Saint of the Day – 27 October – Saint Abraham the Poor (Died c372) Hermit. Born in Menuf, Egypt and died in c372 of natural causes. Also known as – Abraham the Child, Abraham the Simple, Abraham the Hermit.
Born in the Town of Menuf in Egypt, Abraham became a disciple of Pachomius (Died c348), who founded Monastic community, in the delta region of the Nile River.
There Abraham remained a disciple of Pachomius for 23 years until the death of his Master, after which he spent the following years of his life as a Hermit, dwelling alone in a cave.
His nicknames ‘the poor’ ‘the simple’ and ‘the child’ refer to his trusting and simple life and his childlike faith. “Amen I say to you, unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself, as this little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. ” (Matthew 18:3-4. His Feast Day is celebrated on 27 October.
CHRIST the KING “Therefore, by our Apostolic authority, we appoint the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, annually, on the last Lord’s day in the Month of October that is to say, on the Sunday which immediately precedes the Feast of All Saints, to be observed everywhere in the world. Likewise we enjoin, that the dedication of the human race to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be annually renewed upon that selfsame day.” From the Encyclical Letter of Pope Pius XI Quas Primas; 11 December 1925 https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/25/25-november-the-solemnity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-king-of-the-universe/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/30/30-october-christ-the-king/
PENTECOST XXIII
Dedication of the Basilica of Auxilium Christianorum / Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy, built by St John Bosco (1868) – 27 October: HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/27/88503/
St Abban of Magh-Armuidhe St Abraham the Poor (Died c372) Hermit.
St Namatius of Clermont (Died c462) Bishop, the Eighth or Ninth Bishop of Clermont (then called Arvernis) from 446 until his death in 462 and founded Clermont’s first Cathedral, bringing the Relics of Saints Vitalis and Agricola from Bologna, Italy, to enshrined therein.dedicating the Cathedral to them. This good Sheoherd: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/27/saint-of-the-day-27-october-saint-namatius-of-clermont-died-c462-bishop/
Saint of the Day – 26 October – Saint Rusticus of Narbonne (Died 461) Bishop of Narbonne from 3 October 427 (or 430) until his death and Confessor, Monk. Born either at Marseilles or at Narbonnaise, died on 26 Ocober 461 of natural causes. Also known as – Rustique, Rustico, Rustus.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Narbonne, St Rusticus, Bishop and Confessor, who flourished in the time of the Valentinian and Leo.”
An unknown Bishop Saint – it might be St Rusticus
Rusticus was the son of a Bishop named Bonose and the nephew, on his mother’s side, of another Bishop named Arator, the seats of both being unknown.
According to trecords, when he had completed his education in France, Rusticus went to Rome, where he soon gained a reputation as a public speaker but, he wished to embrace the religious life and detract himself from worldly persuits.
He wrote to St Jerome, who advised him to continue his studies, commending him to imitate the virtues of St Exuperius of Toulouse and to follow the advice of Proculus, then the Bishop of Marseille. Thus Rusticus entered the Lérins Abbey.
He was Ordained at Marseilles and on 3 October 427 (or 430) was Consecrated as the Bishop of Narbonne. He was present at the First Council of Ephesus in 431. With all his zeal, he could not prevent the progress of the Arian heresy which, the Goths were spreading abroad; there is evidence that an Arian rival Bishop was established in Narbonn too.
The siege of Narbonne by the Goths in 436 and dissensions among the Catholics so disheartened him that he wrote to Pope Leo I, renouncing the Bishopric but Pope Leo dissuaded him (Epistle CLXVII).
Rusticus then endeavoured to consolidate the Catholics. In 444–450, he rebuilt the Cathedral in Narbonne, destroyed by fire in 441, dedicated to Saint Genesius of Arles. The first stone was laid on 18 November 444, and the new building iConsecrated on 29 November 445 (inscription dated this dayis preserved in the Narbo Via Museum) – see below.
Lintel with dedicatory inscription of Bishop St Rusticus, dated 29 November 445
Rusticus named his Archdeacon, Hermes as the Bishop of Béziers but the latter could not take possession of his seat; he then wanted to designate him as his successor but Pope Leo, to whom he wrote on this subject, refused. Hermes succeeded him but the matter was referred to Pope Hilary, Leo’s successor, who held a Council in Rome on this matter. Finally, by a letter of 3 December 462, the Pope confirmed Hermes in Narbonne but with diminished powers over the Province.
In 451, he assisted at the convocation of forty-four Bishops of Gaul and approved Pope Leo’s letter to Flavian, concerning Nestorianism. Rusticus was present too at a Council of Arles, with thirteen Bishops, to decide the debate between Theodore, Bishop of Fréjus and the Abbey of Lérins. In 449, Rusticus was one of the twelve Bishops who assembled to elect Ravennius as the new Bishop of Arles. In fact, a letter from Ravennius to Rusticus, proves the high esteem in which he was held. Rusticus’ own letters are lost, with the exception of the one to St Jerome and a long letter written in reply by St Jerome and two others to Pope Leo, written either in 452 or 458.
St Adalgott of Einsiedeln St Alanus of Quimper St Albinus of Buraburg
St Alfred the Great (849-899) King of Wessex, Confessor, Scholar, Writer and Translator, negotiator. He administered justice with insight and fairness, protected the poor, and encouraged art and the crafts. He tried in all that he did, to rule as a model Christian King. For all this, he alone among the rulers of England is called “the Great.” This Great Saint’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/26/saint-of-the-day-26-october-saint-alfred-the-great-849-899/
St Alorus of Quimper St Amandus of Strasburg St Amandus of Worms St Aneurin St Aptonius of Angouleme St Arnold of Queralt St Bean of Mortlach St Bernard de Figuerols
St Gaudiosus of Salerno St Gibitrudis St Gwinoc St Humbert St Lucian Martyr of Nicomedia and Companions St Marcian St Quadragesimus of Policastro St Quodvultdeus St Rogatian of Carthage St Rusticus of Narbonne (Died 461) Bishop and Confessor St Sigibald of Metz
Saint of the Day – 25 October – Saint Bernard of Calvo O.Cist. (1180-1243) Bishop of Vich in Spain, Abbot, Priest and Friar of the Cistercian Order, Legal Expert, Born as Bernat in 1180 at Manso Calvo, Catalan, Spain and died on 26 October 1243 in north Tarragona, Spain of natural causes. Also known as – Bernat Calbó, Bernard of Vich. Bernard of Vic.
Born and educated in Manso Calvo near Reus, in Spain, Bernard belonged to a family of the knightly class and early on, served as a legal administrator and functionary at the Curia of the Archdiocese of Tarragona. Bernard became a Canon and then the Vicar General of the Cathedral of Tarragona. In 1214 he became a Cistercian Monk at the Monastery of Santes Creus, eventually being elected the perpetual Abbot and, in 1223, he was appointed as the Bishop of Vich.
As the Bishop of Vich, he accompanied Saint Raymond of Peñafort in the conquest of Valencia.
In 1232, Pope Gregory IX named him Inquisitor against the Waldensians heretics practising in the region of the Catalan border with France. In 1236 he took part in the Courts of Monzón and in 1239 and 1243, Bernard participated in the Church Councils held at Tarraconensis.
Bernard died in Tarragona on 26 October 1243. He was Beatified in 1260, by Pope Alexander IV and was Canonised on 26 September 1710 by Pope Clement IX.
In the 18th Century his remains were translated to a carved silver urn in a Chapel in Vich Cathedral. However, in 1936, in the context of the Spanish Civil War, the tomb was desecrated and only a few Relics were saved, some of which are currently kept in the Priory of San Pedro de Reus. The City of Reus itself declared him an Illustrious Son in the 19th Century and an Altar in the Sanctuary of Mercy and a street in the same City, were dedicated to him.
St Fronto of Périgueux (1st-2nd Centuries) Bishop consecrated by St Peter Apostle, Confessor, Missionary, Miracle-worker. Born at an unknown date in Lycaonia, Asia Minor and died in Périgueux, France of natural causes. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Périgueux in France, St Fronto, who, being made Bishop by the blessed Apostle Peter, with a Priest named George, converted to Christ a large number of the people of that place and renowned for miracles, rested in peace.” St Fronto’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-saint-fronto-of-perigueux-1st-2nd-centuries-bishop-confessor/
St Fructus of Segovia
St Gaudentius of Brescia (Died 410) Bishop, renowned Preacher, Theologian, Diplomatic Mediator, The Roman Martyrology states today: “In Brescia, Saint Gaudentius, Bishop, who, Ordained by Saint Ambrose, shone among the prelates of his time for doctrine and virtue, instructed his people with words and writings and founded a Basilica which he called the ‘Council of Saints.‘” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-st-gaudentius-of-brescia-died-410/
St George of Périgueux (1st-2nd Centuries) Priest, assistant to St Fronto St Goeznoveus of Leon St Guesnoveus Bl Henry of Segusio St Hilary of Javols St Hilary of Mende St Hildemarca of Fecamp St Januarius of Sassari St Lucius of Rome St Lupus of Bayeux St Mark of Rome
St Miniato of Florence St Peter of Rome St Protus of Sassari St Recaredo Centelles Abad St Tabitha
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy (c1455–1492) “White Martyr of Munster” – Bishop. He was a Bishop who never ruled his See/s, even though he was appointed to two of them – Bishop of Ross, Ireland in 1482 and Bishop of Cork and Cloyne in 1490. Patronages – exiles, the homeless, those suffering calumny, rejection and persecution, pilgrims. The Pain of Earthly Rejection but Beloved of the Lord: https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-blessed-thaddeus-mccarthy-c-1455-1492-the-white-martyr-of-munster/
St Theodosius of Rome
Martyrs of Rome – A group of 46 soldiers and 21 civilians Martyred together in the persecutions of Claudius II. 269 in Rome, Italy.
Saint of the Day – 24 October – St Senoch (536-576) Abbot, Priest, Ascetic, Apostle of the needy, the poor, of slaves, Founder of a Monastery , Miracle-worker granted the charism of curing the sick, especially the blind, those sick in soul and body. Born in 536 in Tiffauges, Poitou, Gaul (in modern France) and died in 576 aged 40, Touraine, France from a fever. Patronages – against eye diseases, of the blind, Saint-Senoch, France, Sassenay, France. Also known as – Xenochus, Sassena, Sassenay, Seno, Sénoch, Senoco, Senócus. Additional Memorial – 25 October in the Diocese of Tours to avoid conflict with St Raphael on 24 October.
Senoch retired to Touraine to live as a Hermit. He exercised his gift of healing espeically of the blind, the mute and the paralysed. He used this great grace granted to him by the Almighty also to adsminister to and to free the slaves.
He established a Monastery near Tours, whose Bishop St Eufronius had revived the spiritual ardour of his See, Senoch found ruins in which he set up an Oratory. The Bishop of Tours Consecrated the Altar, placed Relics therein and conferred the Diaconate upon Senoch.
A few years later,, Senoch was Ordained a Priest. But in his pride, Senoch decided to returned to Tiffauges to see his parents and cure his fellow townsmen of their illnessed. However, in this he failed, he could not work any miracles in his hometown and they chased him away with stones.
Upon his return to Tours, Senoch asked forgiveness for his sin of vanity and chose to atone for his sins by leading a life of mortification and humility in his Monastery. He died there in 576 after suffering a fever.
In the 9th Century, the remains of the Saint were transported to Sassenay, a village in Burgundy located on the outskirts of Chalon-sur-Saône, so that they could escape the Norman invaders.
Indeed, in the 9th Century, faced with the threat of invasion, the Monks, who no longer felt safe in the region, began an exodus, with the Relics of their holy founder. After various stops, the small community finally settled in the heart of Morvan, then in Beaune (Côte-d’Or). According to tradition, it was at the time of the construction of the Parish Church of Sassenay in the 11th-12th centuries when the translation of the Relics of Saint Senoch took place, a gift from the Bishop of Dijon to the Bishop of Autun.
It was the starting point of a very popular pilgrimage for the cure of sick children, the blind and the suffering.
Saint Raphael the Archangel The Feast day of Saint Raphael was included for the first time in the General Roman Calendar in 1921, for celebration on 24 October. With the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, the Feast was transferred to 29 September for celebration together with Archangels Saints Michael and Gabriel. St Raphael: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-st-raphael-the-archangel/
St Audactus of Thibiuca St Cadfarch St Ciriacus of Hierapolis St Claudian of Hierapolis St Ebregislus of Cologne St Felix of Thibiuca St Fortunatus of Thibiuca St Fromundus of Coutances
St Maglorius of Wales (Died 575) Bishop of Dol and Solitaire in France, Confessor, Monk, Missionary, Abbot, Miracle-worker, “Apostle to Guernsey and Sark” (Sark, French “Sercq” one of the Channel Islands, a dependency of Guernsey, located in the English Channel, south of England’s coast. S St Maglorius\ Life of Grace: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-maglorius-of-wales-died-c575-bishop/
St Marcius of Monte Cassino St Mark of Campania Hermit
St Senoch (536-576) Abbot St Senócus of Tours St Septimus of Thibiuca
Martyrs of Ephesus – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. All we know about them are the names Mark, Sotericus and Valentina. They were stoned to death near Ephesus, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey). Their relics are enshrined on the island of Tasos.
Saint of the Day – 23 October – Saint Amon of Toul (4th Century) Amon was the 2nd Bishop of Toul, previously having lived as a Hermit. He was born in France and died there of natural causes. Also known as – Amonis, Ammon, Aimon, Amo.
St Amon’s Portrait in the Apse of Toul Cathedral
Amon was one of the most distinguished disciples of Bishop St Mansuetus of Toul (fr: Mansuy), the City’s first Bishop (c338-375). When Mansuetus died in 375, Amon was elected as the new Bishop, the 2nd known Bishop of Toul. See the two Bishops below, in a stained glass window at Toul Cathedral.
Devoted to a life of penance, Amon often retired to a cave (in the village of Favières ) with cell-shaped cavities about 25 meters deep and 3 or 4 meters high.
Amon was forced to flee the Toul Diocese during the devastating retreat of the Huns and Attila, following their defeat at the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields. Tradition has it that a rock, which was blocking the prelate’s path, split open and then closed obrt him to hide him from his barbarian pursuers. Today, this place is called the “Bois d’Amon” which is a small hill overlooking the village of Goviller. His successor was St Alchas.
Amon is celebrated on 23 October in the Diocese of Toul. His portraits can be seen in the apse of Toul Cathedral .
According to the records of the Diocese of Toul, a hermitage bore his name in the village of Saulxerotte. Tradition reports that he himself Consecrated this Chapel-hermitage (now disappeared) and wished to be buried there. At the time, Saint-Amon was considered a hamlet , in the surroundings of Saulxerotte.
For its part, the Collegiate Church of Saint-Gengoult in Toul possesses several parts of the garment and hair shirt of Saint Amon; these Relics are enclosed with numerous bones in an old wooden Shrine preserved in under the High Altar’
Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer – The Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer is a Liturgical Feast. It is celebrated in Venice as the Festa del Redentore. It is also celebrated by the Redemptorists and was celebrated in the City of Rome. The Feast is found only in the special calendar of some Diocese and religious Orders and is celebrated with proper Mass and Office either on the third Sunday of July or on 23 October. https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/23/the-feast-of-the-most-holy-redeemer-23-october/
St Anthony Mary Claret CMF (1807-1870) Known as “The Spiritual Father of Cuba.” In the first years, records show, that he Confirmed 100,000 people and performed 9,000 Sacramental Marriages.Archbishop of Cuba, one of the Fathers of the First Vatican Council,Confessor to the Queen of Spain, Missionary, Founder of the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly called the Claretians, Confessor, Mystic, Social Reformer, Spiritual Director, Writer, Publisher, Preacher, Apostle of Charity. He was declared venerable by Pope Leo XIII in 1899. He was Beatified in 1934 and in 1950, Canonised by Pope Pius XII. His heart is incorrupt. The 1969 revision of the calendar moved St Anthony Feast to the day of his death, 24 October (from the 23rd) but the 24th is and had been the Feast of Saint Raphael the Archangel since 1921. About St Anthony Mary here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-st-anthony-mary-claret-1807-1870-cmf/
St Amon of Toul (4th Century) Bishop St Arethas of Negran St Benedict of Sebaste St Clether St Domitius St Elfleda St Ethelfleda Sts Germanus and Servandus of Cadiz St Gratien of Amiens Bl Henry of Cologne OP (Died 1225) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, one of the first Disciples of St Dominic St Ignatius of Constantinople
St Severinus of Cologne (c330-c400) the 3rd Bishop of Cologne, Confessor, Defender of the Faith against heretics, Miracle-worker. He heard about the death of St Martin of Tours by the message of Angels’ voices. He founded a Monastery in honour of the Martyrs, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, which is nowadays the Basilica of St. Severinus. This Zealous Patron of Cologne: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/23/saint-of-the-day-23-october-saint-severinus-of-cologne-c330-c400-bishop-confessor/
St Syra of Faremoutiers St Theodoret of Antioch Blessed Thomas Thwing Priest Martyr Beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI St Verus of Salerno
Martyrs of Nicaea – 3 Saints Euerotas Socrates Theodota
Martyrs of Valenciennes – 6 Beati: A group of Urusuline and Briggittine nuns murdered together in the anti-Christian excesses of the French Revolution. They were guillotined on 23 October 1794 in Valenciennes, Nord, France and Beatified on 13 June 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. Anne-Joseph Leroux Clotilde-Joseph Paillot •Jeanne-Louise Barré Marie-Augustine Erraux Marie-Liévine Lacroix Marie-Marguerite-Joseph Leroux
Saint of the Day – 22 October – Saint Symmachus of Capua (Died c449) Bishop of Capua, Builder of the great Basilica of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, friend of St Paulinus of Nola. Born in the late 4th Century, possibly in Rome and died in Capua, Italy in c449 of natural causes. Patronage – Santa Maria Capua Vetere in Campania, Italy. Also known as – Símaco, Simbrico, Simmac, Simmio, Simo.
Symmachus was born into an illustrious Senatorial family. He was elected as the Bishop of ancient Capua in around 424 under the Pontificate of Pope Celestine I. He held the Capuan See for approximately 25 years, until his death in c449.
Similarly to what happened to some contemporaries, such as Saint Ambrose of Milan and Saint Paulinus of Nola, who already held civil government offices in the cities of which they were elected Bishops, it is not unlikely that Symmachus, or other members of his family, held civil offices in the City, at that time, the City of Capua was among the richest in the empire.
In the renowned letter “De obitu Paulini” of the year 431 , addressed to the Latin poet and panegyrist, Pacatus Drepanius by the Presbyter Uranius ,the Secretary of Saint Paulinus of Nola, it is said: “So three days before he (Paulinus) was called to the eternal dwelling in Heaven, we were all almost certain that he would leave. There were also two Bishops present around him who had come out of charity to visit him – the holy Symmachus and the blessed Acindino. In their presence, St Paulinus recovered somewhat, indeed, he took something to eat but above al,l he forgot for a while his serious physical infirmity, inserting himself entirely into their conversation like a man of God, indeed almost like an Angel. Knowing that he was about to go to his Lord, he wanted everything necessary to celebrate the Holy Mysteries to be prepared by his bed, so that, after offering the Divine Sacrifice, with the other holy Bishops, he could also commend his soul. He also wanted to readmit, to the communion of the Church, those whom, because of Ecclesiastical shortcomings, he had commanded to keep away from the Sacred Mystery, making peace with them. At the moment in which he was completing these things, with a cheerful face and with perfect lucidity, he began to ask in a clear voice, where his brothers were. Then one of those present, thinking that he was looking for his brother Bishops, who had concelebrated with him, said: ‘Behold, your brothers are here around you.’ But he answered and added: ‘I mean my brothers in the Episcopate, Gennaro and Martin , who were talking with me a little while ago, promising me that they would soon come.’ Of those two Bishops, the first, Gennaro, Bishop and Martyr, is a decoration of the Church of Naples, the other, Martin, an apostolic man, known throughout the Catholic world for his life, was a Bishop in France.”
In the same year, 431, although Symmachus is not registered in the official catalogue of the Bishops who attended, he participated in the Council of Ephesus which proclaimed the Dogma of the Divine Maternity of Mary, recognising the Virgin with the title of Mother of God.
On his return, in 43 , he wanted to dedicate a grandiose temple to the Mother of God, founding in ancient Capua, today Santa Maria Capua Vetere , the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
On the triumphal arch of the mosaic apse of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, dating to the 5th Century there appeared the title, visible until the destruction of the mosaics in 1754, Sanctae Maria. The mosaic depicted the Virgin Mary enthroned with the baby Jesus seated on her knees, as if on a throne, among vine leaves and grape shoots.
St Abericus Marcellus St Alodia of Huesca St Apollo of Bawit St Benedict of Macerac St Bertharius of Monte Cassino St Cordula
St Donatus of Fiesole (Died 874) Bishop of Fiesole, Confessor, Irish Nobleman, Monk, Priest, Poet, Writer, Scholar, Professor, Adviser to Emperors Louis the Pious and Lothair I, Founder of San Martino a Mensola Abbey and leader of two military expeditions against the Saracens. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/22/saint-of-the-day-22-october-st-donatus-of-fiesole-died-874/
Bl Esclaramunda of Majorca St Hermes of Adrianople St Ingbert St Leothade of Auch
St Moderan of Rennes St Nepotian of Clermont (Died c388) Bishop St Nunctus of Mérida St Nunilo of Huesca St Philip of Adrianople St Philip of Fermo St Rufus of Egypt St Symmachus of Capua (Died c449) Bishop
Martyrs of Heraclea – 4 Saints: A group of four clerics in Heraclea (modern Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) who were arrested in the persecutions of Diocletian. They were imprisoned, abused and ordered to turn over all the Scriptures they had hidden from authorities; they refused and were executed together. Martyrs. – Eusebius, Hermes, Philip and Severus. They were burned at the stake in 304 in Adrianople (modern Edirne, Turkey).
Saint of the Day – 21 October – Saint Hugh of Ambronay (9th-10th Century) Abbot of Ambronay Abbey,in the Ddiocese of Belley, France. Also known as – Ugo, Hugo, Hugon, Hugues.
Ambronay Abbey,
Hugh of Ambronay was an Abbot who lived between the 9th and 10th Centuries. Information regarding his life is scant and fragmentary.
However, tradition and local veneration make him a figure worthy of attention, offering food for thought on monastic life and the cult of Saints.
The main sources which tell us about Saint Hugh are the list of Abbots of Ambronay, present in the text ‘Gallia Christiana’, and the local calendar of Ambray. The first places him in third place, after Saint Berardand before Dulon, around 910. The second places his Feast Day on 21 October, while until the French Revolution, it was celebrated on 10 May.
The scarcity of biographical details has led some historians to doubt the existence of Saint Hugh I, hypothesizing that it could be a mistaken identification with a homonymous abbot of the 13th century. However, local tradition venerates him as a Saint and preserves the memory of his cult.
His Relics were preserved until violence of the Huguenot period and the only representation of the Saint is found in a 15th-Century stained glass window in the Parish Church of Ambray.
Saint Hugh I lived in a period of great religious and monastic fervour. The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Ambronay, which he led, was an important centre of culture and religion. His figure, reminds us of the fundamental role of Monasteries in the spread of Christianity and culture in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Saint Ursula and Companions: (Died c238) Virgin Martyrs This Amazing Story: https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/21/saint-of-the-day-21-october-saint-ursula-and-companions-died-c-238-virgin-martyr/ There are other Saints closely associated with Ursula and her story – travelling companions who were Martyred with her. They are: Antonia of Cologne Cesarius of Cologne Cyriacus of Cologne Daria Fiolanus of Lucca Ignatius of Cologne James of Antioch Mauritius of Cologne Pontius of Cologne Sulpitius of Ravenna Vincent of Cologne Travelling companion, but escaped the massacre: Cunera Led by a dove to the lost tomb of St Ursula: Cunibert of Cologne.
St Agatho the Hermit St Asterius of Périgord St Asterius of Rome
St Celina of Meaux St Cilinia St Condedus St Domnolus of Pouilly St Finian Munnu St Gebizo St Hilarion of Moglena St Hugh of Ambronay (9th-10th Century) Abbot St Letizia St Maurontus of Marseilles St Malchus of Syria
Quote/s of the Day – 20 Octoberber – St John Cantius (1390-1473) Confessor
“Going hand-in-hand with that true brand of humility one saw in him a great childlike humility. There was nothing deceitful or ambiguous in his actions and words. Whatever was in his heart, he revealed, unhesitantly and honestly. If he thought his words, even when speaking the truth, could accidentally offend someone, he humbly asked for forgiveness before approaching the Altar.”
Pope Clement X (In the Bull of Canonisation of St John Cantius on 16 July 1767)
Saint of the Day – 20 October – Saint Vitalis of Salzburg (Died c730) Bishop of Salburg for around 15 years, Monk, Abbot, Missionary. Born in either France or Italy and died in c730 at his Diocese of Salzburg in Austria of natural causes. Patronage – of Pinzgau; of children and pregnant women, Salzburg, Austria together with St Rupert (in the image below of St Vitalis’ Altar at the Monastery of St Peter, St Ruper’s Statue is on the left and St Vitalis on the right). The Name ‘Vitalis’ means: ‘the invigorating one’ (Latin). Also known as – Vergilius.
Vitalis was a student of the first Bishop of Salzburg, St Rupert (c660–710) and his successor as the Second Bishop and Abbot of the important Benedictine Monastery of St Peter from 715/716.
According to tradition, he was particularly involved in missionary work in Pinzgau, south of Salzburg, of which City he is the patron.
Vitalis’ grave was initially located in the Cathedral in Salzburg. It was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages after miracles occurred there during the construction of the Cathedral. In the middle of the 15th Century, Pope Pius II approved the reburial of the Relics in the Church of St Peter’s Monastery. Vitalis’ grave relief from 1497 is an important medieval sculpture. Below is the beautiful Altar of St Vitalis at the Abbey Church of St Peter.
In 1678, Pope Urban VIII approved St Vitalisa festival with a Mass and Officein the Diocese of Salzburg. He is listed as a Saint in the Roman Martyrology . Attributes: Lily growing from his heart.
Blessed James Strepar OFM (c 1340-1409) Archbishop of Halicz, Poland from 1392 until his death Religious Priest of the Order of Friars Minor, Missionary. St Pius X proclaimed Blessed James, along with St Anthony of Padua, the Patrons of the Conventual Franciscan Order of Krakow Province. He was given the title of “Protector of the Kingdom, Defender and Guardian of the Homeland,” for his exceptional merits, including civil ones. Such was he considered by all. He was Canonised by by Pope Pius VI on 11 September 1791. His body is incorrupt. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/20/saint-of-the-day-20-october-blessed-james-strepar-ofm-c-1340-1409/
St Leopardo of Osimo St Lucas Alonso Gorda St Martha of Cologne + Virgin Martyr
St Maximus of Aquila (c228-c250) Deacon Martyr. The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Aveia, near Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy, the birthday of blessed Maximus, Deacon and Martyr, who, through the desire of suffering, presented himself to the persecutors who sought him. After answering with great constancy, he was racked and tortured, then beaten with rods and finally, he died by being precipitated from an elevated place.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/20/saint-of-the-day-20-october-saint-maximus-of-aquila-c228-c250-deacon-martyr/
St Orora St Saula of Cologne + Virgin Martyr St Sindulphus of Rheims St Usthazanes St Vitalis of Salzburg (Died c730) Bishop
Saint of the Day – 19 October – Saint Frideswide (c665-c735) Virgin, Abbess, Founder of the St Mary’s Convent, Miracle-worker The Convent is now Christ Church College, University of Oxford and the Convent Church became Oxford Cathedral. Born in c665 in the upper Thames region of England and died on 19 October 735 of natural causes at her little hermitage at Binsey. Patronage – of the City of Oxford, England and of the University of Oxford. Also known as – Fredeswida, Fredeswinda, Frévisse, Friday, Frideswida, Frideswith, Friðuswiþ, Fris, Fritheswithe, Frithuswith, Fridesvida.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Oxford, in England, St Frideswide, Virgin.”
This Statue of St Frideswild at the St Michael’s Church Oxford
Today is the Feast of Oxford’s Patron St Frideswide, a true Anglo-Saxon Saint. She was born in the Southern border regions of the Kingdom of Mercia, traditionally at Oxford. She was the daughter of pious parents, Didan, the 7th Century sub-King of North and West Berkshire and his wife, Sefrida. These two committed her to the care of a holy woman named, Aelfgith, but, after her mother’s death, Frideswide returned to live with her father. She persuaded him to build her a Church at the gates of Oxford and, there, she took the veil with twelve young women of her acquaintance. Didan enhanced the establishment, by erecting Convent buildings nearby and, there, they lived, not bound by the rules of the cloister but by holy charity and love of seclusion.
Not long afterward, Aelfgar, a minor Prince of Mercia, heard of Frideswide’s great beauty, as well as her wealth as Didan’s heiress and sent a messenger to ask for her hand in marriage. She excused herself, upon the plea of her vow of celibacy but the Prince persisted and, eventually, made a plan to carry her off. Fortunately, Frideswide discovered the scheme and fled, just in time, to the River Thames. Finding an unattended boat there, she floated to a place, probably Bampton (Oxfordshire) or Frilsham (Berkshire). She took up her abode in a deserted hut used to shelter the pigs which fed upon the acorns in the surrounding forest. A fountain sprang up at her prayer and she was thus able to survive, concealed there for about three years.
Prince Aelfgar had been determined not to be beaten so easily, however and continued to try and find the lady’s hiding place. By the time she felt it safe to return to Oxford, he was absolutely fuming. Hearing of her return, Aelfgar besieged the City and threatened to burn it to the ground unless Frideswide was given up to him. He vowed to sacrifice the lady, not only to his own brutality but to that of his men. Both Frideswide and her father’s defending army were worn out with fatigue. Just as she was about to fall into Aelfgar’s hands, she was reminded of the early saintly ladies of the Church who had saved their honour at the price of life. She thus invoked Sts Catherine and Cecilia, who immediately struck her persecutor blind at the moment he broke through the City gates and entered Oxford. With their leader so wounded, Aelfgar’s fear-stricken men dispersed.
The Princess returned to her nunnery and collected around her a number of Saxon maidens and Monks, over whose double Monastery she presided in great holiness for many years. The origins of the University of Oxford are said, to lie in the school she established there.
Abbess Frideswide was well known for the miracles she performed during her own lifetime. One well-known tale reveals how she was once accosted by a local leper who appealed to her, in the name of Christ, to kiss him. Overcoming her fear of infection and natural disgust at his loathsome condition, the holy lady made the Sign of the Cross and kissed him. Immediately, the scales fell away and his flesh became like that of a child.
In later life, Frideswide retired to the transquility of a little hermitage at Binsey, not far outside Oxford. There she died on 19 October 735, being subsequently buried in her Monastery in Oxford, where Christ Church Cathedral now stands. Multitudes of pilgrims resorted to her tomb and to the Binsey Chapel, although the well and Chapel at Frilsham were eclipsed by other claimants. All became famous for miraculous cures. She is represented, in art, with the pastoral staff of an Abbess, a model of her foundation and Church, a fountain springing up near her and an ox at her feet.
St Altinus St Aquilinus of Evreux St Asterius of Ostia St Beronicus of Antioch St Columban of Tours — Priest. Listed in the Martyrology of St Jerome. No other details have survived.
St Desiderius of Longoret St Ednoth St Ethbin St Eusterius of Salerno St Frideswide (c665-735) Virgin St Laura of Cordoba St Lucius of Rome St Lupus of Soissons St Pelagia of Antioch
St Varus and 6 Companions (Died c307) Martyrs, Soldier. Died in c307 by being tortured and then hanged from a tree on 19 October 307 in Kemet, Upper Egypt. The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Egypt, St Varus, Solder under the Emperor Maximinus. He used to visit and comfort seven saintly Monks, detained in prison, when one of them happening to die, he wished to take his place and having suffered cruel afflictions, with them, he obtained the Palm of Martyrdom.” Their Lives and Deaths: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/19/saint-of-the-day-19-october-saint-varus-and-six-companions-died-c307-martyrs/
Saint of the Day – 18 October – Blessed Theobald of Narbonne OdeM (Died 1253) Martyr, Friar of the Order of Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives (Mercedarians). Born in France and died by Martyrdom in 1253 in modern Tunisia.
In 1253, Theobald was appointed redeemer of the Mercedarian Order, together with Saint Ferdinand of Portalegre. They embarked from Barcelona to Tunis (Africa).
On 16 October of the same year, having concluded the redemption in which they had redeemed 129 slaves, they promised two Moors to buy some of their slaves but finding others, especially many women and children, in greater need of being freed, they did not keep their promise. Then the two Moors fwent to the King of Tunis, in revenge and told lies, T the King finally had Theobald imprisoned. Ferdinand who insisted on testifying to the innocence of his companion, was beaten and forced to return to Spain with the redeemed slaves.
At the end of October 1253, after various torments, Theobald was thrown into a fire and since he was slow to die, he was killed by stones. Praising God he reached the crown of Martyrs. The Order celebrates him on 18 October.
Bl Margherita Tornielli St Monon of Nassogne St Proculus of Pozzuoli Blessed Theobald of Narbonne OdeM (Died 1253) Martyr St Tryphonia of Rome
Martyrs of Africa – 9 Saints: A group of Christians Martryed together in Africa. The only details that have survived are the names – Beresus, Dasius, Faustinus, Leucius, Lucius, Martialis, Victoricus, Victrix and Viktor. They were Martyred in c300 in Africa.
Saint of the Day – 17 October – Saint Victor of Capua (Died 554) Bishop of Capua, Italy, Spiritual Writer. He died there in 554 of natural causes.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Capua, St Victor, the Bishop, distinguished for erudition and sanctity.”
Pages 296–297 of the Codex Fuldensis
Very little is known about Victor’s life. Apart from his writings, Victor is known only by his Epitaph, which states that he died in AApril 554, after an Episcopate of about 13 years from February 541.
Victor’s best known work is the Codex Fuldensis which was written between 541 and 546 while he was the Bishop of Capua. The Codex is an early manuscript of the Vulgate and it contains the entirety of the New Testament, as well as the apocryphal Epistle to the Laodiceans.
Other works include several commentaries on the Old and New Testaments, and a work on the Paschal Cycle which was praised and quoted in fragments, by the great St Bede. Victor also authored analyses of the genealogy of Jesus and Noah’s Ark, all of which are lost.
He dedicated a codification of the order of pericopes in a Lectionary to St Constantius of Aquino.
His feast in the Roman Martyrology is on 17 October.
Bl Gilbert the Theologian St Heron of Antioch Bl Jacques Burin St John the Short/Dwarf St Louthiern St Mamelta of Persia St Nothelm of Canterbury St Richard Gwyn St Rudolph of Gubbio St Rufus of Rome St Serafino of Montegranaro St Solina of Chartres St Victor of Capua (Died 554) Bishop St Zosimus of Rome
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details about them that have survived are their names – Alexander, Marianus and Victor. 303 in Nicomedia (in modern Turkey).
Martyrs of Valenciennes -5 Beati: A group of Ursuline nuns Martyred in the persecutions of the French Revolution. Hyacinthe-Augustine-Gabrielle Bourla Jeanne-Reine Prin Louise-Joseph Vanot Marie-Geneviève-Joseph Ducrez Marie-Madeleine-Joseph Déjardins
Martyrs of Volitani: A group of Martyrs who were praised by Saint Augustine of Hippo. In Volitani, proconsular Africa (in modern Tunisia).
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.
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