Thought for the Day – 11 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mary, the Mother of God
“Most Holy Mary, not only were you raised to the dignity of Mother of God but, you carried out His holy Will, heroically on all occasions. Obtain for me, from your divine Son, Jesus, the grace to co-operate always and at all costs, with His designs for me, both in life and in death, amen.”
Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity
“That anyone could doubt the right of the holy Virgin to be called the Mother of God, fills me with astonishment. Surely she must be the Mother of God, if our Lord Jesus Christ is God and she gave birth to Him!”
St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Church
The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky For Mary, The Mother of God For the Annunciation, Advent and Christmas By St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609)
The God whom earth and sea and sky Adore and praise and magnify, Whose might they claim, whose love they tell, In Mary’s body comes to dwell.
O Mother blest! the chosen shrine Wherein the Architect Divine, Whose Hand contains the earth and sky, Has come in human form to lie.
Blest in the message Gabriel brought, Blest in the work the Spirit wrought, Most blest, to bring to human birth The long desired of all the earth.
O Lord, the Virgin-born, to You Eternal praise and laud are due, Whom with the Father we adore And Spirit blest for evermore.
“Having confidence in you, O Mother of God, I shall be saved. Being under you protection, I shall fear nothing. With your help, I shall give battle to my enemies and put them to flight, for devotion to you, is an arm of Salvation.”
St John Damascene (676-749) Father and Doctor of the Church
“And some seed fell on good ground” Luke 8:8
“Rejoice, O Mary, House of the Lord, earth trodden by the Footsteps of God… Rejoice, O Paradise more happy than the Garden of Eden, where every virtue has been seeded and where the Tree of Life has grown.”
St Theodore the Studite (750-826) Father, Abbot, Theologian, Writer
One Minute Reflection – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity – Apocalypse 21:2-5, Luke 19:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“ … He climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see Him …” – Luke 19:2
REFLECTION – “I’m writing with the desire to see you, a bold and good shepherd, pasturing and guiding the sheep entrusted to you with perfect zeal and thus, imitating the sweet Master of Truth, Who gave His life for us who are His sheep, who have strayed away from the path of grace. True…, we cannot do this without God and we cannot possess God while remaining on earth. But here is a sweet remedy – when our hearts are reduced to nothing and feeling small, we must do as Zacchaeus did. He was not tall and he climbed a tree to see God. This zeal of his, allowed him to hear these sweet words: “Zacchaeus, go home, for I must dine with you today.”
We must do this too, when we are feeling low, when our hearts are constricted and lacking in charity. We must climb the tree of the most holy Cross and there, we shall see, we shall touch God. There we shall find the fire of His inexpressible charity, the love that propelled Him, even to the humiliation of the Cross that raised Him up and made Him desire His Father’s honour and our salvation, with the craving of hunger and thirst… If this is what we want, if our carelessness does not get in the way, we can, in mounting the tree of the Cross, fulfill in ourselves, this word issuing from the mouth of Truth: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all things to Myself” (Jn 12,32 Vg). Indeed, when the soul is thus raised up, it sees the blessings of the Father’s goodness and power…, it sees the mercy and lavishness of the Holy Spirit, that is to say, the inexpressible love holding Jesus bound to the wood of the Cross. Nails and bonds cannot hold Him there, only charity… O climb this most holy tree where hang, the ripe fruits of all the virtues that the body of the Son of God bears, ardently hasten. Dwell within the holy and sweet love of God. O sweet Jesus, Jesus love.” – St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church (Letter 119, to the prior of the Olivetan Monks).
PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, maybe assisted by her intercession with Thee.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity
O Mary, Mother of God By St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted, O Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the universe, thou art above all the saints, the hope of the elect and the joy of all the blessed. It is thou who hast reconciled us with God; thou art the only refuge of sinners and the safe harbour of those who are shipwrecked; thou art the consolation of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the weak, the joy of the afflicted and the salvation of all. We have recourse to thee and we beseech thee to have pity on us. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 11 October – Saint Ethelburga of Barking (Died c782) Virgin, First Abbess of the double Monastery (for men and women) at Barking, in Essex, England, founded by her brother, Miracle-worker. Sister of St Erconwald of London (Died c 693, Bishop of London and known as “The Light of London.” Ethelburga is one of a significant number of female religious leaders who played an important role in the first Century of the Anglo-Saxon Church. Also known as – Adilburga, Æthelburh, Edilburge, Etelburg, Ethelburgh. Ethelburge. Additional Memorial – 12 October in the Diocese of Brentwood of which Barking forms a part
Not much is known about the family origin of these two saintly siblings but their names suggest they might have been connected to the Kentish Royal family. The main source for Ethelburga’s life is St Bede’s Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum which recounts the foundation of Barking Monastery, early miracles there and Ethelburga’s death. St Bede describes Ethelburga as “upright in life and constantly planning for the needs of her community.”
Some time before he became the Bishop of London in 675, Erconwald founded a double Monastery at Barking for his sister and a Monastery at Chertsey for himself. Barking appears to have already been established by the time of the plague in 664.
Around the same year, 675, Ethelburga founded the Church of All Hallows Berkyngechirche (now known as All Hallows Barking or All Hallows by the Tower) in the City of London on land given to her by her brother.
St Ethelburga at the All Hallows Church
St Bede writes:
“In this Convent many proofs of holiness were effected which many people have recorded, from the testimony of eyewitnesses, in order that the memory of them might edify future generations. I have, therefore, been careful to include some in this history of the Church …
When Ethelburga, the devout Mother of this God-fearing community, was herself about to be taken out of this world, one of the sisters, whose name was Tortgyth, saw a wonderful vision. This nun had lived for many years in the Convent, humbly and sincerely striving to serve God and had helped the Mother to maintain the regular observances, by instructing and correcting the younger sisters.
In order that Ethelburga’s strength might be ‘made perfect in weakness’ as the Apostle says, she was suddenly attacked by a serious disease. Under the good Providence of our Redeemer, this caused her great distress for nine years, in order that any traces of sin which remained among her virtues, through ignorance, or neglec,t might be burned away, in the fires of prolonged suffering. Leaving her cell one night at first light of dawn, this Sister saw distinctly, what appeared to be a human body wrapped in a shroud and shining more brightly than the sun. This was raised up and carried out of the house where the Sisters used to sleep. She observed closely to see how this appearance of a shining body was being raised and saw, what appeared to be cords, brighter than gold which drew it upwards until it entered the open heavens and she could see it no longer. When she thought about this vision, there remained no doubt in her mind that some member of the Community was shortly to die and that her soul would be drawn up to Heaven by her good deeds as though by golden cords. And so it proved not many days later, when God’s beloved Ethelburga, the Mother of the Community, was set free from her bodily prison. And none, who knew her holy life, can doubt that when she departed this life, the gates of our heavenly home opened at her coming.
In the same convent there was also a Nun of noble family in the world, who was yet more noble in her love for the world to come. For many years she had been so crippled that she could not move a single limb and hearing that the venerable Abbess’ body had been carried into the Church until its burial, she asked to be carried there, and to be bowed towards it, in an attitude of prayer. Then she spoke to Ethelburga as though she were still alive and begged her to pray to God on her behalf and ask Him of His mercy to release her from her continual pain. Her request received a swift reply; for twelve days later she was set free from the body and exchanged her earthly troubles for a heavenly reward.
Three years after the death of the Abbess, Christ’s servant Tortgyth, was so wasted away by disease … that her bones scarcely held together, until finally, as death drew near, she lost the use of her limbs and even of her tongue. After three days and nights in this condition, she was suddenly refreshed by a vision from Heaven, opened her eyes and spoke. Looking up to Heaven, she began to address the vision …: “I am so glad that you have come; you are most welcome.” She then remained silent for a while, as if awaiting an answer from the person whom she saw and spoke to; then, seeming a little displeased, she said, “This is not happy news.” After another interval of silence, she spoke a third time: “If it cannot be today, I beg that it may not be long delayed.” Then she kept silent a little while as before and ended: “If this decision is final and unalterable, I implore that it may not be delayed beyond the coming night.” When she had finished, those around her asked her to whom she had spoken. “To my dearest Mother Ethelburga,” she replied and, from this they understood that she had come to announce the hour of her passing was near. So after a day and a night her prayers were answered and she was delivered from the burden of the body and entered the joys of eternal salvation.”
Several more miracles are also recorded, relating to an outbreak of plague in the community. In Ethelburga’s time, Barking Abbey was a double Monastery as was common in the earlier Anglo-Saxon period but it’s the bonds of community and affection between Ethelburga and her Nuns which emerge most memorably from St Bede’s account – ‘golden cords’ of another kind than those Tortgyth saw in her vision.
Barking Abbey
Barking Abbey grew to be one of the most important Monasteries in the country and, at the time of the Dissolution, it was the third richest in England. It was closely associated with a number of powerful Royal and noble women, including the wives and sisters of Kings – and, even St Thomas à Becket’s sister. The Abbess of Barking was not only an important landowner but a baroness in her own right, required to supply the king with soldiers in wartime like any secular lord. Barking also had a strong literary and educational tradition which continued throughout the medieval period- learned authors such as St Aldhelm (in the 8th Century) and Goscelin (in the 11th) wrote Latin works for the Nuns of Barking and several Nuns composed their own poetry and prose. Perhaps the first female author from England whom we can name was Clemence of Barking Abbey, who wrote a Life of St Catherine in Anglo-Norman, in the twelfth Century; a Nun of Barking (either Clemence or someone else) also wrote a Life of St Edward the Confessor, around the same time. Barking Abbey has been described as “perhaps the longest-lived, albeit not continuously recorded, institutional centre of literary culture for women in British history.” And it all began with our Saint Ethelburga.
Barking Abbey – Curfew Tower with St Margaret’s Church in background
Ethelburga was buried at Barking Abbey. The Old English Martyrology records her Feast day as 11 October. There are many Churches across England dedicated to St Ethelburga and many regions, streets, estates, schools and institutions too.
Feast of the Divine Maternity – Second Sunday in October or 11 October: The object of this Feast is to commemorate the dignity of the Mary as Mother of God. Mary is truly the Mother of Christ, who in One Person unites the Human and Divine Nature. This title was solemnly ratified by the Council of Ephesus on 22 June 431. It was first granted to Portugal, Brazil and Algeria in 1751; it is now of almost universal observance. Under this title Poland celebrates the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland. At present the Feast is not found in the Universal Calendar of the Church but nearly all Diocesan calendars have adopted it. Patronage – Trinitarian. HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/11/feast-of-the-divine-maternity-and-memorials-of-the-saints-11-october/
St Agilbert of Paris
St Alexander Sauli CRSP (1534-1592) Bishop “The Apostle of Corsica,” Clerk Regular of the Congregation of Saint Paul (The Barnabites) – St Alexander is referred to as “The Second Founder,” Missionary, Writer, Teacher of philosophy and theology at the University of Pavia, Reformer, Evangeliser, Confessor, Superior-General of the Barnabites in 1565. In addition, St Alexander Sauli was both friend, advisor and spiritual comfort to St Charles Borromeo, who held him in very high esteem. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/11/saint-of-the-day-11-october-saint-alexander-sauli-crsp-1534-1592/
St Anastasius V St Anastasius the Apocrisarius St Andronicus of Ephesus St Andronicus the Soldier St Ansilio St Canice St Digna of Sicily St Dionisio de Santarem St Emilian of Rennes St Ethelburga of Barking (Died c782) Virgin, Abbess St Eufridus St Firminus of Uzes St Germanus of Besancon St Gratus of Oloron St Guiadenzio of Gniezno
St Juliana of Pavilly St Nectarius of Constantinople St Philip the Deacon St Philonilla St Placidia St Probus of Side St Santino of Verdun St Sarmata St Taracus of Cladiopolis St Zenaides
Martyrs of Vilcassin – 4 Saints: Four Christians who were Martyred together. We know little more than the names – Nicasius, Pienza, Quirinus and Scubicolus. Their martyrdom occurred in Vexin Lugdunense territory of Gaul (modern Vilcassin, France), date unknown.
Martyrs of Sicily: A group of eight Christians who were Martyred together. We know little more than the names – • Ampodus, • Anastasius, • Faustus, • Januarius, • Jovinian, • Marcellus, • Martialis and • Placidus. They died in Sicily, Italy,
Martyrs of Vilcassin: Four Christians who were Martyred together. We know little more than the names – Nicasius, Pienza, Quirinus and Scubicolus. They died in the Vexin Lugdunense territory of Gaul (modern Vilcassin, France).
Thought for the Day – 10 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Third Sorrowful Mystery The Crowning with Thorns
“This new torture was a diabolical invention decreed by no law or authority. Purely for their own savage entertainment, the soldiers procured a bundle of thorned reeds, which they wound into the shape of a crown and pressed into Jesus’ head.
Mary knew what was going on. She was there with the holy women when Pilate brought her bloodstained Son before the people and, their blasphemous yells pierced her tender heart. Her mother’s heart felt the sharp thorns too but, she accepted this affliction with resignation, silently protesting against the insults of the crowd by acts of adoration and of love. We should behave in this way also. We should participate in the passion of Jesus, by offering our own sufferings and we should make acts of love and of self-surrender, in reparation for these acts of blasphemy!”
Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor
“When you pray, hear Mass, sit at table, engage in business and, when at bedtime you remove your clothes— at all times, yearn that by the pain which He felt when He was stripped just before His Crucifixion, He may strip us of our evil habits of mind. Thus, naked, of earthly things, we may also embrace the Cross!”
“What is it, my soul, that I seek in the world? How long shall I pursue and grasp at shadows? What is she already become, who was lately so beautiful, so great, so much revered? This death which has thus treated the imperial diadem, has already levelled his bow to strike me. Is it not prudent, to prevent its stroke, by dying now to the world that, at my death. I may live to God?”
One Minute Reflection – 10 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “We must follow Christ, cleaving to Him, nor should we forsake Him until we die. As Elisha said to his master: “ As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you ” (2 Kgs 2:2) … So, let us follow Christ and stay close to Him! “To be near God is my good” says the Psalmist (72:28). “ My soul clings fast to Thee; Thy right hand upholds me ” (Ps 62:9). And Saint Paul adds : “ Whoever is joined to the Lord becomes One Spirit with Him ” (1 Cor 6:17). Not just One Body but One Spirit. His whole body lives from the Spirit of Christ through the Body of Christ, we attain to the Spirit of Christ. Remain, therefore, by faith, in Christ’s Body and you will become One Spirit with Him. You are already united to His Body through faith, in vision, you will also be united to Him in spirit. Not that we shall see without a body when we are above but our bodies will be spiritual (1 Cor 15:44).
“Father,” Christ said : “I pray that they may all be one, as Thou, art in Me and I in Thee, that the world may believe” this is what union through faith is. And later He asks: “” this is union through vision.
This is how we are spiritually nourished by the Body of Christ – by having a pure faith in Him, by continually seeking the content of this faith in assiduous meditation and, in this way, discovering, with our minds, what it is we are looking for, by loving passionately, the object of our discovery and imitating, as far as possible, Him Whom we love and, even as we imitate Him, by staying close to Him at all times, so that we may come to everlasting union with Him.” – Guigo II “The Angelic” O.Cart. (Died c1188) The 9th Prior of Grande Chartreuse, from 1174 to 1180 (Meditation 10).
PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, model of true humility and its reward, we beseech Thee, that as Thou made blessed Francis one of Thy glorious imitators, by his contempt for earthly honours, grant us to follow his example and to share in his glory.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Daily Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayers to the Sacred Heart 1936 – 15th Edition, Dublin
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by our ingratitude and pierced by our sins, yet loving us still, accept the Consecration we make to Thee, of all that we are and all that we have. Take every faculty of our souls and bodies, only day by day draw us, nearer and nearer to Thy Sacred Heart, and there, as we shall hear the lesson, teach us Thy Holy Way. Amen
Saint of the Day – 10 October – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, Advisor, Missionary, Evangelist, Administrator par excelleance. Francisco de Borja y Aragon was the 4th Duke of Gandía, was a Grandee of Spain, a Spanish Jesuit and third Superior General of the Society of Jesus
A continuation of the life of St Francis Borgia – an entire year has slipped by, for which I should apologise, however, each day brings its own duties to the Saints being venerated on that particular day. Time runs away … Let us continue with a little more from Fr Alban Butler (1711-1773) who wrote his portrayal of our Saint from:
“The life, compiled by Fr Ribadeneira, who was for nine years, his Confessor, is the master-piece of that pious author, who, by his acquaintance with the holy man and his own experience in an interior life, was excellently qualified to animate, in his expression, the narrative of the actions of the Saint with that spirit with which they were performed.”
We continue – ST FRANCIS at COURT and his MARRIAGE until the DEATH of the EMPRESS – his “DAMASCUS MOMENT”:
Francis, although he delighted chiefly in the company of the most virtuous, was courteous and obliging to all, never spoke ill of anyone, nor ever suffered others to do it in his presence.
He was a stranger to envy, ambition, gallantry, luxury and gaming – vices which are often too fashionable in Courts and against which he armed himself with the utmost precaution. He not only never played but would never see others playing, saying that a man commonly loses by it four things – his money, his time, the devotion of his heart to God and his conscience.
One of his servants discovered, that on the days on which he was obliged to visit company in which ladies made a part, he wore a hair-shirt. In him it appeared, that there is no readier way to gain the esteem of men, though without seeking it, than by the heroic practice of Christian virtue. Nothing is so contemptible even amongst men of the world, as insolence, pride, injustice, or anger; nothing so hateful as one who loves nobody but himself, refers everything to himself and makes himself the centre of all his desires and actions.
Nor is there anything more amiable than a man who seeks not himself but refers himself to God and seeks and does all things for God, and the service of others; in which Christian piety consists. The wicked themselves, find no more solid comfort or protection in affliction, than the friendship of such a person; even those who persecute him,because his virtue is a censure of their irregularities, nevertheless admire in their breasts that sincere piety which condemns them. This is more conspicuous when such a virtue shines forth in an exalted station. It is not, therefore, to be wondered that Francis was honoured and beloved by all the Court, particularly by the Emperor, who called him the miracle of Princes!
… The Empress had so great an esteem for him and so high an idea of his merit, that she fixed her eye on him to marry Eleanor de Castro, a Portuguese lady of the first rank, a person of great piety and accomplishments, her principal favourite, who had been educated with her and whom, she had brought with her out of Portugal. The marriage was solemnised in the most Christian manner, to which state the Saint brought the best preparation – innocence of life with unsullied purity and an ardent spirit of religion and devotion. The Emperor on that occasion created him Marquis of Lombay and Master of the Horse to the Empress and having had experience of his wisdom, secrecy and fidelity, not only admitted him into his Privy-Council but took great delight in conferring, often privately, with him upon his most difficult undertakings and communicated to him his most important designs. …
Cristobal de Villalpando, Portrait of St. Francis Borgia , c1690
In 1537, being at the Court, which was then at Segovia, he fell ill of a dangerous quinsy, in which he never ceased praying in his heart, though he was not able to pronounce the words. These accidents were Divine graces which weaned Francis, daily more and more, from the world; although, whilst it smiled upon him, he saw the treachery, the shortness and the dangers of its flattering enjoyments, through that gaudy flash, in which it danced before his eyes.
… God blessed his marriage with a numerous and happy offspring – five boys and three girls: Charles, the eldest, who was Duke of Gandia, when Ribadeneira wrote the life of ourSaint; Isabel, John, Alvarez, Johanna, Fernandez, Dorothy and Alphonsus. Dorothy died young as a Poor Clare at Gandia; the rest all married, enjoyed different titles and posts of honour,and left families behind them.
St Francis was much affected, in 1537, by the death of his intimate friend, the famous poet, Garcilas de Vega, who was killed at the siege of a castle in Provence. The death of the pious Empress Isabel, happened two years after, on the 1st of May, 1539, whilst the Emperor was holding the states of Castile at Toledo, with the utmost pomp and magnificence. His majesty was much afflicted by the loss of so virtuous a consort. The Marquis and Marchioness of Lombay, were commissioned, by him, to attend her corpse to Granada, where she was to be buried. When the funeral convoy arrived at Granada and the Marquis delivered the corpse into the hands of the Magistrates of that City, they were on both sides, to make oath that it was the body of the late Empress. The coffin of lead was, therefore, opened and her face was uncovered but appeared so hideous and so much disfigured that no-one knew it and the stench was so noisome that everyone made, what haste he could away. Francis not knowing the face, would only swear it was the body of the Empress because, from the care he had taken, he was sure no-one could have changed it upon the road.
Being exceedingly struck at this spectacle, he repeated to himself:
“What is now become of those eyes, once so sparkling? Where is now the beauty and graceful air of that countenance which we so lately beheld? Are you her sacred majesty, Donna Isabel? Are you my Empress and my lady, my mistress?”
The impression which this spectacle made on his soul remained strong and lively during the thirty-three years by which he survived it, to his last breath!
Returning that evening from the Royal Chapel to his lodgings, Francis locked himself in his chamber and passed the whole night without a wink of sleep. Prostrate on the floor, shedding a torrent of tears, he said to himself,
“What is it, my soul, that I seek in the world? How long shall I pursue and grasp at shadows? What is she already become, who was lately so beautiful, so great, so much revered? This death which has thus treated the imperial diadem, has already levelled his bow to strike me. Is it not prudent, to prevent its stroke, by dying now to the world that at my death. I may live to God?”
St Aldericus St Cassius St Cerbonius of Populonia St Cerbonius of Verona St Clarus of Nantes Bl Demestrius of Albania Bl Edward Detkens St Eulampia St Eulampius St Florentius the Martyr St Fulk of Fontenelle St Gereon St Gundisalvus Bl Hugh of Macon
Bl Pedro de Alcantara de Forton de Cascajares St Pinytus of Crete Bl Pontius de Barellis St Tanca St Teodechilde St Victor of Xanten
Martyrs of Ceuta – 7 Beati: A group of seven Franciscan Friars Minor missionaries to Muslims in the Ceuta area of modern Morocco. Initially treated as madmen, within three weeks they were ordered to convert to Islam and when they would not they were first abused in the streets, then arrested, tortured and executed. Angelo, Daniele di Calabria, Donnolo, Hugolinus, Leone, Nicola, Samuele. They were beheaded in 1227 in Mauritania Tingitana (Ceuta, Morocco). Local Christians secreted the bodies away and gave them proper burial in Ceuta. They were Beatified in 1516 by Pope Leo X.
Thought for the Day – 9 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging
“Tradition holds that Mary followed Jesus through the various stages of His Passion. It is impossible to believe that she would have abandoned Him in these tragic hours. She must, at least, have known of the cruel flogging which He endured and, while His body was being torn by lashes, she was most probably not far away, participating, by her maternal sorrow, in her Son’s torment. Here, then, was a double Martyrdom – the Martyrdom of Blood and the Martyrdom of tears.
Life demands the shedding of blood and the shedding of tears! What are the motives which cause you sorrow in life? Are yours the tears of unsated ambition, of frustrated caprice, or of discouragement in times of trouble? Such tears are not worthy of a Christian. His, should be tears of repentance for his sins and tears of love for Jesus and Mary.”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 October – St Louis Bertrand OP (1526-1581) “Apostle of South America,” St John Leonardi OMD (1541-1609), Founder of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God
“If, because of your preaching, men lay aside enmities, forgive injuries, avoid occasions of sin and scandals and reform their conduct, you may say that the seed has fallen on good ground. But to God alone, give all the glory and acknowledge yourselves, ever unprofitable servants.”
One Minute Reflection – 9 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St John Leonardi (1541-1609) Confessor, Priest, Founder – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 4:15-18, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go. Behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.” – Luke 10:3
REFLECTION – “The Lord of all bestowed on His Apostles the power of proclaiming the Gospel. And, it is through them that we have come to understand the truth, that is to say, the teaching of the Son of God. To them, the Lord said: “Whoever listens to you, listens to Me. Whoever rejects you, rejects Me and rejects the One Who sent Me” (Lk 10:16). For we have not known the message of salvation from any, besides those who brought the Gospel to us.
This is the Gospel they first of all preached. Then, by God’s will, they handed it onto us in their Writings ,so that it might become “the pillar and foundation” of our faith (1Tm 3:15). It is not permissible to say they preached before, they had acquired perfect understanding, as some people rashly claim, who boast of being correctors of the Apostles. For indeed, after our Lord had been raised from the dead and the Apostles had been “clothed with power from on high” (Lk 24:49) by the coming of the Holy Spirit, they were filled with assurance about everything and possessed perfect knowledge. Then, they went forth “to the ends of the world” (Ps 18:5; Rom 10:18), proclaiming the Good News, of all the good things which have come to us from God and announcing peace on earth to men. Each and all, possessed the Gospel of God in equal measure.” – St Irenaeus (c130-202) Bishop, Martyr, Father of the Church (Against the heresies III, 1).
PRAYER – O God, Who in a wondrous way graciously urged blessed John, Thy Confessor, to propagate Thy faith among the pagans and through him brought together a new religious family in Thy Church for the education of the faithful, grant Thy servants, so to profit by his teaching that we may reach everlasting rewards.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 9 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”
Through Thee, to Us, Our Saviour Came To Our Lady of the Rosary By St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)
Through thee, to us, our Saviour came, Through thee, to Him, we fain would go. Our lives are marred by wrong and shame, Yet, confidence in thee we know. The friendship thou dost give to all Who love thy name, shall ever be Assurance thou wilt hear our call, Sweet Lady of the Rosary!
Thou art our Strength upon the way, Our Morning Star, to cheer and guide; Our Beacon Light to show the day, And lead us to the Saviour’s Side; A Comforter in ev’ry pain We find, O Mother blest, in thee, And seek we, never, thee in vain, Fair Lady of the Rosary!
Thy praises, Mary, we would sing, And all our faculties employ, That unto thee our hearts might bring A glory-crown of love and joy. Bless thou each humble effort made In thy regard and grant that we, May by thy influence be swayed, Our Lady of the Rosary!
Saint of the Day – 9 October – Saint Gislenus (Died c680) Priest, Basilian Monk, Abbot of the Monastery of Hainault, which he founded, Hermit, Missionary and friend of bears! Born either in Germany or in Greece (records differ but the name Gislenus is of Germanic origin) in the early 600s and died in c680, of natural causes, in the Town named after him, Saint-Ghislain, in modern day Belgium. Also known as – The Apostle of Hainault, Ghislain, Gislain, Gisleno, Gisileno, Guislain. Patronages – Saint-Ghislain, against epilepsy, also known as “St Gislenus’ disease” children’s illnesses and during difficult births.
St Gislenus with his bear
The Roman Martyrology states: “In the Hainault region of Austrasia, in today’s Belgium, Saint Gislenus, who led a monastic life in a cell he built himself [and later extended into a Monastery of which he was the first Abbot.]”
Gislenus completed his studies and then abandoned the world to follow the Rule of St Basil. He was later Ordained a Priest. He travelled to Rome, where the Pope sent him, together with his disciples, Lambert and Berler (both of these too are Saints), to Belgium. as Missionaries.
He made a clearing in the vicinity of Mons, in Hainault, later moving his abode at a place called Ursidongus,- meaning “Bear’s den” and named for our Saint and his friend, the Bear, who had chosen the site – where he built a Chapel and Monastery dedicated to the Princes of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul.
Many Bishops had deep esteem and veneration for him – StAubert, the Bishop of Cambrai (Died c720) protected him in a particular way. St Waltrude (c612-686) Widow, gave him a gift of lands and Gislenus influenced her to supply the funds to build a Monastery.
Gislenus exerted a strong influence on the women of the nobility and stimulated them to enter monastic life. These included StAldegonda, St Aldetrude, St Madelberta and of course, the most renowned, St Waltrude.
He died at an advanced age on 9 October between 680 and 685 at his Monastery which later took his name. The cult was already witnessed in the 9th Century. The Saint is particularly invoked against epilepsy, also known as “St Gislenus’ disease” children’s illnesses and during difficult births. The two disciples of the Saint, Lambert and Berler are generally commemorated with him.
St Gislenus right with St Andrew Apostle
The Relics of the Saint were first disinterred in c929. They were translated to Grandlieu, near Quaregnon, about the end of the tenth century or the beginning of the eleventh and, in 1025, Gerard of Florennes, Bishop of Cambrai, removed them to Le Cateau-Cambrésis. They were visited several times in the course of the Middle Ages by the Bishops of Cambrai.
In 1647 they were removed to St-Ghislain, of which place he is Patron.
In iconography he is frequently represented with a bear or bear’s cub beside him. This relates to the wonderful prodigy of the a bear, who being pursued in the chase by King Dagobert I, sought refuge with Gislenus and later showed him the place where he should establish a Monastery. Moreover, the site of the Saint’s cell was called Ursidongus, “Bear’s den,” He is also frequently represented holding a Church.
There is a Rue Saint-Ghislain/Sint-Gissleinsstraat in Brussels.
The Life of St Gislenus Altarpiece at St Waltrude’s Church in Mons
St Aron of Kracow St Abraham the Patriarch St Alfanus of Salerno St Andronicus of Antioch St Athanasia of Antioch Bl Bernard of Rodez St Demetrius of Alexandria St Deusdedit of Montecassino St Domninus St Dorotheus of Alexandria
Martyrs of Laodicea – Three Christians Martyred together in Laodicea but no other information about them has survived but their names – Didymus, Diodorus and Diomedes. They Died in Laodicea, Syria.
Thought for the Day – 8 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The First Sorrowful Mystery The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
“Let us pay particular attention to the scene in Gethsemane. Jesus is lying prostrate on the ground. He has given everything for sinful humanity. He has given His heavenly teaching, His miracles and His mercy. Even more, He has given Himself in the Blessed Eucharist, which He has instituted in the form of food and drink, to sustain men on their earthly journey.
Now, He lies prostrate in prayer. Near Him, are His Apostles who, already forgetful of the immense favours which they have received, are asleep!
Not far away, there is another Apostle, Judas, who has sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver, as a slave would be sold and is about to deliver Him to His executioners. But Jesus can see across the centuries – many other Judases, so many traitors, who will be indifferent and sleep, never thinking of Him and neglecting to make any return for His infinite love. His Passion is beginning now, here in Gethsemaneand will be protracted throughout the centuries. Before His Crucifixion, He drinks the bitter chalice of human ingratitude and, in His tremendous Agony, He perspires drops of Blood!”
Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget of Sweden (c1303-1373) Widow
“The source of justice, is not vengeance but charity.”
“The world would have peace, if only men of politics would follow the Gospel.”
“My Lord Jesus Christ, Thy blessed, Royal and magnificent Heart, could never, be swayed, by torments , or terrors, or blandishments, from the defence of Thine Kingdom of Truth and Justice.”
One Minute Reflection – 8 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Widow – Ephesians 4:23-28, Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.” – Matthew 22:5
REFLECTION – “Everything is ready. Come to the marriage feast.” But the people invited asked to be excused. They went “one to his farm, another to his business”… This astonishing busy-ness and constant agitation which stir the world, are seen, alas, only too often. The prodigious amount of clothing, food, buildings which we have and the many things, half of which would be ample enough, make one dizzy. This life should be nothing other, than a passage to eternity. With all our strength, we have to pull ourselves away from this exuberant activity and diversity, from all that is not absolutely necessary and, we must become recollected in ourselves, become attached to our vocation, consider where, how and in what manner, the Lord has called us – one to interior contemplation, the other to activity and a third… to interior quiet, in the calm silence of divine darkness, in unity of spirit.
Even these latter, are sometimes called by God to exterior, sometimes to interior actions, according to His good pleasure, yet,, the man pays no attention to his call. But if the person, who is called, interiorly to noble and calm silence, in the emptiness of the dark cloud, (Ex 24:18) was always wanting to forgo all charitable work because of it, then it would not be good. And unfortunately, the numbers of those today, who wish to carry out extra works of charity, are very rare . … The Gospel tells us too that the Master found one of His guests seated at the banquet who was not wearing the wedding garment. The wedding garment, which, this guest was lacking, is pure, true and divine charity, the true intention of seeking God which excludes all love of self and of all which is foreign to God – it wants only that which God wants. … To those who seek themselves, our Lord says: “My friend, how did you come in here without the garment of true charity?” They sought the gifts of God, rather than God Himself!” – Father Johnnes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian (Sermon 74 in honour of St Cordula (Died c450) Virgin Martyr, Companion of St Ursula).
PRAYER – O Lord, our God, Who through Thy Only-begotten Son revealed secrets to blessed Bridget, grant that through her kind intercession, we, Thy servants, may rejoice and be glad in the revelation of Thy eternal glory. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 8 October – The 19th Sunday after Pentecost
An Act of Consecration to the Holy Trinity By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charity
I vow and consecrate to God all that is in me: my memory and my actions to God the Father; my understanding and my words to God the Son; my will and my thoughts to God the Holy Ghost; my heart, my body, my tongue, my senses and all my sorrows to the Sacred Humanity of Jesus Christ, “who was content to be betrayed into the hands of wicked men and to suffer the torment of the Cross..” Amen
Saint of the Day – 8 October – Saint Ragenfrida Virgin, Abbess (Died 9th Century). Daughter of Adalbert, Count of Ostrevant and Regina, who is also remembered as a Saint. Patronage – of Denain, Northern France, where her Monastery was. Also known as – Ragenfréde, Ragenfreda, Rainfroy, Refroy, Reginfreda, Renfrida, Renfroie.
The Roman Martyrology: “In Denain in Hainault, in today’s France, Saint Ragenfrida, Abbess, who built a Monastery in this place with her assets, of which she was a worthy guide.”
Ragenfrida was the Founder and Abbess of the Monastery of Denain, in the Diocese of Cambrai, as expressly recalled in a record from Charles the Bald (Charles II (823-877), King) dated 13 August 877. Even the Author of the Gesta Episcoporum Cameracemium, in 1041-1042, says that the blessed Ragenfrida had founded a Monastery in her region, located on the banks of the Escaut, in Denain and had become the Abbess of it. A little later, contrary to ancient documents, the Life of Saint Regina (our Saint’s mother), written on behalf of Abbess Fredessenda, declares that the Founders had been Adalbert, Count of Ostrevant and his wife, Regina.
Their marriage had been blessed with the birth of ten daughters (including Ragenfrida) and, in agreement with them, the two spouses had founded a Monastery in Denain, whose Church was dedicated to Our Lady. The ten virgins, however, to satisfy a greater desire for perfection, set out on a pilgrimage – five went to Jerusalem and died there, the other five reached Rome where they too were to find eternal rest, except for Ragenfrida who returned to Denain. During the absence of the pilgrims, Regina, their mother, had retreated to the Monastery because Adalbert had died (or, as a later version would say, with his consent) and she governed it until her death. She was succeeded by Ragenfrida.
The Monastery of Denain was founded, towards the end of the 8th Century but this date appears too late because the cult of Ragenfrida was already attested in the 9th Century. It seems that, at the beginning its inhabitants were Nuns who followed the Benedictine rule, although it has been wondered whether Denain was not instead a Monastery of Canonesses, as established in 816 by the Council of Aachen. However, later the community was made up of Canonesses and not Nuns. Canonesses, uUnlike Nuns, took no permanent vows and were not committed to a life of poverty, or to a common life for eating and sleeping. These ladies were usually Aritocrats of noble birth.
The elevation of the body of the holy Abbess took place already in 845, at the time of the blessed Ava, who, blind, had recovered her sight by praying on Ragenfrida’s tomb; after which, she gave all her goods to St Ragemfroda’s Monastery and consecrated herself to the Lor. Ava, having become Abbess, promoted the cult of our Saint. At the time of the destruction of the Monastery by the Normans, Ragenfrida’s Relics, sold by clerics greedy for money, were then recovered,, thanks to the cunning of a Nun and remained in Denain until 1793.
From the 9th Century St Ragenfrida had a celebration in calendars and sacramentaries and her name is found in the litanies of the same period on 8 October, in the Diocese of Cambrai and Tournai, as well as in the Abbey of St-Amand. She is venerated on the same date in Honnepel, a Town near Xanten, where the Monastery of Denain had properties and the same was true for Xanten. After the 13th Century, in Cologne, she had her Feast day, on 20 November. In Denain, of which the Saint was the main Patron, she was celebrated on 2 September and with a relatio corporis on 11 June. Ragenfrida’s memory is found in the Benedictine Martyrologies on 8 October.
St Felix of Como (Died 390) the first Bishop of Como. Felix was a friend of Saint Ambrose, who praised him for his missionary activity and Ordained him a Priest in 379 and Consecrated him as Bishop in 386. St Ambrose sent him to evangelise the City of Como, as a testimony to the great missionary drive of the Church of Milan. St Felix is honoured as a zealous shepherd of souls. More about St Felix: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/08/saint-of-the-day-8-october-saint-felix-of-como-died-390/
Thought for the Day – 7 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Fifth Joyful Mystery The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
“Mary and Joseph came, according to custom, to celebrate the feast of the Pasch in Jerusalem. They took with them, Jesus, Who was now twelve years of age. When the feast was over, the pilgrims came together to return to Nazareth. As usual, they gathered in the temple to say a final prayer and then divided into two companies, one consisting of men, the other of women. The children were assigned to either caravan.
At any rate, when the two groups came together for the night after a day’s journey, Mary and Joseph looked in vain for Jesus. He could not be found in either caravan! We can imagine how they suffered. However, they returned without delay to Jerusalem to look for their Child. They searched for three days. At last, when they went into the Temple to pour out their troubles to God, they found Jesus, sitting among the doctors, who were amazed at the wisdom of His answers and of His questions. There was joy and sorrow in Mary’s countenance as she regarded Him. “Son,” she said gently. “why hast thou done so to us? Behold, in sorrow, thy father and I have been seeking thee.” Jesus’ reply was also mild and at the same time, mysterious. “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”
Then He returned with them to Nazareth, where He remained “subject to them.” But His mother, we are told, “kept all these things carefully in her heart” (Cf Lk 2:41-51).
This Mystery of the Rosary is, at the same time, joyful and sorrowful. We can learn a good deal by meditating on it. We can admire the divine wisdom of Jesus, Who, even from childhood, desired to reveal a little of the truth and also His obedience to Mary and Joseph, until He reached thirty years of age. We can admire, too, His hidden life in the workshop in Nazareth, interrupted only by this brief demonstration of His divinity and the anxiety of Mary and Joseph to find Jesus when they had lost Him, as well as their delight when He was restored to them.
If we should ever have the great misfortune of losing Jesus, let us have recourse at once, to Mary and Joseph, who lost Him without any fault on their part, searched anxiously for Him and did not rest, until they had found Him. Amen”
Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
“Say the Rosary everyday to obtain peace for the world. And after each decade, say the following prayer: ‘O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.’”
Our Lady of Fatima 1917
Queen of the Holy Rosary
Queen of the Holy Rosary! Thee as our Queen we greet, And lay our lowly, loving prayers Like roses at thy feet. Would that these blossoms of our souls Were far more fair and sweet.
Queen of the Joyful Mysteries! Glad news God’s envoy bore. The Baptist’s mother thou didst tend; Angels thy Babe adore, Whom with two doves thou ransomest; Lost, He is found once more.
Queen of the Dolorous Mysteries! Christ ‘mid the olives bled, Scourged at the pillar, crowned with thorns, Beneath His Cross He sped Up the steep hill and there once more Thine arms embraced Him–dead!
Queen of the Glorious Mysteries! Christ from the tomb has flown, Has mounted to the highest heaven And sent His Spirit down And soon He raises thee on high To wear thy heavenly crown.
Queen of the Holy Rosary! We, too, have joys and woes. May they, like thine, to triumph lead! May labour earn repose, And may life’s sorrows and life’s joys In heavenly glory close.
Taken from: Cyril Robert – Mary Immaculate: God’s Mother and Mine. 1946
One Minute Reflection – 7 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary – Proverbs 8:22-24, 32-35, Luke 1:26-38 Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Mary said: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word.” – Luke 1:38
REFLECTION – “You have heard, O Virgin, that you are to conceive and bring forth a Son and that this will not be through the power of man but, by the virtue of the Holy Spirit. The Angel awaits your reply, for it is time that he should return to God Who sent him. We, too, are waiting, O Lady, for a word of mercy, we, who are groaning under the sentence of condemnation. See, the price of our salvation is offered to you; if you consent, we shall at once be delivered. By the Eternal Word of God were we all created and behold, we will all die. By your brief answer, we shall be refreshed and recalled to life! …
Hasten, then, O Lady, to give your answer; hasten to speak the word so longed for by all on earth, in limbo and in Heaven. Yes, the King and Lord of all things, Who has “greatly desired your beauty” (Ps 44:12), desires, as eagerly, your word of consent by which He has purposed to save the world. He, Whom you pleased by your silence, will be yet more pleased by your reply. Hark! He calls to you from Heaven – “O most beautiful among women, let me hear your voice” (Sg 1:8; 2:14) … Answer the Angel quickly, then; yes, through the Angel give your consent to your God. Answer one syllable, receive the Word; utter your own word and conceive that which is Divine. Speak the word that is transitory and embrace the Word which is everlasting! …”
“Behold,” she says, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to thy word.” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homily 4 on the “Missus est” [He was sent] #8-9).
PRAYER – O God, Whose Only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has merited for us the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating on these Mysteries in the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 7 October – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary/Our Lady of Victory – Commemorating the Victory of Lepanto – 1571
The Holy Rosary By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
Accept, mighty Maid, we beseech thee, This prayer with its fragrance of flowers; With one soul we seek thus to reach thee And hail thee, God’s Mother and ours.
Thy heart is made glad by our praying; Thy bounty is generous and wise; Thy hands are enriched for conveying What God’s tender Mercy supplies.
We kneel at thy Shrines in the Churches; Oh, gently look down from above, And welcome the heart that then searches For worthy expressions of love.
Let others present precious caskets Of gems, or heap Altars with gold; Slight prayer-beads shall serve us for baskets To bring thee the garland they hold.
With violets lowly we fashion This wreath and with these combined Red roses–our faith in the Passion With Chastity’s lilies entwined.
Our minds, as the Mysteries vary, Are active, our hands play their part And always thy name, Holy Mary! Oft-uttered, rejoices the heart.
Be with us, we trust thee to guide us Through life and when labouring breath At the last, seeks thine aid, be beside us To help at the hour of our death. Anen
Saint of the Day – 7 October – Saint Gerold of Cologne (c1201-1241) Layman Pilgrim. Born in Cologne, Germany and died in Cremona, Italy by being murdered by robbers. He is venerated by both Cologne and Cremona as their own special Saint and is regarded as a Martyr, although it is doubtful that he was killed for the Faith. Also known as – St Gerold of Cremona.The image is the only one available but has no explanation accompanying it.
Gerold was born in Cologne. a City also a destination for pilgrimages, for the devotion of Saint Ursula and her fabulous eleven thousand companions and for the Relics of the Three Kings, preserved in the famous Cathedral which is, itself, a destination of pilgrims.
Gerold was, so to speak, a professional pilgrim, who progressively extended the scope of his journeys which became increasingly longer and more difficult, in pursuit of sanctity and perfection.
He was in Rome, travelling along the road to pray in the Basilicas and venerate the linen of Veronica. He arrived at St James of Compostella, staff in hand and shell on his chest, to pay homage to the “baron” of Galicia, St James. Finally, he set sail, holding the palm, for the distant Holy Land, the land of the Lord.
Those who went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem made a will before leaving home because the chances of returning were rather slim. Our saint, however, was among those who returned from the East to Italy. But for him, the most dangerous road was much nearer home. In 1241, while crossing the Alps into what is now Italy, he was attacked by robbers, who left him to die. The remains were collected by some passers-by and taken to Cremona, where the cult for the devout pilgrim was ignited by the veneration paid the holy man and the miracles granted by his intercession.
St Adalgis of Novara (Died c 850) Bishop St Apuleius of Capua
St Augustus of Bourges (Died c 560) Priest and Abbot. The Roman Martyrolog states of him today: “Near Bourges in Aquitaine, France, Saint Augustus, Priest and Abbot, who had his hands and feet so contracted that he could not support himself except with his knees and elbows. He was healed through the intercession of St Martin of Tours. He gathered around himself some Monks and waited intently on prayer.” His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/07/saint-of-the-day-7-october-saint-augustus-of-bourges-died-c-560/
St Canog ap Brychan St Dubtach of Armagh St Gerold of Cologne (c1201-1241) Layman Pilgrim St Helanus
St Justina of Padua (Died c 304) Virgin and Martyr. The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Padua, Saint Justina, Virgin and Martyr, who was Baptised by blessed Prosdocimus, disciple of St Peter. As she remained firm in the faith of Christ, she was put to the sword by order of the Governor Maximus and thus went to God.” Her Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/07/saint-of-the-day-7-october-saint-justina-of-padua-died-c-304-virgin-and-martyr/
St Marcellus of Capua (Died Third or Fourth Century) Martyr St Martin Cid St Osith St Palladius of Saintes St Quarto of Capua St Rigaldo
St Sergius and Companions – Martyrs
Mercedarian Nuns of Seville: Five Mercedarian Nuns at the Monastery of the Assumption in Seville, Spain noted for their piety – Sisters Agnese, Bianca, Caterina, Maddalena and Marianna.
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