Saint of the Day – 23 March – Saint Benedict (Died c550) Monk and Hermit in Campagna, Italy. Although attempts were made to Martyr our Saint Benedict, by the grace and loving protection of God, he escaped unscathed and died a natural death. Also known as – Benedict the Hermit.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Campagna, St Benedict, a Monk who was shut in a burning furnace by the Goths but was found, the next day, miraculously unharmed.”
Unknown Monk
The little information we have received regarding this St Bernedict comes from Saint Gregory the Great, who gathered it from an old Monk, his relative.
He lived during the reign of Totila, King of the Ostrogoths, a turbulent period marked by wars and persecutions. His unwavering faith and dedication to monastic life made him a target for Totila’s soldiers, who attempted in vain to martyr him.
According to tradition, they condemned him to death by burning alive, first in his cell and then in a fiery oven. But miraculously, the flames did not touch him and he emerged unharmed from both tortures.
Saint Benedict’s fame spread rapidly, attracting the veneration of the faithful who considered him an example of sanctity and Christian heroism. However, due to the scarcity of historical information, his cult did not became widespread in the region.
The Church commemorates him today. His memory lives on in local tradition, especially in Campagnia.
St Julian the Confessor No further information has survived. St Liberatus of Carthage St Maidoc of Fiddown St Nicon of Sicily
St Ottone Frangipane (1040-1127) Layman, military Knight, Pilgrim, Ascetic, Hermit, Miracle-worker both during life and after his death. Founder of a Pilgrim’s Hospice in Ariano which later became a huge Hospital. Born in 1040 in Rome, Italy and died on 23 March 1127 in Ariano Irpino, Italy of natural causes. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/23/saint-of-the-day-23-march-st-ottone-frangipane-1040-1127/
St Theodolus Priest in Antioch, Syria. No other information has survived.
St Turibius (1538-1606) Spanish ArchBishop of Lima in Peru, Lawyer, Missionary, Preacher, Reformer, Professor, Miracle-worker. Patronages – Peru, Lima, Latin American Bishops, Native rights, Scouts, Valladolid. St Turibius predicted the exact date and hour he would die, which would come to pass. His reputation for holiness and learning was never forgotten for it led to calls for his Canonisation. Pope Innocent XI Beatified and Pope Benedict XIII Canonise him on 10 December 1726. Amazing St Turibius: https://anastpaul.com/2018/03/23/saint-of-the-day-23-march-st-turibius-of-mogrovejo-1538-1606/
Daughters of Feradhach: They are mentioned in early calendars and martyrologies but no information about them has survived.
Martyrs of Caesarea – 5 Saints: A group of five Christians who protested public games which were dedicated to pagan gods. Martyred in the persecutions Julian the Apostate. The only details we know about them are their names – Aquila, Domitius, Eparchius, Pelagia and Theodosia. They were martyred in 361 in Caesarea, Palestine.
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