Saint of the Day – 15 December – Saint Valerian of Abbenza (c377-c457) Confessor, the 2nd Bishop of Abbenza in North Africa. Born in c377 and died in c457 of exposure in the region of his Diocese. Additional Memorial – 28 November as one of the Martyrs of North Africa.
The Roman Martyrology this day states: “In Africa, the holy Bishop Valerian, who, being upwards of eighty years old, in the persecution of the Vandals, under the Arian King Genseric, was asked to deliver the Sacred vessels of the Church and, as he constantly refused, an order was issued to drive him, all alone, out of the City and all were forbidden to allow him to stay, either in their houses or on their land. For a long time, he remained lying on the public roads in the open air and thus, in the confession and defence of the Catholic verity, closed his blessed life.”
Valerian was a Roman Bishop of Abbenza, an ancient Episcopal Seat of the Roman Province of Proconsular Africa, identifiable today with the ruins of Bordj-Hamdouna, in the Archdiocese of Carthage, in northern Africa, who lived in the 5th Century.
In the list of Bishops of this Diocese, he is second on the list after Fortunatus.
He is remembered for having refused to obey Genseric, the King of the Vandals, who arrived with his troops in the City, to hand over all the Sacred vessels and furnishings of the Church to him.
Valerian protested against the violence of the soldiers and was driven out and exiled from his City together with eight other Bishops of North Africa – although they were not sent into exile together.
The order was given forbidding anyone to offer him hospitality of any kind. He had to live and sleep outdoors, on the public roads, until his death.
Valerian, remembered as a Confessor, remained faithful to his faith until his death. The name of Saint Valerian was included in the Roman Martyrology on his Feast Day, 15 December.
Octave Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori – BEGINS on 16 December: This Novena is translated from the Italian of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori and was first published in 1758. Although this Novena is intended, primarily as a preparation for the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity, it can be used with spiritual profit at any time of the year, as a devotion in honour of the Infant Jesus. This translation by the Redemptorists of the UK.
AND/OR: December, naturally being the Month of the Divine Infant, is a wonderful time to begin this Monthly practice: The Monthly Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague From 16 to 24 December (and of every Month on the same dates).
St Maximinus of Micy St Offa of Essex St Paul of Latros St Silvia of Constantinople St Urbicus St Valerian of Abbenza (c377-c457) Confessor, Bishop Blessed Victoria Strata (1562-1617) Widow,
Martyrs of North Africa – 7 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith in North Africa. The only details about them that survive are their names – Caelian, Candidus, Faustinus, Fortunatus, Januarius, Lucius and Mark.
Martyrs of Rome – 22 Saints: A group of 22 Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Valerian. The only details we have are five of their names – Antonius, Irenaeus, Saturnin, Theodorus and Victor. c 258 in Rome, Italy.
Saint of the Day – 14 December – Saint Agnellus of Naples OSA (535-596) Hermit, Priest, Abbot, Defender and Protector of the City of Naples, Miracle-worker. Agnellus was initially a Basilian Monk and later became a Friar of the Hermits of St Augustine. Born in 535 in Naples, Italy and died of natural causes on 14 December 596 in his birth-town at the age of 61. Patronages – against invaders or invasion, of the City of Guarcino, one of the 50+ Co-Patrons of Naples (See Note below). Also known as – Agnello, Aniello the Abbot. Additional Memorial – 18 May in his Patronage Town of Guarcino.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Naples, in Campaniaa, St Agnellus, Abbot. Illustrious by the gift of miracles, he was often seen with the standard of the Cross, delivering the City besieged by enemies.”
At the beginning of the 10th Century, Peter, a Sub-Deacon of the Neapolitan Church who had been freed from a serious illness through the intercession of Agnellus, composed a “Libellus Miraculorum,” in which, in addition to his own miraculous cure, he recounts twenty-two further miracles performed through the intercession of our Saint.
Agnellus was born in 535 in Naples into a rich family of Syracusan origin, possibly related to Saint Lucy. His father was Federico and his mother Giovanna. He spent his youth as a Hermit in a cave near a Chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and then, in the Church of Santa Maria Intercede which later became Sant’Agnello Maggiore.
Statue of the saint in the Town named after him.
He received a rich and extensive inheritance on his parents’ death and used it on works of mercy, such as founding a hospital for the poor.
Agnellus became increasingly popular among the inhabitants of Naples, so much so that they called upon him to save the City during the Lombard invasion of 581. Accepting the challenge, he appeared carrying a Banner of the Cross to defend the City.
He finally left the City to escape his popularity, moving to Monte Sant’Angelo, then the village of Guarcino, where he remained for seven years and where there is a Shrine dedicated to him.
Agnellus later returned to Naples to become an Augustinian Monk and then a Priest at the Monastery of Gaudiosus of Naples, where he finally became Abbot and where he died aged 61.
The 17th Century Reliquary bust containing the jaw and throat attributed to Agnellus, is kept in the Cathedral of Naples, inside the Chapel of San Gennaro. He is Co-Patron of the City of Naples where, according to tradition, he was buried in the Church of Sant’Agnello Maggiore in Caponapoli.
Since the 15th Century, Agnellus was counted among the Patrons of Naples and is also the Patron of Guarcino, a City in Lazio in the Province of Frosinone. He also enjoys particular veneration in Lucca, where, since the 12th Century, an Altar was dedicated to him. This City disputed with Naples regarding the authenticity of its Relics and celebrates the Feast on 18 May.
There are many Churches dedicated to St Agnellus in the region.
*NOTE: The City of Naples has more than 50 official Patron Saints, although its principal Patron is Saint Januarius (Died c305). St Januarius is a Martyr of the Great Persecution which ended with Diocletian’s retirement in 305. The second in terms of importance, is St Aspren (Died in the 2nd Century) – the first Bishop of Naples. St Aspren’s Episcopate is stated as lasting twenty-three years.
St Agnellus in Glory – Gloria di Sant’Agnello, Santuario di Sant’Agnello Abate – Roccarainola
Bl Buenaventura Bonaccorsi St Folcuino of Therouanne Bl Joan Lambertini St John Pan y Agua (Bread-and-Water) Bl John Discalceat St Justus of Spain St Matronianus of Milan St Pompeius of Pavia
St Viator of Bergamo Bl William de Rovira
Martyrs of Alexandria – 4 Saints: A group of Egyptian Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Decius – Arsenius, Dioscurus, Heron and Isidore. They were burned to death in 250 at Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Apollonia – 7 Saints: Martyred in the persecutions of Decius. The only surviving details are three names – Callinicus, Leucio and Tirso. The Martyrdom took place at Apollonia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey).
Martyrs of Ashkelon – 3 Saints: Several pilgrims from Egypt to Cilicia (in modern Turkey) who planned to minister to fellow Christians suffering in the persecutions of Emperor Maximinus. They were arrested, torture, mutilated and then imprisoned in Ashkelon. Some were ordered to forced labour in the mines but we have the names of three who were Martyred by order of Governor Firmilian – Ares, Elijah and Promo. They were burned at the stake or beheaded at the gates of Ashkelon c 308.
Martyrs of Hayle – 2+ Saints: Several Christians, including a brother and sister, who were Martyred together by pagans. The only other information to survive are the names of the two siblings – Fingar and Phiala. 5th Century at Hayle, Cornwall, England.
Martyrs of Syria – 3 Saints: Three Christians who were Martyred together. Known to Saint John Chrysostom who preached on their Feast Day and left us the only details we have – their names – Drusus, Theodore and Zosimus. The date and precise location of their Martyrdom is unknown but it was in Syria, possibly in Antioch.
Saint of the Day – 13 December – Saint Ursicinus of Cahors (Died c595) Bishop, Monk, Royal Court Official and Adviser. Died in c595, og natural causes, after around 15 years as the Bishop of Cahors. Also known as – Urci, Urcisse, Urcsicinus, Ursicin, Ursicino.
Ursicinus was the Chancellor of Queen Ultragotha, the wife of Childebert I, King of Paris. He was chosen by Maurilius, then-Bishop of Cahors, to be his successor, making him the ninth Bishop of Cahors.
Cahors surrounding its Cathedral
The little information which has come to us about this Saint is reported by Saint Gregory of Tours in his “Historia Eccl. Francorum”, where he states that around the year 580, Maurilius, among the many Ecclesiastics who aspired to succeed him, chose Ursicinus, who was already a Secular and Spiritual Adviser to Queen Ultrogota, widow of King Childebert I.
Around 584, Innocent, Bishop of Rodez, accused Ursicinus of having usurped many Churches in his Diocese, so much so that the Bishop of Cahors had to defend himself in a Council meeting in Clermont, presided over by Bishop Sulpicius I, of Bouges. In that assembly, the accusations were judged false and Ursicinus was able to recover those Parishes usurped by the Bishop of Rodez and which had never belonged to his Diocese but had always been part of the Cahors See..
But then, Ursicinus was sentenced to a three-year penance at another Council. In fact, in the Autumn of 585, on the indication of King Gontranno, a Council was convened in Macon, where those Bishops who had welcomed the rebel Gondowald, a conspirator against the Merovingian dynasty, were discussed. Ursicinus publicly confessed to having committed this “crime” and the Bishop’s sentence of condemnation was explicit – he had to do penance for three years, abstaining from shaving his hair or beard, abstaining from wine and meat, not celebrating Mass, not ordaining Priests, nor consecrating Churches and not proceeding with any blessings.
Following this condemnation, the traces of Bishop Ursicinus are lost, but we do find him present at the Fourth Council of Auvergne in 590. After this citation we only know that his successor, Eusebius, was present at the Council of Paris in 614.
With regards to the cult of the sanctity of our Ursicinus – in a 14th Century Psalter, we find the first evidence of his cult and his feast which was celebrated on 13 December appears.
Many Churches in the Diocese were dedicated to him. Among these, one in Cahors, one in Tréjouls and one in Cantal. There are also two villages named after him, one in the canton of Puymirol and the other in that of Salvagnac. In the Diocese of Cahors the feast and remembrance of Saint Ursicinus, Bishop, is still celebrated today.
St Ursicinus Church in Cahors which was built in around the 7th Century
St Lucy (of Syracuse) – St Lucy/Lucia of Syracuse (c283-304) Virgin and Martyr Patron of the blind, eye disorders, martyrs, Perugia, Italy, Malta; epidemics; salesmen, Syracuse, Italy, throat infections, writers, against fire, against poverty, against spiritual blindness, peasants, penitent prostitutes, poor people, sick children, authors, cutlers, farmers, glass blowers, glass makers, glaziers, labourers, lawyer, maid servants, notaries, ophthalmologists, opticians, porters, printers, saddler, sailors, salesmen, seamstresses, stained glass workers, tailors, upholsterers, weavers and 10 further towns and cities. St Lucy’s Life and Death: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/saint-of-the-day-13-december-st-lucy-c-283-304/
Prayer to St Lucy
O St Lucy, you preferred to let your eyes be torn out instead of denying the faith and defiling your soul and God, through an extraordinary miracle, replaced them with another pair of sound and perfect eyes to reward your virtue and faith, appointing you as the protector against eye diseases. I come to you for you to protect my eyesight and to heal the illness in my eyes.
O St Lucy, preserve the light of my eyes so that I may see the beauties of creation, the glow of the sun, the colour of the flowers and the smile of children.
Preserve also the eyes of my soul, the faith, through which I can know my God, understand His teachings, recognise His love for me and never miss the road that leads me to where you, St Lucy, can be found in the company of the angels and saints. St Lucy, protect my eyes and preserve my faith.
St Lucy, “Bringer of Light” Pray for those with eye ailments, Pray for us all!
Blessed Antonio Grassi Cong. Orat. (1592 – 1671) Priest of the Oratorians of St Philip Neri, Confessor, Tertiary of the Order of St Francis, Spiritual advisor, Counsellor, Mediator, Miracle Worker, Apostle of the poor and the sick. He was Beatified on 30 September 1900 by Pope Leo XIII. Blessed Antonio’s biography: https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/13/saint-of-the-day-13-december-blessed-antonio-grassi-cong-orat-1592-1671/
St Aristone St Arsenius of Latro St Aubert of Arras Bl Bartholomew of Tuscany St Edburgh of Lyminge St Einhildis of Hohenburg Bl Elizabeth Rose St Jodocus
Blessed Giovanni Marinoni CR (1490-1562) Priest of the Theatines of St Cajetan (1480-1547) (The Congregation of the Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence), renowned Preacher and spiritual director. Patron of Preachers. He was Beatified on 5 December 1764, by a Bull of Pope Clement XIII, who also granted an Office in his honour, to his Order, to be celebrated on 13 December. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/13/saint-of-the-day-blessed-giovanni-marinoni-cr-1490-1562/
St Martino de Pomar St Roswinda St Tassio of Bavaria St Ursicinus of Cahors (Died c595) Bishop St Wifred
Blessed Mercedarian Knights – 7 Beati: A group of Mercedarian Knights who fought the enemies of the Catholic faith in the first Century of the Order. Blessed Bernardo de Podio Blessed Giacomo de Copons Blessed Giovanni de Bruquera Blessed Guglielmo de Sa Blessed Pietro Boguer Blessed Pietro Ricart Blessed Raimondo de Frexa
Martyrs of Sebaste – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than their names – Auxentius, Eustratius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes. They were martyred in c 302 at Sebaste, Armenia (in modern Turkey) and their relics are enshrined at the church of Saint Apollinaris in Rome, Italy.
Saint of the Day – 12 December – Saint Columba of Terryglass (Died 552) Abbot, Founder of Monasteries, Miracle-worker. One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, pupil and disciple of St Finnian of Clonard (470–549) known as the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland.” Born in Leinster, Ireland and died on 13 December 552 of the Plague at his Monastery in Terryglass, where he was also buried. Also known as – Colum mac Crimthainn, Colum moccu Loigse, Columba of Tirdaglas, Columba of Tyrdagla. Additional Memorial – 6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
Columba was the son of Ninnidh, a descendant of Crinthainn, King of Leinster. In his childhood, he learned his Psalms and Hymns from an old holy man named Colman Cule, who lived near Clonenagh and founded the Church of Cluain Cain.
As he grew into adulthood, he studied with St Finnian of Clonard and then, Columba resolved to go to Rome and bring back Relics of Saints Peter and Paul. On his return, he visited Tours and brought from there, the staff of St Martin of Tours. He also visited England and preached with some success to the Anglo-Saxons.
Returning home, he remained at Clonenagh for around a year, before crossing Slieve Bloom and founding a Church near Lough Derg.
Around 520, Columba was prompted by an Angel, to relocate to the Island of Inis Cealtra and establish a Monastery there. , He remained a long time at this Monastery. According to one report, when one of his Monks died suddenly on the shore opposite the northern part of the Island, Columba ordered the Monks to go and say to the dead man, “Columba bids thee arise.” The man then arose and returned with them to the Island.
Columba founded the celebrated Monastery of Tirdaglas (Tir-da-glasí), or Terryglass in 548. St Fintan of Clonenagh (c526-603) received his religious formation at Terryglass and was deeply influenced by the penitential practices and the severity of the Rule at the Terryglass Monastery finally becoming the Abbot
When Saint Finnian was in extremis, suffering from the Plague, he sent for Columba to administer Holy Viaticum. Columba himself died of the Plague on 13 December 552 and was buried within the precincts of his Monastery at Terryglass.
There are some fifteen more Saints of Ireland, bearing the name of our St Columba all being mentioned in the Martyrology of Gorman.
Terryglass Parish Church with a Cross, being part of a Shrine to St Columba in the foreground
St Colman of Clonard St Columba of Terryglass (Died 552) Abbot One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Bl Conrad of Offida St Corentius of Quimper St Cormac St Cury St Donatus the Martyr St Edburga of Thanet
Martyrs of Alexandria – 6 Saints: A group of six Christians Martyred for their faith during the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than five of their names – Alexander, Ammonaria, Dionysia, Epimachus and Mercuria. They were burned to death c 250 in Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Trier – 4 Saints and Companions: “At Treves (Trier), the holy Martyrs, Maxentius, Constantius, Crescentius, Justinus and their companions, who suffered inthe persecutions of Diocletian, under the Governor Rictiovarus.”
Saint of the Day – 11 December – Saint Damasus I (c305-384) Bishop of Rome from 366-his death on 11 December 384. Pope Damasus was a Poet, a Confessor and Defender of Orthodoxy and a Reformer of morals amongst many other qualities. Born in c306 in Rome, Italy of Spanish descendancy and died in 384 in the same City of natural causes. He was initially buried in the Mark and Marcellianus Catacombs in Rome and in …. his bones were re-interred in the Church of San Lorenzo in Damaso, Rome. Patronage – of Archeologists.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “St Rome, St Damasus, Pope and Confessor, who condemned the heresiarch Apollinaris and restored to his See, Peter, Bishop of Alexandria who had been driven from it. He also discovered the bodies of many holy Martyrs and wrote verses in their honour.”
Today is the Feast of Pope St Damasus I, who was elected in October of 366, at roughly the age of 60 and died on this day in 384. He served as Deacon at the Church of St Lawrence Outside-the-Walls. He was elected to the Papacy in the midst of controversy, since a small group of the Clergy supported another candidate, Ursicinus; the followers of this schismatic seized control of the Liberian Basilica (now St Mary Major) and could only be repressed with violence and the exile of the anti-Pope.
St Damasus was a strenuous Defender of the Orthodox Christian faith, holding Synods in Rome to condemn the heresies of Macedonius and Apollinaris, sending legates to the First Council of Constantinople and excommunicating the Arian bishop of Milan, Auxentius, who was later succeeded by St Ambrose. It was at his (St Ambrose’) behest that St Jerome revised the Latin text of the Gospels and it is in a letter to him that St Jerome famously describes the need for such a revision by saying, “There are as many versions (of the Sacred Scriptures) as there are copies.” Pope Damasus then befriended St Jerome and employed him as his Secretary, a position he held for many years. They worked together on exegetical matters but, perhaps Damasus’ most important contribution to the Church, was that he commissioned Jerome to revise the existing Latin translation of the Gospels based on the original Greek. This was to become the Sacred Scripture translation which was later called “The Vulgate.” St Jerome is traditionally represented as a Cardinal because of the time he spent in Rome as Damasus’ Secretary.
Our Saint is today, venerated too, as the Patron Saint of Archeologists and, particularly those who work in the field of early Christian archeology, because of his great encouragement of devotion to the Roman Martyrs and his efforts to preserve their memories. He built a Church in honour of St Lawrence within his own house in the centre of Rome, now known as “San Lorenzo in Damaso” and also a Shrine at the Catacomb of St Sebastian, where the bodies of Ss Peter and Paul were once kept and the Baptistery of the ancient Basilica of St Peter. Within many of the Roman Catacombs, he had the areas around the Martyrs’ graves restored to make them more accessible to pilgrims ..
As a young man, Damasus had worked in the Papal Archives (the first reference to a Papal Archive), where he read about the lives and deaths of the Martyrs. Now that the persecutions were over, he worked tirelessly to promote the Martyr cult. He encouraged pilgrimages to the Catacombs and re-opened them, after they had been closed by Emperor Diocletian. He restored them, built staircases and skylights, all with the aim of demonstrating that the real splendour of Rome was not pagan but Christian.
Damasus also decorated the graves of many Martyrs with Epitaphs, composed by himself and carved into marble, with a special kind of lettering invented for the purpose. This Font, in which the bars of the letters are alternately thick and thin, with curved serifs at the corners, is known as either “Philocalian” lettering from its inventor, a friend of his named Furius Dionysius Filocalus, or “Damasian” after himself. We have a total of about 70 of these Inscriptions; about 40 of the originals are preserved, while the rest are recorded in various sources, although the stones themselves have been lost.
One of the best preserved of these is at the Church of St Agnes Outside-the-Walls on the Via Nomentana, the High Altar of which rests over her Gravesite. As seen in the photograph below, only the upper left corner is missing.
After recounting the Martyrdom and burial of St Agnes (including the story that when her clothes were torn off, her hair miraculously grew to cover her exposed body), the final line asks the “renowned Martyr to favour the prayers of Damasus.” These Inscriptions are particularly valuable witnesses to the authenticity of various Martyrs and the Liturgical devotion paid to them, since we know that Pope Damasus took care to inform himself about the Martyrdoms as best he could. At the grave of Ss Peter and Marcellinus, who were killed in the persecution of Diocletian in 304, he placed an Epitaph in which he gives the story of their deaths and then notes that he learned the details when he was a boy, by interviewing the Martyrs’ own executioner!Being himself born in the very heart of the persecution and. therefore. a young Cleric in Rome in the early years of the peace of the Church, he must also have known many who had actually, themselves, witnessed the Martyrdoms of Sts Agnes, John and Paul and Sebastian, just to name a few.
Pope Damasus’ relationship with the Eastern Church was unhappy. There, St Basil the Great (329-379) fought to restore orthodoxy on the basis of a refined new explanation of the Nicene Doctrine. Like the West, in general,, Damasus did not understand the new development and when Antioch was divided between rival Bishops, the Pope stubbornly clung to the support of Paulinus, the unrepresentative leader of a reactionary group, instead of Meletius, on whom the Eastern hope of unity rested . When Meletius died in 381, Damasus refused to enter into Church communion with his successor, Flavian. In desperation, Basilios described the Pope as improbably arrogant, who did nothing to contribute to the constructive détente between East and West that was now underway.
The second Ecumenical Council took place in Constantinople from May to July 381. Originally, it was an Eastern Council, where only about 150 Eastern Bishops participated. Pope Damasus was not present but when the Council decisions were later presented to him, he approved them and the Council was thus considered Ecumenical. Here the Doctrine of the Trinity was established for good and the Council adopted a powerful declaration of the deity of the Holy Ghost, directed against the Macedonians and the Pneumatomas (who rejected the deity of the Holy Ghost). The Council also condemned the Arians and Semi-Arians.
It was Pope Damasus I who introduced the Doxology Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) at the end of the Hymns. He was also the first to take over the title of Pontifex Maximus (High Priest) from the Roman Emperors. He also authorised the Ambrosian Rite and introduced the use of the Hebrew term “Hallelujah” (Latin: Alleluia ).
Damasus died on 11 December 384 in Rome and was first interred in the Catacomb of Mark and Marcellianus, near the Catacomb of Domitilla, on the Via Ardeatina, in a burial place he had prepared for his mother and sister, Irene. Later, his Relics were transferred to the Church of St Lorenzo in Damaso, which he had built himself. There, after being forgotten for a long time, they were found again in 1645. His Feast has been celebrated on 11 December since the 7th Century.
Bl Hugolinus Magalotti Blessed Jean Laurens O. Praem.(1548-1613)
Blessed Jerome Ranuzzi OSM (c 1410-c 1468) “The Angel of Good Counsel,” “The Blessed Bachelor,” Priest and Friar of the Order of the Servants of Mary, the Servites, Theologian, Adviser both spiritual and secular, renowned for his learning and scholarship, Penitent and Hermit with a great love of solitude and silence. His body is incorrupt and is still available for veneration in St Mary of the Servites, Urbano, Italy. His cult was confirmed on 1 April 1775 by Pope Pius VI with the title of Blessed. The Roman Martyrology states: “In Sant’Angelo in Vado always in the Marches, Blessed Girolamo, Priest of the Order of the Servants of Mary, who in solitude and silence reached the wisdom of holiness.” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/11/saint-of-the-day-11-december-blessed-jerome-ranuzzi-osm-c-1410-c-1468-the-angel-of-good-counsel/
St Pens St Sabinus of Piacenza Blessed Severin Ott O.Praem. (1627-1708) Priest and Friar of the Norbertines or Premonstratensians.
Martyrs of Saint Aux-Bois – 3 Saints: Two Christian missionaries and one of their local defenders who faith in the persecutions of governor Rictiovarus – Fuscian, Gentian and Victoricus. They were beheaded in 287 in Saint Aux-Bois, Gaul (in modern France).
Martyrs of Rome – 3 Saints: Three Christians murdered in the persecutions of Diocletian for giving aid to Christian prisoners – Pontian, Practextatus and Trason. They were imperial Roman citizens. They were martyred in c 303 in Rome, Italy.
Saint of the Day – 10 December – Saint Thomas of Farfa (Died c720) Abbot, Hermit, Pilgrim, expert Restorer and Abbot extraordinaire! Born at Maurienne, Savoy, France and died in c720 of natural causes at his famous Monastery of Farfa. Also known as – Thomas of Maurienne.
“This is the place which I promised you”
Words addressed by the Madonna to Thomas, the Restorer of Farfa Monastery, to indicate to him the ruins of the destroyed Abbey which were, later rebuilt by the Saint – it is the place of the current Monastery.
Thomas is believed to have hailed from Maurienne, where he was a Monk before he travelled to the Holy Land. According to the 12th Century Chronicon Farfense, by the renowned Monk Historian Gregory of Catino, Thomas was on a pilgrimage when, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, he had a vision of the Virgin Mary, who told him to go to Italy and re-establish an abandoned Abbey which had been founded in her name.
Together with a small group of disciples and by the gracious assistance of Divine guidance, Thomas found the ruins of an Abbey in a deserted region in the Sabina Hills in central Italy.
The foundation of Farfa p dates to around 560-570 by St Laurence of Syria (Lorenzo Siro), who arrived from Syria together with his sister Susannah, to carry out an apostolate in Sabina, where he was elected as the Bishop but he himself soon left this position to become a Monk and dedicate himself to the foundation of this Monastery which had attracted him by the position of 3 beautiful tall Cypresses, representing the glorious Blessed Trinity..
At the time of the death of San Lorenzo, which occurred towards the end of the 6th Century, the Monastery suffered complete devastation and abandonment, due to the arrival of the Lombards but, our Saint Thomas managed to find the remains of the place dedicated to the Blessed Mother – being still marked by the same three cypresses.
Finally the ancient Church, now in ruins, was given new life in 680, under the protection of the Duke of Spoleto, Faroaldo II, who offered land and buildings.
It is precisely thanks to Saint Thomas that a period of profound recovery began in Farfa. In addition to the reclamation of the land, the Abbey patrimony expanded so considerably, to the point that Popes, Dukes, Kings and Governors granted great exemptions and privileges, so that Farfa quickly became an economically and politically powerful entity.
During Thomas’s 40+ year Abbacy, three Monks from Farfa established the Monastery of San Vincenzo al Volturno. According to San Vincenzo’s Vita, it was Thomas who directed the Monks to “the oratory of Christ’s Martyr Vincent [where] on each side of the river is a thick forest (which serves as a habitation for wild beasts and a hiding-place for robbers.”
Also during Thomas’ tenure, the Abbey received a privilege in 705, from Pope John VII which recognised that the Abbey was founded by “Bishop Laurence.” This Papal privilege included a confirmation of the Abbey’s first grant of land, from Duke Faroald II of Spoleto. Through his donations Faroald claimed to have “restored that place through Abbot Thomas and your [Papal] recommendation.” Thomas was ordered to put the Papal privilege on display.
The working Farfa today
Saint Thomas died in c720, after forty years of regency of the Farfa Monastery and was buried right there. According to the 11th Century Martyrology of the Abbey, Thomas was buried at the 30th Milestone, as later was Abbot Hilderic (Died 857). Thomas had been succeeded by Aunepert around 720.
St Pope Melchiades (Died 314) Bishop of Rome from 2 July 311- 19 or 11 January 314)
St Abundius St Albert of Sassovivo St Angelina of Serbia Blessed Brian Lacey (Died 1591) Lay Martyr BL Bruno of Rommersdorf St Caesarius of Epidamnus St Carpophorus St Deusdedit of Brescia (Died c700) Bishop
St Edmund Gennings St Emérico Martín Rubio St Florentius of Carracedo St Fulgentius of Afflighem St Gemellus of Ancyra St Gonzalo Viñes Masip Bl Guglielmo de Carraria St Guitmarus St Hildemar of Beauvais Bl Jerome Ranuzzi Bl John Mason
St Julia of Merida St Lucerius St Maurus of Rome St Mercury of Lentini St Polydore Plasden Bl Sebastian Montanol Bl Sidney Hodgson St Sindulf of Vienne St Swithun Wells St Thomas of Farfa (Died c720) Abbot, Hermit Bl Thomas Somers St Valeria
Martyrs of Alexandria – 3 Saints: A group of Christians murdered for their faith in the persecutions of Galerius Maximian – c 312. The only details that have survived are three of the names – Eugraphus, Hermogenes and Mennas.
Saint of the Day – 9 December – Saint Proculus of Verona (Died c320) Bishop of Verona, Italy. Died in c320 in Verona of natural causes thus our Saint Proculus was a survivor of the violent persecutions of Diocletian. Also known as – Procolo.
The Roman Martyrology says today: “In Verona, during the persecution of Diocletian, St Proculus, Bishop, who was buffeted, scourged with rods and driven out of the City. Being at length, restored to his Church, he rested in peace.”
The Martyrs, Saints Firmus and Rusticus of Verona with an Angel and the seated Saint Proculu by Sebastiano Ricci.
During the Diocletian persecution, Proculus, the Bishop of Verona went to the prison to encourage Sts Firmus and Rusticus. He was bound and brought with them before Anulinus, the Consul. However, as Proculus was elderly, Anulinus did not consider him worth his interest and had him beaten, released and driven from the City. He lived to survive the persecutions and eventually returned to resume leadership of his flock but died not too long after.
St Proculus from a 9th Century Fresco
Attached to the Basilica of St Zeno in Verona, is the Chapel of St Proculus housing his Relics. It dates from the 6th or 7th Century. It is first mentioned, however, only in 845.
In San Zaccaria’s Church in Venice their stands a life-size wooden statue “St Proculus of Verona” (1451) – see above. In 1704, Sebastiano Ricci executed a large Canvas of St Proculus for Bergamo Cathedral.
St Michaela Andrusikiewicz St Nectarius of Auvergne
St Peter Fourier CRSA (1565-1640) “The Good Father of Mattaincourt,” Priest, Founder, Reformer, Confessor, Ascetic, Theologian, Teacher, Preacher, Apostle of Prayer, Penance and Charity, Marian devotee. Together with the Blessed Alix Le Clerc, in 1597, Fourier founded the Congregation of Notre Dame of Canonesses Regular of St Augustine, who were committed to the free education of children, taking a fourth vow to that goal. St Peter was Beatified on 20 January 1730 by Pope Benedict XIII and Canonised on 27 May 1897 by Pope Leo XIII. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-st-peter-fourier-c-r-s-a-1565-1640/
Blessed Mercedarian Fathers – (10 Beati): The memorial of ten Mercedarian Friars who were especially celebrated for their holiness: Arnaldo de Querol • Berengario Pic • Bernardo de Collotorto • Domenico de Ripparia • Giovanni de Mora • Guglielmo Pagesi • Lorenzo da Lorca • Pietro Serra • Raimondo Binezes • Sancio de Vaillo
Martyrs of North Africa – (24 Saints): Twenty-four Christians murdered together in North Africa for their faith. The only details to survive are four of their names – Bassian, Peter, Primitivus and Successus.
Martyrs of Samosata – (7 Saints): Seven Martyrs crucified in 297 in Samosata (an area of modern Turkey) for refusing to perform a pagan rite in celebration of the victory of Emperor Maximian over the Persians. They are – Abibus, Hipparchus, James, Lollian, Paragnus, Philotheus and Romanus. They were crucified in 297 in Samosata (an area in modern Turkey).
Saint of the Day – 8 December – Saint Eucharius of Trier (Died 3rd Century) the First Bishop of Trier, Germany, Date and place of birth are unknown but Eucharius is believed to have been of Italian origin. Patronages – against plague and epidemics, of Trier, Germany. Also known as Eucherius, Euchario. Additional Memorial in Limburg, Germany of the 3 Bishops sent by St Peter, occurs on 11 September. –
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Treves, St Eucharius, disciple of the blessed Apostle Peter and the first Bishop of that City.”
Saint Eucharius is the First Bishop of Trier. This name opens the list of Bishops of the oldest See in Germany. The shepherds of that Diocese have been documented since the first half of the 3rd Century.
The first Bishops, St Eucherius and St Valerius are attested by an ancient inscription from the end of the 5th Century, while the first historically documented Bishops are St Maternius who became the Archbishop of Cologne and St Agrizius mentioned in 314, who participated in the Council of Arles.
The Trier Seal
The Holy Tunic is preserved in the Trier Cathedral which was worn by Jesus before His Crucifixion. The Tunic was discovered by Saint Helena and was donated by Bishop Agrizius. The first mention of the Sacred Relic dates to 1196, when Archbishop John Consecrated the Altar where it was kept.
We know very little about our Saint today but it is assumed that he governed the Diocese at the end of the 3rd Century especially because, Saint Eucharius was a disciple of Saint Peter, who sent him with Valerius and Maternus to evangelise Gaul.
It is said that the Bishop resurrected his companion Maternus from his sarcophagus, using the “pastoral staff of Saint Peter.” To confirm the existence of this legend, there is an ancient seal from Trier which shows the Saint receiving the keys to the City from Saint Peter. Another tradition about St Eucharius of Trier tells us that he destroyed a statue of Venus and placed the current Cross in its place which remains to this day.
The cult of this holy Bishop has been proven since 455 and is widespread in western Germany, Switzerland and many other surrounding regions. An image of him is found carved in relief in the Porta Nuova in Trier, where we see him holding the model of the City placed under his protection.
Sculptures of the first three Bishops: Saint Eucharius, Saint Valerius and Saint Maternus
Furthermore, there is a 16th Century Statue of him in Balg and a painting preserved in the Unterlinden Museum in Coilmar. In 457, Saint Cyril, the Thirteenth Bishop of Trier, had two Sarcophagi built, one for Saint Valerius and the other for Saint Eucharius. The Sarcophagi are located in the Benedictine Abbey of St Matthias in Trier which had originally been named for him until some Relics of St Matthias were obtained there.
The first Martyrologies which bear his name, are those of Rabano Mauro (856) and Notkero (912).
There are various celebrations in memory of the Bishop. In Limburg the feast of the Bishops Eucharius, Valerius and Maternus occurs on 11 September. In the Roman Martyrology his Feast day was set on 8 December.
The Tombs of St Eucharius and St Valerius at the Abbey of St Matthias
St Anastasia of Pomerania St Anthusa of Africa St Antonio García Fernández St Casari of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon St Eucharius of Trier (Died 3rd Century) Bishop
St Gunthildis of Ohrdruf Bl Johanna of Cáceres St Macarius of Alexandria St Patapius St Rafael Román Donaire
St Romaric (Died 653) Married French noble layman, Abbot, Founder of the renowned Remiremont double Monastery in north-eastern France. Died in 653 of natural causes. He was Canonised on 3 December 1049 by Pope Leo IX. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of Luxeuil, St Romericus, Abbot, who left the highest station at the Court of King Theodebert, renounced the world and surpassed all others in the observance of monastic discipline.” About St Romaric: https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-romaric-died-653-abbot/
Quote/s of the Day – 7 December – St Ambrose (340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
“O, that the soul of Mary were in us, to glorify the Lord! That the spirit of Mary were in us, to rejoice in God. May the life of Blessed Mary be ever present to our awareness. In her, as in a mirror, the form of virtue and beauty of chastity, shine forth. She was Virgin, not only in body but in mind and spirit. She never sullied the pure affection of her heart by unworthy feelings. She was humble of heart. She was serious in her conversations. She was prudent in her counsels. She preferred to pray rather than to speak. She united in her heart the prayers of the poor, and avoided the uncertainty of worldly riches. She was ever faithful to her daily duties, reserved in her conversations and always accustomed to recognise God as the witness of her thoughts. Blessed be the Name of Jesus!”
(On Virginity II 2.7)
“Watch, therefore because you know not the day, nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13
“ In the hours of the night, think always on Christ and hope for His coming at every moment. … Christ enters at the open door. He will not fail to do so, for He has promised to enter. Embrace Him, Whom you have sought. Approach Him and be illumined. Hold Him and ask Him not to go away quickly. Beg Him not to depart. For “His Word runs swiftly” (Ps 147:15) and will not be held by the slothful or negligent soul. Let your soul run to His call and follow closely, t he sound of His heavenly Voice, for His passing is swift. …”
“Open wide your door to the One who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of Eternal Light Who illuminates all men.”
“No-one heals himself by wounding another.”
“Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous, than any external enemies. ”
“Carry me, O Christ, on Thy Cross which is salvation to the wanderer, rest for the wearied and, in which alone, is Life for those who die.”
Saint of the Day – 7 December – Saint Urbanus of Teano (Died circa late 4th Century) Confessor, the Third Bishop of Teano, Peacemaker, Apostle of the poor and needy, Miracle-worker. Born and died in Teano, Italy. Patronage – Teano, Italy. Also known as – Urban, Urbano, Urbanius.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Teano in Campania, Saint Urbanus, Bishop.”
Interior of the Teano Cathedral
In the Diocese of Teano, the first Three Bishops are Saints: Paris, Amasius and Urbanus. The records after these, became incomplete until the second half of the 9th Century.
He is called a great Confessor, Native of the place, he was a disciple and Deacon of the First Bishop of Teano, San Paris (Died c346). Upon his death, the people wanted Urbanus as their Bishop by popular acclaim. But he managed to avoid the election in favour of Amasius (Died c356). When the latter also died, he had to accept the nomination as Bishop.
He exercised his pastoral function with great sanctity. It is said that he performed many miracles which attracted numerous crowds to him. He spent all his energy to visit the faithful of his Diocese, to create Churches and revive Christian worship. He acted as peacemaker during discords, he was assiduous in assisting the poor and needy.
The chronology of his predecessors who died respectively in 346 and 356, allows us to place his Episcopate in the second half of the 4th Century.
The lessons of the Office of the Diocese, published in 1533, deal with him, where he is described as a holy Bishop with great piety and devotion and all the essential elements of a holy Bishop.
There is a little information handed down to us in the 6th Century “Vitae” of his predecessors. Only the Author, Lanzoni thinks that the cult of the first three Bishops of that Church in Teano, derives from an authentic Episcopal catalogue.
Urbanus died very old on 7 December, as he had previously predicted. He was buried in a tomb which he, himself, had built between the southern gate of the City and the Savone river, probably in the ancient Cemetery, where today the Diocesan Church dedicated to San Paris is located.
The name of St Urbanus was added to the Roman Martyrology with a Feast Day of 7 December.
A Day of Fasting and Abstinence, for the Holy Day tomorrow
Vigil of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 7 December: On this Vigil day, Catholics stand in the remains of the night as the dawn makes its appearance. This resplendent dawn is that Singular Conception, the Immaculate Conception, who ushers in the Light of Christ. A day of Fast and Abstinence following the Rubrics of Pope Pius X for the Universal Calendar of the Church.
“It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary, that Jesus Christ came into the world and, it is also through her, that He will reign in the world.” – St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)
Virgen del Castillo, Inmaculada Concepción / Virgin of the Castle, Yecla, Spain (1642) – 7 and 8 December:
Saint of the Day – 6 December – Blessed Angelica Leonti of Milazzo TOM (1519-1559) Virgin, Lay Tertiary of the Order of the Minim. Also known as – Angela.
Blessed Angelica was born in 1519 in Milazzo in the Province of Messina on the western tip of Sicily in southern Italy. Her parents were Domenico Leonti and Bernarda Maiolino. She had two sisters, Blasia and the Blessed Pelagia (Died 1591).
Milazzo was an ancient City that was important in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as a port for trade and a manufacturing centre but also, as a well-equipped military base. There the cult of Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507) was particularly lively.
Angelica lived in constant struggle against the attractions of the world. Not its temptations per se but, the legitimate and human concerns of those, who wished her to live a normal and happy life, where she was respected and satisfied. She was beautiful, sensitive and virtuous and against her family’s wishes, she followed the fate of so many other girls of her age, by forgoing a spouse. It was not easy because she was exposed to constant pressure but she stubbornly resisted both flattery and threats.
In moments of most serious tension, she resorted to the Crucifix, imploring His help. She was granted, by the Cross a cross, that is, a very serious illness which put her very life in danger. It was then that she, by vow, wore the Habit of the Third Order of San Francesco di Paola. In that dress, as if inside a mystical armour, she felt sure that she could remain in the desired state forever.
When she recovered, she, like her two sisters, became a Tertiary in the Third Order of the Mimins, (Tertius Ordo Minimorum – TOM), a branch of the Saint Francis of Paola Order of the Friars Minor (OM or Ordo Minim), open to laypeople of both sexes. It was said of the three sisters that “fasting was their sustenance, prayer their recreation and assistance to the poor and sick their favourite activity”. “The City hailed Angela as holy and it was often said that when she was seen in the street with her sister, they were accompanied by two angels in human form, their faces shining with heavenly splendour.”
But Angelica was eaten up from within by a malignant tumour and her beauty was transformed into hideousness and, as the suffering became more and more unbearable, she honed the spirit that filled her body like a consuming fire. Angelica died in Milazzo, according to Piazza in Memorie della Città di Milazzo, on 1 November 1559, aged only forty. From this day Angelica Leonti was called Beata Angelica by the people of Milazzo. Her memorial day is 6 December. Her sister, Pelagia died in 1591.
Saint of the Day – 5 December – St Gerbold (Died c691) Bishop of Bayeux in Normany, France, Hermit, Founder of the Monastery of Livry in Normandy. Also known as – Gerbaud, Gerebaud, Gereboldus, Gerhold of of Bayeux. Died in c691 of natural causes. Patronages – against dysentery (popularly – St Gerbold’s Disease), hemorrhoids, headaches.
Gerbold became the Bishop of Bayeux in 689. According to some records and traditions, he took part in the Synod in Rouen in 692 or 693 and founded a Monastery in Livry – on the site of the current Chapel dedicated to St Sulpicius of Bayeux. The Bishops’ list puts Gerbold’s death at 691.
According to tradition, Gerbold became a Steward for a wealthy lord in England. There, the lord’s wife made advances to Gerbold which he rejected, whereupon the disappointed woman complained about him to her husband, probably reversing the story.
Gerbold fell into disgrace, his master imprisoned him and then threw him into the sea, weighed down with a millstone! But miraculously it turned into cork, allowing Gerbold to cross the English Channel and land in Ver-sur-Mer near Bayeux. There – or in nearby Crépon – he lived as a Hermit. His miraculous deeds persuaded the people of Bayeux to appoint him as their Bishop.
As Bishop, Gerbold’s moral strictness turned the people against him and they drove him out of the City. He travelled on pilgrimage to Rome until the people of Bayeux were scourged with the diseases of dysentery and hemorrhoids. They recalled their Bishop, in haste, begged forgiveness for their sins, whereupon the illnesses immediately ceased.
Blessed Bartholomew Fanti of Mantua O.Carm. (c 1428-1495) Carmelite Priest, renowned Preacher. Humble and gentle, Bartholomew gave an example to everyone of a life of prayer, of loving kindness and generosity to all and of faithful service to the Lord. He was remembered and revered, even during his life, for his great love ot the Blessed Sacrament, which was the source and the summit of his apostolic life, together with his love and devotion to the Virgin Mother. His Beatification received the Papal approval of Pope Pius X on 18 March 1909. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/saint-of-the-day-5-december-blessed-bartholomew-fanti-o-carm-c-1443-1495/
St Basilissa of Øhren St Bassus of Lucera St Bassus of Nice St Cawrdaf of Fferreg St Christina of Markyate St Consolata of Genoa St Crispina St Cyrinus of Salerno St Dalmatius of Pavia St Firminus of Verdun
St Gerbold (Died c691) Bishop St Gratus Bl Giovanni Gradenigo St Justinian St Martiniano of Pecco St Nicetius of Trier St Pelinus of Confinium
Martyrs of Thagura – 12 Saints: A group of twelve African Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details about them that have survived are five of their names – Crispin, Felix, Gratus, Juliua and Potamia. They died in 302 in Thagura, Numidia
Saint of the Day – 4 December – St Bernardo degli Uberti OSB Vall. (c1060-1133) Cardinal Bishop, Benedictine Vallombrosan Monk, Abbot of San Salvi Monastery, Abbot-General of the Vallombrosans. Created a Cardinal by Pope Urban II in 1097. Papal legate, Bishop of Parma, Italy in 1106. Exiled twice during disputes with Anti–Papal forces opposing Pope Saint Gregory VII. Born in c1060 in Florence, Italy and died on 4 December 1133 in Parma, Italy of natural causes. Patronage – of Pavia. – A fascinating Saint who even Pablo Picasso could not resist painting (2nd image below – maybe Senor Picasso’s ‘Blue Period?’
Bernardo was born around 1060 in Florence in the region of Tuscany in central Italy. His father’s name was Bruno and he came from a noble family which, in the following Century, took the name Uberti. But Bernardo gave up a life of power and luxury and, in July 1085, gave his inheritance to relatives, friends and the Town’s Monastery of San Salvi. He himself became a Monk in the Vallombrosan Order in the Mother house Monastery in Vallombrosa. It was an ascetic community, founded not long before, by Saint John Gualbertus .
In time, Bernardo was elected Abbot of San Salvio and then the 4th or 5th Abbot-General of the Vallombrosan Order. Under his leadership, the Order spread from Tuscany into Emilia Romagna and Lombardy. In 1097, while holding Office as Abbot-General, he was appointed Cardinal by the Blessed Pope Urban II (1088-1099) and he was entrusted with various assignments as Papal Vicar in northern Italy and Legate of Canossa. On behalf of Pope Paschalis II (1099-1118), he promoted the Ecclesiastical reform in many Cities in northern Italy. In 1106, on the occasion of the Consecration of the new Cathedral, Pope Paschalis II appointed Bernardo as the Bishop of Parma. Pope Paschalis himself, Consecrated Bernardo and under his guidance and governance, Parma became a centre of the reform movement.
At a time when many Bishops, not only accepted but sought secular power, Bernardo renounced all the secular power which his predecessors in the Episcopate had received. He never forgot and did not let others forget that he had been trained as a Monk in a very ascetic school and, so far as was compatible with his duties, he maintained his monastic observances.
Parma was, at this time, seriously affected by several schisms. First, on 28 October 1061, Bishop Peter Cadalus of Parma had established himself as antipope Honorius II (1061-1072) and then there were other Bishops who supported Archbishop Guibert (Wibert) of Ravenna, who, on 25 June 1080, also established himself as antipope Clement III (1080-1100). Bernardo was a zealous supporter of the true Pope, Saint Gregory VII (1073-1085) and his reforms. He was a particular opponent of simony which was widespread in his Diocese. He proved a very successful Bishop but was twice banished from Parma. The first time was in 1104 by the followers of the antipope Maginulf or Sylvester IV (1105-1111), who arrested him at the Altar, on 15 August 1104. He was in exile for two years.
In 1124, for the Vallombrosan Order, Bernardo obtained protection from Emperor Henry V (1106-1125) Emperor from 1111. In the investiture dispute, Bernardo took an intermediate position but nevertheless, he was arrested, together with the Pope, by Emperor Henry V.
In 1127 there was a civil war in Germany and the Hohenstaufen elevated Duke Frederick II of Swabia’s brother, Konrad of Staufen (Henry V’s nephew), to counter-king (1127-35) against Lothar III (1125-1137). Pope Honorius II (1124-1130) Excommunicated Konrad in 1128, along with Archbishop Anselm of Milan, who had crowned him King of Lombardy. Bernardo also protested against the elevation of Konrad and he was, therefore, then again driven into exile. In 1133, Lothar came to Rome to be crowned Emperor . Bernardo continued to attempt a mediatation and while he was already suffering in his last illness, he received Lothar in Verona, on his way to Rome.
Bernardo had returned to his See, when, on 4 December 1133, he died in Parma. The Vallombrosans immediately began to venerate him as a Saint and his Relics were already elevated, on 3 December 1139 by his successor as Bishop, Lanfranc. At the time, this was equivalent to a Canonisation. His Memorial day is the day of his death on 4 December and his name appears in the Martyrologium Romanum. His tomb is in the Chancel of the Cathedral in Parma and Relics are found in Vallombrosa, Florence and Parma.
The Vallombrosans consider St Bernardo as their “third father” after Saints Benedict of Nursia and John Gualbertus. In art, he is most often portrayed as a Cardinal, sometimes being carried to Heaven by Angels. He is sometimes depicted preaching, giving alms, blessing, casting out demons, or appearing to devoted followers after his death.
St Bernardo being carried to Heaven by Angels – the ceiling of Pavia Cathedral
St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor,, Father & Doctor of the Church – Bishop of Ravenna, Italy. Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Peter Chrysologus, a fifth-century Italian Bishop known for testifying courageously to Christ’s full humanity and divinity during a period of the heresy called “Monophysite.” The saint’s title, Chrysologus, signifies “golden speech” in Greek. Named as a Doctor of the Church in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII., he is distinguished as the “Doctor of Homilies” for the concise but theologically rich reflections he delivered during his time as the Bishop of Ravenna. 176 of his sermons have survived – it is the strength of these beautiful explanations of the Incarnation, the Creed, the place of Mary and John the Baptist in the great plan of salvation, Mary’s perpetual Virginity, the penitential value of Lent, Christ’s Eucharistic presence and the Primacy of St Peter and his successors in the Church. FEAST DAY: 4 December (General Roman Calendar 1729-1969) https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/30/saint-of-the-day-30-july-st-peter-chrysologus-c-400-450-golden-words/
St Apro St Bernardo degli Uberti OSB Vall. (c1060-1133) Cardinal Bishop St Bertoara of Bourges St Christianus St Clement of Alexandria St Cyran of Brenne St Eraclius St Ezequiel Álvaro de La Fuente St Felix of Bologna Bl Francis Galvez St Heraclas of Alexandria Bl Jerome de Angelis St John the Wonder Worker St Maruthas St Melitus of Pontus
One Minute Reflection – 3 December –The First Sunday of Advent – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor – Romans 13:11-14; Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Look at the fig tree and all the trees, when they produce their fruit you know that summer is near. So too, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.” – Luke 21:29-31
REFLECTION – “Look at the fig tree and all the trees, when they produce their fruit you know that summer is near. So too, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.” He means that just as the coming of summer is recognised by the fruit on the trees, so is the nearness of the Kingdom of God recognised by the destruction of the world. These words show that the fruit of the world is destruction – it increases only to fall, it produces, only to destroy by its disasters whatever it produces. The Kingdom of God is aptly compared to summer, because it is then that the clouds of our sorrow pass away and the days of life shine with the brightness of the Eternal Sun. …
“Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.” Nothing among material realities is more lasting than the heavens and the earth and nothing among realities, passes away, as quickly as an utterance. … Therefore, the Lord declares: “Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.” He means: “Nothing that is lasting in your world lasts for eternity without change and everything that in Me, is perceived as passing away, is kept firm, without passing away. My utterance, which passes away, expresses thoughts that endure without change.” …
Therefore, my friends, do not love what you see cannot long exist. Keep in mind the Apostle John’s precept, in which he counsels us not “to love the world or the things in the world because, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn 2:15). – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospels No 1 )
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who were pleased to gather into Thy Church the peoples of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who honour his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Saint of the Day – 3 December – Saint Mirocles (Died c316) Confessor, the 6th Bishop of Milan from before 313 to c316.. Mirocles was one of the originators of the Ambrosian Liturgy and Chant. His life and works were praised by Saint Ambrose. Unknown birth date butit is thought he was born in Pavia, Italy – he died in Milan on 30 November c316 of natural causes. Also known as – Merocles, Mirocle, Mirocleto.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Milan, St Mirocles, Confessor and Bishop, sometimes mentioned by St Ambrose.”
Almost nothing is known about the life of Mirocles. He was elected as the Bishop of Milan before 313 and he reigned until his death in c316. He perhaps was born to a family of Pavia, of which family St Epiphanius would be born over 100 years later as his relative on his mother’s side.
Mirocles was the Bishop of Milan when, in 313, the Emperors Constantine I and Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan which proclaimed the religious toleration in the Roman Empire. After the Edict of Milan, Mirocles started the erection of the Basilica, which was the first Cathedral of the City and, was built on the same site as that occupied today, by the present Cathedral of Milan.
Sources record, the presence of Mirocles at the Lateran Council held in October 313 in Rome, under Pope Miltiades, which took a stand in the Donatism heresy, condemning Donatus Magnus charged to re-baptising those who had lapsed and which sided with Caecilianus, the Bishop of Carthage. Mirocles participated also in the following Council of all the Western Bishops held in Arles on 1 August 314, which confirmed the condemnation of Donatus and ruled in matters regarding Canon Law.
Mirocles possibly also founded the Church of San Vittore al Corpo in Milan (rebuilt many times during the next Centuries) in honour of Saint Victor Maurus, who was Martyred during the terrors of the reign of Emperor Diocletian in c303.
Mirocles died on the 30 November of about 316 but his Feast day was set on 3 December. His body was buried in Milan in the Church of San Vittore al Corpo.
St Ethernan St Hilaria the Martyr St Jason the Martyr St John of Africa St Lucius, King St Lucy the Chaste St Magina of Africa St Mamas St Marcos García Rodríguez St Maurus the Martyr St Mirocles (Died c316) Confessor, Bishop of Milan from before 313 to c316. St Seleucus St Stephen of Africa St Theodore of Alexandria St Theodulus of Edessa St Veranus Zephaniah the Prophet
Martyrs of Nicomedia: Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian – Ambicus, Julius and Victor. c 303 in Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Izmit, Turkey).
Saint of the Day – 2 December – Saint Oderisius de Marsi OSB (Died 1105) Italian Deacon and Cardinal, Abbot of Montecassino, Count of the great noble family of the Marsi. Born at Marsi, Italy and died in 1105 of natural causes at Montecassino. Also known as – Oderisius I, Oderisius of Montecassino, Oderisius of Monte Cassino, Odorisio, Odorisius.
In the ancient and historic centre of Naples, is an area of great artistic and archaeological interest and, therefore, declared a world heritage site, in a narrow alley, behind the large Basilica complex, there is the Sansevero Chapel. Initially, in 1500, it was a Votive Chapel, (a Chapel built in thanksgiving) then, in 1750, it became the burial Chapel of the Princes of Sansevero dei Marsi and Sangro. , by the munificent, wise, scientist and mysterious Raimondo de Sangro, prince of Sansevero.
In this Chapel, resides a concentration of sculptural and architectural works which are famous throughout Europe. The six Saints descended from this ancient Princely House are depicted in the vault: St Randisio – Cardinal, St Berardo (Died 1123) Bishop, Rosalia (Died 1166), Bl Philippa (c1190-1236), St Pietro and our Saint Odorisius.
For Odorisius there is also a magnificent Altar dedicated to him, with a Statue created by the sculptor Francesco Queirolo which depicts him in a mystical attitude, kneeling on a ushion, with the Cardinal’s hat next to him.
Odorisius, was the Count of the Marsi and was created Cardinal Deacon by Pope Alexander II. In 1087 he became the 39th Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery of Montecassino. Emulating the great Abbot Desiderius, his predecessor, he continued his artistic works for the Abbey, demonstrated zeal and favour for the Crusaders whom he welcomed in Montecassino, supporting them with letters sent to the Emperor Alexius of Constantinople.
He had great pity for the deceased, he established a devout and charitable tradition in the Monastery whereby, after the death of each Monk, a poor person would be fed in his place, for thirty days, a custom still in force, as recounted in a 1977 text. There is also, a whole series of prayers and singing of psalms, in suffrage of the deceased which he established for the Cassino community, to be recited everyday. Every Friday he established the custom of the celebration of a Holy Mass for the specific intention of the Faithful Departed.
During his government, the 11th Century ended which had seen the maximum splendour of Montecassino, while continuing the terrible fight against the Muslim invasion.
He died on 2 December 1105 and was buried in Montecassino.
St Lupus of Verona St Nonnus of Edessa (Died late 4th Century) Bishop St Oderisius de Marsi OSB (Died 1105) Italian Deacon Cardinal, Abbot of Montecassino. St Pimenio in Rome St Pontian
Blessed Robert of Matallana O.Cist. (Died 1185) Abbot St Silvanus
Greek Martyrs of Rome – 9 Saints: Several Greek Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Valerian – Adria, Aurelia, Eusebius, Hippolytus, Marcellus, Mary Martana, Maximus, Neon and Paulina. They were martyred by various means between 254 and 259 in Rome, Italy and are buried in the Callistus catacombs, Rome.
Martyrs of Africa – 4 Saints: Four Christians Martyred in Africa in the persecutions of Arian Vandals – Januarius, Securus, Severus and Victorinus.
AnaStpaul 
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