Saint of the Day – 17 April – St Innocent (c285-c353) Bishop and Confessor of Tortona in Italy. Born and died in his See of Tortona. A brave and holy shepherd who underwent all manner of evil for the Faith of Christ.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Tortona, St Innocent, Bishp[ and Confessor.”
St Innocent was born into one of the noble families of Tortona who protected the local Christians and were exterminated during the ferocious persecution of Emperor Diocletian, who left the City without a Bishop until 318.
In 303, Innocent, at the age of 22, was imprisoned and his family property confiscated. Only after 313 did he go to Rome to recover his father’s property. There he gained the suport of Pope Sylvester, who first Ordained himas a Deacon and then sent him to Tortona as the Bishop after Consecrating him on 24 September 325.
Thus began a pastoral care which led to the reorganisation of the local community and was characterised by the fight against paganism. During St Innocent’s Eepiscopate, the Relics of the 1st Bishop of Tortona, Saint Marzianus of Tortona , were found on the left bank of the Scrivia River.
The family property was donated by St Innocent’s to his See and by the proceeds thereof the construction of several Churches began, including a Basilica on the hill overlooking the City (later destroyed by fire in 1609).
St Innocent’s body, who died on 17 April c353, was buried at the Basilica he had built. His sister is credited with founding what would later become the Monastery of Sant’Eufemia.
Bl essed Andrés Hibernón Real OFM (1534-1602) Religious Friar, Apostle of the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin and the Holy Rosary, Apostle of the poor. He predicted the date of his death four years before the fact, which was 18 April 1602 in Gandia, Valencia, Spain of natural causes immediately after having prayed a rosary. He was Beatified on 22 May 1791 by Pope Pius VI. His body is incorrupt. A Life of Love: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/17/saint-of-the-day-17-april-blessed-andres-hibernon-real-o-f-m-1534-1602/
St Agia of Hainault St Anthia of Illyria St Athanasia of Aegina St Bitheus St Calocerus of Brescia St Cogitosus St Corebus
St Eleuterius of Illyria St Elpidius of Melitene St Eusebius of Fano St Galdinus of Milan St Gebuinus of Lyons St Genocus St Hermogenes of Melitene St Innocent (c285-c353) Bishop and Confessorof Tortona Bl Idesbald of Dunes Blessed James of Cerqueto OSA (1285-1366)
Blessed Mariana of Jesus OdeM (c1565-1624) “The Lily of Madrid” Tertiary Sister of the Mercadarian Order (the Servants of Mary) Mystic and Ecstatic, graced with Visions of Our Lord and His Mother and granted the ability, by her intercession, to be responsible for many miracles, Spiritual Director and Apostle of the poor and the sick. In addition, Mariana was known to bilocate and levitate during her ecstasies. Patronages – of Madrid, Mercedarian Tertiaries Mercedarian Lay Fraternities and Apostolates. Her body is Incorrupt. “The Lily of Madrid”: https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/17/saint-of-the-day-17-april-blessed-mariana-of-jesus-odemc1565-1624-the-lily-of-madrid/
St Pantagathus of Vienne Bishop St Perfecto of Córdoba St Pusicio
St Robert de Turlande/Chaise-Dieu OSB (c1000-1067) Priest, professed religious of the Order of St Benedict, Monk, Abbot, Apostle of Charity, Marian devotee. He was of noble stock, was related to Saint Gerald of Aurillac (c855–c909) and was a descendant of St Caesarius of Arles (470-543). He is best known for the establishment of the Benedictine Convent of La Chaise-Dieu (‘Home of God’) and for his total commitment to the poor. He became a spiritual inspiration for Pope Clement VI (1291–1352) – whose own origin,s in the religious life were based at that Convent – and it was Pope Clement who confirmed the Canonisation of the Benedictine Abbot on 19 September 1351 in Avignon. His Devoted Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/17/saint-of-the-day-17-april-st-robert-de-chaise-dieu-osb-c-1000-1067/
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