Quote/s of the Day – 16 October – St Gerard Majella CSsR (1726-1755) Religious Lay Brother of the Redemptorists
“The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick person is Christ again made visible.”
“Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”
“Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect, how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it then, to lean upon that which cannot give support?”
Saint of the Day – 16 October – St Eliphius (Died 362) Bishop (?) or Deacon (?) Martyr, Missionary. Eliphius was the child of a King of Scotia (Ireland) and preached in Toul, modern France, where he converted hundreds to Christianity. He was accompanied by his siblings – St Eucharius, and three sisters, Menna, Libaria and Susanna. Born in Ireland and died by beheading in 362 in Toul, France. Also known as – Elifio, Eloff, Elophe, Éliphe, … of Toul.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Cologne, St Eliphiuis, Martyr, under Julian the Apostate.”
We have various conflicting reports and opinions of our Saint, some say he became the Bishop of Toul and others that he remained a Deacon. Even his birthplace is doubted, in the 12th Century, Abbot Rupert of Deutz (c1075- c1130), author of the Acts of the Saint, was of the opinion that Eliphius and his siblings were natives of Toul.
All of Eliphius’ siblings, except Menna, were beheaded at or near Toul, at the order of Julian the Apostate although it seems at different times.
Eliphius were buried at Mount Eliph, named after our Saint. The Lorsch Codex mentions the donation of the Relics of St. Eliphius to the Great St. Martin Church, in Cologne and thus became the second named Patron of that Church. These Relics were later translated back to Toul. There is a Town near Toul in France, names St Eloff.
St Bolonia St Conogon of Quimper St Dulcidius of Agen St Eliphius (Died 362) Martyr St Eremberta of Wierre St Florentinus of Trèves (Died 4th Century) (Bishop
St Gerald of Clairvaux O.Cist (Died 1177) Abbot regarded as the first Cistercian Martyr St Junian St Lull St Magnobodus of Angers St Martinian of Mauretania St Mummolinus St Saturian of Mauretania St Silvanus of Ahun St Victor of Cologne St Vitalis of Noirmoutier
Martyrs in Africa – 220 Saints: A group of 220 Christians Martyrs about whom we know nothing but that they died for their faith.
Martyrs of North Africa – 365 Saints: A group of 365 Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of the Vandal king Genseric. The only details that have survived are the names of two of the Martyrs – Nereus and Saturninus. 450 in North Africa.
Saint of the Day – 15 October – Saint Severus of Triers (Died c455) Bishop and Confessor of Trier in Germany, Defender of the Faith, Misionary and Apostle to the Germans in the lower Moselle region.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Treves (Triers), St Severus Bishop and Confessor.”
St Severus, painting on a pillar in Nave of the Church, 1429
Severus is part of a generation formed at the school of shepherds of Gaul of noble Roman origins (Lupus of Troyes, Hilary of Arles, Germanus of Auxerre) in the French Monastery of Lérins.
What we know about Severus is extracted from theVita of St Germanus of Auxerre and he is also mentioned by Constantine of Lyons. Furthermore, Severus appears too in the Life of St Lupus of Troyes and the Ecclesiastical History of the Venerable Bede, in regard to the mission to assist against the heresy of Pelagianism. These combined works brought together the previously separate reports on the journey to Britain and the German Mission.
St Severus Statue in the entrance hall of the Church, 14th Century.
His term as Bishop succeeded the term of Leontius of Triers, who died in 446. One of Severus’ most notable accomplishments was accompanying St Germanus on his second trip to England, at the urgent request of the English Bishops, to combat the virulent Pelagian heresy – this mission took place about the year 446/447.
Upon his return, he took firm possession of his Diocese and evangelised the territories of the Lower Moselle and the Middle Rhine area in Germany. It is also reported that Severus had received the first Papal Privilege for the Trier Diocese.
There is a large Church names and dedicated to St Severus and St Martin, in Triers which was formerly the Cathedral.
St Callistus of Huesca St Cannatus of Marseilles St Euthymius the Younger St Fortunatus of Rome St Leonard of Vand(Died c455) Bishop St Severus of Trier (Died c455) Bishop and Confessor
Martyrs of Cologne: A group of 360 Christian soldiers Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian. They were Martyred in 303 outside the City walls of Cologne, Germany.-
Saint of the Day – 30 September – St Simon de Crépy (c1048-1082) Monk, Count of Amiens, of the Vexin and of Valois, Papal Advisor, Diplomat and Peacemaker. Died in 1082 in Rome, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – Saint Simon, Simone … Simon de Vexin.
Born at Crepy-en-Valois and related to Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror, at whose Court he was educated. In 1072, upon his father’s death, Simon became the lord of considerable territory around Amiens and in the Vexin region. These lay between the royal domain of King Philip I of France and the lands of William of Normandy, by then King of England and made Simon an important man.
Simon wished to be a Monk but William wanted him to marry his daughter Adela. Simon went to Rome, ostensibly to see if the proposed marriage was within the prohibited degrees (as William’s own marriage to Matilda had been) and, on the way, he took the monastic Habit at the Abbey of Saint-Claude. But Simon was not content with the relatively luxurious surrounds of the Abbey of Saint-Claude,and decided upon a life as a Hermit in the forests of Burgundy on the upper reaches of the river Doubs. There he and a few fellow Friars constructed cells and cleared land to farm. This Priory remained dependent upon Sainte-Claude until the 12th Century, then upon Saint-Oyen de Joux. The village of Mouthe later grew up around the Priory.
His becoming a Monk did not mean that he was without influence. On the contrary he was in considerable demand as a mediator and negotiator. St Hugh of Cluny recovered lands from the King of France through Simon’s intervention and negotiations. He also mediated in the quarrels between William and his sons.
From 1080 until his death, Pope Gregory VII retained him in Rome as an Adviser. There Simon died, after receiving the Last Sacraments from Pope Gregory. He was buried at St Peter’s in Rome. The Abbey of Saint–Claude claimed some of his Relics later. His Feast is celebrated today, 30 September.
St Ismidone of Die Blessed Conrad of Urach St Laurus St Leopardus the Slave St Midan of Anglesey St Simon de Crépy (c1048-1082) Monk St Sophia Widow
St Ursus the Theban St Victor the Theban
Martyrs of Valsery Abbey: An unknown number of Premonstratensian Monks at the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Valsery, Picardie, France who were Martyred by Calvinists. They were martyred in 1567 at Valsery, Pircardy, France.
Saint of the Day – 29 September – Saint Liutwin of Trier (c660-c717) Bishop of Trier, Laon (?) and Rheims, Count of Trier or Treves. Liutwin was born around 660 probably at Mettlach near Trier, Germany and died on 29 September c717 (?) in Rheims. Also known as – Liutwin of Mettlach, Ludwino of… Liudvino of… Lutwin of… Ludwin of… Lutwinus of… Additional Memorial in Trier: 27 September. The name ‘Liutwin’ means “the friend of the people” in Old High German.
Liutwin came from high nobility, he was probably related to the Carolingians and was the nephew of Bishop Basin of Trier.. At first he worked as an official at the Frankish Court, then in 690 he founded the Monastery in Mettlach on his own property which was given a mixture of Benedictine and Columban Rules.
The Abbey in Mettlach was founded after Liutwin went hunting near Saar. He grew tired and fell asleep under the shade of a tree. As he slept the sun changed positions exposing him to its hot rays but an eagle swept down and sat on Liutwin, with its wings spread out, seemingly to protect him. When Liutwin awoke, his servant told him how the eagle had protected him from being burnt by the sun. Coincidentally, Liutwin happened to be napping near the site of the Chapel of St Denis of Paris. Liutwin saw this as a God-sent sign to establish a Monastery at that site and it soon developed into a Christian centre of learning and evangelisation. At the location of the original Dionysiun Chapel, now stands the Parish Church of St Gangolf in Mettlach. In 698, he co-founded the Echternack Abbey at Mettlach.
St Liutwin builds the Abbey of Mettlach
After the death of his wife, Liutwin joined the Monastery he had founded as a simple Monk. Later he became a Priest and was Consecrated Bishop by his uncle in 697/698 and after his uncle’s death in 705, he succeeded him as the Bishop of Trier. As a friend of Charles Martel, he was also given the Bishopric of Rheims and probably also that of Laon, although this latter is unsure.
Liutwin donated land to the Trier Abbeys of St Eucharius – later called St Matthias and St Paul. Liutwin’s successor as Bishop of Trier and Rheims was his son Milo.
Liutwin’s bones rest in the former Marienkirche in Mettlach, built around 990 by Abbot Lioffin as a burial Church. This ruin in the shape of an octagon – modeled on the Aachen Cathedral – is today the oldest surviving building in Saarland. The veneration of Liutwin is documented as early as the year 1000.
The Monastery in Mettlach was abandoned during the First Coalition War of Prussia, Austria and smaller German states against the violence excesses of revolutionary France; the Monks fled in 1793/1794; the Monastery was finally abandoned in 1802.
THIS festival has been kept with great solemnity on the 29th of September ever since the Fifth Century and was certainly initially celebrated in Apulia in 493. The Dedication of the famous Church of St Michael on Mount Gargano, in Italy, gave occasion to the institution of this Feast in the West, which is hence called in the Martyrologies of St Jerome, St Bede and others, ‘The Dedication of St Michael.’ About the Apparition of St Michael at Mount Gargano in 492: https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-apparition-of-michael-the-archangel-at-monte-gargano-italy-492/
Bl John of Ghent St Liutwin of Trier (c660-c717) Bishop St Quiriacus of Palestine St Rene Goupil St Rhipsime Bl Richard Rolle St Sapor of Persia St Theodota of Thrace
Martyrs of Thrace – 3 Saints: Three Christian men Martyred in Thrace for their faith. They are – Eutychius, Heracleas and Plautus.
Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – St Wenceslaus (907-935) Duke of Bohemia, Martyr.
Good King Wenceslaus
Good King Wenceslaus looked out, on the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even; Brightly shone the moon that night, t ho’ the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
“Hither, page and stand by me, if thou know’st it, telling, Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain; Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
“Bring me flesh and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither, Thou and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.” Page and Monarch, forth they went, forth they went together; Through the rude wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
“Sire, the night is darker now and the wind blow stronger; Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer.” “Mark my footsteps, my good page. Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter’s rage, freeze thy blood less coldly.”
In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod which the Saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
Saint of the Day – 28 September – Saint Exuperius of Toulouse (Died c411) Bishop and Confessor, Apostle of the destitute, the poor, the deprived and needy including aid to the poor in Egypt and Palestine. Born on an unknown date probably in France and died in c411 in Toulouse of natural causes. He was highly regarded by St Jerome who dedicated one of his works to him. Also known as – Exupère, Essuperio, Exsuperius, Soupire.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Toulouse, St Exuperius, Bishop and Confessor. St Jerome bears witness to this blessed man, a memorable testimony, relating how severed he was towards himself and how gentle and liberal towards others.”
Our Saint’s Mitre more than 1500 years old! It is kept at the Basilica which he had completed dedicated to St Sernin
His place and date of birth are unknown. Upon succeeding Sylvius as the Bishop of Toulouse, he ordered the completion of the Basilica of St Saturninus, a part of which was incorporated into the Basilica of St Sernin.
St Jerome praised Exuperius “for his munificence to the Monks of Palestine, Egypt and Libya and, for his charity to the people of his own Diocese, who were then suffering from the attacks of the Vandals.” On behalf of the poor in his Diocese, he sold the Basilica’s Altar Vessels and was, therefore, compelled to carry the Sacred Offering in an osier willow basket and the Precious Blood in a vessel of glass.
This Statue at St Exuperius Church in Montegut-Bourjac
In respect of his virtues and in gratitude for his gifts, St Jerome dedicated his Commentary on Zacharias to him.
Exuperius is best known in connection with the biblical Canon. He had written to Pope Innocent I for instructions concerning the Canon and several points of Ecclesiastical behaviour. In reply, the Pope honoured him with the letter ‘Consulenti Tibi’ dated 20 February 405 which contained a list of the Canonical scriptures.
From St Jerome’s letter to Furia in 394 and from the epistle of St Paulinus to St Amandus of Bordeaux in 397, it seems probable that Exuperius was a Priest at Rome and later at Bordeaux, before he was raised to the Episcopate.
St Exuperius Statue also in the Basilica of St Sernin
The precise date of his promotion to the Seat of Toulouse is unknown. Evidence suggests that he occupied the See of Toulouse in February 405 (as is evident from the letter of Innocent I mentioned above). It is sometimes said that St Jerome reproached him in a letter to Riparius, a Priest of Spain, for tolerating the heretic Vigilantius but, as Vigilantius did not belong to the Diocese of Toulouse, St Jerome was probably speaking of another Bishop.
13th Century Reliquary holding St Exuperius’ Relics. Musée Paul Dupuy, Toulouse.
Exuperius was venerated as a Saint from early times. In the time of St Gregory of Tours he was held in equal veneration with St Saturninus. His Feast occurs on 28 September. The first Martyrologist to assign it to this date was Usuard, who wrote towards the end of the 9th Century. There are many Churches, Schools and charitable Apostolates named after St Exuperius.
Bl Aaron of Auxerre St Alodius of Auxerre St Annemond of Lyons St Bardomianus
Blessed Bernardine of Feltre OFM (1439-1494) Franciscan Priest and Friar, Missionary Preacher, Poet, peace-maker, Civil protestor against the practice of usury, defender of the poor. He was a true ‘child prodigy’ – by the time he was 12 he was fluent in Latin and at the age of 15 he composed a poem and read it in the Town Square to celebrate a local peace treaty. He is remembered most especially, in connection with the “Monti di Pietà” “Mount of Piety” of which he was the reorganiser and, in a certain sense, the Founder, together with the Blessed Michele Carcano. On 13 April 1654, Pope Innocent X confirmed the cultus of Blessed Bernardine and he was formally Beatified in 1728 by Pope Benedict XIII. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/28/saint-of-the-day-28-september-blessed-bernardine-of-feltre-ofm-1439-1494/
St Chariton of Palestine Bl Christian Franco St Conval of Strathclyde St Eucarpus St Eustochium St Exuperius of Toulouse (Died c411) Bishop and Confessor St Faustus of Riez
Blessed Francesco Piani of Caldarola OFM (1424-1507) Francisan Friar, renowned Preacher and Peacemaker, a collaborator in the fight against usury by the institution of the “Mount of Piety,” (a type of pawn shop), social activist and protector of the struggling rural communities. He was Beatified by Pope Urban VII in 1634 – his cult was reaffirmed on 1 September 1843 by Pope Gregory XVI. His Amazing Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/28/saint-of-the-day-28-september-blessed-francesco-piani-of-caldarola-ofm-1424-1507/
St John of Dukla St Laurence of North Africa St Lioba of Bischofsheim St Machan St Martial of North Africa St Martin of Moyenmoutier St Paternus of Auch St Privatus of Rome St Salonius of Geneva St Silvinus of Brescia
St Solomon of Genoa St Stacteus St Tetta of Wimborne Bl Thiemo St Willigod of Moyenmoutier St Zama of Bologna
Augustinian Martyrs of Japan: The first Augustinian Missionaries arrived in Japan in 1602 and met with immediate success; many were brought to the faith; many of them became Augustinians and many of them were Martyred in the periodic persecutions of Christians. This memorial commemorates all of them, whether they have a sanctioned Cause for Canonisation or not. They include: • Blessed Bartolomé Gutiérrez Rodríguez • Blessed Ferdinand Ayala • Blessed Francisco Terrero de Ortega Pérez • Blessed Ioannes Mukuno Chozaburo • Blessed Laurentius Kaida Hachizo • Blessed Mancius Yukimoto Ichizaemon • Blessed Martín Lumbreras Peralta • Blessed Melchor Sánchez Pérez • Blessed Michaël Ichinose Sukezaemon • Blessed Pedro de Zúñiga • Blessed Petrus Sawaguchi Kuhyoe • Blessed Thomas Jihyoe of Saint Augustine • Blessed Thomas Terai Kahyoe • Blessed Vicente Simões de Carvalho • Saint Magdalena of Nagasaki
Martyrs of Antioch – 37 Saints: A group of 30 soldiers and 7 civilians who were murdered together for their faith. The names that have come down to us are – Alexander, Alphinus, Heliodorus, Mark, Neon, Nicon and Zosumus. c 303 at Antioch, Pisidia (in modern Turkey).
Saint of the Day – 27 September – Saint Hiltrude of Liessies (c740-c790) Virgin, Recluse, Nun, Founder of a female Convent. She died in c790 of natural causes in Avesnois, in the vicinity of Liessies, in the Diocese of Cambrai. Also known as – Iltrude. Additional Memorial – 26 September in the Diocese of Cambrai.
The life of St Hiltrude
Hiltrude was the daughter of Ada, a Frankish noblewoman and Wibert, Count of Poitiers, who owned lands between the Sambre and Meuse rivers in modern France. Hiltrude;s father, Wibert, founded a Monastery at Liessies of which Hilrude’s brother, Guntrad, was the first Abbot.
Hiltrude herself wished to retire there and live the life of a Nun, however, her parents wanted her to marry a Burgundian lord. But she managed to fulfil her desires with the assistance of her brother and took the veil, with the blessing of the Bishop of Cambrai. The noble suitor married her sister instead.
Bust of Saint Hiltrude, in Nord, France
Her brother welcomed her, and provided her with a cell attached to the Abbey Chapel. There, she lived as a Nun, participating in the liturgical life of the Abbey. Today there is a little Chapel dedicated to St Hiltrude on this site and on her Feast Day each year, the Proper of St Hiltrude is celebrated there.
Later, following her example, several daughters of lords decided to join her and in 752 a female addition was added to the Monastery at Liessies. Hiltrude died on 27 September around 790.
Hiltrude’s fame for sanctity grew over the centuries and on 17 September 1004 the Bishop of Cambrai, Erluino, exhumed the remains of the virgin and offered them for the veneration of the faithful. Louis de Blois OSB [the renowned ‘Blosius’ (1506-1566)], the then Abbot of Liessies contributed to the development of the cult. In 1587 her skull was placed in a new silver Reliquary. During the “Thirty Years’ War” the Relics were saved in Mons, where in 1641, they were placed on their own Altar in the Church dedicated to her in Avesnois, in the vicinity of Liessies.
St Epicharis St Fidentius of Todi St Florentinus the Hermit St Gaius of Milan St Hilary the Hermit St Hiltrude of Liessies (c740-c790) Virgin St John of Cordoba
Martyrs of Aegea – (3 Saints): Three Christians Martyred with Saints Cosmas and Damian in the persecutions of Diocletian – Anthimus, Euprepius and Leontius. They were tortured and beheaded c.303 in Aegea, Cilicia (modern Ayas, Turkey).
Quote/s of the Day – 26 September – St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr, Missionary and Companions
“How I grieve, my God, that Thou are not known, that this savage country is not yet wholly converted to faith in Thee, that sin is not yet blotted out!”
St Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649) Martyr
“Can we think, the life of man, better employed than in this good work? What do I say? Would not all the labours of a thousand men, be well rewarded, in the conversion of a single soul gained to Jesus Christ? I have always felt a great love for this kind of life and for a profession so excellent and so akin to that of the Apostles.”
Saints of the Day – 26 September – St Cyprian of Antioch Bishop Martyr AND St Justina Virgin Martyr (Died 2nd Century).
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Nicomedia, the birthday of the holy Martyrs Cyprian and Justina, Virgin. Under the Emperor Diocletian and the Governor Eutholmius, Justina suffered much for the Faith of Christ and coverted Cyprian, who while a magician, endeavoured to bring her under the influence of his magical practices. She afterwards suffered Martyrdom with him. Their bodies being exposed to the beasts, were taken away in the night by some Christian sailors and carried to Rome. They were subsequently taken into the Constantian Basilica and deposited near the Baptistry.”
Cyprian and Justina lived in Antioch at the end of the 2nd Century. Their legend arose in the 4th Century and St Gregory Nazianzen told the story of the two in a sermon and they were also mentioned by Prudentius in his verse.
Cyprian had been introduced to the secrets of magic by his pagan parents and to have expanded his knowledge while traveling in Greece. Cyprian the Magician, as he was called, used his knowledge primarily to seduce beautiful women. A young man, Aglaides, who had fallen in love with the beautiful Justina, asked Cyprian for a love spell.
Justina was a Christian and refused all proposals. Cyprian’s art also failed on her and Cyprian now wanted to win Justina for himself. But Justina remained steadfast, so that Cyprian began to doubt the power of the evil spirits. He turned to a Priest named Eusebius and was eventually converted to Christianity by him. Aglaides also became a Christian.
According to St GregoryNazianzen Cyprian became a Priest and finally the Bishop of Antioch. During the Diocletianic persecution, In c304, Cyprian and Justina were arrested, severely tortured and finally beheaded.
Their bodies were secretly taken to Rome by Christians and buried yhere in the Lateran Basilica. Some reports also mention Theoctist, a soldier who converted to Christianity after witnessing the piety and death of the Martyrs and was also executed.
Saint of the Day – 25 September – Saint Anathalon of Milan 1st Century Bishop of Milan, Italy, Consecrated by Saint Barnabas. Also known as – Anatalone, Anatelon, Anatalo, Anatolo, Anatolio, Anatalofle, Anatelofl, Anatolofle, Anatolius. Additional Memorial – 24 September in the Diocese of Brescia.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “St Anathalon, Bishop, who was a disciple of the blessed Apostle Barnabas and succeeded him in the See of Milan.”
This window resides in the Church of Ablis, Yvelines, France.
Anathalon is regarded as the first Bishop of Milan. Having been the assistant and disciple of St Barnabas, the Apostle, he was designated and Consecrated by the latter to become the Bishop of Milan.
A later tradition makes our Saint the first Bishop of Brescia too, as that City certainly came under the jurisdiction of Milan. In Brescia his Feast day is celebrated on 24 September.
Nothing is known about the life and Episcopate of Anathalon, except that he had a Greek name, that he was bishop of Milan and that he died during a pastoral trip to Brescia which was under his jurisdiction.
The older place of veneration for this Saint was the Basilica ad Concilia Sanctorum in Milan, today no more extant, near the present Church of San Babila. In 1268 his Relics were discovered in Brescia and translated to the Church of Saint Florian. In 1472 his Relics were translated to the Old Cathedral of Brescia where they still reside today (see the Cathedral below).
Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple (1013–1054) Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Scholar, Scientist, Writer, Hymnist, Poet, Musical Composer, Teacher. In his own day, the heroic cripple who achieved learning and holiness was called ‘The Wonder of His Age.’ Composer of the “Salve Regina” Hail Holy Queen, “Veni Sancte Spiritus” Come Holy Spirit and “Alma Redemptoris Mater” amongst many others. His Amazing Life and Works: https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/25/saint-of-the-day-blessed-herman-of-reichenau-the-cripple-osb-1013-1054-the-wonder-of-his-age/
St Mewrog St Neomisia of Mecerata St Paphnutius of Alexandria St Principius of Soissons St Solemnis of Chartres
Martyrs of Damascus: A Christian family of six who were tortured to death in a persecution by Roman authorities. They were: Eugenia, Maximus, Paul, Rufus, Sabinian and Tatta. They were tortured to death in Damascus, Syria, date unknown.
The Holy Bishops of Milan: Imagine being part of a Diocese in which 36 of your past Bishops are Saints and some are also Doctors of the Church and Popes (and others being considered for Sainthood)! Today, the Church in Milan commemorates these holy Bishops. They are: Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster Blessed Andrea Carlo Ferrari Pope Pius XI Saint Ambrose of Milan Saint Ampelius of Milan Saint Anathalon of Milan Saint Antoninus of Milan Saint Auxanus of Milan Saint Benedict Crispus of Milan Saint Benignus of Milan Saint Calimerius of Milan Saint Castritian of Milan Saint Charles Borromeo Saint Datius of Milan Saint Dionysius of Milan Saint Eugene of Milan Saint Eusebius of Milan Saint Eustorgius II of Milan Saint Eustorgius of Milan Saint Gaius of Milan Saint Galdinus of Milan Saint Geruntius of Milan Saint Glycerius of Milan Saint Honoratus of Milan Saint John Camillus the Good Saint Lazarus of Milan Saint Magnus of Milan Saint Mansuetus of Milan Saint Marolus of Milan Saint Martinian of Milan Saint Mirocles of Milan Saint Mona of Milan Saint Natalis of Milan Saint Protasius of Milan Saint Senator of Milan Saint Simplician of Milan Saint Venerius of Milan
Saint of the Day – 24 September – Saint Isarnus (Died 1043) Abbot of of Saint-Victor near Toulouse, Reformer, Apostle of the destitute and deprived. Born in Marseilles, Provence (in modern France) and died there on 24 September in 1043 of natural causes. Also known as – Isarnus of Marseilles, Isarn, Isarnus of Toulouse, Isarno of… Ysarn of…
Little is known of the life of Saint Isarnus, Abbot of Saint Victor Monastery in Marseilles. We do not know the date of his birth but the date of his death has been handed down to us.
Originally from Toulouse, he was educated by the Canons of Saint Anthony of Pamiers. He received the monastic Habit, during his stay in Agde, from the hands of Stephen II, the Bishop of the City.
His appointment as the Abbot of the Monastery of Saint-Victor is singular. Upon the death of Abbot Geoffrey, in 1021, the Monks were unable to reach an agreement on the appointment of a successor. During the Chapter meetings, Abbot du Montmajour, the acting President of the Assembly, asked the youngest of the Oblates to propose a name. The Oblate named Isarnus, who immediately received the Abbey blessing.
Abbey Saint-Victor
Isarnus’ reputation for virtue and particularly, his charity and supernatural gifts, attracted many vocations. He reformed the Abbey and carried this reformation to numerous Monasteries in the centre of France and in Catalonia.
Saint Isarnus was a man of prayer and during his government, he particularly distinguished himself for his generosity towards the poor. Saint Odilo of Cluny, his friend, used to enumerate the eight virtues practiced by Isarnus: chastity, humility, mercy, patience, the inclination to fasting, vigils, prayers and contempt for vainglory.
We know that Saint Isarnus went to Spain to ransom some Monks of the community of Lérins, who had been captured by the Arabs and, that he died shortly after his return to Marseilles.
This might be the Tomb of St Isarnus. Anyway it resides in the Chapel of St Isarnus at St-Victor’s Abbey
He was buried in the Monastery Church, his Tomb is located in the Crypt of the Abbatial Church.In the second half of the 14th Century, his Relics were translated in the presence of Pope Urban V, who then also Canonised him. A biography has been written about Saint Isarnus which presents itself as the work of an anonymous pilgrim who passed through Saint Victor of Marseilles. But it is very likely that it was written by a Monk of the Abbey. The work, which contains many edifying facts about Saint Isarnus, was written in a period very close to the events narrated, so it is believed that the historic details corresponds to the truth.
Interior of the Abbey Church of St-Victor
Although in memory of Saint Isarnus, is set on 25 September 25 in the Diocese of Pamiers and on the 26th in that of Marseilles, his Feast was set on the day of his death, 24 Septembe.
Saint of the Day – 23 September – Blessed Peter Acotanto (1108-1187) Hermit, Apostle of the poor, the most deprived and desparate peoples of Venice. Born in 1108 in Venice, Italy and died there in on 23 September1187 of natural causes. Patronage – of Venice, Italy. His Body is Incorrupt.
According to the Venetian tradition based on a manuscript preserved in the Church of St Basil Peter Acotanto was born in 1108 to the noble Acotanto family, a family which could boast very ancient origins. The same Church of the district where the Acotanto family lived, St Basil, had been built by their family in the 10th Century.
Peter practiced charity in an eminent way – in the poor he saw Christ and in almsgiving – a manifestation of faith, even if many times the poor people took advantage of it. They besieged his house before he went out, they guarded the door when he had to return, they interrupted his walk on the street with importunate requests but Peter patient and generously, welcomed everyone and did not let anyone leave disconsolate or in tears.
In the darkest night, to hide from the sight and applause of men and known only to God, Who assisted him, with his own hands, Peter loaded his little domestic boat with bread, wood, oil, clothes and other necessary items for the poor, the miserable and the deprived. Peter pushed his boat alone through the troubled and angry waters and in the midst of raging winds and with continuous danger to his health and his life, he went here and there, to various distant districts of the City, in search of the most derelict poor and made a generous distribution to them of the abundant load, saving them in this way from the imminent misfortune of having to die from cold or hunger.
Peter pushed his boat alone through the troubled and angry waters, assisting the poor wherever he found them
For the poor Peter became poor himself. He sold everything he had and did not even keep enough for himself to live on. Peter then retired to San Giorgio Monastery among the Benedictines who had been his life teachers. He wore very poor clothes and wished to do the humblest services for the Monks, such as cultivating the vegetable garden and carrying water to the Monastery kitchen after drawing it with difficulty from the well. He was content with very little food and often fasted completely. The example of virtue which he displayed to the Monks was such that, on the death of Abbot Pasquale, they wished to appoint him as their Superior but Peter instead obtains permission to live as a Hermit next to the Monastery. With his own hands he builds a small hut and between fasting and mortification he spent the last years of his life alone in his little hut.
He died on 23 September 1187, the date he had predicted for his death, surrounded by his brothers. He was buried in the Church of San Basilio (commonly known as San Basegio) in Venice where he enjoyed a reputation for sanctity for the miracles performed through his intercession and the incorruption of his body, found in 1250.
In 1305 the body was transferred to another tomb in the nearby cemetery and, in 1340, it was finally transferred inside theChurch, above the Altar of the Crucifix. Recognised as a miracle worker, Pope Clement XIII declared Peter Blessed in 1759.
In 1810, following the Napoleonic suppression of the Church of San Basiio , his relics were transferred to the nearby Church of San Sebastiano and then, in 1821, to the Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio where they are still venerated today.
In 1946, Prof. Peter Leonardi founded the Blessed Peter Acotanto Charity to assist the evicted from Giudecca and Terese. About 500 of the most needy families were assisted. He worked for human promotion, especially for young people, by opening recreation centers, schools and refectories, where children from the assisted neighbourhoods were welcomed and entertained with games, songs, readings, and food. He set up professional courses and carpentry workshops to teach a trade to abandoned children. The Peter Acotanto Charity ceased its activities in 1964.
Blessed Peter Acotanto on the Church of San Rocco in Venice
St Pope Linus (c 10 – c 76) Successor to St Peter. Papacy lasted from c 67 to his death as a Martyr. Among those to have held the position of Pope, Peter, Linus and Clement are specifically mentioned in the New Testament. Linus is mentioned in the closing greeting of the Second Epistle to Timothy as being with Paul in Rome near the end of Paul’s life. The Life and Death of St Linus: https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-st-pope-linus-c-10-c-76-successor-to-st-peter/
Blessed Guy of Durnes O.Cist. (Died c1157) Abbot Blessed Peter Acotanto (1108-1187) Hermit St Polyxena
St Sosius (275-305) Confessor, Deacon and Martyr. His holiness and wisdom drew many Prelates to his feet, seeking spiritual assistance. St Sosius was a Deacon of Misenum, an important naval base of the Roman Empire in the Bay of Naples. The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Capo Miseno in Campania, St Sosius, Deacon and Martyr, who, as Pope St Symmachus reports, wishing to save his Bishop from death, instead found death together with him, obtaining equal glory at the same price.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-saint-sosius-275-305-confessor-deacon-and-martyr/
Saint of the Day – 22 September – St Emmeramus of Regensburg (also historically known as Ratisbon) (Died c690) Bishop Martyr, Missionary Born in Poitiers, France and died on 22 September c652 in Feldkirchen near Munich in Bavaria by being murdered. Patronages – of Poitiers in France and of the City and Diocese of Regensburg in Germany. Also known as – Emmeran, Emmeranus, Emmerano, Emeran, Heimrammi, Haimeran, Haimhramm,or Heimeran.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Ratisbon, in Bavaria, St Emmeramus, Bishop and Martyr, who, to deliver others, endured patiently a most cruel death, for the sake of Our Lord.”
Painting in the Parish Church in Aschheim near Munich
Emmeramus was a Monk and Bishop of Poitiers, left the Kingdom of the Franks at the end of the 7th Century to evangelise in Regensburg, Bavaria, where he was received with benevolence by Duke Theodo. The latter wanted to keep him as the Bishop of his territory or, at least, as the Abbot of a Monastery there.
It is not known how long Emmeramus exercised his pastoral ministry at the Duke’s Court or whether he founded a Monastery near the church of St George.
When leaving for Rome, Emmeramus was unjustly accused of having kidnapped Uta, the Duke’s daughter. To avenge this dishonour, Lambert, the girl’s brother, pursued Emmeramus with an armed troop and caught up with him at Klein-helfendorf, near Aibling (Diocese of Freising). Wishing to protect the real culprit, Emmeramus did not defend himself and received numerous wounds. The Clerics who accompanied him carried him to Ascheim where death put an end to his cruel sufferings. His tortures had involved a ladder, different tortures being applied for each rung thereon. At his death, a heavenly ladder was seen being extended to the Martyr for his final climb to his his great Lord.
The body of the Saint was brought back to Regensburg and buried in the Church of St George. The famous Monastery which takes his name, was built on his tomb and his cult eclipsed that of Everard, the oldest Bishop of the City. Bishop Gaubald (739-761) attended to the solemn elevation of the Relics and built a new Church in his honour. In the same way, Bishop Erembert of Freising (739-747) had a Church built on the site of his torture, in Klein-helfendorf.
In 1898, in the Monastery of St Emmeramus a tomb was discovered containing a skeleton that immediately crumbled to dust and some believed that they were in the presence of the ancient Martyr; another tomb had in fact been erected in the upper Church around 1340.
The oldest evidence of veneration is found in the Waldendorff fragment of a Regensburg Sacramentary from the time of St Boniface. Emmeramus’ Feast is celebrated on 22 September the date on which he is mentioned in the oldest Martyrologies. A monastic Office of his own was composed by Arnold of Vohrburg.
Emmeramus’ life and suffering was written around 772 by Arbeo of Freising. According to recent research, Emmeramus fell victim to a massive court intrigue against Duke Theodo. The date of his Martyrdom is also given as either 685, 692 and around 715.
St Thomas of Villanueva/Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor, Religious Priest of the Order of St Augustine,Writer, Preacher, Teacher, Apostle of Charity, Mystic, Miracle-Worker often called “the Almsgiver” and “the Father of the Poor“, Reformer. Canonised on 1 November 1658 by Pope Alexander VII. About St Thomas here: https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-st-thomas-of-villanova-o-s-a/
St Maurice & Companions: Martyrs of the Theban Legion: + Martyrs (c 287) A Roman imperial legion of 6,600 soldiers, all of whom were Christians; they had been recruited from the area around Thebes in Upper Egypt, were led by Saint Maurice and served under Emperor Maximian Herculeus. Around the year 287, Maximian led the army across the Alps to Agaunum, an area in modern Switzerland, in order to suppress a revolt by the Bagandre in Gaul. In connection with battle, the army offered public sacrifices to the Roman gods; the Theban Legion refused to participate. For refusing orders, the Legion was decimated – one tenth of them were executed. When the remainder refused to sacrifice to the gods, they were decimated again. When the survivors still refused to sacrifice, Maximinian ordered them all killed. Martyrs. https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/22/saints-of-the-day-22-september-st-maurice-and-the-martyrs-of-the-theban-legion-martyrs-c-287/
Bl Alfonso da Cusco St Basilia St Digna of Rome St Emerita of Rome St Emmeramus of Regensburg (Died c690) Bishop Martyr St Florentius the Venerable
St Irais St Jonas St Lauto of Coutances St Lindru of Partois
Blessed Otto of Freising O.Cist. (c1111-1158) Bishop of Freising, Cistercian Priest and Abbot Historian, Reformer, Diplomatic Peace-maker, Defender of the Church, Crusader. Born between 1111 and 1114 in Klosterneuburg near Vienna, Austria and died at Morimond, Champagne, France, on 22 September, 1158 at the young age of 47 at the most. Holy Man of Many Talents St Otto: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-blessed-otto-of-freising-o-cist-c1111-1158-bishop/
Saint of the Day – 21 September – St Maura (c827-850) Virgin, Apostle of prayer and of the poor and needy, devoted carer of the needs of the Church, acting in the role of a Sacristan, Miracle-worker. Born in c827 at Troyes, Champagne, France and died there in 850 of natural causes. Also known as – Maura of Troyes.
Maura was born to a noble family in Troyes, France, in around 827 and, from a young age devoted herself to prayer. As a young girl, her prayers converted her father, Mauranus who had previously lived a worldly life. After his death, Maura continued to live at home, praying, serving the poor, and caring for her mother, who was named either Seluca or Sedulia. Maura’s prayers and example were also credited with her brother, Eutropius’ strong faith and he later became the Bishop of Troyes.
When not praying or serving the poor, Maura greatly enjoyed meeting the material needs of local Priests and the Troyes Cathedral, later, the Seat of her brother. She would make Sacred Vestments, trim the candles, fill oil lamps and prepare wax for the Altar. In fact, Bishop Prudentius of Troyes, a personal friend, wore an Alb spun and woven by her. In other words, she acted as the Sacristan and as Religious Sisters do.
Maura spent every morning in Church, praying. She fasted on Wednesday and Friday, sustaining herself only on small amounts of bread and water. Sometimes, she would walk several miles to visit her Spiritual Director at his Monastery. She was known to produce copious amounts of tears while praying, considered a gift from God. She also performed miracles but asked the people she assisted by her intercession, not to make these gifts known.
She died on 21 September 850, at the age of 23. She was buried in the Cemetery of Château-Nore-de-Troyes.
At least three known posthumous miracles are attributed to Maura . After her death, her body was washed but the water was claimed to have changed into milk. A young man was believed to have been cured of “a burning fever” after drinking this milk. A young woman, whose husband disliked a large birthmark on her cheek, also drank the milk and the birthmark disappeared.
Maura was declared a Saint by all the community, who honoured her annually on the day of her death, her Feast Day.+
St Maura (c827-850) Virgin St Meletius of Cyprus – Bishop and Confessor in Cyprus. Martyr. No further information has survived.
Martyrs of Gaza – 3 Saints: Three brothers, Eusebius, Nestulus and Zeno, who were seized, dragged through the street, beaten and murdered by a pagan mob celebrating the renunciation of Christianity by Julian the Apostate. They were burned to death in 362 on a village garbage heap in Gaza, Palestine.
Saint of the Day – 20 September – Saint Clicerius of Milan (Died c438) Bishop and Confessor. Clicerius was the Archbishop of Milan from 436 to 438. Also known as – Glicerius, Glycerius, Clycerius, Clicerio, Glicerio.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Milan, St Clicerius, Bishop and Confessor.”
The Statue resides in the Church of Sts Nazarius and Celsus in Milan, near his Shrine
Almost nothing is known about the life and the Episcopate of Glycerius. He was a Deacon of Milan before being elected as the Archbishop of Milan in 436.
He probably had been a tutor of the Western Roman Emperor, Valentinian III, a position which he possibly maintained, evenduring his Episcopacy. He passed most of his reign in Antioch in Syria.
The Relics of our Saint
It is believed Clicerius died around mid September 438 and was buried in the Church of Saint Nazarius and Celsus in Milan. In that Church fragments of his funeral epigraph have been discovered. His Feast Day is 20 September.
Epigraph for Glycerius, reconstructed from the fragments of the original stone, in the left transept of Church of Saint Nazarius.
St Candida of Carthage St Clicerius of Milan (Died c438) Bishop and Confessor St Dionysius of Phrygia St Dorimedonte of Synnada St Eusebia of Marseilles St Evilasius of Cyzicum St Fausta of Cyzicum Bl John Eustace St Priscus
Martyrs of Constantinople – 3 Saints: A Priest and two Bishops who were imprisoned, tortured and Martyred for the defence of icons in the iconoclast persecutions of Emperor Leo the Isaurian. – Andrea, Asiano and Hypatius. They were Martyred in 735 in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) and their bodies were thrown to the dogs.
Martyrs of Pergen – 6 Saints: A group of lay people Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Elagabalus. The names that have come down to us are Dionysius, Dioscorus, Philippa, Privatus, Socrates and Theodore. They were crucified c 220 at Pergen, Pamphylia, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey).
Saint of the Day – 19 September – St Theodore of Canterbury (c602-690) the 7th Archbishop of Canterbury, England and the first archbishop to rule the whole English Church. Theodore was an important and memorable figure in the English Church. Born inc 602 in the City of St Paul’s birth, Tarsus in Cilici, Greece, now in modern Turkey and died on 19 September 690 in Canterbury, Kent, England of natural causes. Also known as – Theodore of Tarsus. His body is Incorrupt.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Canterbury, the holy Bishop, Theodore, who was sent to England by Pope Vitalian and was renowned for learning and holiness.”
After the death of St Deusdedit, the Archbishop of Canterbury, King Oswi of Northumberland and King Egbert of Kent, sent a virtuous and learned Priest – named Wighard – to Rome that he might be Consecrated as the new Bishop and duly confirmed to that important See by the Pope himself. However, sadly, Wighard and most of those who attended him, died in Italy of the Plague and Pope Vitalian chose instead, Adrian, Abbot of Niridian, near Naples, to be raised to that dignity. This Abbot was by birth an African. He understood Greek and Latin perfectly and was thoroughly versed in theology, as well as in monastic and Ecclesiastical discipline. But so great were his fears of the dignity to which he was called that the Pope was compelled, by his entreaties and tears, to yield to his excuses. He insisted, however, that Adrian should find a person equal to that charge and should, himself, attend upon and assist him in instructing the inhabitants of this remote island in the perfect discipline of the Church.
Adrian first named to the Pope a Monk called Andrew but he was judged incapable of the necessary physical strength on account of his bodily infirmities, although otherwise a person extremely well qualified. There was then at Rome, a Greek Monk named Theodore, aged sixty-six, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, a man of exemplary life and well skilled in divine and human learning and in the Greek and Latin languages. Adrian presented him to the Pope and procured that he should be made a Bishop, promising to bear him company into England.
Theodore was duly Consecrated in 668 and then set out from Rome with St Adrian and St Benedict Biscop, later the Bishop and Abbot of Wearmouth and Jarrow, Durham. In 669 they reached Canterbury, where Theodore appointed Adrian the Abbot of Sts Peter and Paul Monastery, afterward named St Augustine’s.
There they created a famous school influential in the lives of such brilliant scholars as the celebrated historian St Bede the Venerable and the skilled Church architect St Aldhelm.
Theodore organised the English Church, many Sees which were vacant on his arrival and others which needed to be divided. In 672 he called the first General Synod of the English Church at Hertford, to end certain Celtic practices and to divide Diocese. The division issue was postponed, but the Synod imposed the date of the Roman Easter, established obedience for Clerics and Monks, forbade Bishops to interfere in matters relating to and of other diocese and reaffirmed the Church teaching on Marriage and Divorce.
During this period Theodore came into sharp conflict with St Wilfrid, whom he had appointed as the Bishop of York but whom he soon deposed. In 677/678, St Wilfrid went to Rome to protest. Meanwhile, in 678, Theodore helped settle relations between King Aethelred of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia and King Ecgfrith of Northumbria, whom Aethelred had defeated in battle.
Theodore’s Synod at Hatfield in 679, his 2nd Genral Synod, cleared the English Church from associations with the heresy of the Monothelites. Few things have rendered the name of St Theodore more famous than his Penitential or Code of Canons, prescribing the term of public penance for penitents, according to the quality and enormity of their sins. In this Penitential it is stated that when a Monk died, Holy Mass was offered for him on the day of his burial, on the third day after and as often again, as the Abbot thought proper. Also, the Holy Sacrifice was offered for the laity and accompanied by fasting. This Penitential which had been colated and published by his disciples, became highly influential in England and on the Continent.
Theodore, being more than eighty years old and seized with frequent bouts of illness, was desirous of being reconnciled with St Wilfrid. He, therefore, requested the exiled holy Prelate to come to him at London, begged his pardon for having consented with the Kings to his deprivation, without any fault on his side, did all he could to make amends and restored him to his See of York. For this purpose he wrote strong letters to Alfrid, King of Northumberland – who had succeeded his brother Egfrid, to Ethelred, King of the Mercians and to others who were opposed to St Wilfrid or were interested in this affair. Theodore had the comfort of seeing his endeavours everywhere successful.
One of Theodore’s greatest achievement was to adapt the Roman ideal of a centralised Church to English conditions. His establishment of a centralised Church under the Archbishopric of Canterbury in close alliance with secular rulers, was maintained by his successors. No biography of Theodore has survived.
This Medallion resides on the west facade of Westminster Cathedral
St Theodore was the Archbishop of Canterbury for twenty two years and died in 690, at the age of eighty-eight years. His memory is honoured on 19 September the date of his death. He was buried in the Monastery of St.Peter, which afterwards took the name of St Augustine. In 1091 his body was found Incorrupt when it was re-interred in the Cathedral.
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