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.
October is the month of the Rosary since 1868;
2023
23,658  Lives Saved Since 2007
Make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory
between October 27th and Election Day, November.

Mary Mother of GOD 15 Promises of the Virgin Mary to those who recite the Rosary

October 30 - Italy. Our Lady of Mondevi (1540).
What are the Mysteries of the Rosary Like For You?
The mysteries that Mary was the very first one to taste and that we experience in the Rosary,
they are for us like the light of our life? -- Father Joseph Eyquem
 
Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God,
giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.

CAUSES OF SAINTS
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 .
Acts of the Apostles

“The difference between adversity suffered for God
and prosperity is greater than between gold and a lump of lead.” Saint Alphonsus.
October 30 – Our Lady of Mondovi (Italy, 1540)
  Our Lady of the Clumsy Hunter
The Shrine of Vicoforte, in the Italian province of Cuneo, is one of the most famous monuments in the Piedmont region, near the town of Mondovi. It can be traced back to a miracle that took place in 1596.
 This shrine is dedicated to the Virgin Regina Montis Regalis (Queen of Mount Royal).
It is reported to have been built where a frescoed column depicting the Madonna and Child used to stand.
One day, a clumsy hunter hit the image of the Virgin with a musket-shot, and, mysteriously, it started to bleed.
On account of this miracle and others that followed, the location quickly became a place of Marian veneration.
Later, a shrine, surmounted by the largest elliptical dome in Europe, was built over the miraculous column, in honor of the Virgin Mary. Our Lady of Vicoforte (also known as "Our Lady of Mondovi") is still a popular Marian shrine, visited by more than one million pilgrims every year. The MDN Team

Saint Benvenuta's companions called her “the sweetest and most spiritual of contemplatives, so lovable in her holiness that her touch and presence inspired gladness and drove away temptations.” This is amazing in light of the severe penances that she imposed upon herself--and another sign of blessedness that she didn't judge others by her standards for herself
Blessed Are You Because You Believed (I)  Notice that Elizabeth talks about Mary's blessedness:
“Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Lk 1:45).
“If being blessed is in conformity with perfect virtue of spirit, then Mary was most blessed, for she was full of virtues and grace. She was so prudent and had such great faith that she became the foundation and pillar of the whole Church.”
Excerpt from St Albert the Great, In Lucam 1, 45; ed. Borgnet, 22:121

Saint Mark, also called John, (Acts 12:12), was a nephew of St Barnabas, and was Bishop of Apollonia (Col. 4:10). It was in the house of his mother Maria the persecuted disciples found shelter after Ascension of the Lord \
St. Artemas Bishop disciple of St. Paul
St Justus, called Barsaba, a son of St Joseph the Betrothed, was chosen with Matthias to replace Judas. He was a
bishop and died a martyr's death at Eleutheropolis.
1st v. St Tertius second bishop (after St Sosipater) in Iconium, where he converted many pagans to Christ, ended his life as a martyr. The Apostle Paul mentions him in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom. 16:22).
St Marcian, Bishop of Syracuse, The Holy Hieromartyr a disciple of the Apostle Peter, was sent to Sicily. Here he settled in a cave near the city of Syracuse and successfully spread the faith in Christ. He died a martyr. His relics are in the Italian city of Gaeta. (The Hieromartyr Marcian is the same person as St Marcellus, Bishop of Sicily, commemorated on February 9).
   211 St. Serapion Bishop of Antioch ecclesiastical writer
   235  In Sardínia natális sancti Pontiáni, Papæ et Mártyris
   250 St. Macarius Martyr with companions at Alexandria
   253 Saint Eutropia of Africa martyred at Alexandria
Saint Anastasia lived in the second half of the third century during the persecutions of Decius, Gallus, Valerian,
and Diocletian. She was executed in Rome between 256-259 after enduring many tortures.
285 Ss Zenobius, Bishop of Aegea The Hieromartyr, and his sister Zenobia suffered a martyr's death in Cilicia
From childhood they were raised in the holy Christian Faith by their parents, and they led pious and chaste lives. In their mature years, shunning the love of money, they distributed away their inherited wealth giving it to the poor. For his beneficence and holy life the Lord rewarded Zenobius with the gift of healing various maladies. He was also chosen bishop of a Christian community in Cilicia.
285-290 St. Zenobius physician in town of Aegae & Zenobia sister Martyrs
   298 Saint Marcellus of Tangier
   300  Claudius, Lupercus & Victorius 3 brothers sons of centurion Saint Marcellus
   303 St. Saturninus Martyr Cagliari, Sardinia
   304 St. Maximus Martyr believed to have suffered at Apamea, Phrygia
   410 Saint Asterius of Amasea renowned preacher encouraged invocation of saints relic veneration pilgrimages to pray before them
Anima Christi: A Prayer for All Centuries
  The name of Mary on their lips October 30 - Our Lady of Mondevi (Italy, 1540)
 As a missionary, Father Louis De Montfort found himself in a boat going up the River Seine packed with at least 200 people, who were joking coarsely and singing lustful songs. Hardly had he spent a few moments in the company of these shady horse dealers and fishmongers, when Father De Montfort adjusted his crucifix to the end of his walking stick. He then prostrated himself on the floor of the boat and exclaimed, “May those who love Jesus Christ join me in prayer.”
His companions shrugged their shoulders and sniggered at this invitation. So, turning to Brother Nicholas, the Saint ordered, “On your knees and we shall recite our Rosary!” Under an avalanche of gibes, the two men, their heads bared and their faces solemn, recited the Ave Marias. After the first Rosary, the priest stood up and in a soft voice again invited the assistance to join him in prayer. Nobody moved, but the booing calmed down as the prayers began. After the invocation “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners” had been repeated several times, the face of De Montfort was transfigured.
When the next Rosary had been completed, there was such earnest supplication in the expression on the Saint’s face, and his voice had taken on such sweetness and authority that, when he entreated his companions to recite a third Rosary with him, everyone fell on their knees and repeated the sweet words, which they had forgotten since childhood. The holy priest could only be delighted: from a brothel of obscenities he had made a Marian shrine. On lips accustomed to saying blasphemies, he had brought back the name of Mary.  Taken from the Marian Collection 1975

Full of Grace (II) October 30 - OUR LADY OF MONDEVI (1540, Piedmont, Italy).
We said that Jesus Christ's human nature is the place where grace is found at its fullest: what difference then is there between Jesus Christ and Mary? In Jesus Christ the fullness is the source: because his Human nature is the attribute of the Son of God. He is the only source of grace for all creatures. On the other hand, Mary's fullness is received: Mary is not the source of grace, she receives it from Jesus Christ. She is the recipient and not the source. If the order of grace Mary receives everything she has: all that is in Mary comes from Jesus Christ. Everything in her comes from Jesus Christ. The liturgy calls Jesus Christ the “Sun of Justice” because he is a source like the sun is a source of light and heat. Mary is called “Mirror of Justice” because she reflects Christ who is the source.
The fullness of grace in Mary leads to the perfection of the theological virtues. Regarding charity, hers is the highest after Christ. As for faith and hope, we said that Jesus Christ never had them because his human intelligence always had the vision of God in full light, but Mary did not have this vision while on earth, therefore she had faith and hope and in her we find the highest possible degree of both. Elizabeth praised Mary's perfect faith at the Visitation when she told her: “Blessed is she who believed that the promise made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled,” (Lk 1: 45). And indeed what degree of faith Mary had, to say “yes” to the announcement of her divine motherhood! Jesus himself praised this faith when he answered a woman who said: “Blessed the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you,” replying, “More blessed still are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk 11: 27-8). The word of God is the formal motive of faith.
As for the formal motive of hope, it is the infinite mercy of God, and Mary expressed this forcefully in her Magnificat.
Christian Doctrine and Life, John Daujat, Tequi, Nihil Obstat (Claude Gay, o.s.b.) 1979.
MULTIMEDIA :
Passion - Les riches heures du duc de Berry : Limbourg - O Virga Ac Diadema : Hildegard von Bingen Passion
    425 St. Theonestus martyr Bishop supposedly of Philippi
          St. Herbert Bishop of Marmoutier
          St. Arilda Virgin, martyr of Gloucestershire
5th v. Saint Lucanus of Lagny
6th v. Talarica of Scotland Mentioned in the Aberdeen Breviary
  545 Bishop Saint Germanus of Capua Saint Benedict saw his soul being carried to heaven
1038 Saint Egelnoth the Good  archbishop of Canterbury
1044 Blessed Nanterius of Saint-Mihiel OSB, Abbot
1119 Saint Gerard of Potenza B
1258 Blessed Bernard de la Tour 13th superior general of the Carthusian order
1292 Blessed Benvenuta Bojani an early age Dominican tertiary on the Vigil of the Feast of Saint Dominic he and Saint Peter Martyr, Mary and Jesus-Child appeared; severe penances; miracle worker
1320 Saint Stephen younger son of King Stephen Urosh I, grandson of First-Crowned King St Stephen (September 24). ruled Serbia from 1275 to 1320; built more than 40 churches, many monasteries hostels for travelers; particularly concerned himself with the Athonite monasteries.
1394 St. Dorothy of Montau visions and spiritual gifts patroness of Prussia
1446 George VIII was crowned ruler of a united Georgian kingdom. Filled with every virtue, valiant warrior, God- fearing king dedicated 20 years of his reign to ceaseless struggle for reunification of his country; constantly warding off foreign invaders, surmounting internal strife, and suffering the betrayal of his fellow countrymen.
1583 Bl. John Slade  Martyr of England
1617 St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Obedient lay brother penintent experienced many spiritual consolations; died still a porter saying only one word: Jesus; the reputation he had was summed up once for all by Father Michael Julian in his exclamation, “That brother is not a man—he is an angel!”; Especially in his later years he suffered from long periods of desolation and aridity, and with terrifying regularity he was seized with pain and sickness whenever he set himself formally to meditate. Added to this, he was beset with violent temptations, just as though for years he had not curbed his body by fierce austerities, which now had to be made even more rigorous. But he never despaired, carrying out every duty with exact regularity, knowing that in God’s own time he would be seized again in an ecstasy of love and spiritual delight.
1739 Bl. Angelus Capuchin of Acri many miracles of healing gifts prophecy bilocation see into men's souls; Meditating on preaching failure and asking God’s help in his trouble, he one day heard a voice saying, “Be not afraid. The gift of preaching shall be yours.” “Who art thou?” asked Father Angelo, the reply, “I am who I am. For the future preach simply and colloquially, so that all may understand you.” Father Angelo did as he was told; laid aside all his books of oratory and with them the flowers of speech and flights of learning, and prepared his discourses only with the help of his Bible and crucifix.


Saint Mark, also called John, (Acts 12:12), was a nephew of St Barnabas, and was Bishop of Apollonia (Col. 4:10). It was in the house of his mother Maria that the persecuted disciples found shelter after the Ascension of the Lord.
St Justus, called Barsaba, a son of St Joseph the Betrothed, was chosen with Matthias to replace Judas. He was a bishop and died a martyr's death at Eleutheropolis.
St. Artemas Bishop disciple of St. Paul
He is mentioned by St. Paul in his letter to Titus [Titus 3:12 “When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.”]. Artemas is believed to serve as the bishop of Lystra.
Saint Artemas  numbered among the Seventy Disciples of the Lord, Bishop of the Lycian city of Lystra and died in peace.
Artemas of Lystra B (AC) 1st century. The Greeks venerated this disciple of Saint Paul, who is mentioned by the apostle in his letter to Titus (3:12). A later tradition has made of him a bishop of Lystra (Benedictines).
Marcian, Bishop of Syracuse,The Holy Hieromartyr a disciple of the Apostle Peter, was sent to Sicily. Here he settled in a cave near the city of Syracuse and successfully spread the faith in Christ. He died a martyr. His relics are in the Italian city of Gaeta. (The Hieromartyr Marcian is the same person as St Marcellus, Bishop of Sicily, commemorated on February 9).
1st v. St Tertius was the second bishop (after St Sosipater) in Iconium, where he converted many pagans to Christ, and ended his life as a martyr. The Apostle Paul mentions him in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom. 16:22).
211 St. Serapion Bishop of Antioch; ecclesiastical writer
Antiochíæ sancti Serapiónis Epíscopi, eruditióne claríssimi.
    At Antioch, St. Serapion, a bishop very celebrated for his learning.
He was much praised by St. Jerome and Eusebius of Caesarea for his theological writings, and he was considered one of the chief theologians of his era. He became bishop of Antioch, Syria, in 190, and. was revered as a theologian. Only fragments of his work have survived. Among the extant writings are a letter to the Church of Rhossus forbidding the reading of the non-canonical Gospel of St. Peter and a letter against the heresy of Montanism.

212 ST SERAPION, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH
THE late fourth-century Syriac document called the Doctrine of Addai refers to Serapion as having been consecrated by Zephyrinus, Bishop of Rome, but he seems to have been bishop of Antioch for some years before the pontificate of St Zephyrinus began. The Roman Martyrology says he was famous for his learning, and it is for his theological writings that he is remembered. Eusebius gives an extract from a private letter written to Caricus and Pontius, in which he condemns Montanism, which was being propagated by the pseudo-prophecies of two hysterical women. He also wrote expostulating with a certain Domninus who had apostatized under persecution and turned to Jewish “will-worship”.
During the episcopate of Serapion trouble arose in the church of Rhossos in Cilicia about the public reading of the so-called Gospel of Peter, an apocryphal work of gnostic provenance. At first Serapion, not knowing its contents and trusting to the orthodoxy of his flock permitted it to be read. Then he borrowed a copy from the sect who used it, “whom we call Docetae” (that is, illusionists, because they affirmed that our Lord’s manhood was not real but an illusion), and having read it wrote to the church at Rhossos to forbid its use; for he found in it, he says, “some additions to the true teaching of the Saviour”, and tells them he will soon be visiting them to expound the true faith.
This Serapion has no cultus in the East; but he is named in the Roman Martyr­ology, and the Carmelites, who make the surprising claim that he belonged to their order, keep his feast.

All, practically speaking, that is known concerning St Serapion of Antioch is recounted and commented upon by the Bollandists in vol. xiii for October. The references to this name, however, contained in the Doctrine of Addai, had apparently not attracted their attention but these, as pointed out under St Addai (August 5), are quite unreliable, it is interesting to note that in the early Syriac breviarium we have mention on May 14 of “Serapion, Bishop of Antioch”.
235  In Sardínia natális sancti Pontiáni, Papæ et Mártyris, qui, ab Alexándro Imperatóre, una cum Hippólyto Presbytero, in eam ínsulam deportátus, ibídem, mactátus fústibus, martyrium consummávit.  Ejus corpus a beáto Fabiáno Papa Romam delátum est, atque in cœmetério Callísti sepúltum.  Ipsíus tamen festum recólitur tertiodécimo Kaléndas Decémbris.
    In Sardinia, the birthday of St. Pontian, pope and martyr.  In the company of the priest Hippolytus, he was exiled by Emperor Alexander, and achieved martyrdom by being scourged.  His body was brought to Rome by blessed Pope Fabian and buried in the cemetery of Callistus.  His feast, however, is celebrated on the 19th of November.
235 Pope Saint Pontian or Pontianus, was pope from July 21, 230 to September 28.
ST PONTIAN, POPE AND MARTYR
PONTIAN, who is said to have been Roman, followed St Urban I as bishop of Rome about the year 230. The only known event of his pontificate is the synod held at Rome that confirmed the condemnation already pronounced at Alexandria of certain doctrines attributed to Origen. At the beginning of the persecution by the Emperor Maximinus the pope was exiled to Sardinia, an island described as nociva, “unhealthy”, whereby perhaps the mines were meant; here he resigned his office. How much longer he lived and the manner of his death are not known: traditionally life was beaten out of him with sticks. Some years later Pope St Fabian translated his body to the cemetery of St Callistus in Rome, where in 1909 his original epitaph was found: PONTIANOC EPICK MPT, the last word having been added later. 
250 St. Macarius Martyr with companions at Alexandria
In Africa natális sanctórum Mártyrum ducentórum vigínti.
    In Africa, the birthday of two hundred and twenty holy martyrs.
Alexandríæ sanctórum trédecim Mártyrum, qui, cum sanctis Juliáno, Euno et Macário, passi sunt sub Décio Imperatóre.
    At Alexandria, in the reign of Decius, thirteen holy martyrs who suffered with Saints Julian, Eunus, and Macarius.
Egypt. They may be identical with the martyr commemorated on February 28.
Julian, Eunus, Macarius & Comps. MM (RM). Saint Julian and Saint Eunus are identical with the martyrs of that name commemorated on February 27; Saint Macarius is again mentioned on December 8. The duplication has been caused by the insertion in the Roman Martyrology of another group of 16 Alexandrian martyrs that includes the above. This larger group is commemorated in the Greek calendar on this day (Benedictines).
253 Saint Eutropia of Africa martyred at Alexandria M (RM)
Alexandríæ sanctæ Eutrópiæ Mártyris, quæ, Mártyres vísitans, apprehénsa est, et, cum illis sævíssime cruciáta, réddidit spíritum.
    At Alexandria, the martyr St. Eutropia, who was arrested while visiting the martyrs, and rendered up her soul after being cruelly tortured with them.
Saint Eutropia was martyred at Alexandria, probably under Valerian (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).
The Martyr Eutropia suffered for Christ in Alexandria in about the year 250. Often visiting Christians locked up in prison, she encouraged them to endure suffering with patience. For this, the saint was arrested. At her trial she firmly confessed her faith in Christ. As she was being burned with candles, a man appeared beside her and soothed her sufferings. He bedewed her so that she did not feel the heat of the flames. She died after these grievous tortures.
Saint Anastasia lived in the second half of the third century during the persecutions of Decius, Gallus, Valerian, and Diocletian. She was executed in Rome between 256-259 after enduring many tortures.
285 Zenobius, St Zenobius is invoked by those suffering from breast cancer.
Bishop of Aegea The Hieromartyr, and his sister Zenobia suffered a martyr's death in Cilicia
From childhood they were raised in the holy Christian Faith by their parents, and they led pious and chaste lives. In their mature years, shunning the love of money, they distributed away their inherited wealth giving it to the poor. For his beneficence and holy life the Lord rewarded Zenobius with the gift of healing various maladies. He was also chosen bishop of a Christian community in Cilicia.
As bishop, St Zenobius zealously spread the Christian Faith among the pagans. When the emperor Diocletian (284-305) began a persecution against Christians, Bishop Zenobius was the first one arrested and brought to trial to the governor Licius. “I shall only speak briefly with you,” said Licius to the saint, “for I propose to grant you life if you worship our gods, or death, if you do not.” The saint answered, “This present life without Christ is death. It is better that I prepare to endure the present torment for my Creator, and then with Him live eternally, than to renounce Him for the sake of the present life, and then be tormented eternally in Hades.”
By order of Licius, they nailed him to a cross and began the torture. The bishop's sister, seeing him suffering, wanted to stop it. She bravely confessed her own faith in Christ before the governor, therefore, she also was tortured.
By the power of the Lord they remained alive after being placed on a red-hot iron bed, and then in a boiling kettle. The saints were then beheaded. The priest Hermogenes secretly buried the bodies of the martyrs in a single grave.
St Zenobius is invoked by those suffering from breast cancer.
298 Saint Marcellus of Tangier M (RM) (also known as Marcellus the Centurion).
Tingi, in Mauritánia, pássio sancti Marcélli Centuriónis, qui, sanctórum Cláudii ac Lupérci et Victórii Mártyrum pater, cápitis abscissióne martyrium complévit sub Agricoláo, agénte vices Præfécti prætório.
    At Tangier in Morocco, St. Marcellus, a centurion, the father of Saints Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius.  He achieved martyrdom by beheading under Agricola, deputy praetor for Praefectus.
298 ST MARCELLUS THE CENTURION, MARTYR
PARTICULARS of the passion of St Marcellus, one of the isolated martyrs before the outbreak of the great persecution of Diocletian, are preserved for us in a trustworthy account. Father Delehaye points out that the case of the centurion Marcellus is analogous to that of the conscript Maximilian (March 12). Though they were not urged to sacrifice or to do some other act of idolatry, both of them judged— contrary to the opinion of most—that military service was incompatible with the practice of the Christian religion. Both of them were condemned to death for breach of discipline. Their contemporaries, without making subtle inquiries into the determining cause of the sentence, looked only to the religious motive that animated these heroes, and judged them worthy of the glorious name of martyr
The brief document runs as follows.
   In the city of Tingis [Tangier], during the administration of the president Fortunatus, when all were feasting on the emperor’s birthday, a certain Marcellus, one of the centurions, condemning these banquets as heathen, cast away his soldier’s belt in front of the standards of the legion which were there. And he testified in a loud voice, saying, “I serve Jesus Christ the eternal king. I will no longer serve your emperors, and I scorn to worship your gods of wood and stone, which are deaf and dumb idols.”
The soldiers were dumbfounded at hearing such things; they laid hold on him, and reported the matter to the president Fortunatus, who ordered him to be thrown into prison. When the feasting was over, he gave orders, sitting in council that the man should be brought in. When this was done, Astasius Fortunatus the president said to Marcellus, “What did you mean by ungirding yourself contrary to military discipline, and casting away your belt and vine-switch?”
[The distinctive badge of the centurion].
Marcellus: On July 21, in the presence of the standards of your legion, when you celebrated the festival of the emperor, I made answer openly and clearly that I was a Christian and that I could not accept this allegiance, but could serve only Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father Almighty.
FORTUNATUS: I cannot pass over your rash conduct, and therefore I shall report this matter to the emperors and Caesar. You shall be sent to my lord Aurelius Agricolan, deputy for the praetorian prefects.
On October 30 at Tingis, the centurion Marcellus having been brought into court, it was officially reported: “Fortunatus the president has referred Marcellus, a centurion, to your authority. There is here a letter from him, which at your command I will read.” Agricolan said, “Let it be read.” The official report was read: “From Fortunatus to you, my lord”, et reliqua. Then Agricolan asked, “Did you say these things as set out in the president’s official report?”

MARCELLUS:  I did.
AGRICOLAN : Were you serving as a regular centurion
MARCELLUS: I was
AGRIC0LAN: What madness possessed you to throw away the badges of your allegiance and to speak as you did
MARCELLUS: There is no madness in those who fear God.
AGRICOLAN; Did you say each of the things contained in the president’s report
MARCELLUS: I did.
AGRICOLAN: Did you cast away your arms?
MARCELLUS: I did. For it was not right for a Christian man, who serves the Lord Christ, to serve in the armies of the world.
“The doings of Marcellus are such as must be visited with disciplinary punish­ment”, said Agricolan, and he pronounced sentence: Marcellus, who held the rank of a regular centurion, having admitted that he degraded himself by openly throwing off his allegiance, and having moreover used insane speech, as appears in the official report, it is our pleasure that he be put to death by the sword.”
When he was being led to execution, Marcellus said, “May God be good to you, Agricolan”. In so seemly a way did the glorious martyr Marcellus pass out of this world.

It is generally admitted that the Acts of Marcellus are representative of the most trust­worthy class of such documents (cf. for example, Harnack, Chronologie, vol. ii, pp. 473—474). In Analecta Bollandiana, vol. xli (1923), pp. 257—287, Father Delehaye edited and commented the two texts, a setting which has been taken into account in G. Kruger’s 3rd edition of Knopf’s Ausgewählte Martyrerakten (1929). See also P. Franchi de’ Cavalieri in Nuovo Bullettino di Arch. Grist., 1906, pp. 237—267 and B. de Gaiffier, Analecta Bollandiana, vol. lxi (1943), pp. 116—139. Cf. St Cassian, December 3. 

During the festivities held by a Roman legion at Tingis (Tangiers) in celebration of Emperor Maximian's birthday the centurion Marcellus, regarding such festivities as idolatrous, refused to sacrifice to the gods. He threw off his military belt and tossed away his arms and vine-branch, the insignia of his rank. When the festival was over, he was brought before a judge named Fortunatus. When questioned, Marcellus declared, “I serve only the eternal king, Jesus Christ.”
Fortunatus remanded Marcellus to lay his case before Emperor Maximian and Constantius Caesar, who was then in Spain and favorably disposed to Christians. Instead Marcellus taken under guard before the deputy praetorian prefect, Aurelius Agricolan, who was then at Tangier. After an exchange between the two that is still preserved, Marcellus pleaded guilty to repudiating his allegiance to an earthly leader, and was executed by sword for impiety.
It was afterwards said that the official shorthand writer, Saint Cassian, was so indignant at the sentence that he refused to report the proceedings, and that he too was executed in consequence. In all probability this is a fictitious addition to the authentic account of Saint Marcellus, though there seems to have been a martyr at Tangier named Cassian.
The relics of Saint Marcellus were translated to León, Spain, were they are kept in a rich shrine. Marcellus is the patron of the city (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Husenbeth).
285-290 St. Zenobius physician in town of Aegae & Zenobia sister Martyrs
Ægéæ, in Cilícia, pássio sanctórum Zenóbii Epíscopi, et Zenóbiæ soróris, sub Diocletiáno Imperatóre et Lysia Præside.
    At Aegea in Cilicia, in the reign of Diocletian, under the governor Lysias, the martyrdom of Saints Zenobius, bishop, and his sister Zenobia.
Zenobius and Zenobia (d. late third century) + Martyrs slain during the persecutions of co-Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305). Zenobius was a physician in the town of Aegae, in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and Zenobia was his sister. There is a strong possibility that Zenobius may have been a bishop or may be Zenobius of Antioch.

Zenobius and Zenobia MM (RM) Died . Bishop Zenobius, a physician at Aegae (now Alexandretta) on the coast of Asia Minor, is probably identical with the saint of the same name from Antioch, whose body was torn with hooks. If this is so, his martyrdom took place somewhat later under Diocletian. Zenobia is said to have been his sister (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).
300 Claudius, Lupercus & Victorius 3 brothers sons of centurion Saint Marcellus MM (RM)
Legióne, in Hispánia, sanctórum Mártyrum Cláudii, Lupérci et Victórii, filiórum sancti Marcélli Centuriónis; qui, in persecutióne Diocletiáni et Maximiáni, sub Diogeniáno Præside, jussi sunt decollári.
    At Leon in Spain, the holy martyrs Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius, the sons of St. Marcellus the centurion.  They were condemned to be beheaded by Diogenian, the governor, in the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian.
These three brothers, sons of the centurion Saint Marcellus, were martyred at León, Spain, during the reign of Diocletian. They are the titular saints of Saint Claudius in Galicia, one of the earliest Benedictine abbeys in Spain (Benedictines).
303 Saint Saturninus of Cagliari M (RM)
Cárali, in Sardínia, sancti Saturníni Mártyris, qui, in persecutióne Diocletiáni, sub Bárbaro Præside, cápite truncátus est.
    At Cagliari in Sardinia, St. Saturninus, martyr, who was beheaded under the governor Barbarus, during the persecution of Diocletian.
According to his untrustworthy acta, Saint Saturninus was beheaded during a pagan festival of Jupiter at Cagliari, Sardinia, under Diocletian (Benedictines).
304 St. Maximus Martyr believed to have suffered at Apamea, Phrygia
Apaméæ, in Phrygia, sancti Máximi Mártyris, sub eódem Diocletiáno
    At Apamea in Phrygia, St. Maximus, martyr, under the same Diocletian.
 in modern Turkey. He may have been martyred at Cuma, in Campania, Italy.
Maximus of Cumae M (RM). According to the Roman Martyrology, Saint Maximus was martyred at Apamea in Phrygia under Diocletian. However, it is more likely that he died at Cuma (the ancient Cumae) in Campania, Italy (Benedictines).
410 Saint Asterius of Amasea; renowned preacher; encouraged invocation of saints relic veneration; pilgrimages to pray before them B (AC)
410 ST ASTERIUS, Bishop OF AMASEA
ALL that is known about the life of this saint, apart from his episcopate, is from his own statement that he was educated by a very able Scythian or Goth, who had himself been educated at Antioch, and that he was a rhetor before receiving holy orders.
   St Asterius was a preacher of considerable power, and twenty-one of his homilies are extant.
In his panegyric of St Phocas he established the invocation of saints, the honouring of their relics, pilgrimages to pray before them, and miracles wrought through them. In the following sermon, on the holy martyrs, he says, “We keep their bodies decently enshrined as precious pledges vessels of benediction, the organs of their blessed souls, the tabernacles of their holy minds. We put ourselves under their protection. The martyrs defend the Church as soldiers guard a citadel. The people flock from all quarters and keep great festivals to honour their tombs. All who labour under the heavy load of afflictions fly to them for refuge. We employ them as intercessors in our prayers...”
     St Asterius describes with what magnificence and crowds of people the feasts of martyrs were celebrated. He says some people condemned the honours paid to them and their relics, and answers, “We by no means worship the martyrs, but we honour them as the true worshippers of God. We lay their bodies in rich sepulchre and put up stately shrines of their repose that we may be stirred to an emulation of their honours.”
This St Asterius is not named in the Roman Martyrology, but there is another therein on October 21, who is said to have taken the body of St Callistus from the well into which it was thrown. He himself was cast into the Tiber and so gave his life.
There is no formal Life of St Asterius, but various references to him have been brought together in the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. xiii. Some of his discourses have been made the subject of separate discussion. See, for example, A. Bretz, Studien und Texte zu Asterius von Amasea, and M. Richard in Revise biblique, 1935, pp. 538—548. 

Bishop Asterius of Amasea in Pontus, Asia Minor ( part of the Persian Empire), was renowned as a preacher. 
The extant writings of Asterius are twenty-one scriptural homilies on penance, the beginning of the fasts, various spiritual and doctrinal matters as well as a work on the life of his predecessor, Saint Basil. From his writings we know that he studied rhetoric (under  classic Greek orator Demosthenes) and law in his youth. Although he practiced as a barrister for a time, he could not long ignore his calling to the priesthood, which eventually led to his elevation to the see of Amasea.
Saint Gregory the Great describes this good pastor as overflowing with the Holy Spirit.
His sermons highly recommend charity to the poor, revealing his own favorite virtue. His place in time is known because of the references he makes in his sermons to Julian the Apostate and the Consul Eutropius. They also show that the Church already kept the feasts of Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, and martyrs. His reflections are just and solid; the expression natural, elegant, and animated. They abound with lively images and descriptions both of persons and things.
In his homily on Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Asterius repeatedly teaches the pre-eminent jurisdiction Saint Peter received over all Christians.
His panegyric to Saint Phocas encourages the invocation of saints, the veneration of their relics, and pilgrimages to pray before them.
The following passage is from his sermon, On the Holy Martyrs:
   “We keep through every age their bodies decently enshrined, as most precious pledges; vessels of benediction, the organs of their blessed souls, the tabernacles of their holy minds. We put ourselves under their protection. The martyrs defend the church, as soldiers guard a citadel. The people flock in crowds from all quarters, and keep great festivals to honor their tombs.

“All who labor under the heavy load of afflictions fly to them for refuge. We employ them as intercessors in our prayers and suffrages. In these refuges the hardships of poverty are eased, diseases cured, the threats of princes appeased. A parent, taking a sick child in his arms, postpones physicians, and runs to one of the martyrs, offering by him his prayer to the Lord, and addressing him whom he employs for his mediator in such word as these.

“'You who have suffered for Christ, intercede for one who suffers by sickness. By that great power and confidence you have, offer a prayer on behalf of fellow-servants. Though you are now removed from us, you know what men on earth feel in their sufferings and diseases. You formerly prayed to martyrs, before you were yourself a martyr. You then obtained your request by asking; now you are possessed of what you asked, in your turn assist me. By your crown ask what may be our advancement. If another is going to be married, he begins his undertaking by soliciting the prayers of the martyrs. Who, putting to sea, weighs anchor before he has invoked the Lord of the sea by the martyrs?'”

The saint describes with what magnificence and concourse of people the feasts of martyrs were celebrated over the whole world. He says, the Gentiles and the Eunomian heretics, whom he calls New Jews, condemned the honors paid to martyrs, and their relics; to whom he answers:
“We by no means adore the martyrs, but we honor them as the true adorers of God. We lay their bodies in rich shrines and sepulchers, and erect stately tabernacles of their repose, that we may be stirred up to an emulation of their honors. Nor is our devotion to them without its recompense; for we enjoy their patronage with God.”
He says the New Jews, or Eunomians, do not honor the martyrs, because they blaspheme the King of martyrs, making Christ unequal to his Father. He tells them that they ought at least to respect the voice of the devils, who are forced to confess the power of the martyrs:

“Those whom we have seen bark like dogs, and who were seized with frenzy, and are now come to their senses, prove by their cure how effectual the intercession of martyrs is.”
He closes this sermon with a devout and confident address to the martyrs (Benedictines, Husenbeth).

Asterius of Amasea  fame spread among the Greeks and Romans. He became famous because his amazing skill as an orator and demonstrated a striking power of expression and riveting  eloquence.  The homilies of Asterius, like those of Zeno of Verona, offer many insights into the moral theology and doctrine of early Church of the late fourth and early fifth centuries. They show, for instance,  that the Church already established the tradition of celebrating the feasts of Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, and of the martyrs. Asterius repeatedly taught the pre-eminent authority and jurisdiction of Saint Peter and his successors as head of the visible Church with authority over all Christians.

From a homily by Saint Asterius of Amasea  Source:  The Liturgy of the Hours - Office of Readings
Be shepherds like the Lord
You were made in the image of God. If then you wish to resemble him, follow his example. Since the very name you bear as Christians is a profession of love for men, imitate the love of Christ. Reflect for a moment on the wealth of his kindness. Before he came as a man to be among men, he sent John the Baptist to preach repentance and lead men to practice it.

John himself was preceded by the prophets, who were to teach the people to repent, to return to God and to amend their lives. Then Christ came himself, and with his own lips cried out: Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. How did he receive those who listened to his call? He readily forgave them their sins; he freed them instantly from all that troubled them. The Word made them holy; the Spirit set his seal on them. The old Adam was buried in the waters of baptism; the new man was reborn to the vigor of grace.
What was the result? Those who had been God's enemies became his friends, those estranged from him became his sons, those who did not know him came to worship and love him.

Let us then be shepherds like the Lord. We must meditate on the Gospel, and as we see in this mirror the example of zeal and loving kindness, we should become thoroughly schooled in these virtues.  For there, obscurely, in the form of a parable, we see a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. When one of them was separated from the flock and lost its way, that shepherd did not remain with the sheep who kept together at pasture. No, he went off to look for the stray. He crossed many valleys and thickets, he climbed great and towering mountains, he spent much time and labor in wandering through solitary places until at last he found his sheep.  When he found it, he did not chastise it; he did not use rough blows to drive it back, but gently placed it on his own shoulders and carried it back to the flock. He took greater joy in this one sheep, lost and found, than in all the others. Let us look more closely at the hidden meaning of this parable. The sheep is more than a sheep, the shepherd more than a shepherd. They are examples enshrining holy truths. They teach us that we should not look on men as lost or beyond hope; we should not abandon them when they are in danger or be slow to come to their help. When they turn away from the right path and wander, we must lead them back, and rejoice at their return, welcoming them back into the company of those who lead good and holy lives.
425 St. Theonestus martyr Bishop supposedly of Philippi
Altíni, in Venetórum fínibus, sancti Theonésti, Epíscopi et Mártyris, qui ab Ariánis occísus est.
    At Altino, in the neighbourhood of Venice, St. Theonestus, bishop and martyr, who was slain by the Arians.
Macedonia, and was forced to leave his see because of the threats and savagery of the Arians. Sent by the pope ( Celestine I 422-432  ) to help evangelize a part of Germany, he was again compelled to flee because of the peril of the invading Vandals. He may have been martyred on his return journey, in Veneto, northern Italy. It is possible that another saint, Theonestus of Veneto, may have been a local martyr merely confused with the bishop.

Theonestus of Altino BM (RM). Saint Theonestus, reputed bishop of Philippi, Macedonia. is said to have been driven from his see by the Arians and to have been sent by the pope with several companions (among whom was Saint Alban of Mainz) to evangelize Germany. When they arrived at Mainz, they were obliged to flee from the invading Vandals, and on their way home Theonestus was martyred at Altino in the Veneto. Probably Theonestus is a local martyr of Altino having no connection with the others (Benedictines).
St. Herbert Bishop of Marmoutier
 France, and archbishop of Tours, France. No details of his life survive.
Herbert of Tours, OSB B (AC) Dates unknown. Abbot Herbert of Marmoûtier was later elevated to archbishop of Tours, France (Benedictines).
5th v. Saint Lucanus of Lagny M (RM)
Lutétiæ Parisiórum sancti Lucáni Mártyris.    At Paris, St. Lucanus, martyr.
Saint Lucanus is reputed to have been martyred at Lagny, near Paris, where his relics are enshrined and where he is venerated as patron (Benedictines, Encyclopedia). In art, he carries his own head (Roeder).
St. Arilda Virgin, martyr of Gloucestershire
England. She was slain while defending her chastity. St. Arilda is honored by a church on Oldbury on the Hill.
Arilda of Gloucestershire VM (AC) Date unknown. Saint Arilda, Gloucestershire virgin, died in defense of her chastity. The church at Oldbury-on-the-Hill is dedicated to her (Benedictines).
6th v.  Talarica of Scotland Mentioned in the Aberdeen Breviary B (AC)
(also known as Talarican) A bishop, probably Pictish, in whose honor various Scottish churches were dedicated. Mentioned in the Aberdeen Breviary (Benedictines).
545 Bishop Saint Germanus of Capua Saint Benedict saw his soul being carried to heaven B (RM)
Cápuæ sancti Germáni, Epíscopi et Confessóris, magnæ sanctitátis viri; cujus ánimam, in hora óbitus ejus, ab Angelis in cælum deférri sanctus Benedíctus aspéxit.
    At Capua, St. Germanus, bishop and confessor, a man of great sanctity, whose soul, at the very hour of death, was seen by St. Benedict taken to heaven by angels.
Bishop Saint Germanus of Capua (Italy) was a great friend of Saint Benedict. In 519, Pope Saint Hormisdas sent Germanus to Constantinople as papal legate to heal the 40-year-old Acacian schism. Although the schism was abolished, Germanus appears to have met with ill-treatment at the hands of the schismatics, but escaped. At the hour of Germanus's death, Saint Benedict saw his soul being carried to heaven.
Pope Saint Gregory the Great relates (Dialogues, 4, 40):
“While I was young and still a layman, I heard told to the seniors, who were well-informed men, how the Deacon Paschasius appeared to Germanus, bishop of Capua. Paschasius, deacon of the Apostolic See, whose books on the Holy Spirit are still extant, was a man of eminent sanctity, devoted to works of charity, zealous for the relief of the poor, and most forgetful of self.
    “A dispute having arisen concerning a pontifical election, Paschasius separated himself from the bishops, and joined the party disapproved by the episcopacy. Soon after this he died, with a reputation for sanctity which God confirmed by a miracle: an instantaneous cure was effected on the day of the funeral by the simple touch of his dalmatic.
    “Long after this, Germanus, bishop of Capua, was sent by the physicians to the baths of Saint Angelo. What was his astonishment to find the same Deacon Paschasius employed in the most menial offices at the baths!
        “ 'Here I expiate,' said the apparition, 'the wrong I did by adhering to the wrong party. I beseech of you, pray to the Lord for me: you will know that you have been heard when you shall no longer see me in these places.' ”
    “Germanus began to pray for the deceased, and after a few days, returning to the baths, sought in vain for Paschasius, who had disappeared. He had but to undergo a temporary punishment because he had sinned through ignorance, and not through malice.”  (Benedictines, Husenbeth, Schouppe).
540 ST GERMANUS, Bishop of CAPUA; bishop’s prayers released Paschasius from Purgatory; personal friend of St Benedict who saw Germanus carried by the ministry of angels to eternal bliss

THIS holy prelate was sent by Pope St Hormisdas with other legates to the Emperor Justin in 519 to persuade the Byzantines to put an end to the “Acacian schism” which had continued thirty-five years. The embassy was attended with success; and the signature of the pope’s famous “Formula” ended the schism.

St Gregory the Great relates on the authority of  “his elders” that Germanus saw Paschasius, deacon of Rome, in Purgatory long after his death for having adhered to the schism of Laurence against Pope St Symmachus, and that he was purging his fault as an attendant at the hot springs, whither Germanus had been sent to bathe for the good of his health. Within a few days the bishop’s prayers released Paschasius.

St Germanus was a personal friend of St Benedict who, again according to the account of St Gregory, when he was at Monte Cassino saw in a vision the soul of Germanus, at the hour of his departure, carried by the ministry of angels to eternal bliss. His death happened about the year 540.

A manuscript of the eleventh century at Monte Cassino preserves a short Life of St Germanus, which has been printed in the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. xiii. It is not entirely certain, though it is no doubt probable, that this Germanus is identical with the envoy sent to Constantinople by Pope Hormisdas. See, further, Lanzoni, Diocesi d’Italia, vol. i, p. 203.
6th v. St. Talacrian Bishop of Scotland
also called Tarkin. He was probably of Pictish descent, serving as a bishop in Caledonia (Scotland). His name was listed in the Aberdeen Breviary.
1038 Saint Egelnoth the Good; archbishop of Canterbury OSB B (AC) (also known as Ethelnoth). 

1038 ST ETHELNOTH, ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY
WHILE dean of the cathedral church of Christ at Canterbury his learning and holi­ness caused Ethelnoth to be known as “the Good”, and on the death of the metropolitan Living in 1020 he was appointed in his place. Two years later Ethelnoth was in Rome, where Pope Benedict VIII received him “with great worship and very honorably hallowed him archbishop”, by which may be under­stood that he invested him with the pallium. In the following year Ethelnoth translated the relics of his predecessor St Alphege, martyred by the Danes in 1012, from London to Canterbury. The cost of a worthy shrine was defrayed by King Canute, at the instance of his wife and the archbishop, his father’s men having been guilty of the murder. St Ethelnoth enjoyed the favour of Canute, and he encouraged the king’s liberality to promote several other religious undertakings, among them the rebuilding of Chartres cathedral.
Ethelnoth is one of those Anglo-Saxon ecclesiastics whose claim to saintship is very contestable. His name does not seem to occur in any medieval calendar, and there is no other evidence of cultus. The Bollandists, however, following the example of Mabillon (vol. vi, pt I, pp. 394-397) have devoted a notice to him (under the spelling “Aedelnodus”), October, vol. xiii. In the absence of any early biography they have pieced together an account from contemporary and later chroniclers. See further DNB., vol. xvii, p. 25 and Stanton’s Menology, pp. 517—518.

 The monk Saint Egelnoth of Glastonbury was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury from 1020 and served in that capacity until his death (Benedictines).
1044 Blessed Nanterius of Saint-Mihiel OSB, Abbot (AC)
(also known as Nantier, Nantere) Nanterius was abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Saint-Mihiel (S. Michaelis ad Mosam) in Lorraine, diocese of Verdun, France (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).
1119 Saint Gerard of Potenza B (RM)
Poténtiæ, in Lucánia, sancti Gerárdi Epíscopi.    At Potenza in Lucania, St. Gerard, bishop.
Born in Piacenza, Italy; canonized by Pope Callistus II. Gerard was enrolled among the clergy of Potenza and elected bishop there at an advanced age (Benedictines).
1258 Blessed Bernard de la Tour 13th superior general of the Carthusian order  O. Cart. (PC)
A Carthusian monk of Portes, diocese of Belley, who became the 13th superior general of the order (Benedictines).
1292 Blessed Benvenuta Bojani; an early age Dominican tertiary; on the Vigil of the Feast of Saint Dominic he and Saint Peter Martyr, Mary and Jesus-Child appeared; severe penances; miracle worker OP Tert. V (AC)
Born in Cividale, Friuli, Italy, 1254; cultus approved in 1763.

Benvenuta was the last of seven daughters. Her parents, too, must have been amazing people in comparison with so many in our time. When the silence of the midwife proclaimed that her father had been disappointed once again in his desire for a son, he exclaimed, “She too shall be welcome!” Remembering this she was christened by her parents Benvenuta (“welcome”), although they had asked for a son.
A vain older sister unsuccessfully tried to teach the pious little Benvenuta to dress in rich clothing and use the deceits of society. Benvenuta hid from such temptations in the church where she developed a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin. By the age of 12, Benvenuta was wearing hairshirts and a rope girdle. As she grew the rope became embedded in her flesh. When she realized the rope must be removed, she couldn't get it off, so she prayed and it fell to her feet. For this reason she is often pictured in art holding a length of rope in her hands.

Having become a Dominican tertiary at an early age, she added the penances practiced by the sisters to those she had appropriated for herself. All her disciplines, fasting, and lack of sleep soon caused her health to fail and she was confined to bed for five years. Thereafter, she was too weak to walk, so a kind older sibling carried her to church once a week for Compline (Night Prayer) in the Dominican church, her favorite liturgy after the Mass.

After evening prayer on the Vigil of the Feast of Saint Dominic, Dominic and Saint Peter Martyr appeared to Benvenuta. Dominic had a surprise for her. The prior was absent at the Salve procession, but at the beginning of Compline she saw Dominic in the prior's place. He passed from brother to brother giving the kiss of peace, then went to his own altar and disappeared. At the Salve procession, the Blessed Virgin herself came down the aisle, blessing the fathers while holding the Infant Jesus in her arms.

Benvenuta spent her whole life at home in Cividale busy with her domestic duties, praying, and working miracles. She was often attacked by the devil, who sometimes left her close to discouragement and exhaustion. When someone protested against the death of a promising young child, Benvenuta commented, “It is much better to be young in paradise than to be old in hell.”
 The devil often appeared to her in horrifying forms but was banished when Benvenuta called upon the Virgin.
Benvenuta's companions called her “the sweetest and most spiritual of contemplatives, so lovable in her holiness that her touch and presence inspired gladness and drove away temptations.” This is amazing in light of the severe penances that she imposed upon herself--and another sign of blessedness that she didn't judge others by her standards for herself (Benedictines, Dorcy).

1292 BD BENVENUTA OF CIVIDALE, VIRGIN
It has been said that the life of Benvenuta Bojani was “a poem of praise to our Blessed Lady, a hymn of light, purity and joy, which was lived rather than sung in her honour”. This life began in the year 1254, at Cividale in Friuli, and there were already six young Bojani, all girls. Her father naturally hoped for a boy this time, and when he learned he had yet another daughter he is said to have exclaimed, “Very well! Since it is so, let her too be welcome.” And so she was called Benvenuta.

   Her devotion to our Lady was noticeable from very early years, and she would repeat the Hail Mary, in the short form ending at “Jesus”, as then used, many times in the day, accompanying each repetition with a profound inclination such as she saw the Dominican friars make so often in their church. Like Bd Magdalen Panattieri, commemorated this month (13th), Benvenuta was happy in belonging to a family whose members were as truly religious as herself, rejoicing in her goodness and devotion, and who, when she wished to hind herself to perfect chastity and become a tertiary of the Dominicans, put no obstacles in her way.
   But unlike Bd Magdalen she took no part in the public life of her town, emphasizing the contemplative rather than the active side of the Dominican vocation. Her spirit of penitence, in particular, made her inflict most severe austerities on herself. She would sometimes discipline herself three times in a night, and when she was only twelve she tied a rope (the “cord of St Thomas”?) so tightly round her loins that the flesh grew around it.
   The suffering it caused became intolerable, and she feared that the only way to remove it was by a surgical operation, till one day when she was asking God to help her about it she found the rope lying unbroken at her feet. Benvenuta confided this miracle to her confessor, Friar Conrad, who mitigated her penances and forbade her to undertake any without his approval.
   For five years she suffered from serious bad health and could scarcely leave her room, during which time she was furiously tempted to despair, and in other ways but the worst trial was being unable to assist at Mass, except when occasionally carried, and at Compline with its daily singing of Salve Regina.
   Eventually she was suddenly and publicly cured in church on the feast of the Annunciation, having vowed to make a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Dominic at Bologna if she recovered. This she carried out with her sister Mary and her youngest brother.
   Benvenuta’s patience and perseverance in sickness and temptation were rewarded by numerous graces, visions and raptures in prayer. A delightful story is told (though belonging to her youth) that she went into a church one day just after her mother had died, and saw there a child, to whom she said, “Have you got a mother?” “He said he had. “ “I haven’t now”, said she, “But since you have, perhaps you can already say the Hail Mary?” “Oh yes”, replied the child, “can you?”  “Yes, I can.” “Very well then, say it to me.” Benvenuta began the Hail Mary in Latin, and as she ended on the name Jesus, “It is I”, interrupted the child, and disappeared from sight.

   Cheerfulness and confidence were the marks of the life of Bd Benvenuta, but she had to go through one more assault of the Devil, tempting her to despair and infidelity as she lay dying. She overcame triumphantly, and died peacefully on October 30, 1292. Her cultus was approved in 1765, but her burial-place at Cividale is lost.
As we may learn from the full account in the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. xiii, a life of this beata, written in Latin shortly after her death, was translated into Italian and published in 1589. This biography figured largely in the process, which ended in the formal confirmatio cultus, and the original Latin is printed in full by the Bollandists. See also M. C. de Ganay, Les Bienheureuses Dominicaines (1913), pp. 91—108; and Procter, Lives of Dominican Saints, pp. 302—306.
1320 Saint Stephen was the younger son of King Stephen Urosh I, and grandson of First-Crowned King St Stephen (September 24). He ruled Serbia from 1275 to 1320; built more than forty churches, and also many monasteries and hostels for travelers. The saint particularly concerned himself with the Athonite monasteries.
Stephen Milutin received the throne from his elder brother Dragutin, a true Christian, who after a short reign transferred power over to his brother, and he himself in loving solitude withdrew to Srem, where he secretly lived as an ascetic in a grave, which he dug with his own hands. During his righteous life, St Dragutin toiled much over converting the Bogomil heretics to the true Faith. His death occurred on March 2, 1316.

St Stephen Milutin, after he became king, bravely defended, by both word and by deed, the Orthodox Serbs and other Orthodox peoples from their enemies. St Stephen did not forget to thank the Lord for His beneficence. He built more than forty churches, and also many monasteries and hostels for travelers. The saint particularly concerned himself with the Athonite monasteries.
Dragutin.jpg
When the Serbian kingdom fell, the monasteries remained centers of national culture and Orthodoxy for the Serbian nation. St Stephen died on October 29, 1320 and was buried at the Bansk monastery. After two years his incorrupt relics were uncovered.

Saint Dragutin was the brother of St Stephen Milutin, the son of King Stephen Urosh I, and the grandson of First-Crowned King St Stephen (September 24). Dragutin, a true Christian, after a short reign, abdicated in favor of his brother Stephen. He withdrew to Srem, secretly living as an ascetic in a grave which he dug with his own hands. During his righteous life, St Dragutin toiled much over converting the Bogomil heretics to the true Faith. He surrendered his soul to God on March 2, 1316.

Saint Helen, a pious mother to her sons Stephen Milutin and Dragutin, devoted her whole life to pious deeds after the death of her husband. She built a shelter for the poor, and a monastery for those who wished to live in purity and virginity. Near the city of Spich, she built the Rechesk monastery and endowed it with the necessities.
Before her death, St Helen received monastic tonsure and departed to the Lord on February 8, 1306.
1394 St. Dorothy of Montau, WIDOW visions and spiritual gifts patroness of Prussia
 
BD DOROTHY OF MONTAU, WIDOW (AD. 1394)
SHE takes her name from Montau (Marienburg) in Prussia, where she was born in 1347. At the age of seventeen Dorothy married one Albert, a swordsmith of Danzig, by whom she had nine children, of whom only the youngest survived. Albert was an ill-tempered and overbearing man, and during their twenty-five years of married life his wife suffered much on this account but her own kindli­ness and courage modified his disposition considerably, and in 1384 she induced him to take her on a pilgrimage to Aachen. Thenceforward they often went on pilgrimage together, to Einsiedeln, Cologne and elsewhere, and they were planning to go to Rome when Albert fell ill. Dorothy therefore went alone, and at her return her husband had just died.

   Thus left a widow at the age of forty-three, she went to live at Marienwerder, and in 1393 became a recluse in a cell by the church of the Teutonic Knights. She was there only a year before her death, on May 25, 1394, but long enough to gain a great repute for holiness and supernatural enlighten­ment. Numerous visitors sought her cell, to ask advice or in hope of obtaining a miraculous cure of their ills.

   Her confessor, from whom we learn that Dorothy had a very intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and was often supernaturally enabled to look upon it, which she greatly desired to do, wrote her life, in Latin and German, with an account of her visions and revelations. In the middle ages great importance was attached to seeing the Body of the Lord, especially at the elevation at Mass, and the “life” of Bd Dorothy shows that in her time it was exposed all day for this purpose in some churches of Prussia and Pomerania. She was greatly revered by the people and soon after her death the cause of canonization was begun, but as soon dropped. Nevertheless the cultus spread, and Dorothy was popularly regarded as the patroness of Prussia.

Regarding this interesting mystic a good deal of information is available. In the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. xiii, more than a hundred folio pages are devoted to her, and this was supplemented by the publication in the Analecta Bollandiana of the work called the Septililium, compiled from the revelations and utterances of Bd Dorothy by her confessor John of Marienwerder. This was printed by installments in vols. ii, iii and iv of the Analecta (1883—85). More than one biographical sketch seems to have survived, for the most part written shortly after her death, and compiled with a view to the process of her canonization. See also F. Hipler, Johannes Marienwerder und die Klauserin Dorothea (1865); Ringholtz, Geschichte von Einsiedeln (1906), pp. 268 seq., and 689 seq. and a sketch by H. Westpfahl, Dorothea von Montau (1949). For bibliography of recent work, see Westpfahl in Geist und Leben, vol. xxvi (1953), pp. 231—236.
Widow and hermitess. She was born a peasant on February 6, 1347, in Montau, Prussia. After marrying a wealthy swordsmith, Albrecht of Danzig, Poland, she bore him nine children and changed his gruff character. He even accompanied her on pilgrimages. However, when she went to Rome in 1390, Albrecht remained at home and died during her absence. A year later Dorothy moved to Marienswerder, where she became a hermitess. She had visions and spiritual gifts. Dorothy died on June 25 and is the patroness of Prussia. She was never formally canonized.

Dorothy of Montau, Widow (PC) Born at Montau near Marienburg, Prussia, Germany, on February 6, 1347; died June 25, 1394. Though she was never canonized, Saint Dorothy is widely venerated in central Europe, particularly among the Prussians, who have selected her as their patron saint. Like Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Bridget of Sweden, who were her contemporaries, she was favored by divine grace with many visions, revelations, and ecstasies, especially during the last years of her life.
As a 17-year-old peasant girl, she married a wealthy swordsmith from Danzig named Albert (Albrecht) by whom she had nine children. Of these only the youngest survived, a daughter who later became a Benedictine nun. Albert appears to have been surly and bad- tempered, and it seems likely that their married life, at least in its early years, was far from ideal. However, Dorothy's gentleness, fortitude, and kindness gradually softened him, and in 1384, he agreed to accompany her on a pilgrimage to Aachen.
After other pilgrimages to Einsiedeln and Cologne, they planned to make one to Rome for the jubilee that was to be held in 1390; but while they were making their preparations, Albert fell ill and so Dorothy went alone, travelling on foot and begging her food. By the time she returned from Rome, where she had been delayed by a sickness, her husband had died.
Now that she had become a widow, Dorothy was able to fulfill a dream she had long cherished of retiring from the world. In 1391, she went to Marienwerder where, after spending two years on probation, she became a recluse in the church of the Teutonic Knights.
On May 2, 1393, she had herself walled up in a cell that measured 6' x 6' and was about 9' tall. Of the three windows one opened to the sky, the second to a cemetery (and through which she also received food) and the third on to the altar of the church where, as was often the custom in those regions, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed all day.
Like many others, Dorothy had an intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and was often favored with mystic visions of it. Her reputation for holiness grew rapidly and many people came to her seeking counsel or miraculous cures.
However, the rigors of her mode of life, added to the severe austerities she practiced, soon broke her health and she died in May 1394, after living only a little more than a year in her cell. Many miracles were attributed to her, and an account of her visions and ecstasies has been left by her confessor (Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia).

Dorothy's emblem is a lantern and a rosary. Sometimes she is surrounded by arrows in paintings of her. Venerated at Montau and Marienwerder, Prussia (Roeder).
In 1446 George VIII was crowned ruler of a united Georgian kingdom. Filled with every virtue, the valiant warrior and God-fearing king dedicated the twenty years of his reign to a ceaseless struggle for the reunification of his country. He was constantly warding off foreign invaders, surmounting internal strife, and suffering the betrayal of his fellow countrymen.

One of the separatists was the ruler of Samtskhe, the atabeg Qvarqvare Jakeli II (1451–1498). In 1465 King George led his troops toward southern Georgia to attack the rebellious atabeg.
Near Lake Paravani the traitors dispatched assassins to the king’s camp.

Among those who served in the royal court was a certain Jotham Zedgenidze, a man deeply devoted to his king. He heard about the dreadful conspiracy and warned the king, but the noble and fearless George did not believe that such a loathsome betrayal could ever take place.
Desperate to convince the king of the very real and imminent danger, the devoted Jotham told him, “Allow me to spend this night in your bed and prove the truth of my words!”
Certain that his beloved courtier was mistaken and that his unmeasured love and dedication were the reasons for his suspicions, King George permitted him to spend the night in the royal bed.
The next morning King George entered his tent and found his beloved Jotham lying in a pool of blood. Immediately he began weeping bitterly over his error. He arrested and executed the conspirators and buried his faithful servant with great honor.
The Georgian Church numbers Jotham Zedgenidze among the saints for his devotion to God’s anointed king.
1583 Bl. John Slade  Martyr of England

1583 BD JOHN SLADE, MARTYR
  JOHN SLADE was born in Dorsetshire, educated at New College, Oxford, and became a schoolmaster. His zeal in upholding the faith led to his arrest on a charge of denying the royal supremacy in spirituals, and he was brought up for trial at Winchester, together with Bd John Bodey, in April 1583. They were both condemned, but there was a re-trial on the same indictment at Andover four months later, which Cardinal Allen imputed to a consciousness in their prosecutors of the first sentence having been unjust and illegal. But the result was the same, the sentence was repeated, and Bd John Slade was hanged, drawn and quartered at Winchester on this day in the year 1583.
  See MMP., pp. 83—85 and Burton and Pollen, LEM., vol. 1, pp. 1—7.  

He was a native of Manston, Dorchestershire, and was educated at Oxford. John denied King Henry VIII’s supremacy in religious matters and was arrested and tried with Blessed John Bodey. They were hanged, drawn, and quartered at Winchester. He was beatified in 1929.

Blessed John Slade M (AC) Born in Manston, Dorset, England; died 1583; beatified in 1929. John Slade was a student at New College, Oxford. He became a schoolmaster, and was martyred at Winchester for denying the royal supremacy in spiritual matters (Benedictines).
1617 St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Obedient penintent experienced many spiritual consolations he died in 1617 still a porter saying only one word: Jesus; the reputation he had was summed up once for all by Father Michael Julian in his exclamation, “That brother is not a man—he is an angel!”; Especially in his later years he suffered from long periods of desolation and aridity, and with terrifying regularity he was seized with pain and sickness whenever he set himself formally to meditate. Added to this, he was beset with violent temptations, just as though for years he had not curbed his body by fierce austerities, which now had to be made even more rigorous. But he never despaired, carrying out every duty with exact regularity, knowing that in God’s own time he would be seized again in an ecstasy of love and spiritual delight; trials of ill-health and physical suffering; at last he was practically confined to his bed. But his invincible perseverance and patience brought consolations “to such a degree that he could not raise his eyes in spirit to Jesus and Mary without their being at once before him”.

1617 ST ALPHONSUS RODRIGUEZ
THERE are two well-known canonized lay brothers commemorated this month, but in other external circumstances there were considerable differences between St Gerard Majella and St Alphonsus Rodriguez. For instance, at the age when Gerard was dead, Alphonsus was still a married man, living with his family while the one died before he was thirty, the other lived to be nearly ninety during his three years of profession Gerard served in several houses of his congregation and was employed in a variety of ways, but Alphonsus was porter at the same college for forty-five years.

Diego Rodriguez was a well-to-do wool-merchant in Segovia, and Alphonsus, born about 1533 was his third child in a big family. When Bd Peter Favre and another Jesuit came to preach a mission at Segovia they stayed with Diego, and at the end accepted his offer of a few days’ holiday at his country house. Young Alphonsus, then about ten, went with them and was prepared for his first communion by Bd Peter.

When he was fourteen he was sent with his elder brother to study under the Jesuits at Alcala, but before the first year was out their father died, and it was decided that Alphonsus must go into the business, which his mother was going to carry on. She retired and left him in sole charge when he was twenty-three, and three years later he married a girl called Mary Suarez.

The business had been doing badly and his wife’s dowry did not do much to improve it Alphonsus was not an incapable businessman, but “times were bad”.  Then he lost his little daughter, and, after a long illness following the birth of a boy, his wife too. Two years later his mother died, and this succession of mis­fortunes and losses made Alphonsus give very serious thought to what God was calling him to do in the world.

   He had always been a man of devout and righteous life, but he began to realize that he was meant to be something different from the numerous commercial men who led exemplary but unheroic lives in Segovia. If he sold his business he would have enough for himself and his little son to live on, so he did this and went to live with his two maiden sisters. These two, Antonia and Juliana, were a pious couple and taught their brother the rudiments of mental prayer, so that he was soon meditating two hours every morning and evening on the mysteries of the rosary.

    Alphonsus began to see his past life as very imperfect when regarded in the light of Christ and, following a vision of the glories of Heaven, he made a general confession and set himself to practise considerable austerities, Confession and communion every week. After some years his son died, and the edge of Alphonsus’s sorrow was turned by the consideration that the boy had been saved from the danger and misery of ever offending God.

He now contemplated, not for the first time, the possibility of becoming a religious and applied to the Jesuits at Segovia. They unhesitatingly refused him he was nearly forty, his health was not good, and he had not finished an education good enough to make him fit for sacerdotal studies. Undaunted, he went off to see his old friend Father Louis Santander, s.j., at Valencia. Father Santander recommended him to get ordained as soon as possible, and as a first step to learn Latin. So, like St Ignatius Loyola before him, and with like mortifications, he put himself to school with the little boys. As he had given nearly all his money to his sisters and to the poor before leaving Segovia, he had to take a post as a servant and supplement his earnings by begging to support himself.

   He met at the school a man of his own age and inclinations, who induced him to consider giving up all idea of becoming a Jesuit and to be instead a hermit. Alphonsus went to visit this man at his hermitage in the mountains, but suddenly seeing the suggestion as a temptation to desert his real vocation, he returned to Valencia and confessed his weakness to Father Santander, saying, I will never again follow my own will for the rest of my life. Do with me as you think best.” In 1571 the Jesuit provincial, over-ruling his official consultors, accepted Alphonsus Rodriguez as a lay brother, or temporal coadjutor, as such is called in the Society. Six months later he was sent from Spain to the College of Montesione in the island of Majorca, and soon after his arrival was made hall-porter.
   St Alphonsus carried out the duties of this post till he became too old and infirm, and the reputation he had in it was summed up once for all by Father Michael Julian in his exclamation, “That brother is not a man—he is an angel!”  Every minute left free by his work and what it entailed was given to prayer, but though he achieved a marvellous habitual recollection and union with God his spiritual path was far from an easy one.
   Especially in his later years he suffered from long periods of desolation and aridity, and with terrifying regularity he was seized with pain and sickness whenever he set himself formally to meditate. Added to this, he was beset with violent temptations, just as though for years he had not curbed his body by fierce austerities, which now had to be made even more rigorous. But he never despaired, carrying out every duty with exact regularity, knowing that in God’s own time he would be seized again in an ecstasy of love and spiritual delight.
   Priests who had known him for forty years used to say that they had never noticed a word or action of Brother Alphonsus that could justly receive adverse criticism. In 1585 when he was fifty-four years old, he made his final vows, which he used to renew every day at Mass. A hall-porter is not to be envied at the best of times, and when a boys’ school is part of the establishment he needs to have a firm hand and an extra fund of patience; but the job has its compensations the porter meets a variety of people and is a link between the public world without and the private world within.
   At Montesione, in addition to the students, there was a constant coming and going of clergy of all sorts, of nobles and professional men and members of their families having business with the Jesuit fathers, of the poor wanting help and merchants and tradesmen from Palma wanting orders. All these people got to know, to respect and to love Brother Alphonsus, whose opinions and advice were sought and valued as well by the learned and holy as by the simple, and his reputation was known far beyond the boundaries of the college. The most famous of his “pupils” was St Peter Claver, who was studying at the college in 1605. For three years he put himself under the direction of St Alphonsus who, enlightened by Heaven, fired his enthusiasm for and urged him on to that work in America which was eventually to gain for St Peter the title of “Apostle of the Negroes”.

St Alphonsus had always a very deep devotion towards the Mother of God as conceived free from original sin, a truth that had been defended in Majorca three hundred years before by Bd Raymund Lull.
For a time it was believed by many that Al­phonsus had composed the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception; he had a great regard for this office and popularized its use among others, from which arose the mistake that he was its author.
Nor did he write the famous treatise on the Practice of Perfection and Christian Virtues this was the work of another Jesuit of the same name, who has not been canonized.
   But St Alphonsus left some fugitive writings, set down at the command of his superiors, full of the simple, solid doctrine and exhortation that one would look for from such a man, showing too that he was indeed a mystic favoured of Heaven. When he was over seventy and very infirm, his rector told him one day, just to see what he would do, to go on duty to the Indies. St Alphonsus went straight down to the gate and asked for it to be opened for him. “I am ordered to the Indies”, he said, and was going there and then to look for a ship at Palma, but was told to go back to the rector.
  That during the later part of his life he suffered from spiritual dereliction and diabolical assaults has been mentioned above, and to these were added the trials of ill-health and physical suffering; at last he was practically confined to his bed. But his invincible perseverance and patience brought consolations “to such a degree that he could not raise his eyes in spirit to Jesus and Mary without their being at once before him”.

    In May of 1617 the rector of Montesione, Father Julian, was down with rheumatic fever, and asked for the prayers of St Alphonsus. He spent the night interceding for him, and in the morning Father Julian was able to celebrate Mass. In October Alphonsus knew that his end was at hand, and after receiving Holy Communion on the 29th all pain of mind and body ceased. He lay as it were in an unbroken ecstasy until, at midnight of the 31st, a terrible agony began. At the end of half an hour composure returned, he looked around lovingly at his brethren, kissed the crucifix, uttered the Holy Name in a loud voice, and died. The Spanish viceroy and nobility of Majorca, by the bishop, and by crowds of the poor, sick and afflicted whose love and faith were rewarded by miracles, attended his funeral. He was canonized in 1888 with St Peter Claver.

The documents printed for the Congregation of Sacred Rites in view of the beatification and canonization of St Alphonsus are very copious owing to the objections raised by the promotor fidei in connection with the saint’s early occupations and his writings. These documents, with the autobiographical notes, which he wrote down by order of obedience between the years 1601 and 1616, supply the most valuable materials for his life. The notes in question are printed at the beginning of his Obras Espirituales, which were edited in three volumes by Fr J. Nonell at Barcelona in 1885—1887. The same Fr Nonell wrote in Spanish what is still perhaps the best biography of the saint, Vida de San Alonso Rodriguez (1888) and Father Goldie largely used this in the English life that he published in 1889. In the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. xiii, is reprinted the earliest published life of Alphonsus, that by Father Janin which appeared in 1644 and was written in Latin.  On the saint’s connection with the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception, often errone­ously printed under his name, see Uriarte, Obras anonimas y seudonimas, S.J., vol. i, pp. 512—515 and on his ascetical teaching see Viller, Dictionnaire de Spiritualité, vol. i (1933), cc. 395—402. The latest biographies seem to be that of M. Dietz, Der hl. Alfons Rodriguez (1925), and a popular account by M. Farnum, The Wool Merchant of Segovia (1945).

Confessor and Lay brother, also called Alonso. He was born in Segovia, Spain, on July 25, 1532, the son of a wealthy merchant, and was prepared for First Communion by Blessed Peter Favre, a friend of Alphonsus' father. While studying with the Jesuits at Alcala, Alphonsus had to return home when his father died. In Segovia he took over the family business, was married, and had a son. That son died, as did two other children and then his wife. Alphonsus sold his business and applied to the Jesuits. His lack of education and his poor health, undermined by his austerities, made him less than desirable as a candidate for the religious life, but he was accepted as a lay brother by the Jesuits on January 31, 1571. He underwent novitiate training and was sent to Montesion College on the island of Majorca. There he labored as a hall porter for twenty-four years. Overlooked by some of the Jesuits in the house, Alphonsus exerted a wondrous influence on many. Not only the young students, such as St. Peter Claver, but local civic tad and social leaders came to his porter's lodge for advice and and direction. Obedience and penance were the hallmarks of his life, as well as his devotion to the Immaculate Conception. He experienced many spiritual consolations, and he wrote religious treatises, very simple in style but sound in doctrine. Alphonsus died after a long illness on October 31, 1617, and his funeral was attended by Church and government leaders. He was declared Venerable in 1626, and was named a patron of Majorca in 1633. Alphonsus was beatified in 1825 and canonized in September 1888 with St. Peter Claver.

Alphonsus Rodriguez, SJ (RM) (also known as Alonso) Born in Segovia, Spain, July 25, 1533; died at Palma de Majorca in 1617; beatified 1825; canonized 1888; feast formerly on October 31."The difference between adversity suffered for God and prosperity is greater than that between gold and a lump of lead." --Saint Alphonsus.

Brother Alphonsus proves Mother Teresa's axiom that small things done with great love is the call of the Christian. Every day Alphonsus Rodriguez prayed to more than 20 confessors, martyrs, and Church Fathers. He had a great veneration for Saint Ursula, and though modern scholarship has done much to revise and alter the story of her martyrdom, the fact remains that a liturgy might be clumsy and inaccurate and yet represent a far more fertile and living expression of religious life than one which has been cleaned and scoured to the point of rendering it sterile.

Surely the candor and devotion of Saint Alphonsus is of greater value than the scientific researches of our professors of liturgy. He was a bit mad perhaps--when he was told to eat his plate, he took his knife and tried to cut it into pieces and swallow them. Perhaps that sounds stupid, but it was he who was in the right for he had, on entering the Jesuits, made his vow of obedience, and his obedience was so perfect that he obeyed hasty or perhaps joking orders to the letter.

Alphonus was the third child of a large family of wool merchants. When Blessed Peter Favre and another Jesuit came to preach a mission at Segovia, they stayed with Alphonus's family and took up the invitation for a short holiday at their country house. Young Alphonsus, then about 10, went with them and was prepared for his First Communion by Blessed Peter.

When he was 14, Alphonsus was sent with his elder brother to study under the Jesuits at Alcala. Before the year was out, their father Diego was dead and it fell to Alphonsus interrupt his studies to manage the family business. When he was 23, his mother retired and Alphonus inherited his father's business. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, he sold cloth all day long, buying with one hand and selling with the other.

He married Maria Suarez when he was 27. Soon the business was failing due to hard economic times. Then his little daughter died. When he was about 35, his wife died shortly after giving birth to their only son. Two years later his mother died. The business didn't prosper either. This succession of misfortunes forced Alphonsus to seriously consider God's plan for his life. He began to realize that he was meant to do something different from the numerous businessmen who led exemplary but unheroic lives in Segovia. So he sold his business and took his son to live with the boy's two maiden aunts, Antonia and Juliana.

From these two ladies, Alphonsus learned to meditate for at least two hours a day. He was an assiduous communicant. His life was austere and happy, though he still longed to devote himself to God. So, after abandoning his business, he resumed his studies at the point where he had broken them off. He had always taken religion seriously so when his son died, Alphonsus decided it was finally time to become a Jesuit, if possible, as an ordained priest.

Alphonsus was nearly 40, barely literate, and his health tenuous. It's no wonder that the Jesuits of Segovia unhesitatingly refused him entry. Undaunted, Alphonsus presented himself to Father Luis Santander, SJ, at the novitiate of the Jesuits of Aragon at Valencia. Father Santander recommended him to be ordained as soon as possible, and requested that he learn Latin. He had given away most of his money by now, so he became a hired servant, hoping to pay for his necessary extra education by this and by begging. Thus, he put himself through school with the young boys.

Happily the provincial of the order spotted the saintliness of Alphonsus's life, and, in 1571, overruled those who had refused him permission to join them. He was admitted as a lay brother and six months later was sent to Palma de Majorca, where, after serving in various capacities, he became door-keeper at Montesión College.

He was diligent in carrying out his assignments, but every spare moment was given to prayer. Though he achieved a marvelous habitual recollection and union with god, his spiritual path was far from an easy one. Especially in his later years he suffered from long periods of aridity. Yet he never despaired, knowing that in God's own time he would be seized again in an ecstasy of love and spiritual delight. Persevering, Brother Alphonsus professed his final vows in 1585, at the age of 54.

Many of the varied people who were thus brought into contact with him learned to respect him and value his advice; in particular Saint Peter Claver as a student used to consult him frequently and received from Brother Alphonsus the impetus for his future work among the slaves of South America.

In May 1617, the rector of Montesión, Father Julian, was struck with rheumatic fever. Alphonsus spent the night interceding for the priest. In the morning, Father Julian was able to celebrate Mass.

After receiving Communion on October 29, Alphonsus lay as if dead, but he was in ecstasy. At midnight on October 31, the ecstasy ended and the final death pangs began. One-half hour later the brother regained his composure, lovingly looked at his brethren, and kissed the crucifix. Still a porter, he died in 1617, saying only one word: Jesus.

A collection of his notes, reflections, thoughts, which he wrote down at the request of his superiors, along with some quotations that he borrowed from the spiritual classics but which were mistakenly attributed to him, was frequently copied and widely circulated during his lifetime. Many people found true spiritual nourishment in them.
There is a sonnet on Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez among Gerard Manley Hopkins' Poems (2nd ed., 1930).

Alphonsus bears considerable resemblance to the Carmelite Brother Lawrence, of the next generation. He was a man of practically no education, but he had deep religious sensibility of a mystical kind. His faith was uncomplicated and simple, untroubled either by Protestantism or the threat of Islam. He had cultivated the Spanish faith of his father and mother, he believed in Jesus Christ, the Holy Church, and in the communion of saints (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Encyclopedia, Walsh, Yeomans).

This Alphonsus Rodriguez must not be confused with two Jesuit contemporaries of the same names, one a writer of well-known religious books, the other a martyr in Paraguay. Neither of these has been canonized, though the second is venerated as a beatus. 
In art he is depicted as an old Jesuit with two hearts on his breast, connected by rays of light to Christ and the Virgin. Venerated at Majorca (Roeder).  
1669-1739 Bl. Angelus Capuchin of Acri; many miracles of healing; gifts prophecy; bilocation; see into men's souls; Meditating on his failure and asking God’s help in his trouble, he one day seemed to hear a voice saying, “Be not afraid. The gift of preaching shall be yours.” “Who art thou?” asked Father Angelo, and the reply came, “I am who I am. For the future preach simply and colloquially, so that all may understand you.” Father Angelo did as he was told; he laid aside all his books of oratory and with them the flowers of speech and flights of learning, and prepared his discourses only with the help of his Bible and crucifix.

1739 BD ANGELO OF ACRI
THE fame of St Leonard of Port Maurice as a mission-preacher in Tuscany and northern Italy during the first half of the eighteenth century has gone far beyond the boundaries of his own order and country, but his contemporary preacher in Calabria, Angelo of Acri, also a Franciscan, is not so well known, though he was as famous in the south as St Leonard in the north.
    He was born at Acri in the diocese of Bisignano in 1669, and when he was eighteen was accepted as a postulant by the Capuchins, but the austerity of their life was too much for him and he left. But he was not satisfied, and after a time was permitted again to try his vocation in the same order. And again he failed to persevere. Thereupon his uncle, a priest, pointed out to him that he was obviously intended by God for a secular life and had better marry. Angelo was still unconvinced: he had a strong attraction to the religious life and a corresponding aversion from trying to settle down “in the world”, and in 1690 he made a third attempt with the Capuchins. This time he overcame his difficulties by the aid of urgent prayer, and after a rather stormy novitiate was professed and began his studies for the priesthood.
   His superiors saw that he still stood in need of strict discipline and treated Angelo with considerable severity, and at the same time he was greatly tried by temptations against chastity. He overcame both trials and so profited by them that it is said that during the celebration of his first Mass he was rapt in ecstasy.

   It was not till 1702 that he was first entrusted with public preaching, when he was sent to preach the Lent at San Giorgio. He prepared his course with great care, but in the pulpit his confidence and memory deserted him and he failed so lament­ably that he gave up and returned to his friary before it was over. Meditating on his failure and asking God’s help in his trouble, he one day seemed to hear a voice saying, “Be not afraid. The gift of preaching shall be yours.” “Who art thou?” asked Father Angelo, and the reply came, “I am who I am. For the future preach simply and colloquially, so that all may understand you.” Father Angelo did as he was told; he laid aside all his books of oratory and with them the flowers of speech and flights of learning, and prepared his discourses only with the help of his Bible and crucifix.  His new manner was immediately successful with the common people; but these were the days before St Alphonsus Liguori and his Redemptorists had simplified the style of preaching prevalent in Italy, and more refined people were contemptuous of the straightforwardness and familiar phrasing of Father Angelo. The attention of these was won in a rather dramatic way when, in 1711, Cardinal Pignatelli invited him to preach the Lent at Naples. His first sermon there provoked the usual superior amusement among the gentry, and the two following days the church was almost empty. The parish priest asked him to discontinue the course, but Cardinal Pignatelli said he was to continue, and this “incident” stimulated curiosity, so that the church was crowded next day. At the end of his sermon Father Angelo asked the congregation to pray for the soul of somebody in the church who was about to die. As they left the building, speculating about the prophecy, a well-known lawyer, who had made himself conspicuous by his raillery at the preacher, fell dead from a stroke. This happening, which was followed by others equally remarkable, made Father Angelo’s reputation in Naples for the future there were more listeners than the church could hold, and many who came merely from curiosity received the grace of God and were brought to their knees.
   For the next twenty-eight years Bd Angelo preached as a missioner in the kingdom of Naples and particularly up and down his own province of Calabria, where he brought thousands to penance and amendment of life.
  His mission was emphasized by many miracles, especially of healing the sick, and examples of seeming supernatural agility or of bilocation are recorded of him.

He had insight into the souls of men, reminding them of forgotten or concealed sins, and several times, as at Naples, predicted future events with exactness.
   He continued his labours to within six months of his death, when he became blind, but was able to celebrate Mass daily till the end, which came peacefully at the friary of Acri on October 30, 1739. A flow of blood in the veins and movement of an arm at the word of the father guardian, similar to the phenomena reported of Bd Bonaventure of Potenza (October 26), are stated to have taken place three days after death. Bd Angelo of Acri was beatified in 1825.
The Bollandists have supplied a full account in the Acta Sanctorum, October, vol. xiii, drawing almost entirely upon the evidence presented in the beatification process. See, however, also the lives written by Ernest de Beaulieu (1899) and Giacinto da Belmonte (1894). English summary may be read in Leon, Aureole.Séraphique (Eng. trans.), vol. iv, pp. 1—7.

Born at Acri, Italy, he was refused admission to the Capuchins twice but was accepted on his third attempt in 1690, and was ordained. Unsuccessful in his first sermons, he eventually became a famous preacher after a tremendous success preaching in Naples during Lent in 1711.
For the rest of his life, he preached missions in Calabria and Naples, converting thousands and performing many miracles of healing. He was reputed to have had the gifts of prophecy and bilocation, experienced visions and ecstasies and was a sought after confessor with the ability to see into men's souls. He died in the friary at Acri on October 30, and was beatified in 1825.

Blessed Angelus of Acri, OFM Cap. (AC) Born at Acri (diocese of Bisignano), Calabria, Italy, in 1669; died in 1739; beatified in 1825. Angelus twice attempted unsuccessfully to become a religious. The third time, after a tempestuous novitiate, he was professed as a Capuchin. His public life as a preacher was again quite unsuccessful in the beginning and "tempestuously successful" afterwards (Benedictines).
Anima Christi: A Prayer for All Centuries
by Friar Jack Wintz, O.F.M.

Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.  Body of Christ, save me.  Blood of Christ, inebriate me.  Water from the side of Christ, wash me.  Passion of Christ, strengthen me.  O good Jesus, hear me.  Within your wounds, hide me.  Let me never be separated from you.  From the malignant enemy, defend me.  In the hour of my death, call me,  And bid me come to you,  That with your saints I may praise you  Forever and ever. Amen.

 This prayer touches us on emotional and mystical levels. The words are most sacred and, with the Spirit’s help, happily lead us into an immediate union with Christ and, through him, with those we love, as we shall discuss later.
The Anima Christi (Soul of Christ) has been attributed at times to St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), but historians say that the prayer predates Ignatius by as much as a century and-a-half. A long tradition tells us, moreover, that it was a favorite prayer of Ignatius’. Indeed, in many cases, it has served as the opening prayer of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The prayer is so sacred and sublime that it transcends all time, all centuries. We ask the Spirit to guide us into the sacredness and hope spelled out by these ancient words:

Although there are many translations of this prayer, the wording here is a literal translation of the original Latin. Let me share how this prayer inspires me at this juncture of my life’s journey:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Jesus, risen one, let your soul, which is as vast as the universe, invade my whole being and make me holy. Breathe your Holy Spirit, the sanctifier, upon me just as you breathed upon the first disciples after you rose from the dead. Set me free of sin, and fill me with the holiness that fills your own soul.

Body of Christ, save me. I open myself to your love. Embrace me with your healing and transforming power. Jesus, this prayer moves me especially when I say it after receiving your body and blood in holy Communion or after Mass has ended. But the prayer is meaningful at any time. I believe you are with me always and ever standing at my door knocking (Rv 3:20)—inviting me to open the door and enjoy a mystical union with you, the risen one.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me. You have redeemed us, Jesus, by your blood shed upon the cross. At the Eucharist, we receive that blood in the form of wine. Your burning love is so overwhelming that one becomes intoxicated by the intensity of your care for each one of us. Such love prompted St. Anthony of Padua to proclaim, “The humanity of Christ is like the grape because it was crushed in the winepress of the cross so that his blood flowed forth over all the earth…. How great is the charity of the beloved! How great the love of the bridegroom for his spouse, the Church!”

Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Yes, Jesus, let the water flowing from your side cleanse me, as did the life-giving water that flowed over me at baptism. And this saving stream never stops flowing through me—unless I separate myself from your love. You are the vine, I am the branch. If I remain in you, your abundant life continues flowing into me. As St. Paul attested long ago, “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

Passion of Christ, strengthen me. It is your power, and not my own, which heals me and makes me strong. As the psalmist says, “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Ps 127:1). Your strength alone is my source of hope.

O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds hide me. There is something so mystical, and dare I say intimate, Jesus, in our hiding in those holy wounds through which we are saved. As Isaiah tells us, “by his bruises we are healed” (Is 53:5). Draw us into this most loving mystery—this sacred fountainhead of our salvation!

Let me never be separated from you. Loving savior, this expresses, perhaps, the most central theme of Anima Christi. Keep reminding me that the best part of prayer is not so much gaining information about you, O Jesus, as it is growing into a more intimate love union with you. So, loving savior, hold us close to you.

From the malignant enemy, defend me. This line is similar to the closing line of that special prayer that you yourself taught us—the Our Father: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.” We rely on your healing power, O Lord, to set us free of any malignant force that might cause us to be separated from you—from life itself.

In the hour of my death, call me, and bid me come to you, that with your saints I may praise you forever and ever. Amen. Jesus, I need your help to reach my final destiny in your Kingdom. Stay with me to the end—until I can join in singing your praises with all those saved by your immense love.

Additional thoughts
No doubt you have noticed how my reflections on the Anima Christi have strayed from the “me” and “my” vocabulary of this very personal prayer—and I have begun to use words like “we” and “us” and “our.” The Anima Christi is very much a prayer focused on my personal relationship with Christ. We also know from the changes ushered into the Church by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) that we have come to more communal ways of celebrating the sacraments and of praying together as Church. This in no way contradicts the importance of recognizing those times in our lives when the Spirit calls us to more personal styles of prayer.

I have found it very fruitful in my own praying of the Anima Christi to alternate between the personal and the communal—and I’ve heard others also speak very favorably of doing the same. Perhaps you will find this fruitful as well. A number of people have the prayer memorized and may say the Anima Christi first personally in the traditional form quoted above, and afterwards in the “us” and “our” form, so to speak, by including coworkers, family members or a sick relative, spouse or loved one in the prayer. Thus, in the same prayer, individuals can contemplate their personal love relationship and union with Christ and, at the same time, think lovingly of a sick relative, dear friend or other persons in need. One might focus simply upon one special person or, on the other hand, a whole assembly of people.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night or before dawn and am unable to sleep for maybe an hour or more. I sometimes find great peace and meaning in contemplating my union with Christ as well as with those I include in my prayer. Having memorized the Anima Christi, I keep going through the prayer and meditating on it, phrase by phrase, perhaps while fingering rosary beads. At times, it becomes a profound mystical experience. This cherished experience doesn’t come from me, but from the goodness of God. After all, the Anima Christi expresses nothing less than Christ’s incredible love not only for me but also for any others (and all others) who come into my consciousness. Lord Jesus, may we never be separated from you and from those we love! Amen.


THE PSALTER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PSALM 110

I will praise thee, O Lady, with my whole heart: and I will declare among the nations thy praise and glory.

For to thee is due glory, and thanksgiving, and the voice of praise.

May sinners find grace with God by thee, the finder of grace and salvation.

May the humble penitents hope for pardon: heal thou the bruises of their hearts.

In the beauty of peace and wealth rest: thou shalt feed us after the toil of our pilgrimage.

For thy spirit is kind: thy grace fills the whole world.

Thunder, ye heavens, from above, and give praise to her: glorify her, ye earth, with all the dwellers therein.

 Rejoice, ye Heavens, and be glad, O Earth: because Mary will console her servants and will have mercy on her poor.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost as it was in the beginning and will always be.

God loves variety. He doesn't mass-produce his saints. Every saint is unique, for each is the result of a new idea.  As the liturgy says: Non est inventus similis illis--there are no two exactly alike. It is we with our lack of imagination, who paint the same haloes on all the saints. Dear Lord, grant us a spirit that is not bound by our own ideas and preferences.  Grant that we may be able to appreciate in others what we lack in ourselves. O Lord, grant that we may understand that every saint must be a unique praise of Your glory. Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives.  Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts.   God calls each one of us to be a saint in order to get into heaven:  only saints are allowed into heaven. The more "extravagant" graces are bestowed NOT for the benefit of the recipients so much as FOR the benefit of others.
There are over 10,000 named saints beati  from history
 and Roman Martyology Orthodox sources
Patron_Saints.html  Widowed_Saints html  Indulgences The Catholic Church in China
LINKS: Marian Shrines   India Marian Shrine Lourdes of the East   Lourdes 1858  China Marian shrines 1995
Kenya national Marian shrine  Loreto, Italy  Marian Apparitions (over 2000)  Quang Tri Vietnam La Vang 1798
  Links to Related MarianWebsites  Angels and Archangels  Saints Visions of Heaven and Hell
Widowed Saints  html
Doctors_of_the_Church   Acts_Of_The_Apostles  Roman Catholic Popes  Purgatory  Uniates  Chalcedon
Mary the Mother of Jesus Miracles_BC  Lay Saints  Miraculous_Icons  Miraculous_Medal_Novena Patron Saints
Miracles by Century 100   200   300   400   500   600   700    800   900   1000    1100   1200   1300   1400  1500  1600  1700  1800  1900 2000
Miracles 100   200   300   400   500   600   700    800   900   1000  
 1100   1200   1300   1400  1500  1600  1700  1800   1900 Lay Saints

The great psalm of the Passion, Chapter 22, whose first verse “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Jesus pronounced on the cross, ended with the vision: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations shall worship before him” For kingship belongs to the LORD, the ruler over the nations. All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage. And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you. The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.
Pope Benedict XVI to The Catholic Church In China {whole article here} 2000 years of the Catholic Church in China
The saints “a cloud of witnesses over our head”, showing us life of Christian perfection is possible.

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Saint Frances Xavier Seelos  Practical Guide to Holiness
1. Go to Mass with deepest devotion. 2. Spend a half hour to reflect upon your main failing & make resolutions to avoid it.
3. Do daily spiritual reading for at least 15 minutes, if a half hour is not possible.  4. Say the rosary every day.
5. Also daily, if at all possible, visit the Blessed Sacrament; toward evening, meditate on the Passion of Christ for a half hour, 6.  Conclude the day with evening prayer & an examination of conscience over all the faults & sins of the day.
7.  Every month make a review of the month in confession.
8. Choose a special patron every month & imitate that patron in some special virtue.
9. Precede every great feast with a novena that is nine days of devotion. 10. Try to begin & end every activity with a Hail Mary
My God, I believe, I adore, I trust and I love Thee.  I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not
O most Holy trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly.  I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He is offended, and by the infite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  I beg the conversion of poor sinners,  Fatima Prayer, Angel of Peace
The voice of the Father is heard, the Son enters the water, and the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove.
THE spirit and example of the world imperceptibly instil the error into the minds of many that there is a kind of middle way of going to Heaven; and so, because the world does not live up to the gospel, they bring the gospel down to the level of the world. It is not by this example that we are to measure the Christian rule, but words and life of Christ. All His followers are commanded to labour to become perfect even as our heavenly Father is perfect, and to bear His image in our hearts that we may be His children. We are obliged by the gospel to die to ourselves by fighting self-love in our hearts, by the mastery of our passions, by taking on the spirit of our Lord.
   These are the conditions under which Christ makes His promises and numbers us among His children, as is manifest from His words which the apostles have left us in their inspired writings. Here is no distinction made or foreseen between the apostles or clergy or religious and secular persons. The former, indeed, take upon themselves certain stricter obligations, as a means of accomplishing these ends more perfectly; but the law of holiness and of disengagement of the heart from the world is general and binds all the followers of Christ.
God loves variety. He doesn't mass-produce his saints. Every saint is unique each the result of a new idea.
As the liturgy says: Non est inventus similis illis--there are no two exactly alike.
It is we with our lack of imagination, who paint the same haloes on all the saints.
Dear Lord, grant us a spirit not bound by our own ideas and preferences.
 Grant that we may be able to appreciate in others what we lack in ourselves.
O Lord, grant that we may understand that every saint must be a unique praise of Your glory.
 Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives.
Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts.
The 15 Promises of the Virgin Mary to those who recite the Rosary ) Revealed to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan)
1.    Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces. 2.    I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. 3.    The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies. 4.    It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things.  Oh, that soul would sanctify them by this means.  5.    The soul that recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish. 6.    Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune.  God will not chastise them in His justice, they shall not perish by an unprovided death; if they be just, they shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life. 7.    Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church. 8.    Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise. 9.    I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary. 10.    The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.  11.    You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary. 12.    I shall aid all those who propagate the Holy Rosary in their necessities. 13.    I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death. 14.    All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ. 15.    Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
His Holiness Aram I, current (2013) Catholicos of Cilicia of Armenians, whose See is located in Lebanese town of Antelias. The Catholicosate was founded in Sis, capital of Cilicia, in the year 1441 following the move of the Catholicosate of All Armenians back to its original See of Etchmiadzin in Armenia. The Catholicosate of Cilicia enjoyed local jurisdiction, though spiritually subject to the authority of Etchmiadzin. In 1921 the See was transferred to Aleppo in Syria, and in 1930 to Antelias.
Its jurisdiction currently extends to Syria, Cyprus, Iran and Greece.
Aramaic dialect of Edessa, now known as Syriac
The exact date of the introduction of Christianity into Edessa {Armenian Ourhaï in Arabic Er Roha, commonly Orfa or Urfa, its present name} is not known. It is certain, however, that the Christian community was at first made up from the Jewish population of the city. According to an ancient legend, King Abgar V, Ushana, was converted by Addai, who was one of the seventy-two disciples. In fact, however, the first King of Edessa to embrace the Christian Faith was Abgar IX (c. 206) becoming official kingdom religion.
Christian council held at Edessa early as 197 (Eusebius, Hist. Ecc7V,xxiii).
In 201 the city was devastated by a great flood, and the Christian church was destroyed (“Chronicon Edessenum”, ad. an. 201).
In 232 the relics of the Apostle St. Thomas were brought from India, on which occasion his Syriac Acts were written.

Under Roman domination martyrs suffered at Edessa: Sts. Scharbîl and Barsamya, under Decius; Sts. Gûrja, Schâmôna, Habib, and others under Diocletian. 
In the meanwhile Christian priests from Edessa evangelized Eastern Mesopotamia and Persia, established the first Churches in the kingdom of the Sassanides.  Atillâtiâ, Bishop of Edessa, assisted at the Council of Nicæa (325). The “Peregrinatio Silviæ” (or Etheriæ) (ed. Gamurrini, Rome, 1887, 62 sqq.) gives an account of the many sanctuaries at Edessa about 388.
Although Hebrew had been the language of the ancient Israelite kingdom, after their return from Exile the Jews turned more and more to Aramaic, using it for parts of the books of Ezra and Daniel in the Bible. By the time of Jesus, Aramaic was the main language of Palestine, and quite a number of texts from the Dead Sea Scrolls are also written in Aramaic.
Aramaic continued to be an important language for Jews, alongside Hebrew, and parts of the Talmud are written in it.
After Arab conquests of the seventh century, Arabic quickly replaced Aramaic as the main language of those who converted to Islam, although in out of the way places, Aramaic continued as a vernacular language of Muslims.
Aramaic, however, enjoyed its greatest success in Christianity. Although the New Testament wins written in Greek, Christianity had come into existence in an Aramaic-speaking milieu, and it was the Aramaic dialect of Edessa, now known as Syriac, that became the literary language of a large number of Christians living in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire and in the Persian Empire, further east. Over the course of the centuries the influence of the Syriac Churches spread eastwards to China (in Xian, in western China, a Chinese-Syriac inscription dated 781 is still to be seen); to southern India where the state of Kerala can boast more Christians of Syriac liturgical tradition than anywhere else in the world.

680 Shiite saint Imam Hussein, grandson of Islam's Prophet Muhammad Known as Ashoura and observed by Shiites across the world, the 10th day of the lunar Muslim month of Muharram: the anniversary of the 7th century death in battle of one of Shiite Islam's most beloved saints.  Imam Hussein died in the 680 A.D. battle fought on the plains outside Karbala, a city in modern Iraq that's home to the saint's shrine.  The battle over a dispute about the leadership of the Muslim faith following Muhammad's death in 632 A.D. It is the defining event in Islam's split into Sunni and Shiite branches.  The occasion is the source of an enduring moral lesson. "He sacrificed his blood to teach us not to give in to corruption, coercion, or use of force and to seek honor and justice."  According to Shiite beliefs, Hussein and companions were denied water by enemies who controlled the nearby Euphrates.  Streets get partially covered with blood from slaughter of hundreds of cows and sheep. Volunteers cook the meat and feed it to the poor.  Hussein's martyrdom recounted through a rich body of prose, poetry and song remains an inspirational example of sacrifice to many Shiites, 10 percent of the world's estimated 1.3 billion Muslims.
Meeting of the Saints  walis (saints of Allah)
Great men covet to embrace martyrdom for a cause and principle.
So was the case with Hazrat Ali. He could have made a compromise with the evil forces of his time and, as a result, could have led a very comfortable, easy and luxurious life.  But he was not a person who would succumb to such temptations. His upbringing, his education and his training in the lap of the holy Prophet made him refuse such an offer.
Rabia Al-Basri (717–801 C.E.) She was first to set forth the doctrine of mystical love and who is widely considered to be the most important of the early Sufi poets. An elderly Shia pointed out that during his pre-Partition childhood it was quite common to find pictures and portraits of Shia icons in Imambaras across the country.
Shah Abdul Latif: The Exalted Sufi Master born 1690 in a Syed family; died 1754. In ancient times, Sindh housed the exemplary Indus Valley Civilisation with Moenjo Daro as its capital, and now, it is the land of a culture which evolved from the teachings of eminent Sufi saints. Pakistan is home to the mortal remains of many Sufi saints, the exalted among them being Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, a practitioner of the real Islam, philosopher, poet, musicologist and preacher. He presented his teaching through poetry and music - both instruments sublime - and commands a very large following, not only among Muslims but also among Hindus and Christians. Sindh culture: The Shah is synonymous with Sindh. He is the very fountainhead of Sindh's culture. His message remains as fresh as that of any present day poet, and the people of Sindh find solace from his writings. He did indeed think for Sindh. One of his prayers, in exquisite Sindhi, translates thus: “Oh God, may ever You on Sindh bestow abundance rare! Beloved! All the world let share Thy grace, and fruitful be.”
Shia Ali al-Hadi, died 868 and son Hassan al-Askari 874. These saints are the 10th and 11th of Shia's 12 most revered Imams. Baba Farid Sufi 1398 miracle, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki renowned Muslim Sufi saint scholar miracles 569 A.H. [1173 C.E.] hermit gave to poor, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti greatest mystic of his time born 533 Hijri (1138-39 A.D.), Hazrat Ghuas-e Azam, Hazrat Bu Ali Sharif, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Sufi Saint Hazrath Khwaja Syed Mohammed Badshah Quadri Chisty Yamani Quadeer (RA) 1236-1325 welcomed people of all faiths & all walks of life.
801 Rabi'a al-'Adawiyya Sufi One of the most famous Islamic mystics
(b. 717). This 8th century saint was an early Sufi who had a profound influence on later Sufis, who in turn deeply influenced the European mystical love and troubadour traditions.  Rabi'a was a woman of Basra, a seaport in southern Iraq.  She was born around 717 and died in 801 (185-186).  Her biographer, the great medieval poet Attar, tells us that she was "on fire with love and longing" and that men accepted her "as a second spotless Mary" (186).  She was, he continues, “an unquestioned authority to her contemporaries" (218).
Rabi'a began her ascetic life in a small desert cell near Basra, where she lost herself in prayer and went straight to God for teaching.  As far as is known, she never studied under any master or spiritual director.  She was one of the first of the Sufis to teach that Love alone was the guide on the mystic path (222).  A later Sufi taught that there were two classes of "true believers": one class sought a master as an intermediary between them and God -- unless they could see the footsteps of the Prophet on the path before them, they would not accept the path as valid.  The second class “...did not look before them for the footprint of any of God's creatures, for they had removed all thought of what He had created from their hearts, and concerned themselves solely with God. (218)
Rabi'a was of this second kind.  She felt no reverence even for the House of God in Mecca:  "It is the Lord of the house Whom I need; what have I to do with the house?" (219) One lovely spring morning a friend asked her to come outside to see the works of God.  She replied, "Come you inside that you may behold their Maker.  Contemplation of the Maker has turned me aside from what He has made" (219).  During an illness, a friend asked this woman if she desired anything.
"...[H]ow can you ask me such a question as 'What do I desire?'  I swear by the glory of God that for twelve years I have desired fresh dates, and you know that in Basra dates are plentiful, and I have not yet tasted them.  I am a servant (of God), and what has a servant to do with desire?" (162)
When a male friend once suggested she should pray for relief from a debilitating illness, she said,
"O Sufyan, do you not know Who it is that wills this suffering for me?  Is it not God Who wills it?  When you know this, why do you bid me ask for what is contrary to His will?  It is not  well to oppose one's Beloved." (221)
She was an ascetic.  It was her custom to pray all night, sleep briefly just before dawn, and then rise again just as dawn "tinged the sky with gold" (187).  She lived in celibacy and poverty, having renounced the world.  A friend visited her in old age and found that all she owned were a reed mat, screen, a pottery jug, and a bed of felt which doubled as her prayer-rug (186), for where she prayed all night, she also slept briefly in the pre-dawn chill.  Once her friends offered to get her a servant; she replied,
"I should be ashamed to ask for the things of this world from Him to Whom the world belongs, and how should I ask for them from those to whom it does not belong?"  (186-7)
A wealthy merchant once wanted to give her a purse of gold.  She refused it, saying that God, who sustains even those who dishonor Him, would surely sustain her, "whose soul is overflowing with love" for Him.  And she added an ethical concern as well:
"...How should I take the wealth of someone of whom I do not know whether he acquired it lawfully or not?" (187)
She taught that repentance was a gift from God because no one could repent unless God had already accepted him and given him this gift of repentance.  She taught that sinners must fear the punishment they deserved for their sins, but she also offered such sinners far more hope of Paradise than most other ascetics did.  For herself, she held to a higher ideal, worshipping God neither from fear of Hell nor from hope of Paradise, for she saw such self-interest as unworthy of God's servants; emotions like fear and hope were like veils -- i.e., hindrances to the vision of God Himself.  The story is told that once a number of Sufis saw her hurrying on her way with water in one hand and a burning torch in the other.  When they asked her to explain, she said:
"I am going to light a fire in Paradise and to pour water on to Hell, so that both veils may vanish altogether from before the pilgrims and their purpose may be sure..." (187-188)
She was once asked where she came from.  "From that other world," she said.  "And where are you going?" she was asked.  "To that other world," she replied (219).  She taught that the spirit originated with God in "that other world" and had to return to Him in the end.  Yet if the soul were sufficiently purified, even on earth, it could look upon God unveiled in all His glory and unite with him in love.  In this quest, logic and reason were powerless.  Instead, she speaks of the "eye" of her heart which alone could apprehend Him and His mysteries (220).
Above all, she was a lover, a bhakti, like one of Krishna’s Goptis in the Hindu tradition.  Her hours of prayer were not so much devoted to intercession as to communion with her Beloved.  Through this communion, she could discover His will for her.  Many of her prayers have come down to us:
       "I have made Thee the Companion of my heart,
        But my body is available for those who seek its company,
        And my body is friendly towards its guests,
        But the Beloved of my heart is the Guest of my soul."  [224]
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Mother Angelica saving souls is this beautiful womans journey  Shrine_of_The_Most_Blessed_Sacrament
Colombia was among the countries Mother Angelica visited. 
In Bogotá, a Salesian priest - Father Juan Pablo Rodriguez - brought Mother and the nuns to the Sanctuary of the Divine Infant Jesus to attend Mass.  After Mass, Father Juan Pablo took them into a small Shrine which housed the miraculous statue of the Child Jesus. Mother Angelica stood praying at the side of the statue when suddenly the miraculous image came alive and turned towards her.  Then the Child Jesus spoke with the voice of a young boy:  “Build Me a Temple and I will help those who help you.” 

Thus began a great adventure that would eventually result in the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, a Temple dedicated to the Divine Child Jesus, a place of refuge for all. Use this link to read a remarkable story about The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Father Reardon, Editor of The Catholic Bulletin for 14 years Lover of the poor; “A very Holy Man of God.”
Monsignor Reardon Protonotarius Apostolicus
  Pastor 42 years BASILICA OF SAINT MARY Minneapolis MN
America's First Basilica Largest Nave in the World
August 7, 1907-ground broke for the foundation
by Archbishop Ireland-laying cornerstone May 31, 1908
James M. Reardon Publication History of Basilica of Saint Mary 1600-1932
James M. Reardon Publication  History of the Basilica of Saint Mary 1955 {update}

Brief History of our Beloved Holy Priest Here and his published books of Catholic History in North America
Reardon, J.M. Archbishop Ireland; Prelate, Patriot, Publicist, 1838-1918.
A Memoir (St. Paul; 1919); George Anthony Belcourt Pioneer Catholic Missionary of the Northwest 1803-1874 (1955);
The Catholic Church IN THE DIOCESE OF ST. PAUL from earliest origin to centennial achievement 1362-1950 (1952);
The Church of Saint Mary of Saint Paul 1875-1922;  (1932)
The Vikings in the American Heartland;
The Catholic Total Abstinence Society in Minnesota;
James Michael Reardon Born in Nova Scotia, 1872;  Priest, ordained by Bishop Ireland;
Member -- St. Paul Seminary faculty.
Affiliations and Indulgences  Litany of Loretto in Stained glass windows here.  Nave Sacristy and Residence Here
Sanctuary spaces between them filled with grilles of hand-forged wrought iron the life of our Blessed Lady After the crucifixon
Apostle statues Replicas of those in St John Lateran--Christendom's earliest Basilica.
Ordered by Rome's first Christian Emperor, Constantine the Great, Popes' cathedral and official residence first millennium of Christian history.
The only replicas ever made:  in order from west to east {1932}.
Every Christian must be a living book wherein one can read the teaching of the gospel
 It Makes No Sense Not To Believe In GOD
THE BLESSED MOTHER AND ISLAM By Father John Corapi. 
  June 19, Trinity Sunday, 1991: Ordained Catholic Priest under Pope John Paul II;
then 2,000,000 miles delivering the Gospel to millions, and continues to do so.
By Father John Corapi
THE BLESSED MOTHER AND ISLAM By Father John Corapi. 
  June 19, Trinity Sunday, 1991: Ordained Catholic Priest under Pope John Paul II;
then 2,000,000 miles delivering the Gospel to millions, and continues to do so.
By Father John Corapi
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.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation. God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.

No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.
As we watch the spectacle of the world seeming to self-destruct before our eyes, we can’t help but be saddened and even frightened by so much evil run rampant. Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Somalia, North Korea—It is all a disaster of epic proportions displayed in living color on our television screens.  These are not ordinary times and this is not business as usual. We are at a crossroads in human history and the time for Catholics and all Christians to act is now. All evil can ultimately be traced to its origin, which is moral evil. All of the political action, peace talks, international peacekeeping forces, etc. will avail nothing if the underlying sickness is not addressed. This is sin. One person at a time hearts and minds must be moved from evil to good, from lies to truth, from violence to peace.
Islam, an Arabic word that has often been defined as “to make peace,” seems like a living contradiction today. Islam is a religion of peace.  As we celebrate the birthday of Our Lady, I am proposing that each one of us pray the Rosary for peace. Prayer is what must precede all other activity if that activity is to have any chance of success. Pray for peace, pray the Rosary every day without fail.  There is a great love for Mary among Muslim people. It is not a coincidence that a little village named Fatima is where God chose to have His Mother appear in the twentieth century. Our Lady’s name appears no less than thirty times in the Koran. No other woman’s name is mentioned, not even that of Mohammed’s daughter, Fatima. In the Koran Our Lady is described as “Virgin, ever Virgin.”

Archbishop Fulton Sheen prophetically spoke of the resurgence of Islam in our day. He said it would be through the Blessed Virgin Mary that Islam would be converted. We must pray for this to happen quickly if we are to avert a horrible time of suffering for this poor, sinful world. Turn to our Mother in this time of great peril. Pray the Rosary every day. Then, and only then will there be peace, when the hearts and minds of men are changed from the inside.
Talk is weak. Prayer is strong. Pray!  God bless you, Father John Corapi

Father Corapi's Biography

Father John Corapi is what has commonly been called a late vocation. In other words, he came to the priesthood other than a young man. He was 44 years old when he was ordained. From small town boy to the Vietnam era US Army, from successful businessman in Las Vegas and Hollywood to drug addicted and homeless, to religious life and ordination to the priesthood by Pope John Paul II, to a life as a preacher of the Gospel who has reached millions with the simple message that God's Name is Mercy!

Father Corapi's academic credentials are quite extensive. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pace University in the seventies. Then as an older man returned to the university classrooms in preparation for his life as a priest and preacher. He received all of his academic credentials for the Church with honors: a Masters degree in Sacred Scripture from Holy Apostles Seminary and Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctorate degrees in dogmatic theology from the University of Navarre in Spain.
Father John Corapi goes to the heart of the contemporary world's many woes and wars, whether the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, or the Congo, or the natural disasters that seem to be increasing every year, the moral and spiritual war is at the basis of everything. “Our battle is not against human forces,” St. Paul asserts, “but against principalities and powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness...” (Ephesians 6:12). 
The “War to end all wars” is the moral and spiritual combat that rages in the hearts and minds of human beings. The outcome of that  unseen fight largely determines how the battle in the realm of the seen unfolds.  The title talk, “With the Moon Under Her Feet,” is taken from the twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation, and deals with the current threat to the world from radical Islam, and the Blessed Virgin Mary's role in the ultimate victory that will result in the conversion of Islam. Few Catholics are aware of the connection between Islam, Fatima, and Guadalupe. Presented in Father Corapi's straight-forward style, you will be both inspired and educated by him.

About Father John Corapi.
Father Corapi is a Catholic priest .
The pillars of father's preaching are basically:
Love for and a relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary 
Leading a vibrant and loving relationship with Jesus Christ
Great love and reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist from Holy Mass to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
An uncompromising love for and obedience to the Holy Father and the teaching of the Magisterium of the Church

God Bless you on your journey Father John Corapi


Records on life of Father Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, presented at Vatican
Jul 23, 2019 - 03:01 am .- The cause for canonization of Servant of God Edward Flanagan, the priest who founded Nebraska's Boys Town community for orphans and other boys, advanced Monday with the presentation of a summary of records on his life.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be beatified
Jul 6, 2019 - 04:00 am .- Pope Francis approved the miracle attributed to Archbishop Fulton Sheen Friday, making possible the American television catechist's beatification.

Brooklyn diocese advances sainthood cause of local priest
Jun 25, 2019 - 03:01 am .- The Bishop of Brooklyn accepted last week the findings of a nine-year diocesan investigation into the life of Monsignor Bernard John Quinn, known for fighting bigotry and serving the African American population, as part of his cause for canonization.

Fr. Augustus Tolton, former African American slave, advances toward sainthood
Jun 12, 2019 - 05:03 am .- Fr. Augustus Tolton advanced along the path to sainthood Wednesday, making the runaway slave-turned-priest one step closer to being the first black American saint.

Pope Francis will beatify these martyred Greek-Catholic bishops in Romania
May 30, 2019 - 03:01 pm .- On Sunday in Blaj, Pope Francis will beatify seven Greek-Catholic bishops of Romania who were killed by the communist regime between 1950 and 1970.
 
Woman who served Brazil’s poorest to be canonized
May 14, 2019 - 06:53 am .- Pope Francis Tuesday gave his approval for eight sainthood causes to proceed, including that of Bl. Dulce Lopes Pontes, a 20th-century religious sister who served Brazil’s poor.

Seven 20th-century Romanian bishops declared martyrs
Mar 19, 2019 - 12:01 pm .- Pope Francis declared Tuesday the martyrdom of seven Greek-Catholic bishops killed by the communist regime in Romania in the mid-20th century.

Pope advances sainthood causes of 17 women
Jan 15, 2019 - 11:12 am .- Pope Francis approved Tuesday the next step in the canonization causes of 17 women from four countries, including the martyrdom of 14 religious sisters killed in Spain at the start of the Spanish Civil War.
 
Nineteen Algerian martyrs beatified
Dec 10, 2018 - 03:08 pm .- Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, were beatified Saturday during a Mass in Oran.

The Algerian martyrs shed their blood for Christ, pope says
Dec 7, 2018 - 10:02 am .- Ahead of the beatification Saturday of Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, Pope Francis said martyrs have a special place in the Church.
Algerian martyrs are models for the Church, archbishop says
Nov 16, 2018 - 03:01 am .- Archbishop Paul Desfarges of Algiers has said that Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, are “models for our lives as disciples today and tomorrow.”
 
Francesco Spinelli to be canonized after healing of a newborn in DR Congo
Oct 9, 2018 - 05:01 pm .- Among those being canonized on Sunday are Fr. Franceso Spinelli, a diocesan priest through whose intercession a newborn was saved from death in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Algerian martyrs to be beatified in December
Sep 14, 2018 - 06:01 pm .- The Algerian bishops' conference has announced that the beatification of Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in the country between 1994 and 1996, will be held Dec. 8.

Now a cardinal, Giovanni Angelo Becciu heads to congregation for saints' causes
Jun 28, 2018 - 11:41 am .- Newly-minted Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu will resign from his post as substitute of the Secretariat of State tomorrow, in anticipation of his appointment as prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints later this summer.

Pope Francis creates new path to beatification under ‘offering of life’
Jul 11, 2017 - 06:22 am .- On Tuesday Pope Francis declared a new category of Christian life suitable for consideration of beatification called “offering of life” – in which a person has died prematurely through an offering of their life for love of God and neighbor.
 
Twentieth century Polish nurse among causes advancing toward sainthood
Jul 7, 2017 - 06:14 am .- Pope Francis on Friday approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Hanna Chrzanowska, a Polish nurse and nursing instructor who died from cancer in 1973, paving the way for her beatification.
 
Sainthood causes advance, including layman who resisted fascism
Jun 17, 2017 - 09:22 am .- Pope Francis on Friday recognized the heroic virtue of six persons on the path to canonization, as well as the martyrdom of an Italian man who died from injuries of a beating he received while imprisoned in a concentration camp for resisting fascism.
 
Solanus Casey, Cardinal Van Thuan among those advanced toward sainthood
May 4, 2017 - 10:47 am .- Pope Francis on Thursday approved decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints advancing the causes for canonization of 12 individuals, including the American-born Capuchin Solanus Casey and the Vietnamese cardinal Francis Xavier Nguen Van Thuan.
 
Pope clears way for canonization of Fatima visionaries
Mar 23, 2017 - 06:44 am .- On Thursday Pope Francis approved the second and final miracle needed to canonize Blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the shepherd children who witnessed the Fatima Marian apparitions.
Surgeon and father among sainthood causes moving forward
Feb 27, 2017 - 11:03 am .- Pope Francis recognized on Monday the heroic virtue of eight persons on the path to canonization, including an Italian surgeon and father of eight who suffered from several painful diseases throughout his life.

Records on life of Father Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, presented at Vatican
Jul 23, 2019 - 03:01 am .- The cause for canonization of Servant of God Edward Flanagan, the priest who founded Nebraska's Boys Town community for orphans and other boys, advanced Monday with the presentation of a summary of records on his life.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be beatified
Jul 6, 2019 - 04:00 am .- Pope Francis approved the miracle attributed to Archbishop Fulton Sheen Friday, making possible the American television catechist's beatification.

Brooklyn diocese advances sainthood cause of local priest
Jun 25, 2019 - 03:01 am .- The Bishop of Brooklyn accepted last week the findings of a nine-year diocesan investigation into the life of Monsignor Bernard John Quinn, known for fighting bigotry and serving the African American population, as part of his cause for canonization.

Fr. Augustus Tolton, former African American slave, advances toward sainthood
Jun 12, 2019 - 05:03 am .- Fr. Augustus Tolton advanced along the path to sainthood Wednesday, making the runaway slave-turned-priest one step closer to being the first black American saint.

Pope Francis will beatify these martyred Greek-Catholic bishops in Romania
May 30, 2019 - 03:01 pm .- On Sunday in Blaj, Pope Francis will beatify seven Greek-Catholic bishops of Romania who were killed by the communist regime between 1950 and 1970.
 
Woman who served Brazil’s poorest to be canonized
May 14, 2019 - 06:53 am .- Pope Francis Tuesday gave his approval for eight sainthood causes to proceed, including that of Bl. Dulce Lopes Pontes, a 20th-century religious sister who served Brazil’s poor.

Seven 20th-century Romanian bishops declared martyrs
Mar 19, 2019 - 12:01 pm .- Pope Francis declared Tuesday the martyrdom of seven Greek-Catholic bishops killed by the communist regime in Romania in the mid-20th century.

Pope advances sainthood causes of 17 women
Jan 15, 2019 - 11:12 am .- Pope Francis approved Tuesday the next step in the canonization causes of 17 women from four countries, including the martyrdom of 14 religious sisters killed in Spain at the start of the Spanish Civil War.
 
Nineteen Algerian martyrs beatified
Dec 10, 2018 - 03:08 pm .- Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, were beatified Saturday during a Mass in Oran.

The Algerian martyrs shed their blood for Christ, pope says
Dec 7, 2018 - 10:02 am .- Ahead of the beatification Saturday of Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, Pope Francis said martyrs have a special place in the Church.
Algerian martyrs are models for the Church, archbishop says
Nov 16, 2018 - 03:01 am .- Archbishop Paul Desfarges of Algiers has said that Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, are “models for our lives as disciples today and tomorrow.”
 
Francesco Spinelli to be canonized after healing of a newborn in DR Congo
Oct 9, 2018 - 05:01 pm .- Among those being canonized on Sunday are Fr. Franceso Spinelli, a diocesan priest through whose intercession a newborn was saved from death in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Algerian martyrs to be beatified in December
Sep 14, 2018 - 06:01 pm .- The Algerian bishops' conference has announced that the beatification of Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in the country between 1994 and 1996, will be held Dec. 8.

Now a cardinal, Giovanni Angelo Becciu heads to congregation for saints' causes
Jun 28, 2018 - 11:41 am .- Newly-minted Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu will resign from his post as substitute of the Secretariat of State tomorrow, in anticipation of his appointment as prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints later this summer.

Pope Francis creates new path to beatification under ‘offering of life’
Jul 11, 2017 - 06:22 am .- On Tuesday Pope Francis declared a new category of Christian life suitable for consideration of beatification called “offering of life” – in which a person has died prematurely through an offering of their life for love of God and neighbor.
 
Twentieth century Polish nurse among causes advancing toward sainthood
Jul 7, 2017 - 06:14 am .- Pope Francis on Friday approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Hanna Chrzanowska, a Polish nurse and nursing instructor who died from cancer in 1973, paving the way for her beatification.
 
Sainthood causes advance, including layman who resisted fascism
Jun 17, 2017 - 09:22 am .- Pope Francis on Friday recognized the heroic virtue of six persons on the path to canonization, as well as the martyrdom of an Italian man who died from injuries of a beating he received while imprisoned in a concentration camp for resisting fascism.
 
Solanus Casey, Cardinal Van Thuan among those advanced toward sainthood
May 4, 2017 - 10:47 am .- Pope Francis on Thursday approved decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints advancing the causes for canonization of 12 individuals, including the American-born Capuchin Solanus Casey and the Vietnamese cardinal Francis Xavier Nguen Van Thuan.
 
Pope clears way for canonization of Fatima visionaries
Mar 23, 2017 - 06:44 am .- On Thursday Pope Francis approved the second and final miracle needed to canonize Blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the shepherd children who witnessed the Fatima Marian apparitions.
Surgeon and father among sainthood causes moving forward
Feb 27, 2017 - 11:03 am .- Pope Francis recognized on Monday the heroic virtue of eight persons on the path to canonization, including an Italian surgeon and father of eight who suffered from several painful diseases throughout his life.
8 Martyrs Move Closer to Sainthood 8 July, 2016
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 8 July, 2016

The angel appears to Saint Monica
This morning, Pope Francis received Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato. During the audience, he authorized the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes:

***
MIRACLES:
Miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Luis Antonio Rosa Ormières, priest and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Guardian Angel; born July 4, 1809 and died on Jan. 16, 1890
MARTYRDOM:
Servants of God Antonio Arribas Hortigüela and 6 Companions, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart; killed in hatred of the Faith, Sept. 29, 1936
Servant of God Josef Mayr-Nusser, a layman; killed in hatred of the Faith, Feb. 24, 1945
HEROIC VIRTUE:

Servant of God Alfonse Gallegos of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Titular Bishop of Sasabe, auxiliary of Sacramento; born Feb. 20, 1931 and died Oct. 6, 1991
Servant of God Rafael Sánchez García, diocesan priest; born June 14, 1911 and died on Aug. 8, 1973
Servant of God Andrés García Acosta, professed layman of the Order of Friars Minor; born Jan. 10, 1800 and died Jan. 14, 1853
Servant of God Joseph Marchetti, professed priest of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles; born Oct. 3, 1869 and died Dec. 14, 1896
Servant of God Giacomo Viale, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor, pastor of Bordighera; born Feb. 28, 1830 and died April 16, 1912
Servant of God Maria Pia of the Cross (née Maddalena Notari), foundress of the Congregation of Crucified Sisters Adorers of the Eucharist; born Dec. 2, 1847 and died on July 1, 1919
Sunday, November 23 2014 Six to Be Canonized on Feast of Christ the King.

On the List Are Lay Founder of a Hospital and Eastern Catholic Religious
VATICAN CITY, June 12, 2014 (Zenit.org) - Today, the Vatican announced that during the celebration of the feast of Christ the King on Sunday, November 23, an ordinary public consistory will be held for the canonization of the following six blesseds, who include a lay founder of a hospital for the poor, founders of religious orders, and two members of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See:
-Giovanni Antonio Farina (1803-1888), an Italian bishop who founded the Institute of the Sisters Teachers of Saint Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts
-Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805-1871), a Syro-Malabar priest in India who founded the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
-Ludovico of Casoria (1814-1885), an Italian Franciscan priest who founded the Gray Sisters of St. Elizabeth
-Nicola Saggio (Nicola da Longobardi, 1650-1709), an Italian oblate of the Order of Minims
-Euphrasia Eluvathingal (1877-1952), an Indian Carmelite of the Syro-Malabar Church
-Amato Ronconi (1238-1304), an Italian, Third Order Franciscan who founded a hospital for poor pilgrims
CAUSES OF SAINTS July 2015.
Pope Recognizes Heroic Virtues of Ukrainian Archbishop
Recognition Brings Metropolitan Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky Closer to Beatification
By Junno Arocho Esteves Rome, July 17, 2015 (ZENIT.org)
Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtues of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky. According to a communique released by the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father met this morning with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The Pope also recognized the heroic virtues of several religious/lay men and women from Italy, Spain, France & Mexico.
Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky is considered to be one of the most influential 20th century figures in the history of the Ukrainian Church.
Enthroned as Metropolitan of Lviv in 1901, Archbishop Sheptytsky was arrested shortly after the outbreak of World War I in 1914 by the Russians. After his imprisonment in several prisons in Russia and the Ukraine, the Archbishop was released in 1918.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic prelate was also an ardent supporter of the Jewish community in Ukraine, going so far as to learn Hebrew to better communicate with them. He also was a vocal protestor against atrocities committed by the Nazis, evidenced in his pastoral letter, "Thou Shalt Not Kill." He was also known to harbor thousands of Jews in his residence and in Greek Catholic monasteries.
Following his death in 1944, his cause for canonization was opened in 1958.
* * *
The Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate the following decrees regarding the heroic virtues of:
- Servant of God Andrey Sheptytsky, O.S.B.M., major archbishop of Leopolis of the Ukrainians, metropolitan of Halyc (1865-1944);
- Servant of God Giuseppe Carraro, Bishop of Verona, Italy (1899-1980);
- Servant of God Agustin Ramirez Barba, Mexican diocesan priest and founder of the Servants of the Lord of Mercy (1881-1967);
- Servant of God Simpliciano della Nativita (ne Aniello Francesco Saverio Maresca), Italian professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor, founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts (1827-1898);
- Servant of God Maria del Refugio Aguilar y Torres del Cancino, Mexican founder of the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (1866-1937);
- Servant of God Marie-Charlotte Dupouy Bordes (Marie-Teresa), French professed religious of the Society of the Religious of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1873-1953);
- Servant of God Elisa Miceli, Italian founder of the Rural Catechist Sisters of the Sacred Heart (1904-1976);
- Servant of God Isabel Mendez Herrero (Isabel of Mary Immaculate), Spanish professed nun of the Servants of St. Joseph (1924-1953)
October 01, 2015 Vatican City, Pope Authorizes following Decrees
(ZENIT.org) By Staff Reporter
Polish Layperson Recognized as Servant of God
Pope Authorizes Decrees
Pope Francis on Wednesday authorised the Congregation for Saints' Causes to promulgate the following decrees:

MARTYRDOM
- Servant of God Valentin Palencia Marquina, Spanish diocesan priest, killed in hatred of the faith in Suances, Spain in 1937;

HEROIC VIRTUES
- Servant of God Giovanni Folci, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Opera Divin Prigioniero (1890-1963);
- Servant of God Franciszek Blachnicki, Polish diocesan priest (1921-1987);
- Servant of God Jose Rivera Ramirez, Spanish diocesan priest (1925-1991);
- Servant of God Juan Manuel Martín del Campo, Mexican diocesan priest (1917-1996);
- Servant of God Antonio Filomeno Maria Losito, Italian professed priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (1838-1917);
- Servant of God Maria Benedetta Giuseppa Frey (nee Ersilia Penelope), Italian professed nun of the Cistercian Order (1836-1913);
- Servant of God Hanna Chrzanowska, Polish layperson, Oblate of the Ursulines of St. Benedict (1902-1973).
March 06 2016 MIRACLES authorised the Congregation to promulgate the following decrees:
Pope Francis received in a private audience Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, during which he authorised the Congregation to promulgate the following decrees:
MIRACLES

– Blessed Manuel González García, bishop of Palencia, Spain, founder of the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth (1877-1940);
– Blessed Elisabeth of the Trinity (née Elisabeth Catez), French professed religious of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (1880-1906);
– Venerable Servant of God Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus (né Henri Grialou), French professed priest of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, founder of the Secular Institute “Notre-Dame de Vie” (1894-1967);
– Venerable Servant of God María Antonia of St. Joseph (née María Antonio de Paz y Figueroa), Argentine founder of the Beaterio of the Spiritual Exercise of Buenos Aires (1730-1799);
HEROIC VIRTUE

– Servant of God Stefano Ferrando, Italian professed priest of the Salesians, bishop of Shillong, India, founder of the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (1895-1978);
– Servant of God Enrico Battista Stanislao Verjus, Italian professed priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, coadjutor of the apostolic vicariate of New Guinea (1860-1892);
– Servant of God Giovanni Battista Quilici, Italian diocesan priest, founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Crucified (1791-1844);
– Servant of God Bernardo Mattio, Italian diocesan priest (1845-1914);
– Servant of God Quirico Pignalberi, Italian professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (1891-1982);
– Servant of God Teodora Campostrini, Italian founder of the Minim Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Sorrows (1788-1860);
– Servant of God Bianca Piccolomini Clementini, Italian founder of the Company of St. Angela Merici di Siena (1875-1959);
– Servant of God María Nieves of the Holy Family (née María Nieves Sánchez y Fernández), Spanish professed religious of the Daughters of Mary of the Pious Schools (1900-1978).

April 26 2016 MIRACLES authorised the Congregation to promulgate the following decrees:
Here is the full list of decrees approved by the Pope:

MIRACLES
– Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco, diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist (1839-1910);
– Venerable Servant of God John Sullivan, professed priest of the Society of Jesus (1861-1933);
MARTYRDOM
– Servants of God Nikolle Vinçenc Prennushi, O.F.M., archbishop of Durres, Albania, and 37 companions killed between 1945 and 1974;
– Servants of God José Antón Gómez and three companions of the Benedictines of Madrid, Spain, killed 1936;
HEROIC VIRTUES
– Servant of God Thomas Choe Yang-Eop, diocesan priest (1821-1861);
– Servant of God Sosio Del Prete (né Vincenzo), professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor, founder of the Congregation of the Little Servants of Christ the King (1885-1952);
– Servant of God Wenanty Katarzyniec (né Jósef), professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (1889-1921);
– Servant of God Maria Consiglia of the Holy Spirity (née Emilia Paqualina Addatis), founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Addolorata, Servants of Mary (1845-1900);
– Servant of God Maria of the Incarnation (née Caterina Carrasco Tenorio), founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Tertiary Sisters of the Flock of Mary (1840-1917);
– Servant of God , founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Family of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1851-1923);
– Servant of God Ilia Corsaro, founder of the Congregation of the Little Missionaries of the Eucharist (1897-1977);
– Servant of God Maria Montserrat Grases García, layperson of the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei (1941-1959).
LINKS:
Marian Apparitions (over 2000)  India Marian Shrine Lourdes of the East   Lourdes Feb 11- July 16, Loreto, Italy 1858 
China Marian shrines May 23, 1995 Zarvintisya Ukraine Lourdes Kenya national Marian shrine    Quang Tri Vietnam La Vang 1798  
Links to Related Marian Websites  Angels and Archangels
Doctors_of_the_Church   Acts_Apostles  Roman Catholic Popes  Purgatory  Uniates, 110 2023