Notre-Dame-des-Cloches / Our Lady of the Bells, Cathedral of Saintes, France and Memorials of the Saints – 9 February

Notre-Dame-des-Cloches / Our Lady of the Bells, Cathedral of Saintes, France – 9 February:

“Saintes” is the English translation for the French word meaning female saints. There is a great deal of history to the Poitou-Charentes region of western France where the town of Saintes is located.
The town of Saintes was originally a thriving settlement in ancient Gaul located along the Charente River. The town became known as Mediolanum Santonum once conquered by the Romans under Julius Caesar, and the remains of the triumphal arch of Germanicus and a large amphitheatre can still be seen there today.
The town takes its name, Saintes, due to a fascinating legend that many still piously believe. According to this tradition, Mary Salome and Mary Jacob, accompanied by other disciples of Jesus Christ, were forced to flee the Holy Land about the year 45. They left, taking a boat with no sail and were miraculously transported across the Mediterranean Sea, making land near the place which became known as Saintes Maries de la Mer.
Long before the arrival of the saints, indeed, since prehistoric times, Saintes Maries de la Mer (Saint Mary’s of the Sea) had been considered a holy place. This tradition was carried on by the Celts and then the Romans. It is recorded that St Eutropius was a Bishop there in the 3rd century and, that the first Cathedral was reconstructed by no less a personage than Charlemagne.

Norman invaders twice burned the town during the 9th century. Richard the Lionheart took refuge there against his father and King Saint Louis IX defeated the English on the plains before the town. The Cathedral of Saint Peter, built in the 12th century, was severely damaged by the Huguenots in the year 1568. Its bishopric was ended in 1790 due to the oppression of the French Revolution. The Church is now reduced to being only an historical monument.
It is recorded, though, that one year long ago, on the octave day of the Purification, the bells in the Cathedral of Saintes, France, rang out most sweetly of themselves. The sacristans, having run to the Church, saw what appeared to be several unknown men holding lighted tapers and melodiously chanting hymns in honour of the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of the Bells, who was venerated in a Chapel of this Cathedral. Approaching softly, they – the men who had run to the church – begged the last of these men carrying lighted candles, to give them one in proof of the miracle they had witnessed. The light-bearers graciously complied.
This taper, or candle, in remembrance of Our Lady of the Bells, is said to be preserved in that Cathedral up to this day.

St Alexander of Rome
St Alexander of Soli
St Alto of Altomünster
St Ammon of Membressa
St Ammonius of Soli
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-blessed-anna-katharina-emmerick-anne-catherine-emmerich-1774-1824/

St Ansbert of Rouen
St Apollonia of Alexandria (Died c 249) Virgin Martyr
St Apollonia’s life and death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-st-apollonia-of-alexandria-died-c-249/
St Attracta of Killaraght
St Brachio of Auvergne
St Cuaran the Wise
St Didymus of Membressa
St Donatus the Deacon
St Eingan of Llanengan
St Emilian of Membressa
Bl Erizzo
Bl Francisco Sanchez Marquez
Blessed Giacomo Abbondo (1720-1788)
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-blessed-giacomo-abbondo-1720-1788/
Bl Godeschalk of Želiv
St Lassa of Membressa
Bl Marianus Scotus
St Maro
St Miguel Febres Cordero Muñoz FSC (1854-1910)
About St Miguel:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-st-miguel-febres-cordero-munozbrother-miguel/

St Nebridius of Egara
St Nicephorus of Antioch
St Poëmus of Membressa
St Primus the Deacon
St Raynald of Nocera
St Romanus the Wonder Worker
St Ronan of Lismore
St Sabino of Abellinum
St Sabinus of Canosa (c 461–566) Bishop
St Teilo of Llandaff
—
Martyrs of Alexandria: An unknown number of Christians who were massacred in church in 4th century Alexandria, Egypt by Arian heretics for adhering to the orthodox faith.

Martyrs of Membressa: A group of 44 Christians martyred together. We know little else about them some names –
• Ammon
• Didymus
• Emilian
• Lassa
• Poemus
They were martyred in Membressa in Africa.