Prophet Zachariah, father of St John the Baptist, by command of Herod, Soldiers murdered this holy prophet, stabbed him between the temple and the altar (MT 23: 35). Elizabeth died forty days after her husband, and St John, preserved by the Lord, dwelt in the wilderness until the day of his appearance to the nation of Israel.
The Holy Prophet Zachariah and the Righteous Elizabeth were parents of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John. They descended from lineage of Aaron: St Zachariah, son of Barach, was a priest in the Jerusalem Temple, and St Elizabeth was the sister of St Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. The righteous spouses, "walking in all the commandments of the Lord" (Luke 1:6), suffered barrenness, which in those times was considered a punishment from God.

Once, during his turn of priestly service in the Temple, St Zachariah was told by an angel that his aged wife would bear him a son, who "will be great in the sight of the Lord" (Luke 1:15) and "will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias" (Luke 1:17). Zachariah doubted that this prediction would come true, and for his weakness of faith he was punished by becoming mute. When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit she announced that his name was John, although no one in their family had this name. They asked Zachariah and he also wrote the name John down on a tablet. Immediately the gift of speech returned to him, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, he began to prophesy about his son as the Forerunner of the Lord.

When King Herod heard from the Magi about the birth of the Messiah, he decided to kill all the infants up to two years old at Bethlehem and the surrounding area, hoping that the new-born Messiah would be among them. Herod knew about John's unusual birth and he wanted to kill him, fearing that he was the foretold King of the Jews. Elizabeth hid herself and the infant in the hills. The murderers searched everywhere for John. Elizabeth, when she saw her pursuers, began to implore God for their safety, and immediately the hill opened up and concealed her and the infant from their pursuers.

In these tragic days St Zachariah was taking his turn at the services in the Temple.
Soldiers sent by Herod tried in vain to learn from him the whereabouts of his son. Then, by command of Herod, they murdered this holy prophet, having stabbed him between the temple and the altar (MT 23: 35). Elizabeth died forty days after her husband, and St John, preserved by the Lord, dwelt in the wilderness until the day of his appearance to the nation of Israel.

On Greek calendar, Sts Zachariah and Elizabeth are also commemorated on June 24, Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist .

Righteous Elizabeth the mother of St John the Baptist descended lineage of Aaron, sister of St Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos
The Righteous Elizabeth was the mother of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John. She was descended from the lineage of Aaron, and St Elizabeth was the sister of St Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. The righteous spouses, "walking in all the commandments of the Lord" (Luke 1:6), suffered barrenness, which in those times was considered a punishment from God.
When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit she announced that his name was John, although no one in their family had this name. They asked Zachariah (who had been rendered mute) what the child's name was, and he wrote the name John down on a tablet. Immediately the gift of speech returned to him, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, he began to prophesy about his son as the Forerunner of the Lord.
When King Herod heard from the Magi about the birth of the Messiah, he decided to kill all the infants up to two years old at Bethlehem and the surrounding area, hoping that the new-born Messiah would be among them.
Herod knew about John's unusual birth and he wanted to kill him, fearing that he was the foretold King of the Jews. But Elizabeth hid herself and the infant in the hills. The murderers searched everywhere for John. Elizabeth, when she saw her pursuers, began to implore God for their safety, and immediately the hill opened up and concealed her and the infant from their pursuers.

In these tragic days St Zachariah was taking his turn at the services in the Temple. Soldiers sent by Herod tried in vain to learn from him the whereabouts of his son. Then, by command of Herod, they murdered this holy prophet, having stabbed him between the temple and the altar (MT 23: 35). Elizabeth died forty days after her husband, and St John, preserved by the Lord, dwelt in the wilderness until the day of his appearance to the nation of Israel.

On Greek calendar, Sts Zachariah and Elizabeth are also commemorated on June 24, Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist .

420 BC St. Malachi, the Prophet Departure of
On this day, the great prophet, Malachi, one of the twelve minor prophets, departed. He prophesied about the return of the people from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem. He rebuked the children of Israel because of their transgression against God and His Law. He also admonished them because of their vile offerings, and prophesied about the acceptance of the Gentiles when he said, "For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations." (Malachi 1:11)
He pointed out to them that they did not give the tithes nor their first fruits, by saying, "'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,' says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,' says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:10-11)

He prophesied about the coming of St. John the baptizer before the Lord, the Savior of the World, by saying, "'Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,' says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:1)
He also prophesied about the coming of Elijah before the Lord at His second coming, saying, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:5-6)

Having pleased God by his strife, and having completed his days in peace, he departed to God Whom he loved.

May his prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In 536 BC the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews officially ended when Cyrus allowed the people of Israel to return to their homeland. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel some 50,000 Jews returned. Encouraged by the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah, the people rebuilt the Temple between 520-516 BC.
In 458 BC Ezra returned with a second group of exiles. The Persian King during this time was Artaxerxes I (465-425 BC). It was he who permitted Nehemiah to return in 445 BC to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's first term as Governor was 445-433 BC. He then returned to Persia for a time, after which he served a second term as Governor from 430-425 BC.

It was during this time that "Malachi took the helm of spiritual affairs in Jerusalem" (The Expositor's Bible Commentary). "For a full picture of the conditions in Judea during this period one should read Ezra 7-10 and the complete book of Nehemiah. The conditions of the people as revealed in Nehemiah and the bold and courageous attack of Malachi against the problems which the latter sets forth in his book point clearly to the contemporary dates of the two" (Homer Hailey).

107 St. Charbel Maronite martyr under Emperor Trajan.

98-117 Sarbelus The Holy Martyr was a pagan priest He and his sister Bebaia were converted by St Barsimaius, Bishop of Edessa
who lived during the reign of the emperor Trajan (98-117) He and his sister Bebaia were converted by St Barsimaius, the Bishop of Edessa (January 29). They both received the crown of martyrdom. This St Sarbelus appears to be the same one who is commemorated on January 29 and October 15.

112 St. Romulus Roman martyr member Trajan court
Eódem die sancti Rómuli, qui, cum esset Trajáni aulæ præféctus ac sævítiam Imperatóris in Christiános detestarétur, cæsus est virgis, et cápite truncátus.
On the same day, St. Rmulus, prefect of Trajan's court. For reproving the cruelty of the emperor towards Christians, he was scourged with rods and beheaded.
He was a member of the imperial court under Emperor Trajan. When Romulus spoke out against the persecutions of Christians, Trajan commanded that he should be arrested and put to death in the same manner as those in whose defense he had spoken.
Romulus the Courtier M (RM). Saint Romulus, as name implies, was a courtier of the Emperor Trajan. Because he chastised his master for his cruelty to the Christians he was given a share in their fate (Benedictines).

Romæ, in suburbáno, beáti Victoríni, Epíscopi et Mártyris; qui, sanctitáte et miráculis clarus, sacerdótium Amiternínæ urbis, totíus pópuli electióne, adéptus est. Póstmodum, sub Nerva Trajáno, apud Cutílias, ubi puténtes et sulphúreæ emánant aquæ, cum áliis Dei servis, relegátus, ab Aureliáno Júdice jussus est suspéndi cápite deórsum; idque cum per tríduum pro nómine Christi passus fuísset, tandem, glorióse coronátus, victor migrávit ad Dóminum. Ejus corpus rapuérunt Christiáni, et honorífica sepultúra Amitérni, in Vestínis, condidérunt.
Blessed Victorinus bishop and martyr, in the time of Nerva Trajan In the suburbs of Rome. Being renowned for sanctity and miracles, he was elected bishop of Amiterno by the whole populace, but afterwards he was banished, with other servants of God, to Contigliano, where fetid sulphurous waters spring forth, and was suspended with his head downward by order of the judge Aurelian. Having for the name of Christ endured this torment for three days, he was gloriously crowned and went victoriously to our Lord. His body was taken away by the Christians and buried with due honours at Amiterno.

2nd v. Eudoxius, Zeno, Macarius & Companions band of Christian soldiers killed for the faith at Melitene, Armenia MM (RM)
Melitínæ, in Arménia, pássio sanctórum mílitum Eudóxii, Zenónis, Macárii, et Sociórum mille centum et quátuor; qui, cum abjecíssent milítiæ cíngulum, in persecutióne Diocletiáni, pro Christi confessióne necáti sunt.
At Melitine in Armenia, during the persecution of Diocletian, the martyrdom of the holy soldiers Eudoxius, Zeno, Macarius, and their companions to the number of eleven hundred and four, who threw away their military belts and were put to death for the confession of Christ.

2nd century. These martyrs led a band of Christian soldiers killed for the faith at Melitene, Armenia, under Constantius I. They are said to have numbered more than one thousand (Benedictines).
Victorinus BM (RM). According to the spurious Gesta Nerei et Achillei, Saint Victorinus is said to have been a bishop who, with Saints Maro and Eutyches, accompanied Saint Flavia Domitilla, in her exile to Ponza. He suffered martyrdom in Rome under Trajan (Benedictines).

250 St. Herculanils Martyr at Porto near Rome
In Portu Románo pássio sancti Herculáni mílitis, qui, sub Gallo Imperatóre, ob Christi fidem cæsus flagris et cápite obtruncátus est.
At Porto, the birthday of St. Herculanus, martyr, who was scourged and beheaded in the reign of Emperor Gallus because of the Christian faith.
Herculanus of Porto M (RM) Died c. 180 (?). It is uncertain whether Saint Herculanus suffered during the reign of Marcus Aurelius or in another persecution. He died at Porto, near Rome (Benedictines).

St. Quintius One of three martyrs who were put to death at Capua, Italy
Cápuæ sanctórum Mártyrum Quínctii, Arcóntii et Donáti.
At Capua, the holy martyrs Quinctus, Arcontius, and Donatus.
Quintius, Arcontius, and Donatus MM (RM) These martyrs venerated at Capua and in other parts of southern Italy (Benedictines).

Rhais (Iraida) The Holy Martyr lived at Alexandria
Once, she went to a well to draw water and saw a ship at the shore. On board were a large number of men, women, clergy and monks, all fettered in chains for their confession of the Christian Faith.

Casting aside her water pitcher, the saint voluntarily joined the prisoners for Christ, and fetters were placed on her, too. When the ship arrived in the Egyptian city of Antipolis, St Iraida was the first to undergo fierce torments and was beheaded with the sword. After her, the other martyrs sealed their confession of faith in Christ with their blood .

98-138 Tathuil (Thiphael) and his sister Bebaia (or Thivea) The Martyrs suffered for their bold and effective preaching of Christianity among the pagans
After long and intense torture, the pagans suspended the holy Martyr Thiphael on a tree and cut him with a saw. His sister St Bebaia was killed with a spear thrust in the neck.

300 Madrona (Madryne, Matrona) "mistress of the house" repeated scourging and hunger caused her death in prison
Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; died March 15, 300. Saint Madrona, which means "mistress of the house" in Catalan, was an orphan of Barcelona, then a Roman town on the slope of Mount Jongjuic (Mount Jupiter).

Tradition tells us that the orphan searched for life and love and found it in the Catholic faith in Jesus Christ, which had been brought to her hometown by the disciples of Saint Paul. Her rich, powerful, and pagan uncle offered Madrona a home and adopted her.
He took her with him when he went to Italy and settled Rome, which he thought would protect her from the corruption of faith in the new God. But in the heart of Catholicism, Madrona discovered the light of faith and was baptized. In order to live more perfectly as a Christian, Madrona dedicated her virginity to her Savior, the supreme fruit of Christian love. Her zeal was demonstrated by her perseverance. She was 15 when martyred by repeated scourging and hunger causing her death in prison.

360 Juventinus and Maximus martyred soldiers suffered during the reign of the emperor Julian the Apostate, whom they served as bodyguards
Once, while he was at Antioch, Julian decided to defile the food of the Christians by sprinkling all the food in the marketplaces with blood offered to idols.
Sts Juventinus and Maximus openly condemned the emperor's course of action and they boldly denounced him for his apostasy from the Christian Faith.
After merciless beatings they were both put to death on orders of the impious emperor.

370 Saints Urban, Theodore and Companions MM by Arian co-emperor Valens (RM)
Constantinópoli sanctórum Mártyrum Urbáni, Theodóri, Menedémi, et Sociórum septuagínta septem ex órdine ecclesiástico; qui a Valénte Imperatóre, pro fide cathólica, in navígio impósiti, jussi sunt in mari combúri.
At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Urbanus, Theodore, Menedemus, and their companions of ecclesiastical rank, seventy-seven in number, who were put in a ship by the command of Emperor Valens, and burned on the sea for the Catholic faith.

The Martyrs Urban, Theodore, Medimnus and seventy-nine companions suffered at Nicomedia during the reign of the Arian emperor Valentus (Valens) (364-378 or 379). The Orthodox bishop Evagrius was banished from the Church of Constantinople, and Christians not wishing to accept the Arian heresy were locked up in prison and subjected to various outrages.
Driven to the point of despair, the Orthodox Christians decided to ask for protection from the emperor and they sent 80 chosen men of religious rank, headed by Sts Urban, Theodore and Medimnus. Hearing their justified complaints, the emperor flew into a rage, but he know how to hide his wrath. He quietly summoned the eparch Modestus and ordered him to put the delegates to death. Modestus put them upon a ship, telling them that they all would be sent to prison. Instead, he ordered the ship's officers to burn the ship on the open sea. The ship was set afire and for a while, it floated upon the sea. Finally, reaching a place called Dakizis, the ship burned up with all the holy martyrs on board.

Saints Urban and Theodore led a band of 80 priests and clerics who were travelling to appeal to the emperor for relief against the persecutions of his Arian co-emperor Valens. The Arian allowed the holy men to perish on a burning ship for their impudence (Benedictines) .

400 Abdias [or Abidas] The Martyr suffered in Persia during the reign of the emperor Izdegerd I for his refusal to renounce Christ and instead worship the sun and fire. He died after many tortures, and until his final breath, he gave thanks to God for permitting His chosen one to die for His Holy Name.

555 Genebald (Genebaud) of Laon B performed seven years of continuous penance (AC)
Saint Remi appointed his nephew, Saint Genebald, bishop of Laon, France. He is said to have performed seven years of continuous penance from a sin he committed (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).

642 Oswald Er holte Aidan aus Iona als Bischof zur Missionierung seiens Landes. 635 gründete er mit Aidan das Kloster Lindisfarne, den späteren Bischofssitz. Er fiel im Kampf gegen den heidnischen König von Mercia
Katholische und Anglikanische Kirche: 05. August
Oswald, Sohn Königs Ethefried von Northumbria wurde um 604 geboren. Als sein Vater bei einem Aufstand der Briten getötet wurde, floh Oswald nach Iona. Hier wurde er getauft. 634 konnte der den König der Briten Caedwalla besiegen und die Herrrschaft in Northumbria übernehmen. Er holte Aidan aus Iona als Bischof zur Missionierung seiens Landes. 635 gründete er mit Aidan das Kloster Lindisfarne, den späteren Bischofssitz. Er fiel im Kampf gegen den heidnischen König von Mercia am 5.8.642. Nach Berichten Bedas über Wunder an seinem Grab breitete sich die Verehrung aus und es entstanden zahlreiche legendarische Viten. Schottische Missionsmönche verbreiteten den Kult in Europa. Oswald wird regional zu den vierzehn Nothelfern gezählt. Er ist Patron des Kantons Zug.

644 St. Victorinus Bishop of Como zealous opponent of the Arians
Italy. He was a noted opponent of the Arians in his era.
Victorinus of Como B (AC). Bishop Saint Victorinus was a zealous opponent of the Arians (Benedictines).

700 St. Bertin monk monastery founder; practiced the greatest austerities and was in constant communion with God
In pago Tarvanénsi, monastério Sithinénsi, in Gállia, sancti Bertíni Abbátis.
In the neighbourhood of Terouanne, in the monastery of Sithiu, in France, St. Bertinus, abbot.
Born about the beginning of the 7th century near Constance, France, and received his religious formation at the abbey of Luxeuil, at that time, the model abbey for the rather strict Rule of St. Columban. About 639, together with two other monks, he joined St. Omer, Bishop of Therouanne, who had for two years been evangelizing the pagan Morini in the low-lying marshy country of the Pas-de-Calais. In this almost totally idolatrous region, these holy missionary monks founded a monastery which came to be called St. Mommolin after its first Abbot. After eight arduous years of preaching the Faith for Christ, they founded a second monastery at Sithiu, dedicated to St. Peter.
St. Bertin ruled it for nearly sixty years and made it famous; accordingly, after his death it was called St. Bertin and gave birth to the town of St. Omer. St. Bertin practiced the greatest austerities and was in constant communion with God. He also traveled much and trained disciples who went forth to preach the Faith to others. Among others, he selected St. Winnoc to found a monastery at Wormhoudt, near Dunkirk, and this saint figures in many medieval calendars.
At an advanced age (past 100), this zealous preacher of Christ died, surrounded by his sorrowing monks.
709 St. Bertinus one of the greatest Benedictine abbots and founder;
companion of Sts. Mommolinus and Bertrand. The three were born in Coutances, France, and became monks at Luxeuil. They were sent with St. Omer, the bishop of Therouanne, to evangelize the Morini people living in Pas-de-Calais. A monastery, now called St. Mommolin, was built there. Bertinus was named abbot of Sithin, later called St. Bertin's.

He aided St. Omer in building a church near Sithin in 663. His liturgical emblem is a small ship.

Bertinus of Sithiu, OSB Abbot (RM) (also known as Bertin, Bercht) Born near Coutances, France; died at Sithiu. Saint Bertinus, one of the greatest Benedictine abbots, became a monk at Luxeuil under Saint Waldebert, who had replaced the Rule of Saint Columban with that of Saint Benedict. His friend, Bishop Saint Omer, invited him and two companions, Saints Mommolinus and Bertrand, to Thérouanne to assist him in evangelizing among the Morini in the low-lying, marshy land near Pas-de-Calais in northern France. The trio persisted despite great physical hardships.
They built the abbeys of Saint-Mommolinus and Sithiu. Bishop Omer appointed Mommolinus as abbot over both under the Rule of Saint Columban. When Mommolinus was consecrated bishop of Noyon about 661, Bertinus replaced him as abbot of Sithiu (called Saint-Bertin after his death) and built it into one of the great monastic, missionary, and agricultural centers of France. From there he spread the Gospel throughout the region. He was such an outstanding abbot that the monastery grew beyond its walls and spawned several new houses. Bertinus selected Saint Winnoc to establish one of these at Wormhoudt near Dunkirk. A church he built with Saint Omer near Sithiu in 663 later became the cathedral of the see of Saint Omer.
The location of Saint-Bertin helped to spread his cultus into Britain. Anglo-Saxon and early Norman ecclesiastics often stopped there on their way to and from Rome. They carried devotion to him home. Bertinus's relics were restored to his abbey in 1052 after having been removed for safekeeping during the invasions of the Northmen (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer).
In art, Saint Bertinus is portrayed as a Black Benedictine with a pastoral staff and a ship in his hand. The ship is his natural emblem because Sithiu was originally accessible only by water. He is also shown as his soul carried to heaven by angels (Roeder).

700 ST BERTINUS, ABBOT
THIs great abbot was one of three young men—the others were St Mommolinus and St Bertrand—natives of the Coutances country, who were sent from the abbey of Luxeuil to assist St Omer (Audomarus) after he was made bishop of Thérouanne, the centre of the half-heathen Morini in what is now called the Pas-de-Calais. The Morini had already received the seed of divine faith but only superficially and imperfectly, and had then for almost a whole century been an abandoned field. Great were the fatigues, persecutions and sufferings of these holy men in rooting out vice and idolatry and in civilizing a people who were in a great measure barbarians, but they were tireless in words and works and they reaped a most abundant harvest. The three missionaries built their first small monastery on a hill on the banks of the river Aa, where is now the village of Saint-Mommolin; this was afterwards known as the “Old Monastery”. The place being very narrow, confined by the river and marshy ground, it soon grew too small for the numbers that came to take the religious habit. Whereupon a convert named Ardwald gave St Omer some land about four miles away, and this ground, which was a part of the estate of Sithiu, St Omer bestowed on the missionaries, with instructions that they were to colonize it and start another monastery. St Mommolinus was the first abbot of the Old Monastery and afterwards of Sithiu. But upon the death of St Giles, Bishop of Noyon, he was chosen to fill that see about the year 661, and St Bertinus, who is said to have been chosen head of the original settlement by St Omer and refused because he was the youngest of the three, was left abbot of Sithiu.

Under his government the reputation of this monastery (first dedicated in honour of St Peter, but after called Saint-Bertin) seemed to equal even that of Luxeuil. During its early days its claustral activity were hand in hand with the evangelizing and taming of the Morini and their country, and was a civilizing agency characteristic of the monks of the West (it is likely that during the lifetime of Bertinus they still followed the rule of Columban, though he is numbered among the Benedictine saints). The country itself was sufficiently bad and discouraging. Even today it is depressing in its low-lying wetness: twelve hundred years ago it was undrained and water-logged. The monks went from Vieux Moutier to take over Sithiu in a boat, and it is not for nothing that a boat is the emblem of St Bertinus in art. The amphibious population was wild and dull of understanding. St Bertinus and his companions brought to them the knowledge of the gospel, the light of learning, and the enterprise and energy which drains land and builds solid houses. If he had setbacks and plenty of discouragement to face among these rough people and places, St Bertinus had the comfort of seeing his monastery flourish with illustrious examples of penance and holiness.

In 663 St Bertinus and St Omer built a church dedicated in honour of our Lady on a hill near Sithiu, which afterwards became the cathedral of the diocese of Saint-Omer; and when he acquired some land at Wormhout, near Dunkirk, the abbot founded a cell there, putting it in charge of St Winnoc, who with three other Bretons had joined the community at Sithiu. The exact year of the death of St. Bertinus is not known, but he died at a great age, and was buried in the chapel of St. Martin at Sithiu.

In the fifth volume of MGH., Scriptores Merov., W. Levison has discussed very fully the relative importance and date of the lives of St Bertinus. The oldest (early ninth-century) is unquestionably that which forms one whole with two other lives, the one of St Omer and the other of St Winnoc. The various sources which have a bearing on the holy abbot’s history and cultus are catalogued in BHL., nn. 763 and 1290—1298. The more important texts were already printed in the Acta Sanctorum, September, vol. ii, with a full introduction. See also Van der Essen in Analectes pour servir à l’hist. ecclés. de Belgique, vol. xxxii (1905), pp. 6—23. The representation of St Bertinus in art is dealt with by Kunstle, Ikonographie, vol. ii, pp 134—135.

St. Obdulia A Spanish virgin

Toléti, in Hispánia, sanctæ Obdúliæ Vírginis. At Toledo in Spain, St. Obdulia, virgin.

who was venerated at Toledo, Spain. Her remains are enshrined in Toledo, but details of her life are not extant.
Obdulia of Toledo V (RM) Date unknown. Saint Obdulia relics are enshrined at Toledo, where she is venerated as a virgin (Benedictines).
Burial: Cathedral of Toledo Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

1020 Prince Gleb & holy Prince Boris The Holy ones first Russian martyrs called "Passion-Bearers"
In Holy Baptism David, was one of the first Russian martyrs called "Passion-Bearers." He suffered together with his brother Prince Boris (Roman in Holy Baptism). After the murder of St Boris, Svyatopolk the Accursed sent to his younger brother Prince Gleb a messenger with false information about their father, Great Prince Vladimir, who had died from illness, thereby using deceit to murder another possible claimant to the Kievan throne.

The deceived Prince Gleb hastened off to Kiev with a small company. His apprehensive brother Yaroslav, having caught up with him at Smolensk, was unable to delay the saint, who did not suspect such wickedness on the part of his brother Svyatopolk.

Not far from Smolensk the assassins came upon the boat of St Gleb, who made no resistance, but asked meekly that they should spare him because of his young age. At the command of the murderers Gleb's cook slit his throat. The body of the prince was buried in a desolate place not far from Smolensk, "between two tree-trunks," i.e., in a simple wooden coffin (+1015). In the year 1019-1020 his brother Yaroslav found the grave of St Gleb. The body, being incorrupt, was transferred to Vyshgorod near Kiev and buried beside holy Prince Boris.

Later on, the relics of the brothers were transferred (May 2) into the church of St Basil the Great, and there at the crypts of these holy Passion-Bearers many miracles were worked. Metropolitan John of Kiev compiled a service to the Passion-Bearer princes and also established a feastday for them together on July 24, which dates from the first half of the eleventh century.

The Russian Church from of old has venerated these brothers, who unceasingly have rendered prayerful assistance to their native land, particularly in years of grievous tribulation. Thus, just before the Battle of the Neva in 1240, the Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb appeared in a vision to one of the soldiers of holy Prince Alexander Nevsky (November 23, August 30, and May 23), and they aided the Russians during the combat. The chronicles are filled with the accounts of the various manifestations of mercy, witnessed at their tombs, and of the victories gained through their help. Many churches and monasteries were built throughout Russia in honor of the holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb.

1063 St. Alvitus Benedictine bishop of León; transferred the relics of Saint Isidore from Seville to his diocese of León
who transferred the relics of St. Isidore from Seville, Spain, to León. Alvitus was related to Rudesind, a great churchmen of the time. He entered the Benedictines at Sahagun, Spain, and in 1057 was named bishop of León by King Ferdinand I.
Alvitus of León, OSB B (AC) (also known as Avitus, Aluinus, Albinus) Born in Spanish Galicia; died c. 1073. Saint Alvitus, a relative of Bishop Saint Rudesind of Mondoñedo, entered religious life at the Benedictine (Cluniac observance) abbey of Sahagún. In 1057, Alvitus was appointed bishop of León by King Ferdinand I. He transferred the relics of Saint Isidore from Seville to his diocese of León (Benedictines).

1073 Saint Albert of Butrio founded and was the abbot of Butrio monastery , OSB Abbot (AC)
Saint Albert founded and was the abbot of Butrio monastery in the diocese of Tortona, Italy (Benedictines).

1095 Blessed Albert of Pontida soldier founded Benedictine abbey dedicated it to Saint James (Santiago) OSB Abbot (AC)
Died May 1. Albert, a soldier in the army of Bergamo, Italy, was severely wounded in battle. He vowed that if he were healed, he would enter religious life. When God healed him, he made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella. Upon his return he founded the Benedictine abbey of Pontida near Bergamo, dedicated it to the same Saint James (Santiago), and placed it under obedience to Saint Hugh of Cluny. His relics were enshrined in Santa Maria Maggiore at Bergamo, and, in 1928, they were returned to Pontida (Benedictines).

1095 Saint Vitus of Pontida during abbacy of founder Blessed Albert OSB (AC)
Saint Vitus became a Benedictine monk at Pontida near Bergamo, Italy, during abbacy of founder, Blessed Albert (Benedictines).

1152 Blessed Jordan of Pulsano abbot-general OSB Abbot (AC)
Jordan joined the Benedictine community of Pulsano during the abbacy of its founder, Saint John, and succeeded him as abbot-general from 1139 until his death (Benedictines).

1316 BD RAYMUND LULL, MARTYR

AMONG the few really human documents which are attributable to the hagiographers of medieval times, the contemporary life of Ramón Lull may claim exceptional recognition. We do not know the name of the author; we cannot even be quite sure whether the Latin or the Catalan text is the original; we learn that the facts were communicated by himself at the solicitation of his followers, though we are not told when or how they were taken down.
Still, no one who reads the narrative can fail to be impressed by the absolute candour of the revelation. We see into the soul of the man therein depicted. There is boundless generosity and courage, but also somewhat of extravagance. It is a veritable Don Quixote who stands before us, animated only by the holiest and most unselfish purposes, but paying, to judge from the human standpoint, a pitifully heavy price for all his indiscretions. He is restless, like St Francis Xavier or like Charles de Foucauld, but his energy never flags. The great conceptions which fill his mind are seen so clearly and open out so wonderful a vision that he has not time to reflect. The obstacles which stand in his way are dwarfed, if indeed they are not obliterated altogether.

The limits of this notice do not permit of more than the barest summary of Ramón’s strange career. Born in 1232, he was apparently the son of one of the military chiefs who in the first part of the thirteenth century succeeded in reconquering the island of Majorca from its Moslem invaders. He was wealthy, talented, enthusiastic; he married young, but though at the age of thirty he had a little son and daughter and a charming wife, he was shameless in his pursuit of any new face that attracted him. One night, about 1263, when he was busied in composing an ode to his latest inamorata, he suddenly saw beside him the figure of Jesus Christ hanging on the Cross. He was so startled that he could not shake off the impression or go on writing, but had to take refuge in his bed. It was not, however, until this experience had been renewed five separate times that his heart was touched; but, being the man he was, the conversion was thorough. Reflecting on the words “greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends”, his mind, from his uninterrupted contact with the Moors, turned to the thought of winning them to the service of Christ Jesus. Here was a cause worthy of the sacrifice of all things, even of life itself. He went on a pilgrimage to Compostela and to Rocamadour to obtain the divine guidance. For such a task systematic preparation was needed. He had first of all to make provision for those dependent on him. He gave the rest of his wealth to the poor, and then, after a period of seclusion and prayer, he set about acquiring the knowledge necessary for an intellectual crusade against Moslem philosophy and religion, against Averroes and the Koran. Nine years were spent in learning Arabic and in making other preliminary studies. From the very beginning he had seen the necessity of establishing Catholic religious centres to train missionaries and disputants for the new campaign. This was, he convinced himself, the only way to cope with an outlandish culture of which the average theologian of western Europe knew next to nothing. But though a foundation of this sort—the first missionary college—was later on (in 1276) begun in Majorca at the charges of his good friend, King James II, and confided to the Friars Minor, it seems to have achieved very little.

Meanwhile Ramón pursued his studies and wrote endless books—one of them, a sort of spiritual romance called Blanquerna, has been translated into English. He visited Rome in 1277, in the hope of enlisting the sympathies of the pope, then Paris in 1286, and Genoa in 1290, but always with the purpose of finding at last an opportunity to cross over to Africa himself and begin preaching in Tunis. His fluctuations of mind and resolution are marvellously depicted in the “Contemporary Life”.

It was at Genoa that, after receiving somewhat of a rebuff in an application to join the Friars Preachers, he finally offered himself to and was accepted by the Franciscans as a tertiary. He was then very ill, but recovered miraculously when in 1292 he caused himself to be carried on board a galley bound for Africa. He realized his dream of preaching in the streets of Tunis, but after imprisonment and much rough treatment at the hands of the Moslems he was soon forcibly deported out of the country and found himself in Naples. Appeals to Pope Boniface VIII at Rome and subsequently to Clement V at Avignon to obtain papal support for his campaign met with very little response. A journey to Cyprus, under a false impression that the khan of Tartary had made himself master of the Saracens in Syria and Palestine, was equally disappointing. Ramón lectured for a while in Paris and then made a second attempt to gain a hearing among the Moors themselves at Bougie in Barbary, but once more, after much ill-usage and a cruel imprisonment, he was deported, and incidentally suffered shipwreck before he reached Italy. Further appeals to the Holy See and to the Council of Vienne in 1311 brought him no encouragement. He spent some time lecturing at Paris, and finally on a third visit to Africa he was stoned at Bougie and left for dead; he was rescued by Genoese sailors, but died on shipboard, within sight of Majorca, on June 29, 1316.

Although Ramón’s whole life was a record of disappointment, his literary activity was incredible. Three hundred and thirteen different treatises are attributed to him, most of them in Latin or Catalan, but not a few are in Arabic. Some of his writings have been thought to deserve a note of theological censure, but there is also difficulty in determining in certain cases what is authentically his composition. Nearly all of it gives proof of a tender piety, but he speaks fearlessly of the abuses then prevalent in the Church. Lull is celebrated liturgically by the Friars Minor and others, and Pope Pius XI speaks highly of him in his encyclical letter “Orientalium rerum” (1928), but without according him the title Blessed.

The fullest and most satisfactory bibliography of the subject is the contribution of Fr E. Longpre, in DTC., vol. ix (1926), cc. 1072—1141. The more important biographical material may still he found in the Acta Sanctorum, July, vol. ii, and it is to be noticed that a critical revision of the Latin text of the “Contemporary Life” has appeared in the Analecta Bollandiana, vol. xlviii (1930), pp. 530—178. An admirable translation of the Catalan text has been published in English by E. Allison Peers who has also translated Blanquerna and issued a full biography (Ramón Lull, 1929). The complete works were published in Spain, ed. by P. M. Bataillon and M. Caldentey, in 1948.

1340 Blessed Gentilis (Gentil) of Matelica; sowed faith in Italy Islamics of Egypt, Arabia, finally martyrd in Persia OFM M (AC)
Born at Matelica, Marches of Ancona, Italy; cultus approved by Pius VI. Gentilis joined the Franciscans in Piceno, then was a hermit on Mount Alvernia. Gathering strength from his prayer, he sowed the faith in Italy, and then among the Islamics of Egypt, Arabia, and finally won martyrdom in Persia at Toringa (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).

1340 Bd GENTILIS, MARTYR
GENTILIS was born at the end of the thirteenth century at Matelica, near Ancona. He joined the Friars Minor, and after profession and ordination was sent to the convent of Mount Alvernia, where he twice served as guardian. The associations of this place had a strong effect on Gentilis and bred in him a great love of silence and solitude; but at the same time they fired him with St Francis’s own ambition to evangelize the East and Islam. He was eventually sent to Egypt, where he found he could do nothing because not only did he not know Arabic but all his efforts to learn it were without fruit. He was about to return home in despair, but in consequence of a dream or vision persevered and at length overcame his difficulties. He fell in with a Venetian ambassador to the court of Persia, Mark Comaro, who asked the friar to accompany him across Arabia; while on the journey he tended Comaro in a dangerous illness, and prophesied that he would live to be doge of the republic. Together they visited the shrine of St Catherine of Alexandria in the desert of Sinai, a great resort of Christian pilgrims in spite of its inaccessible situation. One day Bd Gentilis disappeared mysteriously for a week, and on his return it was said that he had been miraculously transported to Italy and back to assist at the death-bed of his father in accordance with a promise he had made him. Arrived in Persia, he preached throughout that country northward as far as Trebizond, and is said to have baptized very many converts. He was put to death for the faith, but the circumstances of his martyrdom are not known. His body was brought back to Europe by some Venetians, and is buried in the church of the Frati St Venice. The cultus of Bd Gentilis was approved by Pope St Pius V.

Besides Wadding’s Annales (sub anno 1340), consult Mazzara, Leggendario Francescano, vol. ii, m, pp. 409—415, and Marcellino de Civezza, Missions franciscaines, vol. iii, p. 650. A short account is also given in Leon, Auréole Séraphique (Eng. trans.), vol. iii, pp. 109—112.

1455 St. Lawrence Giustiniani Bishop of Venice; prior of San Giorgios deep prayer life raptures; penance provided him experiential knowledge; paths of interior life ability to direct souls; tears shed offering Mass affected all who assisted and awakened in them a renewed faith
Sancti Lauréntii Justiniáni, primi Patriárchæ Venetiárum et Confessóris, qui pontificálem Cáthedram hac die invítus ascéndit, et sexto Idus Januárii obdormívit in Dómino.
Saint Lawrence Justinian, first patriarch of Venice and confessor, who on this day unwillingly ascended the episcopal throne. His birthday is the 8th of January.

1455 St Laurence Giustiniani, Patriarch of Venice
St Laurence was born at Venice in 1381. His father, Bernard Giustiniani, was of illustrious rank among the nobility of the commonwealth and his mother was not less noble. She was early left a widow with a number of young children, and she devoted herself altogether to the upbringing of her children, to works of charity, and the exercise of virtue. In Laurence she discovered even from the cradle an uncommon docility and generosity of soul; and, fearing some spark of pride or ambition, she chid him sometimes for aiming at things above his age. He answered confidently that it was his only desire to become a saint; and when he was nineteen he was called by God to consecrate himself in a special manner to his service. He seemed one day to see in a vision the Eternal Wisdom in the guise of a shining maiden, and to hear from her the words: “Why do you seek rest for your mind in exterior things, sometimes in this object and sometimes, in that? What you desire is to be found only with me: it is in my hands. Seek it in me who am the wisdom of God. By taking me for your companion and your lot you shall be possessed of its boundless treasure.”

That instant he found his soul so pierced with divine grace that he felt himself warmed with new ardour to give himself entirely to the search of the knowledge and love of God; and he addressed himself for advice to his uncle, a holy priest called Marino Querini, who was a canon of St George’s chapter, established in a little isle called Alga, a mile from Venice. Don Querini advised him first to make trial of himself at home, and represented to him on one side honours, riches and worldly pleasures, and on the other the hardships of poverty, fasting and self-denial. “Have you the courage to despise these delights and to undertake a life of penance and mortification

After standing some time in consideration, Laurence looked up at a crucifix and said: “Thou, 0 Lord, art my hope. In this tree are comfort and strength.” The strength of his resolution to walk in the narrow path of the cross showed itself in the severity with which he treated his body and the continual application of his mind to religion. His mother, fearing lest his mortifications should damage his health, tried to divert him from that course, and proposed a marriage to him. He replied by retiring to the chapter of St George in Alga, and was admitted to the community.

His superiors judged it necessary to mitigate the rigours which he used. He went about the streets begging alms with a sack on his back, and when it was pointed out to him that by appearing thus in public he would expose himself to ridicule, he answered, “Let us go boldly in quest of scorn. We have done nothing if we have renounced the world only in words. Let us triumph over it with our sacks and crosses.” Laurence frequently came to beg at the house where he was born, but only stood in the street before the door, crying out, “An alms for God’s sake”. His mother always filled his sack, but he never took more than two loaves and, wishing peace to those who had done him charity, departed as if he had been some stranger. When the storehouse in which were kept the provisions of the community for a year was burnt down, St Laurence, hearing a brother lament the loss, said cheerfully,

“Why have we vowed poverty? God has granted us this blessing that we may feel it.”

When he first renounced the world he often felt a violent inclination to justify or excuse himself upon being unjustly reprehended; in order to repress it he used to bite his tongue, and so at length obtained mastery over himself. He so much dreaded the danger of worldly dissipation that from the day on which he first entered the monastery to that of his death he never set foot in his father’s house, except to assist his mother and brothers on their deathbeds. A certain nobleman who had been his intimate friend, returning from the East and hearing of the state he had embraced, determined to try to change his purpose. With this idea he went to St George’s, but the issue of the interview proved quite contrary to his expectation. Upon the first sight of his old friend he was struck
by his modesty, gravity and composure, and stood for some time silent. However, at length he spoke and endeavoured to shake the resolution of the young religious. Laurence let him finish, and then he spoke in so persuasive a manner that the nobleman was disarmed and himself resolved to embrace the rule which he came to violate.

St Laurence was promoted to the priesthood in 1406, and the fruit of his spirit of prayer and penitence was a wonderful experimental knowledge of spiritual things and of the paths of interior virtue, and great light and prudence in the direction of souls. The tears which he shed whilst he offered the sacrifice of the Mass strongly affected all the assistants and awakened their faith; and he often experienced raptures at prayer, especially in celebrating Mass one Christmas night. Soon after his ordination he was made provost of St George’s, and the most sincere humility was the first thing in which he grounded his religious disciples. Nor was his teaching confined to his canons. He never ceased to preach to the magistrates and senators in time of war and public calamity that to obtain the remedy of the evils which they suffered they ought in the first place to persuade themselves that they were nothing, for without this disposition of heart they could never deserve the divine assistance.

In 1433 Pope Eugenius IV appointed St Laurence to the bishopric of Castello, a diocese which included part of Venice. He tried hard to avoid this dignity and responsibility, and he took possession of his cathedral-church so privately that his own friends knew nothing of the matter till the ceremony was over. As a religious so as a prelate he was admirable for his sincere piety towards God and the greatness of his charity to the poor. He remitted nothing of the austerities which he had practised in the cloister, and from his prayer drew a light, courage and vigour which directed and animated him in his whole conduct; he pacified dissensions in the state and governed a diocese in most difficult times with as much ease as if it had been a single well-regulated convent. In the ordering of his household he consulted only piety and humility; and when others told him that he owed some degree of state to his own birth, to the dignity of his church and to the republic, his answer was that virtue ought to be the only ornament of the episcopal character and that all the poor of the diocese composed the bishop’s family.

The flock loved and respected so holy and tender a pastor. When any private persons opposed his religious reforms he overcame them by meekness and patience. A certain man who was exasperated at a decree the bishop had published against stage entertainments called him a “scrupulous old monk”, and tried to stir up the rabble against him. Another time he was reproached in the public streets as a hypocrite. The saint heard these complaints without changing countenance or altering his pace. He was no less unmoved amidst commendations and applause; and indeed all his actions demonstrated a constant peace and serenity of mind.

Under his rule the face of his whole diocese was changed. Crowds every day resorted to Laurence’s residence for advice, comfort or alms; his gate and purse were always open to the poor. He gave alms more willingly in bread and clothes than in money, which might be ill spent; when he gave cash it was always in small sums. He employed married women to find out and relieve the bashful poor or persons of family in decayed circumstances, and in the distribution of his charities he had no regard to flesh and blood. When a poor man came to him, recommended by his brother Leonard, he said to him, “Go to him who sent you, and tell him from me that he is able to relieve you himself”. Laurence had a contempt for finance. He committed the care of his temporals to a steward, and used to say that it is an unworthy thing for a shepherd of souls to spend much of his precious time in casting up farthings.

The popes of his time held St Laurence in great veneration. Eugenius IV, meeting him once at Bologna, saluted him with the words, “Welcome, ornament of bishops!” His successor, Nicholas V, equally esteemed him and in 1451 recognized his worth in no uncertain fashion. In that year died Dominic Michelli, Patriarch of Grado, whereupon the pope suppressed the see of Castello and transferred that of Grado to Venice. *[* There is only one true patriarch in the Western church, the Pope himself, who is Patriarch of the West. The title of patriarch borne by the former metropolitans of Grado and Aquileia was due to a sixth-century schism of the metropolitans of Illyricum. It was not till 1751 that the patriarchal title of Grado at Venice was merged in that of Venice, but St Laurence Giustiniani is usually referred to as first patriarch of Venice. This and the other “minor patriarchs” of the West are actually only archbishops with precedence and other honours.]

He named St Laurence as the new patriarch. The senate of the republic, always jealous of its prerogatives and liberty, made difficulties lest his authority should trespass upon their jurisdiction. Whilst this was being debated in the senate-house, St Laurence asked an audience of the assembly, before which he declared his sincere and earnest desire rather to resign a charge for which he was unfit and which he had borne against his will eighteen years, than to feel his burden increased by this additional dignity.

His bearing so strongly affected the whole senate that the doge himself asked him not to entertain such a thought or to raise any obstacle to the pope’s decree, and he was supported by the whole house. St Laurence therefore accepted the new office and dignity, and for the few years during which he survived to administer it he continually increased the reputation for goodness and charity which he had earned as bishop of Castello. A hermit of Corfu assured a Venetian nobleman, as if by a divine revelation, that Venice had been preserved from the dangers which threatened it by the prayers of the patriarch. His nephew, Bernard Giustiniani, who wrote his uncle’s life, narrates certain miracles and prophecies of his which he himself witnessed.

St Laurence left some valuable ascetical writings; he was seventy-four years old when he wrote his last work, entitled The Degrees of Perfection, and he had just finished it when he was seized with a sharp fever. His servants prepared a bed for him, at which the true imitator of Christ was troubled and said, “Are you making up a feather-bed for me? No; that shall not be. My Lord was stretched on a hard and painful tree. Do not you remember that St Martin said in his last moments that a Christian ought to die on sackcloth and ashes?”

Nor could he be contented till he was laid on his straw. During the two days that he lived after receiving the last anointing many of the city came in turn according to their different rank to receive his blessing. He insisted on having the beggars admitted, and gave to each class a short instruction. Seeing one Marcello, a young nobleman and his favourite disciple, weep most bitterly, he comforted him and assured him that, “I go before, but you will shortly follow. Next Easter we shall meet again.” Marcello in fact fell sick at the beginning of Lent, and was buried in Easter-week. St Laurence died on January 8, 1455, but his feast is kept on this date whereon he received episcopal consecration. He was canonized in 1690.

There is a Latin life by his nephew, Bernard Giustiniani, which is reprinted in the Acta Sanctorum, January, vol. i, under January 8. Some other materials may be found in D. Rosa, De B. Laurentii Justiniani vita, sanctitate et miraculis, testimoniorum centuria (1914). There are also several Italian lives, e.g. that of Maffei (1819), Regazzi (1856), Cucito (1895), and La Fontaine (1928). See also DTC., vol. ix, cc. 10—11, and Eubel, Hierarchia catholica medii aevi, vol. ii, pp. 130 and 290.

A scion of the noble Venetian family of the Giustiniani. He is a noted mystic and contemplative writer. Lawrence was canonized in 1690, but his cult is now confined to local calendars. Laurence Giustiniani (Lawrence Justinian) B (RM) Born at Venice, Italy, July 1, 1381; died in Venice on January 8, 1456; canonized in 1670; feast day formerly January 8; September 4 was the date of his episcopal consecration.
Saint Laurence was born into a prominent Venetian family that had produced important scholars, statesmen, prelates, and saints. Although his father, Bernard Giustiniani, died while he was still young, his pious mother lived only for her children and ensured they had an excellent education. From the cradle she recognized in Laurence an uncommon docility and generosity of soul that might point to a religious vocation, yet she desired to keep him for herself.
When he was 19, Laurence had a vision of the Eternal Wisdom in the guise of a maiden encircled with light. She invited him to seek her with happiness, rather than satiate his baser lusts. The youth confided his vision to his uncle, Marino Querino, an Augustinian canon of San Giorgio on Alga Island one mile from Venice. Don Querino recommended that he take on the austerities of a monk at home, that is, try on the role of a religious by putting aside honors, riches, and worldly pleasures, before entering religious life. His mother feared he would damage his health and tried to divert him by arranging a marriage.
Heeding his uncle's advice, he refused his mother's wish for him to marry and instead joined Querino in the monastery. As a young monk, he practice the most severe austerities and went about the city with a sack over his should to beg alms and food for the community. In 1406, Laurence was ordained to the priesthood and made prior of San Giorgio. His deep prayer life that often led to raptures and his spirit of penance provided him with experiential knowledge of the paths of the interior life and a wonderful ability to direct souls. The tears that he shed while offering Mass strongly affected all who assisted and awakened in them a renewed faith.
Thereafter he was general of the congregation, which at the time of his entry into the position had adopted a different rule. Laurence completed this rule by writing its constitutions, so that he became its second founder of this congregation of secular canons. He also preached widely during this time and taught theology.

In 1433, Pope Eugene IV forced Laurence to accept the see of Castello, which then included part of Venice in its diocesan boundaries. He would not be persuaded by the saint to change his mind and appoint a worthier bishop. He took possession of his cathedral so quietly that his own friends knew nothing about it until after the ceremony was complete. He was impatient with the temporal administration of his diocese, and delegated this work to others so that he might be free to personally look after his flock. In 1451, Pope Nicholas suppressed the see of Castello and transferred the patriarchal title of Grado to Venice with Laurence as archbishop.
The senate of the Venetian Republic, wary that this change might lead to a diminution of its prerogatives, began a debate over Laurence's jurisdiction. Laurence sought an audience with the assembled senate and declared his desire to resign a charge for which he was unfit, rather than to feel his burden increased by this additional dignity. His bearing so strongly affected the whole senate that the doge himself asked him not to entertain such a thought or to raise any obstacle to the pope's decree, and he was supported by the whole assembly. Laurence therefore accepted the new office and continually acted in such way that his reputation for goodness and charity increased.
He drew from his prayer life the light, vigor, and courage to direct the diocese as easily as if it had been a single, well- regulated monastery. As bishop of the Jewel of the Adriatic, Laurence did a great deal to restore Saint Mark's and other churches; he also enhanced the beauty of the service. He added parishes, tried to elevate the pastoral work, and to inspire both the secular and the cloistered clergy with his zeal. Not only was he known for his piety, but also for his ability as a peace maker, his spiritual knowledge, and his gifts of prophecy and miracles. He overcame opposition by meekness and patience. Under his direction, the whole spirit of the diocese was changed; crowds flocked to him for spiritual and material aid.
He was of a boundless generosity toward the poor and needy, and stinted himself as regards his dwelling, table, and dress to a point which the strictest orders could not surpass. It is interesting to note that he rarely gave monetary aid except in small amounts because he thought it might be ill-spent. In fact, when a relative asked him for a dowry for his daughter, he replied: "A little is not enough for you; and if I gave you much, I would be robbing the poor." Nevertheless he was open-handed with food and clothes. He even employed married women to seek out those who might need relief but who were too bashful to ask for it.
The writings of Saint Laurence on mystical contemplation, especially The degrees of perfection, are sublime in their simplicity. They are practical, not speculative, and intended to assist the clergy. He had just finished The degrees of perfection when he was seized with a sharp fever. As he lay dying, someone tried to give him a featherbed, but he refused it, saying: "My Savior did not die on a featherbed, but upon the hard wood of the Cross." He was troubled and restless until they laid him on straw.
The saint had no will to make, because he no longer possessed anything of which he could have disposed. During the two days of his illness after he received the last sacraments, many of the city came to receive his blessing. He insisted that the beggars be admitted, as well as the elite, and gave to each a short, final instruction.

Laurence was venerated by popes even in his lifetime. When Eugene IV met him once in Bologna, he greeted Laurence: "Welcome, ornament of bishops!" The saint's nephew and biographer, Bernardo Giustiniani, relates that the corpse remained 67 days without burial. He emphasizes that it was on view for the multitudes that came from afar, and that doctors examined the body and could give no explanation for its incorrupted state (Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Schamoni, Walsh).
In art, Saint Laurence is best recognized by his face, which is typically Venetian: thin, long-nosed, and austere. He has dark, hollow eyes, and an ascetic, rather Dantesque mouth. Laurence seldom wore the grandiose insignia of a bishop. Most often he is portrayed in a severe Venetian gown and close-fitting cap. He may also be shown (1) distributing the vessels of the Church during a famine; (2) as an episcopal cross and banner are carried in front of him and a mitre carried behind him; (3) holding a book, his hand raised to bless; or (4) giving alms (Roeder).

1562 Katharina Zell furnished in the parsonage and later in the desolate Franciscan's cloister a shelter site for exiled and presecuted Protestants. She took up 1524 the first persecutees from Austria, 1525 came more than 3,000 refugees to Strasbourg. She accommodated 1529 Zwingli and Oekolampad. She took up every persecutee, immediately whether he Luther or Zwingli or the Anabaptists. Also she maintained especially in the plague times the sick people.
Evangelische Kirche: 5. September
Katharina Schütz wurde um 1497 in Straßburg geboren. 1523 heiratete sie den ersten evangelischen Pfarrer am Straßburger Münster Matthäus Zell, der 1518 aus seiner Freiburger Heimat verbannt worden war. Die Trauung wurde von Martin Bucer vollzogen. Als ihr Mann wegen der Heirat exkommuniziert wurde, verfaßte Katharina eine "Entschuldigung", in der sie die Ehe des Priesters biblisch begründete und den Zölibat als Förderung von Prostitution ablehnte. Wegen der eingeführten Zensur veröffentlichte sie in späteren Jahren vor allem Erbauungsschriften.
Katharina Zell richtete im Pfarrhaus und später im verlassenen Franziskanerkloster eine Zufluchtstätte für verbannte und verfolgte Protestanten ein. 1524 nahm sie die ersten Verfolgten aus Österreich auf, 1525 kamen über 3.000 Flüchtlinge nach Straßburg. 1529 beherbergte sie Zwingli und Oekolampad. Sie nahm jeden Verfolgten auf, gleich ob er Luther oder Zwingli anhing oder den Wiedertäufern. Auch pflegte sie besonders in der Pestzeiten die Kranken.
Sie wandte sich auch gegen die vorherrschende Streittheologie unter den Lutheranern und versuchte zwischen den Gruppierungen zu vermitteln. Jedem sind wir die Liebe und Barmherzigkeit, die Christus uns gelehrt hat, schuldig, begründete sie ihr Tun. Luther stand mit ihr in Briefwechsel; mit Ambrosius und Margarethe Blarer war sie befreundet. Sie begleitete ihren Mann nach Konstanz, Nürnberg und Wittenberg und hielt nach seinem Tod 1548 die Leichenrede. Nachdem sie von verschiedenen Seiten angefeindet wurde, beschrieb sie 1557 in einem offenen Brief die Arbeit ihres Mannes und ihr eigenes Wirken in Straßburg Sie starb am 5.9. 1562, nachdem sie kurz vorher eine Anhängerin Schwenckfelds, die kein lutherischer Geistlicher beerdigen wollte, zur letzten Ruhe geleitet hatte. Katharina Zell gilt als die erste Pfarrfrau, die in Wort und Tat evangelische Duldsamkeit lebte. Dass sie keineswegs nur die Dienerin ihres Mannes war, sondern auch selbständig als Laientheologin wirkte, eine partnerschaftlich geprägte Ehe führte und die Aussöhnung zwischen streitenden Theologen suchte und zum Teil auch erreichte, geriet dagegen in Vergessenheit.

1605 Bl. William Browne layman Martyr of England
He was a layman in Northamptonshire arrested and executed at Ripon for being a Catholic. He is associated in martyrdom with Blesseds Thomas Welbourne and John Fulthering.
Blessed William Browne M (AC) Born in Northamptonshire; died at Ripon, England, in 1605; beatified in 1929. William, a Catholic layman, was hanged in England for the faith (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).

1619 Grodziecki (Grondech), Istvan (Stephen) Pongracz, SJ, & Marko Krizevcanin (Mark Crisin or Körösy) aristocratic martyrs of Kosice died in the religious wars with Hungarian Calvinists MM (RM)
Born in Silesia, Poland (now Czech), in 1584 (Grodziecki) and Transylvania, Hungary, 1583 (Pongracz) and Croatia (Körösy); died in Kosice, Hungary, September 5, 1619; beatified by Pius X in 1905; canonized by John Paul II on July 2, 1995.

These two aristocratic martyrs of Kosice died in the religious wars with Hungarian Calvinists. Grodziecki met Pongracz in the Jesuit novitiate at Brno in 1603. They completed the usual course of Jesuit studies in Moravia, Bohemia, and Hungary. When the Hungarian king requested the services of Jesuits to care for Roman Catholics neglected during the 30 Years War, Pongracz was sent to work with Hungarians, and Grodziecki the slavic- and German-speaking peoples. Their ministries were so successful that they became notorious with their Calvinist opponents.

In 1619, the Calvinist prince of Transylvania sought to conquer Kosice to expand his domain. The town fell on September 5 during the Battle of Kosice. The two Jesuits together with the Croatian diocesan priest, Marko Krizevcanin, were captured. Throughout their imprisonment, attempts were made to convert them to Calvinism. They suffered cruel martyrdoms similar to that of Saint Andrew Bobola. Father Krizevcanin was the first to be beheaded, then Grodziecki. Father Pongracz survived the beheading and was dumped with the dead bodies into a sewer to reflect upon his life for an additional day. Their followers were unable to give the bodies Christian burial until 20 years later when their relics were interred in the monastery of Saint Clare in Trnava (Benedictines, and information from a Jesuit website that I forgot to mark) .

1648 Athansius of Bretsk - Belorussian The Hieromartyr knew theological and historical literature, evidenced in his preserved diary; ordained hieromonk in the year 1632, and made head of the Duboisk [Dubovsk] monastery near Pinsk; ten years finding himself among persons maliciously disposed towards him, led a constant struggle for Holy Orthodoxy, his faithfulness to which is evidenced by his sufferings; sentenced to death by execution, for cursing the Unia
Athansius was born about 1597 into a pious Christian family named Philippovich. He received a serious upbringing, and he knew the theological and historical literature, as is evidenced in the diary of the saint, which has been preserved. In his youth, St Athanasius for a while was a teacher in the houses of Polish merchants. In the year 1627, he accepted tonsure under Igumen Joseph at the Vilensk monastery of the Holy Spirit. St Athanasius was ordained hieromonk in the year 1632, and made head of the Duboisk [Dubovsk] monastery near Pinsk.

St Athanasius, with a special blessing of the Theotokos, re-established Orthodoxy within the boundaries of the ancient Russian territories that had been seized by the Polish Reche. Between the years 1638-1648 St Athanasius fulfilled his obedience as igumen of the Bretsk-Simeonov monastery. The monk endured much abuse from the Uniates and illegal persecution from the civil authorities. Three times he endured being locked up in prison.

The saint was sent to the authorities at Kiev to appear before a religious tribunal, but he was acquitted, and returned to his own monastery. For ten years St Athanasius, finding himself among persons maliciously disposed towards him, led a constant struggle for Holy Orthodoxy, his faithfulness to which is evidenced by his sufferings.

Attempts to wear down the spiritual endurance of the saint were to no avail. He again went to trial, after which the monk was sentenced to death by execution, for his cursing of the Unia. St Athanasius died as a martyr on the night of September 4-5, 1648 (the Uncovering of Relics was on July 20, 1679) .

1838 St. Joseph Canh native physician Martyr of Vietnam
He was a native physician of Vietnam, a Dominican tertiary, and was beheaded by the Japanese authorities because of his refusal to deny Christ. Joseph was canonized in 1988 by Pope John Paul II.
Blessed Joseph Canh, OP Tert. M (AC); beatified in 1900. Joseph, a Dominican tertiary, was a native physician of Tonkin (Vietnam) who was beheaded for the faith (Benedictines).

1838 St. Peter Tu Vietnamese martyr native priest
Vietnamese, joined became a priest in his own country. He was beheaded. Pope John Paul II canonized him in 1988.

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
September 5, 2006 1910-1997

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the tiny woman recognized throughout the world for her work among the poorest of the poor, was beatified October 19, 2003. Among those present were hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, the Order she founded in 1950 as a diocesan religious community. Today the congregation also includes contemplative sisters and brothers and an order of priests. Speaking in a strained, weary voice at the beatification Mass, Pope John Paul II declared her blessed, prompting waves of applause before the 300,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. In his homily, read by an aide for the aging pope, the Holy Father called Mother Teresa “one of the most relevant personalities of our age” and “an icon of the Good Samaritan.” Her life, he said, was “a bold proclamation of the gospel.”

Mother Teresa's beatification, just over six years after her death, was part of an expedited process put into effect by Pope John Paul II. Like so many others around the world, he found her love for the Eucharist, for prayer and for the poor a model for all to emulate.

Born to Albanian parents in what is now Skopje, Macedonia (then part of the Ottoman Empire), Gonxha (Agnes) Bojaxhiu was the youngest of the three children who survived. For a time, the family lived comfortably, and her father's construction business thrived. But life changed overnight following his unexpected death. During her years in public school Agnes participated in a Catholic sodality and showed a strong interest in the foreign missions. At age 18 she entered the Loreto Sisters of Dublin. It was 1928 when she said goodbye to her mother for the final time and made her way to a new land and a new life. The following year she was sent to the Loreto novitiate in Darjeeling, India. There she chose the name Teresa and prepared for a life of service. She was assigned to a high school for girls in Calcutta, where she taught history and geography to the daughters of the wealthy. But she could not escape the realities around her—the poverty, the suffering, the overwhelming numbers of destitute people.
In 1946, while riding a train to Darjeeling to make a retreat, Sister Teresa heard what she later explained as “a call within a call. The message was clear. I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.” She also heard a call to give up her life with the Sisters of Loreto and, instead, to “follow Christ into the slums to serve him among the poorest of the poor.”

After receiving permission to leave Loreto, establish a new religious community and undertake her new work, she took a nursing course for several months. She returned to Calcutta, where she lived in the slums and opened a school for poor children. Dressed in a white sari and sandals (the ordinary dress of an Indian woman) she soon began getting to know her neighbors—especially the poor and sick—and getting to know their needs through visits. The work was exhausting, but she was not alone for long. Volunteers who came to join her in the work, some of them former students, became the core of the Missionaries of Charity. Other helped by donating food, clothing, supplies, the use of buildings. In 1952 the city of Calcutta gave Mother Teresa a former hostel, which became a home for the dying and the destitute. As the Order expanded, services were also offered to orphans, abandoned children, alcoholics, the aging and street people. For the next four decades Mother Teresa worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor. Her love knew no bounds. Nor did her energy, as she crisscrossed the globe pleading for support and inviting others to see the face of Jesus in the poorest of the poor. In 1979 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On September 5, 1997, God called her home.

To Save A Life is Earthly; To Save A Soul is Eternal

THE PSALTER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PSALM 57

I believed, therefore I have spoken: thy glory, O Lady, to the whole world.

Have compassion on my soul, and guide it: deign in thy good pleasure to take possession of it.

Assign to it the testament of thy peace and thy love: give to it the memory of thy name.

Of the blessing of thy womb give me support: and from the fatness of thy grace sweeten my soul.

Break thou the bonds of my sins: and with thy virtues adorn the face of my soul.

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 Nizamuddi n 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

Index to Part I and Part II 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}.

Saints Simon (saw), Bartholomew (knife), James the Lesser (book), John (eagle), Andrew (transverse cross), Peter keys), Paul (sword), James the Greater (staff), Thomas (carpenter's square), Philip (serpent), Matthew (book), and Jude sword

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, 57 2023