St Abraham of Persia St Anders of Slagelse Bl Andrew of Antioch Bl Arnold of Gemblours St Castulus of Rome St Constantius of Rome St Crider of Cornwall Blessed Cuthbert Mayne (1544-1577) Priest Martyr St Domninus of Antioch St Euprepis of Rome Bl Everard of Stahleck
Bl Joscius Roseus St Justina of Constantinople St Mahanes the Persian St Maura of Constantinople St Merola of Antioch St Mirocles of Milan St Sapor St Simeon of Persia St Trojan St Tudwal of Tréguier Bl William de Paulo Zosimus the Wonder Worker
Martyrs of Saxony – 6 Saints: Missionaries who worked with Saint Willehad of Bremen. Martyrs. – Attroban, Benjamin, Emmingen, Folkard, Gerwald and Grisold. They were martyred on 30 November 782 at River Weser, Lawer Saxony, Germany.
Saint of the Day – 29 November – Blessed Redemptorus of the Cross OCD (1598-1638) Martyr, Portuguese Lay Brother of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Missionary, ex-soldier. Born as Tomás Rodrigues da Cunha in Paredes de Coura, Portugal on 15 March 1598 and died by torture in 1638, aged 40, on the Malay Archipelago. Also known as Redemptus. Redemptorus was Beatified on 10 June 1900 by Pope Leo XIII together with Blessed Denis of the Nativity, who was Martyred with Redemptorus.
Tomás first served as a soldier in the Portuguese army in India, where, in 1615, he joined the Carmelites in Goa as a lay brother, taking the name Redemptorus of the Cross.
Redemptorus was sent by the superiors of the Order to accompany Father Denis of the Nativity as part of an ambassadorial mission from the Portuguese Empire to the Sultan of Aceh in modern day Indonesia. The mission was led by Dom Francisco Sousa de Castro as Ambassador.
Once in Aceh, all the members of the mission were seized and arrested, at the instigation of the Dutch authorities based in Jakarta. They were then subjected to torture and those members of the mission who refused to deny their faith, were executed one by one. The two friars were led to a desolate spot on the seashore, where Redemptorus was shot with arrows, after which his throat was slit. Father Denis, a Crucifix in his hands, was the last to die, his skull shattered by a blow of a scimitar.
Dom Castro, the Ambassador, was the only survivor. He was held in captivity for three years, until his family paid a large ransom for his release.
O God, Who in Thy wondrous providence, led the blesseds Denis and Redemptorus through the perils of the sea, to the Palm of Martyrdom, grant, through their intercession that in the midst of earthly vicissitudes and worldly desires, we may remain steadfast even unto death in the confession of Thy name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect)
Bl Denis of the Nativity left and Bl Redemptorus of the Cross
All Saints of the Seraphic Order (Franciscan): the Church celebrates the many Franciscan Saints who followed in the footsteps of St Francis. It is a special day for all Franciscans to celebrate theFfeast of ‘All the Saints of the Seraphic Order.’ Also on this day in 1223, the final Rule of life for Franciscan Friars was approved. To commemorate this and all the saintly examples produced in the Franciscan Order, on this day all the Saints of the Seraphic order are remembered at Franciscan Churches throughout the world.
Bl Frederick of Ratisbon St Hardoin of Brittany St Illuminata of Todi St James of Saroug Bl Jutta of Heiligenthal St Paphnutius of Heracleopolis St Paramon St Philomenus of Ancyra St Radbod of Utrecht Blessed Redemptorus of the Cross OCD (1598-1638) Martyr,, Portugeuse Lay Brother of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. St Sadwen of Wales St Saturninus of Rome St Saturninus of Toulouse St Sisinius of Rome St Walderic of Murrhardt
Quote/s of the Day – 28 November – The Memorial of St Catherine Labouré DC (1806-1876) Virgin, Religious Sister of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Marian visionary of the Miraculous Medal.
THE PROMISES OF THE MEDAL When Our Lady appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré on 27 November 1830, rays of light flowed from the rings (made of precious stones) on her fingers. However, some of the stones on the rings did not shine.
Our Lady explained:
“These rays symbolise the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls omit to ask.”
“Graces will be poured out on all those, small, or great, who ask for them with confidence and fervour. … ”
The Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Catherine Labouré DC (1806-1876) November 1830
“If you listen to Him, He will speak to you also because with the good God, it is necessary to speak and to listen.”
Saint of the Day – 28 November – Blessed James Thompson (Died 1582) Priest Martyr , also known as James Hudson (an alias used to deflect the enemies of the Church). Born in the 16th century in York, North Yorkshire, England and was schooled and brought up there. He died by being hanged on 28 November 1582 in his hometown, York. He was Beatified on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII. Additional Memorial – 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai.
This depiction of two of the Douai Martyrs with the Douai College beneath them is in Ushaw College, Durham. Picture by Dominican Lawrence OP.
James arrived at Dr Allen’s College at Rheims on 19 September 1580 and in May of the next year, 1581, by virtue of a special dispensation, was admitted at Soissons, with one Nicholas Fox, firstly as a Deacon and then within 12 days, to the Sacred Orders of the Priesthood, although at the time he was so ill that he could hardly stand.
He was sent on the mission to England, the following 10 August and was arrested at York on 11 August, 1582. On being taken before the Council of the North, he frankly confessed his Priesthood, to the astonishment of his fellow citizens, who knew that he had not been away more than a year.
James was then loaded with double irons and was imprisoned, first in a private prison. When he could no longer pay for his private cell, he was sent to the castle.
On 25 November he was brought to the bar and condemned to the penalties of high treason. Three days later he suffered with great joy and tranquillity at the Knavesmire, York, cintinually protesting that he had never plotted against the Queen and that he died in and for the Catholic Faith. He refused to dispute with the Protestant minister in attendance.
While he was hanging, he first raised his hands to Heaven, then beat his breast with his right hand and finally made a great Sign of the Cross. In spite of his sentence, he was neither disembowelled nor quartered but was buried under the gallows.
Blessed James was Beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 29 December 1886.
NOTE:Between 1577 – the date of the Martyrdom of St Cuthbert Mayne, the Protomartyr of the English Seminary at Douai – and 1680, the date of the execution of Thomas Thwing, the College’s last Martyr, 158 College members (Priests and Laymen, secular and religious) were Martyred by the State, for their Catholic Faith. Usually under the charge of Treason or for refusing to take the Oath of Allegianceand Supremacy to Elizabeth I, as Supreme Governor of the Church. Each time the news of another execution reached the College, a solemn Mass of thanksgiving was sung.
Illustration for Memoirs of Missionary Priests by Bishop Challoner (Jack, 1878)
Bl Calimerius of Montechiaro St Fionnchu of Bangor
St Pope Gregory III (Died 741) Bishop of Rome 11 February 731 until his death on 28 November 741. (His Feast was moved to 10 December in 1969), The Roman Martyrology states: “St Rome, the blessed Pope Gregory III, who departed for Heaven with a reputation for great sanctity and miracles.“ His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/saint-of-the-day-28-november-saint-pope-gregory-iii-died-741/
St Hilary of Dijon St Hippolytus of Saint Claude St Honestus of Nimes St Irenarcus
St James of the Marches OFM Conv. (1391-1476) Priest of the Friars Minor Conventional, Confessor, brilliant Preacher, Penitent, Reformer, Writer, Papal legate, Inquisitor, founder of several monasteries in Bohemia, Hungary and Austria. St James was Canonised on 10 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. His body is Incorrupt. About St James: https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/28/saint-of-the-day-28-november-saint-james-of-the-marches-ofm-1391-1476/
Blessed James Thompson (Died 1582) Priest Martyr St Papius St Quieta of Dijon St Rufus St Simeon the Logothete St Sosthenes of Colophon (1st Century) Bishop, Martyr. St Stephen the Younger Bl Theodora of Rossano
Martyrs of Constantinople – 8 Saints: A group of over 300 Christians Martyred during the persecutions of the Iconoclast Emperors. We have a lot of information on Saint Stephen the Younger, but for the others we have nothing but seven of their names – Andrew, Auxentius, Basil, Gregor, John, Peter and Stefan. They were scourged, stoned and/or dragged to death through the streets of Constantinople in 764.
Martyrs of North Africa – 13 Saints: A group of thirteen clerics killed or exiled in the persecutions of Arian Vandals in North Africa – Crescens, Crescentian, Cresconius, Eustace, Felix, Florentian, Habetdeum, Hortulanus, Mansuetus, Papinianus, Quodvultdeus, Urban and Valerian.
Martyrs of Tiberiopolis – 14 Saints: A group of fourteen Christian Laymen, Deacons, Priests and Bishops who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Julian the Apostate – Basil, Chariton, Comasios, Daniel, Etymasius, Hierotheos, John, Nicephorus, Peter, Sergius, Socrates, Theodore, Thomas and Timothy. 361 at Tiberiopolis, Phyrgia (in modern Turkey)
Saint of the Day – 27 November – St Secundinus of Ireland (c 373-448) Bishop, Missionary, Founder, first Bishop and Patron Saint of Domhnach Sechnaill, Co. Meath, who is traditionally believed to have been as a disciple of St Patrick and one of the first Bishops of Armagh, Poet and Hymnist. Born in c 375 in Gaul (modern France, possibly the area of Auxerre) and died on 27 November 448 of natural causes. Also known as – Secundinus of Dunsaghlin• Secundinus of Dunseachlin• Secundinus of Dunshaughlin• Seachnal, Seachnall, Sechnall, Secundin. Additional Memorial – 6 December (joint celebration of the missionary work of Secundinus and Saint Auxilius).
St Secundinus Church in Dunsaghlin
Secundinus is a well known Late Latin name, a derivative of Secundus … Several known fifth-century Bishops bore the name and in Gaul it continued to be used into the 7th Century when we find bishops of Lyon and Sisteron called Secundinus.
The Irish annals report that in 439, Bishops Secundinus, Auxilius (who was the brother of Secundinus and thus, also a nephew of St Patrick) and Iserninus arrived in Ireland to the aid of St Patrick in his mission. Secundinus preached in the north and east. There are many conflicting documents about him – whether he was a Priest or Bishop when he arrived, if he had been there before, etc. Later tradition, appears to suggest that Secundinus and Auxilius were of Italian origin. Details to this effect are first given in the Irish preface to the Hymn of Secundinus, as found in some manuscript versions of the Liber Hymnorum. It states that Secundinus was a son of Restitutus and St Patrick’s sister, thus making him the nephew of St Patrick.
Secundinus wrote two important Hymns found in the Irish Liber Hymnorum and the Bangor Antiphonary. the earliest poems of the Irish Church, one of which was an alphabetical Hymn in honour of Saint Patrick, that is the Hymn of Secundinus spoken of above.
St Patrick, according to his Tripartite Life, entrusted his See of Armagh, to Secundinus when he went to Rome to obtain Relics of Sts Peter and Paul, while the preface to the Hymn of Secundinus, tells that Patrick had sent Secundinus off to obtain them in person.
An account of Saint Secundinus (Seachnall) from Father Cogan’s 1862 Diocesan history of Meath, includes:
“The first notice of Dunshaughlin which occurs in our annals, a very remarkable one indeed, is its connection with St Secundinus In fact it owes its origin to this Saint and derives its name from him. … St Secundinus was a native of Gall and son of Restitutus, a Lombard, by, it is said, Liemania, otherwise named Darerca, who is usually said to have been the sister to St Patrick. According to Tirechan’s list, Secundinus and Auxilius, his brother, were disciples of St Patrick and seem to have accompanied him from the commencement of his mission to Ireland. After a few years they were sent to Britain or Gaul to be Consecrated, as, according to the established usage of the Church, three Bishops are required for the consecration of another. The Annals of Ulster and Innisfallen remark, at 439, that the Bishops Secundinus, Auxilius and Isserninus, were sent this year (439) to aid St Patrick. Seachnall fixed his See at Dunshaughlin and was reputed a very wise, prudent and holy man. In the Four Masters he is called “St Patrick’s Bishop without fault.”. So high was the opinion St Patrick had of him that when he went to preach the Gospel in Leinster and Munster, he appointed Secundinus to preside over the converts of Meath and the North. Hence he is called “St Patrick’s Vicar or Suffragan.” It is recorded that on one occasion, he expressed disapprobation at St Patrick’s extreme disinterest in refusing presents from the wealthy, by means of which he could support the religious Converts who might be in distress. On St Patrick explaining his reasons, St Secundinus asked forgiveness and composed a Hymn in his honour which, most probably, was the first Christian Latin Hymn composed in Ireland. It has been published by Father Colgan and republished by Ware, who calls it an alphabetical Hymn because the strophes, consisting each of four lines, begin with the letters of the alphabet, following in order. It appears too in the ancient Antiphonarium Benchorense, a work certainly beyond one thousand years old, which has been republished by Muratori. There are different readings in the various editions but substantially the same. Secundinus’s Hymn is frequently referred to in our ancient writers and many favours are promised to those who reverently recite it.
After a holy and edifying life, … Secundinus died on the 27th of November, 448, in the seventy-fifth year of his age,and was interred in his own Church of Dunshaughlin. He was the first Bishop who died in Ireland and has been held in special reverence throughout the Diocese of Meath. As an instance of this, the name Maol-Seachlan (servant of St Seachnall) was common amongst the ancient Irish (but particularly in the royal race of Meath. The O’Maolseachlains, or O’Melaghlins, who belonged to the great branch of the Southern Hy-Nialls or Clan Colman, took their name from their ancestor Maolseachlain (Latinised Malachias and Anglicised Maiachy), who again took his name from the first Bishop of Dunshaughlin. This name O’Maelseachlain, has been Anglicised MacLoughlin since the reign of Queen Anne.”
Saint of the Day – 26 November – Saint Bellinus of Padua (Died 1151) Bishop of Padua and Martyr, Reformer (he led a reform of the spiritual lives of the Clergy in his Diocese) he rebuilt the Cathedral and opened schools, Miracle-worker. Born in the late 11th Century in Padua, Italy and died by being stabbed by assassins in 1151 on a forest road while on a trip to Rome. Patronages – the City and Diocese of Adria, Italy, against dog bites, against rabies. Also known as – Bellino. He was Canonised by Pope Eugene IV.
Artwork by Taddeo Crivelli – St Bellinus dyring Mass
Bellinus, according to some sources from Germany, was born in the region on the Baltic Sea but, according to others, he was the son of the noble Bertaldo family in Padua and became the Bishop of Padua in 1128 .
Even as a Priest, he was loyal to the legitimate Popes Callistus II and Honorius II, while his predecessor in office, supported the anti-popes. In 1144 Bellinus made a pilgrimage to Rome to meet Pope Celestine II.
In Padua as the Bishop, he introduced reforms in the clergy, appointed canons, had the Cathedral rebuilt after it was destroyed in 1117 by an earthquake and saw to it that schools were built.
Mattia Bortoloni – The Saints Bellinus, Anthony of Padua and Thomas of Villanova
Bellinus worked zealously to rebuild the status and dignity of the Church and defended Church rights against the secular powers. He, therefore, entered into conflicts with the influential Capodivacca family, who organised hired assassins to attack him. They met him during a journey to Rome in a forest in Fratta Polesinelet and murdered him.
Bellinus’ corpse was taken to the Church of San Giacomo di Fratta, After a flood, his bones were taken to the new Church dedicated to him in San Bellino near Rovigo. In 1647, his Relics were moved to a Chapel in the same Church.
Marble statue, 1672, in the Cathedral of Chioggia. The Altarpiece behind shows Bishop St Liborius of le Mans
Saint of the Day – 26 November – Saint Peter of Alexandria (Died 311) Bishop Martyr, known as the “Seal of the Martyrs” Born at Alexandria, Egypt and died by Martyrdom in 311 at Alexandria, Egypt. Tradition attests that the Egyptian Bishop was the last believer to suffer death at the hands of Roman imperial authorities for his faith in Christ. For this reason, St Peter of Alexandria is known as the “Seal of the Martyrs.”
He is said to have undertaken severe penances for the sake of the suffering Church during his lifetime and written letters of encouragement to those in prison, before going to his own death at the close of the “era of the Martyrs.”
Peter was born and raised in Alexandria but both the date of Peter’s birth and of his Ordination as a Priest, are unknown. It is clear, however, that he was chosen to lead Egypt’s main Catholic community in the year 300, after the death of Saint Theonas of Alexandria. He may have previously been in charge of Alexandria’s well-known Catechetical School, an important centre of religious instruction in the early Church. Peter’s own theological writings were cited in a later fifth-century dispute over Christ’s divinity and humanity.
In 302, the Emperor Diocletian and his subordinate Maximian, attempted to wipe out the Church in the territories of the Roman Empire. They used their authority to destroy Church properties, imprison and torture believers and eventually kill those who refused to take part in pagan ceremonies. As the Bishop of Alexandria, Peter offered spiritual support to those who faced these penalties, encouraging them to hold to their faith without compromise.
One acute problem for the Church during this period, was the situation of the “lapsed.” These were Catholics who had violated their faith by participating in pagan rites under coercion but who later, repented and sought to be reconciled to the Church. Peter issued canonical directions for addressing their various situations and these guidelines became an important part of the Eastern Christian tradition for centuries afterward.
Around the year 306, Peter led a Council which deposed Bishop Meletius of Lycopolis, a member of the Catholic hierarchy who had allegedly offered sacrifice to a pagan idol. Peter left his Diocese for reasons of safety during some portions of the persecution , travelling through many lands, encouraging his flock by letter, before returning to his City to guide the Alexandrian Church personally during this period. He secretly visited those imprisoned, assisted widows and orphans, and conducted clandestine services. His absence from Alexandria, however, gave Meletius an opening to set himself up as his rival and lead a schismatic church in the area.
The “Meletian schism” would continue to trouble the Church for years after the death of Alexandria’s legitimate Bishop. Saint Athanasius, who led the Alexandrian Church during a later period, in the fourth century, claimed that Meletius personally betrayed Peter of Alexandria to the state authorities during the Diocletian persecution.
Although Diocletian himself chose to resign his rule in 305, persecution continued under Maximinus Daia, who assumed leadership of the Roman Empire’s eastern half in 310. The early Church historian, Eusebius, attests that, in 311, Maximinus, during an imperial visit to Alexandria, unexpectedly ordered its Bishop to be seized and killed without imprisonment or trial. Three Priests – Faustus, Dio and Ammonius – were reportedly beheaded along with him.
St Peter of Alexandria’s entry in the “History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria” (a volume first compiled by a Coptic Bishop in the 10th century) concludes with a description of the aftermath of his death.
“And the City was in confusion and was greatly disturbed, when the people beheld this Martyr of the Lord Christ. Then, the chief men of the City came, and wrapped his body in the leathern mat, on which he used to sleep and they took him to the Church … And, when the liturgy had been performed, they buried him with the fathers. May his prayers be with us and all those who are Baptised!”
St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751) Confessor, Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor, reacher – in particular Parish Mission Preacher, Ascetic Writer, Spiritual Director. St Leonard founded many pious societies and confraternities and exerted himself to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ. He was among the few to insist that the concept of the Immaculate Conception of Mary be defined as a Dogma of the Faith. He was Beatified on 19 June 1796 by Pope Pius VI and Canonised on 29 June 1867 by Pope Pius IX. About St Leonard: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/27/saint-of-the-day-27-november-st-leonard-of-port-maurice-ofm-1676-1751/
Bl Albert of Haigerloch St Alypius Stylites St Amator of Autun St Basolus of Verzy St Bellinus of Padua (Died 1151) Bishop and Martyr St Bertger of Herzfeld St Conrad of Constance Bl Delphine of Glandèves St Egelwine of Athelney St Ida of Cologne St James the Hermit St Magnance of Ste-Magnance St Marcellus of Nicomedia St Martin of Arades St Nicon of Sparta Bl Pontius of Faucigny St Sabaudus of Trier St Siricius, Pope St Stylianus St Vacz
Martyrs of Alexandria – 650+- Saints: A group of approximately 650 Christian Priests, Bishops and Laity Martyred together in the persecution of Maximian Galerius. We have the names and a few details only seven of them – Ammonius, Didius, Faustus, Hesychius, Pachomius, Phileas and Theodore. The were born in Egypt and were martyred there in c 311 in Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Capua – 7 Saints: A group of seven Christians Martyred together. The only details about them to survive are the names – Ammonius, Cassianus, Felicissimus, Nicander, Romana, Saturnin and Serenus. They were martyred in Capua, Campania, Italy, date unknown.
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 6 Saints: A group of six Christians Martyred by Arians. Few details have survived except their names – Marcellus, Melisus, Numerius, Peter, Serenusa and Victorinus. Martyred in 349 in Nicomedia, Bithynia, Asia Minor (modern Izmit, Turkey).
Saint of the Day – 24 November – Saint John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church, Confessor, Carmelite Priest, Mystic, Poet, Reformer, Writer. He was gifted with prophecy and miracles, visions and the ability to read hearts.
St John of the Cross By Father Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888)
In 1542, was born at Fontiveros, a hamlet of old Castile, St John of the Cross, renowned through the entire Christian world, as the restorer of the Carmelite Order. His mother, after his father’s early death, went to Medina del Campo, where John commenced his studies and continued them until he entered the Order of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel. From his early youth he had entertained a childlike devotion to the Blessed Virgin, who more than once saved him most miraculously from death. One day, when playing with some other lads around a deep pond, he fell into it. In this danger, the Divine Mother appeared to him in a most beautiful form and offered him her hand, to draw him out of the water. But as his hands were much soiled, he hesitated to take those of so brilliant a lady, whereupon his Guardian Angel, or some other inhabitant of Heaven, held out to him, from the edge of the pond, a long pole, by the aid of which he was happily saved. At another time he fell into a well and when all feared that he was drowned, they saw him sitting quietly upon the water. When they drew him out, he said that the Queen of Heaven had caught him in her cloak and thus prevented his sinking.
Before he was nine years old, he showed a wonderful zeal in mortifying his body, chastising himself by taking only a short rest on a hard bed and by voluntary fasts. While yet a student, he nursed, with great solicitude and charity, the sick in the hospitals. After he had taken the Carmelite Habit, he was not satisfied with the penances then practiced in the Convent but endeavoured to regulate his life, in accordance with the first rules and ancient austerity of the Order.
When he prepared himself to say his first Holy Mass, he searched his conscience very carefully,but found no grievous fault. He then gave humble thanks to the Almighty and during his Mass, begged for the grace to be kept in future, free from all mortal sin. His prayer was accepted and he heard the words: “I grant thee thy wish.” From that time, St John never offended the Lord by a mortal sin, nor voluntarily by a venial one.
St Teresa, who lived at that period, said of him that he was a Saint, and had been one all his life. This renowned and holy virgin met St John at Medina and, conferred with him about her desire to found houses for religious, who would live according to the original strict regulations of the Carmelites. John, who, in his eagerness to live in greater austerity, had thought of joining the Carthusian Monks, asked St Teresa’s advice. She told him that it would be more agreeable to God, if he remained in his Order and restored among the men, the same primitive rigour which she was endeavouring to restore among the women. She added, that God had called him to this work. John took counsel with God and his Confessor and then resolved to follow St Teresa’s advice. He erected his first Monastery on a farm which had been presented to him for this purpose and God so visibly blest his undertaking, that he not only filled his house, in a short time, with zealous men but was enabled also, to found several new Convents.
In these religious houses, all the inmates lived so holy and so austere a life that many, thought it was more to be admired, than imitated. The Saint was an example to all and one could hardly imagine a penance which he did not practice. He gave no ear to those who told him to moderate his severities but said: “The narrow path leading to Heaven cannot be travelled by me, in a manner less austere.” The hardships he endured in founding his Monasteries and in restoring the severe regulations of the Order; the persecutions and wrongs he suffered, cannot be described in the short space allotted to us, yet in all these trials, he was never despondent. The love of God possessed his heart so entirely, that he desired nothing but to labour and to suffer for His honour.
The Lord asked him one day what recompense he desired for all his trouble and labour. “Nothing else, O Lord but to suffer and to be despised for Thy sake,” was his answer. Three things he used to ask of the Almighty – first, much work and much suffering; secondly, not to depart this life as a superior; thirdly that he might live and die despised. So unusual a desire to suffer and to be despised, was the result of his meditation on the Passion of Jesus Christ and of his great love for God. This love was so intense that his countenance was frequently seen radiant with a heavenly light, especially when he spoke of divine things. At the time of prayer, as well as during Holy Mass, he often fell into ecstasy and was dissolved in tears. Our Lord once appeared to him in the same form as when He died for us on the Cross. This picture remained so indelibly imprinted on the Saint’s memory,that it almost daily drew tears from his eyes.
Into all those, over whom he had the slightest influence, he endeavoured to instill a tender devotion to our Crucified Lord, as well as to the Most Holy Trinity and to the Blessed Eucharist. His language to sinners was so forcible that he converted even the most hardened. He was much aided in this by the gift which the Almighty had bestowed upon him, of reading the thoughts of the heart. Many who came to him were reproached with their secret sins and admonished to reform their lives. He possessed also the gifts of prophecy, of driving out devils and curing all kinds of diseases. Besides this, he had many visions of the Blessed Virgin, St Joseph, St John and Christ the Lord. Especially remarkable, were the heavenly favours, with which this great servant of the Almighty was comforted, during an imprisonment of nine months, to which he was unjustly condemned. Christ appeared to him and said: “Behold! John, I am here! Fear not. I will rescue thee!” The Blessed Virgin, accompanied by a great many Saints, appeared to him and said: “My son, be patient and endure, for your trials will soon give way to joy.” In another vision, she admonished him to escape from the prison, promising him her assistance, a promise which she also kept. St Teresa, who, during her life, had been closely united with him, appeared also to him after her death, speaking to him most kindly. In his adversity she comforted him, and encouraged him to new labours for the honour of God.
The reward of all the work which the holy man had accomplished, as also of the trials and tribulations he had suffered, was at length bestowed upon him, in the year 1591, when he was in the forty-ninth year of his age. He was seized with fever, in the hermitage of Pegnuela and was brought from there to Ubeda, according to his wish. He had an ulcer on that part of his right foot where the holy feet of our Lord were pierced with nails. To open it, the surgeon was obliged to make a deep incision. The pain thus caused was very great but greater still, was the patience of the Saint, who even rejoiced at bearing, in some manner, the image of the sufferings of Christ and at having five wounds on one foot.
God had already, some time previously, revealed to him the hour of his death and the Blessed Virgin, whom the Saint had always especially honoured, appeared to him on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, saying that she would come for him on the Sunday after the festival. When the physicians told him that his end was not far distant, he said, in the words of the Psalmist: “I was glad when they said unto me, We shall go up into the house of the Lord.” Half an hour before his death, he called all his religious to him, exhorted them to persevere in their zeal and said: “My parting hour draws near.” After the usual prayers of the Church, he heard the bells ring for the midnight Matins. “I shall sing the Matins in Heaven,” said he, after which, taking the Crucifix, he kissed it most devoutly and calmly ended his holy life, saying: “Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul.” A large ball, as of fire, was seen above the dying Saint. After his death, his countenance beamed with a heavenly brightness and was so beautiful that none grew weary of looking at him, while at the same time, such delicious odour emanated from him that the whole Monastery was filled with it. The Almighty has carefully preserved his body incorrupt until this hour.
Bl Conrad of Frisach St Crescentian of Rome St Eanfleda of Whitby St Felicissimus of Perugia St Félix Alonso Muñiz St Firmina of Amelia St Flora of Cordoba St Francisco Borrás Román St Hitto of Saint-Gall St Kenan of Damleag St Leopardinus of Vivaris Bl Maria Anna Sala St Marinus of Maurienne St Mary of Cordoba St Pierre Rose Ursule Dumoulin Borie St Portianus of Miranda St Protasius of Milan St Romanus of Le Mans
Saint of the Day – 23 November – St Clement I (c 88–c 101) Pope Martyr, Miracle-worker. St Clement is considered to be the first Apostolic Father of the Church, one of the three chief ones together with St Polycarp and St Ignatius of Antioch. Papal Ascensi,on c 88. Born in Rome, Italy and died by drowning at Chersonesus, Taurica, Bosporan Kingdom (modern Greece). Patronages – boatmen, sailors, marble workers, against blindness, sick children, stonecutters, Diocese of Aarhus, Denmark, Dundee, Scotland. Steenwijk, Netherlands, Velletri, Italy. Also known as – Clement of Rome, Clemens Romanus.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “The birthday of Pope Clement, who held the sovereign Pontificate, the third after the blessed Apostle St Peter. In the persecution of Trajan, he was banisbed to Chersonesus, where being percipitated into the sea with an anchor tied to his neck, he was crowned with Martyrdom. His body was taken to Rome during the Pontificate of Nicholas I and placecd, with due honour in the Church which had been previously built under his invocation.”
c 1000 portrayal at Saint Sophia’s Cathedral, Kyiv
Saint Clement I., Pope and Martyr By Father Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888)
Whilst the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, were preaching the Gospel at Rome, there came to them Clement, a son of Faustinus, who was related to the Emperor Domitian. After several discourses with St Peter, he saw the error of Paganism, in which he had been born and educated and became a convert to the Christian faith. He progressed so rapidly in virtue and holiness that he was of great help to Paul in converting the heathens, as the holy Apostle testifies in his Epistle to the Philippians. The unwearied zeal he manifested in such holy endeavours, his purity and other bright virtues, raised him, after the death of Sts Linus and Cletus, to the government of the entire Church of Christ.
In this elevated but burdensome dignity, his holy life was an example to his flock. He gave several excellent laws to the Church, by one of which he divided the City into seven districts and placed in each, a notary to record the deeds, virtues and Martyrdom, of those who were persecuted for Christ’s sake that posterity, admiring their heroism, might be animated to follow their example. His sermons were so full of deep thought and so powerful, that he daily converted several heathens. Among these was Flavia Domitilla, a niece of the Emperor Domitian, who not only became a zealous Christian but, refusing several advantageous offers of marriage, vowed her virginity to God.
He converted Sisinius, one of the most influential men in the City, by a miracle. While yet a heathen, Sisinius went unseen into the secret Chapel where the Christians assembled, in order to ascertain what they were doing and to see whether his wife was among them. God, however, punished him immediately with blindness in both eyes. He revealed himself by calling for, someone to lead him home and St. Clement, who was present, went to him and, restoring his sight after a short prayer, he improved the occasion, to explain to him, the truths of Christianity. Sisinius, being soon convinced, received holy Baptism and many heathens followed his example. The Emperor Trajan, being informed of this, commanded St Clement to be banished to the Chersonesus, unless he consented to sacrifice to the gods. Nearly two thousand Christians had already been banished to that region, where they were forced to work in mines and quarries. The holy Vicar of Christ rejoiced to be thought worthy to suffer for his Divine Master and indignantly, refused to comply with the Emperor’s command to worship the Pagan idols. He was accordingly transported, and condemned to labour like the others.
This fate at first seemed very hard to him but. the thought that he suffered it for Christ’s sake, strengthened him. With the same thought. he endeavoured also to inspire his unhappy companions, when he saw that they became discouraged and lost their patience. He also frequently represented to them, the reward which was awaiting them in Heaven. A miracle which God performed through him, raised him to great consideration, even with the heathens.
There was a great scarcity of water and the Christians suffered much from the thirst occasioned by their hard work. St Clement, pitying them most deeply, prayed to God to help them. Rising from his knees, he saw, on a high rock, a lamb, which seemed, with his raised right foot, to point to the place where water could be found. The holy man, trusting in the Almighty, seized an axe and, lightly striking the rock, procured a rich stream of clear water, which refreshed all the inhabitants of the country, especially the poor persecuted Christians. So many heathens were converted on account of this miracle, that, in the course of a year, almost all the idolatrous temples were torn down and Christian c=Churches erected in their stead.
St Clement by Tiepolo
Some of the idolatrous priests complained of this to the Emperor, who immediately sent Aufidian, a cruel tyrant, to force the Christians to forsake their faith and to put St Clement to death. The tyrant endeavoured to induce the holy man to forsake Christ but finding that all words were useless, he commanded the executioners to tie an anchor to the neck of St Clement, take him out into the sea and cast him into the deep, in order that nothing of him should remain to comfort the Christians. The last words of the holy Pope were: “Eternal Father! receive my spirit!”
Martyrdom of St Clement by Fungai
The Christians, who had been encouraged by him to remain constant in their faith, stood on the sea-shore, until the tyrant and his followers had departed, after the death of the Saint. They then knelt in prayer, to beg of the Almighty that He would restore to them the body of their beloved shepherd and, whilst they prayed, the sea began slowly to retreat from the shore. The Christians, following the retreating water, came to the place where the Saint had been cast into the sea and found, to their inexpressible astonishment and joy, a small marble Chapel and in it, a tomb of stone, in which the body of the holy Pope was reposing. At his side, lay the anchor which had been tied around his neck. The joy and comfort which filled the hearts of the faithful at this sight, can more easily be imagined than described. They wished to take the holy body away but God made known to them that, for the present, it should not be disturbed and that, every year, the sea would retreat, during seven days, so as to permit all to visit the shrine of the Saint! This took place for several years, until, at last, by divine revelation, the Relics were transported to Rome.
St Adalbert of Casauria St Alexander Nevski St Amphilochius of Iconium St Augusta of Alexandria St Clement of Metz Bl Detlev of Ratzeburg St Falitrus of Chabris St Faustina of Alexandria St Gregory of Girgenti Bl Guy of Casauria St Jaume Nàjera Gherna St Loëvan of Brittany St Lucretia of Mérida Bl Margaret of Savoy St Mustiola of Chiusi St Paternian of Fano St Paulinus of Whitland St Rachildis of Saint-Gall St Severin of Paris St Sisinius of Cyzicus St Trudo of Hesbaye St Wilfetrudis of Nivelless
Saint of the Day – 22 November – Saint Pragmatius of Autun (Died c 520) Bishop of Autun, France, Peacemaker. Also known as Prammazio, Pragmazio.
We have very little information regarding the life of our Saint but we do know that he was a friend of the great holy Bishops of his time, Saints Sidoine Apollinaire and Saint Avitus of Vienne. We also we find his signature at the bottom of the Acts of one of the Councils of his time.
As Bishop, Pragmatius worked tirelessly, to spare his Diocese from the violence caused by the bitter feuding among the claimants to the Frankish throne during the early 6th Century.
In his old age, he had the pain of seeing his Episcopal See, devastated by the sons of Clovis, winners of the Burgundians, who opposed the invading Franks.
Autun Cathedral a famous Romanesque and Pilgrimage Church
Saint of the Day – 21 November – Saint Maurus of Cesena (Died 946) Bishop, Monk, Abbot. nephew of Pope John IX. Born in Rome, Italy and died on 21 November 946 in Cesena, Flaminia, Italy of natural causes. Patronage – against blindness. Also known as – Maur, Mauro.
Maurus was Ordained then became a Benedictine Monk at Classis in Ravenna, Italy. Having served as Abbot of the Monastery of Classis, in Ravenna, Italy, Maurus became Bishop of Cesena around 934, where he served until his death.
A zealous and devoted shepherd, he found the strength to care for his flock during the day, by withdrawing to pray in the evenings, to a hilltop retreat outside the City. Here, amid a densely wooded forest, he erected for himself a hermitage and Chapel. This retreat symbolically represented for him, Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, where Christ withdrew to pray. During Lent, Maurus spent each day at his hermitage in solitude, praying and fasting.
Maurus was buried in a marble tomb on Monte Spaziano, Italy next to his small cell where he would retreat for prayer and solitude. His grave was lost for many years but accidentally re-discovered in the 11th century, whereafter his Relics were enshrined in the nearby Benedictine Church. In 1470 they were again moved to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Cesena with some Relics being enshrined in Ravenna.
Following his death, a number of miracles were attributed to his intercession. Upon arriving at the Church enclosing Maurus’ tomb, a blind woman from France passionately declared her determination never to leave there, unless Maurus obtained the restoration of her sight. Having given the Saint this “ultimatum,” she acted on her words, by erecting for her habitation, a small hut adjacent to the Church and began her prayers. After persevering for eight days in her supplications, the woman received her sight and, thereupon, gave thanks to God and Saint Maurus.
St Amelberga of Susteren St Celsus the Martyr St Clement the Martyr St Colman Iomramha of Inishmore St Columba the Younger St Demetrius of Ostia St Digain Bl Eoin O’Mulkern St Pope Gelasius I St Heliodorus of Pamphylia St Hilary of Vulturno St Honorius of Ostia St Maurus of Cesena (Died 946) Bishop, Priest, Monk, Abbot St Maurus of Porec St Maurus of Verona Bl Nicholas Giustiniani St Rufus of Rome
Martyrs of Asta – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together for their faith during the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details about them to survive are their names – Eutychius, Honorius and Stephen. They were martyred in c 300 at Asta, Andalusia, Spain.
Saint of the Day – 20 November – Saint Cyprian of Calamizzi (c 1125-1190) Abbot, Hermit, Medical Doctor . Born in c 1125 in Reggio di Calabria, Italy and died on 20 November 1190 at the Monastery of San Nicola, Calamizzi, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – Cipriano.
Cyprian, son of a rich, noble doctor, became a doctor himself but then retired at the age of 25 as a Monk to Calanna near Reggio di Calabria Monastery of the Most Holy Redeemer of the Basilians – roughly on the site of the present Parish Church
Cyprian moved on and then lived for twenty years as a Hermit in a cave on his father’s estate at Pavigliana, above Reggio, near the Church dedicated to St Veneranda . He was increasingly visited by people who sought his help, both spiritual and bodily.
Some companions joined him as Hermits. Then the Abbot Paulus from the Monastery of San Nicola at Punta Calamizzi died and its Monks asked Cyprian to be their new Abbot.
Cyprian agreed and took over at the age of 60. There Cyprian became known for his austerity, adherance to the Rule of his Monastery, his charity to poor and his wise counsel to anyone who approached him. He revived the spiritual and cultural life of the Monks, restored the Church of the Monastery and built the bell tower,. He also restored the Monks’ cells and the refectory. He expanded the library, worked to increase the education and spirituality of his Monks and during the day, he laboured as a free Physician to all the poor sick in need of assistance.
The Calamizzi Parish Church which now stands on the site of St Cyprian’s Monastery
When he broke his leg in an accident whilst driving in his carriage, which was badly set and left him with a limp for the rest of his days also causing a steady decline in his health until he died on 20 November 1190.
Cyprian was buried in the Church of his Monastery at Punta Calamizzi . When the Monastery was destroyed in an earthquake in 1783, the Monks were miraculously unharmed, which they attributed to the intercession of St Cyprian.
St Agapius of Caesarea Bl Ambrose of Camaldoli St Ampelus of Messina St Anatolius of Nicea St Apothemius of Angers St Autbodus of Valcourt St Basil of Antioch St Bernerio of Eboli St Crispin of Ecija St Cyprian of Calamizzi (c 1125-1190) Abbot St Dasius of Dorostorum St Dorus of Benevento St Edmund of East Anglia St Eudo of Carméry St Eustachius of Nicea St Eval of Cornwall St Francisca Desamparados Honorata Lloret Martí St Gaius of Messina St Gregory Decapolites St Hippolytus of Belley St Humbert of Elmham St Leo of Nonantula St Maxentia of Beauvais St Milagros Ortells Gimeno St Nerses of Sahgerd and Companions St Simplicius of Verona St Sylvester of Châlons-sur-Saône St Thespesius of Nicea St Teonesto of Vercelli
Martyrs of Antioch – 3 Saints: Group of three Christians executed together for their faith. No details have survived except their names – Basil, Dionysius and Rusticus. They were martyred in Antioch (Antakya, Turkey).
Martyrs of Heraclea – 3 Saints: A group of 43 Christians Martyred together. The only details about them to survive are three of their names – Agapitus, Bassus and Dionysius. They were martyred in Heraclea, Thrace.
Martyrs of Turin – 3 Saints: Three Christian Martyrs whose original stories were lost and somehow came to be associated with the Theban Legion. They are – Adventor, Octavius and Solutor. They were beheaded in 297 in Turin, Italy. Patronage – Turin, Italy.
Saint of the Day – 19 November – Blessed James Benefatti OP (Died 1332) “Father of the Poor” Bishop of Mantua, Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Papal Legate in the service of Pope Benedict XI and of Pope John XXII, Apostle of the poor. Born in the late 13th century at Mantua, Italy and died on 19 November 1332 at Mantua, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – James Benefatti, James of Mantua, “Father of the Poor.” Beatified in 1859by Pope Pius IX. His body is incorrupt.
Janes was born in Mantua and also died there, on 19 November 1332. He was both a Doctor of Theology and a Priest. In 1290 James entered the Dominican Convent in his hometown. There he became the friend and brother Friar of Nicholas Boccasino, who later became Pope Benedict XI. Under Pope Denedict XI, James held several important offices, including Papal Legate. And, in the course of his service to the Pope, he also served as Papal Legate for Pope John XXII.
In 1303 James was Consecrated as the Bishop of Mantua (some resources say he was Consecrated in 1304). There, Bishop James was known for his devotion to the poor, earning him the name “Father of the Poor.”
As Bishop, James rebuilt the Cathedral and refurbished Churches in his Diocese. He also actively fought against the hatred and division which plagued the City at that time. After his death, James was credited with many remarkable miracles that occurred and people began to call him Blessed James in gratefulness for his intercession.
Nearly 150 years after his death, in 1480, when repairs were being made to the Church were he was buried, an accident opened his tomb and people were startled to find his body completely incorrupt. Again, in 1604, the same phenomenon occurred.
Blessed James’ cult was confirmed in 1859 by Pope Pius IX.
Prayer
Eternal God, You established Blessed James as a model for Your flock and made him renowned for his zeal for peace and for his mercy towards Your people. By his prayers and example, may we be united in the Truth of Your Word and ever ardent in Your divine love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, You Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
St Elizabeth of Hungary TOSF (1207-1231) Widow, Princess, Third Order Franciscans, Mother, Apostle of the poor, the sick, the needy.. She was Canonised on 27 May 1235 by Pope Gregory IX at Perugia, Italy. Patronages – hospitals, nurses, bakers, brides, countesses, dying children, exiles, homeless people, lace-makers, widows. all Catholic charities and the Third Order of Saint Francis. About St Elizabeth: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/17/saint-of-the-day-st-elizabeth-of-hungary-1207-1231-t-o-s-f/ Her Feast Day is 19 November – movedto the 17 November in 1969
St Atto of Tordino St Azas of Isauria St Barlaam of Caves St Barlaam of Antioch St Corbre of Anglesey St David of Augsburg St Ebbe of Minster-of-Thanet St Egbert of York Bl James Benefatti OP (Died 1332) Bishop, Priest of the Order of Preachers. Beatified in 1859 by Pope Pius IX. St James of Sasseau St Maximus of Caesarea St Maximus of Rome
St Medana St Nerses the Great St Obadiah the Prophet St Tuto
Martyrs of Heraclea – 40 Saints: Forty women, a mix of Nuns, widows and other lay women, who were Martyred together. No other details have come down to us. They died at Heraclea, Thrace.
Martyrs of Vienne: – 3 Saints St Exuperius St Felicianus St Severinus
Saint of the Day – 18 November – Saint Romano of Antioch (Died c 303) Deacon Martyr . Died by strangulation in prison in Antioch, Syria. Also known as – Romanus of Caesarea, Romano.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Antioch, the birthday of St Romanus, Martyr in the time of the Emperor Galerius. When the Prefect Asclepiades broke into the Churches and strove to destroy them completely, Romanus exhorted the Christians to resist him and, after being subjected to dire torments and the cutting out of his tongue (without which, however, he spoke the praises of God), he was strangled in prison and crowned with a glorious Martyrdom. Before him suffered a young boy, named Barula, who, being asked by him. whether it was better to worship one God, Whom the Christians adore, was scourged and beheaded.”
In 303 or 304, at the beginning of Diocletian Persecution, a Deacon called Romanus, served in Caesarea in Palestine. He was living in Antioch, where, in the midst of the persecutions, he encouraged the Christians to stand firm.
During a pagan festival, he upbraided the participants for worshiping idols. Taken prisoner, he was condemned to death by fire and was bound to the stake. When rain extinguished the flames, Romanus was brought before Emperor Galerius who was then in Antioch. At the Emperor’s command, Romanus’ tongue was cut out. Tortured in various ways in prison, he was finally strangled.
Eusebius speaks of his Martyrdom in De martyribus Palaestinae. Prudentius relates other details and gives Romanus a companion in Martyrdom, a Christian boy by name Barulas.
he Church of San Román in Seville is dedicated to Romanus. Prudentius wrote a 1140 line Hymn to Romanus, the Romane Christi fortis, the tenth hymn in his Peristephanon.
Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul: From the twelfth century the Dedications of the Vatican Basilica of St Peter and the Basilica of St Paul on the Via Ostiense, have been celebrated on this day, as the anniversary of their dedication by St Pope Silvester and St Pope Siricius in the fourth century. In more recent times, this feast has been extended to the whole Roman Rite. As the anniversary of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major (5 August) honours the motherhood of Our Lady, so this Feast honours the memory of the two Princes of the Apostles. About this Feast: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/18/feast-of-the-dedication-of-the-basilicas-of-sts-peter-and-paul-at-rome-18-november/
St Amandus of Lérins Bl Andreas Murayama Tokuan St Anselm of Lérins St Augusto Cordero Fernández St Barulas St Constant Bl Cosmas Takeya Sozaburo Bl Domingos Jorge St Emiliano Martínez de La Pera Alava St Esteban Anuncibay Letona St Francisco Marco Alemán St Germán García y García Bl Guilminus Bl Ioannes Yoshida Shoun St José María Cánovas Martínez St Keverne Bl Leonard Kimura St Mawes St Maximus of Mainz St Modesto Sáez Manzanares St Mummolus of Lagny St Nazarius of Lérins St Noah the Patriarch
St Oriculus St Patroclus of Colombier St Romfarius of Coutances St Romanus of Antioch (Died c 303) Deacon Martyr St Teofredo of Vellaicum St Thomas of Antioch St Vidal Luis Gómara
Quote/s of the Day – 17 November – St Gregory Thaumaturgus (c 213-c 270) “the Wonder-Worker,” Bishop, Confessor
“ By a woman, came the flood of our ills and by a woman too, our blessings, have their spring.”
“The Creed” of Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus
There is one God, the Father of the Living Word, Who is His subsistent Wisdom and Power and Eternal Image, perfect Begetter of the perfect Begotten, Father of the Only-begotten Son. There is one Lord, Only of the Only, God of God, Image and Likeness of Deity, Efficient Word, Wisdom comprehensive of the constitution of all things and Power formative of the whole creation, true Son of true Father, Invisible of Invisible and Incorruptible of Incorruptible and Immortal of Immortal and Eternal of Eternal. And there is One Holy Spirit, having His subsistence from God and being made manifest by the Son, to wit to men, Image of the Son, Perfect Image of the Perfect, Life, the Cause of the living, Holy Fount, Sanctity, the Supplier, or Leader, of Sanctification, in Whom is manifested God the Father, Who is above all and in all and God the Son, Who is through all. There is a perfect Trinity, in glory and eternity and sovereignty, neither divided nor estranged. Wherefore, there is nothing, either created or in servitude in the Trinity, nor anything superinduced, as if at some former period, it was non-existent and at some later period, it was introduced. And thus neither was the Son ever wanting to the Father, nor the Spirit to the Son but, without variation and without change, the same Trinity abideth ever.
St Gregory Thaumaturgus (c 213-c 270) “the Wonder-Worker,” Bishop, Confessor
Saint of the Day – 17 November – St Florinus of Remüs (Died c 856) Priest, Confessor, Miracle-worker. Born in the late 8th Century in Val Venosta, Italy and died in c 856 at Remüs (modern Ramosch), Switzerland of natural causes. His name (from Latin) means “the blooming one.” Patronages – of the Lower Engadine and Vinschgau; from 1288 to 1962 – the Diocese of Chur. Also known as – • Florinus of Chur• Florinus of Finsgowe• Florinus of Matsch• Florinus of Mazia• Florinus of Ramosch• Florinus of Val Venosta• Florinus of Vinschgau• Florinus of Vnuost• Florin, Florian. Additional Memorials – • 7 August (translation of relics to Chur, Switzerland) • 18 December (translation of relics to the Trier, Germany).
Picture at the Parish Church in Matsch in South Tyrol
According to tradition, Florinus was the son of an Anglo-Saxon father and a Christian Jew who had settled in Vinschgau on their return from a pilgrimage to Rome . Florinus was raised by the Priest Alexander of Remüs. His former protégé, Florinus, who had meanwhile become a Priest, followed him in the pastoral apostolit. The activity which the new shepherd carried out by word and example, was so devoted that Florinus quickly won the love and admiration of his flock.
The Church in Ramosch, which used to be dedicated to St Peter and is now to St Florinus
The legend tells of numerous miracles, such as when he fetched the Communion wine, gave it to a poor woman for her ailing husband and, instead refilled the container with water, which turned into wine at the Altar. Hence in art, Florinus is usually depicted holiding a Chalice.
Many miracles also took place at Florinus’ tomb in the Church of Ramosch. As early as 719 there was a Church dedicated to Florinus, presided over by St Othmar of Saint Gallen (feast day yesterday). The Church in Ramosch, was dedicated to Florinus in 930. . Around 950, Duke Hermann of Swabia, brought Florinus’ Relics to the Marienstift in Koblenz, whose Church was then dedicated to Florinus too. After its founding in 1142, the bones came to the Monastery in Schönau near Heidelberg; others are in Regensburg. Because the Founder of the former Monasterywas converted at the grave of Florinus, in Churwalden, he acquired relics for his new foundation.
Stained glass window in the Baptistery in the Chur Cathedral
The Cathedral in Vaduz, built in the 19th Century next to a Chapel dedicated to Florinus and the Parish Church in Matsch is also dedicated to him. Another Chapel, built in 1853 at the end of this village, is dedicated to Florinus and contains a Relic and stands near the courtyard where, according to tradition, Florinus was born. This replaced the Chapel at the place of his birth after it had been destroyed three times by avalanches.
The Miracle of the White Rider: In March 1799 the imperial troops were defeated by the French after a short battle in the Munster valley. The French then scorched, plundered and murdered in Malles and its surroundings. Many residents of Mals grabbed the most necessary belongings and fled hastily. The Matscher people heard, with horror, of the atrocities committed by the French and their fear and concern increased more and more, that the inhuman soldiers might also reach their little village, rob it and burn itto the ground. They gathered in the Parish Church and entreated their Patron, St Florinus to plead for protection and help. Lo and behold, when the enemy found out that the Malser had fled, a detachment of soldiers immediately took up the pursuit and got as far as Rowein before the village of Matsch. Then the Patron Saint of the valley, St Florinus, galloped along on a magnificent white horse and threatened the intruders with his right hand. The white horse, frightening the French so much that they quickly turned and fled down the valley. The village of Mud was saved!
Bust of St. Florinus in Cathedral of Vaduz (Liechtenstein).
St Acisclus St Aignan of Orléans St Alphaeus of Palestine St Eugene of Florence St Eusebio Roldán Vielva St Florinus of Remüs (Died c 856)Priest, Confessor St Giacinto Ansalone St Gregory of Tours
Saint of the Day – 16 November – St Othmar of Saint Gall (c 689-c 759) Priest, the Founder and first Abbot of the Abbey of St Gall in Switzerland, founder of a hospital and a school as well as the famous Library of St Gall (see below), which is the oldest working Library in the world, Apostle of the poor and sick, defender of his people and Abbey against secular usurpers. Born as Alemanne Othmar in c 689 probably near St Gallen and died on 16 November 759 on the Island of Werd-on-the-Rhine, near Echnez, Switzerland. Patronages – of winegrowers, vintners, against childhood diseases and diseases in general, of the Diocese of St. Gallen and the Monatery of St Gall (with St Gall).Also known as -“Poor”Father Audomar, Otmar.
Othmar was born of the Alemannic dialectic group of Germans spoken in certain parts of South Germany, in Alsace (France), Vorarlberg (Austria), Switzerland and Liechtenstein. He received his education in Rhaetia, Switzerland and was Ordained to the Priesthood there. For a time he presided over a Church of St. Florinus in the same location.
Parish church Saint Othmar in Kirchberg. High altar: Statue of Saint Othmar (1710)
In 720, he was appointed as the Superior of the Monks of St Gall (Died 646- Feast 16 October) and Custodian over the Saint’s Relics, who at the time, lived separately but followed a single rule of life. Othmar built a Monastery to accommodate them and united the Monks who lived about the cell of St Gall, according to the Rule of St Columban and became their first Abbot. He added a hospital and a school to the foundation. During his Abbacy the Rule of St Columban was replaced by that of St Benedict.
The Abbey was soon endowed with goods from Alemannic landowners who cared for their salvation but also wanted to keep their goods out of the hands of the Frankish Empire.
Othmar gave away Monastery assets to the poor, built the first house for lepers in Switzerland near the Monastery and took in the sick, blind and poor in another building, where he also looked after them at night. The close connection between the Monastery Monks and the common people, was the reason for his missionary successes and earned him the name “Poor Father.” Fearing the growing wealth of his Monastery, he dressed himself simply, only riding a donkey instead of a horse.
When King Karlmann renounced his throne in 747, he visited Othmar at St Gall and gave him a letter to his brother, King Pepin, recommending Othmar and his Monastery to the King’s generosity and protection. Othmar personally brought the letter to Pepin and was kindly received.
The flourishing Monastery of St Gallen then got caught up in the turmoil of politics in the Frankish Kingdom. When the Counts Warin and Ruodhart unjustly tried to gain possession of some property belonging to St Gall Abbey, Othmar fearlessly resisted their demands. Hereupon they captured him while he was on a journey to Constance and held him prisoner, First he was in the dungeon of the Royal Palace, then led to a show trial, at which he was accused of desecrating a woman and sentenced to death by starvation, later commuted to life imprisonment. He finally found asylum with Count Gozbert on the Rhine Island of Werd near Stein am Rhein but did not survive the abuse he had endured for long and died there.
Othmar’s biographer Gozbert reports that ten years later, in 769, Monks from St Gallen wanted to bring back the body of the Monastery Founder and found it intact. The brothers took a wine barrel with them as provisions for the journey and it always stayed full on the way there and back, no matter how much they drank from it. A storm that was devastating the whole area was miraculously kept away from the ship on the journey across Lake Constance and from the tomb, so that not even the candles at Othmar’s feet and head, went out.
In 867 he was solemnly entombed in the new Church of St Othmar at St Gall. His cult began to spread soon after his death and now he is, next to St Maurice and St Gall, the most popular Saints in Switzerland. His cult was officially recognised in 864 by Bishop Solomon I (Bishop of Constance).
St Gallrn Cathedral dedicated to St Gall and Sr Othmar
His Feast is celebrated on 16 November. He is represented in art as a Benedictine Abbot, generally holding a little barrel in his hand, an allusion to the miracle, that a barrel of St Othmar never became empty, no matter how much he took from it to give to the poor.
The famous and oldest working library in the world established by St Othmar’ at the Monastery of St Gall
St Gallen Cathedral is dedicated to Saints Gall and Othmar. St Othmar Chapel on Werd island was erected in his memory.
Statue of Saint Othmar on the Wall of the Abbey of St Gall
St Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093) Queen Consort of Scotland Saint Margaret’s name signifies “pearl” “a fitting name,” says Bishop Turgot, her Confessor and her first Biographer, “for one such as she.” Her soul was like a precious pearl. Today is the date of St Margaret’s Death and the usual date for a Feast and in Scotland St Margaret is remembered today. But the Traditional Calendar holds her Feast on 10 June as set by Pope Innocent XII in 1693. About St Margaret: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/16/saint-of-the-day-16-november-st-margaret-of-scotland-1045-1093-queen/
St Elpidius the Martyr St Eucherius of Lyon St Eustochius the Martyr St Felicita of Capua St Fidentius of Padua St Gobrain of Vannes St Ludre St Marcellus the Martyr St Othmar of Saint Gall (c 689-c 759) Priest, the First Abbot of the Abbey of St Gall in Switzerland. Bl Simeon of Cava
Saint of the Day – 15 November – St Albertus Magnus / the Great OP (1200-1280) Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church – Doctor Universalis (Universal Doctor) – Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Theologian, Scientist, Philospher, Teacher, Writer. St Albert was Beatified in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and Canonised and created a Doctor of the Church in 1931 by Pope Pius XI. St Albert was known during his lifetime as Doctor Universalis and Doctor Expertus and, late in his life, the Sobriquet “Magnus” was appended to his name. He is the Patron of • Medical Technicians, Natural Sciences, Philosophers, schoolchildren, Scientists (proclaimed on 13 August 1948 by Pope Pius XII). Theology students. Scholars have referred to him as the greatest German Philosopher and Theologian of the Middle Ages.
St Albert the Great, Doctor of the Church From Saint Albert le Grand, 1942
Saint Albert the Great was born in the region of Augsbourg, Germany, of parents rich in the goods of fortune. From the time he was a child, he manifested in his studies, an unusual aptitude for the exact sciences. While he was still a boy, he had himself let down the side of a cliff to examine, at close range, an eagle’s nest which interested him. At the age of fifteen he was already a student of the natural sciences and the humanities, at Bologna. Saint Dominic had died in that City the preceding year, 1221 and was buried in the Dominican Convent there. Their house, in a suburban area of Bologna, was closely associated with the activities at the University and students in large numbers were requesting admission to the Order.
Blessed Reginald of Orleans, Dominican, a former Professor in Paris, came to preach there in the streets. The second Dominican General, Blessed Jordan of Saxony, a compatriot of Albert and a very eloquent Preacher, was in Padua and when the students of Bologna were transferred there, Albert heard him at the Padua Dominican Church. He had already desired to enter the Order, but his uncle, opposed to that plan a very vigorous opposition and Albert was still very young. He dreamed one night that he had become a Dominican but left the Order soon afterwards. The same day he heard Master Jordan preach and the Dominican General spoke of how the demon attempts, to turn aside those who want to enter into religion, knowing that he will suffer great losses from their career in the Church – he persuades them in dreams that they will leave it, or else they see themselves on horseback, or clothed in purple, or as solitaries in the desert, or surrounded by cordial friends; thus he makes them fear entering because they would not be able to persevere. This was precisely Albert’s great concern, faced as he was with his uncle’s opposition. Afterwards the young student, amazed, went to Blessed Jordan, saying: “Master, who revealed my heart to you?” And he lost no time then in entering the Order at the age of sixteen, in 1223, having heard the same Preacher remark, to him personally, that he should consider what a pity it would be, if his excellent youthful qualities became the prey of eternal fires!
When he had earned the title of Doctor in Theology, he was sent to Cologne, where for a long time his reputation attracted many illustrious disciples. The humble Albert, filled with the love of God, taught also in Padua and Bologna, in Saxony, at Freibourg, Ratisbonne and Strasbourg and when Blessed Jordan of Saxony died in 1237, he occupied his place and fulfilled his functions, until 1238, when the election of his successor was held. He returned then to Cologne, where he would encounter a disciple, who alone among all of them, would suffice for his glory — Saint Thomas Aquinas. This young religious, already steeped in the highest theological studies, was silent among the others, to the point of being called by his fellow students “the Mute Ox of Sicily.” But Albert silenced them, saying, “The bellowings of this ox will resound throughout the entire world!”
From Cologne, Saint Albert was called to the University of Paris, with his dear disciple. There, his genius appeared in all its brilliance and there, he composed a large number of his writings. Later, obedience took him back to Germany as Provincial of his Order. Without a murmur, he said farewell to his cell, his books and his numerous disciples and as Provincial, thereafter, journeyed with no money, always on foot, visiting the numerous Monasteries under his jurisdiction, throughout an immense territory, in which were included Austria, Bavaria, Saxony and other regions even to Holland.
He was no longer young when he had to submit to the formal order of the Pope and accept, in difficult circumstances, the Episcopal See of Ratisbonne. There, his indefatigable zeal was rewarded, only by harsh trials, in the midst of which, his virtue was perfected. When, in response to his persevering requests to be relieved of the responsibilities of a large See, Pope Urban IV restored to him the conventual peace of his Order, he was nonetheless, obliged to take up his apostolic journeyings again. Finally, he could enter into a definitive retreat, to prepare for death. One is astonished that amid so many labours, journeys and works of apostolic zeal, Albert could find the time to write on the natural sciences, on philosophy and theology, works which form from twenty-one to thirty-eight volumes, depending on the edition — and one may ask, in which of his titles, he most excelled, that of scholar, of Saint, or of Apostle?
He died, apparently of fatigue, at the age of seventy three, on 15 November 1280 and his body was buried in Cologne in the Dominican Church. He had to wait until 16 December 1931 for the honours of Canonisation and the extension of his cult to the Universal Church. Proclaiming his holiness, Pope Pius XI added the glorious title, so well merited, of Doctor of the Church. From time immemorial, he has been known as the glorious Saint Albert the Great, [Albertus Magnus, most worthy indeed, is this holy child of St Dominic!]
St Albertus Magnus OP (1200-1280) Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church – Doctor Universalis (Universal Doctor) – Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Theologian, Scientist, Philospher, Teacher, Writer. St Albert was Beatified in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and Canonised and created a Doctor of the Church in 1931 by Pope Pius XI. St Albert was known during his lifetime as Doctor universalis and Doctor expertus and, late in his life, the sobriquet Magnus was appended to his name. St Albert! https://anastpaul.com/2017/11/15/saint-of-the-day-15-november-st-st-albertus-magnus-albert-the-great-o-p-1200-1280-doctor-of-the-church/
St Anianus of Wilparting St Arnulf of Toul Bl Caius of Korea St Desiderius of Cahors St Eugene of Toledo St Felix of Nola St Findan St Fintan the Missionary St Gurias of Edessa Bl Hugh Faringdon Bl John Eynon Bl John Rugg Bl John Thorne
Blessed Lucia (Lucy) of Narni OP (1476-1544) Virgin, Tertiary of the Order of Preachers, Mystic, Stigmatist, Her body is incorrupt. So many miracles occurred at her Shrine that Lucia was finally Beatified on 1 March 1710 by Pope Clement XI. It is thought that Lucia was the inspiration for th little girl Lucy, who could see many things that no-one else could, in C S Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. Her Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/15/saint-of-the-day-15-november-blessed-lucia-of-narni-op-1476-1544/
St Luperius of Verona St Machudd of Llanfechell St Malo of Aleth St Marinus of Wilparting
St Paduinus of Le Mans Bl Richard Whiting Bl Roger James St Shamuna of Edessa St Sidonius of Saint-Saens
Martyrs of Hippo – 20 Saints: 20 Christians Martyred together and celebrated by Saint Augustine. The only details about them to survive are three of the names – Fidenziano, Valerian and Victoria. Hippo, Numidia (in north Africa).
Martyrs of North Africa – 3 Saints: A group of Christians murdered for their faith in imperial Roman north Africa. The only details that have survived are the names of three of them – Fidentian, Secundus and Varicus.
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