'Go, sell all thou hast, and give it to the poor.' Wherefore I have also sold it and given the price to the indigent members of Christ." Having nothing left but his own person, he sold himself again on several other occasions, when the corporal or spiritual necessities of his neighbor called for relief. Once he became slave to a certain Manichee at Lacedaemon whom he served for two years. Again he brought the man and his whole family over to the true faith. Saint Serapion went from
Lacedaemon to Rome to study the most perfect models of virtue, but returned
to Egypt where he died before Palladius visited in 388. Upon reading
the story of Serapion, Saint John the Almsgiver called for his steward,
and, weeping, said: "Can we flatter ourselves that we do anything great
because we give our estates to the poor? Here is a man who could find
means to give himself to them, and so many times over" (Benedictines, Husenbeth).
|
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357 St. Secundus priest
& Companions martyrs in Alexandria by Arians the intruded Arian
patriarch George
Alexandríæ commemorátio sanctórum Mártyrum Secúndi Presbyteri, et aliórum; quos sacris diébus Pentecóstes, sub Constántio Imperatóre, Ariánus Epíscopus Geórgius sævíssime occídi præcépit. At Alexandria, the commemoration of the holy martyrs Secundus, a priest, and others, whom the Arian bishop George ordered to be barbarously slain during the holy days of Pentecost, under Emperor Constantius. Egypt, who were put to death by the Arians during the bitter Arian controversy inthe Eastern Church. Secundus was a priest in the Church at Alexandria who was murdered by Arians along with most of his congregation.The Arians were zealous supporters of the usurper, George, patriarch of Alexandria, who was occupying the see during the exile of St. Athanasius. Secundus and Companions MM (RM) Secundus, a priest of Alexandria, was martyred with many other clergy and laity, including many women, by the intruded Arian patriarch George. Bishop George was supported in his occupation of the cathedra of Alexandria by the emperor Constantius, who drove the rightful prelate, Athanasius, into exile. These are probably the same as the "Martyrs of Egypt" above (Benedictines). |
| 357 Martyrs of Egypt "At
Alexandria, the memory of the holy bishops and priests who were sent
into exile by the Arians, and merited to be joined to the holy confessors"
(RM) Alexandríæ commemorátio sanctórum Episcopórum et Presbyterórum; qui, ab Ariánis exsílio relegáti, sanctis Confessóribus sociári meruérunt. At Alexandria, the commemoration of the saintly bishops and priests, who were banished by the Arians, and merited to be numbered among the holy confessors. Eódem die sanctórum Mártyrum
Synésii et Theopómpi. The same day,
the holy martyrs Synesius and Theopompus.
The Roman Martyrology reads "At Alexandria, the memory of the holy bishops and priests who were sent into exile by the Arians, and merited to be joined to the holy confessors" (Benedictines). |
| 6th v. St. Barrfoin Irish
missionary journeyed to spread the faith reported his adventures on
a voyage to the Americas to St. Brendan the Navigator 6th century 1. Saint Barrid tells of his visit to the Island of Paradise, which prompts Brendan to go in search of the isle. possibly a bishop, and friend of Sts. Columba and Brendan. Barrfoin took charge of a church founded by St. Columba in Drum Cullen, Offaly. He lived at Killbarron. He also journeyed to spread the faith. Barrfoin reported his adventures on a voyage to the Americas to St. Brendan the Navigator. Barrfoin of Killbarron, Hermit (AC) (also known as Bairrfhionn, Barrindus) 6th century. Few details are certain about the life of Saint Barrfoin. Saint Columba is said to have put Barrfoin in charge of the church he founded at Drum Cullen Offaly. Afterwards, Barrfoin lived at Killbarron, near Ballyshannon, in Donegal. He may have reached America on one of his missions by sea, and informed Saint Brendan of his discovery. Some say that he was a bishop (Benedictines). In the calendar of early British saints we commemorate St Barrfoin the Missionary (6th C). From celt-saints: St. Barrfoin of Killbarron, Hermit (also Bairrfhionn, Barrindus) 6th century. Few details are certain about the life of Saint Barrfoin. Saint Columba is said to have put Barrfoin in charge of the church he founded at Drum Cullen Offaly. Afterwards, Barrfoin lived at Killbarron, near Ballyshannon, in Donegal. He may have reached America on one of his missions by sea, and informed Saint Brendan of his discovery. Some say that he was a bishop (Benedictines). Troparion of St Barrfoin Tone 3 O holy Barrfoin, Christ’s missionary voyager/ like thy contemporary Saint Brendan:/ pray that we may have courage/ to venture for Christ, at His call,/ that we may receive His great mercy. |
| 681 Hospitius of Cap-Saint-Hospice
Hermit blessed with the gifts of prophecy and miracle (RM) Níciæ, apud Varum flúvium, sancti Hospítii Confessóris, abstinéntiæ virtúte ac prophetíæ spíritu insígnis. At Nice in France, St. Hospitius, confessor, distinguished by the virtue of abstinence and the spirit of prophecy. Died c. 580 (or 681?). The hermit Saint Hospitius lived at a place now named after him: Cap-Saint-Hospice, between Villefranca and Banlieu. He girded himself with an iron chain, lived only on bread and dates, and was blessed with the gifts of prophecy and miracles. His relics were translated to Lérins on May 21, the day on which his feast is now celebrated. Saint Gregory of Tours includes Hospitius in his writings (Benedictines, Husenbeth). |
| 7th v. St. Gollen 7th
century Welsh saint also listed as Collen or Colan. He gave his name to Llangollen, in Clwyd, Wales, and he is associated in legend with Glastonbury, England, and Rome. Gollen (Collen, Colan) of Denbighshire (AC) 7th century. In legend Saint Gollen's name is connected with Wales, Glastonbury, and Rome. A 16th-century vita in Welsh survives, but its historicity is questionable. This account has Gollen fight a duel with a pagan Saracen in the presence of the pope, go to Cornwall and Glastonbury, and deliver the people in the valley of Llangollen by killing a fierce giantess. Gollen gave his name to Llangollen (Clwyd) in Denbighshire, the church of Colan in Cornwall, and, perhaps, founded that of Langolen in Finistère in Brittany (Benedictines, Farmer). |
| 800 Isberga (Itisberga)
of Aire reputed sister of Charlemagne a nun at Aira in the Artois OSB
B (AC) Isberga, reputed sister of Charlemagne, was a nun at Aire (Aria) in the Artois, of which she is the patroness (Benedictines). |
| 888 St. Ansuinus Martyr
companion of St. Ageranus Benedictine monk Ansuinus remained in the Bleze, Côte-d'Or, in France, when the Normans invaded. Ageranus, Ansuinus, four other monks, and a young lad named Adalric were slain defending the altars. Ageranus of Beze, OSB M (PC) (also known as Ayran, Ayrman) Died 888. Ageranus was a monk of Bèze in the Côte d'Or. When the Normans invaded Burgundy (886-889) most of the monks escaped, but Ageranus remained with four other monks-- Genesius, Berard, Rodron, and Sifiard--the boy Adalaric and the priest Ansuinus. All were massacred by the invaders (Benedictines). |
| 1001 St. Theobald of Vienne
Archbishop supporter of monastic renewal, he defended the Church from
royal interference of Vienne, France, from 970 until his death. A staunch supporter of monastic renewal, he defended the Church from royal interference. Theobald (Thibaud) of Vienne B (AC) cultus confirmed 1903. Thibaud was archbishop of Vienne, France, from 970 to 1001 (Benedictines). |
| 1170 ST GODRIC endowed with extraordinary
powers—notably with the gifts of prophecy and a knowledge of distant
events. He foretold the death of Bishop William of Durham, and the exile,
return and martyrdom of St Thomas Becket, whom he had never seen. He often
beheld scenes that were being enacted far away, breaking off a conversation
to pray for vessels in imminent danger of shipwreck. He also knew beforehand
the date of his own death which occurred on May 21, 1170, after he had
spent some sixty years in his hermitage. At a later period there was built
at Finchale a monastery, the ruins of which survive. St Godric is the
co-titular of a Catholic church in Durham. ST GODRIC was born of very poor parents at Walpole in Norfolk, and in his youth earned a living by peddling in the neighbouring villages. As he improved his stock he was able to go farther afield to the great fairs and cities. Then the spirit of adventure seized him, and he took to a seafaring life which he pursued for sixteen years. He made voyages to Scotland, Flanders and Scandinavia, and probably traded in the ports he visited, for he was able to purchase a half-share in one merchant vessel and a quarter-share in another. The life was a rough one with many temptations, and one chronicler refers to him as a pirate but on a visit which he paid to Lindisfarne he was deeply impressed by the account given him of the life of St Cuthbert, whom he ever afterwards regarded with special veneration. He undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which had lately been captured by the Crusaders, and on the homeward journey he visited Compostela.* [* For the service rendered by “Gudericus pirata de regno Angliae” to King Baldwin I of Jerusalem, see S. Runciman, History of the Crusades, vol. ii (1953), p. 79 (Albert of Aix, Chronicon, ix).] After his return to England he became house-steward to a wealthy Norfolk landowner, but the retainers plundered the poorer neighbours unmercifully and Godric gave up the post, partly because he could not induce the master to cheek this pillaging, partly because he himself had—knowingly or unknowingly—partaken of the booty. He then set out on two more pilgrimages, the one to the shrine of St Giles in Provence and the other to Rome in the company of his mother who, we are told, made the whole journey barefoot. We hear of him next in Cumberland, where he acquired a psalter, which he learnt by heart and which became his most treasured possession. Having made his way eastward into the wilds of Durham, he fell in at Wolsingham with a recluse called Aelric. Godric was permitted to join this aged hermit, in whose company he spent two happy and fruitful years. Then Aelric died, and Godric made a second pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It was the last of his foreign journeys, for St Cuthbert in a vision had promised him a hermitage in England. After a sojourn at Eskdale and another in Durham, where he acted for a time as sacristan, he discovered the place of his dream in the midst of Bishop Flambard’s hunting-park on the river Wear, three miles from Durham. There, at Finchale, in a forest which teemed with big and small game, he spent the remaining years of his life, practising mortifications which would have killed any but a very robust man. Shy creatures such as stags, hares and birds were not afraid of him, nor did he fear wolves or snakes. All wild animals were his friends, disporting themselves in his company and fleeing to him from danger. He constructed first a wattle oratory and then a little church. As far as possible he lived in silence and seclusion, but he was under the direction of the prior of Durham who, besides supplying him with a priest to say Mass in his chapel, would often send strangers to be edified by his conversation. Among his visitors were St Aelred and St Robert of Newminster, and a monk called Reginald, who obtained from him, though with difficulty, the story of his early years and wrote a biography which is still extant. St Godric was endowed with extraordinary powers—notably with the gifts of prophecy and a knowledge of distant events. He foretold the death of Bishop William of Durham, and the exile, return and martyrdom of St Thomas Becket, whom he had never seen. He often beheld scenes that were being enacted far away, breaking off a conversation to pray for vessels in imminent danger of shipwreck. He also knew beforehand the date of his own death which occurred on May 21, 1170, after he had spent some sixty years in his hermitage. At a later period there was built at Finchale a monastery, the ruins of which survive. St Godric is the co-titular of a Catholic church in Durham. The monk Reginald records not only the words but also the airs of four sacred songs, which he took down from the hermit’s lips. Godric claimed that they had been taught him in visions, of our Lady, of his dead sister, and of others. They are in any case of great interest as being the oldest pieces of English verse of which the musical setting has survived, and among the oldest to show rhyme and measure instead of alliteration. We have two
distinct accounts of St Godric, one written by Reginald of Durham who
had visited the hermit. This, which is preserved in different recensions,
was printed by the Surtees Society in 1845, edited by Fr J. Stevenson.
The second, by Galfrid, is also the work of one who had himself seen him,
and who had before him the memoir of Prior German who had been St Godric’s
confessor. This is printed in the Acta Sanctorum, May,
vol. v. See also DNB., vol. xxii, pp. 47—49; and for the songs, J. B. Trend
in Music and Letters, vol. ix, pp. 111—128. There
is a delightful essay on St Godric in Fr J. Brodrick’s Procession of Saints (1949) and
cf. K. M. Wilson, The Lost Literature
of Medieval England (1952).
|
1129 Princes Constantine
and sons Michael and Theodore spreading Christian Faith among the pagans
of MuromThey lived during the eleventh-twelfth centuries. Prince Constantine, a descendant of St Vladimir, asked his father, Prince Svyatoslav of Chernigov, to give him the city of Murom, which was inhabited by pagans, so he might enlighten this land with the light of the Christian Faith. The prince sent his son Michael as emissary to the Murom people, but the pagans murdered him. When Prince Constantine arrived in the city with his retinue, the people quieted down and accepted him, but for a long time they would not give up paganism. Once, they went to the prince's home, intending to kill him, but the prince came out to the crowd holding the Murom Icon of the Mother of God. The mutinous people unexpectedly quieted down and agreed to accept holy Baptism at the River Oka. At the place of the murder of his son Michael, St Constantine built a church in honor of the Annunciation, and later on another church named for the holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb. Prince Constantine zealously assisted his son, Prince Theodore in spreading the Christian Faith among the people of Murom. St Constantine died in 1129, and was buried in the church of the Annunciation beside his sons, Sts Michael and Theodore. |
| 1252 Hermann Josef;
Er wurde Priester und war als beliebter Prediger und Seelsorger besonders
in Frauenklöstern im Rheinland tätig Katholische Kirche: 21. Mai Hermann wurde im 12. Jahrhundert in Köln geboren. Mit 12 Jahren trat er in das Prämonstratenserkloster Steinfeld ein. Er wurde Priester und war als beliebter Prediger und Seelsorger besonders in Frauenklöstern im Rheinland tätig. Grundlage seiner Beliebtheit war wohl seine große Marienverehrung. Er hatte zahlreiche mystische Offenbarungen, die er aber zunächst geheim hielt. Seine mystische Vermählung mit Maria führte zu seinem Beinamen Joseph. Aus seinem mystischen Erlebnissen entstanden zahlreiche Hymnen an Maria und das Herz Jesu. Hermann starb auf einer Seelsorgereise im Zisterzienserinnenkloster Hoven bei Bonn. Als Todesjahr werden 1241 und 1252 genannt. Als Sterbetag wird der 7.4. überliefert. An diesem Tag wurde er deshalb auch früher gefeiert. |
| 1262 Sainted Kirill (Cyril),
Bishop of Rostov chosen hierarchical seat whilst hegumen of the Vladimir
Nativity monastery left a series of writings He administered the Rostov diocese from 1231 to 1262. The chronicler of his time relates, that to hear the preachings of Saint Kirill people gathered not only from Rostov, but they came even from surrounding cities. The Ordynsk prince Peter accepted Christianity under the influence of his preaching. Saint Kirill has left a series of writings -- "About the Fear of God", "About the Heavenly Powers", "About Evil Spirits", "About Publicans", and many others. Sainted Kirill died on 21 May 1262. |
| 1289 Blessed Benvenutus
of Recanati Franciscan lay brother favored with ecstasies and visions
OFM AC 1289 BD BENVENUTO OF RECANATI FEW incidents marked the life of Bd Benvenuto Mareni. He was born at Recanati, a hill-town in the Marches of Ancona at a short distance from Loreto, and entered as a lay-brother amongst the Franciscan Conventuals of his native city. He was remarkable for his piety and for his humility, which made him always desirous of the lowliest offices. Often during Mass, and especially when he had received holy communion, he would fall into an ecstasy, his body at such times appearing to be completely insensible. From one of these trances he awoke to realize that it was long past the hour for him to begin to prepare the brethren’s meal. Hastily he made his way to the kitchen, where he was greeted by an angelic deputy who had been doing his work. All who partook of the repast that day agreed that they had never tasted better food. Bd Benvenuto had many other supernatural experiences and was, it is said, once permitted to hold the Infant Saviour in his arms. The saintly friar died on May 5, 1289. Pope Pius VII confirmed his cultus In the account
which Fr Léon, Auréole Séraphique (Eng. trans.), vol. ii, pp. 175—176, gives of this beatus he remarks that the annalists of the order have left
few details of his life. This observation seems to be thoroughly borne
out by an inspection of such chroniclers as Mazzara or Mark of Lisbon.
Born at Recanati (near
Loreto), Italy; cultus confirmed by Pope Pius VII. Scion of the
Mareni family, Benvenutus joined the Franciscans as a lay brother and
was mostly employed in the kitchen, where he was constantly favored with
ecstasies and visions (Benedictines). |
| 1521 Vladimir Icon of the
Mother of God Celebration of delivered Moscow from Tatars invasion Established to commemorate the deliverance of Moscow from an invasion of Tatars led by Khan Makhmet-Girei in 1521. The Tatar hordes approached Moscow, burning and destroying Russian cities and villages, and exterminating their inhabitants. Great Prince Basil raised an army against the Tatars, while Metropolitan Barlaam and the people of Moscow prayed fervently for deliverance. At this time a certain pious blind nun had a vision. She saw Moscow's bishop-saints exiting from the Savior gates of the Kremlin, forsaking the city and taking with them the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, the holiest object in the city of Moscow. This was God's chastisement for the sins of its inhabitants. At the Savior gates the holy hierarchs were met by Sts Sergius of Radonezh (Sept. 25) and Barlaam of Khutyn (Nov. 6), tearfully imploring them not to leave Moscow. All of them offered intense prayer to the Lord for the forgivness of their transgressions and the deliverance of Moscow from its enemies. After this prayer the bishop-saints returned to the Kremlin, and they carried back the holy Vladimir Icon. St Basil the Blessed (August 2) saw a similar vision. It was revealed to him that Moscow would be saved, through the intercession of the Theotokos and the prayers of the saints. The Tatar Khan also had a vision of the Mother of God with a fearsome host, contending against his forces. The Tatars fled in fear, and the capital of the Russian realm was saved. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is also commemorated on June 23 and August 26. |
| 1577 Blessed Catherine
of Cardona hermit for 20 years Carmelite V (PC) Born in Naples, Italy, 1519; Catherine was born in Italy of a noble Spanish family. She lived for a time at the court of Philip II of Spain. Then she retired near Roda in southern Spain to live as a hermit for 20 years until she was received into a Carmelite convent, where, however, she continued to live as an anchoress. Saint Teresa of Avila speaks very highly of her (Benedictines). |
| 1584 Agapit of Makrushevsk
MonkMartyr founder of the Makrushevsk Nikolaev monastery healed by a
vision from Saint Nicholas icon Companion of the Monk Longin of Koryazhemsk. At one point at the Sol'vychegodsk Borisoglebsk monastery, during a time of illness he was granted a vision from an icon of Saint Nicholas, through whom he was healed. Setting out to the place indicated in the vision, he at first built there a chapel, and when a monastery formed, in 1578 he erected two churches -- the one in name of Saint Nicholas and the other in honour of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God. The local inhabitants wanted to eradicate the monastery. They murdered the Monk Agapit on 21 May 1584 and threw his body in a river. But the monks found the body and gave it burial betwixt the temples, building at the place of burial a chapel, and at the crypt they put the chains of the saint. Afterwards the relics were transferred and placed beneathe a crypt in the monastery church. In the year 1712 the Kholmogorsk bishop Varnav (Barnabas) gave blessing to the brethren to gather together an account about the life of the Monk Agapit and about the miracles from the Velikoretsk Icon. And with his blessing, in 1715 was written the Vita-Life of the MonkMartyr Agapit. |
| 1657 Andrew Bobola Polish
aristocrat who joined the Jesuits kindness to plague dying and care
for the dead martyred incorrupt after 150 years a specially remarkable
circumstance in view of the respect for this phenomenon popularly shown
among the dissident Orthodox. And the doctors were able to confirm the
horrible details of his deathSJ M (RM) 1657 ST ANDREW BOBOLA, MARTYR ST ANDREW BOBOLA came of an aristocratic Polish family and was born in the palatinate of Sandomir in 1591. He entered in 1609 the Jesuit noviciate at Vilna in Lithuania, which had become united with Poland in 1391 through the marriage of Queen Hedwig with Duke Jagiello. After he had been raised to the priesthood, Andrew was appointed preacher in the church of St Casimir at Vilna, where his apostolic zeal made a great impression upon the people. At a later date he was chosen superior of the Jesuit house at Bobrinsk and, during his term of office, distinguished himself by his devotion to the sick and dying when a terrible epidemic was raging. As soon as he was relieved of his charge, he resumed the missionary career which he had pursued for more than twenty years, travelling the country and bringing whole villages of separated Orthodox back to communion with the Holy See, besides converting numerous lax Catholics. His success brought upon him hatred and opposition. One form of petty persecution he found particularly trying. For several years, whenever he entered a village with a sufficiently large anti-Catholic population, he was met by an organized band of children who, in accordance with instructions from their elders, followed him about, hurling abusive epithets at him and trying to shout him down. He never lost patience with them, nor was he daunted or discouraged by threats or opposition. Poland at this time had become the scene of a sanguinary conflict in which the revolted Cossacks took a prominent part. The Jesuit missionaries were driven from their churches and colleges by these relentless foes, and they took refuge in a district of swamps, lakes and marshland formed by branches of the Pripet and Berezina and known as Podlesia. Thither Prince Radziwill invited the Jesuits, to whom he offered one of his residences at Pinsk in 1652. St Andrew accepted the invitation although he fully anticipated the fate that was in store for him. In May 1657 some Cossacks made a sudden attack on Pinsk. Father Bobola was seized near Janow, and made to run back thither at the heels of a Cossack’s horse. He was invited to abjure Catholicism, and on his refusal was mercilessly beaten. He was then interrogated, and his firm answers so infuriated the officer that he slashed at him with his sword and nearly severed one of the priest’s hands. He was then put to a slow death with the most revolting barbarity. In the public slaughterhouse he was stripped of his clothes, scorched all over like a dead pig, half flayed, his nose and lips cutoff, and his tongue torn out through his neck with pincers. His prayers to Christ and His mother seemed only to increase his tormentors’ savagery. At last his head was struck off, and the mutilated body cast on a dungheap. When the remains of St. Andrew Bobola were medically examined in 1730 they were found inexplicably incorrupt—a specially remarkable circumstance in view of the respect for this phenomenon popularly shown among the dissident Orthodox. And the doctors were able to confirm the horrible details of his death. He was canonized in 1938. See L. Rocci,
Vita del B. Andrea Bobola (1924) H. Beylard, Vie…de St André
Bobola (1938); Fr Thurston in Studies, September 1938, pp.
381—393; and the life by Mareschini, adapted into English by L. J. Gallagher
and P. V. Donovan (Boston, 1939). The
extraordinary history of the conveyance to Rome in 1922 of the body of
the saint, which had been carried off to Moscow by the bolsheviks, is told
by Fr L. J. Gallagher in The Month, February, 1924.
Born in Sandomir, Poland, 1592; died at Janov, Lithuania, on May 10, 1657; beatified 1853; canonized 1938; feast day formerly May 16. Andrew Bobola was a Polish aristocrat who joined the Jesuits in 1611 when he was 20. At first he worked as a parish priest at St. Casimir's Church in Vilna, Lithuania, but in 1630 he was made superior of the Jesuit house at Bobrinsk (Bobruysk) just as a dreadful plague broke out there. Andrew's kindness to the dying and his care for the dead, in spite of the great personal danger of catching the disease, impressed many. In 1636, this brave soul set out as a missionary, travelling in Lithuania for more than 20 years. He spent his whole life reconciling Orthodox Christians with the Holy See, sometimes converting whole villages. He was so successful at converting men and women that his enemies called him Duszochwat (the "thief of souls"). Such success, of course, attracted opposition. For Bobola this took the forms of bands of children who followed him and tried to drown his words with their shouts. Deep religious divisions were in those days made worse by intolerance and by marauding Russians, Cossacks, and Tartars who continually raided Poland and tormented the Christians there. Because of these raids, the Jesuits were forced into hiding in the marshes of Podlesia. Beginning in 1652 and continuing for five years, Andrew Bobola ran a house in Janov near Pinsk provided by Prince Radziwell, where fleeing Jesuits could be sheltered. In 1657, he was captured in a Cossack raid on the city, tortured, partially flayed alive, and then killed by the sword. His beheaded, mutilated body was buried at Pinsk. In 1808, it was translated to Polotsk, where it was found to be incorrupt. His relics were later removed first to Moscow by Bolsheviks, then to Rome in 1922. The can now be found in the Jesuit church in Warsaw (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Farmer). |
|
1730
Pachomius Our Holy Father the Martyr Many miracles were wrought
by his blood and his relics, his body being buried on the island of
Patmos in the Church of St John the Theologian
(May 21) SerbianOrthodoxChurch.net
|
| 1740 Theophilus of Corte
priest taught theology OFM famous missioner throughout Italy Corsica
zealous worker for revival of Franciscan observance (RM) 1740 St. Theophilus of Corte Franciscan reformer. Born Biagio Arrighi at Corte, Corsica, Italy ordained at Naples, taught at Civitella, and then embarked upon a mission to promote the faith in Corsica and Italy Ficécli, in Etrúria, sancti Theóphili a Curte, Confessóris, Sacerdótis Ordinis Fratrum Minórum, sacrórum recéssum propagatóris, quem Pius Papa Undécimus inter Sanctos rétulit. At Fucecchio in Etruria, St. Theophilus of Curte, confessor and priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who was canonized by Pope Pius XI. 1740 ST THEOPHILUS OF CORTE The influence
exerted by his eloquent words was enhanced by the holiness of his life
and by miracles. At Civitella, of which he became guardian, he won the
love and veneration of the whole community THE little town of Corte
in Corsica was the birthplace of this Theophilus, or, to give him his
baptismal and family names, Blasius de’ Signori. He was the only child
of aristocratic parents who fostered, up to a certain point, the boy’s
early piety. They encouraged him to invite his schoolfellows on Sundays
to his home, where he would say prayers with them and repeat the morning’s
sermon. But when, at the age of fifteen, he ran away to enter a Capuchin
monastery, he was not permitted to remain there. Nevertheless, as he continued
to show a marked vocation for the religious life, his father and mother
allowed him two years later to take the Franciscan habit in his native
town. After studying philosophy and theology at Cope, in Rome and at Naples
he was ordained in 1700. In the retreat-house of Civitella, to which he
was appointed lector in theology, he formed an intimate friendship with
Bd Thomas of Cori in 1705, while still at Civitella, he was chosen for mission
preaching and, overcoming a natural shrinking from publicity, he went
forth as an evangelist among the people. At once it became evident that St Theophilus
had great oratorical gifts, which enabled him to touch the hearts not only
of careless Christians but also of hardened sinners. The influence exerted
by his eloquent words was enhanced by the holiness of his life and by miracles.
At Civitella, of which he became guardian, he won the love and veneration
of the whole community. In 1730 his superiors sent him back to Corsica in
order that he might form one or more houses there on the lines of Civitella.
He found himself confronted by many difficulties, but he succeeded in establishing
a retreat at Luani, where the rule of Civitella was followed in all its poverty
and austerity. Four years later he was recalled to Italy to do similar work
in Tuscany, and at Fucecchio, some twenty English miles from Florence, he
made his second foundation. That same year he was summoned to Rome to give
evidence for the beatification of Thomas of Cori. So great was the impression
he then made upon the bishop of Nicotera, who was in charge of the case,
that the prelate afterwards exclaimed, “I have been questioning one saint
about another saint”. Theophilus died at
Fucecchio on May 20, 1740. As his body lay awaiting burial in the
church, immense crowds gathered round to venerate it. They kissed his hands and feet and tore
so many pieces from his clothing that it became necessary to dress the
body in a new habit. St Theophilus was canonized in 1930. The brief of
beatification, which includes a biographical summary, may be read in the
Analecta Ecclesiastica. vol. iv (1806) no. 5—7. There is an excellent
account in French by the Abbé Abeau, Vie du B. Théophile
de Cone (1896)—it runs to more than 400 pages—and an almost equally
lengthy Italian life, in which the archives of the Franciscans of the
Observance have been utilized, by Father Dominichelli, Vita del B. Teofilo do Corte (1896). Another full life in
Italian is by A. M. Paiotti (1930), and there is a shorter account by
M. P. Anglade, Une page d’histoire franciscaine (1931).
May 19, 2010 St. Theophilus of Corte (1676-1740) If we expect saints to do marvelous things continually and to leave us many memorable quotes, we are bound to be disappointed with St. Theophilus. The mystery of God's grace in a person's life, however, has a beauty all its own. Theophilus was born in Corsica of rich and noble parents. As a young man he entered the Franciscans and soon showed his love for solitude and prayer. After admirably completing his studies, he was ordained and assigned to a retreat house near Subiaco. Inspired by the austere life of the Franciscans there, he founded other such houses in Corsica and Tuscany. Over the years, he became famous for his preaching as well as his missionary efforts. Though he was always somewhat sickly, Theophilus generously served the needs of God's people in the confessional, in the sickroom and at the graveside. Worn out by his labors, he died on June 17, 1740. He was canonized in 1930. Comment:
There is a certain dynamism in all the saints that prompts them to
find ever more selfless ways of responding to God's grace. As time went
on, Theophilus gave more and more singlehearted service to God and to
God's sons and daughters. Honoring the saints will make no sense unless
we are thus drawn to live as generously as they did. Their holiness can
never substitute for our own. Quote: Francis used to say, "Let us
begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up to now we have made little
or no progress" (1 Celano, #193).
He entered the Franciscans
and took the name Theophilus in 1693. He was ordained at Naples, taught
at Civitella, and then embarked upon a mission to promote the faith in
Corsica and Italy while encouraging his fellow Franciscans to observe with
zeal the rules of the order. He was canonized in 1930.Born in Corte, Corsica, 1676; canonized in 1930; feast day formerly May 19. Biagio Arrighi joined the Franciscans in 1693 and took the name Theophilus. He was ordained priest at Naples and taught theology at Civitella in the Roman Campagna. Later, Theophilus was a famous missioner throughout Italy and Corsica and a zealous worker for the revival of Franciscan observance (Benedictines). |
| 1750 Crispin (patron of
cobblers) of Viterbo the admirable quaestor (the brother who requests
alms) taught basics of the catechism, then noted for his prophecies,
his miracles of multiplication of food, and his wise sayings, some of
which have been preserved. OFM Cap. (AC) 1750 BD CRISPIN OF VITERBO THE Romans have a great devotion to Bd Crispin of Viterbo, whose relics rest under a side altar in the church of the Immaculate Conception in the City. At an early date he learnt from his mother the deep veneration to our Blessed Lady which characterized him throughout his life. After he had received a little schooling at the Jesuit College, Peter—as he was named in baptism—served his apprenticeship with an uncle, from whom he learnt the trade of a shoemaker. The Franciscan Order attracted him greatly, and when he was about twenty-five he obtained admission to the Capuchin convent at Viterbo, choosing the name of Crispin because of his trade. In the novice house at Paranzana the father guardian hesitated to receive him because he looked so delicate and was diminutive in stature; but the minister provincial, who had previously admitted him, overruled all objections. As it turned out, Brother Crispin proved equal to the heaviest tasks, and loved to call himself the Capuchin ass, deeming himself unfit to be regarded as anything more than a beast of burden. At Viterbo he dug the garden and acted as cook, and at Tolfa, where he was infirmarian during an epidemic, he effected some wonderful cures. A short residence in Rome was followed by a stay at Albano and another at Bracciano, where he again nursed the sick during an epidemic and seems to have healed many of them miraculously. At Orvieto, where he was questor—charged with soliciting alms—he was so greatly beloved that the citizens were determined to keep him. When the time came for his departure the housewives with one consent decided to close their doors to his successor, and as the convent depended on the charity of the faithful, the guardian was compelled to re-appoint Brother Crispin rather than allow the brethren to starve. The holy friar’s last years, however, were spent in Rome. He was then noted for his prophecies, his miracles of multiplication of food, and his wise sayings, some of which have been preserved. He died in his eighty-second year on May 19, 1750, and was beatified in 1806. There is an anonymous Vita del B. Crispino da Viterbo printed at the time of the beatification, and there have been many others since, notably two in French, by Ildephonsus de Bard (1889) and by Pie de Langogne (1901), and two in Italian, by P. Pacilli (1908) and by Paolo di Campello (1923). See also Léon, Auréole Séraphique (Eng. trans.), vol. ii, pp. 280—285. (also known as Peter Fioretti) Born in Viterbo, Italy, November 13, 1668; died at Rome on May 19, 1750; beatified in 1806; canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982; feast day was May 23. Small, fragile Peter Fioretti was an apprentice shoemaker under his uncle's tutelage when he heard God's call to the religious life. Although joined the Capuchins at Orvieto about 1693 and took the name Crispin (patron of cobblers), he bore a resemblance to Blessed Benvenutus in that he too worked in the kitchen as a lay brother. His services in the kitchen, garden, and infirmary were used at the friaries of Viterbo, Tolfa, Bracciano, Rome, and Albano. He loved to call himself "the little beast of burden of the Capuchins." For many years at Orvieto he was the admirable quaestor (the brother who requests alms). Those contacts allowed him to listen and help the unhappy, despairing, and discouraged. He was always joyful and so well liked that when another brother was appointed as quaestor in his place, the housewives refused to receive him or support his community. The guardian was thus obliged to restore Crispin to that role. In addition to counselling the townsfolk, Crispin taught the basics of the catechism to them and the peasants in the nearby mountains. During his canonization, Pope John Paul II praised Crispin as a "humble brother without any history, who simply accomplished his mission and understood the true value of our earthly pilgrimage" (Benedictines, Farmer). |
| 1861 St. Eugene de Mazenod
founded Oblates of Mary Immaculate Patron saint of dysfunctional families Eugene de Mazenod was born on August 1, 1782, at Aix-en-Provence in France. Early in life he experienced the upheaval of the French Revolution. None the less, he entered the seminary, and following ordination he returned to labor in Aix-en-Provence. That area had suffered greatly during the Revolution and was not really a safe place for a priest. Eugene directed his ministry toward the poorest of the poor. Others joined his labors, and became the nucleus of a religious community, the Missionaries of Provence. Later Eugene was named Bishop of Marseille. There he built churches, founded parishes, cared for his priests, and developed catechetics for the young. Later he founded the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and in 1841 the Oblates sailed for missions in five continents. Pius XI said, "the Oblates are the specialists of difficult missions." After a life dedicated to spreading the Good News, Eugene died on May 21, 1861. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1975. |
| 1915-1928 St. Cristóbal Magallanes
and Companions:
These martyrs did not die as a single group but in eight Mexican states,
with Jalisco and Zacatecas having the largest number. They were beatified
in 1992 and canonized eight years later. Like Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, S.J., Cristóbal and his 24 companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico, one determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Cristóbal established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. Magallanes and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles (1924-28). All of these martyrs except three were diocesan priests. David, Manuel and Salvador were laymen who died with their parish priest, Luis Batis. All of these martyrs belonged to the Cristero movement, pledging their allegiance to Christ and to the Church that he established to spread the Good News in society—even if Mexico's leaders once made it a crime to receive Baptism or celebrate the Mass. Comment: Every martyr realizes
how to avoid execution but refuses to pay the high price of doing so.
A clear conscience was more valuable than a long life. We may be tempted to compromise
our faith while telling ourselves that we are simply being realistic, dealing
with situations as we find them. Is survival really the ultimate value? Do
our concrete, daily choices reflect our deepest values, the ones that allow
us to “tick” the way we do? Anyone can imagine situations
in which being a follower of Jesus is easier than the present situation.
Saints remind us that our daily choices, especially in adverse circumstances,
form the pattern of our lives.
Quote: During his homily at the
canonization Mass on May 21, 2000, Pope John Paul II addressed the Mexican
men, women and children present in Rome and said: “After the harsh trials
that the Church endured in Mexico during those turbulent years , today
Mexican Christians, encouraged by the witness of these witnesses to
the faith, can live in peace and harmony, contribute the wealth of gospel
values to society. The Church grows and advances, since she is the crucible
in which many priestly and religious vocations are born, where families
are formed according to God's plan, and where young people, a substantial
part of the Mexican population, can grow with the hope of a better future.
May the shining example of Cristóbal Magallanes and his companion
martyrs help you to make a renewed commitment of fidelity to God, which
can continue to transform Mexican society so that justice, fraternity
and harmony will prevail among all.”
|
Christian
council
held
at
Among
the
most important
titles
we have
in the
Catholic
Church
for the
Blessed
Virgin
Mary
are
Our Lady
of
Victory
and
Our Lady
of the
Rosary.
These
titles
can be traced
back
to one of
the most
decisive
times
in the
history
of the world
and Christendom.
The Battle
of
Lepanto
took place
on October
7 (date
of feast
of Our
Lady
of Rosary),
1571.
This
proved to
be the most crucial
battle
for the
Christian
forces
against
the
radical
Muslim navy
of Turkey.
Pope Pius
V led a procession
around
St. Peter’s
Square
in
Vatican City
praying
the Rosary.
He
showed true
pastoral
leadership
in recognizing
the danger
posed
to Christendom
by the radical
Muslim
forces,
and
in using
the means
necessary
to defeat
it. Spiritual
battles
require
spiritual
weapons,
and
this more
than anything
was
a battle
that had
its origins
in the spiritual
order—a
true battle
between
good and
evil.