St Adeodato of Naples St Aedh McLugack St Anectus of Caesarea St Arialdus of Milan St Arianell of Wales
Blessed Benvenutus of Gubbio OFM ) (Died 1232) Lay brother of the Order of the Friars Minor of St Francis, ex-Soldier, Apostle of the sick and of lepers. Benvenutus was graced with an ardent and mystical devotion to the Blessed Eucharist and to the Mother of God. So ardent was his faith and contemplation that he was seen to hold the Divine Infant in his arms. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/27/saint-of-the-day-27-june-blessed-benvenutus-of-gubbio-ofm-died-1232/
St Brogan St Crescens of Galatia (Died c100) Bishop Martyr, Apostle of St Paul St Crescentius of Mainz Bl Daniel of Schönau Bl Davanzato of Poggibonsi St Desideratus of Gourdon St Dimman St Felix of Rome St Ferdinand of Aragon St Gudene of Carthage Bl Hemma of Gurk St Joanna the Myrrhbearer St John of Chinon
Saints of the Day – 26June – Saint John and Saint Paul of Rome (Died c362) Laymen siblings, Martyrs. John and Paul lived during the 4th Century in the Roman Empire. They were Martyred at Rome on 26 June. The year of their Martyrdom is uncertain according to their Acts; it occurred under the Emperor, Julian the Apostate
This image is in the Passionist Monastery
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, on Mount Coelus, the holy Martyrs, John and Paul, brothers. The former was Steward, the other Secretary of the virgin Constantia, daughter of the Emperor Constantine. Afterwards, under Hulian the Apostate, they received the Palm of Martyrdom by being beheaded.”
These two Saints were brothers and were Officers of the Roman army in the days of Constantine the Great. They served in the house of Constantia, daughter of Constantine, who was consecrated to God. Their virtues and services to her father rendered them very dear to her. They would soon glorify God by a great moral victory – after despising the honours of the world, they triumphed by their Martyrdom over its threats and torments.
With the aid of the liberality of the Christian Princess, they were practising many works of charity and mercy, until the deaths of both Constantine and Constantia. Then, at the accession of Julian the Apostate to the imperial throne, they resigned their position in the palace. Julian had returned to the cult of idols and was attempting to re-establish it in the Empire. The Christian brothers saw many wicked men prosper in their impiety but were not dazzled by their example. They considered that worldly prosperity accompanied by impunity in sin, is the most dreadful of all judgements, indicating reprobation. And history reveals how false and short-lived was the glittering prosperity of Julian.
While still in power the apostate attempted to win back these influential Officers into active service. When he was refused, he gave them ten days to reconsider. The Officer Terentianus, who at the end of that time brought to their house a little idol of Jupiter for their adoration, found them in prayer. In the middle of that night they were decapitated secretly in their own garden, since the Emperor feared their execution might cause a sedition in Rome. He instigated a rumour that they had been exiled but the demons took hold of possessed persons in Rome and published the fact of their Martyrdom everywhere.
The son of the Officer who had slain them, also became possessed and it was only after their father, Terentianus, had prayed at the tomb of the Martyrs that the child was liberated. This so impressed him that he became a Christian, with all his family and wrote the history we have reported.
The Martyrdom of St John and St Paul, by Guercino, 1632.
The Martyrs, by their renunciation of favours and their heroic resistance, purchased an immense weight of never-fading glory and were a spectacle worthy of God. Their house became a magnificent Basilica already at the end of the 4th Century. Next to it, there was also a building to offer hospitality to the devotees of the cult of our Martyrs and to house those who would care for the sacred buildings. In time this became the Passionist Monastery Complex dedicated to Sts John and Paul, see below
The Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Rome, is dedicated to them, as is the Basilica di San Zanipolo in Venice (Zanipolo being Venetian for John and Paul), which is situate in the Square of San Zanipolo. Since the erection of the Roman Basilica, the two Saints have been greatly venerated and since the 5th Century, their names have been included in the Roman Canon.
Exterior of Santi Giovanni e Paolo (Venice) from Campo San Zanipolo
Reflection. The Saints always consider that they had done nothing for Christ, as long as they had not resisted unto blood and completed their sacrifice, even to pouring forth its last drop, if God asked it of them. We must always bear in mind that we owe to God, all that we are and, after all our efforts, we remain unprofitable servants, doing only what we are bound to do. (Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints).
St Anthelm of Belley O. Cart. (c 1105-1178) Bishop of Belley, France, Prior of the Carthusian Grand Chartreuse. Reformer, talented Administrator, Founder of the female Carthusians and originated of the Carthusian Rule (with the zealous and learned assistance of Bless John the Spaniard whom we celebrated yesterday) Apostle of the poor, the sick and the needy. The wonderful St Anthelm: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/26/saint-of-the-day-st-anthelm-of-belley-o-cart-c-1105-1178/
St Babolenus of Stavelot-Malmédy St Barbolenus of Fossés Bl Bartholomew of Vir St Corbican St David of Thessalonica St Deodatus of Nola St Dionysius of Bulgaria St Edburga of Gloucester St Hermogius of Tuy St Iosephus Ma Taishun St John of Rome * Layman, Martyr St John of the Goths St José Maria Robles Hurtado St Maxentius of Poitou St Medico of Otricoli St Paul of Rome * Layman, Martyr St Pelagius of Oviedo St Perseveranda of Poitiers Bl Raymond Petiniaud de Jourgnac St Salvius Bl Sebastian de Burgherre St Soadbair St Superius St Terence of Rome St Vigilius of Trent
Martyrs of Africa – 4 Saints: Four Christians who were Martyred together – Agapitus, Emerita, Felix and Gaudentius at an unknown location in Africa, date unknown.
Martyrs of Alexandria – 3 Saints: Three Christians who were Martyred together but we really know little more that the names – Agatho, Diogenes and Luceja. They were Martyred in Alexandria, Egypt, date unknown.
Martyrs of Cambrai – 4 Beati: Four Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Nuns at Arras, France. Imprisoned together in 1792 and executed together two years later in the anti-Catholic excesses of the French Revolution. They were: , Jeanne Gerard, Marie-Françoise Lanel, Marie-Madeleine Fontaine, Thérèse-Madeleine Fantou, They were guillotined on 26 June 1794 at Cambrai, Nord, France and Beatified in June 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.
Saint of the Day – 25 June – Blessed John the Spaniard O.Cart. (1123-1160) Carthusian Prior, Founder of the female branch of the Carthusians for which he wrote the Rule, also Founder of the Reposoir Monastery. Born in 1123 at Almanza, Spain and died on 25 June 1160 at the Reposoit Chapterhouse in Switzerland of natural causes, aged just 37. Patronage – against fever. Also known as – John of Spain. Blessed John was Beatified in 1864 by Pope Pius IX.
At the age of thirteen John left his country for France, both to escape the Moslems and for the purpose of studies. He settled in the Town of Arles , in Southern France. At sixteen he felt drawn to the monastic life and entered a Monastery in the vicinity. After some years, he heard about the recently founded Order of the Carthusians and their Monastery of Montrieux, not far away, founded in 1118, 5 years before he himself was born. Drawn to their austere and entirely contemplative life, he joined the Carthusians there.
Once a vowed Carthusian, he was Ordained a Priest, was named Sacristan and eventually — still a man in his twenties! —elected Prior. We may assume he was precocious on the natural level but, even more so, by the early maturity of his virtues.
The Nuns of the Monastery of Prébayon in the vicinity, following the Rules of Saint Caesarius of Arles and of Saint Benedict , were so impressed with the fervour of Montrieux, under John’s leadership that they asked to be admitted to the Carthusian Order which, unil then, had consisted only of Monks. The Prior of the Motherhouse, La Grande Chartreuse and Superior General of the Order, Saint Anthelm, authorised this. He asked John to adapt the Consuetudines of Guigo , which were the Carthusian Rule at that time, to the nuns. He did so and this was the beginning of the female branch of the Order. It was the year 1145.
Virginal Consecration of Carthusian nuns, by Mathias de Visch (1748)
Various difficulties at Montrieux lead to his retirement from the Priorship and he moved to la Grande Chartreuse in 1150. Just then, a noble lord in neighbouring Savoy, asked for a Monastery of Carthusians on his lands. Saint Anthelm saw in Blessed John the man of Providence. He sent him to make the foundation in Savoy, which was eventually given the name of le Reposoir. There he ruled wisely as Prior for some years.
While being in this new Monastery, for several years he copied, for the Nuns, the liturgical books in use at the Chartreuse. Finally, he contributed to the ratification of the Nuns’ affiliation with the Order, probably during the Second General Chapter in 1155, in which he participated as Prior of the Charterhouse of Reposoir.
Reposoir Charterhouse. This House still exists but is today a monastery of Carmelite nuns.
On 25 June 1160 John died, not yet forty years old. Through unusual circumstances he was interred not inside the enclosure, as the custom is but outside. In fact, during his Priorate, two servants of the Monastery, having died in the mountains, under an avalanche of snow, had been interred in an inappropriate place, outside the enclosure, for which John had been reproved. To make amends he had made his Monks swear that after his death they would bury him at the same place as the two servants. This, however, permitted John’s Tomb—with his renowned for sanctity—to become the object of popular pilgrimages. The faithful prayed at his Tomb and many miracles occurred in the course of the centuries, particularly cures of malignant fever. In 1864 Blessed Pius IX approved the cult of Blessed John of Spain, venerated since time immemorial.
Let us pray: God our Father, Thou called on Blessed John to help draw up a Rule for our Nuns. May we ,who have eagerly embraced the monastic life, also arrive at the perfection of charity. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
St Amand of Coly Bl Burchard of Mallersdorf St Cyneburga of Gloucester Bl Dorothy of Montau St Eurosia of Jaca St Febronia of Nisibis Bl Fulgentius de Lara St Gallicanus of Embrun
Saint of the Day – 24 June –The Nativity of St John the Baptist
“A man was sent from God, whose name was John. He came to testify to the light, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” John 1:6-7
Ordinarily the Church observes the day of a Saint’s death as his Feast, because that day marks his entrance into Heaven. To this rule there are two notable exceptions, the birthdays of Blessed Mary and of St John the Baptist. All other persons were stained with original sin at birth, hence, were displeasing to God. But Mary, already in the first moment of her existence, was free from original sin (for which reason even her very conception is commemorated by a special Feast) and, John was cleansed of original sin in the womb of his mother. This is the dogmatic justification for today’s Feast. In the Breviary St Augustine explains the reason for today’s observance in the following words:
“Apart from the most holy solemnity commemorating our Saviour’s birth, the Church keeps the birthday of no other person, except that of bohn the Baptist. [The feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin had not yet been introduced.] In the case of other saints or of God’s chosen ones, the Church, as you know, solemnises the day on which they were reborn to everlasting beatitude, after ending the trials of this life and gloriously triumphing over the world. For all these, the final day of their lives, the day on which they completed their earthly service is honoured.
But for John the day of his birth, the day on which he began this mortal life is likewise sacred. The reason for this, is, of course, that the Lord willed to announce to men His own coming through the Baptist, lest if He appeared suddenly, they would fail to recognise Him. John represented the Old Covenant and the Law. Therefore, he preceded the Redeemer, even as the Law preceded and heralded the new dispensation of grace.”
Bl Christopher de Albarran St Erembert I of Kremsmünster St Faustus of Rome and Companions St Festus of Rome St Germoc St Gohardus of Nantes Bl Henry of Auxerre/the Hagiographer St Ivan of Bohemia St John of Rome
St John of Tuy St Joseph Yuan Zaide St Rumold St Simplicio of Autun Bl Theodgar of Vestervig St Theodulphus of Lobbes
The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome: Countless numbers were Christians Martyred in the City of Rome during Nero’s persecution in 64. The event is recorded by both Tacitus and Pope Clement I, among others. They are celebrated today.
Martyrs of Satala: Seven Christian brothers who were soldiers in the imperial Roman army. They were expelled from the military, exiled and eventually martyred in the persecutions of Maximian. We know little more about them than their names – Cyriacus, Firminus, Firmus, Longinus, Pharnacius, Heros and Orentius. The martyrdoms occurred in c 311 at assorted locations around the Black Sea.
Bl Peter of Juilly Bl Thomas Corsini of Orvieto St Thomas Garnet Bl Walhere of Dinant St Zenas of Philadelphia St Zeno of Philadelphia
Martyrs of Ancyra: A family of converts who were arrested, tortured, and sent in chains to Ancyra, Galatia (modern Ankara, Turkey) where they was tortured again by order of governor Agrippinus during the persecutions of Diocletian. Martyrs. They were – Eustochius, Gaius, Lollia, Probus, Urban. Died by being roasted over a fire and finally beheaded c300 in Ancyra, Galatia (modern Ankara, Turkey).
Martyrs of Nicomedia: During the persecutions of Diocletian, many Christians fled their homes to live in caves in the area of Nicomedia. In 303 troops descended on the area, systematically hunted them down and murdered all they could find.
Saint of the Day – 21 June – Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
“Jesus, knowing His hour was come, that He should pass out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” John 13:1
Today we celebrate a Feast which is all too little known – the Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. This feast falls after the second Thursday after Corpus Christi and, appropriately, within the Octave of the Sacred Heart. This Feast calls to mind the inexhaustible Love which beats from the Sacred Heart, found in the Holy Eucharist and of the continual gift of Himself which He wishes us to receive in Holy Communion, so that our heart may be untied to His.
On 9 November 1921, Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922) instituted the Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus to be celebrated on the Thursday within the Octave of the Sacred Heart with a Proper Mass and Office. The Feast continues to be celebrated in some places and by some communities, notably by the Redemptorists, who maintain it in their Proper Calendar. In instituting the Feast, Pope Benedict XV wrote:
“The chief reason of this Feast, is to commemorate the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Mystery of the Eucharist. By this means the Church wishes, more and more, to excite the faithful to approach this Sacred Mystery with confidence and, to inflame their hearts with that Divine Charity which consumed the Sacred Heart of Jesus, when, in His Infinite Love, He instituted the Most Holy Eucharist, wherein the Divine Heart guards and loves them by living with them, as they live and abide in Him. For in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, He offers and gives Himself to us as Victim, Companion, Nourishment, Viaticum and Pledge of our future glory!”
The adorable Mystery of the Eucharist embodies, contains and communicates to us the entire Mystery of Christ – His Incarnation, Life, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. If you seek the open Side of the glorious ascended Christ, you will find it in the Eucharist. If you seek the pierced Heart of Christ, beating with love for the Father and with mercy for sinners, you will find it in the Eucharist. “Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world” (Mt 28:20).
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast poured forth the riches of Thy love for men in instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist, help us, we beseech Thee, to love Thy most loving Heart and ever to make worthy use of so great a Sacrament. Who livest and reignest …. Collect of the Mass of the Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, lonely Heart, humiliated Heart, abandoned Heart, forgotten Heart, despised Heart, outraged Heart, Heart ignored by men, Heart which loves our own hearts; Heart pleading for our love, Heart so patient in waiting for us, Heart so eager to listen to our prayers, Heart so anxious for our requests, Heart, unending source of new graces, Heart so silent, yet desiring to speak to souls, Heart, welcome refuge of the hidden life, Heart, teacher of the secrets of union with God, Heart of Him Who sleeps but watches always, Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431) Bishop, Confessor, Poet, Writer, Apostle of Charity, Preacher, Orator, Senator and Governor. St Paulinus was an inspiration to many—including six great Saints of the Church, who referenced him in letters of encouragement to others: St Augustine, St Jerome, Melania, St Martin of Tours, St Gregory and St Ambrose. St Augustine wrote, “Go to Campania– there study Paulinus, that choice servant of God. With what generosity, with what still greater humility, he has flung from himself the burden of this world’s grandeurs to take on him the yoke of Christ and in His service how serene and unobtrusive his life!” This glorious Saint Paulinus!: https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/22/saint-of-the-day-22-june-st-paulinus-of-nola-c-354-431/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/22/saint-of-the-day-22-june-st-paulinus-of-nola-c-354-431-2/
St Aaron of Brettany St Aaron of Pais-de-Laon St Alban of Britain Bl Altrude of Rome St Consortia St Cronan of Ferns St Eberhard of Salzburg St Eusebius of Samosata St Exuperantius of Como St Flavius Clemens St Gregory of Agrigento St Heraclius the Soldier St Hespérius of Metz
Blessed Pope Innocent V OP (c 1225-1275) Papal Ascesion 21 January 1276 unril 22 June 1276 (the date of his death. Friar of the Order of Preachers, Theologian, renowned Preacher, Scholar, Writer,, Dominican Office bearer, disciple of St Albert the Great and collaborator and friend of St Thomas Aquinas.and St Bonaventure. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/22/saint-of-the-day-22-june-blessed-pope-innocent-v-op-c-1225-1275/
St John IV of Naples St Julius of Pais-de-Laon Bl Kristina Hamm Bl Marie Lhuilier St Nicetas of Remesiana St Precia of Epinal St Rotrudis of Saint-Omer St Rufinus of Alexandria
Martyrs of Samaria – 1480 Saints: 1480 Christians massacred in and near Samaria during the war between the Greek Emperor Heraclius and the pagan Chosroas of Persia. c 614 in the vicinity of Samaria, Palestine.
Saint of the Day – 21 June – Saint John Rigby (1570-1600) Martyr, Confessor, Layman. Born in 1570 at Harrack Hall, Wigan, Lancashire, England and died on 21 June 1600 at Southwark, London, England. His body was chopped up and scattered around Southwark. Patronages – of bachelors, of torture victims. Also venerated on 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Also known as Thomas Rigby but this is merely an error in printing.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In London, England, St John Rigby, Martyr, who, arrested and sentenced to death under Queen Elizabeth I for reconciling with the Catholic Church, was hanged in Southwark and disemboweled while still alive.”
John Rigbywas born in 1570. His father one of a long succession of Nicholas Rigby, who could trace their ancestry to the early Catholic Plantagenet Kings. His mother Mary, the daughter of Oliver Breres of Preston, was also from a Catholic family. The family home, Harrock Hall, was in the Parish of Eccleston, Lancashire and was fairly typical of that owned by the Lancashire gentry. The present Hall was probably rebuilt shortly after John Rigby’s time.
Harrock Hall St John Rigby’s family home and birthplace
In 1600 John was working as a Steward for Sir Edmund Huddleston. Sir Edmund sent him to the sessions house of the Old Bailey Court House, to plead illness for the absence of his daughter, the widow Mrs. Fortescue, who had been summoned on a charge of recusancy. A commissioner then questioned John about his own religious beliefs, whereupon John acknowledged that he was a Catholic.
He was immediately arrested and sent to Newgate Prison. The next day, the feast day of St Valentine, he signed a confession saying that since he had been reconciled to the Roman Catholic Faith by Saint John Jones, a Franciscan Priest, some two or three years earlier, he had not attended Anglican services. Twice he was given the chance to recant, his confession but twice refused. He told the Judge that his sentence to die for treason “is the thing which I desire.”
His sentence was carried out. He gave the Executioner, who helped him up to the cart, a piece of gold, saying, “Take this in token that I freely forgive thee and others, who have been accessory to my death.”
John was hanged, drawn and quartered at St Thomas Waterings, in London on 21 June 1600. However, he was cut down too soon, being still alive, he landed on his feet but was thrown down and held, while he was disembowelled. According to Bishop Richard Challoner, “The people, going away, complained bitterly of the barbarity of the execution.”
St John Rigby had died 2 years later but in the same manner and at the same place as his revered Confessor, St John Jones, who had reconciled him to the Church.
John was Beatified by Pius XI on 15 December 1929 and included in the Canonisation by Paul VI of the 40 Martyrs in 1970.
St Apollinaris of Africa St Colagia St Corbmac St Cyriacus of Africa St Demetria of Rome St Dominic of Comacchio St Engelmund St John Rigby (1570-1600) Martyr, Confessor, Layman St Juan of Jesus St Lazarus the Leper St Leutfridus of La-Croix St Martia of Syracuse St Martin of Tongres St Melchiorre della Pace St Mewan of Bretagne Bl Nicholas Plutzer
St Raymond of Barbastro St Rufinus of Syracuse St Suibhne the Sage St Terence St Ursicenus of Pavia
Martyrs of Taw – 3+ Saints: Three Christians of different backgrounds who were Martyred together – Moses, Paphnutius, Thomas. They were beheaded in Taw, Egypt, date unknown.
Saint of the Day – 20 June – Saint Novatus of Rome (Died c151) Confessor, Layman.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, the demise of St Novatus, son of the blessed Senator, Puden and brother of the saintly Priest, Timothy and of the Holy Virgins of Christ, Pudentiana and Praxedes, who were instructed in the Faith by the Apostles. Their house was converted into a Church and bore the title of Pastor.”
St Novatus by Bernardino Nocchi (1803), Church of Santa Pudenziana, Rome.
Novatus, who is mentioned on 20 June with his brother, the Martyr Timothy, was the son of St Pudens and Claudia Rufina and the brother of Sts Pudentiana and Praxedes.
His paternal grandfather was Quintus Cornelius Pudens, the Roman Senator, who with his wife, Priscilla, was among St Peter’s earliest converts in Rome and in whose house the Apostle dwelt while in that City.
Sts Timothy and Novatus also at the Church of Santa Pudenziana, Rome.
A portion of the superstructure of the modern Church of St Pudentiana (on the Via Urbana) is thought to be part of the Senatorial Palace or of the baths built by Novatus, see the Church below.
St Bagne of Thérouanne St Edburga of Caistor St Florentia of Seville
Blessed Francisco Pacheco SJ (1566-1626) Martyr, Priest of the Society of Jesus, Missionary to India, China and Japan, Provincial Superior. Fr Pacheco and his eight Jesuit companions, together with the nine lay Christians, were included among the 205 Martyrs Beatified by Blessed Pope Pius IX on 7 May1867. His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/20/saint-of-th-day-20-june-blessed-francisco-pacheco-sj-1566-1626/
St Gemma of Saintonge St Goban of Picardie St Helen of Öehren
Blessed Michelina of Pesaro TOSF (1300-1356) Widow, Religious of the Third Order of the Friars Minor, Stigmatic, Penitent, Apostle of all in need, Founder of the Confraternity of the Annunciation, to care for the poor, nurse the sick and bury the dead. Patronages – Pesaro, widows, against mental illness, against death of children. Beatified on 13 April 1737 by Pope Clement XII. Her Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/20/saint-of-the-day-20-june-blessed-michelina-of-pesaro-tosf-1300-1356/
St Novatus of Rome (Died c151) Confessor
Martyred in London: Bl Anthony Turner Bl John Fenwick Bl John Gavan BL Thomas Whitbread Blessed William Harcourt
Irish Martyrs – 260 Beati – This is the collective title given to the 260 or more persons who are credited with dying for the Faith in Ireland between 1537 and 1714.
Martyrs of Lower Moesia: Martyred on the Black Sea at Lower Moesia (in modern Bulgaria), date unknown. St Cyriacus St Paul
Martyred in Nagasaki: 9 Beati : burned alive on 20 June 1626 in Nagasaki, Japan. Their ashes were thrown into the sea and no relics remain. They were Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Saint of the Day – 18 June – Blessed Hermann of Floreffe O.Praem (Early 12th Century- 1193) Abbot, the 4th Abbot of Floreffe Abbey in Belguim (the same which **St Istfrid restored) and Canon of the Premonstratensians or Norbertines.
Blessed Hermann was born in the early 12th century in Germany. He joined the Premonstratensians which is also called the Norbertines after its founder, Saint Norbert of Xanten (ca. 1080-1134), or White Canon after the colour of the Order’s Habit. He became a Canon in their Monastery Floreffe near Namur in present-day Belgium. As one of the first Premonstratensian Abbeys, Floreffe was among the Order ‘s Primarii inter pares, or ‘Senior’ houses.
In 1173, Hermann was elected the fourth Abbot of Floreffe, a position he held for twenty years until his death. He was a pious and wise man who was very famous. Count Henrik of Namur chose him as his Confessor. Henrik so admired Him and the Monastery that he had a new Monastery Church built for our saint.
Hermann is also credited with a miraculous spring which springs up at the Church’s main portal. The water from this spring has cured many of the sick and lame and continues to do so.
During Hermann’s time as Abbot of Floreffe, the Monastery was severely damaged due to the war between Count Baudoin of Hainaut and Count Henrik of Namur. The community had to live scattered for six months. The holy Bishop **St Isfrid of Ratzeburg visited the Monastery after this catastrophe and assisted Hermann in the restoration work and succeeded in gathering the scattered Monks. St Istfrid also Consecrated the new Monastery Church in 1190.
After twenty years of fruitful labour, Abbot Hermann died in 1193. In Floreffe, a picture has been preserved that depicts him as blessed, with a spring at his feet. He is honoured as Blessed by the Premonstratensians with a memorial day on 18 June.
Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Feast of St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church.
“I tell you, this man went back to his home justified, rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but he who humbles himself, will be exalted” Luke 18:14
“Be on your guard, therefore and bear in mind, this example of severe loss, sustained through arrogance. … Never place yourself above anyone, not even great sinners. Humility often saves a sinner, who has committed many terrible transgressions!”
“A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy, reaps friendship and he who plants kindness, gathers love.”
“When someone steals another’s clothes, we call them a THIEF. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not? The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your cupboard, belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your drawer, belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard, belongs to the poor.”
“I know many who fast, pray, sigh and demonstrate every manner of piety, as long as it costs them nothing, yet, would not part with a penny to help those in distress!”
“No Christian should think of himself as his own master but each should rather so think and act, as though given by God, to be slave to his fellow brothers and sisters.”
Our Morning Offering – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Feast of St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church.
Lord, I Know that I Am Not Worthy Prayer before Holy Communion By St Basil the Great (329-379) Father and Doctor of the Church
Lord, I know that I am not worthy to receive Thy Holy Body and Precious Blood; I know that I am guilty and that I eat and drink condemnation to myself, not discerning the Body and Blood of Christ, my God. But trusting in Thy loving kindness, I come to Thee, Who hast said – ‘Whoever eats My Body and drinks My Blood, will dwell in Me and I in him’; Therefore, Lord, have compassion on me and do not put to shame Thy sinful servant But deal with me according to Thy great mercy And grant that these Holy Gifts, may be for me, healing, cleansing, enlightenment, protection, salvation and sanctification of soul and body. May they cast out from me every dark delusion, sinful deed or work of the evil one. May they move me to trust and love Thee always, to amendment of life, increase of virtue, obedience to Thy commandments, communion of the Holy Spirit, provision for my final journey and a good defence before the dreadful seat of judgement. Amen.
Saints of the Day – 14 June – St Valerius and St Rufinus of Soissons (Died 4th Century) Laymen, Martyrs.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Soissons in Belgic Gaul, today in France, the Holy Martyrs – Saints Valerius and Rufinus, who after enduring many torments, were condemned to be beheaded by the Governor, Rictiovarus, in the persecution of Diocletian.”
The Martyrdom of Sts Valerius and Rufinus
The two Martyred companions who are remembered on 14 June – Rufinus and Valerius, according to a legendary account of their Martyrdom, lived in the 4th century at the time of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian.
They were warehousemen, in charge of supervising the imperial granaries, located in Braine downstream of Basoche (France), on the road which led from Rome to the sea to England.
They were fervent Christians and apostles of the Gospel but their profuse zeal caused the hatred of the barbarian leader Rictiovarus, who decided to eliminate them and hence travelled to Basoche. But the two Christians, having learnt of his intention in time, had fled, taking refuge in a nearby cave.
But a search discovered them, they were beheaded and their bodies thrown into the Vesle river. Christians rescued them and buried them in a marked grave. Although the date of their death is unknown, it must be placed at the beginning of the fourth century.
In c525, the Bishop of Soissons, a certain Bishop Wolf, founded a Chapter of Clerics to whom he entrusted the custody of the bodies of the Martyrs and where a Church was built over their graves. The Relics are currently placed in the Cathedral of Soissons.
St Anastasius of Córdoba St Burchard of Meissen St Caomhán of Inisheer St Castora Gabrielli St Cearan the Devout Bl Constance de Castro St Cyprien St Cyriacus of Zeganea St Davnet St Digna of Córdoba St Dogmael of Wales St Elgar of Bardsey
St Nennus of Arran Bl Peter de Bustamante St Protus of Aquileia St Quintian St Richard of Saint Vannes St Rufinus of Soissons * (Died 4th Century) Layman, Martyr St Theopista St Valerius of Soissons * (Died 4th Century) Layman, Martyr
Thought for the Day – 13 June – Meditations with Father Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888) (Austrian Jesuit Missionary and Author).
Practical Considerations on the Life of St Anthony of Padua The Miracle of the Donkey which knelt before the Eucharist
“St Antony commands a senseless animal to fall down before the Blessed Eucharist and to honour it – the animal obeys and thus honours its Creator. You have, in the Holy Sacrament, your Lord and God, your Redeemer and Judge before you. You know the command of the Most High – “The Lord, thy God, thou shalt adore” (St Mark 4). “For every knee shall be bowed to Thee ” (Isaiah 45). The Church of Christ says to you … “Come, let us bow down and worship God; let us weep before God Who has created us because He is our God and we are His people.”
Are you not then ashamed, if, notwithstanding all this, you conduct yourself, in the Presence of the Holy Eucharist, with less reverence than an unreasonable animal?! That those who are not Catholics should not manifest due honour to the Blessed Sacrament is wrong in them but they have, at least before man, the excuse that they do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ. But how can you excuse yourself, either before God or man, you who believe in the Presence of Christ and yet, give no due honour to your God? “If I believed,” said a Turkish Ambassador, one day, speaking of the little respect evinced by some Catholics in the Church, “that my God were substantially here, I would humble myself to the ground and if possible, even beneath it! ”
And what do you think, who believe it and are still too indolent to bend your knee before your God? Do you not consider that your Divine Judge, Whom you honour so little, will one day punish your irreverence towards Him? Reform, while you have time!”
Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – The Feast of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church
Prayer to St Anthony of Padua for the Restoration of Things Lost or Stolen
O Blessed St Anthony! the grace of God has made thee a powerful advocate in all necessities and the Patron for the restoration of things lost or stolen. To thee I turn today, with childlike love and heartfelt confidence. Oh, how many thousands hast thou miraculously aided in the recovery of lost goods! Thou wast the counsellor of the erring, the comforter of the afflicted, the healer of the sick, the raiser of the dead, the deliverer of the captive, the refuge of the afflicted. To thee do I hasten, O Blessed St Anthony. Help me in my present affliction. I recommend that which I have lost to thy care, in the secure hope that thou wilt restore it to me, if it be to the greater glory of God and to the spiritual benefit of my soul. I pray too that I may praise and thank thee, in time and eternity, for thy glorious intercession on my behalf. Amen
The Praises of Mary “Assumption” Poem by Saint Anthony
O how wondrous is the dignity of the glorious Virgin! She merited to become the mother of Him who is the strength and beauty of the Angels and the grandeur of all the Saints.
Mary was the seat of our sanctification, that is to say, the dwelling place of the Son Who sacrificed Himself for us.
“And I shall glorify the place where my feet have stood.” The feet of the Saviour signify His human nature. The place where the feet of the Saviour stood was the Blessed Mary, who gave Him His human nature.
Today the Lord glorifies that place, since He has exalted Mary above the choirs of the Angels. That is to say, the Blessed Virgin, who was the dwelling of the Saviour, has been assumed bodily into Heaven.
Mary, our Queen and Mother of Mercy By St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church
Mary, our Queen! Holy Mother of God, we beg you to hear our prayer. Make our hearts overflow with Divine grace and resplendent with heavenly wisdom. Render them strong with your might and rich in virtue. Pour down upon us the gift of mercy so that we may obtain the pardon of our sins. Help us to live in such a way as to merit the glory and bliss of Heaven. May this be granted us, by your Son Jesus Who has exalted you above the Angels, has crowned you as Queen and has seated you with Himself forever, on his refulgent throne. Amen.
O God, Send Forth Your Holy Spirit By St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
O God, send forth Your Holy Spirit into my heart that I may perceive, into my mind, that I may remember, and into my soul, that I may meditate. Inspire me to speak with piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy. Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses, from beginning to end. May Your grace, ever help and correct me, and may I be strengthened now with wisdom from on high, for the sake of Your infinite mercy. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 13 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Feast of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I have come, not toabolishbut to fulfil.” … Matthew 5:17
REFLECTION – “In Him, the promise made through the shadows of prophecy, stands revealed, along with the full meaning of the precepts of the law. He is the One Who teaches the Truth of prophecy, through His Presence and makes obedience to the commandments possible, through grace. In the preaching of the holy Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith. No-one should be ashamed of the Cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed. No-one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice, no-one should lose confidence in the reward that has been promised. The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death. Christ has taken on Himself the whole weakness of our lowly human nature. If then, we are steadfast in our faith in Him and in our love for Him, we win the victory that He has won, we receive what He has promised. When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears – “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” … St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from Sermo 51).
PRAYER – May the solemn feast of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, make Thy Church rejoice, O God, so that, ever sustained by spiritual help, she may deserve to reap everlasting joy. 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).
MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen. Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 161 Pius IX, 29 February 1868.
Our Morning Offering – 13 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Feast Day of St Anthony of Padua OFM (1195-1231) Confessor, Doctor of the Church
Sweet Jesus, Thy Name is Joy By St Anthony of Padua OFM (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church
Sweet Jesus, is there anything sweeter than Thee? To remember Thee is more delightful than everything else. Thy Name is joy – it is the true Gate of our Salvation. What else are Thou, Jesus, if not our Saviour? Be our Redeemer. Give us the virtues of hope and love, just as Thou hast given us faith, our primary joy. Give us the words which we need to praise Thee always. With the help and through the prayers of Thy Mother. Thou who art blessed throughout the ages. Amen
Saint of the Day – 13 June – St Wilicarius of Vienne (Died 765) Archbishop of Vienne, France, Monk. Wilicarius was the 45th Bishop of Vienne in Dauphiné in south-eastern France. Also known as – Wilicaire.
We have little information on the life of our Saint today. He is the last in the line of the first 45 Bishops of Vienne, to be venerated as Saints.
Wilicarius was Consecrated as the Bishop of Vienne around the year 740. He received the Palium from St Gregory III, whose reign was from 731-741.
According to historical reports, Wilicarius solemly translated the Relics of Saints Ferreol and Julien to Vienne when the Basilica housing them had been razed by invading Saracens.
Wilicarius resigned from his See in c752 when it fell under Frankish persecution. He took refuge in Rome and then finally retired to the Monastery of St Maurice d’Agaune in Valais, where he became the Abbot, being highly revered for his holiness.
During the Council of Attigny, convened around 762 by King Pepin, Wilicarius was present and signed the various Decrees as Abbot of the Abbey of St Maurice.
He should not be confused with Abbot Willicaire d’Agaune, who became Archbishop of Sens in 769.
There is some confusion about our Saint’s death – some say 765 and others 782. This latter date places him on the list of Abbots of St Maurice as having reigned from 760 to 782.
St Anthony of Padua OFM (1195-1231) Confessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church, Priest and Friar of the Order of Friars minor,Known as theHammer of Heretics – Professor of Miracles – Wonder-Worker – Ark of the Testament – Repository of Holy Scripture . Patronages – against sterility, against shipwreck, against starvation, American Indians, amputees, animals – both wild and domestic, asses, mariners, elderly people, expectant mothers, for faith in the Blessed Sacrament, fishermen, for good harvests, horses, lost articles, seekers of lost articles, posted articles, oppressed people, poor people, swineherds, travel guides, travellers, Brazil, Portugal, Tigua Indians, 4 Diocese, 17 Cities. Noted by his contemporaries for his forceful preaching, expert knowledge of Scripture and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick, he was one of the most-quickly Canonised Saints in Church history. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII on 16 January 1946. The wonderful St Anthony: https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/13/saint-of-the-day-13-june-st-anthony-of-paduao-f-m-evangelical-doctor-hammer-of-heretics-professor-of-miracles-wonder-worker-ark-of-the-covenant/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/13/saint-of-the-day-13-june-st-anthony-of-padua-o-f-m-evangelical-doctor-hammer-of-heretics-professor-of-miracles-wonder-worker-ark-of-the-tes/ AND A SERMON BY ST ANTHONY: Actions Speak Louder than Words: https://anastpaul.com/2019/06/13/thought-for-the-day-13-june-actions-speak-louder-than-words/
Bl Achilleo of Alexandria Bl Alfonso Gomez de Encinas Bl Anthony of Ilbenstadt St Aquilina of Syria St Aventino of Arbusto St Damhnade St Diodorus of Emesa
St Fandilas of Penamelaria St Felicula of Rome St Fortunatus of North Africa
Blessed Gerard of Clairvaux (Died 1138) – was the elder brother of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. He was a Soldier. When he was wounded in combat at the siege of Grancy, Gerard resolved to become a Monk. He became a Benedictine Cistercian Monk at Citeaux. He worked with Saint Bernard at Clairvaux and became his closest confidant. He died in 1138 of natural causes.
St Lucian of North Africa St Mac Nissi of Clonmacno St Maximus of Cravagliana St Nicolas Bùi Ðuc The St Peregrinus of Amiterno St Rambert St Salmodio Bl Servatius Scharff St Thecla
Saint of the Day – 12 June – Blessed Guy Vignotelli of Cortona OFM (c1185-1250) Priest of the Friars Minor, Miracle-worker. Born in c1185 in Cortona, Italy and died in 1250 at the Franciscan Convent at Cortona, of natural causes. Also known as Guido, Giles. Blessed Guy was Beatified in 1583 by Pope Gregory XIII.
In the year 1211, when our holy Father St Francis of Assisi was preaching in Cortona on his first missionary journey through Italy, a certain young man was so touched by his words that, after the sermon, he entreated St Francis to dine at his house. The Saint accepted the invitation. When the young man learned further details about the newly founded Order, and witnessed the edifying conduct of the Founder, he fell at hs feet and begged for the Habit of the Order.
The young man was Guy, or Giles, first-born son of a distinguished family in Cortona. He had been reared in piety and virtue and was quite accomplished in the sciences. Francis directed Guy to distribute his wealth among the poor and gave him the holy Habit in the Parish Church of Cortona in the presence of a great concourse of people. Then Francis chose a spot in a secluded valley near Cortona, where, with the assistance of some devout persons, he built a poor Convent. For a few months the Saint himself instructed Guy and several other Novices there. At his departure, he entrusted to the blessed Gather Sylvester, his companion, the direction of the Novices, especially of young Guy, whose eminent holiness he foresaw.
In fasting, prayer and all the religious exercises, Guy evinced such perfection that he could be raised to the other Novices as a model. He would have preferred to spend all his life in the holy seclusion of the Convent but when he was Ordained to the Priesthood, St Francis commissioned him to go out and preach, for in accordance with the vocation of the Order, he was to sanctify not only himself but other souls too.
Filled with zeal for the salvation of souls, Guy left his seclusion. His words had great influence over the hearts of sinners, his holy life edified everybody and Almighty God confirmed his activities with extraordinary miracles. Once, Guy was quite ill with exhaustion and nothing but water was at hand by way of medicine. Guy made the Sign of the Cross over it and it became the most choice wine, which restored his health and what was lef, later healed the infirmities of others.
After a most blessed and successful career, Almighty God announced to Guy, in the sixtieth year of his life that his death was near at hand. St Francis, who had long ago entered into heavenly bliss, appeared to him and said:
“My son, after three days, at nine o’clock, I shall return and escort your soul to the eternal dwellings.”
His already decreasing strength then began to ebb rapidly. On the third day he received the last Sacraments with great devotion and when the appointed hour arrived, he called out:
“Behold our holy Father Francis! Arise, let us go to meet him!”
With these words he jubilantly surrendered his pure soul into the hands of his Maker. It was 12 May 1250.
Upon receiving the news of his death, the people of Cortona came to bury Guy’s precious remains in the Parish Church. Amid the festive pealing of bells, with palm branches in their hands and singing hymns, they transported the holy body, in a long procession to the Town. There the remains were entombed in the principal Church. Many miracles were wrought through his intercession.
After some time enemies invaded the City, the Church was pillaged and the precious coffin containing the body of Blessed Guy of Cortona was carried away, although the sacristan hastily wrapped the head in linen cloths and hid it in a well near the Church. At the end of three years, when the Church was being restored, a mysterious light radiated from the well. Upon investigation, the head was found, not even moistened by the water! Amid the jubilation of the entire City, it was again emshrined in the Church.
Pope Benedict XIII approved a proper Mass and Office in honour of Blessed Guy of Cortona, for the Diocese of Cortona. Pope Innocent XII extended it to the entire Franciscan Order.
St Amphion of Nicomedia Bl Antonio de Pietra St Arsenius of Konev St Christian O’Morgair of Clogher St Chrodobald of Marchiennes St Cominus Bl Conrad of Maleville St Cunera St Cuniald St Cyrinus of Antwerp St Eskil St Galen of Armenia St Gerebald of Châlons-sur-Seine St Geslar
Blessed Guy Vignotelli of Cortona OFM (c1185-1250) Priest of the Friars Minor, Miracle-worker.
St Pope Leo III (c 750-816) Bishop of Rome and Ruler of the Papal States from 26 December 795 to his death. Defender of the City ad peoples of Rome and of the Church. Peacemaker and restorer of Churches and Monasteries, Patron of the Arts and Apostle of the poor. Know as “Charlemagne’s Pope” His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/12/saint-of-the-day-12-june-st-pope-leo-iii-c-750-816/
St Odulf of Utrecht St Olympius of AEnos St Onuphrius of Egypt Bl Pelagia Leonti of Milazzo St Peter of Mount Athos St Placid of Val d’Ocre St Ternan of Culross St Valerius of Armenia
Martyrs of Bologna: Three Christians who were martyred at different times and places, but whose relics have been collected and enshrined together – Celsus, Dionysius, and Marcellinus. Their relics were enshrined in churches in Bologna and Rome in Italy.
St Basilides and Companions / cMartyrs of Rome: Four members of the Imperial Roman nobility. They were all soldiers, one or more may have been officers, and all were Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian – Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius. They were martyred in 304 outside Rome, Italy and buried along the Aurelian Way.
Three Holy Exiles: Three Christian men who became Benedictine Monks at the Saint James Abbey in Regensburg, Germany, then Hermits at Griestatten and whose lives and piety are celebrated together. – Marinus, Vimius and Zimius.
Saint of the Day – 11 June – St Rembert of Hamburg (c830-888) Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, Missionary, Miracle-worker, Founder of Churches and Monasteries, Disciple of St Ansgar (801-865) “The Apostle of the North.” Born in c830 in Denmark (probably) and died on 3 February in 862 or 888 of natural causes. St Rembert most famously wrote the Hagiography about the life Ansgar, the Vita Ansgari, one of the most popular hagiographies of middle ages. Patronage s- of the blind and those with eye diseases, against storms at sea. Also known as – Rembert, Rembertus, Rimbert. Additional Memorial 4 February the day on which St Rembert was chosen as the Archbishop. St Ansgar’s life here: https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/03/saint-of-the-day-3-february-saint-ansgar-osb-801-865-apostle-of-the-north/
The Roman Martyrology reads : “In Bremen in Saxony, in today’s Germany, Saint Rembert, Bishop of Hamburg and Bremen, who, a faithful disciple of Saint Ansgar and his successor, extended his ministry to the regions of Denmark and Sweden and, at the time of the invasions of the Normans, he took care of the ransom of the Christian prisoners.”
Engraving in the Austrian National Library in Vienna
Little is directly known about Rimbert, much of the information available regarding his life comes from the Vita Rimberti, a Hagiography written by an unknown author, likely produced some time in the 10th Century. We believe that Rembert might have been a Dane. He studied under St Ansgar near Bruges in the neighbouring Monastery of Turholt. St Ansgar called him to his assistance in his missionary labours and, in his last sickness, recommended him to be his successor, saying: “Rembert is more worthy to be Archbishop, than I to discharge the office of his Deacon.”
After St Ansgar’s death, in 865, Rembert was unanimously chosen as the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen and evangelised, governed and administered all the Churches of Sweden, Denmark and Lower Germany, finishing the work of their conversion. Rembert continued much of the missionary labours begun under St Ansgar, despite the lack of Royal or Papal support.
As Archbishop, he maintained the poorhouse in Bremen which had been established by St Ansgar and founded a Monastery at Bücken. Rembert, furthermore, obtained market, coinage and toll rights for the City of Bremen.
He also began the conversion of the Sclavi and the Vandals, now called Brandenburghers. He sold the Sacred Vessels to redeem captives from the Normans and gave the horse on which he was riding, for the ransom of a virgin taken by the Sclavi.
In 884 Rembert personally led a Frisian army against the Vikings and following the victorious Battle of Norditi, was able to drive them permanently out of East Frisia! This indeed, was a Saint of many talents.
It was also chronicled in the Vita Rimberti that our Saint had performed numerous miracles, many of which are associated with his missionary work in Sweden. The miracles attributed to him include calming stormy seas, restoring sight to the blind and in one instance, performing an exorcism on the son of Louis the German.
He was most careful never to lose a moment of time from serious duties and prayer and never to interrupt the attention of his mind to God in his exterior functions.
Rembert died on 3 February in 888 (or 862) but is commemorated also on the 4th of February, the day on which he was chosen Archbishop. Hewas buried on the outer wall of Bremen Cathedral next to St Willehad.
His life of St Ansgar is admired, both for the Author’s accuracy and piety and for the elegance and correctness of the composition. His letter to St Walburga, the first Abbess of Nienherse, is a vulnerable exhortation to humility and virginity.
St Herebald of Bretagne Bl Hugh of Marchiennes Bl Jean de Bracq
Bl Kasper of Grimbergen St Maximus of Naples
St Parisius ECMC (c 1160-1267) Priest and Monk of the Camaldolese Hermits of Mount Corona, Spiritual Director, Reformer, Miracle-worker during his life and after his death. A very long life of humble and loving service, for the glory of God!: The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Treviso, Saint Parisio, Priest of the Camaldolese Order, who for seventy-seven years took care of the spiritual direction of the Nuns with healthy advice, dying at the age of one hundred and eight.” https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/11/saint-of-the-day-11-june-st-parisius-ecmc-c-1160-1267-a-very-long-life-of-humble-and-loving-service-for-the-glory-of-god/
St Rembert of Hamburg (c830-888) Archbishop St Riagail of Bangor Bl Stephen Bandelli OP St Tochumra of Kilmore St Tochumra of Tuam
Martyrs of Tavira – 7 Beati: Members of the Knights of Santiago de Castilla. During the re-conquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Muslims by Christian forces, in a period of truce between the armies, the group was allowed to leave the Portuguese camp to hunt. Near Tavira, Portugal, he and his companions were ambushed and killed by a Muslim force. Making a reprisal attack, the Portuguese army took the city of Tavira. The murdered knights were considered to be martyrs as they died in an action defending the faith. They were – Blessed Alvarus Garcia, Blessed Beltrão de Caia, Blessed Damião Vaz, Blessed Estêvão Vasques, Blessed Garcia Roiz, Blessed Mendus Valle, Blessed Pedro Rodrigues’ They were Martyred in 1242 outside Tavira, Faro, Portugal. Their relics are enshrined under the altar of Saint Barnabas in the Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels (modern Santa Maria do Castelo) in Tavria, Portugal.
Mercedarian Martyrs of Damietta: Three Mercedarian Lay Knights who worked to ransom Christians enslaved by Muslims. During the 7th Crusade, a plague swept through the Christian army and these knights volunteered to work with the sick. During this work they were captured by Muslims and ordered to convert to Islam; they refused. They were tortured, taken to Damietta, Egypt where they were murdered for their faith. They were thrown from a tower in the mid-13th century in Damietta, Egypt.
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